TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Sunday, 4th January 2026

Malaysia kicks off Visit Malaysia 2026 with New Year’s Eve festival

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Malaysia formally ushered in its Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) tourism campaign with a New Year’s Eve Countdown Festival at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, bringing together thousands of locals and international visitors. The event marked an energetic start to a year the government hopes will set new records for travel to the country.

The highlight of the evening was the countdown led by prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, who joined the crowd to welcome the New Year. The multimedia-rich celebration included fireworks, drone shows, traditional and contemporary performances, and appearances by popular local artistes.

Thousands gathered at Pavilion Kuala Lumpur for the New Year’s Eve Countdown Festival, launching Malaysia’s VM2026 campaign

Tiong King Sing, minister of tourism, arts and culture Malaysia, said: “This celebration was a symbolic event to ignite the momentum for VM2026 while welcoming the world to our shores. Malaysia is now fully ready to showcase its unique culture, creativity, and the warm hospitality of its people. It marks a strong head start towards our aspiration of 43 million international visitor arrivals, further solidifying our position on the global tourism map.”

The VM2026 calendar features more than 300 activities throughout the year, including the Petronas Grand Prix of Malaysia, Rainforest World Music Festival, Malaysia’s Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA), Malaysian International Furniture Fair, and cultural celebrations such as Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, Deepavali and Gawai.

Airports across the country also hosted special welcome events for arriving guests as part of the campaign rollout.

VM2026 is guided by five strategic pillars: sustainability, cultural heritage, nature-based adventure, digital innovation and global connectivity.

A decade-long streak

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Securing the ‘Best Serviced Residence Operator’ title for 10 consecutive years led to your induction into the TTG Travel Hall of Fame. Beyond the obvious pride, what does this recognition signify about Frasers Hospitality’s sustained operational excellence and commitment to guest experience?
We are deeply honoured that Frasers Hospitality has been inducted into the TTG Travel Hall of Fame. Not only is this recognition a milestone for us, but it also reflects the dedication of our teams and our unwavering focus on delivering exceptional experiences for our guests across our global portfolio.

What sets Frasers Hospitality apart is how we combine global expertise in long-stay and extended-stay living with a genuine respect for local lifestyles. Guided by our Frasers Living philosophy to connect people with life-enriching experiences, we create spaces that help guests feel at home, connect with the city, and live life on their own terms.

This accolade reinforces that we are on the right path of continuously innovating, investing in talent and technology, and expanding thoughtfully into destinations that modern travellers want to stay. This is a proud moment, but more importantly, it inspires us to keep raising the bar for serviced living in the years ahead.

Winning this award for 10 years requires consistency across a global portfolio. What internal programmes, training initiatives, or technology platforms are critical in ensuring that the high standard of service remains uniform across all Frasers Hospitality properties?
Consistency across our global portfolio is driven by strong internal training frameworks, clear brand standards and technology that supports seamless service delivery. In a people-led industry, it is essential that our teams are equipped to meet the evolving expectations of modern travellers. That is why we invest heavily in continuous learning through digital platforms and structured development pathways, ensuring we continue to deliver innovative guest experiences.

One example would be our recent partnership with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). Through this collaboration, we are formalising industry-leading programmes in education, professional training and applied research. By combining academic expertise with real-world operations, we are strengthening our talent pipeline, embedding a culture of continuous learning, and setting new benchmarks in digital, guest-centric, and sustainable hospitality.

Frasers Hospitality aims to “innovate brands that resonate with modern travellers”. Can you elaborate on the core philosophy driving this portfolio strategy, and what consumer trends or traveller needs are you currently focusing on addressing?
While our portfolio comprises a diverse suite of brands designed to serve distinct audiences; they are united by the Frasers Living dimensions to create intuitive, home-like environments that deliver personalised and meaningful experiences. This philosophy drives us to understand our guests, their changing desires, and how they want to live.

By doing so, we anticipate and stay ahead of emerging trends such as global mobility and digitally enabled experiences.

Recent expansions like Modena by Fraser in Shenzhen and Shanghai, designed for younger, mobile professionals, and Fraser Place Roppongi Tokyo in a key gateway city, reflect this commitment. As we grow, our focus remains clear: to create brands and experiences that truly resonate with modern travellers and the way they want to live.

Looking ahead, what are the key components of Frasers Hospitality’s current expansion or diversification plan? Are there geographic regions, property types, or market segments you plan to prioritise in 2026?
We remain focused on deepening our footprint in Asia while strengthening our leadership in the upscale serviced living and extended-stay segments. We are prioritising markets with strong long-term demand drivers, including gateway cities, rising secondary hubs and integrated developments that support modern business and leisure needs. Upcoming openings such as Capri by Fraser, Penang in Malaysia, Fraser Residence Putrajaya and our flagship Fraser Suites Bangkok in One Bangkok exemplify this approach.

Each new property reflects our commitment to thoughtfully designed living spaces and experiences that cater to diverse traveller segments, from executives to mobile professionals, while integrating wellness into our apartments and facilities in ways that allow guests to enjoy it on their own terms. By taking a disciplined, asset-light approach, we continue to strengthen our brand presence while creating sustained value for our owners, partners and customers.

Given the shifts in the serviced residence, what are the two most significant operational or strategic challenges Frasers Hospitality is currently navigating, and what strategies are you deploying to mitigate these risks?
As with the broader hospitality sector, two key challenges we are navigating are talent shortages and accelerating digitalisation. These dynamics underscore why our multi-brand strategy and leadership in serviced living remain critical. We are investing in robust talent development programmes and leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency without compromising the human touch that defines our guest experience. We see digitalisation as a powerful enabler across our business.

Our collaborations with partners such as Google Cloud and Kyndryl have allowed us to develop next-generation training applications that automate SOP creation and convert video content into structured learning modules.

At our properties, platforms like Stayplease and Glow are elevating both guest experience and team engagement by streamlining workflows, easing frontline workload and improving access to learning and communication tools. These solutions not only enhance productivity but also play a vital role in talent retention and empowerment.

Looking ahead, we continue to sharpen our operational focus and build future-ready capabilities, to remain resilient and well-positioned for long-term growth.

In 2026, we will launch The Pinnacles, a structured business programme co-developed with SIT, designed to nurture globally minded hospitality leaders equipped to drive innovation across our international portfolio. Together, these initiatives reinforce our competitiveness and strengthen our ability to deliver consistent value, no matter how the operating landscape evolves.

Salter Brothers Hospitality unveils new platform to unite luxury offerings

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Salter Brothers Hospitality (SBH) has launched Worlds Apart, a unified booking gateway designed to bring its portfolio of retreats, restaurants and wellness offerings together in a single digital platform.

The move follows rapid expansion that grew the group’s portfolio to 19 properties and 29 restaurants and bars in under two years. Worlds Apart aims to simplify planning while enhancing the guest experience across the operator’s luxury offerings.

Worlds Apart lets guests book stays, dining and wellness across Salter Brothers Hospitality’s luxury portfolio; photo by Worlds Apart Booking Gateway

The platform allows guests to explore and book stays, dining, wellness treatments and events through a visually rich, intuitive interface. SBH stated the gateway reflects its strategy to provide a connected, streamlined experience across its growing collection of luxury retreats and day spas.

SBH CEO Tash Tobias commented: “Worlds Apart is more than a booking tool, it’s a gateway to exceptional journeys. We’re elevating how guests experience us. It’s not only about convenience, but also about creating a streamlined, inspiring journey from discovery to booking.

“Our new platform reflects SBH’s vision for a connected, elevated experience that brings our diverse offerings together under one intuitive digital destination, reinforcing our position at the forefront of luxury travel.”

The launch of Worlds Apart also lays the groundwork for a new loyalty programme, scheduled to roll out in 2026.

Collinson International expands Asia-Pacific lounge and travel network

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Collinson International is strengthening its network of airport lounges and travel experiences across Asia-Pacific as the region drives growth in global travel, supported by rising international and intra-regional journeys.

Visits to its lounges and travel experiences in Asia-Pacific rose 18 per cent year on year between January and November 2025, with India, China, Thailand, Japan and Singapore the top destinations.

Coral Lounge at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya, Japan, one of several new additions to Collinson International’s expanding Priority Pass network in Asia-Pacific

Intra-regional travel accounted for nearly 70 per cent of Asia-Pacific visits over the period, up 18 per cent compared with the same months in 2024, while South-east Asia recorded an 11 per cent increase in inbound lounge visits from global travellers. Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam attracted the highest volumes of international visitors in the region.

Collinson International, which owns and operates Priority Pass, has expanded its Asia-Pacific network by 21 per cent over the past 24 months and now offers access to more than 770 airport lounges and travel experiences in the region, including more than 100 non-lounge options such as dining, spa services and sleep pods.

New additions this year include Cafe Sky Library in Sapporo, Coral Lounge at Chubu Centrair International Airport in Nagoya, O’Vectra lounges in Tiruchirappalli, Escape Lounges in Brisbane and Cairns, and Plaza Premium Lounge in Adelaide. Further additions in South-east Asia include lounges at Noi Bai International Airport and Cam Ranh International Airport in Vietnam, and Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Indonesia.

The company has also expanded wellness-focused offerings, including the launch of TrvlWell on the Priority Pass app, which provides services such as guided meditation and tools to address jet lag, fatigue and anxiety. Additional wellness services have been introduced through partnerships in Singapore and Japan. Members can also access benefits such as golf simulator sessions in Kuala Lumpur and dining offers in Hong Kong, as well as preferred rates on services including airport transfers and car rentals.

Todd Handcock, chief commercial officer and Asia-Pacific executive chair at Collinson International, said: “Asia-Pacific is demonstrating strong travel momentum, driven by growing consumer demand, improved infrastructure and a powerful shift in mindset towards a preference for transformative, life-enriching experiences.

“As the region establishes itself as a powerhouse of global tourism, we remain focused on expanding and diversifying our network of airport lounges and travel experiences in the region, to support our clients by providing members with greater comfort and more seamless, elevated travel journeys.”

Millennium Hotels & Resorts, IHCL link loyalty programmes

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Millennium Hotels & Resorts (MHR) has entered a loyalty partnership with Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) as it marks 30 years of operations, linking its MyMillennium programme with IHCL’s Taj InnerCircle of NeuPass to allow members of both schemes to access benefits across each other’s hotel portfolios.

Millennium Hotels & Resorts, headquartered in Singapore, operates hotels across Asia-Pacific, Europe, the UK, the US and the Middle East. The company said the partnership forms part of its efforts to expand its international network and strengthen its loyalty programme through alliances with other hotel groups.

From left: MHR’s Saurabh Prakash and Kwek Leng Beng, IHCL’s Puneet Chhatwal, and MHR’s Kwek Eik Sheng

Under the agreement, Taj InnerCircle of NeuPass members will receive a 10 per cent discount on the Best Flexible Rate at participating Millennium Hotels & Resorts properties worldwide. MyMillennium members will receive a reciprocal 10 per cent discount on stays at participating Taj hotels globally.

MyMillennium covers more than 145 hotels across Asia-Pacific, Europe, the US and the Middle East. The programme offers benefits for hotel stays and dining across Millennium’s brands.

Indian Hotels Company operates the Taj portfolio, with hotels in India and other markets. Through the partnership, members of both loyalty programmes will be able to book stays across a combined international portfolio, including city hotels and resorts.

MHR said the partnership also supports its expansion in India and other markets where both groups operate. The collaboration coincides with the group’s 30th anniversary.

Puneet Chhatwal, managing director & CEO, IHCL, said: “IHCL’s iconic brand Taj joining hands with Millennium Hotels & Resorts unlocks meaningful synergies within a global loyalty network. Through this collaboration, the integration of MyMillennium with Taj InnerCircle enhances the member experience by extending seamless, reciprocal benefits across both portfolios. Our focus remains on shaping the future of travel through strategic alliances such as this, delivering enduring value for our guests and partners alike.”

Kwek Leng Beng, executive chairman, MHR, added: “Partnering with an iconic brand such as Taj reflects our Blue Ocean mindset, pursuing growth beyond traditional boundaries. As we mark 30 years of Millennium Hotels & Resorts, this strategic collaboration strengthens our presence in India and key global markets, bringing together Taj’s legendary Indian hospitality with Millennium’s international reach.”

Chris Long helms as GM for Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort

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Outrigger Hospitality Group has appointed Chris Long as general manager of the forthcoming Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort, scheduled to open in February 2026.

Long took up the role in April 2025, following nearly a decade with Outrigger in senior culinary and operational positions. His most recent experience includes leadership roles across the Maldives and South-east Asia, where he specialised in remote island operations and integrated guest services.

This marks his first general manager posting, guiding the development and pre‑opening of the 63‑key resort on Laem Tong Beach, Phi Phi Don.

Macau shows off stronger festive winter vibes

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Light up Macao 2025 bring visitors and residents together in various parts of Macau

A series of festivals, including the 2025 Luminescent Night at Travessa do Armazém Velho and Light up Macao 2025, has taken over Macau this year-end and will continue through the early months of 2026.

The popular Light up Macao 2025, organised by Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), illuminates three major districts – Nam Van District, Northern District and Zape District – from December 6, 2025 until January 13, 2026.

Light up Macao 2025 brings visitors and residents together in various parts of Macau

The immersive light festivals not only boost community tourism and nighttime economy for Macau, they also emphasise the city’s blended leisure offerings.

MGTO director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said the events reflect Macau’s tourism + strategic approach to destination development, beautify urban spaces, and brings communities together.

Light up Macao 2025, themed Lightscape•Horizon, sees creative teams from around the world presenting light installations, interactive installations, and illuminations. Admission is free for residents and visitors from 18.00 to 22.00.

Various outreach activities, such as coffee grind workshops, luminescent pickle ball games, and Portuguese tile workshops, are also conducted across the three districts.

Rutger Verschuren, area vice president Macau & Hengqin of Artyzen Hospitality Group and general manager of Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau, told TTG Asia that while these events alone are not a “primary driver” of tourism, “they add colour and depth to Macau’s overall tourism offerings”.

“In that sense, it is a good step forward, and I hope it can be complemented over time by initiatives such as well-curated night markets and evening cultural activities in the peninsula that bring life back to the streets,” he added.

In Macau’s 2026 Policy Address made in November, the government expressed commitment to deepening the tourism + strategy by promoting collaboration across different sectors, such as Tourism + Sports and Tourism + Education. These efforts will contributing to adequate diversification and sustainable development of Macau’s economy.

Verschuren said: “Historically, Macau’s tourism has been closely linked to entertainment and gaming, particularly focused on Cotai’s integrated development. The next phase must be about broadening the reasons to visit – and more importantly, to stay longer.”

Macau has welcomed more visitors in 2025. In the first eleven months of the year, arrival numbers rose by 14.4 per cent year-on-year to reach 36,489,230 while same-day visitors and overnight visitors grew by 24.7 per cent and 2.4 per cent respectively.

Strong baht weighs on Thai tourism

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Democrat Party leader and former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva raised concerns about the strong Thai baht’s chronic impact on the travel sector this year during ATTA’s October member meeting; photo by ATTA

Thailand’s tourism industry is again feeling the drag of an overvalued baht – a familiar challenge last seen in 2019 and 2021.

Bangkok Post reported on December 24 that analysts are predicting the Thai baht to hit 30 to the dollar in the near term due to high correlation with gold prices.

Democrat Party leader and former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva raised concerns about the strong Thai baht’s chronic impact on the travel sector this year during ATTA’s October member meeting; photo by ATTA

At a recent Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) meeting, Democrat Party leader and former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva – whose party has been consulting with the travel sector ahead of 2026 elections – warned that “the value of the Thai baht has been inordinately strong when compared to the competitiveness of the country”.

His comments echoed concerns voiced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand in September, which cautioned that the strong baht could shave 15 to 17 per cent off tourism revenue, especially from long-haul markets.

Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association, warned: “Even if official figures show higher spending per head, that doesn’t mean tourists are actually purchasing more.”

ATTA secretary-general Adith Chairattananon added: “When our currency is too strong, we can’t compete with our neighbours, especially in destination loops.”

He also noted that the issue weighs most heavily on Thailand’s short-haul markets, which comprise 70 per cent of the country’s tourism.

However, some hoteliers regard the strengthening baht with optimism.

Jee Hoong Tan, hotel manager, Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, said Thailand increasingly competes not on low price but on value tied to wellness, cuisine, and cultural immersion.

“The new question to ask is that if you compare the Thai baht with Singapore dollars now, who gives us a better value?” he stated.

Productivity in tourism economy takes centre stage at 11th GTEF

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The 11th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) – Heilongjiang 2025, which concluded last week, provided an international platform for private and public sectors to discuss ways to further tourism industry growth across the world.

High-level dialogues and keynote presentations touched on topics such as pathways to harness tourism’s transformative potential for shared prosperity, partnership to build a seamless travel ecosystem, industry innovation, cultural impact on tourism, and more.

The 11th Global Tourism Economy Forum – Heilongjiang 2025, held December 15 to 17, delivered a programme led by tourism policymakers and business leaders

Xu Qin, secretary of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, welcomed the audience, saying that GTEF has “far-reaching influence, one that plays a significant role in promoting the development of the world’s tourism economy”.

Xu added that host destination Heilongjiang boasts “unique geographical advantages, excellent ecological environment, profound cultural heritage,” and magnificent landscapes”, allowing it to be “a desirable tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors”.

In his opening address, Edmund Ho Hau-wah, vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and chairman of GTEF, said: “The theme, New Quality Productive Forces, aligns closely with the national 15th Five-Year Plan focus on developing modern industrial systems. Heilongjiang is not only the strategic starting point for this important discourse but also fertile ground where this innovative concept is bearing fruit. The insights and cooperation agreements forged here will inject strong, enduring momentum into the sustainable and high-quality development of tourism in China and the world.”

GTEF 2025 was organised by the People’s Government of Heilongjiang Province and the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre, with the Macao Special Administrative Region Government as founding organiser. The event was also held in collaboration with UN Tourism, with the Department of Culture and Tourism of Heilongjiang Province and the Harbin Municipal People’s Government as execution units, and the China Chamber of Tourism as co-organiser.

It benefitted from the support of multiple agencies, including Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, WTTC, PATA, and World Tourism Alliance.

The opening ceremony gathered over 1,500 guests from more than 30 countries and regions across four continents. UN Tourism took the opportunity to present Harbin with a certificate recognising its global leadership and excellence in ice and snow tourism development. Harbin is renowned for its winter events, such as the Harbin Ice and Snow World and the Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Expo.

Hilton appoints Marco Neukom to lead dual Bali hotels

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Marco Neukom has been appointed cluster general manager for Conrad Bali and the newly-opened Hilton Garden Inn Bali Nusa Dua.

In this dual role, Neukom is responsible for the overall strategic direction, commercial performance and guest experience across both properties.

With more than 20 years of international hospitality experience, Neukom has held leadership positions across Europe, the Middle East and Asia with luxury and lifestyle brands including W Hotels and The Ritz-Carlton. His track record spans resort and urban properties, as well as high-profile pre-openings and repositionings.