Anantara Chiang Mai Resort has named Tudsaporn Jaiboonchuen as general manager.
She will be responsible for the resort’s overall operations and strategy, including performance, brand standards and team leadership.
With nearly 20 years’ experience with Minor Hotels, Tudsaporn joined the group in 2007, and her career includes senior operational roles in Thailand, Vietnam and the Maldives, most recently serving as resort manager at Anantara Chiang Mai Resort.
Tell us more about the highlights of Awakening Bangkok 2025.
In the past two years, we focused on specific areas on the left side of Phra Nakhorn, like Museum Siam, Saranrom Park, and areas near to Bangkok. This year, we’re focusing on over 20 locations on the right circuit – landmarks like Yodpiman Flower Market, Khlong Ong Ang and Saphan Phut. We’ve highlighted new areas, because the Awakening Festival fanbase wants us to bring them to new locations.
This year, we’ve embraced a simple and approachable message centred on love, which inspired our theme: Lovevercity. After last year’s festival, I noticed a surge of TikTok content highlighting how romantic the atmosphere felt, often set to love songs. Taking a cue from our audience, we decided to lean into that energy and curate this year’s event specifically for couples and those celebrating love.
Thailand has invested heavily in bringing in global events like Tomorrowland. How do you view this strategy?
For foreign-owned events, people fly to Thailand to attend and book hotels. But ultimately, the money flows out of the country. We are paying license fees and supporting brands that aren’t ours. The government celebrates the numbers, but it’s not truly sustainable. If even a fraction of that budget went into home-grown events, Thailand could build its own world-class cultural draws that keep revenue here and strengthen our soft power.
What’s the current reality for local organisers like yourself?
Independent festivals rely on small grants and sponsorships. Meanwhile, state-owned celebrations don’t face the same commercial pressures, because they’re run by the government. The problem is that instead of empowering private organisers with funding and facilitation, the state has become an organiser itself. Budgets go into government-run events, with very little support reaching those of us who are innovating in the private sector.
You’ve drawn comparisons to global benchmarks like the Olympics and Vivid Sydney. What do these examples show?
Governments are willing to spend billions to host the Olympics, even though it’s a one-off event. In contrast, Sydney’s Vivid festival, which is backed consistently by public investment, attracts 2.4 million visitors every year – almost on par with the 2.7 million expected for the Tokyo Olympics (before Covid-19). That shows what’s possible when you build your own event. Thailand should focus on inventing our own Olympic-scale festivals instead of renting someone else’s brand.
What makes Bangkok, in particular, well-placed to develop these kinds of festivals?
Bangkok is already one of the world’s top cities for night tourism. We welcome 25-30 million visitors a year, and they want to go out after dark: to see, eat, and experience. Our cultural depth, heritage districts, and creative energy make us a natural stage for lighting and cultural festivals. Unlike cities that rely on generic backdrops, Bangkok offers authenticity. We have the raw material to stand alongside the world’s cultural capitals if we invest wisely.
What is the main challenge to achieving this vision?
Time and consistency. Festivals don’t become global attractions overnight; it takes about 10 years to build a true mega draw. But in Thailand, government transitions every few years often disrupt cultural strategies, leaving projects vulnerable to gaps in support. 10 years can pass quickly – if we don’t act now, we’ll miss the chance to create world-class Thai festivals that belong to us.
What’s your ultimate message to policymakers?
Stop thinking only about imported spectacles. Home-grown festivals generate the strongest soft power because they reflect our identity and keep money in the country. Thailand has the talent, the culture, and the audience; we just need long-term commitment. If the government can shift even part of its resources to nurturing private organisers, we can create something every bit as powerful as Tomorrowland, and it will truly be ours.
How do festivals like yours help to support the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Bangkok Metropolitan Authority’s focus on the night-time economy? What are some of the trends that you’ve observed on the festival scene?
There is a growing sense that people in Thailand are eager to reclaim the streets. While our malls are world-class, Bangkok is a city dominated by vertical architecture and enclosed spaces. People are looking for a change of pace; they want to walk on level ground, under an open sky, and experience the city’s natural breathability in a wide-open landscape.
Additionally, Bangkok is a city that’s very beautiful once it’s illuminated. There are so many corners, angles, and silhouettes revealed once light is shone on them. Lighting festivals draw people out to walk about at night and in the evenings. They are also very suited for year-end. Awakening Bangkok 2025 brought over 17,000 visitors per day over a 10-day period from December 12 to 21 last year. The 2024 edition brought over 20,000 visitors per day.
What other projects do you have in the pipeline?
Based on the demand, I’m trying to create a lot more festivals. We hosted the Overland Inflatable Art Festival in late December 2025 at the Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park with Nylon Group. With lights off, the park was illuminated by luminescent inflatable art structures.
We also have another festival called Bangkok Music City with eight stages located around Charoenkrung on January 23-25, 2026. With every event, we try to focus on the cityscape. We highlight different spots in the city for people to walk around.
In 2025, we launched the first edition of Awakening Song Wat, and we will reprise it this year. We plan to bring back Awakening Chiang Mai around May 2026, and Awakening Bangkok around the beginning of December.
CrescentRating, a specialist in halal travel, has become the first Singapore-based company to be admitted as an affiliate member of UN Tourism following its 26th General Assembly in Riyadh in November 2025.
CrescentRating chief executive and founder Fazal Bahardeen told TTG Asia that being admitted as an affiliate member, a category that includes companies such as Airbnb, Booking.com, JTB, Klook and Traveloka, adds to the company’s “credibility”.
There are around 500 affiliate members globally, forming what Fazal described as a “strong networking platform” focused on knowledge exchange, collaboration and tourism development aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
He said membership provides access to events attended by governments and companies, as well as opportunities to propose projects supported by UN Tourism under its Programme of Work (PoW) for affiliate members.
PoW proposal categories include conferences and forums, workshops and training, reports and publications, and services led by affiliate members. Priority areas cover institutional development, data and product development, sustainability and inclusion, investment and innovation, and workforce development.
With CrescentRating formally sanctioned for halal tourism activities in 2026 and 2027, the company has received PoW approval for a global halal gastronomy initiative, the Halal in Travel Gastronomy Summit, which is scheduled to take place in Johor Bahru in October. Fazal said discussions are ongoing with UN Tourism regarding support for the project.
“Another approved PoW is the release of a glossary for halal tourism, to be released at the sixth Halal in Travel Global Summit, taking place in Singapore between June 9 and 11,” Fazal added.
Following its admission to UN Tourism and the approval of PoW projects, CrescentRating plans to expand its current workforce of 32 employees, with a focus on strengthening its research team of four.
He added that the company is also preparing a joint report with Mastercard on halal travel and sports tourism, due for release in early February.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Mondrian Singapore Duxton have launched a collaboration marking the pilot edition of STB’s Creator Residency Programme, presented through a public art installation in the Duxton precinct during Singapore Art Week 2026, which runs from January 22 to January 31, 2026.
The programme brings together pairs of Singapore-based and international artists for a two-week residency centred on exploration of Singapore’s neighbourhoods and cultural spaces. Local creators support their visiting counterparts in achieving a personal creative objective, with each pairing producing work shaped by shared experiences and exchange. Participating artists include HAFI with Sonia Eryka, maegzster with Atom (Atompakon), Amanda Khoo with Siddhartha Joshi, and See Min with Kelex.
As part of the collaboration with Mondrian Singapore Duxton, Singaporean artist tobyato is paired with Filipino artist Jappy Agoncillo. Following their residency, the artists will co-create a site-specific mural across the hotel’s front staircase. The work will sit adjacent to the KAWS sculpture at the entrance and will be accessible from the surrounding streets.
Titled Leon at Lion, the mural reflects the idea of cultural mixture, drawing on both artists’ contemporary pop art practices. The artwork will be completed during Singapore Art Week and will remain on view as a permanent addition to the Duxton area.
The mural will be unveiled on February 1, 2026, at 16.00, with the artists presenting the work and discussing their collaboration. The event will also include access to Mondrian Singapore Duxton’s permanent art collection.
In conjunction with the residency, Mondrian Singapore Duxton will also introduce complimentary public art tours, held on the first and third Friday of each month. The tours will include the new mural and selected artworks displayed throughout the hotel, and will be open to the public.
Agoda and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have launched the fifth edition of Eco Deals, marking five years of collaboration focused on conservation initiatives across Asia.
The 2026 programme will maintain its highest funding commitment to date, with US$1.5 million allocated to conservation efforts in 10 Asian markets.
The launch coincides with the signing of a new five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Agoda and WWF, extending their partnership to support conservation work, traveller awareness and industry engagement related to tourism in the region.
The 2026 Eco Deals programme launched on January 19, 2026 starting with a one-month campaign offering accommodation discounts of up to 20 per cent at participating properties. This will be followed by a year-round offering providing savings of up to 15 per cent until December 18, 2026. Agoda will continue to donate US$1 to WWF’s conservation programmes for every completed booking made at participating properties.
Eco Deals supports conservation initiatives linked to accommodation partners across Asia. In 2025, the programme expanded to nearly 10,000 participating properties. Since its launch in 2022, Eco Deals has raised US$2.89 million for projects including the protection of Malayan tigers in Malaysia, Asian elephants in Thailand and whale sharks in the Philippines.
Participating properties receive an Eco Deals badge and are listed on dedicated programme pages across Agoda’s platforms. Properties are also included in promotional placements within Agoda’s channels and receive a certificate upon completion of the programme.
Andrew Smith, senior vice president, supply, Agoda, shared: “The signing of a new five-year MoU with WWF is a testament to our shared vision and action for long-term conservation and industry collaboration. In the past year alone, the programme has seen participating properties grow by more than 45 per cent, with strong momentum in markets like Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia. But what’s most rewarding is seeing how Eco Deals has become a platform for hotels to differentiate themselves, connect with sustainability-minded travellers and contribute to meaningful conservation work across Asia.”
“Eco Deals shows how the tourism industry can actively contribute to nature-positive outcomes while creating value for travellers and destinations alike. By working across markets and a broad network of stakeholders, this partnership helps link local conservation priorities with regional coordination to protect nature today and for future generations,” added Hsieh Fu Hua, chairman, WWF-Singapore.
Mondrian Gold Coast has introduced a new wellness package, Nourish & Flow, designed for guests seeking time for rest, movement and routine. The package is located on the oceanfront near Burleigh Beach and combines guided exercise, spa access and optional dining.
Guests stay in an ocean-facing room and receive two passes to Mondrian Moves, which includes Sunday Flow or Mindful Mondays sessions, subject to availability. On days without classes, guests can use Technogym Visio for self-guided workouts. Gym access is included throughout the stay.
The package includes access to the CIEL Spa Himalayan Salt Room for 30 minutes, magnesium plunge pools and shared facilities, including the main pool. Guests may book additional spa treatments at an extra cost. A Synergie Skin gift pack is included, containing skincare products intended for use during and after the stay.
Dining is optional and available at Mondrian’s on-site restaurants, LiTO and Haven. Menus focus on produce from South-east Queensland. Meals can be added to the package based on guest preference.
The hotel is within walking distance of Burleigh Beach. Burleigh Headland National Park is nearby and offers walking tracks along the headland and through coastal forest.
The package includes an overnight stay, access to wellness facilities, the skincare gift pack, spa salt room access, and tickets to Mondrian Moves sessions. It is available for booking from now to November 30, 2026, with stays valid during the same period. Rates start from A$585 (US$385) for a Studio King room.
For more information, visit Mondrian Hotels.
Cebu Pacific has launched a limited-time Fly & Stay offer in partnership with the Philippines Department of Tourism (DoT) and the Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. – the offer forms part of the airline’s Happy Starts in Cebu campaign, which encourages travellers to begin their visit to the Philippines through Cebu.
As the exclusive airline partner, Cebu Pacific is offering discounted international fares to Cebu from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Hong Kong. The sale runs until January 31, 2026, with travel valid from February 1 to July 31, 2026.
One-way base fares on direct flights start from 1,299 baht (US$37) from Bangkok, US$25 from Ho Chi Minh City, HK$318 (US$41) from Hong Kong, 3,500 yen (US$23) from Tokyo Narita, and 5,500 yen from Osaka. One-way all-in fares are available from 103,000 won (US$78) from Seoul Incheon and S$120 (US$89) from Singapore.
The promotion supports the DoT’s Visit Cebu campaign, launched in December last year, and marks a first partnership between the department and the airline focused on promoting Cebu for 2026 travel.
Passengers booking Cebu Pacific’s direct international flights to Cebu may also purchase a hotel offer that includes a two-night stay with breakfast for two, plus one additional free night with breakfast, at selected hotels and resorts in Cebu. The accommodation offer is available for purchase until January 31, 2026, for stays from February 1 to August 30, 2026, and is subject to availability at participating accredited properties.
Accommodation vouchers must be booked in advance directly with the hotel or through the designated redemption platform. Guests are required to present their Fly & Stay voucher and Cebu Pacific boarding pass at check-in.
For more information, visit Cebu Pacific.
Raja Ampat Regency has increased tourism charges for visitors to the marine destination in eastern Indonesia, citing the need to balance conservation efforts with benefits for local communities.
Under the revised regulation, domestic visitors are now charged 300,000 rupiah (US$20) per visit, up from 75,000 rupiah, while international visitors pay one million rupiah, compared with 300,000 rupiah previously. Children under 12 are exempt from the levy.
The regency-level fee is applied in addition to existing provincial and national charges, which currently total 425,000 rupiah for domestic visitors and 700,000 rupiah for foreign visitors. Following the increase, total entry-related fees amount to 650,000 rupiah for Indonesian visitors and 1.7 million rupiah for international visitors.
Raja Ampat regent Orideko Iriano Burdam said the revised policy was intended to address long-standing imbalances in how tourism revenue is shared. In an interview with national radio broadcaster RRI, he stated: “Local communities have been protecting Raja Ampat’s natural wealth for years, but they have seen very little economic benefit from tourism. That gap is what this policy is trying to address.”
According to the regency administration, revenue from the revised fees will be allocated across several areas. Sixty per cent will go towards the regency’s own-source income, 15 per cent to tourism development at the village level, and 25 per cent to operational management, including marine and land patrols, coral reef rehabilitation and waste management.
Daniel Abimanyu Carnadie, chairman of the Raja Ampat Dive Resort Association, hoped the revenue would be distributed fairly and in line with the regulation. “When people feel tourism actually supports their livelihoods, they are far more willing to protect the environment,” he said.
Commenting that the fee increase would have varying impacts across market segments, he added: “The higher fees would affect budget-oriented markets, such as homestays and backpacker travellers. Resort guests generally understood that the fee is for conservation efforts.”
For Yulius Ricky Soeharto, chairman of the Southwest Papua chapter of the Association of the Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies, concerns focused more on implementation than the fee level itself.
He noted: “The timing of the policy posed challenges for operators. Most Raja Ampat trips are booked at least six months in advance. With the regulation applied immediately, operators have little room to adjust pricing and often have to absorb the additional costs.”
Agoda and Mastercard have launched a travel redemption solution aimed at banks seeking to update their loyalty programmes. The arrangement integrates Agoda’s travel inventory into Mastercard’s Global Redemption Suite, allowing cardholders to redeem points directly for travel through participating bank programmes.
Banks connected to Mastercard’s rewards network can add the Agoda-powered solution to their existing loyalty platforms. The system allows points to be redeemed in real time and applied to bookings across Agoda’s accommodation and flight inventory. Banks retain their own branding, while cardholders can use points at the time of booking rather than converting them into vouchers or other intermediaries.
The companies said the partnership reflects broader changes in loyalty programmes, with a greater focus on partnerships and on rewards that can be used across services rather than fixed catalogues. By linking banks to Agoda’s inventory through Mastercard’s network, the programme is intended to give cardholders more options for how and when points are used.
Agoda noted the solution is designed to address low redemption rates in traditional loyalty schemes, where points often remain unused. Mastercard said the integration supports a shift towards digital loyalty tools that are embedded into everyday transactions rather than accessed separately.
Industry research cited by the companies points to increasing demand for travel-related rewards. The Skift State of Travel 2025 report found that travellers tend to join loyalty programmes for practical benefits such as discounted travel and simpler earning and redemption processes. Arrivia’s 2025 Loyalty Landscape Report said 84 per cent of loyalty programmes plan to expand travel benefits during the year, reflecting interest in experience-based rewards. The companies said the new solution is intended to support higher redemption rates and increased card usage.
The launch is focused on banks in Asia-Pacific but is positioned as part of Mastercard’s wider global loyalty infrastructure. Agoda operates as an online travel platform with accommodation and flight inventory in multiple markets.
Damien Pfirsch, chief commercial officer, Agoda said: “Across the industry, many loyalty points still go unused because customers don’t see enough real value or flexibility in how they redeem. By joining forces with Mastercard, we’re helping banks close that value gap with travel rewards that are immediate, intuitive, and genuinely useful.
“By embedding Agoda’s interfaces, technology, and global inventory into Mastercard’s solution, cardholders can use their points the way they want, on their timelines, while banks gain a simple, scalable way to modernise loyalty and drive deeper engagement.”
Matthew Driver, executive vice president, services, Asia Pacific, added: “We’re creating a connected ecosystem that delivers convenience and meaningful value at every touchpoint. Together, we’re shaping a future where loyalty is dynamic, data-driven, and seamlessly integrated into the moments that matter most.”
Foreign travellers transiting through Manila on Philippine Airlines (PAL) can now join Department of Tourism (DoT) Transit Tours, a short sightseeing programme designed for passengers with extended layovers.
Launched in December 2025, the programme is now available for booking through the Philippine Airlines website and the LovePH mobile app. The tours are intended for international passengers from visa-free countries with layovers of at least eight hours, including time for immigration and airport procedures.
Beginning January 30, 2026, the Transit Tours will offer scheduled visits to selected Manila landmarks. Morning itineraries include Intramuros and the National Museum, while afternoon options feature entertainment complexes such as Solaire and Okada.
Each tour lasts four hours in total, comprising two hours of guided sightseeing and free time, and two hours of travel between the airport and the city. Transport is provided by a 49-seat air-conditioned bus accompanied by a DoT-accredited guide.
The cost is US$50 per person, which includes entrance fees, insurance coverage for accidental death and medical expenses, drinking water and a poncho if required. The programme is designed to allow passengers to return to the airport with sufficient time to prepare for onward flights.
The DoT said the initiative is intended to make use of long layovers while supporting local tourism services, including guides and transport providers.
“We express our warmest gratitude to our colleagues in the private sector for supporting our initiative to maximise the potential of our tourist spots and extend an invitation to foreign travellers who are just passing by,” said tourism secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
“Because what our transit tours actually provide are opportunities – an opportunity for tourists to explore Manila in between flights, an opportunity for our Filipinos to earn a living, and an opportunity for our industry to enhance visitor experience,” she added.
