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.

 

Hainan Airlines officially opened its Summer Employees’ Children Care Class for 2025 to keep their staff’s kids engaged throughout the vacation months.

Spearheaded by the Hainan Airlines Labour Union, Beijing Base Branch Labour Union, and the Capital Airlines Labour Union, human resource officials connected with local education professionals in order to come up with this year’s activity programme.

As such, this relieves the worries of many employees who need child care, keeps their children active and busy, and serves as a tangible form of employee support on the part of the airline.

Summer play-school is in session

The first phase of this year’s summer classes opened on Monday, 7th July, for the children of Hainan Airlines employees stationed in Beijing.

The classes will run till 25th July and will be held from 8:30am to 5:30pm local time on workdays on the fourth floor of Hainan Airlines’ offices in the Chinese capital.

The class curriculum includes special classes in the English language with foreign teachers who will actively engage with the children to create an environment highly conducive to language learning.

Also on the slate are training in logic, physical play, traditional poetry, calligraphy, and painting.

By doing so, Hainan Airlines hopes to give its employees’ children a healthy and fun way to spend their vacation days.

Indonesian hotel operator Archipelago recently introduced its latest innovation: the Smart Room Initiative. 

Designed to elevate the guest experience through advanced technology and seamless integration, these smart rooms offer a higher level of comfort, personalization, and connectivity for today’s modern travelers.

Currently available at select Archipelago hotels across Indonesia, the Smart Room Initiative reinforces the group’s ongoing mission to redefine hospitality through innovation and guest-centric design.

As company chief executive John Flood puts it: “Innovation is not just about adopting new technology: it’s about anticipating our guests’ needs and making their experience more effortless, more personal.”

This initiative represents more than a technological upgrade, but part of a broader vision to create adaptive and forward-thinking guest experiences. 

As global hospitality moves toward personalization and digital convenience, Archipelago continues to lead the way with smart, guest-focused solutions.

Smart amenities for a more comfortable stay

Archipelago’s smart rooms bring together convenience and functionality in one intuitive space, where guests are empowered to customize their stay with ease.

• Google Nest Hub   Guests can control room lighting, alarms, entertainment, and request hotel services using simple voice commands. No more fumbling with switches or phones; just say the word and your room responds, creating a fully hands-free experience;
• Smart TV   Each room is equipped with a high-definition Smart TV offering access to popular streaming platforms and online browsing. Whether unwinding after a long day or catching up on your favorite series, entertainment is always at your fingertips; and
• High-Speed Wi-Fi   Reliable and fast internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity. Guests can stay connected with work, family, or friends effortlessly, enjoying consistent high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the room and property.

Where to encounter Smart Room technologies

Available 24/7, smart room technology can now be enjoyed in selected Archipelago properties. Guests may book directly via the official website or contact the hotel to reserve a smart room for their upcoming stay.

1. Aston Anyer Beach Hotel
2. Aston Serang Hotel & Convention Center
3. Aston Cilegon Boutique Hotel
4. Aston Makassar Hotel & Convention Center
5. Harper Malioboro Yogyakarta

Hotels with Google Nest Facility:

1. Harper Kupang
2. Aston Palu Hotel & Conference Center
3. Aston Inn Jemursari
4. The Alana Hotel Malang
5. Harper Malioboro Yogyakarta
6. Grand Aston Puncak Hotel & Resort
7. Aston Batam Hotel & Residence
8. Aston Emidary Bangka Hotel & Conference Center
9. Aston Inn Lumajang
10. Quest Vibe Dewi Sri
11. Aston Bintaro Hotel & Conference Center

Believe it or not, one of the things that affects anyone’s decision to go on a wellness retreat is actually the quality of the food offered at the destination.

But for guests making their way to Chive-Som Hua Hin, an exceptional gustatory experience awaits them, one far removed from the dietary privation that has become a punchline when it comes to wellness cuisine.

While nutritionally-balanced, every meal served at Thailand’s leading wellness destination is characterised by an exquisite interplay of flavour, texture, and culinary mastery as Travel Daily Media’s own Gary Marshall will attest.

As Gary puts it: “Dining at Chiva-Som was always a pleasant surprise. From breakfast to dinner, we were treated to sumptuous meals that I am sure were prepared with great care. It’s good to know that, based on the interviews we had with in-house wellness advisors at the beginning of the stay, the dishes served were appropriate to our nutritional needs. In my case, these were foods that would help recovery whilst boosting immunity and vitality.”

Chiva-Som Hua Hin also offers two dietary options specifically developed for those in need of a hard physical reset or a detoxification from stressful environs.

These are:

• The Gut-healing Diet, an option that centres on the use of fibre and probiotics to improve a guest’s gut biome, thereby improving their digestive function in a much safer way than a crash or fad diet; and
• The Cleansing Diet which is a multi-stage process that ensures the removal of toxins and pollutants from the body through clean eating and adjustments to one’s nutritional intake.

From earth to table

Farm-to-table cuisine has long been synonymous with the global sustainability movement, but it is also in sync with Chiva-Som Hua Hin’s long-time ethos on holistic wellness.

Freshness is one of the key characteristics of the food served at the resort: after all, the quality of fresh produce deteriorates in the process of shipping it from farms to retailers, then again from the retailer to the kitchen.

Here, thanks to gardens strategically located within the resort grounds, staff raise the fruit, vegetables, and even herbs that will make their way into the hands of expert chefs who will transform them into wholesome, flavourful meals.

Add the fact that the produce gardens at Chiva-Som Hua Hin are certified organic by IFOAM-Organics International, and guests are assured that nothing that would be detrimental to their well-being may be found in their food.

Plus, seasonal eating makes the gustatory experience more exciting as menus shift in variety based on what produce is currently at its best in terms of freshness, ripeness, and quality.

Two exceptional dining venues

Likewise, guests are spoilt for choice as Chiva-Som Hua Hin is home to two establishments that offer extensive menus featuring a range of specialities that run from traditional treats to contemporary delights.

At Taste of Siam, Chiva-Som changes the game when it comes to beachfront dining, as guests may opt to dine within the cool interiors or right outside to catch the fresh sea breezes.

Breakfast here is served a la minute, prepared fresh in the open kitchen to one’s specifications.

Taste of Siam is also an excellent place to have lunch or dinner as it offers a choice between health-smart but exceptionally delectable versions of Thai classics, as well as a number of international specialities.

For those seeking a more refined dining experience, The Emerald Room opens its doors and offers a sumptuous pescatarian menu that highlights the freshly-caught bounty of the sea.

More adventurous diners also make their way to The Emerald Room for its popular steamboat menu which is both a fun and healthy way to enjoy the best that nature has to offer in terms of fresh ingredients.

Healthy eating beyond one’s stay

The beauty of Chiva-Som Hua Hin is that it goes beyond the temporary respite that many wellness facilities offer and more towards ensuring that each guest comes away with a curated plan for an improved lifestyle.

This extends to their diets as, thanks to wellness advisors who take a careful look at the physical condition of each guest, recommendations are made as what best to eat moving forward in order to stay well and healthy.

Plus, for those who want to bring the flavours of Chiva-Som Hua Hin to their homes in Thailand and beyond, the resort’s online boutique offers a range of tasty treats from infused honey and lemongrass tea to virgin coconut oil and delectable biscuits to change up one’s breaktime fare.

For more information regarding the services, amenities, and accommodations at Chiva-Som Hua Hin, be sure to visit their official website.

Ponant Explorations continues to rise above its peers as a creator of unique experiences and exceptional voyages.

Come January of next year, Ponant Explorations’ newest  cruise highlights the cruise line’s partnership with the prestigious Club des Chefs des Chefs aboard Le Commandant Charcot.

Ponant Explorations and the Club des Chefs des Chefs have envisioned a unique onboard dining experience blending gastronomy and diplomacy. 

This unique voyage brings together iconic figures from the world of haute cuisine and diplomacy, including former White House head chef Cristeta Comerford. 

Comerford said of the upcoming experience: “The simple act of eating a meal together creates bonds. In all contexts, food is a social facilitator and a powerful conversation tool: a simple yet effective way to spark dialogue to the table. Culinary diplomacy is an essential reality. Every meal, especially State Dinners, is a unique opportunity. There are no second chances, everything has to be perfect the first time.”

Comerford is the longest-serving former White House Executive Chef, and is also the first woman and first person of Asian descent to hold this prestigious position. 

She has cooked for five presidents and their families, under eight administrations, and has orchestrated over fifty State Dinners. 

Weathering a winter night in grand style

In the middle of a starlit polar night, where light lingers only as a long, bluish dusk, Le Commandant Charcot silently slices through the icy waters of the Gulf of Bothnia. 

Between Sweden and Finland, Lapland unfurls its frozen shores and dense forests. 

On board this unique ship, designed for polar exploration in the heart of icy waters, guests experience the Arctic winter and Scandinavian traditions in the utmost comfort.

Alongside prestigious guests, moments of discovery and exchange follow one another, complemented by tastings of iconic dishes once served to heads of state at official dinners, insightful lectures, and fascinating discussions, revealing what goes on behind the scenes at the White House and the Élysée Palace. 

This summer, A.O.K Kitchen is rolling out the (mini) red carpet for its littlest guests with the launch of a brand-new children’s menu and a series of muffin-decorating workshops, perfect for family-friendly afternoons in Riyadh.

Available now at both A.O.K Kitchen locations – in the heart of KAFD and the charming Zallal district of Diriyah – the new kids’ menu is packed with wholesome dishes that are every bit as delicious and inclusive as the grown-up fare. Like all A.O.K Kitchen dishes, the kids’ meals are free from refined sugar and feature limited dairy and gluten – so you can be sure little ones are in good hands.

Mini diners can start with a crisp Greek Salad or a protein-packed Kids’ Caesar with chicken, parmesan and fresh lettuce. Starting from SAR37, mains include feel-good favourites like the juicy Mini Beef Burger, classic Pasta with Tomato Sauce, Chicken Skewers with Mashed Potato, and Fish served with rice and gently steamed vegetables. A special Toddlers’ Menu ensures even the tiniest appetites are catered to, with soft-cooked veggie, chicken and fish options full of colour and nutrients.

And of course – no meal is complete without something sweet. Kids can cool off with scoops of creamy vanilla, chocolate or strawberry ice cream, or opt for the indulgent Chocolate Brownie with vanilla ice cream.
But the fun doesn’t stop at the table. Every Thursday from 5pm to 7pm, little chefs are invited to roll up their sleeves and join A.O.K Kitchen Zallal Diriyah for Muffin Decorating Workshops – a hands-on, joy-filled activity designed to spark creativity (and satisfy a sweet tooth). Available by reservation only and exclusively for families dining at the restaurant, the workshops are a perfect way to add a sprinkle of fun to your summer evenings.

With its warm interiors, inclusive ethos and breezy outdoor terraces, A.O.K Kitchen is proud to be Riyadh’s go-to dining spot for families this summer. Whether popping in for a mid-week lunch, a weekend gathering or a Thursday muffin masterpiece A.O.K promises a season to remember.

Kids’ Menu available daily at both A.O.K Kitchen KAFD and Zallal Diriyah. Muffin Decorating Workshops held every Thursday from 5PM–7PM at Zallal Diriyah. Workshops available by reservation only for dining families

 

 

Finnair and TPConnects Technologies announced the successful integration of NDC 21.3 for the Finnair Agency Sales Tool (FAST), powered by TPConnects’ airline retailing platform, Astra. This milestone marks a significant step forward in Finnair’s journey towards modern, agile, and customer-centric airline retailing.

TPConnects and Finnair forged a successful partnership in 2022 with the introduction of the Finnair Agency Sales Tool (FAST). After years of continuous enhancements, the tool now marks a new milestone with its migration to version 21.3.

The integration of NDC 21.3 into FAST, powered by TPConnects’ Astra, enables Finnair to continue their journey of providing travel agency partners access to Finnair’s full suite of NDC products including ancillary products across sales and servicing, all within a streamlined, browser-based environment through 21.3 NDC APIs.

Kristiaan van Dijken, VP Airline Account Management at TPConnects said: “Our partnership with Finnair demonstrates the power of modern NDC technology to transform airline distribution. With the Astra B2B portal now fully integrated with NDC 21.3, Finnair’s agency partners can access richer content, personalised offers, and seamless servicing—delivering greater value and flexibility to both the airline and its partners.”
Key Benefits

• Intuitive and seamless interface: Agencies enjoy a modern, user-friendly experience with enhanced booking and servicing flows, ensuring efficient management of travel needs through NDC 21.3 APIs.
• Frictionless agency onboarding: Astra’s intuitive interface and partner management tools enable rapid onboarding and configuration, reducing complexity and accelerating adoption.
• Future proof: Version 21.3 is designed for long-term relevance, crucially offering backward compatibility with previous versions
• Foundation for new capabilities: IATA is committed to developing new functionalities and innovations specifically on top of the 21.3 framework. This establishes 21.3 as the foundational standard for future advancements in airline retailing and distribution.
• Comprehensive servicing: Agencies benefit from end-to-end order management, automated workflows for refunds and reissues, and integrated ancillary sales, all designed to optimize efficiency and service quality.
• Advanced data and reporting: Upgraded architecture across booking, servicing, and order management flows supports robust data modeling and actionable insights.
• Brand control and customization: Finnair maintains full control over its content and branding, ensuring a consistent and premium experience across all distribution channels.

 

Ventive Hospitality Limited along with its Promoter Group Companies, announced the expansion of their strategic partnership with Marriott International, by signing management contracts for seven luxury, upper upscale and upscale hotels comprising of 1,548 rooms across India and Sri Lanka. This partnership marks multiple brand debuts in key locations including Sri Lanka, Varanasi, Mundra, Pune, and Navi Mumbai. Further, Ventive Hospitality also announced its plans to develop a hotel on its existing leasehold land in Mundra, India.

Of the seven hotels, three hotels are being developed by Ventive Hospitality and its subsidiaries – the Ritz-Carlton Reserve (73 villas along with 80 branded residences[1] for sale) at Pottuvil, near Yala East National Park in Sri Lanka; Varanasi Marriott Hotel (161 rooms) at Varanasi, India and Courtyard by Marriott (200 rooms) at Mundra, India.

The remaining four hotels – the proposed JW Marriott Navi Mumbai (450 rooms), Moxy Navi Mumbai (200 rooms), Moxy Pune Wakad (264 rooms) and Moxy Pune Kharadi (200 rooms), are being developed by the Promoter Group companies on Right Of First Offer (ROFO) or alternative structure basis for the Ventive Hospitality and will be transferred to the Company under a suitable arrangement that maximizes value for all stakeholders equitably.

This partnership, one of India’s largest in the luxury and upper-upscale hotel sector, leverages the strength of Ventive Hospitality’s project execution capabilities along with Marriott International’s renowned brands and hotel management expertise. Both companies are poised to unlock significant growth opportunities by capitalizing on a favorable demand-supply dynamics.

This strategic partnership was formally announced by Atul Chordia, Chairman and Executive Director of Ventive Hospitality Ltd, and Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International. Also present at the event were Ranju Alex, Regional Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International Ranjit Batra, CEO, Ventive Hospitality Ltd, Milind Wadekar Executive Vice President Finance and Investor Relations, Kiran Andicot, Senior Vice President, Hotel Development, Marriott International and other senior leaders from Ventive Hospitality, Panchshil Group and Marriott International.

Commenting on the announcement, Atul Chordia, Chairman and Executive Director of Ventive Hospitality Ltd, said “We’re excited to begin FY 2025-26 on a strong note, particularly as it is our first financial year post listing. This partnership not only strengthens our two-decade-long relationship with Marriott International but also marks a pivotal moment in our journey to redefine India’s hospitality sector. By leveraging Marriott’s global expertise and our deep real estate knowledge, we aim to create distinctive destinations that elevate guest experiences for both business and leisure travelers, driving growth in the luxury and upper-upscale segments and expanding our footprint beyond Pune, Bengaluru, and the Maldives. This collaboration underscores our commitment to aggressive growth while maintaining prudent leverage.”

Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (excluding China), Marriott International, remarked “Our growth strategy focuses on being present where our guests are looking to travel. We are thrilled to work with Ventive Hospitality, as we continue to meet the growing demand for luxury travel experiences and world-class hospitality services. We are especially excited to have signed the Ritz-Carlton Reserve, that is expected to mark the brand’s debut in Sri Lanka. Today’s signed agreement underscores our long-standing relationship with Ventive Hospitality, and we look forward to bringing these exciting projects to fruition.”

Ranjit Batra, CEO of Ventive Hospitality Ltd, shared his thoughts, “At Ventive Hospitality, we are committed to driving aggressive growth, enhancing stakeholder value, and redefining India’s hospitality landscape with globally benchmarked destinations. Our strategic partnership with Marriott International is a pivotal step towards this vision, delivering exceptional guest experiences and contributing to the industry’s growth. We’re excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to a successful journey.”

 

British Airways (BA) would like to see Britain added to China’s growing list of countries eligible for its 30-day visa-free scheme to increase demand after suspending its Beijing flights last year.  China has been steadily extending its 30-day visa waiver scheme. As of June, it included 55 countries. It does not include Britain, although British passport holders last year were included in a 240-hour transit visa-free policy.

“We’re working with the UK government and diplomatically with the China government around seeing if we can get the UK into that programme,” the airline’s Chief Planning and Strategy Officer, Neil Chernoff, told media in Shanghai.

“I think that that’s one way that we can improve demand.”

British Airways suspended flights to Beijing in October, one of several foreign carriers that pulled Chinese services as they struggle with a ban on flying over Russian airspace and a slower than expected rebound in Chinese travel after the pandemic.

Longer flights around Russia mean higher fuel and crew costs, and aircraft utilisation is lower, putting airlines that cannot overfly Russia at a disadvantage to Chinese carriers that can take those shorter routes.

“In a place like China, which is not subject to the same restrictions we have in the UK, they can obviously offer a more competitive product because their flight times are less,” Chernoff said.

British Airways, which still flies daily to Shanghai and Hong Kong, is constantly evaluating whether to bring back its Beijing route. Demand has not caught up with increasing supply since the pandemic, Chernoff said.

British Airways has a joint venture with state-owned China Southern and on Wednesday said it was deepening it by allowing frequent flier points to be collected and redeemed by both sides.

Source: Reuters

 

Cryptocurrency may still be the coin of the future for many nations, but the mountain kingdom of Bhutan is now seeing cryptocurrency in use as a payment option for travellers through its partnership with Binance Pay.

Blockchain ecosystem and cryptocurrency infrastructure provider Binance’s chief executive Richard Teng was in Bhutan last month for the official launch of the partnership.

At the same time, a group of international influencers from key markets also travelled to Bhutan to experience Binance Pay in action and explore its potential to transform travel  through seamless, cashless transactions.

The group will explore Bhutan using only their Binance Pay wallets, with curated  itineraries designed to highlight the best of the kingdom, from luxury lodges and  family-run farmstays to Buddhist monuments, handicraft markets, cafés, and off-the beaten-path adventures. 

The future is here

Since announcing its partnership with Binance Pay in May of this year, Bhutan has witnessed  a tenfold increase in crypto-enabled merchants across the country from just 100 at  launch to over 1,000 as of today, 10th July. 

Visitors can now use cryptocurrency to pay for nearly all  aspects of their journey, making Bhutan one of the most crypto-accessible destinations  in the world. 

According to Teng: “This remarkable progress in such a short time reflects Bhutan’s openness to innovation and its people’s readiness to embrace new possibilities. This is not just about numbers; it’s about building an ecosystem where technology  empowers people, connects communities, and enhances everyday experiences.  Bhutan is showing the world how digital finance can enrich travel, simplify transactions,  and build stronger connections.” 

This partnership likewise highlights Bhutan’s bold approach to innovation in tourism, merging  technology with cultural authenticity to create seamless, future-ready travel  experiences. 

Indeed, the initiative supports Bhutan’s broader goals of financial inclusion, rural upliftment, and tourism diversification, with the new Gelephu Mindfulness City Special  Administrative Region playing a key role to enable digital technologies that will support  these goals.