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Travel Meet Asia and ASITA boost Indonesia’s tourism

Travel Meet Asia and the Association of the Indonesian Tours & Travel Agencies (ASITA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen Indonesia's tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) sector. The agreement, signed on 7 January in Jakarta, combines Travel Meet Asia's international reach with ASITA's domestic network to elevate Indonesia's presence in the regional tourism market. The collaboration was formalised during ASITA's 55th Anniversary celebrations, with the signing witnessed by the Minister of Tourism of Indonesia and other senior officials. The partnership aims to leverage Messe Berlin Asia Pacific's (MB APAC) expertise in organising ITB Asia, a major travel trade show, alongside ASITA's extensive local connections. Travel Meet Asia, known for its successful B2B travel events across Asia, will focus on international sales, marketing, and event operations. Meanwhile, ASITA will mobilise Indonesia's domestic tourism community, securing local exhibitors and sponsors, and coordinating cultural showcases and business-matching activities. Darren Seah, Executive Director of MB APAC, stated, "By combining our international expertise with ASITA’s extensive domestic footprint, we are creating a robust B2B platform that supports meaningful business connections." Budijanto Ardiansjah, Chairman of ASITA Fair, added, "Travel Meet Asia has already proven its value as a high-quality platform within Asia, and ASITA’s involvement will undoubtedly elevate the opportunities available to the industry." Further details and activities under this partnership will be announced in the coming months, promising impactful outcomes for the travel and tourism industry. ```

Colliers’ Shaman Chellaram opens his playbook on how hotels can raise value as tourism returns

With service at its core, hospitality success embodies people, efficiency, and partnerships that sharpen profitability and enrich the guest experience. In 2025, Hong Kong's hospitality market was buoyed by rising arrivals, a broader tourism base, and stronger occupancy. Yet the sector still had its challenges. Seasoned perspectives from Colliers' Senior Director of Hotel Advisory, Shaman Chellaram, anchors these shifts, and his appointment as judge for the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2026 - Hong Kong reflects his standing in the industry. Given your extensive experience in hotel advisory, how do you perceive the current landscape of Hong Kong's travel and hospitality sector? The sector is regaining momentum. Tourism is recovering strongly, with overall visitors up 12% to 45 million by the end of November 2025. Overnight visitors rose materially over the same period to 21 million with contributions from both Mainland China and broader international markets. Expanded flight connectivity, increasing short- and long-haul growth, and a rebound in cruise calls are broadening source‑market diversity. Operationally, rate pressure persisted in 2025 despite relatively strong occupancy, although October and November experienced a performance rebound, supported by a busy calendar of business, leisure, sporting events, and conferences. On a broader level, when compared with other global gateway cities such as London, New York and Paris, Hong Kong’s hotel landscape has significant runway in terms of rates. Investment activity picked up, with approximately HK$3 billion in transactions recorded between June and October 2025. These acquisitions focused on lifestyle and mid‑scale hotels for conversions to student accommodation or rebranding into modern boutique concepts. New upper‑upscale and lifestyle openings, such as the Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui and Motto by Hilton SOHO, signal renewed confidence. At the same time, challenges around tightening operating margins, softer non-room revenues and labour shortages remain. In advising owners and investors across diverse markets, what strategies have you found most effective in maximising property value and performance? Over the last few years, hoteliers have focused on guest acquisition, operational efficiency and smarter space utilisation to boost revenue. Leading operators deepen guest engagement to build brand affinity and better anticipate needs, especially in luxury and lifestyle segments. They are refreshing and streamlining F&B concepts to elevate guest experience and remove underperforming outlets. AI and other technologies are increasingly deployed across front‑ and back‑of‑house to automate tasks, surface actionable guest insights, and increase productivity. Dynamic rate pricing and tighter revenue management capture willingness to pay during peaks whilst smoothing occupancy in soft windows. Owners who maintain a clear, forward‑looking capital expenditure plan protect their competitive position; those who delay upgrades face larger, more disruptive outlays later. Clear communication, lifecycle cost planning and continual optimisation of space, booking channels and services are the fastest ways to accelerate value and performance. Specific experience-driven marketing initiatives and collaborations, sustainability programmes and a focus on wellness are also proving effective. Investors are better aligning with experienced operators and joint-venture partners to underwrite deals, spread execution risk, minimise downside exposure and maximise returns. How do local and cross-border acquisitions, disposals, and strategic partnerships influence the growth and competitiveness of the hospitality sector? Acquisitions and strategic partnerships inject capital, new brands and fresh operating concepts into the market, increasing consumer choice and forcing incumbent operators to raise their game. These transactions accelerate knowledge transfer – international groups bring distribution, loyalty networks and scale; local players contribute market nuance and agility – resulting in better guest experiences across segments. Recent examples across Asia such as Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide's acquisition of Ace Group and Wyndham's partnership with Ovolo illustrate how operators are leaning into lifestyle positioning to broaden their appeal. In Hong Kong, recent market entrants like Kimpton in Tsim Sha Tsui and Motto by Hilton SOHO demonstrate how brands and positioning can reshape sub‑markets, intensify competition and expand product variety. The market is also seeing an increase in hybrid hotel-living concepts. Finally, capital flows across Asia reinforce a two‑tier market: prime CBD or resort assets command premium pricing and deeper buyer interest, whilst secondary locations often face a thinner investor pool and lower liquidity. In your view, what qualities distinguish successful leaders in the travel and hospitality industry? Clear vision and decisive execution, combined with agility, distinguish standout leaders. They build the right team and cultivate a family‑like service-focused culture for staff, driven by the ultimate goal of creating lasting memories and experiences for their guests and customers. Data fluency and thoughtful tech adoption underpin their decisions and improve efficiency. They share and cascade their vision, listening and delegating were appropriate and empower every role to contribute to its success. Strong leaders deliver positive business and social impact, navigate downturns, innovate and plan disciplined capital expenditure whilst maintaining a healthy operational budget to adapt across market cycles. They understand their target market, inspire their team, and demonstrate a clear ability to build a long-term financially sustainable business which delivers on guests' and stakeholders' needs. Looking forward, what key developments do you anticipate shaping Hong Kong's travel and hospitality industry in the coming years? The Hong Kong government launched its 'Tourism is Everywhere' initiative and Development Blueprint for the Tourism Industry 2.0 in late 2024, to boost the sector's contribution to the economy by 60% to HK$120b by 2029 and employment to 210,000, up 44% from 2023. As Hong Kong broadens its major international sporting, arts and music offerings and enhances cultural and nature‑based experiences, the city aims to entice visitors to stay longer. In only its first nine months of operation the city’s new Kai Tak Stadium has firmly placed itself amongst the top ticket sales venues in the world, highlighting the city’s positioning as a major events destination. Growth from higher‑spending source markets, notably the Middle East and other ASEAN countries, is already visible, and the market is adapting with tailored services and amenities. Policy moves to expand the yacht economy – more berths, repair facilities and supporting infrastructure – will create opportunities for hotels near marinas to offer ‘berth+stay’ packages, yacht concierge services, and premium F&B experiences that capture spillover spend. As terminal connectivity improves and regional cruises return, I expect a steady uptick in cruise calls that drive additional pre‑ and post‑embarkation hotel demand. More frequent events and deeper cross‑sector partnerships between hotels, marine and cultural operators will lengthen stays and drive average spend per visitor. In addition to curating tangible local experiences which visitors crave, Hong Kong's positioning as Asia's world city - being a leading global financial and family office centre, as well as an international arts trading hub - will spur business demand in the coming years. As a judge for the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2026 - Hong Kong, what qualities or achievements do you consider most important when evaluating the nominees? New ideas make a tangible positive impact when they are well-executed, delivered and adopted. In tourism, changes should enhance the guest experience across segments or improve operational and market efficiencies. We seek innovations that create seamless engagement and fond memories, deliver clear business and social benefits, and solve practical problems. Success looks like revenue growth, increased uptake or market share gains, backed by consistently high service standards, better reviews and repeatable on-the-ground excellence. Projects that scale or transfer across markets, sectors and brands earn special attention. More about Shaman Chellaram Shaman Chellaram is Senior Director of Hotel Advisory at Colliers, with 22 years' experience in real estate investment and advisory. He works across Hong Kong and key Asian and international urban and resort markets, leveraging Colliers regional and global network to advise owners and investors on acquisitions, disposals, and strategic partnerships. His clientele includes hotel and resort owners and operators, commercial and residential investors, serviced apartment, student accommodation and co-living groups, private equity funds, developers, real estate investment trusts, family offices, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Drawing on this breadth of engagement, he provides perspective on how hospitality assets adapt to shifting visitor demand and global investment trends through interviews, events, reports and articles. He is a member of the Urban Land Institute Hospitality Development Council (APAC) and Chair of the Real Estate Committee for the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong.

Tourism Malaysia brings its Visit Malaysia campaign to Vakantiebeurs 2026

Tourism Malaysia launched its calendar of events for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) at the Malaysia Pavilion during the recently-concluded Vakantiebeurs 2026 in Jaarbeurs Utrecht. Held from the 7th to the 11th January, Vakantiebeurs is the largest travel fair in the Benelux region, attracting more than 72,000 visitors annually, whilst serving as an important platform for promoting Malaysia to the Dutch travel market. The soft launch ceremony was officiated by Malaysian ambassador to the Netherlands Roseli Abdul together with Tourism Malaysia director in The Hague Sharifah Hafsya and representatives of participating co-exhibitors. Led by Tourism Malaysia, with participation from the Sarawak Tourism Board, Dutch tour operators like Pangea Travel, Dim Sum Reizen, and Nomaya Travel, as well as Mike Bikes and Turkish Airlines, the Malaysia Pavilion demonstrated the strong collaboration efforts between Malaysian and Dutch tourism stakeholders. A touch of Malaysia comes to The Netherlands The Malaysia Pavilion showcased Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings, including nature, wildlife, heritage, gastronomy, and urban experiences. Some highlights included live cooking demonstrations by award-winning Malaysian chef Norman Musa, alongside cultural performances and destination presentations showcasing Malaysia’s rich traditions and travel experiences. A major draw for visitors was a special consumer giveaway, sponsored by Turkish Airlines in collaboration with Pangea Travel. The giveaway offered participants the chance to win an eight-day holiday to Malaysia for two persons, inclusive of international return flights. The prize package also features visits to Kuala Lumpur, Taman Negara, Cameron Highlands, and Melaka, complemented by car rental, providing a comprehensive introduction to Malaysia’s diverse destinations.

‘Value is the new volume’: Thai tourism chief outlines 2026 India strategy

Khun Nattachit Oonsiam, Director of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)-Mumbai Thailand is pivoting its 2026 India strategy toward "value-led growth," targeting a 10% increase in tourism revenue by prioritising high-spending travellers over sheer arrival volumes. Following a year where Indian arrivals surged to 2.48 million, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is now shifting its focus toward increasing the length of stay and promoting secondary destinations to combat overtourism in hubs like Bangkok and Phuket. Travel Daily Media interviews Nattachit Oonsiam, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Mumbai Office to find out more about the destinations marketing plans in India. Wat-Arun-Temple-Bangkok-Thailand Travel Daily Media (TDM): Thailand is a very popular destination with Indian tourists. To further promote the destination, what all campaigns did you launch in India in 2025? Can you also share the numbers of tourists that have visited Thailand in 2025 globally and statistics from India as well? Nattachit Oonsiam (NO): In 2025, our focus in India was on targeted engagement rather than broad-based promotion. Campaigns such as ASEAN + India Shoppers in Thailand, Living It Up in Thailand, and Celebrations with Care and Inner Shine, corporate and incentive group scheme were designed around evolving travel preferences of not just Indians but global travellers, including shopping, culture, food, weddings, and milestone travel. These were supported by sustained trade activity, roadshows, and familiarisation programmes, and aligned under the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025, which gave us a strong year-round cultural and experiential framework. Thailand welcomed 32.97 million international visitors in 2025. From India, arrivals crossed 2.48 million, marking a 17 per cent year-on-year increase and reinforcing India’s position as one of Thailand’s top three source markets. Chiang Rai - Wat Rong Suea Ten - Blue Temple TDM: Which parts of India are you getting the maximum tourists from? What are you doing to promote the destination in Tier-2 cities? Which are the main airlines that connect to your country from India? NO: Metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad continue to be our strongest source markets, while Tier-2 cities like Nagpur, Kochi, Indore, Coimbatore etc are showing consistent growth. To support this, we expanded our trade efforts like workshops, sales calls to these cities with the aim to improve product knowledge and encourage more diverse itineraries even from Tier- 2 markets. Air connectivity plays a crucial role. Direct services by IndiGo, Air India, Thai Airways, Thai AirAsia, SpiceJet, and Thai VietJet now connect multiple Indian cities to Thailand’s key gateways. Combined with visa-free entry, this has supported repeat visits and family travel from across India. Scuba Diving at Koh Tao TDM: Going forward, what will be the direction of your marketing and promotional strategies for 2026? What are your targets for 2026? Which new source markets for tourism are you looking at in 2026? NO: Our approach for 2026 is firmly centered on value-led growth. We expect tourism to grow by a minimum of 10 per cent year-on-year, with a stronger focus on quality, length of stay, spends per person and experience depth rather than volume alone. India will remain a priority market, particularly for luxury travel, wellness, event-led travel, weddings & MICE. TDM: Seeing the progress that Thailand tourism has made, many other SE destinations are promoting themselves further for tourism. Which destinations are your competitors, and how well geared are you to face the competition? NO: Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore are all actively engaging the Indian market. Thailand’s advantage lies in its diversity and maturity as a destination. Beaches, cities, culture, wellness, and gastronomy can all be experienced within a single journey. Our focus is now on raising service standards, promoting sustainability, and highlighting secondary destinations alongside established hubs such as Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai, allowing Thailand to remain competitive while offering depth and balance. Phang Nga, Thailand TDM: Crowds and congestion completely destroy a destination and irk the locals. Which destinations in Thailand have succumbed to overtourism? What are you doing to reduce the same? NO: Destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, and Pattaya do experience seasonal pressure at certain times of the year due to their popularity. Acknowledging this openly is important. Our focus has been on managing growth more responsibly so that tourism does not come at the cost of local communities or the environment. Measures include promoting secondary cities and regions to spread visitor flows, introducing capacity controls in environmentally sensitive areas, and strengthening community-led tourism so local stakeholders benefit directly. These efforts are supported by close coordination between provincial authorities, tourism bodies, and the private sector, with clearer visitor guidelines and improved infrastructure. The objective is to reduce pressure on key hotspots while maintaining a positive, well-managed experience for travellers. Railay beach, Krabi, Thailand TDM: How do you see the traveller profiles changing going into 2026? What new tourism trends will rule 2026? How can travel advisors get well prepared for the same? NO: Travellers are becoming more intentional in their choices. In 2026, we expect stronger demand for wellness travel, longer stays, regional exploration, hidden places and culturally immersive experiences, particularly among millennials and families. Travel advisors who move beyond standard packages and develop expertise in regional destinations and thematic travel will be better placed to meet these evolving expectations. Khao Sok National Park TDM: Can you share for our readers lesser-known beautiful destinations in Thailand worth exploring? NO: For travellers looking to venture beyond Thailand's most popular hubs, several destinations provide depth, character, and a strong sense of place. Nan: Known for its heritage temples and peaceful townscape. Mae Hong Son & Ban Rak Thai: Mountain landscapes and slow-paced village life & A Yunnan-influenced village with tea culture. Lampang: Preserved architecture and traditional charm. Chiang Rai and Doi Tung: Royal Gardens and Hill Country Views Trat (Koh Kood, Koh Mak and Koh Chang): Quiet beaches and low-impact island stays, Community-led tourism and relaxed island life Trang Islands: Pristine islands with limited development. Khao Sok National Park: It features ancient rainforest and freshwater landscapes. Kanchanaburi: Waterfalls, Caves, and Historical Sites These destinations promote slower travel and more evenly distributed tourism, thereby supporting long-term growth and providing visitors with more meaningful experiences. Surat Thani-Ko Samui-Bang Rak Beach

Tourism Authority of Thailand outlines strategic direction for 2026

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) outlined the strategic direction for 2026 under the banner Thailand Tourism Next yesterday, 12th January. The new outline sets a clear course towards higher-quality, value-led tourism with a target of generating up to three trillion Baht in total tourism revenue. According to TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool: “Thailand Tourism Next marks a clear shift from recovery to transformation. In 2026, the focus is on elevating quality, restoring balance and creating long-term value for the economy, society and the environment. The three trillion-Baht target reflects confidence in Thailand’s potential and a commitment to growth that is sustainable, inclusive and resilient for the future.” A performance-based plan The strategy builds on Thailand’s resilient tourism performance in 2025, when the sector continued to support national economic recovery despite global uncertainty. International arrivals reached 32.97 million, driven by a record 10.8 million visitors from long-haul markets. At the core of the 2026 agenda is the Amazing 5 Economy framework, which redefines tourism growth through a Value over Volume approach. The Life Economy strengthens Thailand’s position in wellness and medical tourism, while the Sub-Culture Economy targets high-potential niche segments including film, sports, yacht and cruise tourism, private aviation and creative communities. Night Economy initiatives aim to extend length of stay and distribute activity beyond daytime hours, while Circular Economy principles embed sustainability and regional income distribution. Platform Economy development focuses on seamless digital travel, e-commerce and cashless solutions to enhance the visitor experience. These pillars are reinforced by five focused marketing strategies designed to drive quality tourism and sustainable returns. The approach prioritises confidence in the Amazing Thailand brand through world-class safety, hygiene and service standards, positions Thailand as a premium destination, and strengthens competitiveness via Airline Focus Partnerships. This is supported by in-market and fragmented communications to keep Thailand top of mind, alongside active demand management to balance domestic and international markets and disperse travel across regions and seasons. Communication matters With regard to international marketing, TAT is advancing its overarching thematic Healing is the New Luxury, positioning Thailand as a year-round destination for restoration, emotional wellbeing and culturally grounded experiences. In the domestic market, Suk Thun Tee, Tee Tiew Thai continues to stimulate high-value travel while reinforcing pride in Thai destinations. These narratives are complemented by ongoing efforts to elevate Thailand’s profile as a world-class filming destination under Amazing Film Location Thailand, and are amplified through collaboration with global media, digital platforms and leading business partners. Global market foci For international markets, TAT will prioritise long-haul travellers through the NIYOM strategy, reinforcing Thailand’s appeal through New experience-led journeys, Inclusive hospitality standards, readiness as a Year-round destination, strong cultural Originality and a focus on Meaningful travel. Short-haul markets will be addressed through deeper market-specific engagement, expanded niche and high-value segments, and the introduction of new travel themes and destinations to support balanced tourism growth. This international market approach is underpinned by the evolution of the TAT into an Intelligence Hub, advancing a Digital Tourism Ecosystem that connects demand and supply. On the demand side, this includes enhanced access to high-quality travellers through the Amazing Thailand SuperApp and AI-driven traveller matching. On the supply side, a national Stakeholder Portal enables tourism operators nationwide to present products and services more effectively, strengthening a resilient and sustainable tourism ecosystem over the long term.

Alix Skelpsa Ridgway appointed as Arizona tourism director

Alix Skelpsa Ridgway has been officially appointed as the Director of the Arizona Office of Tourism (AOT) by Governor Katie Hobbs. Previously serving as Interim Director, Skelpsa Ridgway brings extensive experience in tourism and hospitality, having worked in various roles within the AOT since 2019. Her leadership has been pivotal in crafting marketing strategies that have significantly boosted Arizona's profile as a top travel destination, generating billions in revenue. Skelpsa Ridgway's career includes a tenure as chief of strategy and communications at the Arizona-Mexico Commission, further solidifying her expertise in promoting Arizona on both domestic and international stages. Her appointment underscores the Governor's dedication to bolstering the state's tourism sector, which is crucial for Arizona's economic prosperity. Governor Hobbs praised Skelpsa Ridgway's commitment, stating, "Director Skelpsa Ridgway has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to promoting Arizona as an unmatched destination to domestic and international audiences." Skelpsa Ridgway expressed her gratitude, saying, "I am humbled that Governor Hobbs has provided this opportunity to lead the agency that promotes Arizona to the world." Born and raised in Arizona, Skelpsa Ridgway holds a BA in Political Science from Texas Christian University and a Master's degree in Legal Studies from Arizona State University. Her leadership is expected to further enhance Arizona's global competitiveness in tourism, ensuring continued economic opportunities for communities across the state. ```

Israel tourism sees recovery, plans 2026 expansion

Israel's tourism sector marked a significant recovery in 2025, recording approximately 1.3 million international arrivals despite a challenging security environment. The United States emerged as the largest source market, contributing around 400,000 visitors, followed by France and the United Kingdom, with 159,000 and 95,000 visitors respectively. Together, these countries accounted for about 55% of inbound travel. The Ministry of Tourism reported positive growth from India, reflecting renewed interest as travel advisories eased and connectivity improved. Visiting friends and relatives remained the primary reason for travel, highlighting strong community ties. Visitor satisfaction was high, with 88% expressing contentment and 83% willing to recommend Israel as a destination. Domestic tourism played a stabilising role, with Israelis recording over 13 million hotel overnight stays by the end of the third quarter, supporting hotel occupancy and employment. The Ministry's survey revealed shifts in visitor composition, with Jewish visitors declining to 51% and pilgrimage travel rising to 9%. Average tourist expenditure increased to $1,622 (£1,322) per person, excluding flights, whilst the average stay was 9.3 nights. Business travel also grew, making up 12% of visits. Looking ahead, the Ministry is focusing on long-term capacity building. Key initiatives include planning reforms for mixed-use development in hotel zones, the establishment of "The Lighthouse" as a support system for tourism entrepreneurs, and grants for hotel infrastructure expansion. With improved flight connectivity, including Air India's direct Delhi–Tel Aviv service, the Ministry plans to enhance international marketing and integrate digital tools into tourism development in 2026. ```

Caribbean tourism remains resilient amidst disruptions

The Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) has reaffirmed the region's resilience and operational stability following recent travel disruptions due to the temporary closure of Venezuelan airspace. Despite these challenges, the CTO and its 25 member destinations have maintained a robust tourism industry, thanks to the swift actions of airline partners and the flexibility of the accommodation sector. The CTO highlighted that cruise and air travel within the Caribbean remain fully operational, with strong advance bookings. The organisation encourages travellers to continue with their plans, assuring them that the Caribbean is open for business and ready to welcome visitors. The 2026 theme, "One Caribbean: Infinite Experiences," invites travellers to explore the region's diversity, from world-class resorts and boutique hotels to eco-adventures and vibrant cultural festivals. The CTO emphasises the legendary hospitality of the Caribbean people, ensuring every guest feels at home amidst pristine beaches and world-class cuisine. In light of recent geopolitical developments in Venezuela, the CTO has been closely monitoring the situation and working to address any disruptions. The organisation expressed gratitude to airline partners for increasing capacity and to the accommodation sector for supporting affected guests, thereby safeguarding the region's vital economic engine. As the Caribbean continues to navigate external challenges, the CTO remains committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all visitors, ensuring a seamless journey of discovery and connection. ```

Tourism Malaysia formalises collaboration with Weixin Pay

Tourism Malaysia and Chinese payment solutions platform Weixin Pay formalised their strategic collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) on Thursday, 8th January. This agreement marks a significant milestone in strengthening Malaysia’s tourism promotion efforts and enhancing the overall travel experience for Chinese visitors. At the same time, it reflects the mutual commitment of both parties to leverage their respective strengths, resources and expertise to promote Malaysia as a preferred destination among Chinese travellers, while supporting the sustainable growth and digital transformation of Malaysia’s tourism industry. A vital market Tourism Malaysia director-general Mohd Amirul Rizal pointed out following the signing that China remains one of Malaysia’s most important tourism source markets. He said: “Today’s Chinese travellers expect seamless digital integration throughout their journey, from trip planning to payment solutions. This strategic collaboration with Weixin Pay represents an important step forward in strengthening Malaysia’s presence in the China market, enhancing engagement with potential visitors, and providing strong momentum for the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.” Meanwhile, Weixin Pay managing director for Southeast Asia and North America Ben Yang stated that the company is committed to strengthening its presence in Malaysia and across the region by working closely with local partners to deliver smooth cross-border payment experiences. Yang said: “This collaboration will enable our users to fully explore Malaysia’s unique attractions and vibrant culture, offering an experience that feels both exciting and reassuringly familiar.” What the collaboration entails The signing of this MoC underscores the shared commitment of Tourism Malaysia and Weixin Pay to position Malaysia as a competitive, digitally enabled and welcoming destination for the China market, reinforcing the nation’s readiness to welcome the world for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). Aligned with the MoC, Tourism Malaysia and Weixin Pay will work closely on joint digital marketing initiatives, technology adoption, and integrated promotional efforts to enhance Malaysia’s visibility and engagement in the China market. This will also support Malaysian merchants in leveraging WeixinPay’s comprehensive suite of digital tools, enabling more seamless, convenient, and cashless experiences for Chinese visitors throughout their journey in Malaysia.

Eastern Thailand tourism slows as falling international spend offsets arrival gains

Eastern Thailand enters 2026 on stable ground, but with clear signals that the market is changing. As of press time, visitor volumes remain resilient, largely supported by domestic travel, yet revenue growth has lagged as international demand softened and spending per visitor declined. According to the most recent report released by C9 Hotelworks, this imbalance between arrivals and earnings essentially defines the region’s short- to medium-term outlook. The report titled Eastern Thailand Hotel & Tourism Market Outlook 2025/2026 further points out that the oft-overlooked region of eastern Thailand plays a strategic and increasingly important role in the national tourism economy. The region which covers Chanthaburi, Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Trat, Nakhon Nayok, Prachinburi, Rayong, and Sa Kaeo benefits from its proximity to Bangkok, a strong domestic travel base, industrial activity linked to the Eastern Economic Corridor, and access to both coastal and island destinations. As eastern Thailand moves into 2026, the fundamentals remain intact, but the next phase of growth will be shaped by how effectively the industry shifts from chasing volume to capturing value. Those who align early with changing traveler expectations and a more disciplined revenue strategy are likely to emerge strongest in the years ahead. A quick look back on the year that was In the past year, eastern Thailand captured nearly 15 percent of Thailand’s total international and domestic visitor arrivals, generating approximately 14.5 percent of national tourism revenue. Domestic arrivals rose steadily, providing a crucial buffer against weaker international conditions. However, international arrivals declined more sharply than the national average, particularly in the second half of the year, placing pressure on overall tourism revenue. While hotels maintained stable occupancy, pricing power remained limited, reflecting a market driven by volume rather than yield. Coming up in 2026 Looking ahead, 2026 is expected to deliver a gradual improvement rather than a rapid rebound. As regional uncertainties ease, including signs of reduced tension along the Thailand–Cambodia border, international traveler confidence is expected to slowly recover. At the same time, Thailand’s drive-in tourism market continues to outperform expectations, led by independent travelers seeking flexibility, scenic routes, and authentic local experiences. This shift in travel behavior is particularly relevant for Eastern Thailand’s island destinations. Koh Chang, Koh Kood, and Koh Mak are well positioned to capture growing demand from travelers prioritizing lower-density environments, longer stays, and local character over mass tourism. These islands are increasingly viewed as alternatives to more crowded resort markets, strengthening their appeal across both domestic and regional international segments. Stability: not the only benchmark to consider What this means for hotel owners and tourism operators is clear: stability alone is no longer the benchmark for success. While demand remains dependable, revenue growth will depend on product differentiation, rate discipline, and targeting higher-yield segments. Operators must adapt to a more price-sensitive environment while preparing for a gradual return of international markets rather than an immediate surge. For developers and investors, eastern Thailand presents a lower-volatility profile compared to more cyclical resort destinations, but with more measured upside. Opportunities are strongest in projects aligned with experience-led travel, sustainable development, and destinations that benefit from improving infrastructure under the Eastern Economic Corridor, including expanded airport capacity and enhanced regional connectivity.

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Tourism and Events Queensland

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Vietnam Tourism Open 2024

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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.

Beyond Covid-19: Global Tourism’s New Normal

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AHICE Far East Asia 2026

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PATA Travel Mart (PTM) 2026

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PATA Annual Summit 2026

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9th Hospitality Philippines Conference #HPC2026

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5th Hospitality Thailand Conference #HTC2026

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9th Hospitality Vietnam Conference #HVC2026

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TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards Malaysia 2026

Introducing the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards, a prestigious awards programme recognising the pinnacle of excellence in the travel industry. With a keen focus on honouring the best hotels, airlines, airports, cruise lines, tour operators and travel agencies, booking platforms, and travel technology, projects, and initiatives, the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards programme aims to spotlight key players that consistently redefine industry standards and elevate customer experiences.

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