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South African Tourism engages Kolkata travel partners

South African Tourism has successfully launched the 11th edition of its 'Learn South Africa' workshop series in Kolkata, engaging over 60 travel trade partners. The event, which began on 16 January 2026, aims to showcase South Africa's diverse tourism offerings, particularly focusing on regions beyond the popular hubs of Cape Town and Johannesburg. This initiative aligns with Kolkata's increasing demand for customised and experience-led travel. The workshop series is part of a multi-city initiative that will conclude in Lucknow on 27 February 2026. It is designed to provide travel trade partners with deeper insights into South Africa's tourism experiences, from cultural routes and adventure offerings to emerging regions. The workshops equip partners with the knowledge and tools to craft personalised itineraries, addressing the rising demand from non-metro travellers seeking curated and immersive journeys. Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager for Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East at South African Tourism, commented on the event's success, noting that Kolkata's travellers are increasingly inclined towards meaningful, experience-rich holidays. "South Africa’s diverse offerings across landscapes, experiences, and city stays resonate strongly with these evolving preferences," he said. The workshop series is central to South African Tourism's strategy to strengthen its engagement with the Indian travel trade community, particularly in tier-2 cities like Kolkata. This approach aims to capitalise on the growing demand for South Africa as a preferred leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) destination. The favourable exchange rate, where 1 South African Rand equals approximately 5.21 Indian Rupees, further supports the appeal of long-haul travel to South Africa for Indian tourists. ```

5 countries lead concert tourism boom as infrastructure and new policies lure global acts

With concert tourism gaining ground in Asia, we need to keep in mind that it’s not the only major hub for the sector. Indeed, while Singapore has been actively wooing global artists and both Japan and South Korea continue to enjoy the revenue pouring in from J-pop / J-rock and K-pop events, the rest of the world is still rolling out the red carpet for major acts and their fans. By doing so, they aren’t just securing a place for themselves in contemporary music history, but also boosting activity and revenues for everything from airlines and hotels to retailers and attractions. This year, experts are pointing out five nations that stand to take the lead in global concert tourism, not just in terms of arrival numbers, but also what they can offer fans travelling into their territory. United States: Festivals from sea to shining sea The biggest musical draw for the United States in terms of concert tourism is still its diverse range of musical festivals. The country initially came to the fore as a major musical attraction in the ‘60s when Woodstock pulled droves of young adults from throughout the country into New York state to enjoy performances from The Grateful Dead, The Who, Joan Baez and a host of artists who became legends in their own right. Since then, other music-centric attractions have emerged, ranging from the country music hub that is Tennessee’s Grand Ole Opry, to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in Louisiana, to Coachella which has become the It Girl of contemporary music festivals, seeing how it draws in some of the biggest names in the current industry. Just to give you an idea of the economic impact Coachella has, consider this: the 2017 edition of Coachella became the first music festival in the world to breach the US$100 million-mark in terms of earnings, breaching it at US$114.6 million through its two-day run. At the same time, Coachella attendees brought US$106 million to local accommodations, F&B, and retail providers in the host town of Indio, part of the US$600 million the festival generated in total for the Coachella Valley. However, experts point out that the current sociopolitical climate in the US has significantly driven down demand for it as a tourism destination; at the same time, the directive issued earlier this week suspending visa processing for 75 countries could mean lower numbers and even lower revenues for the US concert scene this year. The United Kingdom: Music matters It shouldn’t be surprising that the country that gave the world both The Beatles and The Rolling Stones continues to be a hub for music tourism. When it comes to concert tourism, however, one UK festival continues to rule the roost even after half a century: Glastonbury. As of end-2023, the global music festival has generated £168 million for UK tourism and tourism-adjacent businesses, with £32 million of that specifically benefiting Somerset in whose jurisdiction Glastonbury is held. In terms of the bigger picture, music tourism (combining concerts with related historical tours) generated £3.1 billion as of end-2014 and the total has improved following the pandemic, albeit slowly. As former British culture secretary John Whittingdale put it: "Festivals like Glastonbury hold an iconic status on the world music scene and are one of the reasons why international tourism is booming in the UK, drawing in streams of visitors to all parts of the country." Japan: Innovation changes the game Neighbouring South Korea’s acts may be touring the world right now, but concert tourism to and within Japan remains a major revenue generator for the country. Per a Statista report, the live music industry generated over US$3.2 billion in total revenues as of end-2023, 90 percent of which was earned by domestic acts. While the official numbers aren’t in as of press time, it was projected that the sector stood to earn around US$1.5 billion by end-2025. This drop in revenues has prompted Japanese event organisers to step up their game, offering innovative approaches that are revolutionising the industry. One interesting example is that of the Hatsune Miku Expo, a global concert tour organised by Crypton Future Media featuring the digitally-generated idol singer Hatsune Miku, which skillfully blends artificial intelligence, stage management, and virtual/augmented reality technologies to bring the virtual star to life. Australia: Moving beyond Splendour in the Grass When it comes to concert tourism, Splendour in the Grass is what usually comes to mind when Australia is brought up. Prior to 2020 and the onslaught of COVID-19, the country’s premier music festival generated an average of around AU$87 million per annum, generating over 300 jobs locally as a way of stimulating the economy of the Byron Bay area. Today, however, Splendour is no longer the only game in town when it comes to concert tourism. Melbourne’s Laneway Festival, slated for 5th to 15th February, has long boomed from a local gig to a multi-day, multi-stage festival that is drawing in the like of global star Chappell Roan to come and jam with local artists specialising in a wide array of musical genres. Laneway has also expanded its scope, bringing concert fans to locations not just in Australia, but also in neighbouring New Zealand. India: A rising powerhouse India may not strike most people as a key venue for concert tourism, but there is no mistaking the fact that the country’s live music sector was valued at around US$1.4 billion as of end-2024 and is growing at a compound annual growth rate of about 19 percent. Surprisingly, a number of global acts are shying away from the crush of Mumbai and Delhi and mounting their performances in the country’s second- and third-tier cities. Far from being seen negatively, this development is seen as an economic boost to areas that would normally be bypassed for major events, generating both revenue and income in spades. The second-string city of Meghalaya, in particular, made history in 2024 as the first city in India to have a formal music tourism policy that looked on concerts as long-term investments as opposed to one-time booms. This prompted chief minister Conrad K Sangma to remark: “These events must not be seen as expenses but as investments that attract visitors, empower local talent, boost the local economy, and create resources to support other essential sectors.” But while these five nations are currently riding the crest of the wave, the year is young and we’re keeping an eye on other emergent players in the field.

US tourism sector faces $12.5 billion loss as visa restrictions expand

The US State Department’s recent announcement on the suspension of visa processing in 75 countries recently sent shockwaves throughout the world. This is the most recent in a string of orders restricting entry into the United States, many of which cite national security as their primary raison d’etre. But while safeguarding national security is all well and good, we have to wonder if the relevant authorities have taken into consideration the repercussions the move will have on an already struggling economy. Indeed, restrictions often harm economies by controlling movement too broadly, thus affecting travellers already within a country’s jurisdiction while discouraging others from even thinking about planning trips. If we go by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)’s report from May 2025, the United States stood to lose up to US$12.5 billion in tourist spending; at the time, the visa restrictions applied to just 38 countries. Now, with processing suspended in an additional 75 nations, the deficit expected in 2026 could be significantly larger. One of the hardest visas to get To provide some historical context, then-US consul-general to the Philippines Michael R Schimmel declared in 2011 that seven out of every ten applications for a US visa would come away approved. Schimmel said: “We very much want to see Filipinos visit the US. It’s in everybody’s interest for Filipinos to travel to the US. We want to promote American businesses. Travel is a huge American business. We want to see Philippine nationals come to the US for a wide range of reasons.” While the Philippines isn’t on either list of countries on the suspension list, Filipinos thinking of travelling to the United States for business, pleasure, and even family matters are thinking twice, especially when a country of significant global standing like Thailand was named among the areas covered by the new restrictions. The sentiment is shared by many of its neighbours throughout Southeast Asia, especially given the following ways by which the visa application process has become more difficult: Stricter scrutiny of personal details Aside from financials, employment history, and even proof of a lack of criminal record, US immigration officials now delve into one’s activity on social media. Not only do other nations see this as a violation of privacy as well as censorship of an individual’s right to self-expression, but it is also seen as a form of prejudiced red-tagging and witch-hunting for potential “enemies of the state;” The challenge of proving non-immigrant intent It is no longer enough for individuals to merely say that they will be returning to their home countries after either a brief stay for a corporate meeting or a much longer one for education. Immigration officials now require applicants to show solid proof of their ties to their countries of origin, and even this may not be enough to convince them to allow an applicant entry to the US; Massive post-pandemic backlog This is a problem not strictly tied to US embassies, but to any embassy operating anywhere in the world. When most countries reopened their borders in early 2023, embassies found themselves dealing with an immense backlog of visa applications spanning three years. Even with the use of advanced software for processing, some are still wading through applications dating as far back as Q4-2019; Third-country application is no longer an option From personal experience in the 1980s, the long lines of visa applicants at the US Embassy in Manila drove my family to apply for our tourist visas in a third country; in our case, it was Malaysia. We weren’t the only ones, and some would go as far as Thailand to get their visas. Now, under stricter regulations, this is no longer possible, and applicants need to sweat it out at the local embassy in their country of origin to apply for one. Falling numbers While American outbound travel is surging, it is increasingly apparent that inbound travel from key markets has all but dried up completely. Consider this: arrivals from the United Kingdom, one of the US’ most vital source markets, are down by over 15 percent year-on-year as of mid-2025. At the same time, arrivals from Germany are down 28 percent, while those from South Korea are down by nearly 15 percent; even the US’ northern neighbour Canada isn’t keen on heading south for the holidays, arrivals from that end dropping by more than 20 percent in the summer of 2025. Indeed, the WTTC notes that the overall shortfall in foreign arrivals to the US could run between 24 percent and 33 percent. The repercussions are starting to show According to the same WTTC report cited above, the travel and tourism sector contributed US$2.6 trillion to the US economy in 2024, supporting over 20 million jobs, raising over US$585 billion in tax revenues, and covering seven percent of all government income. The hospitality sector, in particular, is feeling the pinch of the restrictions and the overall negative sentiment regarding travel to the US: hotels and other accommodations throughout the United States collectively lost around US$12 billion in revenues in the past year, reflecting a significant decline in revenues per available room (RevPAR). Government shutdowns which also led to issues regarding travel and transportation also significantly impacted US hospitality, leading to revenue losses worth around US$1.2 billion. Theme parks, one of the biggest money spinners for US tourism, likewise reported a lackluster summer in 2025, with major players like Six Flags recording a 17 percent drop in overall attendance, and domestic Disney Parks losing 783,000 visitors during what should have been its strongest season. In fact, it is interesting to note that attendance at Disney’s foreign parks in China, France, and Japan reported a 25 percent surge in attendance numbers in the past year, with travellers opting not to go to the US to get their Disney fix. Is there a way forward from here? Admittedly, how the visa restrictions issue will play out over the long run is largely dependent on how things will develop throughout the next several months. But the WTTC has certainly not minced words: in order to keep US travel and tourism from a significant slump, its government needs to immediately address travel access, rebuild international marketing efforts, and restore global traveller confidence in the country. Visa restrictions aside, however, global travellers are keeping a close watch on the current sociopolitical situation in the US and are, prudently, opting to keep their distance for now.

Tourism Authority of Thailand reports great outcomes from MATKA 2026

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) achieved strong outcomes from its participation at the recently-concluded MATKA Travel Fair 2026 held in Helsinki, Finland. During the fair which ran from 15th to 18th January, TAT reinforced Thailand’s positioning as a high-quality, value-led destination for Nordic travellers. TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool pointed out how the Nordic market remains strategically important to Thailand’s long-term tourism development. She said: “Participation at MATKA Travel Fair 2026 reflects TAT’s clear direction towards quality growth. Through the Airline Focus Strategy and close collaboration with airlines and trade partners, accessibility is being strengthened while Thailand’s tourism offering is aligned with evolving traveller expectations for wellness, sustainability, and meaningful experiences.” TAT’s participation at MATKA Travel Fair 2026 was supported at the diplomatic level, with the official opening of the Thailand Pavilion presided over by Thai ambassador to Finland Worawoot Pongprapapant. The pavilion served as a platform for tourism information, B2B negotiations among five Thai tourism operators and Northern European partners, and a networking session that engaged more than 30 Finnish media representatives and tour operators. Stronger ties through air connectivity TAT placed the Airline Focus Strategy at the centre of participation, advancing coordinated marketing activities and strategic discussions with airline and travel partners to strengthen air connectivity and improve travel convenience to Thailand throughout 2026. Engagements covered discussions with leading Nordic travel stakeholders such as Finnair, Turkish Airlines, Tjäreborg, Aurinkomatkat, Ikkunapaikka, and Rantapallo, alongside ongoing cooperation with airline partners including Thai Airways International, Bangkok Airways, Finnair, SAS, Norse Atlantic Airways, and TUI Airways, with a shared objective of expanding flight frequency and market access to Thailand. The effectiveness of the Airline Focus Strategy was reflected in visitor performance, with tourist arrivals from Finland reaching 93,906 in 2025, while arrivals from the wider Nordic and Baltic markets totalled 667,890, representing a 10.42 percent increase. The results underscore the impact of sustained strategic collaboration between TAT, airline partners, and tourism businesses. Where wellness and soft power matter TAT likewise reiterated its new global marketing campaign Healing is the New Luxury during the event, underscoring the shift towards value-based travel aligned with global health and sustainability trends. The campaign positions Thailand as a year-round destination for physical and mental rejuvenation while supporting balanced, resilient tourism growth. TAT also showcased Thailand’s Soft Power through traditional performances representing all four regions of the country, alongside Muay Thai workshops and Thai handicraft activities, strengthening engagement and brand recognition across multiple visitor segments.

Southeast Asia pivots to quality tourism as 2026 ASEAN Forum nears

With just over a week till the 2026 ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in the Philippine province of Cebu, the eyes of the world turn to Southeast Asia, one of the most dynamic regions for travel and tourism. While there was a major drop in tourism numbers thanks to the pandemic, global travellers are returning to the region in droves…but not necessarily for the same reasons as before 2020. Indeed, the Southeast Asian tourism scene is evolving from the purely hedonistic / backpacker-centric vibe that so characterised the period from the late ‘90s to well into the 2010s, to a more luxurious yet sustainability-driven one that calls for quality, immersion, and authenticity. Southeast Asia’s shift to quality tourism To sum up the driving force that is sweeping through the sub-region in a single word: quality. Yes, travellers are veering away from the cheap and fast getaways in favour of more meaningful, immersive experiences that allow them to gain a better understanding of a destination, its people, and the culture that sets it apart from its regional and global neighbours. The framework for the ongoing evolution of tourism in Southeast Asia was initially outlined in 2012 via the ASEAN Strategic Tourism Plan 2016 - 2025 whose mission statement declares: “By 2025, ASEAN will be a quality tourism destination offering a unique, diverse ASEAN experience, and will be committed to responsible, sustainable, inclusive and balanced tourism development, so as to contribute significantly to the socioeconomic well-being of ASEAN people.” This was later explored, particularly in the context of using technologies to drive towards quality tourism, in the study Digitalization and AI: Catalysts for Quality Tourism in Southeast Asia conducted by the Expedia Group via the Asian Development Bank’s South East Asia Development Solutions (ADB-SEADS). Expedia head of public policy, government, and corporate affairs Mohammad Matin Mohdari pointed out that quality tourism is not strictly limited to the concept of luxury travel. As he puts it: “ [Quality tourism] takes into consideration several other factors that contribute toward a nuanced, multi-dimensional vision of sustainable growth. However, countries must establish a shared understanding of what ‘quality tourism’ means within their specific context to ensure that it aligns with their national priorities, distinct value propositions, and unique operating environments.” In the Southeast Asian context, quality tourism centres on three dimensions: Economic growth which establishes tourism as a key and efficient economic driver for a country’s development, contributing towards resilient and equitable growth across communities; Productivity and job creation to enhance sector productivity to create good, higher-value, and dignified jobs for local workers; and Sustainable development which calls for supporting initiatives for environmental preservation and cultural heritage, including fostering responsible tourism and inclusive travel whilst advancing sustainable development goals. Who’s at the forefront of quality tourism in the region? The thing to keep in mind regarding quality tourism is that it takes travellers off the beaten path, it offers a more sustainable alternative to the usual tourist destinations, it enables travellers to immerse themselves into the culture and customs of a destination without the experience becoming too commercial or feeling contrived, and it benefits both the environment and local residents in myriad ways. The Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park in Ban That Hium, Laos is one such destination that exemplifies the ethos of quality tourism. Spanning over 5,000sqkm, three provinces, and 100 villages, the park is one of the largest nature reserves in Laos and serves as more than just another wildlife sanctuary. Indeed, Nam Et-Phou Louey serves as a living and immersive classroom for both local and global travellers who seek to know more about Laos and its people. By doing so, it doesn’t just heighten awareness regarding endangered flora and fauna, but also supports the livelihood of eight of Laos’ 50 ethnic groups, many of whom were reduced to subsistence living prior to the park’s designation as a nature preserve. Another initiative that centres on quality tourism is Indonesia’s Desa WIsata (tourism villages) programme where whole communities are involved in offering immersive cultural and ecological experiences, blending local life with tourism, whilst focusing on sustainability and community empowerment. To date, the roster features the villages of Penglipuran and Pemuteran in Bali, Nglanggeran and Pentingsari in Yogyakarta, and Tamansari in Bangyuwanggi, all of which highlight immersive cultural experiences that enable travellers to know the locals’ way of life, understand their traditions, and keep local craft traditions from dying out through thriving cottage industries. Villages covered by the Desa Wisata programme are supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf) which promotes them through various developmental initiatives, offering incentives and awards to the best-performing locations. By doing so, Indonesia is able to offer tourists a more meaningful journey that takes them away from the usual destinations to see and feel for themselves the richness of the country’s cultural and natural wonders. Moving forward In an industry where travellers are seeking better, more meaningful experiences, how is Southeast Asia working to maintain a lead? Sustainable urban and destination management is one of the key factors: especially in smaller, highly urbanised countries like Singapore, approaches need to take into consideration the needs of both locals and guests. In Singapore’s case, this entailed an integrated approach to urban management, especially with regard to public transportation, as well as the integration of tourism into national growth plans and strategies. It isn’t just for cities, of course: sustainable destination management also takes into consideration the whole range of tourism sites from cultural heritage areas, designated wildlife / nature reserves, and even beach destinations known as prime diving areas thanks to ample marine life. Another aspect to take into consideration is private-public partnerships where related government agencies and tourism boards enter collaborative partnerships with airlines, OTAs, and even cause-oriented groups to delineate relevant strategies and ensure their proper implementation. This collaborative approach, especially among regional neighbours, could lead to better quality experiences for global guests, enticing them to come back to Southeast Asia for more.

Tourism Malaysia casts spotlight on Sabah at Vietnam networking event

In an effort to strengthen the promotion of Sabah in the Vietnamese market, Malaysian tourism officials staged the Sabah Tourism Destination & B2B Forum in Ho Chi Minh City on Monday, 12th January. The event was jointly organised by the Sabah Tourism Board (STB), Tourism Malaysia Ho Chi Minh City office, and the Sabah Enhanced Travel Innovation Association (SETIA), creating a direct networking platform for Sabah-based tourism businesses and Vietnamese travel partners. The forum brought together 21 delegates representing 18 tourism companies from Sabah, participating in table-top B2B sessions with partners in Ho Chi Minh City, opening doors for new travel packages, joint promotions, and stronger partnerships to boost visitor arrivals from Vietnam to Sabah. Delivering the opening remarks, Tourism Malaysia’s director in Vietnam Amirah Nadiah Mazlan declared: “Through today’s networking session, Malaysia aims to expand collaboration with the Vietnamese market and position Sabah as an increasingly familiar destination for Vietnamese travellers. With its strength in nature, authentic local experiences, and a strong commitment to sustainable tourism development, Sabah is ready to work closely with Vietnamese partners to develop strategic, long-term tourism products that meet the needs of modern travellers.” What’s driving international travel between Malaysia and Vietnam Enhanced air connectivity remains vital for tourism growth between Malaysia and Vietnam. With AirAsia operating direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Kota Kinabalu within just over two hours, this seamless link not only makes Sabah more accessible to Vietnamese travellers but also empowers tourism businesses on both sides to create short-haul, flexible, and attractive travel products. Sharing insights on Sabah’s approach to the Vietnamese market, STB chief executive Julinus Jeffry Jimit opined: “Vietnam is recognised as one of Sabah’s most promising emerging markets. By fostering direct connections among industry players, we aim to expand our partnership network and build sustainable, long-term collaborations with Vietnamese tourism partners.” Through the event, the Sabah Tourism Board also shared updates on its preparations for the upcoming strategic milestone Visit Sabah Year 2027. Under the new thematic Explore Sabah: Naturally Inspiring, Beyond Ordinary, Sabah seeks to strengthen its role as one of Malaysia’s leading destinations for nature-based tourism, adventure travel, and indigenous cultural experiences, while complementing the broader objectives of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). Sabah is also expected to become a strategic destination partner for Vietnamese travel businesses, offering fresh and distinctive travel experiences for Vietnamese visitors in the coming years. STB also reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable tourism development, ensuring a balanced approach between economic growth, environmental conservation and community well-being. Community-based tourism (CoBT) remains a key pillar of this strategy.

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.

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