TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Sunday, 14th June 2026
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New York City updates halal travel guide ahead of 2026 World Cup

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New York City Tourism + Conventions, in partnership with CrescentRating and HalalTrip, has released the 2026 edition of the New York City Halal Travel Guide ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

First launched in 2022, the guide is designed to help Muslim travellers navigate the city’s tourism offerings across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.

The guide includes halal dining, prayer facilities and World Cup visitor information across New York City’s five boroughs; photo by Narisa Ladak

The latest edition includes information on halal dining, prayer facilities, accommodation and cultural attractions. It also features details related to the World Cup, including official fan event locations and a five-day itinerary tailored for Muslim visitors attending the tournament.

New York City will host eight World Cup matches in 2026, including the final.

According to the guide’s organisers, the resource aims to address common challenges faced by Muslim travellers during major sporting events, including access to halal food, prayer spaces and transport options.

The publication also highlights New York City’s Islamic heritage, covering sites linked to the city’s Muslim communities and cultural history alongside tourism, retail and dining recommendations.

The release comes as Muslim travel continues to grow globally. According to the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2025, international Muslim arrivals reached 176 million in 2024 and are projected to contribute US$235 billion in travel spending by 2030.

Raudha Zaini, head of operations at CrescentRating and HalalTrip, shared that the guide reflected New York City’s commitment to Muslim travellers and would help strengthen the city’s appeal ahead of the World Cup.

Julie Coker, president and CEO of New York City Tourism + Conventions, said: “New York City is proud to welcome Muslim travellers from around the world with resources that reflect the diversity, inclusivity and hospitality that define our city. This guide is an important part of our commitment to creating a seamless and welcoming experience for every traveller who chooses New York City.”

Marriott signs three hotels in Nepal and India with CG Hospitality

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Marriott International has joined forces with CG Hospitality Global to develop three hotels in Nepal and India, expanding its luxury and premium portfolio in South Asia.

The projects comprise The Ritz-Carlton Kathmandu, The Westin Kathmandu and JW Marriott Hotel Siliguri. Scheduled to open in 2031, the three properties will add nearly 450 rooms to Marriott’s regional portfolio.

The agreement includes the debut of The Ritz-Carlton brand in Nepal and a new JW Marriott hotel in Siliguri

The signing expands Marriott’s relationship with CG Hospitality Global, which has collaborated with the hotel group on multiple projects across the region.

According to Marriott, the developments are intended to support tourism growth and strengthen hospitality infrastructure in Nepal and India.

The agreement marks the debut of The Ritz-Carlton brand in Nepal. Located in Kathmandu, the hotel is expected to feature 150 guestrooms, including 30 suites, alongside five food and beverage venues, a spa, fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool and more than 1,100m² of meeting and event space.

The Westin Kathmandu will also feature 150 rooms and suites. Planned facilities include three dining venues, a fitness studio, spa, rooftop swimming pool and more than 700m² of meeting and event space.

In India, JW Marriott Hotel Siliguri will introduce 150 guestrooms and suites in the city of Siliguri, a gateway to north-east India. The hotel is expected to include four dining venues, a spa, swimming pool, fitness centre and 1,500m² of event space.

Rajeev Menon, president, Asia-Pacific excluding China, Marriott International, said: “We are pleased to deepen our association with CG Hospitality Global through a shared vision to bring world-class hospitality experiences to these high-potential markets.

“These landmark developments reflect the exceptional standards and brand excellence that define Marriott’s luxury and premium portfolio, while contributing meaningfully to tourism growth, local employment and regional economic development.”

Rahul Chaudhary, CEO and managing director of CG Hospitality Global, said: “Growing our relationship with Marriott International marks an exciting new chapter in our journey to elevate South Asia’s hospitality landscape.”

Philippine Airlines to join oneworld alliance

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Philippine Airlines (PAL) will soon become the 16th member of the oneworld airline alliance following the signing of a memorandum of understanding at the International Air Transport Association’s 82nd Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

The airline was invited to join the alliance as a member-designate carrier by the oneworld Governing Board, which comprises the chief executives of member airlines.

The move will strengthen oneworld’s network in South-east Asia and expand connectivity across the Philippines

Once integrated into the alliance, PAL will add 31 destinations across the Philippines and other markets to the oneworld network. The carrier operates services across Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.

The addition will strengthen oneworld’s presence in South-east Asia and expand connectivity for travellers across the region.

PAL’s Mabuhay Miles members will gain access to reciprocal earning and redemption opportunities across oneworld airlines. Eligible top-tier members will also receive access to oneworld priority services and more than 700 airport lounges worldwide.

The alliance said the move supports its long-term network development plans in Asia-Pacific and will strengthen connections between the Philippines and international markets.

Lucio C Tan III, president of PAL Holdings, said: “This is a defining and transformative moment for Philippine Airlines.Becoming a member of the oneworld Alliance and strengthening Southeast Asia’s representation within the group significantly brings the Philippines and the region closer to the world like never before.

“Together with our partners, we will deliver greater choice, consistent journeys, and a world-class travel experience that reflects the warmth of Filipino hospitality.”

Robert Isom, CEO of American Airlines and chairman of the oneworld Governing Board, added: “Philippine Airlines’ entry into oneworld supports our long-term strategic growth and strengthens our connectivity across key markets in the Asia-Pacific region.”

New hotels: Capri by Fraser, Penang, Mercure Tokyu Stay Hiroshima and more

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Capri by Fraser, Penang

Capri by Fraser, Penang, Malaysia
Capri by Fraser, Penang has opened on Jalan Magazine in George Town, combining a restored heritage shophouse with a new 22-storey tower. The property offers 248 rooms and residences, including studio accommodation and one-bedroom residences equipped with kitchenettes.

Guest facilities include a swimming pool, jacuzzi, gymnasium, yoga room, meeting spaces, games room and self-service laundrette. Dining options include Palm House restaurant and bar, while The Den serves as a social and coworking space. The hotel is also pet-friendly and provides EV charging stations.

Situated close to George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the hotel offers convenient access to the city’s historic streets, cultural landmarks, street art and food scene.

Mercure Tokyu Stay Hiroshima

Mercure Tokyu Stay Hiroshima, Japan
Mercure Tokyu Stay Hiroshima is a 182-room hotel located in Hiroshima’s Hatchobori district, marking Accor’s first property in the city.

Facilities include a coworking and social lounge, meeting rooms and a fitness centre. Guests can also enjoy locally sourced food and beverages, including bread from Hiroshima bakery Aloft and coffee from Mount Coffee.

The property is a two-minute walk from Hatchobori Station on the Hiroshima Electric Railway network, providing access to the city’s shopping, dining and cultural attractions.

Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai Eastern Hub

Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai Eastern Hub, China
Radisson Blu Hotel Shanghai Eastern Hub features 445 guestrooms and suites in Pudong, around 23 minutes from Shanghai Pudong International Airport and close to the future Shanghai East Railway Station.

Dining options include an all-day restaurant, a Chinese restaurant with private dining rooms and an executive lounge.

Facilities include a temperature-controlled swimming pool, fitness centre and more than 6,700m² of meeting space, including a conference hall, theatre and eight meeting rooms. The hotel also offers convenient access to Pudong’s business districts, convention venues and cultural attractions.

Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel

Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel, Australia
Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel is a 180-room property located on Mooloolaba Esplanade overlooking the Pacific Ocean on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Facilities include a rooftop pool and terrace, a spa, fitness centre, Lobby Bar and Sully’s Rooftop restaurant. Guests can also access local experiences and activities through the hotel’s dedicated experience host.

The hotel is within walking distance of Mooloolaba Beach, restaurants and shopping along the esplanade. It also benefits from access to attractions across the Sunshine Coast, including coastal trails, beaches and marine activities. Sunshine Coast Airport, which offers connections to destinations including Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Denpasar and Singapore, is around 15 minutes away by car.

Mcdull joins Star Voyager for summer family cruises

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StarCruises is partnering with popular Hong Kong character Mcdull for a themed summer programme aboard Star Voyager from July 15 to August 30, 2026.

The Mcdull Summer Adventure at Sea will feature themed entertainment, family activities, character appearances and dining experiences across selected sailings departing from Hong Kong.

Star Voyager’s summer programme features Mcdull-themed entertainment, family activities and character appearances on selected cruises from Hong Kong

Guests can enjoy a range of activities including the musical production Mcdull · Fishball on the Run, meet-and-greet sessions with Mcdull and Mrs Mak, themed photo opportunities, movie screenings, sing-along sessions, family workshops and themed food offerings.

The programme will be available on two-, three- and five-night cruises from Hong Kong to destinations including Okinawa, Halong Bay, Danang, Kaohsiung, Penghu and Xiamen, as well as two-night weekend high-seas cruises.

Guests booking by June 29, 2026, can receive up to 30 per cent off cruise fares, while third and fourth children cruise free when sharing the same stateroom as their family.

Star Voyager operates from Ocean Terminal in Hong Kong and is part of the StarCruises brand under StarDream Cruises.

For more information, visit StarDream Cruises.

Mett Singapore brings Riviera-style brunch to Fort Canning

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Mett Singapore has launched the Riviera Champagne Brunch, a new weekend dining experience combining Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, champagne and live entertainment.

Held every Saturday, the experience takes place across L’Amo Bistrò del Mare and Canning Bar & Lounge from 12.00 to 15.00, before continuing with an after-party from 15.00 to 19.00.

Mett Singapore’s Riviera Champagne Brunch combines Mediterranean dining, free-flow Champagne and live entertainment every Saturday at Fort Canning

The brunch menu features seafood, antipasti, pasta and grilled dishes, alongside live culinary stations and roaming bites. Guests can also enjoy free-flow champagne, with options including Boizel Brut Réserve, Ruinart Rosé and Krug Grande Cuvée.

Packages start from S$228++ (US$178++) per person for the Riviera Champagne Brunch with Boizel Brut Réserve. The Riviera Rosé experience is priced at S$418++, while the Riviera Prestige package with Krug Grande Cuvée and pool access costs S$888++.

A Weekend Riviera Experience, which includes Krug Grande Cuvée, pool access, an overnight stay and breakfast, is available from S$1,188++. A non-alcoholic option is also offered from S$158++ per person.

The after-party includes DJ sets, one complimentary drink for brunch guests and optional free-flow beverage packages from S$78++. Roaming pinsa service is available from 17.30.

For more information, visit Mett Singapore.

Mastercard, CrescentRating identify growth potential in Muslim sports travel

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Muslim-friendly sports tourism could generate up to US$21 billion globally by 2030 if destinations and event organisers improve access to faith-friendly services and travel information, according to a report released by Mastercard and CrescentRating.

The report, Proof Wins: The Convergence of Sports, Travel, and Faith, examines how Muslim travellers discover, plan and attend sports events, and identifies the factors that influence booking decisions.

Mastercard and CrescentRating say clearer information and faith-friendly services could increase participation in sports-related travel

According to the study, spending on sports-related travel by Muslim travellers is projected to increase from around US$11 billion in 2025 to US$17 billion by 2030. The figure could rise to US$21 billion if destinations improve the visibility and delivery of services such as halal food, prayer facilities, transport information and secure payment options.

The report notes that Muslim international arrivals are expected to grow from 186 million in 2025 to 245 million by 2030. However, only around six per cent of international Muslim trips currently include attendance at a sports event, indicating potential for further growth.

Researchers found that affordability and value remain the main factors influencing travel decisions, followed by access to halal food, prayer facilities, safety and crowd management. The availability of clear information during the planning and booking stages was also identified as a key driver of participation.

The report highlights the role of digital channels in sports travel, with social media serving as the main source of event discovery among Muslim travellers. However, conversion to bookings depends on access to practical information such as official ticketing channels, venue details, transport arrangements and payment options.

Aisha Islam, senior vice president, customer solutions centre, South-east Asia at Mastercard, said: “Muslim travellers represent one of the fastest-growing segments in global travel. When destinations provide clarity and confidence – from payment security to halal dining and prayer access – they unlock significant participation and spending potential.”

Fazal Bahardeen, founder and CEO of CrescentRating, added: “What this research clearly shows is that demand alone is not the constraint – confidence is.”

KrisFlyer adds cruise redemptions through arrivia partnership

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arrivia and KrisFlyer, the rewards programme of Singapore Airlines Group, have expanded their partnership to allow members to redeem KrisFlyer miles for cruise bookings.

The enhancement gives members access to more than 30,000 itineraries across over 40 cruise lines through KrisFlyer Cruise, arrivia’s dedicated cruise booking platform.

The new redemption option provides access to more than 30,000 cruise itineraries through the KrisFlyer Cruise platform

Members can now use KrisFlyer miles to pay for cruises or combine miles and cash when making bookings. Available cruise operators include Royal Caribbean International, Disney Cruise Line and Princess Cruises, with itineraries covering destinations worldwide, including South-east Asia and Australia.

KrisFlyer members will also continue to earn two KrisFlyer miles for every US$1 spent on cruise fares booked through the platform.

According to the companies, the move is intended to expand redemption options beyond flights and provide members with access to a broader range of travel experiences.

The launch comes as the cruise sector continues to grow globally. The companies cited industry data showing that cruise passenger numbers reached 37.2 million in 2025, up 7.5 per cent year-on-year.

Bookings can be made through the KrisFlyer Cruise platform, where members can browse itineraries, redeem miles and access support from cruise specialists.

John Williams, COO of arrivia International, said: “This partnership is about giving KrisFlyer members more meaningful ways to use their miles.

“Cruises represent one of the fastest-growing and highest-value travel categories, and by offering cruising as a redemption option to KrisFlyer members, we are enabling members to access more rewarding experiences while helping drive stronger engagement within the programme.

“With thousands of sailings globally and dedicated cruise specialists, we are making cruise more accessible than ever.”

IHG to develop InterContinental hotel in Mumbai’s Goregaon district

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IHG Hotels & Resorts has signed a management agreement with Zon Hotels (Mumbai) to develop InterContinental Mumbai Goregaon, expanding its luxury portfolio in India.

Scheduled to open in 1Q2030, the hotel will be located in Goregaon, a commercial and residential district in Mumbai’s western suburbs. The property will feature 350 guestrooms, including 70 suites.

Located in Goregaon, the hotel will cater to business and leisure travellers with 350 rooms, dining venues and large-scale event space

Positioned between Andheri and Malad, the hotel is expected to cater to both business and leisure travellers, with access to key commercial, entertainment and residential areas of the city.

The development will include five food and beverage venues, comprising an all-day dining restaurant, bar, speciality restaurants and a lobby lounge. Meeting and event facilities will include multiple function spaces and a large ballroom.

Additional facilities will include a fitness centre, spa, swimming pool, retail space and parking facilities.

Sandip Gupta, director, Zon Hotels (Mumbai) said: “We are pleased to partner with IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring the world-renowned InterContinental brand to Goregaon.”

Sudeep Jain, managing director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, added: “Mumbai continues to demonstrate strong demand across both business and leisure travel, and Goregaon’s emergence as a growing commercial corridor makes it an ideal location to expand our luxury portfolio. With InterContinental Mumbai Goregaon joining our portfolio, we look forward to creating a destination that offers world-class amenities, intuitive service, and a strong sense of place, catering to the evolving needs of modern travellers.”

Norwegian Cruise Line extends South Pacific cruise programme through 2027

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Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has unveiled additional South Pacific sailings aboard Norwegian Spirit for 2026 and 2027.

The programme features itineraries ranging from eight to 13 days, with sailings available through December 2026 and additional departures scheduled between April and December 2027.

Norwegian Spirit will operate South Pacific itineraries ranging from eight to 13 days through 2026 and 2027; photo by Norwegian Cruise Line

According to NCL, demand for cruising in the South Pacific remains strong as travellers seek multi-destination holidays that combine island experiences, cultural attractions and leisure travel.

Among the itineraries is a 12-day voyage from Lautoka, Fiji, to Sydney departing on November 30, 2026. The sailing includes calls in Fiji, Vanuatu, Brisbane and Newcastle before arriving in Sydney.

Another seasonal itinerary departs Sydney on April 23, 2027, on an 11-day voyage visiting destinations in New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Fiji, including Nouméa, Lifou, Port Vila, Mystery Island and several ports in Fiji.

NCL will also operate an eight-day round-trip cruise from Papeete in French Polynesia on selected dates in June and September 2027. The itinerary includes calls at Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, Raiatea and Moorea.

The cruises will be operated by Norwegian Spirit, which accommodates adult travellers and offers a range of dining, entertainment and leisure facilities.

The programme coincides with plans for new direct flights between Sydney and Papeete from December 2026, which are expected to improve access to fly-cruise holidays in French Polynesia and the wider South Pacific.

Ben Angell, managing director and vice president, Asia-Pacific, NCL, said: “Having sailed the South Pacific myself, I can confirm there’s nothing quite like travelling between these picture-perfect destinations by sea, and we are delighted to offer travellers even more opportunities to discover it during our extended 2026 and 2027 seasons.”