Garrya Mù Cang Chải Redefines Mountain Wellness for 2026
Garrya Mù Cang Chải is launching a data‑driven well‑being concept for 2026 that moves beyond traditional spa stays to structured, results‑focused programmes. Guests will complete a digital pre‑arrival assessment and receive a dedicated Wellbeing Trainer who tailors itineraries around sports science, integrative nutrition and sleep optimisation. The resort adds a 13‑step hydrotherapy circuit, upgraded suites with in‑room training stations, and regionally inspired treatments. The offering targets both restorative therapy seekers and performance‑oriented travelers in Vietnam’s northern highlands.
Thailand Tourism Targets Balkans to Expand Longhaul Group Travel
Thailand’s Tourism Authority is targeting the Balkans with a 2026 roadshow to capture long‑haul group travel demand. The initiative, visiting Belgrade, Cluj‑Napoca, Bucharest and Sofia, linked fifteen Thai tourism entrepreneurs with eighteen regional buyers. Rising middle‑class income, improved air connectivity...
Chatrium Hospitality Goes for the Sun, Sand and Sea
Chatrium Hospitality, traditionally a city‑hotel operator, is set to debut its first beach resort, Chatrium Rawai Phuket, with an opening slated for July‑August 2024 on Rawai beach in southern Phuket. The new property will comprise 304 rooms and eight villas...
Geopolitical Uncertainty Highlights Tourism’s Safety Appeal
Travel sellers at ITB Berlin 2026 warned that the ongoing US‑Israel‑Iran war is pushing tourists toward regions perceived as safe. They highlighted Asia‑Pacific’s stability, low crime rates and effective crisis management as key selling points. Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and Bhutan...
Francophonie Summit to Boost Cambodia Tourism
Cambodia will host the Francophonie Summit in November, prompting tourism leaders to view the event as a catalyst for repositioning the country as a hub for trade, talent, and long‑stay visitors. Industry voices urge the government and private sector to...
RedDoorz to Add up to 150 Company-Operated Hotels in Indonesia by 2027
RedDoorz plans to add 100‑150 company‑operated hotels in Indonesia by 2027, expanding its owned portfolio from roughly 100 to a target of 4,700 properties by the end of 2026. The rollout will feature the Sans and Urbanview brands, aimed at...
Disney Adventure Arrives in Singapore Ahead of March 2026 Maiden Voyage
Disney Cruise Line’s newest vessel, Disney Adventure, docked at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore and will launch its maiden voyage on March 10, 2026. The ship will operate three‑ and four‑night family‑focused itineraries from Singapore under a five‑year homeport agreement....
Minecraft Experience Arrives in Singapore This April
Minecraft Experience: Villager Rescue will debut in Singapore at Green Canvas, Mandai Wildlife Reserve from April 24 to September 13, 2026. The one‑hour, family‑friendly adventure features eight themed rooms, large‑scale projections, motion‑tracking gameplay and a handheld Orb of Interaction. Tickets...
Gulf Airlines Resume Limited Flights After Regional Airspace Disruption
Gulf carriers Emirates, Etihad and flydubai have resumed a limited slate of flights from Dubai International and Abu Dhabi airports as of March 2‑3, primarily to repatriate passengers stranded by the escalating US‑Israel‑Iran conflict. All regular commercial services remain suspended...
Accor Appoints New VP for Operations – New Zealand & Fiji
Accor has appointed Rob McIntyre as Vice President of Operations for New Zealand and Fiji, effective April 13, 2026. McIntyre joins from Singapore where he oversaw Accor’s operations, including the flagship Pullman Singapore Orchard. He previously served as General Manager of Pullman Auckland...
Indonesia Told to Prepare Destinations Before Seeking New Routes
Indonesia’s deputy home affairs minister Bima Arya urged provincial leaders to ensure destinations are fully prepared before lobbying for new air routes. He announced a pilot programme that will work with a select group of regional heads to boost local...
Agoda Launches Artotel Group Flagship Store on Its Platform
Agoda has launched Artotel Group’s first branded Flagship Store, consolidating over 100 Indonesian hotels onto a single dedicated page. The storefront leverages Agoda’s distribution network, customer insights, and promotional tools to boost Artotel’s brand visibility and simplify traveler discovery. By...
Tokyo Marathon Drives US$100m in Consumer Spending
The 2025 Tokyo Marathon generated an estimated ¥155 billion (about US$100 million) in incremental consumer spending over its three‑day weekend, according to Mastercard Economics Institute data. Merchant sales within a 10‑kilometre radius of the finish line were roughly seven percent higher than...
Trip.com Adds Shinkansen Ticket Sales for International Travellers
Trip.com has secured agreements with Japan’s four major railway operators—JR East, Central, West and Kyushu—to sell Shinkansen tickets directly to international travelers through its multilingual platform. The service lets users select routes, dates, seat classes and pay online, with QR‑code...
All Hands on Deck as Travel Disruption Spreads in Asia
Airports across Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia cancelled dozens of flights as missile strikes in the Middle East disrupted air routes. Suvarnabhumi Airport halted 32 flights and set up dedicated waiting areas, while Singapore’s Changi and Kuala Lumpur International reported similar...
HBX Group Deepens Traveloka Ties with Expanded Asia-Pacific Hotel Supply
HBX Group has extended its partnership with Traveloka, adding more than 40,000 locally‑contracted hotels to its Asia‑Pacific supply ecosystem. The deal, announced at HBX’s MarketHub Asia event in Bali, creates a two‑way content distribution channel that deepens coverage in Indonesia...
Palace Hotel Tokyo Becomes First Japanese-Owned Hotel to Secure GSTC Certification
Palace Hotel Tokyo has become the first Japanese‑owned and managed property to earn Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification, passing a rigorous audit of 167 criteria. The hotel’s sustainability governance includes a monthly Sustainability Liaison Group and mandatory staff training...
Singapore Oceanarium Highlights Native Seahorses in New Experience
Singapore Oceanarium has introduced Animal Spotlight: Seahorses, a 45‑minute guided experience that offers small‑group, behind‑the‑scenes access to native seahorses and their habitats. Led by animal care specialists, the programme limits each session to eight participants and includes feeding demonstrations, insights...
Far East’s New Light
Far East Hospitality (FEH) appointed Mark Rohner as managing director in July 2024, succeeding Arthur Kiong. Rohner outlined a multi‑year roadmap that includes automating revenue management, building a proprietary loyalty platform, and accelerating digital transformation across front‑office and housekeeping. He...
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...
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...