Marriott Signs Osaka Conversion to Debut Series by Marriott in Japan
Marriott International has teamed with Blackstone to convert the 14‑storey Sugata Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi into a Series by Marriott property, marking the brand’s first entry into Japan. The 256‑room hotel will open in April 2026, positioned just 300 metres from Shinsaibashi Station and close to major shopping and entertainment districts. The Series brand blends locally recognised hotels with Marriott’s global distribution and loyalty network. The deal underscores Marriott’s broader strategy to deepen its footprint in the Japanese hospitality market.
Airalo, Cathay to Offer eSIMs with Asia Miles
Airalo and Cathay Pacific have partnered to sell discounted eSIMs to Cathay travelers, granting 100 Asia Miles for each eSIM purchased. The miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, hotels, dining and other lifestyle rewards. The collaboration taps into a...
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Unveils New Multi-Day Land Programmes
Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced nearly 50 new multi‑day pre‑ and post‑cruise land programmes, rolling out on six ships beginning in 2026. The itineraries span Africa, Arabia, Alaska, Asia, Australia, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and North America, offering curated experiences...
Tracy Wilson Takes over as SVP and GM at Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line has appointed Tracy Wilson as senior vice president and general manager of operations, succeeding Sharon Siskie. Wilson brings more than 30 years of Disney experience, most recently serving as senior vice president of finance for Disney Signature...
Andy Tan to Lead Varel Singapore as GM
Andy Tan has been appointed general manager of Varel Singapore, a new Tribute Portfolio hotel slated to open in April 2026. Tan brings more than three decades of hospitality and travel experience, most recently serving in a senior leadership role...
Reclaiming the Singapore Left Behind
Hidden Heritage, a Singapore‑based tour operator founded by Amanda Cheong and Stanley Cheah, curates guided experiences of the city’s abandoned factories, wartime shelters, and low‑income back‑alleys. Their signature "Industrial Relics & Wartime Secrets" tour began after the founders staged a...
TTG Conversations: Five Questions with Michael Ma, Sentosa Development Corporation
Climate change is driving higher temperatures and erratic rain in Singapore, pressuring outdoor attractions to adapt. Sentosa Development Corporation responded with the "Cooling Sentosa" roadmap, a suite of climate‑responsive technologies and nature‑integrated design solutions. The initiative targets improved visitor comfort,...
Singapore Tourism Board Renews Digital Payments Partnership with Ant International
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has renewed its multi‑year strategic partnership with Ant International, extending the Alipay+ unified wallet gateway across the island. The expanded deal adds joint marketing campaigns for key source markets and introduces new digital tools such...
Klook Inks Osaka Tourism Partnership to Support Regional Growth
Klook has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau to combine its digital platform and traveler data with OCTB’s local expertise. The partnership will deliver joint content, online promotions, data sharing and digital tools such...
Fusion Hotel Group to Develop Beachfront Wellness Resort in Phu Quoc
Fusion Hotel Group has entered a long‑term management deal with Vietnam’s Tropical Corporation to build a beachfront wellness resort on Phu Quoc. The property will feature 51 villas, 158 rooms, a spa‑inclusive Maia Spa, dining venues, meeting spaces and a...
Walk Japan Adds New East Hokkaido Trek to Portfolio
Walk Japan has launched the East Hokkaido Trek, a nine‑day, eight‑night guided hiking tour across eastern Hokkaido’s remote landscapes. The itinerary follows portions of the newly established 410 km Hokkaido East Trail, linking three national parks from Kushiro’s wetlands to the...
Plaza Premium Group Names New Oceania GM
Plaza Premium Group has named Cyrus Wong as General Manager for Oceania, overseeing regional operations and performance. Wong, who joined the firm in 2020, previously served as Director of Asset Management, steering portfolio performance and long‑range commercial planning. His experience...
Juan Losada Takes Helm at Regent Phu Quoc
Juan Losada has been reappointed as General Manager of Regent Phu Quoc, the luxury resort on Vietnam’s premier island. Losada previously led the property’s pre‑opening and launch from 2019 to 2022, establishing its market positioning. He returns with more than...
Philippine Hotel Owners Oppose Plan to Scrap Travel Tax
The Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) opposes a legislative proposal to eliminate the national travel tax, arguing it could derail domestic tourism recovery. The tax currently funds tourism infrastructure, marketing, and development programs. PHOA warns that scrapping the tax may...
IHG Targets Upscale Conversions with Noted Collection Brand
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has unveiled Noted Collection, its 21st brand aimed at converting upscale and upper‑upscale independent hotels into the IHG portfolio. The new premium brand offers access to IHG’s global distribution network, revenue‑management tools, and the One Rewards...
Beyond Green Joins Travalyst Coalition as Accommodation Partner
Beyond Green has become the latest accommodation partner of the Travalyst Coalition, a not‑for‑profit group dedicated to standardising sustainability data in travel. The partnership gives Beyond Green’s global portfolio of independent hotels a voice in shaping emerging data models, metrics...
China Airlines, Agoda Launch StayMiles Hotel Platform
Agoda’s Rocket Travel division has partnered with China Airlines to launch StayMiles, a white‑label hotel booking platform for the carrier’s loyalty members. The service gives members access to over 600,000 properties worldwide and lets them earn up to 10,000 miles...
Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport Rolls Out New All-Inclusive Experience
Sumitomo Fudosan Villa Fontaine has unveiled an all‑inclusive experience at its Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport hotel, directly linked to Terminal 3. Starting April 2026, guests can book a curated "Wonderful Japan" itinerary that bundles executive‑level rooms, daily meals, spa treatments, and...
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon Appoints GM
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon has appointed Richard Margo as its general manager ahead of the resort’s scheduled opening in the second quarter of 2026. Margo arrives with more than three decades of hospitality leadership across Europe, the Middle East...
Pan Pacific Strengthens Singapore Leadership with Cluster GM Appointment
Pan Pacific Hotels Group has appointed Kung Teong Wah as cluster general manager for Parkroyal Collection Pickering and Parkroyal on Beach Road in Singapore. In this expanded role he will retain leadership of the Pickering property while taking strategic oversight...
China to Lead Global Outbound Growth by 2030
Chinese outbound travelers, the world’s third‑largest source of visitors and top spender in 2019, are forecast to recover to roughly 50% of pre‑pandemic volumes by 2027 and become the leading outbound market by 2030. Michael Shoory of Tourism Economics notes...
Marriott Bonvoy Taps Indonesia’s Growing Travel Market with New Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy and Indonesia’s state‑owned Bank Mandiri have launched the Marriott Bonvoy Mandiri credit card, the hospitality brand’s first co‑branded card in Southeast Asia and its 35th worldwide. The product targets Indonesia’s fast‑growing travel segment, leveraging Mandiri’s digital reach and...
Plaza Premium Group, IAS Hospitality Expand Lounge Access Across Indonesia and Globally
Plaza Premium Group and IAS Hospitality have forged a partnership that links 26 IAS‑operated lounges in Indonesia with Plaza Premium’s global network of over 100 lounges. The agreement grants Plaza Premium’s airline and corporate clients access to Indonesian terminals where...
Beachfront Pony Experience at Sentosa
Shangri‑La Rasa Sentosa is launching a limited‑time Seaside Pony & Picnic Experience for the March 2026 school holidays, running from March 13 to 22. The package combines a one‑hour guided pony interaction for children aged three to twelve with a...
TTG Conversations: Five Questions with Fred Barou, Amadeus
The pet industry is projected to hit $500 billion globally by 2030, with pet‑related travel accounting for roughly $2‑3 billion each year. Fred Barou, senior vice‑president for customer success management, Asia‑Pacific at Amadeus, says travel operators can capture this growth by speaking...
Design Hotels Appoints Asia Pacific Senior Director
Design Hotels has appointed Aik Wee Ong as senior director for the Asia Pacific region, bolstering its executive team. Ong previously served as deputy managing director at a Singapore‑based design‑and‑build studio, where he led a multidisciplinary team and drove growth....
AI Training to Boost Malaysia’s Small Inbound Operators
The Consortium of Inbound Tourism Alliance (CINTA) has launched a six‑month AI‑driven training programme for small Malaysian travel operators, enrolling 600 participants. Partnering with Asnirez, Viator’s connectivity partner, and Malaysia Airlines Academy, the curriculum teaches building online platforms, booking engines,...
Meliá Brings All-Inclusive Brand to Asia
Meliá Hotels International has rebranded its former Bali property as Paradisus by Meliá, introducing the chain’s upscale all‑inclusive offering to Asia for the first time. The resort adopts the company’s Destination Inclusive concept, blending Mediterranean hospitality with local Balinese culture...
H World Group Targets Conversion Opportunities with Hanting Inn Brand
H World Group has launched Hanting Inn, an economy‑hotel brand designed for asset‑light expansion and rapid rollout in price‑sensitive markets. The brand lowers investment thresholds through simplified construction standards, modular renovation kits, and flexible location criteria. Leveraging the group’s existing network...
Nobu Hospitality to Debut Hotel and Private Island Residences in Maldives
Nobu Hospitality, in partnership with Sarat International, is launching its first Maldives property on the private island of Munyafushi in Laamu Atoll. The mixed‑use development will feature 26 beach villas, 30 overwater villas, and a collection of ten standalone Island...
Hilton Foundation Invests US$5.4m in Community and Workforce Programmes
Hilton Global Foundation announced a $5.4 million grant program supporting 18 nonprofit organizations across the Americas, Asia‑Pacific, and EMEA. The funding, the foundation’s largest annual investment, aims to create over 170,000 learning and career opportunities, provide more than 400,000 meals, and...
Chubu Steps Forward
The Chubu region leveraged its successful 2025 Tourism Expo to capture a larger share of Japan’s inbound tourism, which reached 35.5 million visitors in the first ten months of 2025. New attractions such as the Toilet Museum, culinary tours, and ecotourism...
From Motor Scooters to Billionaires
Smiling Albino, founded in 1999, has evolved from motor‑scooter tours in remote Thai regions to curating ultra‑luxury experiences for billionaires. The company redefines luxury as authentic, community‑based encounters rather than five‑star hotels, emphasizing sustainable partnerships and fair compensation for local...
Thai Hoteliers Forecast Flat 2026 Foreign Arrivals, Cite Safety Concerns
Thai hotel operators project foreign tourist arrivals for 2026 to remain flat, driven by stagnant short‑haul demand despite modest growth in long‑haul markets. Occupancy held at 77 % in January, with the south outperforming at 84 % while the north fell to...
Komodo Visitor Cap Sparks Concern Among Operators
Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry has imposed a daily visitor cap of 1,000 for Komodo National Park, citing the need to safeguard its terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The quota, trial‑run from March 2026, follows a series of weather‑related sailing suspensions and...
Sono Hotels & Resorts Asia Enters Japan with Nagoya Hotel
South Korea’s Sono Hotels & Resorts Asia has signed its first Japanese project, the Sono Moon Nagoya, a mid‑scale lifestyle hotel located eight minutes from Nagoya Station. The property will be owned by Escon Japan REIT Investment Corporation and leased...
Cinnamon Life Names Kamal Munasinghe as GM
Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams has appointed Kamal Munasinghe as its General Manager while he continues as Senior Vice President for Colombo hotels at Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts. Munasinghe brings over three decades of hospitality experience, most recently serving...
South Africa Ramps up Indonesia Market Push
South Africa is intensifying its push to attract Indonesian tourists, addressing a stark travel imbalance where only 3,000 Indonesians visited South Africa in 2025 compared with 30,000 South Africans traveling to Indonesia. The tourism ministry introduced an Electronic Travel Authorisation...
Ascott Signs Record 19,000 Units Across 102 Properties in 2025
Ascott announced a record 19,000 new units across 102 properties for 2025, marking a 27% year‑on‑year increase in signings. The expansion pushes its portfolio to over 1,000 properties in more than 230 cities across 40+ countries, totaling 176,000 units. Growth...
Tokyo Deaflympics 2025 Leaves Lasting Boost for Accessible Tourism
Tokyo’s 2025 Deaflympics, held Nov. 15‑26, attracted 3,000 athletes from 75 nations and sparked a citywide push for deaf‑friendly infrastructure. The metropolitan government installed light‑based warning devices in over 660 toilets and changing rooms and added speech‑to‑text screens at 40...
Savouring Singapore
Singapore’s dining landscape is evolving from pure gastronomy to cultural storytelling. Travelers now seek immersive experiences that reveal the history, rituals and personalities behind iconic dishes. Tour operators, heritage venues and hotels are packaging food with narratives, turning hawker stalls,...
Millennials and Gen Z Will Drive Travel Spending in 2026: Klook
Klook’s Travel Pulse 2026 report reveals that 88% of global travelers intend to keep or increase their travel budgets despite economic headwinds, with Asia‑Pacific travelers 50% more likely to boost spending than their Western counterparts. The survey of 11,000 Klook...
Lufthansa Group Marks 65 Years of Hong Kong Presence with Promise of Product Innovation
Lufthansa Group celebrates 65 years of Hong Kong‑Frankfurt service, reaffirming its commitment to Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). The carrier currently runs two daily Lufthansa flights to Frankfurt and a Swiss International Air Lines service to Zurich,...
ILTM Appoints One Rep Global as Official India Partner
RX Global has appointed One Rep Global as its official partner for the Indian Buyer Program, covering flagship events such as ILTM Cannes, ILTM Asia Pacific, IBTM Barcelona and the International Golf Travel Market. The partnership aims to recruit senior Indian...
BWH Hotels Delivers Portfolio Growth Across Asia in 2025
BWH Hotels announced a wave of new openings across Asia in 2025, highlighted by the 91‑key Best Western Premier Imperial Dalat in Vietnam’s Central Highlands. The chain also added three properties in Thailand, a relaunched hotel in the Philippines, and...
Nick Lim to Lead Railbookers Group as Asia VP
Railbookers Group announced the appointment of Nick Lim as Vice President for Asia, bolstering its executive team in the region. Lim brings more than 25 years of travel‑industry experience, most recently serving as CEO, Asia at The Travel Corporation. He...
Travel Takes the Lead
Visa’s latest Spending Momentum Index shows travel as the fastest‑growing consumer category in Asia‑Pacific, expanding about 2.5 times faster than overall spend in 2025. Cross‑border card use surged as tourists adopted digital wallets, while affluent consumers generated roughly three‑quarters of...
ACI Report 2026 Highlights Mobility and Talent Pressures in Travel Sector
The ACI Report 2026 reveals that workforce mobility and talent shortages remain acute in the travel, tourism and hospitality sector despite broader market stabilization. Unemployment rose to 6% from 2% last year, and 58% of respondents intend to change jobs...
ATM 2026 Sees Rise in Asia-Pacific Exhibitor Participation
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2026, scheduled for May 4‑7 at Dubai World Trade Centre, anticipates a 13.95% compound annual growth in Asia‑Pacific exhibitor participation through 2026. The surge reflects strong GCC demand for destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and...
BW Premier Collection Enters South-East Asian Market
BWH Hotels is launching the BW Premier Collection soft brand in Southeast Asia with the Costamigo Phan Thiet resort in Vietnam. The beachfront property will feature 150 rooms, 34 villas, and extensive leisure amenities such as an infinity pool, Mediterranean...