Google’s industry head for strategic partnerships Term Panupong spoke on redefining the Thai hotel experience via AI

Travel Daily Media (TDM) brought a great number of the leading minds in travel, tourism, and hospitality at its first-ever TDM C-Suite Travel Trade Global Summit in Bangkok, Thailand.

Staged at the Rajmontien Grand Ballroom of the Montien Surawong Hotel in Bang Rak on Thursday, 8th May, this initial run covered a wide range of topics relevant to the evolving sectors within the Asia Pacific and beyond.

Organised by TDM and the Charlton Media Group, the Summit was sponsored by Agilysys, HBX Group, Hotelbeds, Shiji, and Booking.com.

The first fireside chat centred on catching the next wave of Thai tourism

Setting the stage for a digital future

Event discussions revolved around the theme The Future of Hospitality: Crafting Seamless Experiences in an AI Digital-Driven World.

The Summit featured four speakers and discussions were divided into eight panels seeded throughout the day and moderated by experts from related fields.

Two fireside chats at the beginning and the end of the Summit likewise offered a look into tourism and hospitality within the Thai purview, and a summary detailing how technological advancements and evolving methodologies stand to change the sector in the future.

TCEB’s Jaruwan Suwannasat poses a question to the audience

Considering returns on experience

Jaruwan Suwannasat, chief information officer of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) jumpstarted the day’s talks with a talk on Tomorrow’s Destinations: Transforming Value Through Innovative Experiences.

Suwannasat posed a question to participants at the beginning of her talk: What is tomorrow’s destination for you?

She framed the question against the recovery of both the domestic and global tourism sector’s following the pandemic, noting that the sector is coming back stronger despite a slow start from 2022 following the widespread use of vaccines and the subsequent reopening of borders.

Suwannasat’s report showed that 67 percent of would-be-travellers are making travel a priority when it comes to their savings, and that tourists in the post-pandemic age have an eye out for experiences that are both enjoyable and memorable as opposed to simply racking up the number of destinations visited.

In which case, tourism and hospitality professionals need to keep in mind that volume isn’t the priority anymore, but value offered to customers makes all the difference.

The key questions that companies in both industries need to answer are how much value can they give to each visitor that comes their way; how can they amplify the worth of each stay in terms of activities, amenities, and adventures; and where can they make relevant improvements to ensure that they are delivering as much value as possible.

Indeed, contemporary tourism and hospitality need to think that it isn’t so much about returns on investment, but more of returns on experience.

Theresa Matheson (far left) takes the lead in the first panel of the day

A diverse range of topics

As stated earlier, the Summit proper was divided into four talks, including the opening presentation delivered by TCEB’s Suwannasat, and eight distinct panels.

Speakers and topics were as follows:

Primary Speakers

• Adtip “Term Panupong, industry head for strategic partnerships at Google, on Thailand Hospitality: Redefining Experiences with AI;
• Agilysys director of sales in Southeast Asia March Suthamwutinan on Making the Personal Profitable: Leveraging Data Accuracy to Drive Revenue; and
• The Thaiger‘s lead content creator Alex Latour.

Themed Panel Discussions

• Digital Disruption in Hospitality: Harnessing AI and Data Analytics, moderated by American Express Global Business Travel vice-president Teresa Matheson;
• Hotel Asset Enhancements: Covering Brand Evolution, Design Considerations, Technology Integration, AI and Customer Journey, and ESG Components, moderated by JLL senior vice-president for hotel asset management in Thailand and Vietnam Jon Cannon;
• AI and Technology: Where Does It Start and Stop, moderated by Amadeus Hospitality’s vice-president in the Asia-Pacific Paul Wilson;
• Overcoming Travel Challenges: Scalable Personalisation to Rebuild Trust and Loyalty, moderated by HBX Group’s vice-president for hotel sourcing in MEAPAC Patrick Torres;
• Welcome to the Social World of Gen Z: You Got to be Where Your Potential Customers Are, moderated by Agoda vice-president for corporate development Timothy Hughes;
• Rethinking the ASEAN and APAC Travel Markets in 2025 and Beyond, moderated by High-Yield Tourism director Gary Bowerman; and
• Future Trends in Travel: Redefining Experiences Through Innovation, moderated by Roland Berger senior partner and managing partner in Southeast Asia John Low.

Aside from these panel discussions, a special roundtable session spearheaded by platinum sponsor Agilysys was held for around 15 representatives from leading hotels and hotel management companies from Thailand and across the Asian region.

The discussion revolved around the theme The Future of Guest Experience: Personalisation Through Technology and was led by Agilysys’ March Suthamwutinan.

 

StarCruises celebrated the arrival of its vessel Star Voyager in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with  about 1,000 passengers from Singapore. 

From today, 13th June, Star Voyager will also offer Vietnamese travellers a 5 Day / 4 Night Cruise to Singapore during the Vietnamese school holidays with  additional departures on 17th and 21st June. 

The Star Voyager is the first cruise ship to offer Vietnamese round-trip cruises from a Vietnamese homeport. 

For the convenience of passengers, check-in will take place at the Tan Son Nhat Pavillon  Convention Center (202 Hoang Van Thu, Ward 9, Phu Nhuan District, Ho Chi Minh City),  where complimentary shuttle bus services will be available to transport guests to and from  Phu My Port for embarkation and disembarkation. 

Indeed, with all the amenities it offers on board, an unforgettable journey awaits aboard the Star Voyager, the latest addition to the StarCruises fleet. 

Having recently completed its US$50 million refurbishment, this stunning ship delivers a  truly unique cruise experience – seamlessly blending comfort with a wide array of updated  onboard amenities and the signature warmth of Asian hospitality.

A shot in the arm for regional tourism

With the ship’s arrival bringing about 1,000 inbound tourists who boarded from  Singapore, the Star Voyager will also welcome embarking passengers from Vietnam, further  boosting the outbound cruise tourism sector and the overall cruise industry. 

To commemorate  this special occasion, a grand inauguration ceremony was held on the Star Voyager at Phu My Port, attended by Do Phuoc Trung，deputy director of the Department of Culture,  Sports and Tourism of Ba Ria Vung Tau province; StarDream Cruises president Michael Goh, as well as representatives from key government and tourism  organizations. 

Goh said of the launch: “With the all-new StarCruises brand debuting in Vietnam, we are excited to have the Star  Voyager ready to sail from Ho Chi Minh City. This homeport and exclusive sailings are a key step in our vision to develop Vietnam  as a major cruise hub in Southeast Asia. Through this regional deployment, we aim to attract  diverse travellers and contribute to the growth of Vietnam’s cruise tourism and fly-cruise economy.” 

New data from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) revealed that international traveller spending in Indonesia is on track to break all records this year.

When this happens, it will be proof that Indonesia is definitely a powerhouse when it comes to tourism in Southeast Asia.

Per WTTC’s Economic Impact Research (EIR) report for 2025, Indonesia’s international visitor spend is expected to reach an all-time high of IDR 344TN this year.

The total is almost 12 percent higher than the previous record set in 2019, marking a sharp increase from IDR 289.1 trillion in 2024.

In turn, this reflects renewed global confidence and rising demand for Indonesia’s diverse tourism offerings.

While international travel is taking off, domestic tourism also remains a powerful growth engine, reaching a record IDR 381.4 trillion as of press time.

An all-time high

This year, it is expected that the travel and tourism sectors will contribute an all-time high of IDR 1,269.8 trillion, practically 5.5 percent of the country’s GDP and a 21 percent increase over 2019 levels.

Employment is also expected to continue thriving, with Travel & Tourism forecast to support almost 14 million jobs nationwide.

WTTC President and chief executive Julia Simpson said: “Indonesia’s success story is no accident. It is the result of bold leadership, targeted investments and close collaboration between the private and public sectors.”

Simpson added that the country’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy has charted a clear path for growth: one that prioritises sustainability, local communities and resilience. 

Paired with the ingenuity of Indonesia’s private sector, the result is a vibrant travel and tourism sector that generates employment and drives national prosperity by drawing in travellers from around the globe.

In 2024, the travel and tourism sectors contributed nearly IDR 1,138 trillion to the economy, accounting for 5.1 percent of the national economy, and almost 13 million jobs.

Ten-year forecast

Looking ahead, WTTC forecasts a transformative decade for tourism and travel in Indonesia. 

By 2035, the sector is expected to contribute IDR 1,897 trillion to the national economy.

Employment is set to grow to nearly 17 million jobs, with the creation of more than 3.2 million additional roles over the next ten years.

Advantage Travel Partnership announced that homeworking agent To Wander the World is its newest member and is operating under its Advantage Managed Service (AMS) model.

To Wander the World is the brainchild of Stephanie Wightman who began the Wakefield-based business back in 2021.

Wightman began her career specialising in long-haul luxury travel and has built a reputation for creating high-end travel experiences.

Over the past 12 years, she has expanded her expertise to include family holidays, helping clients plan their getaways across various destinations.

Advantage Travel Partnership’s head of business development David Moon said of the new addition: “Stephanie has joined Advantage to access new opportunities for her business and broaden her customer offering. With the support of our network, we are confident she’ll continue to grow her business without limits. We’re pleased to have her as part of our growing community.”

Independence in spades

For her part, Wightman said: “Advantage Managed Services (AMS) suits To Wander The World as it allows me the independence to decide the direction of my business as it grows, whilst offering the support I need to focus on selling holidays.”

She added that she was nervous about taking the leap into starting her own travel business, but a solid background in the industry gave her the confidence to sell holidays independently. 

Wightman remarked: “The flexibility it offers is invaluable: I’m able to attend school events, take holidays when it suits my family, and truly design a lifestyle that works for us. Running your own business requires versatility; on any given day, I might be booking trips, managing accounts, or creating content for social media. If you have a clear vision and a passion for travel and service, getting started is more achievable than you might think.”

 

Belmont Hotel Manila has officially opened its sixth Hiraya Art Exhibit on Wednesday, 11th June.

This particular exhibition features the work of artists Manny Cabrera and Japeth Aguilar.

Titled Layers of Expression, the exhibition invites guests and art enthusiasts to experience a diverse range of stories told through color, texture, and imagination.

Belmont Hotel Manila’s director of operations Mayann Malapote said of the exhibition: “Hiraya continues to be a space where we celebrate Filipino creativity, and we hope this exhibit leaves guests inspired.”

Cluster general manager Sonny Alvaro added, “This is what Hiraya is about-giving artists a platform to tell their stories. It’s always exciting to see how each exhibit unfolds.”

The exhibition is located in the hotel’s lobby and will be open to the public until 31st August 2025.

Of dreams and aspirations

The term hiraya is a Filipino word that refers to dreams and aspirations taking form.

In this context, it aligns with Belmont Hotel Manila’s way of supporting and showcasing homegrown talent by giving them a platform on which to present the products of their imaginations.

Likewise it also serves as a means of telling compelling stories through the visual arts.

Meet the artists

Manny Cabrera, a contemporary artist from Pampanga, is known for his striking use of color and bold visual style. 

Cabrera’s work often draws from animation and surrealism, creating pieces that are both playful and thought-provoking. 

Joining him for this exhibition is Japeth Aguilar who shows a side of himself that is different from his public persona as a professional athlete.

Through Layers of Expression, Aguilar steps into the art world with deeply personal works that reveal a more introspective side that takes his skills and creativity well away from the hard court.

As it marks Singapore’s 60th birthday, Raffles Hotel Singapore invites guests to commemorate this momentous milestone with a curated collection of luxurious experiences. 

Honouring both the country’s storied past and its dynamic, modern spirit, these offerings reflect the elegance and enduring legacy of a hotel that has stood as a proud symbol of Singapore’s journey through its natural heritage.

As Singapore commemorates six decades of independence, Raffles Hotel Singapore invites all to take part in this meaningful celebration which is a harmonious fusion of art and wellness. 

Whether through bespoke stays, culinary explorations, restorative spa journeys or heritage retail experiences, the SG60 celebrations at Raffles offer guests a truly unforgettable way to honour the nation’s past while embracing its vibrant future.

A glorious stay at a Singaporean icon

At the heart of the celebrations is the SG60 Suite Vacay with Raffles: a thoughtfully curated two-night experience designed to create inspired and unexpected guest experiences. 

Available for stays from 1st June to 31st August, this luxurious retreat begins at S$1,260++ and invites guests to immerse themselves in a world of elegance and enchanted glamour where legendary service, exquisite heritage suites, and a sense of sophistication come together in the heart of the city.

Guests are invited to indulge in a host of bespoke privileges, including:

• A complimentary second night
• S$160 hotel credit
• Daily a la minute breakfast experience with homemade pastries, curated charcuterie and a continental salad bar for two adults and two children (aged 12 years and below) at Tiffin Room
• Refreshing Singapore Sling as welcome drink
• Enlightening history tour with our Resident Historian
• 15 percent savings at healing sanctuary Raffles Spa, exquisite Raffles Boutique & Floral Boutique
• Complimentary access to hydrothermal facilities at Raffles Spa
• Weekly wellness activities, designed to achieve a healthy and purposeful life

True to Raffles Hotel Singapore’s legacy of exceptional service, each stay is elevated by the impeccable butler service that ensures every detail is intuitively attended to.

As a celebratory flourish, the first 60 bookings will receive an additional S$600 hotel credit, a generous gesture to enhance every moment, whether through exceptional dining, restorative spa rituals, or retail discoveries to be made in guests’ own time and ways.

Dining with Singapore’s best

Complementing this extraordinary stay, guests are invited to embark on a gastronomic journey across Raffles Hotel Singapore’s acclaimed restaurants.

Each of these establishments thoughtfully honours the rich, multicultural tapestry of Singapore’s culinary heritage. 

As part of this commemorative experience, guests can enjoy a special dining privilege: for every two diners, the second dines at a special price of S$60++. 

This limited-time offer is available across a curated selection of distinctive dining experiences, including:

• Butcher’s Block – IMUA lunch menu at S$178++ per guest
• The Grand Lobby – Splendid Afternoon Tea experience at S$98++ per guest
• 藝 yì by Jereme Leung – Selected set menus
  • Lunch Set Menu: S$98++ and S$128++
  • Dinner Set Menu: S$138++
• Tiffin Room – Signature Mera Dabba dining experience at S$126++ (vegetarian) or S$142++ (non-vegetarian) per guest
• Writers Bar – Sunday Brunch with Friends at S$168++ per guest

The art of rejuvenation

Beyond culinary delights, the SG60 celebrations at Raffles Hotel Singapore extend into the realms of wellness and retail indulgence. 

In honour of Singapore’s 60th birthday, those who spend S$500 or more at the spa will receive a S$60 voucher to enjoy on their next visit. 

Whether indulging in a rejuvenating massage, a revitalising facial, or a full day of pampering, guests can extend their wellness journey with a luxurious return experience.

Adding to the experience, Raffles Spa is also home to the newly launched Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez. 

Renowned as the “feet maestro,” Bastien Gonzalez brings over two decades of expertise as a trained podiatrist and pedicurist to deliver bespoke beauty treatments for hands and feet. 

His unique approach, which fuses health, well-being and beauty, promises a one-of-a-kind experience for guests’ feet, nails and hands.

Shopping for the finest that Singapore can offer

Additionally, Raffles Boutique invites guests to indulge in a special SG60 retail promotion where shoppers will enjoy 20 percent off when selecting any three items from the SG60 Gourmet Corner, a specially curated selection of artisanal gourmet offerings available at the boutique.

Located at the restored Raffles Arcade and fronting the Seah Street entrance, Raffles Boutique provides an intricate retail experience that transports visitors back in time. 

Embracing both luxury and heritage, the boutique features a collection of well-loved souvenirs, elegant home décor, and curated gourmet products, all set amidst a heritage gallery that represents the human illustrious history of Raffles Hotel Singapore which has been a national icon for over a century.

Shoppers can explore a thoughtfully curated range of meaningful mementos that celebrate the heritage and charm of Raffles Hotel Singapore. 

Highlights include the Raffles Premium Coffee Blend Powder/Bean, Pandan Kaya Cookies, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Singapore Chilli Crab, and Bah Kut Teh. 

Each item is crafted to capture the sophistication and storied legacy of Raffles in its own distinctive way.

The Hong Kong SAR is gaining traction as a warmly welcoming, affordable, and safe destination for Muslim travellers from Southeast Asia and beyond.

The Chinese special autonomous region was recently ranked third among halal destinations outside the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in CrescentRating and Mastercard’s 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2025.

This is a step up for Hong Kong from last year when it was ranked in fourth place.

Hong Kong was also ranked second globally in the Muslim Women Friendly Travel Destination (Non-OIC) category and made its debut in first place on the new Muslim-friendly Accessible Travel Destination (Non-OIC) sub-index.

These escalations in rank reflects Hong Kong’s ongoing efforts to make travel more inclusive and convenient for Muslim visitors of all needs and backgrounds.

The rankings are based on each destination’s performance in the annual GMTI, highlighting Hong Kong’s leadership and commitment to Muslim-friendly travel.

A promising destination for Muslim travellers

In addition to its strong performance in the GMTI rankings, Hong Kong also won the title of Most Promising Muslim-friendly Destination of the Year. 

Reflecting this growing appeal, visitor arrivals from Singapore rose by 12.7 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, with overnight stays increasing by 7.5 percent.

This is a clear sign of rising demand for Hong Kong’s Muslim-friendly experiences. 

Further cementing its commitment, several Hong Kong establishments have also been recognised for their excellence in enhancing the Muslim travel experience, including:

• Muslim-friendly Hotel of the Year: Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong
• Muslim-friendly Hotel of the Year: The Mira Hong Kong
• Muslim-friendly Attraction of the Year: Ngong Ping 360 Limited
• Muslim-friendly Convention & Exhibition Centre of the Year: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

A strong commitment to inclusivity

In light of these achievements, Hong Kong is deepening its commitment to inclusive and halal-conscious tourism, led by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and supported by the government. 

Efforts include expanding the number of hotels participating in CrescentRating (CR) accreditation, which evaluates key Muslim-friendly services such as halal food availability and prayer facilities. 

At the same time, the city is actively improving access to halal-certified restaurants and lifestyle experiences that cater to modern Muslim travellers. 

At present, the city now has 193 Halal-certified and Muslim-owned eateries and 61 hotels have obtained an accreditation rating from CR, which is a testament to the availability of Muslim-friendly facilities at the hotels.

According to HKTB regional director for Southeast Asia Liew Chian Jia: “Since our Muslim-friendly push, HKTB has seen an increasing interest and participation in CR’s accreditation program among the Hong Kong stakeholders. To support this initiative within the Southeast Asia region, we have rolled out a dedicated Muslim campaign named Jelajah Hong Kong that showcases Muslim-friendly experiences for ease of trip planning. We will continue efforts to elevate Hong Kong’s position as a popular Muslim-friendly destination.”

While global aviation has recovered significantly since travel restrictions began to be relaxed in 2022, the sector is feeling the strain following several high-visibility incidents that have shaken passengers the world over.

Just yesterday, we saw the crash of Air India Flight 171 just minutes after takeoff on its way to London; in April, American Airlines Flight 5342 fatally collided with a US Army helicopter over the Potomac River.

Yesterday’s incident also brought back the harrowing memory of the Jeju Air crash landing towards the end of 2024, particularly because both ill-fated flights were operated with Boeing aircraft.

But regardless of which aerospace manufacturers produced their aircraft, airlines throughout the globe see these incidents as a wake-up call when it comes to beefing up their safety measures and protocols.

Syncing professional associations

In a November 2024 report that was updated in January of this year, Austrian consultancy Skylift Aviation pointed out that global harmonisation of aviation safety standards was something that various organisations need to take seriously.

This would, for example, involve collaboration on the part of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to align safety frameworks across countries. 

Such measures include initiatives like ICAO’s Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP) which emphasises data-driven decision-making, proactive risk management, as well as safety performance improvements.

Through similar proactive measures already in place, ICAO noted a reduction in global air accident rates in 2022 to around 2.6 per one million departures compared to the 4.2 per million seen in 2013.

Pattern identification matters

Another key measure that airlines and aerospace firms need to look into is being able to identify flaw patterns in aircraft through data collection and analysis.

Through systems like the Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing programme, stakeholders rely on comprehensive data collection and analyses in order to identify risks well before they turn into critical issues.

Indeed, the use of real-time data from Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) systems has been a great help towards the development of preventive strategies which have enabled airlines to take a proactive approach regarding potential issues.

All too human

However, no matter how much airlines and airports invest in cutting-edge technologies, it cannot be denied that up to 80 percent of all aviation accidents were caused by human error.

Indeed, in a 2019 piece for the International Airport Review, AVCON chief executive Wayne Anaka remarked: “We know what to do but somehow the system is not working. It is not that the accountants ignore the cost. It is not because senior management does not put a focus on costs. It is not that front-line management and workers do not care. So, what is going wrong?”

He went on to list five key factors that have led to disastrous error on the part of staff both on the ground and in the air:

1. Staff shortages have led to an overworked team whose fatigue on both physical and mental levels has led to critical errors of judgement. This was true well before the pandemic, but even truer now given the way airport and airline staff are wearing themselves out;
2. There were training deficiencies caused by high turnover and instructors struggled to keep up. Even now, there is a shortage of qualified trainers and safety training materials need a major revision;
3. Many accidents are the result of key personnel breaking critical rules, something that was driven to a lack of oversight in key areas;
4. Prior to the pandemic, a number of airlines and airports pushed for on-time performance, and supervisors under pressure would end up cutting corners, particularly where safety was concerned; and
5. This “bottom-line” mentality where profit was given higher priority than either safety or customer satisfaction led to cost-cutting in terms of employee wages, safety measures, and equipment maintenance, essentially brewing a perfect storm leading to accidents.

What now?

Anaka said that the problem is that both airlines and airports have focused on the wrong things, thus compromising the safety of passengers, staff, and aircraft.

In which case, he saw a need for these establishments to examine the root causes behind incidents, including poor communication; lack of respect; lack of discipline; and slack enforcement of safety protocols.

But while addressing the issues behind human errors in aviation is certainly important, would it be possible for technology to replace human workers in terms of aviation safety in order to prevent future accidents?

The answer is not a cut and dried yes or no; nor will we see a tangible answer within the near future.

In a February 2025 interview with Al-Jazeera, Airport AI Exchange’s chief officer for artificial intelligence Amad Malik said: “When it comes to aviation, there’s a lot of advancement in AI, even though a lot of that has not trickled through to commercial aviation because of the processes and certification. The way the regulations are set up is that years and years of data are required before you can use anything in the commercial landscape. What we do have right now is something that started in the 1960s!”

Despite this rather pessimistic point of view, LYTE Aviation’s founder and chief executive Freshta Farzam pointed out that developers are already doing a lot with regard to the application of AI in aviation safety, and there is a great deal more already in the pipeline.

Farzam said: “AI is already playing a crucial role in reducing aviation accidents and loss of life by improving situational awareness, predictive maintenance and decision-making processes. In air traffic control and collision avoidance, AI is helping out tremendously.”

How could AI make aviation safer?

Innovative technologies like AI will certainly be instrumental in revolutionising aviation safety the world over.

To date, there are already a number of advancements that have been put to practical use both aboard aircraft and with ground control.

These include:

• Predictive Maintenance: AI systems can monitor aircraft health in real-time, identifying issues before they lead to costly delays. This helps airlines minimize downtime and save millions on maintenance costs;
• Autonomous Flight Systems: Advances in AI are enhancing autopilot technology, moving us closer to fully autonomous commercial flights. New AI models improve in-flight decision-making and optimize routes with less human input; and
• Air Traffic Management: AI improves air traffic control by analyzing real-time data, reducing congestion and enhancing flight safety. More efficient airspace management could significantly decrease delays.

Ahead of the Paris Air Show next week, Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer released Market Outlook 2025, its annual 20-year forecast for commercial aircraft deliveries in the sub-150-seat category. 

Market Outlook 2025 estimates 10,500 orders for new jets and turboprops through 2044, and also presents analyses of global influences and trends in seven world regions that impact the demand for new aircraft. 

Because of its growing prominence in commercial aviation, statistics for China are detailed separately in this year’s Market Outlook for the first time.

The document also analyses demand for cargo aircraft, including a forecast for passenger-to-freighter conversions.

Not quite status quo

The overall forecast for the number of new sub-150-seat aircraft remains almost unchanged from Embraer’s previous estimate. 

Arjan Meijer, Embraer president and CEO of commercial aviation, attributes the consistency of the estimate to the longevity of social, supply chain, and geopolitical trends Embraer identified during the pandemic.

He said: “Five years after the onset of the pandemic, many of the structural changes it triggered have proven to be quite long lasting. In our first post-pandemic Market Outlook, we highlighted the transition from globalization to a more polarized geopolitical outlook. Today, as countries and regions pursue greater strategic autonomy, the demand for regional access will continue to grow.

Meijer added that the company believes that mixed fleets that combine small and large narrowbody aircraft are essential for that long-term growth. 

Indeed, these would provide the versatility needed to better match capacity with demand, expand networks, and support national and regional development goals.

Reputed to be a leading research and development (R&D) hub for medical sciences, Hong Kong hosts the world’s largest and most significant gathering of stem cell research and regenerative medicine, the International Society of Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2025 Annual Meeting. The event is brought to Hong Kong for the first time, thanks to the joint effort of three local universities – The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, which are appointed organisations under the Hong Kong Convention Ambassador (HKCA) programme of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

The four-day meeting held from 11-14 June  gathers more than 2,400 local and international experts in stem cell research and regenerative medicine from 58 countries and regions, from Asia to North America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and Mainland China. Pioneers share the latest advances in the field, with topics spanning the field of regenerative medicine including topics such as advances in cell therapies, fundamental discoveries, understanding disease processes and more.

Dr Peter Lam, HKTB Chairman, said: “The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is a globally leading organisation in medical sciences and research, and its annual meeting is one of the world’s most significant international academic conventions in medical science. Hong Kong is the first city chosen to host this annual event in Asia after a 13-year hiatus, underscoring the city’s status as the ‘World’s Meeting Place’. I am grateful for the active participation of the Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors from the three local universities, who leveraged their influence and network during the bidding for the host of the event to make the event come true. We are also delighted to see that more professionals from a wider range of expertise are joining HKTB’s league of Convention Ambassadors, and we believe their participation can help identify and contribute to the staging of more significant international events in Hong Kong.”

Valentina Greco, ISSCR President, remarked: “Hosting ISSCR 2025 in Hong Kong marks a defining moment for global stem cell science. As a vibrant research hub at the crossroads of Asia and the world, Hong Kong offers an ideal setting to connect diverse scientific communities, spark new collaborations, and accelerate innovation. The ISSCR is deeply grateful to the city of Hong Kong and to our generous co-sponsors – the University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology – for their support and commitment to bringing The Global Stem Cell Event to this beautiful city. With the unwavering support of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, these three leading universities, and inspired leadership from our 2025 Annual Meeting Program Committee, this meeting exemplifies the power of partnership and shared vision. We are proud to return to Asia for the first time in more than a decade at a time when our collective progress in stem cell research and regenerative medicine and to advancing therapies that have life altering impact on patients depends on the exchange of bold ideas across borders.”

The extensive programme features plenary sessions, concurrent tracks, poster presentations, and networking opportunities. Contributing to the success of the event, the HKTB has provided comprehensive support, from arranging reconnaissance to venue sourcing, bid proposal, network support and more.

HKCAs have been instrumental in winning the ISSCR 2025 Annual Meeting for Hong Kong. Launched in 2020 by the HKTB as a strategic initiative, the HKCA programme recruits high-level representatives of Hong Kong’s eight universities, chambers of commerce, professional organisations, public bodies, industrial entities and professional societies to act as ambassadors for Hong Kong’s convention sector. With their professional influence and networks, HKCAs have led efforts to bring in events ranging from medical sciences to innovation and technology (I&T), financial services, aviation, transportation and more. The close collaboration between HKCAs and the HKTB has proven effective in promoting Hong Kong as a premier hub for world-class conventions.

As an alliance of distinguished local and Mainland leaders in business, medicine, professional services, I&T and other fields, the HKCA programme has been growing from strength to strength, with 72 new members in the latest record-sized cohort for the 2025-2026 term, taking the total to about 180, some 30% more than the previous cohort.

Among the 76 international events for 2025 to 2027 lined up by the HKTB, with an estimated attendance of over 180,000 MICE visitor arrivals and 27 resulted from HKCAs’ efforts. The events cover diverse fields ranging from I&T to aviation and medical sciences. Some are held in Hong Kong for the first time, including IEEE Electron Devices Technology and Manufacturing Conference held in March 2025, Routes World in September 2025 and World Cancer Congress 2026.

The HKTB is committed to working closely with HKCAs to welcome more world-class events to Hong Kong, attracting high-yield overnight business visitors to the city and reinforcing the city’s status as the world’s meeting place.

Large-scale conventions facilitated by Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors: 

Date	Events (*first-ever in Hong Kong)	Theme/Sector
March 2025	IEEE Electron Devices Technology and Manufacturing Conference *	Innovation & Technology
May 2025	IEEE International Conference on Data Engineering	Innovation & Technology
Jun 2025	International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Annual Meeting*	Medical sciences
Sep 2025	Routes World*	Aviation
Dec 2025	The International Society of Sport Psychology 16th World Congress	Sports & Medical sciences
2026	Asia-Pacific Association for International Education 2026 Conference and Exhibition	Education
2026	17th Asian Congress of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery	Medical sciences
2026	Asian Venture Philanthropy Network Conference	Philanthropy
2026	International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress	Architecture
2026	Lions International Convention	Social Services
2026	The Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly	Sports
2026	The Council Meeting of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association	Intellectual property
2026	World Cancer Congress*	Medical sciences
2027	International Association for Energy Economics Annual International Conference	Economics
2027	Lions Clubs International Orient and Southeast Asian Lions Forum	Social Services
2027	World Organization of Family Doctors Asia Pacific Regional Conference	Medical sciences