The Ritz-Carlton, Pune appoints Ishwinder Gill as its new general manager. He joins from W Goa, where he also served in the same role.
With over two decades of global hospitality experience, Gill previously served as chief operating officer at Far East Hospitality, overseeing 26 hotels across Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, and Australia, and leading the development of several acclaimed upscale and luxury brands.
The annual ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), which rotates alphabetically among member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), will arrive on Singapore’s shores in 2027.
Singapore marked the handover at ATF 2026 on January 29 with a by-invitation dinner for delegates at the Nustar Convention Center, and put forth a performance by Singaporean vocal ensemble, The Island Voices.
Edward Koh, executive director, International Group HQ & Oceania at Singapore Tourism Board, told TTG Asia that the city-state is “honoured to host the next ATF in January 2027”.
In 2027, ATF will adopt the theme, Transforming Tourism, Empowering Tomorrow.
Koh added: “As the host nation during ASEAN’s 60th Anniversary, Singapore will facilitate discussions on six decades of regional partnership, and the continued evolution of ASEAN as a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism destination.
“The 2027 forum is expected to showcase the broader ASEAN region’s diverse tourism experiences to international audiences and media. It will provide opportunities for tourism stakeholders to explore partnerships, share best practices, and promote the region’s tourism products to global markets.”
Singapore Tourism Board will announce details on ATF 2027 programming in due course.
Singapore last hosted ATF in 2017.
The high-level tourism industry event usually comprises closed-door meetings involving tourism leaders and policy-makers; Travex, a B2B tourism exhibition; and the ASEAN Tourism Conference.
The region’s tourism industry is seeing strong growth in immersive, culture-led and digitally driven travel experiences, according to panellists at the ASEAN Tourism Conference’s recent forum on digital innovation and market diversification in tourism.
The conference was hosted by the Department of Tourism Philippines as part of the recently concluded ASEAN Tourism Forum in Cebu City.
Michelle Ho, general manager of Klook Philippines, said young travellers are increasingly influenced by social media and peer recommendations when choosing destinations beyond traditional hotspots.
She cited growing interest in destinations such as Siquijor in the Philippines and Sapa in north-western Vietnam’s Lao Cai province.
Ho added that Klook is investing heavily in the digitalisation of content to improve how experiences are discovered by travellers, noting that online visibility has become essential as travel inspiration increasingly begins on social platforms.
“Being seen, discoverable, Google-able is non-negotiable for us,” she said.
She explained that Klook closely monitors online conversations across social media platforms to understand emerging travel interests and shifting demand, using these insights to guide product development.
This approach allows the platform to highlight lesser-known, land-based and immersive experiences in secondary and tertiary destinations, particularly during off-peak periods when travellers are more price-sensitive and open to alternatives to mainstream locations.
Airbnb’s head of South-east Asia public policy, Shanta Arul, said travellers are gravitating towards small-group activities that offer deeper cultural immersion.
“People are looking for culture-rich travel and gastronomy experiences. These are the things that are leading travellers to seek out experiences,” she shared.
She noted growing interest in curated offerings such as farm-to-table dining, culinary journeys and traditional art and handicraft workshops, explaining that these reflect a broader shift towards culture-rich travel that enables visitors to engage more meaningfully with local communities while moving beyond mass tourism.
Arul also stressed the importance of data sharing with governments to manage seasonality, noting that Airbnb works with tourism authorities through memoranda of understanding to share aggregate data that supports more flexible tourism planning.
She added that this approach helps destinations respond to both peak and off-peak demand while avoiding over-concentration in traditional hotspots.
From an adventure travel perspective, Hannah Pearson, regional director of the Adventure Travel Trade Association, noted that culture remains Asia’s strongest draw.
She emphasised that adventure travel is not limited to extreme sports, adding: “Adventure doesn’t have to be jumping off a cliff or diving. It could be an e-bike tour in the city, a gastronomy tour, or engaging with indigenous culture.”
Romey Louangvilay from the Tourism Study Team at the Asian Development Bank said destinations must understand traveller behaviour to tailor messaging more effectively.
He added that social media and influencer validation play an important role in decision-making, as travellers are more likely to book experiences that feel personally relevant and endorsed by trusted voices.
The session was moderated by Issa Litton, president and head trainer of 1Lit Corp, a Philippines-based company.
ChristchurchNZ has launched Discover Different, a tourism marketing campaign aimed at Australian travellers, promoting travel to New Zealand’s Central South Island. The campaign runs until mid-April and is designed to support visitation during the autumn shoulder season.
Discover Different highlights a range of regions, destinations and local stories across the Central South Island. The campaign focuses on encouraging travel beyond peak periods and presenting the region as a multi-stop destination centred on Christchurch.
The campaign was developed in collaboration with Destination Kaikōura, Visit Hurunui, Venture Timaru, Mackenzie Tourism and Development West Coast. ChristchurchNZ received funding of NZ$1 million (US$620,000) through the second round of the Regional Tourism Boost Fund to support the Australia-focused activity in partnership with the participating regions.
The marketing activity includes airline, media and distribution partnerships with Webjet, Mindshare, Flight Centre, Tripadvisor, Viator and Sunrise. Promotional offers include flight discounts to Christchurch from Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, along with selected accommodation, car rental and activity offers.
“The Central South Island is home to incredible experiences, and we are thrilled for the opportunity to promote Christchurch alongside these diverse regions. This campaign brings together a special offering for our Australian neighbours, shining a light on the collective strengths of the Central South Island,” said Anne Newman, general manager of Visitor Economy at ChristchurchNZ.
Education tourism is emerging as one of the more resilient, and less seasonal, pillars of tourism in Cebu, driven largely by demand for English-as-a-second-language (ESL) programmes across Asia.
“The Philippines is one of the most popular English-as-a-second-language destinations. Cebu in particular has been actively marketed as an education tourism destination,” said Aines Librodo, senior assistant vice president (airport strategic partnerships) at Aboitiz InfraCapital. “Our closest competitors would probably be Singapore and Australia, but they’re really expensive. Cebu offers a much more affordable alternative.”
Tour operator Destination Specialist said the appeal lies in how education is structured alongside travel.
Typically, students attend classes during the week, with weekends reserved for organised excursions.
“There’s a programme where students come here to study English, but they also get to explore tourism destinations,” explained Merlyn M Ebora, inbound manager at Destination Specialist. “So you’re learning and you’re vacationing at the same time.”
She added that island hopping is what students enjoy most.
Librodo echoed this with an example from Japan. “Japanese students might stay for a month, (with) four days a week in the classroom, and then on weekends they’re out exploring Cebu.”
While official statistics sit with the Department of Tourism, on-the-ground observations point to steady growth. “Before, I only had one bus,” Ebora said. “Then it increased to two buses.”
On recent tours, group sizes have reached up to 80 students at a time.
Government support has helped formalise the segment. “Last year, the Department of Tourism hosted more than 100 education agents,” she noted, referring to education-focused familiarisation trips aimed at expanding enrolment into Cebu-based schools.
“When I go to Japan and say I’m from Cebu, about five out of ten people will say, ‘I’ve been there, I studied English there’,” shared Librodo.
Thai AirAsia X has been recording strong load factors in the Indian market since launching its direct flights between New Delhi and Bangkok on December 15, 2024. The carrier closed last year with an average load factor of 85 per cent and expects this to rise into the 90 per cent range in the current year.
“We are extremely encouraged by the strong demand from the Indian market. In January 2026, we recorded an average load factor of 88 per cent. We are also witnessing growing demand from India for onward connections within Thailand to destinations such as Phuket, as well as to other South-east Asian markets including Vietnam and Indonesia,” said Pattra Boosarawongse, CEO of Thai AirAsia X.
She was speaking to TTG Asia at the carrier’s first anniversary celebrations of the route, held in New Delhi on Thursday.
Thai AirAsia X has also seen a significant rise in onward connection demand from India, increasing from around nine per cent to 21 per cent by December 2025. This growth continued in January 2026, reaching 27 per cent, and the airline expects the figure to climb to 35 per cent in the coming months.
“As we operate out of Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok, which offers lower congestion and faster immigration processes, we are able to provide seamless connectivity to markets such as South-east Asia and Japan. In fact, one of our key strategic focuses in 2026 is to drive greater travel between India and Japan, supported by our strong presence in the Japanese market,” shared Boosarawongse.
The Thai AirAsia X chief also attributed the carrier’s success in the Indian market to a slot change that now sees flights from New Delhi arrive in Bangkok at around 02.30, instead of 23.30 previously.
“We initially launched the route with four flights per week and increased the frequency to daily services in October 2025 after securing a better slot. The revised arrival time has helped passengers avoid the cost of an additional hotel night, while also enabling us to offer smoother onward connectivity,” she added.
Currently, 60 per cent of demand on the New Delhi-Bangkok route is driven by the FIT segment, with the remainder coming from group travel.
Agoda has outlined plans for Agoda Impact Lab, a new initiative aimed at supporting collaboration and innovation across Asia’s travel and technology sectors.
The platform was presented at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026.
Agoda Impact Lab is positioned as a platform for public and private sector stakeholders to develop, test and scale practical initiatives. The programme focuses on areas including industry skills development, storytelling, technology adoption and data analysis, with the aim of supporting long-term industry resilience.
Through the Impact Lab, Agoda plans to deliver e-commerce training programmes for accommodation providers across South-east Asia, executive-level masterclasses developed with government, industry and academic partners, and research outputs intended to inform decision-making on travel demand, technology use and localisation trends.
The initiative also includes a joint working group with ASEAN and WWF-Singapore to support discussions on the management of emerging destinations, and the promotion of the Sustainable Tourism Academy. The academy is a digital training platform developed with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), offering free, self-paced sustainability training aligned with GSTC standards.
Agoda said the Impact Lab will draw on its experience in areas such as e-commerce, marketing, technology and analytics to support knowledge-sharing and capacity building across the region.
“With Agoda Impact Lab, we’re not just imagining the future of travel and technology in Asia; we’re actively shaping it,” said Damien Pfirsch, chief commercial officer at Agoda.
“The lab will serve as a hub for collaboration, bringing together stakeholders from the public and private sectors to explore innovative solutions and strategies.”
Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary has launched Glimpse of Bhutan, a six-day, five-night all-inclusive programme focused on culture, landscape and traditional wellness. The programme is designed for travellers seeking a slower pace and extended time in one location.
Guests arrive at Paro International Airport and are transferred to the sanctuary in the Neyphu Valley, around 15 minutes away. The stay begins with a traditional Buddhist ritual, followed by lunch and a consultation with a Traditional Bhutanese Medicine doctor, which guides the wellness treatments throughout the stay.
The itinerary allows time for acclimatisation, with optional yoga or meditation, guided walks in the valley and use of the sanctuary’s facilities. Excursions include Chele La Pass and the Haa Valley, with time for prayer flag offerings and picnics.
Cultural visits include a full day in Thimphu, with stops at Buddha Dordenma and the Simply Bhutan Museum, as well as a guided walk to Eutok Goenpa Monastery. Guests also visit the Punakha Valley, Dochu La Pass and Punakha Dzong.
The programme includes a guided hike to Tiger’s Nest Monastery, approached at a measured pace with scheduled breaks. The final day focuses on Paro, with visits to Paro Dzong, the National Museum and local craft workshops, followed by time for wellness or rest.
The package includes five nights’ accommodation, all meals, wellness treatments, guided excursions and transfers, with one complimentary night included. Rates for two persons start from US$5,133 and are valid for stays until December 31, 2026.
Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary is located in the Neyphu Valley near Paro and offers 28 rooms, wellness programmes based on Bhutanese traditional medicine, spa treatments and locally sourced dining.
For more information, visit Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary.
Minor Hotels has appointed Winston Gong as general manager of Avani Kota Kinabalu, ahead of the hotel’s opening in 2Q2026.
Gong will be responsible for overall operations of the 352-key hotel. He was most recently general manager of Crowne Plaza Phu Quoc Starbay, where he led operational performance and market positioning.
Singapore’s tourism sector recorded steady growth in 2025, with tourism receipts reaching S$23.9 billion (US$17.7 billion) in the first three quarters, a 6.5 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2024 and the highest level recorded for this timeframe.
International visitor arrivals totalled 16.9 million in 2025, up 2.3 per cent year on year. The top five source markets were China with 3.1 million visitors, followed by Indonesia at 2.4 million, Malaysia and Australia at 1.3 million each, and India at 1.2 million.
Tourism receipts growth was led by Sightseeing, Entertainment & Gaming and Food & Beverage, both of which recorded 15 per cent growth. China, Indonesia and Australia were the top tourism receipts–generating markets, excluding Sightseeing, Entertainment & Gaming. Hotel performance remained stable, with an average occupancy rate of 81.9 per cent. Average room rate declined slightly to S$273.56, while revenue per available room stood at S$224.04. Hotel supply expanded with the addition of 644 new rooms.
The cruise sector also recorded growth, with 375 ship calls and more than 2.0 million passenger movements, reinforcing Singapore’s role as a regional cruise hub.
Visitor spending was supported by new and refreshed attractions, major international events, cruise offerings, hospitality openings and business events. Key developments included the opening of new attractions at Mandai Wildlife Reserve and Resorts World Sentosa, the hosting of major sports, arts and entertainment events, and continued strength in the MICE sector.
Infrastructure expansion continued across the tourism landscape, including integrated resort developments, cruise terminal upgrades and new lifestyle and wellness projects.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) expects full-year 2025 tourism receipts to exceed its earlier projection of S$29.0 to S$30.5 billion, with final figures to be released in 2Q2026. For 2026, international visitor arrivals are forecast to reach between 17 and 18 million, generating S$31.0 to S$32.5 billion in tourism receipts.
Melissa Ow, chief executive, STB said: “The strong tourism receipts performance in 2025 puts us on a steady trajectory towards achieving our Tourism 2040 ambitions. We are attracting visitors who value the distinctive experiences that Singapore offers. To maintain this growth momentum and reinforce our destination appeal and global hub status, we will continue to develop a strong pipeline of differentiated products, events, and experiences.
“As we work towards our Tourism 2040 goals and a sustainable tourism sector, STB will continue to seek out opportunities to reach new markets and support our tourism enterprises and workforce to develop differentiated products and experiences.”
