Search Results forSoutheast Asia
Win Min is new general manager of The Eastern & Oriental Express in Southeast Asia
The Eastern & Oriental Express (E&O), A Belmond Train, Southeast Asia has announced the appointment of Win Min as its new general manager. Win Min joins E&O from Residence Phou Vao where he was interim general manager and he takes on his new post immediately. Belmond senior vice-president of trains and cruises Gary Franklin said: "We are excited to welcome Win into his next step with Belmond. Win has had a long standing career at Belmond, and we look forward to him bringing his expertise and leadership to the Eastern & Oriental Express.” For his part, Win is thrilled to have the opportunity to lead Southeast Asia’s iconic Eastern & Oriental Express. He said of this most recent appointment: "The Eastern & Oriental Express carries a storied history and a unique narrative. I look forward to honouring that legacy, while introducing innovative ideas through our new culinary focus, and forging meaningful connections with our guests.” Meet Win Min Win's journey with Belmond began in 2013 in Myanmar, where he served as Hotel Manager on Orcaella, a previous Belmond river cruise. In 2017, he took on the role of Hotel Manager, overseeing both The Governor’s Residence hotel and Road to Mandalay river cruise, also previous Belmond properties. Since then, he has continued to demonstrate remarkable leadership and adaptability, thriving in the ever-evolving hospitality landscape.
Omio announces expansion into Southeast Asia
Multi-modal travel booking platform Omio announced its growing inventory in Southeast Asia today, 14th April. This marks a significant step in Omio's global expansion plans and mission to digitise travel. International travellers may now seamlessly search, compare, and book tickets for over 14,000 bus routes from 1,800 local transportation providers across six Southeast Asian countries: Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Cambodia. Omio also announced that it will add ferry and rail services to the platform over the following months, aiming for comprehensive multi-modal coverage to be available before Q4-2025, just in time for the peak season of travel in the region. According to Omio’s president for supply and B2C in Europe Veronica Diquattro: “Our offering radically simplifies the travel experience for international travellers in this vibrant key travel region. The transportation landscape in Southeast Asia – particularly for bus travel – is incredibly fragmented and complex for international visitors to navigate. We are excited to help them explore this beautiful region with ease, and we are working tirelessly to integrate further regional mobility providers into our travel platform to create an unparalleled multi-modal inventory for travellers to search and book.” With the addition of these new Southeast Asian nations, Omio now operates in 45 countries across three continents. With millions of bookable routes and 80,000 tickets sold daily, Omio is the leading global source of inventory for multi-modal travel. An unparalleled booking experience The Asia-Pacific region is the second-largest tourist destination in the world, following Europe, with Southeast Asia attracting approximately 120 million inbound tourists each year. Building on its presence in Europe and North America, Southeast Asia has added a new dimension to Omio’s global inventory and reflects the company's mission to make travel by train, flight, bus, and ferry easy and enjoyable everywhere in the world That said, travellers looking to explore the vibrant Southeast Asia region benefit from an unmatched booking experience, which includes navigating in their local languages, paying in their preferred currency and payment method, and selecting a seat via Omio’s Seat Map feature, along with 24/7 Customer Support.
Princess Cruises Unveils 2026-2027 Southeast Asia Season with Diamond Princess
Princess Cruises has announced its eagerly awaited 2026-2027 Southeast Asia cruise season, offering travellers an effortless way to immerse themselves in the rich cultures, vibrant cities, and serene landscapes of this stunning region. Sailing aboard the Diamond Princess, the season features carefully curated itineraries designed to deliver the adventure of a lifetime. Embarking on Exploration from Singapore Departing from its homeport in Singapore, Diamond Princess will take guests to 28 destinations across eight countries on 11 spectacular sailings from November 2026 to March 2027. With durations ranging from 10 to 31 days, these cruises feature late-night stays in Ha Long Bay/Hanoi, Hong Kong, Bangkok (from Laem Chabang), and Kyoto (from Osaka), offering ample opportunities for in-depth exploration. Terry Thornton, Chief Commercial Officer of Princess Cruises, highlighted the season’s appeal: “Our newest Southeast Asia cruise season brings travellers to some of the world’s most sought-after destinations. Our award-winning itineraries ensure there is an option for every type of traveller, making it easier than ever to experience the rich cultures and breathtaking landscapes of multiple countries.” Program Highlights 10- to 16-day Roundtrip Cruises from Singapore Discover Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore with itineraries that include holiday celebrations aboard a 14-day Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam cruise, with stops in Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang), Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), and Laem Chabang (for Bangkok). Extended 16- and 24-day Malaysia, Thailand & Vietnam itineraries include visits to the iconic Ha Long Bay, as well as Phuket and Da Nang/Hue (Chan May). Singapore to Japan Cruises Begin and conclude the season with a variety of 14- to 31-day sailings via Taiwan and Vietnam, including late-night stays in Hong Kong. Embark on an epic 31-day Southeast Asia & Japan cruise, featuring stunning island destinations like Ishigaki, Okinawa, Kochi, and Kobe (for Kyoto). UNESCO World Heritage Highlights Guests can explore 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Singapore’s Botanical Gardens, known for its 10,000 species of flora, and the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara near Osaka. Aboard the Diamond Princess Built in Japan, the 2,670-guest Diamond Princess is perfectly suited to the region, offering guests a culturally immersive experience. Highlights include: Authentic dining at Kai Sushi and Japanese-inspired cocktails crafted by mixologist Rob Floyd. Relaxation in the traditional Izumi bath and immersive folkloric shows celebrating regional traditions. Signature Princess experiences like Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, the Lotus Spa, Movies Under the Stars, and much more. Guests can also enjoy the award-winning Princess MedallionClass® experience, renowned for its personalised service and premium amenities. Inclusive packages such as Princess Plus and Princess Premier provide added value with offerings like Wi-Fi, beverages, fitness classes, and more, saving guests up to 65% compared to purchasing individually. Plan Your Southeast Asia Journey After completing its season in Southeast Asia, Diamond Princess will embark on additional itineraries across the globe. With its unique combination of luxury, cultural immersion, and seamless service, Princess Cruises’ 2026-2027 Southeast Asia season promises to be an unforgettable adventure. For more information and bookings, visit Princess.com and prepare to embark on a journey filled with discovery and wonder.
Virtuoso holds Virtuoso Awards for Greater China / North and Southeast Asia
Global luxury and experiential travel network Virtuoso held its annual regional Virtuoso Awards on Wednesday, 12th March, during its Greater China/North and Southeast Asia Forum at the MGM Shanghai West Bund. The regional awards recognise top sales production, growth and engagement within both the Greater China and North and Southeast Asia regions, honouring those that consistently demonstrate their commitment to the Virtuoso network. These were the second annual awards for Greater China and the first for North and Southeast Asia, which welcomed some of its newest members to their first Forum this year. In 2024, Virtuoso installed a dedicated team for North and Southeast Asia in addition to its established team within Greater China, allowing the network to better serve the varying needs of agencies, partners and travellers. According to Virtuoso chair and CEO Matthew D Upchurch, Virtuoso’s global growth and evolution are driven by the incredible contributions of network members and partners, much of which happens at the regional level as it seeks to satisfy a diverse group of travellers and their unique preferences. Upchurch said: “Through our seven regional Forums worldwide, we are taking the opportunity to recognise members and partners who are elevating their professions and supporting those within this network, while also ensuring an unsurpassed client experience. We congratulate the recipients that were honoured with regional awards during our Greater China/North and Southeast Asia Forum and thank them for their critical role in helping maintain the Virtuoso network’s collective leadership position within the industry.” The winners’ circle Categories and their respective winners are as follows: Most Engaged Collaboration is one of Virtuoso’s core values, and this award recognises a travel agency member and preferred partner with the highest engagement based on participation within the Virtuoso network. Greater China Member winner: Charlotte Travel Greater China Partner winner: Madrid Tourist Board North and Southeast Asia Member winner: JTB Global Assistance Top Producers These awards recognise members and partners with the highest overall network sales per category. Greater China Member winners: Cruise Top Producer: One Style Tour Hotels & Resorts Top Producer: Little Shrimp Trip Info Company Tour Top Producer: Charlotte Travel On-Site Top Producer: Charlotte Travel North and Southeast Asia Member winners: Cruise Top Producer: Deck 9 Hotels & Resorts Top Producer: Hotelux Tour Top Producer: 360 Private Travel On-Site Top Producer: Blue Sky Escapes Greater China Partner winners: Cruise Top Producer: Silversea Hotels & Resorts Top Producer: Rosewood Hong Kong Tour Top Producer: Belmond Trains On-Site Top Producer: Luxury Action - Finland Highest Annual Growth These awards acknowledge members and partners with the largest annual year-over-year growth per category. Greater China Member winners: Highest Cruise Annual Growth: Jebsen Travel Group Highest Hotels & Resorts Annual Growth: Little Shrimp Trip Info Company Highest Tour Annual Growth: Curators of Travel Highest On-Site Annual Growth: Charlotte Travel North and Southeast Asia Member winners: Highest Cruise Annual Growth: Blue Sky Escapes Highest Hotels & Resorts Annual Growth: JTB Global Assistance Highest On-Site Annual Growth: Blue Sky Escapes Greater China Partner winners: Highest Cruise Annual Growth: The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Highest Hotels & Resorts Annual Growth: Conrad Tokyo Highest On-Site Annual Growth: Sea Song Tours - Turkey
Virtuoso presents annual report at its Greater China/North and Southeast Asia Forum
Luxury and experiential travel network Virtuoso presented a report on yet another record-breaking year at its annual Greater China/North and Southeast Asia Forum at the MGM Shanghai West Bund. The event which runs from the 11th to 12th March brought together over 160 attendees, including owners and managers from the network’s travel agency members in Greater China and North and Southeast Asia, and preferred partners from around the world. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from Virtuoso executives during various presentations and participate in professional development sessions, where they engaged in meaningful peer-to-peer conversations and exchanged ideas and best practices. Session topics ranged from the evolution of luxury travel in China to boosting cruise sales, navigating the new media landscape, tailoring advisor skills for selling luxury travel in Asia and more. An exceptional year Virtuoso senior vice-president Michael Londregan addressed members and partners at the event, presenting key trends and insights. He revealed that 2024 was another record-breaking year for the Virtuoso network with sales surpassing 2019 numbers by 239 percent and significantly outpacing the leisure travel industry, which has grown an average of 125 percent in the same timeframe. Londregan also noted that while traveller interest in Japan, specifically Tokyo and Kyoto, remains robust, the network observed travellers are branching out beyond the popular cities. Among the emerging destinations in the region is Bhutan, which has seen a nearly 200 percent increase in leisure hotel sales in 2024 compared to 2023. Additionally, Londregan discussed “The White Lotus Effect.” After season two of the popular TV show aired in October 2022, Virtuoso data showed a 424 percent spike in sales to Sicily. Season three of The White Lotus aired last month based in Koh Samui, Thailand, and the network anticipates the destination is poised for significant growth. Humanising the exceptional Virtuoso chairman and CEO Matthew D Upchurch took the stage at the event’s General Session and emphasised the importance of a concept that is foundational to Virtuoso: humanising the exceptional. In his remarks, Upchurch declared: “Since 2010, our core purpose has been to enrich lives through human connection. Some may have thought it was just a slogan or feel-good sentiment, but it turned out to be our most defensible business model and the defining element of what Virtuoso advisors offer. Interacting with other people is not a desire, but a human need. Travel is a key vehicle for these interactions and exactly why the work of our advisors has never been more important.” Referencing Scott Galloway’s newsletter No Mercy / No Malice, Upchurch continued, “One of my favourite newsletters says, ‘People are the new brands.’ Statistics show that social media posts that include human faces receive higher engagement, and people view their favourite influencers as friends. That’s called the Parasocial Phenomena, and it translates to our industry because travel advisors are influencers in their own right. But they are not parasocial influencers; they're real ones. This further proves that advisors are relationship marketers that land sales, not just another form of distribution.” Steady growth in two major regions Attendees also heard from Virtuoso vice-president for global member relations Cheryl Cheney Bunker, who shared key updates on the network’s membership. In her remarks, Bunker said: “At Virtuoso, we are deeply committed to our members’ success by fostering meaningful relationships, providing innovative resources and empowering them to thrive in an ever-evolving travel landscape.” She expressed pride in the network’s recent growth in the region. Virtuoso’s Asia regions led the network last year by welcoming ten new agency members, including seven in Greater China alone. This increase reflects the region’s substantial influence on luxury travel. In 2024, Virtuoso installed a dedicated team for North and Southeast Asia in addition to its established team within Greater China, allowing the network to better serve the varying needs of agencies, partners and travellers. As Virtuoso marks its 10th anniversary in Greater China, Irene Lee, Virtuoso general manager for Greater China, joined industry leaders on stage to discuss emerging trends, market opportunities and evolving luxury traveller preferences. Raymond Ang, Virtuoso general manager for North and Southeast Asia, likewise shared insights on successful strategies for engaging high-end clients and impactful luxury travel marketing campaigns.
Australians to take more trips to Southeast Asia this year
A new report released by TravelInsurance.com.au reveals that nearly one in every three international trips taken by Australians in 2025 will be to Southeast Asia. Projections also show that European destinations are falling out of favour with Australian travellers. The data shows that travel to Southeast Asian destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia is expected to surge by 42 percent this year, and that the region as a whole is poised to attract up to four million Australian tourists. Indeed, TravelInsurance.com.au CEO Shaun McGowan opines: “Aussie travellers are prioritising value over expensive long-haul trips. They don’t want to take extended time off work to visit Europe or the US, only to battle jet lag for weeks and blow their budget in destinations where their dollars don’t stretch as far.” McGowan added that many Australians are still in revenge travel mode, essentially making up for travel time and opportunities lost during the pandemic, though they’re being more cost-savvy about their trips. He said: “With the rising cost of living, they’re choosing destinations closer to home to save on both flight costs and travel time.” In terms of individual destinations, however, East Asia still has the upper hand, with China, Hong Kong, and Japan set to see the highest growth in terms of Australian arrivals in 2025. The tale of the tape in Europe On the other hand, a possible increase in Australian arrivals in Europe may come but growth will remain sluggish this year. The number of Australians travelling to France may increase by as much as 14 percent this year, while those making their way to the United Kingdom are set to increase by 12 percent. Overall projections likewise show that Aussies will take 12.6 million overseas trips in 2025, but if pre-COVID trends had continued, that number would have surpassed 14 million.
IHG appoints Bryan Chan as its new vice-president for development in Southeast Asia and Korea
IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) announced the appointment of Bryan Chan as its new vice-president for development in South East Asia and Korea today, 6th March. With IHG’s strong growth ambitions, Chan will oversee the strategic expansion of IHG’s brands across the region, build and strengthen stakeholder relationships and lead a team of highly experienced developers based in-market. IHG senior vice-president and managing director for East Asia and the Pacific Rajit Sukumaran said: “I am delighted that Bryan will take on this important leadership role. With Bryan’s extensive regional and global experience, from working in Singapore and our Global Headquarters in Windsor, and breadth of knowledge across hospitality, real estate, commercial, marketing, and corporate and project finance, I am confident we have the right leader in place to continue the growth of our brands and expand our presence across city and resort destinations.” Chan himself remarked on his appointment: “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to lead and support the growth agenda for South East Asia and Korea. I am passionate about co-curating new destination experiences and look forward to working with our partners to reimagine heritage sites and downtown city projects, conceive thoughtful resort concepts, bring out the best flavours of every neighbourhood, and share this with the rest of the world.” Meet Bryan Chan A part of IHG for over a decade, Chan Bryan has assumed roles of increased leadership and responsibility over the years in the development sector, moving from Manager to Senior Director and working across several markets including Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, South Korea, and Vietnam. He has worked in IHG’s Windsor headquarters for a year on large scale complex projects including the landmark Novum partnership in Germany. Chan also has 15 years of deal-making experience across multiple industries including hospitality real estate, energy, infrastructure, transport and industrials. Prior to his role in IHG, he managed Asia transactions at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation and worked as an analyst at Morgan Stanley in Hong Kong.
CapitaLand Investment launches paper on health and wellness real estate in Southeast Asia
Singapore’s CapitaLand Investment (CLI) recently published a new research report detailing its views regarding growing opportunities for wellness real estate in Southeast Asia. The report also touched upon current structural trends supporting the rapid growth of this sector. Among the concepts featured in the report are the rise of ageing societies within the region, as well as its growing overall affluence. It was also noted that real estate developers are incorporating wellness focused designs and construction practices, and including wellness related amenities and services in their properties. That can be construed as proof of SEA’s appeal in terms of climate, culture and relatively lower service sector costs, making it a premier destination for medical tourism. Also, markets like Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore offer a combination of advanced medical facilities, skilled healthcare professionals and competitive prices that appeal to international patients, with each country developing reputations for excellence in specific fields. Opportunities for sectoral investment At the same time, Investors are increasingly attracted to wellness real estate that incorporates living and healthcare elements. In 2023, the absolute investment volume of wellness real estate reached US$221 billion. Comparing average transaction volumes from 2019 to 2023 and 2014 to 2018, APAC real estate with living and healthcare components saw the largest increase at 32 percent, surpassing the Americas at 29.2 percent and EMEA at 23.2 percent, indicating significant growth potential in APAC. Likewise, investment approaches for living and healthcare related real estate vary based on investor risk appetite, control preferences and holding periods. In SEA, the living sector is more institutionalised than the healthcare sector. Operators in SEA are expanding to meet the growing demand for healthcare and wellness services, often through strategic partnerships, infrastructure investments, and mergers and acquisitions. These trends present attractive investment opportunities where real estate asset owners typically entrust the operation of their assets to established healthcare or wellness operators through master lease arrangements, ensuring professional and efficient management.
Elevate DMC expands into Thailand and Southeast Asia
Leading independent destination management company (DMC) Elevate expands its presence in Southeast Asia with the recent opening of its office in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. This milestone marks the first step towards the company’s entry into Thailand, expanding its footprint across the region, and reaffirming its commitment to providing world-class destination management services. Elevate Thailand is slated to become a comprehensive DMC that offers diverse products and services throughout the entire country. With a focus on delivering high-quality, personalised customer service, the company aims to cater to the needs of its expanding clientele base. A key milestone in expansion Elevate DMC founder and chief executive Samir Hamadeh commented: "The opening of our office in Bangkok marks an exciting milestone in Elevate’s journey of expansion. We are thrilled to establish a presence in Thailand, a market rich in diversity and opportunity. Our aim is to provide exceptional, tailored destination management services that cater to the unique needs of travelers, while growing a team that is passionate about delivering remarkable experiences across the entire country. This is just the beginning of a new phase, and we look forward to the road ahead." As part of its growth journey, Elevate Thailand is actively enhancing its team to support its expansion and ensure seamless service delivery. Elevate DMC promotes a portfolio of over 1,000 directly contracted hotels, including renowned brands such as Accor, IHG, Marriott, and Hilton Hotels. Leveraging cutting-edge technology, Elevate connects these premium accommodations with a vast network of tour operator partners globally, ensuring a seamless booking and travel experience for clients. In addition to its flagship services, Elevate’s specialised sub-brands cater to diverse travel needs, including Elevate Wellbeing, Elevate Cruises, and CONNECT Business Events further enhancing its comprehensive offerings.
China offers visa-free entry to Xishuangbanna to Southeast Asian travellers
China announced that it is offering visa-free entry to Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province to travellers from countries that are part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The offer comes as China works to promote tourism to the area. In a statement released on Monday, 10th February, China’s National Immigration Administration (NIA) said tourist groups of two or more ordinary passport holders from ten ASEAN member-nations can stay in Xishuangbanna for a maximum of six days. NIA officials said: “This policy marks a significant step towards enhancing autonomous opening-up and supporting Yunnan's development as the Chinese pivot of opening-up to south and southeast Asia. It is of great importance to advancing the tourism industry in southwest China, promoting people-to-people exchanges between China and foreign countries, and deepening the China-ASEAN comprehensive strategic partnership.” Who can avail of the offer? The offer covers citizens from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Tourists from these ASEAN countries can enter and exit China visa-free through the Xishuangbanna Gasa International Airport, Mohan Railway Port, and Mohan Highway Port, with travel limited to the administrative region of Xishuangbanna Prefecture. Aside from tourists, China also seeks to open up immigration management at an institutional level to attract more foreign nationals traveling and doing business in the country.
Asian Hotel Industry Conference & Exhibition (AHICE) – 24-26 February, 2025 Singapore.
Join the conversation where deals get done at AHICE South East Asia 2025 Monday 24, Tuesday 25 & Wednesday 26 February 2025 Pan Pacific Singapore
AHICE SE Asia 2024 – 27 to 29 February 2024, Singapore
The Asian Hotel Industry Conference & Exhibition (AHICE), hosted by HM Magazine is set to make its South East Asia debut in February 2024 on Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28 and Thursday 29 in Singapore.
THAIFEX – HOREC Asia, 6 to 8 March 2024 | Bangkok, Thailand
Welcome to THAIFEX – HOREC Asia 2024, the epicentre of Hotel, Restaurant, and Catering innovations in Southeast Asia. More than a showcase, it’s a platform to forge partnerships, elevate expertise, and champion hospitality excellence.
5th Civil Aviation South East Asia Summit 2022
The aviation industry in Southeast Asia has recorded significant growth over the past few years. The total seat capacity of Southeast Asia airlines experienced double-digit growth in the four-year period of 2009-2013. It has established itself as one of the world’s fastest growing aviation markets – and has huge potential for more rapid growth. Nearly all of the 10 countries that comprise ASEAN have robust economies and expanding middle classes, resulting in a favorable environment for airlines.
Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism Phuket (PHIST 2025)
Get ready for PHIST 2025 - a learning event for eco-warriors and sustainability champions coming together to make a positive impact!
Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism (PHIST 5)
PHIST (Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism) 2022 is an innovative event rallying the hotel industry and its stakeholders to discuss both environmental sustainability and social impact and governance.
AVIAREPS APAC Virtual Expo 2022 (AAVE)
The AAVE2022 edition gathers quality buyers from an additional 4 countries on top of the 7 existing countries seen in the 2021 edition. Powering the virtual event this year is our AI-matchmaking technology with a strong focus in matching your business needs with the right target segment and audience, ensuring your return of investment, all at the comfort of everyone’s choice of locations. Join our AVIAREPS APAC Virtual Expo 2022 (AAVE) as one of many exhibitors to raise awareness, connect with new partners and customers and strengthen existing relationships.