TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Tuesday, 27th January 2026
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Page 110

flyadeal targets Asian expansion as part of international growth strategy

By Rohit Kaul
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flyadeal, Saudi Arabia’s low-cost carrier and a subsidiary of the Saudia Group, is planning to expand into Asian markets as part of its strategy to strengthen its international footprint.

Currently, 80 per cent of flyadeal’s operations are domestic, with the remaining 20 per cent international. The airline aims to achieve an equal split of 50 per cent domestic and 50 per cent international operations within the next two to three years.

Greenway: this growing fleet will enable us to expand into South-east Asian markets including Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand; photo by Rohit Kaul

“We currently operate a fleet of 38 aircraft which is expected to grow to 98 over the next four years. This expansion includes a mix of A320s and A321s with deliveries beginning next year. Additionally, we have recently placed an order for 10 widebody A330neos, scheduled for delivery starting in 2027. This growing fleet will enable us to expand into South-east Asian markets including Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand,” said Steven Greenway, CEO of flyadeal, while speaking to TTG Asia on the sidelines of his recent visit to New Delhi.

The airline is also planning to begin operations in India and expand its network in Pakistan as part of its South Asia plans. In India, flyadeal is interested in operating at new airports under development in Mumbai and Delhi NCR. Presently, the carrier operates flights to Karachi, Pakistan, and intends to add four to five more destinations in the next year, including Lahore.

“We are particularly interested in new airports coming up just outside of Mumbai and Delhi. While we had initially planned to launch operations in India this year, limited aircraft availability forced us to postpone. However, with new aircraft deliveries starting next year, including the arrival of the A321, we will finally have the flexibility to enter the Indian market,” added Greenway.

The carrier is also in talks with an Indian airline for a codeshare and interline agreement to expand its reach in the region.

flyadeal expects to begin operations to Syria in the next few months. To support its international growth, the airline is also exploring integration with the Amadeus Global Distribution System in the near future.

Macau showcases tourism potential as host of European agents summit

By TTG Asia
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The European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Associations (ECTAA) 2025 Macao Summit took place from June 2 to 5, bringing together travel agency leaders from across Europe to explore Macau’s position as an international tourism hub and connector to Mainland China.

The event concluded with a gala dinner on June 4, attended by the secretary for economy and finance of the Macao SAR Government, Anton Tai Kin Ip. He noted Macau’s aim to deepen ties with Europe and emphasised tourism as a key sector for cooperation, particularly in multi-destination travel.

ECTAA 2025 Macao Summit delegates visit Macau’s historical neighbourhoods; photo by MGTO

ECTAA president Frank Oostdam called for stronger Europe-Asia collaboration based on mutual understanding and practical engagement. He described Macau as an example of efforts to move beyond intention toward real partnership.

The Portuguese Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (APAVT), a key player in bringing the summit to Macau, also participated – its president, Pedro Costa Ferreira, expressed confidence that European delegates would develop a lasting interest in the destination and pledged continued cooperation with the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO).

Over four days, the summit included board meetings, panel sessions on Europe-Asia tourism, a business networking event, and site visits in Macau and Hengqin. Around 40 delegates connected with 65 local representatives from travel and hospitality sectors.

Participants visited landmarks such as the Ruins of St Paul’s, Senado Square and Taipa Village on June 4, followed by a tour of Hengqin’s tourism and conference facilities on June 5.

The summit is one of two major European tourism events hosted by MGTO in 2025, alongside the 50th APAVT Congress, scheduled for December 2 to 4, which is expected to draw around 700 delegates.

These initiatives are part of MGTO’s efforts to rebuild ties with the European travel trade and attract more visitors from the region.

Philippines pavilion shines at Expo 2025 Osaka

By TTG Asia
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The Philippines took centre stage at Expo 2025 Osaka on June 7 with a National Day celebration at the Ray Garden, highlighting the country’s heritage, creativity, and enduring spirit.

The pavilion, themed Nature, Culture, and Community: Woven Together for a Better Future, showcases the rich cultural heritage, natural landscapes, and innovative spirit of the Philippines. Visitors can explore diverse exhibits celebrating Filipino artistry, traditions, and sustainability initiatives, emphasising the country’s commitment to environmental protection and inclusive communities.

The Philippines Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka showcases the nation’s culture, nature and community; photo by Tourism Promotions Board, Philippines

Since opening, the pavilion has welcomed over 300,000 visitors and has quickly become a crowd favourite. Key features include the digital Dancing with Nature display, which transforms visitors into elements of the natural world, an AI Photobooth, a Hilot Wellness Space, the Habi Gift Shop showcasing Filipino products, and the popular Hain Take-out serving Filipino snacks and dishes.

The National Day programme featured a grand parade with traditional dances and colourful costumes, followed by a cultural performance called HinabingHiraya (Woven Imagination), curated by the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The performance highlighted the artistry of Filipino weaving, symbolising the unity and resilience of the nation.

The pavilion is a collaborative effort involving the Philippines Department of Tourism, the Tourism Promotions Board, other government agencies, local communities, and design partners, all united in presenting a shared vision for a sustainable future.

Expo 2025 Osaka runs until October 13, 2025, with upcoming events including Philippine Week, ASEAN Day, and tourism and business missions.

Agoda marks 20 years with record campaign and industry recognition in Thailand

By TTG Asia
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Agoda recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with a sales campaign involving over 2,300 travel partners in Thailand. Offering discounts of up to 70 per cent, the campaign recorded Agoda’s highest level of partner participation to date, with close to 35,000 providers from accommodation, airline and activity sectors worldwide joining the initiative.

The anniversary campaign received backing from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), reflecting the ongoing collaboration between Agoda and the national tourism body to support Thailand’s tourism economy and promote sustainable tourism development. The partnership is aimed at strengthening Thailand’s standing as a key global destination through innovation and strategic cooperation.

Smith: we believe in growing together – building trusted, long-term partnerships that drive success on all sides

As part of its anniversary activities, Agoda also hosted the 16th Annual Gold Circle Awards, recognising high-performing hotel partners. Thailand recorded the highest number of awardees, with 521 recipients. Notably, 26 per cent of these winners were from secondary cities such as Chiang Rai and Chanthaburi, reflecting increased competitiveness and service quality outside traditional hubs like Bangkok and Phuket.

The celebration event, held at the Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, brought together over 200 industry leaders to reflect on two decades of sector growth and cooperation. It included briefings from Agoda’s leadership and an industry outlook presentation.

“Agoda’s story is deeply rooted in Thailand, and it’s where some of our longest-standing hotel partnerships began,” said Andrew Smith, senior vice president of supply at Agoda. “As we look ahead, we’re committed to helping our partners succeed by combining world-class technology with deep local market understanding.

“Agoda’s growth story built around earning the trust of our partners over the past 20 years. We believe in growing together – building trusted, long-term partnerships that drive success on all sides.”

Radisson Hotel Group scales up recycling scheme for hotel amenities in key markets

By TTG Asia
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Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) has expanded its closed-loop recycling system for bulk liquid amenities in markets including India, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The initiative forms part of the RHG’s strategy to reduce single-use plastic waste and support a circular economy.

RHG rolls out bulk dispenser initiative to reduce single-use plastics in hotels

The system involves collecting used bulk amenity bottles, extracting and recycling remaining liquids, and recycling and repurposing packaging. In India, the process is supported by a network of 11 recycling partners, which manage the collection of amenity waste from hotels. Materials are sorted, cleaned and recycled into raw inputs. The process is documented and audited to ensure traceability.

RHG is also implementing bulk amenity dispensers in bathrooms as part of its participation in the Hotel Sustainability Basics programme. Currently, 91 per cent of RHG hotels use soap dispensers in public washrooms. RHG aims to introduce bulk dispensers across its portfolio by the end of 2025. This move is expected to eliminate 57 million miniature amenity bottles annually and reduce plastic use by approximately 500 tonnes.

The group has also removed single-use plastic from dry bathroom amenities. These are now packaged using materials with reduced plastic content. Stone paper – produced from calcium carbonate and bonded with high-density polyethylene resin – has replaced traditional paper and is printed with soybean oil ink. FSC-certified cardboard sourced from recycled and responsibly managed forests is used for packaging. The dry amenities use PSM (plastarch material), made from plant starches such as corn and potatoes, combined with plastic fillers including polypropylene.

These steps form part of RHG’s broader sustainability policy. According to a recent survey, 75 per cent of global travellers seek more sustainable travel options, and 43 per cent believe service providers are key to reducing the environmental impact of travel.

RHG is aligning its operations with these expectations through initiatives such as Hotel Sustainability Basics and third-party eco-labelling.

Westin invites guests to reset and recharge for Global Wellness Day

By TTG Asia
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To celebrate Global Wellness Day on June 14, Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s hotel group, invites guests to take a meaningful break.

This month, Westin hotels in the region will offer sensory activities to refresh the mind, body, and spirit. These include sensory escapes, wellness markets, and calming soundscapes. Each activity suits guests at all stages of their wellness journey.

Westin hotels across Asia-Pacific offer immersive wellness experiences to help guests refresh body and mind this Global Wellness Day

Following its Pillars of Well-being – Sleep Well, Eat Well, and Move Well – hotels in Asia-Pacific, except China, will offer spaces to help guests relax, refresh, and reconnect.

Global Wellness Day is a reminder to slow down and focus on wellness. Westin makes it easy for travellers to enjoy simple daily habits that help them feel better. From morning exercise to calming night routines, Westin creates moments to pause and find balance.

At Westin Resort & Spa Cam Ranh, the lounge becomes a peaceful spot with the sound of a bamboo fountain and the scent of Westin’s White Tea. Guests can try yoga with tuning forks, sound healing meditation, and Tibetan singing bowls.

Westin Manila’s outdoor bar Aire 32 offers calming sounds for guests to relax. A wellness workshop also teaches mindful eating, healthy habits, and gratitude.

Westin Desaru Coast Resort links wellness with nature through a market featuring local artisans. Guests can learn about farming, join nature tours, or make coffee scrubs for self-care.

Westin Mumbai Garden City offers a wellness food masterclass, sound healing in water, live flute music, and Ayurveda spa treatments, while Westin Surabaya creates a wellness space with a sensory walk, digital detox game, and a gratitude reflection area.

For more information, visit Westin Hotels & Resorts.

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Bangkok names new GM

By TTG Asia
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Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Bangkok has appointed Björn-Henning Buth as the hotel’s new general manager, who will spearhead the hotel’s continued drive for excellence in the heart of Bangkok and introducing fresh perspectives that enhance guest satisfaction and business growth.

He brings over 20 years of leadership experience across Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and China, including 15 years as a general manager within Radisson Hotel Group.

Local experiences, wider reach

By Audrey Ng
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Please share more details on KTO’s strategic direction for inbound tourism for 2025.
KTO’s strategic direction for the year aims to expand and diversify tourism offerings through themed travel such as K-culture, wellness, and sports tourism, and to promote experiential and lifestyle-based travel through immersive programmes that allow travellers to experience Korean daily life and culture.

We are also focusing on strengthening regional tourism beyond Seoul and Busan by promoting the unique attractions in our southern regions of Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do.

Meanwhile, we will continue to enhance digital marketing and collaborate with travel agencies and influencers, and hold large-scale public events and B2B platforms to boost industry engagement and promote South Korea as a travel destination.

For MICE, we present South Korea as a tech-savvy and content-rich hub, with smart infrastructure and digital tools. We offer unique venues and K-culture programming for added appeal. Another strategy is to expand MICE hosting cities beyond Seoul to include Daegu, Gwangju, and Busan.

KTO also provides strong institutional support through the Korea MICE Bureau and Korea MICE Alliance, while offering incentive programmes and logistical assistance for organisers.

What target markets in Asia are you looking at and why?
Key markets are Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia due to strong K-content consumption, increasing outbound travel demand, as well as cultural affinity, air connectivity, and digital engagement levels.

Some of these are also driven by market-specific interests. For example, there is growing demand for medical and wellness tourism from Indonesian travellers, and high interest in e-sports and youth-driven content from travellers from Vietnam.

What are some tourism trends you’ve been noticing about inbound tourism to South Korea?
We have noticed a preference for immersive and local-style travel experiences, which has led to an increase in DIY travel planning, often inspired by social media and influencers.

Niche interests are also rising, with travellers opting for drama location tours, wellness retreats, food trails, hiking, and marathon tourism.

There is also growth in multigenerational travel and purpose-driven tourism, such as cultural education or wellness.

What type of experiences are travellers seeking? Which experiences are popular among travellers from a particular market or age group?
Yes, demand for personalised and unique experiences is rising, especially among Gen Z and millennials.

Popular experiences include K-beauty and styling sessions such as personal colour analysis and makeup lessons; personalised shopping tours with local stylists or guides; visits to drama filming locations and K-pop landmarks; local food experiences such as traditional markets, bakery tours, regional specialties, and cooking classes; medical wellness tourism, including one-day skincare, dental, and vision treatments; and attending live sports events, such as baseball or e-sports tournaments.

What are some initiatives that KTO is doing to attract more travellers to Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do?
Jeollanam-do has UNESCO-listed tidal flats, slow travel, and regional food culture, while Gyeongsangnam-do features nature trails, Korean traditional medicine, and historic sites. Another highlight is the city of Gyeongju, which will host the 2025 APEC Summit and is known for its 1,000-year history as South Korea’s ancient capital.

So far, we have worked with travel agencies to develop travel packages, organised media familiarisation trips, and enhanced digital promotions and influencer partnerships.

What are some challenges in attracting people to these regions and what is being done about them?
Awareness of these destinations remains limited, as do transport infrastructure and language support.

Travellers can connect to regional airports before taking the train or bus. They can also use the apps promoted by KTO through the Must-Have Apps in Korea campaign.

This campaign introduces essential mobile applications that allow travellers to conveniently access transportation services and tourism information throughout South Korea.

H World Group enters Laos with four hotel management agreements

By TTG Asia
0

H World Group has signed four hotel management agreements in Laos, expanding its presence in South-east Asia as part of its international growth strategy.

The signing ceremony took place in the Laotian capital, Vientiane, on May 29, 2025. The move marks H World’s first venture into Laos and aligns with its asset-light and international expansion approach.

Rendering of JI Hotel by the Mekong River in Vientiane

The new hotels, located in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, are being developed in collaboration with three local investment partners: Lao Kunpeng Industrial Co., Yuting Hotel Investment Management Co., and KP Construction Sole Co. – the developments involve H World’s upper-midscale and midscale brands.

One of the projects, Intercity Hotel Vientiane, is being developed with Lao Kunpeng Industrial Co. It will be located near Wattay International Airport and the Sanjiang area and is scheduled to open in early 2026. A second property, Intercity Hotel Luang Prabang, also backed by Lao Kunpeng Industrial Co., will be situated in the centre of Luang Prabang and is expected to open in 2027.

The third project, JI Hotel Vientiane Mekong Riverside, is being developed by Yuting Hotel Investment Management Co. and will be located along the Mekong River in central Vientiane, due to open in early 2026. This will be the first JI Hotel in Laos and the second in South-east Asia, following the JI Hotel Orchard in Singapore.

The fourth property, Orange Hotel Vientiane International Airport, is being developed by KP Construction Sole Co., located near the airport and the Sanjiang area. Slated to open 3Q2026, this will be the first Orange Hotel to open outside China.

All three partners cited H World’s operational systems and brand structure as factors in the collaboration. The partnership is expected to contribute to the development of hospitality services in Laos.

Zhu Xiaogang, president of H World Asia Pacific, said: “This signing of four hotels in Laos is an important step for H World in promoting localised management and building a deeply rooted network across the region.

“We are confident that these projects in Laos will become the highlights in H World’s development in the region.”

Plaza Premium Group strengthens IT with Amazon Web Services and eCloudvalley

By TTG Asia
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Plaza Premium Group (PPG) is advancing its digital transformation with cloud-native infrastructure. Founded in 1998 and initially focused on airport lounge services, the group now operates more than 1,600 touch points in 150 countries, including hotels, airport dining, concierge services, and loyalty programmes.

To meet operational needs across time zones and improve responsiveness, PPG has built its core systems on Amazon Web Services (AWS). Chief technology officer Prasan Verma said the group has launched several applications to meet changing customer behaviour. Travellers now expect digital services such as QR code check-in, which PPG has integrated into its mobile app.

Plaza Premium Group teams up with AWS and eCloudvalley to streamline digital transformation

The company recently introduced OneTECO (Travel Experience Ecosystem) and Smart Traveller to enhance guest experience across its network. Over the past several years, PPG has focused on cloud-native development to increase deployment speed, flexibility, and reduce costs.

PPG continues to use AWS for its stability, tools, and compliance standards. AWS’s experience with financial sector clients helps PPG meet strict data and security requirements across regions.

The group also works with eCloudvalley, a cloud technology service provider and AWS partner. eCloudvalley supports PPG in selecting tools and solutions aligned with its development roadmap, including multi-cloud environment support.

eCloudvalley’s country manager Joe Kwok highlighted the importance of microservices and containers in application development, allowing easier scaling and modification. He also noted the growing role of AI and large language models in business operations.

Kwok added that companies undergoing digital transformation must focus on cybersecurity and compliance. Selecting cloud providers with industry certifications and proven track records is critical to managing risk.

As the travel sector evolves, companies like PPG invest in technology infrastructure to streamline services, support global operations, and respond to changing customer expectations.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Thai AirAsia welcomes new GM
TTG Asia | Thailand sees record hotel transaction volumes in 2025
TTG Asia | Bali weighs tougher entry checks for international visitors