TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Friday, 9th January 2026
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Radisson signs Anta Hotel Bali Canggu for 2027 opening

By TTG Asia
0

Radisson Hotel Group has signed Anta Hotel Bali Canggu, a member of Radisson Individuals, a lifestyle serviced apartment project in one of Bali’s coastal districts. Scheduled to open in 2027, the property will feature 116 serviced apartments and expand the group’s footprint in Indonesia, a focus market in its Asia-Pacific growth strategy.

Located in Canggu, a beach hub popular with international visitors, surfers, expatriates, and remote workers, the property will provide a contemporary base surrounded by rice fields, temples, and beaches. It sits along Jalan Shortcut Teratai Batu Bolong, about one hour from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and close to Echo Beach, Batu Bolong Beach, and Berawa Beach. Guests will also be near Subak Uma Desa’s rice fields and temples such as Pura Batu Bolong and Pura Batu Mejan.

A rendering of the rooftop pool and lounge at Anta Hotel Bali Canggu, which will offer panoramic views across the district

Anta Hotel Bali Canggu will offer 116 serviced apartments with terraces and kitchenettes, including 88 studios, 10 one-bedroom units, and layouts designed for longer stays. All apartments will feature balconies or terraces, with most ground-floor units planned to include private pools. The property is designed to appeal to digital nomads, remote professionals, and long-stay travellers, with a co-working space at the centre of the social experience. Flexible event areas will accommodate workshops, wellness sessions, fitness activities, and private gatherings.

Public areas are planned as sheltered open-air spaces, allowing natural movement between indoor and outdoor zones. The top floor will house a rooftop bar, pool bar, and lounge with panoramic views over Canggu. The rooftop’s flexible layout will support simultaneous uses, from wellness activities to casual gatherings. Dining and wellness facilities will include an all-day restaurant, café, rooftop pool, gym, and treatment areas.

The group currently operates three hotels in Indonesia with 579 keys and has three properties under development with 405 keys across city and resort locations.

“Bali sits at the intersection of leisure, lifestyle, and long-stay travel, and Canggu is one of its most dynamic districts,” said Ramzy Fenianos, chief development officer, APAC, Radisson Hotel Group. “This signing strengthens our presence in Indonesia and demonstrates our commitment to investing in markets and product types that owners and guests are asking for.”

Dusit Thani College expands hospitality training to Saudi Arabia

By TTG Asia
0

Dusit Thani College (DTC), Thailand’s hospitality education institute under Dusit International, has partnered with Alkhaleej Training and Education to introduce its Talent Opportunity Programme (TOP) in Saudi Arabia.

Alkhaleej becomes DTC’s first global licence partner, marking the start of wider international expansion.

Dusit Thani College partners with Alkhaleej Training and Education to deliver hospitality training in Riyadh

TOP is a six‑month pathway combining more than 280 hours of practical learning with a two‑month classroom phase and a four‑month internship at leading hotels in the Dusit portfolio and with local partners. Graduates are prepared for entry‑level roles in culinary, pastry, food and beverage, and guest service.

Alkhaleej, which has over 30 years of experience in vocational training across 60 centres nationwide, will deliver TOP at its Riyadh training centre. This makes DTC the first non‑Swiss hospitality school to introduce a formal, internationally benchmarked skills‑based programme in the Kingdom.

The launch in January 2026 will be accompanied by specialised TOP UP short courses for baristas, concierge professionals and luxury service roles, alongside B2B upskilling modules in areas such as digital marketing, cost control, housekeeping, OTA optimisation, pricing, banqueting and HR. Graduates seeking degree‑level qualifications will also have a direct pathway to DTC’s Bangkok campus, including four‑year BBA programmes in Hospitality Management and Professional Culinary Arts.

According to the WTTC, travel and tourism is expected to contribute more than 10 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP in 2025, with employment projected to reach 2.7 million jobs. Demand for large‑scale training pathways is rising as the country accelerates its tourism transformation.

“By licensing TOP to esteemed international partners such as Alkhaleej, we aim to support national tourism strategies, strengthen local workforces, and create meaningful pathways for upskilling, reskilling and career transitions,” said John Lohr, executive director of external affairs, Dusit Thani College.

Hatem Aldryaan, CEO of Alkhaleej Training and Education, added: “TOP represents a practical, employment‑focused model that directly links training with real job opportunities. It arrives at a pivotal moment for the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality growth.”

Dusit International will also debut hotel management in Saudi Arabia with the opening of Dusit Princess Al Majma’ah, Riyadh, in 1Q2026.

Scoot relaunches Scoot With Heart campaign to spotlight reconnection

By TTG Asia
0

Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, has launched the second edition of its Scoot With Heart campaign, continuing its focus on storytelling that highlights human connection beyond travel.

Launched in December, the campaign introduces the theme “What if?”, inviting reflection on relationships that may have faded over time or moments left unspoken. The initiative aims to encourage individuals to reconsider past connections and view them as opportunities for renewed engagement.

The Scoot With Heart campaign features reunion films and digital stories focused on personal reconnection

To bring the campaign to life, Scoot partnered digital publisher The Smart Local to produce a series of social media assets featuring personal stories. Central to the campaign are two short reunion films starring Scoot employees, shared across Scoot’s and The Smart Local’s Instagram and TikTok platforms.

One film follows a Scoot pilot as she reflects on family and motherhood while listening to recorded messages from her family. The segment culminates in a reunion, after which Scoot arranges for her family to join her on a flight she piloted to Nanjing.

The second story features a section manager in Scoot’s Ground Operations department as she revisits Pulau Ubin, where she spent her childhood, reconnecting with her cousin while retracing memories from their early years on the island.

Beyond the reunion films, the campaign extends to a digital photo series featuring 20 individuals in Singapore. Each participant shares a personal “What if” message on handwritten boards, reflecting on missed conversations, long-distance relationships, or people who played important roles in their lives.

Agatha Yap, director of marketing, communications & loyalty at Scoot, shared: “‘What if’ is a question we all ask ourselves at some point in our lives, whether it relates to the people we miss, the words we did not say, or the time we wish we had made. Through this year’s Scoot With Heart campaign, we want to remind everyone that meaningful connections can be renewed… we hope these stories inspire our community to take that first step to turn their own What if into moments of reconnection.”

Wharf Hotels appoints group director of global sales

By TTG Asia
0

Wharf Hotels has appointed Crystal Chan Busch as group director, global sales.

In her new role, Chan Busch will oversee global sales strategy and operations across the group’s key markets, including Asia-Pacific, the Americas and Europe.

She most recently served as multi-property executive director of sales at Sands Resorts Macao, where she led sales for three integrated resort brands encompassing nine hotels and more than 10,000 rooms.

Siyam World elevates operations leadership team

By TTG Asia
0

Siyam World Maldives has appointed Alee Siyam as director of operations and promoted Giselle Encinareal to executive assistant manager.

Siyam, who joined Sun Siyam Resorts in 2016, was previously executive assistant manager. He was part of Siyam World’s pre-opening team and has held several operational roles at the resort. As director of operations, he is responsible for overseeing the resort’s day-to-day operations and service delivery.

From left: Alee Siyam and Giselle Encinareal

Encinareal most recently served as director of talent and culture at Siyam World, a role she has held since rejoining Sun Siyam Resorts in 2022. With more than 20 years of experience across luxury resorts in the Maldives, she now oversees back-of-house functions including talent and culture, learning and development, and quality assurance.

Dusit International expands in Philippines with Asai Camaya Coast

By TTG Asia
0

Dusit International has signed a hotel management agreement with Earth & Shore Leisure Communities Corporation, a real estate and land‑development company in the Philippines, to operate Asai Camaya Coast, a new 150‑key lifestyle hotel set to open in 2029 within the expansive 20 million square metres Camaya Coast development in Mariveles, Bataan.

The signing marks a strategic milestone for Dusit as it grows its presence in the Philippines, introducing the Asai Hotels brand to one of the country’s fastest‑rising destinations for domestic tourism and short‑break escapes from Metro Manila – accessible in four hours by car or 90 minutes via the Manila-Camaya ferry.

Dusit International and Earth & Shore seal partnership for Asai Camaya Coast, opening 2029 in Bataan

Bataan tourism is driven by WWII heritage sites, scenic beaches, and eco‑tourism appeal. With new leisure offerings, residential communities, entertainment facilities, and infrastructure upgrades such as the upcoming Camaya Airport, the Earth & Shore‑led development is positioned to attract even more travellers.

Asai Camaya Coast will be the brand’s first property within a master‑planned seaside township, offering access to dining and retail areas, outdoor activity hubs, a water park, an 18‑hole golf course, event spaces, and the township’s signature white‑sand beach.

Sustainability is central to Camaya Coast’s vision, with large portions preserved as natural forest supporting fruit trees, orchids, and wildlife. This nature‑first approach aligns with Dusit’s Tree of Life sustainability framework and will enable eco‑friendly, locally inspired guest experiences.

Dusit currently operates five properties in the Philippines, including Dusit Thani Manila and Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort, and has several openings planned from 2026 onwards. These include Dusit Hotel Greenhills Manila, Plaza de Zamboanga – Dusit Collection, Dusit Princess hotels in Lipa and Cebu City, Asai Oslob Cebu, and dusitD2 Residences Cebu City.

Seven Seas Prestige completes float‑out at Fincantieri shipyard

By TTG Asia
0

Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) marked a key milestone in the construction of Seven Seas Prestige as the ship floated from dry dock on November 27, 2025 at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy.

The vessel is the first new class for RSSC in a decade and represents the next chapter in the company’s ultra‑luxury cruise offering.

The Skyview Regent Suite aboard Seven Seas Prestige offers sweeping panoramas across the ocean from its private terrace; photo by Regent Seven Seas Cruises

With this stage complete, Seven Seas Prestige has moved to the outfitting pier for final construction. Work will now focus on interiors, including suites such as the Skyview Regent Suite, lounges, and restaurants. The ship is scheduled to debut in December 2026 as RSSC’s seventh vessel and the first of three Prestige‑class ships. A second ship is planned for 2030 and a third for 2033.

At 76,550 tons, Seven Seas Prestige will accommodate 822 guests served by 630 crew members, offering one of the highest crew‑to‑guest ratios in the industry. The ship is 40 per cent larger than previous RSSC vessels but carries only 10 per cent more guests, reinforcing the brand’s emphasis on space.

The inaugural season will feature 13 voyages across Europe and the Caribbean, including two transatlantic crossings. Itineraries will range from 10 to 15 nights, with highlights such as Harvest Caye in Belize, two Panama Canal transits, and overnight stays in London, Lisbon, and Bordeaux.

“Seven Seas Prestige touching water for the first time marks an extraordinary moment for Regent Seven Seas Cruises, representing the culmination of years of planning and collaboration with our long-standing partners at Fincantieri,” said Jason Montague, chief luxury officer for RSSC.

“The overwhelming response to this vessel affirms that discerning travellers recognise something truly exceptional is on the horizon; emphasised by the ship’s launch day which became our biggest single booking day for a new ship in our history. From the unprecedented Skyview Regent Suite to every thoughtfully designed detail, Seven Seas Prestige embodies our dedication to redefining ultra-luxury travel.”

Star Navigator to sail to Okinawa from Kaohsiung in January 2026

By TTG Asia
0

StarCruises will mark the New Year with three exclusive five‑night sailings from Kaohsiung to Okinawa, Japan aboard Star Navigator. The itineraries feature calls at Naha, Ishigaki and Miyakojima, offering travellers access to Okinawa’s beaches, culture and attractions.

The Kaohsiung homeport deployment, which began in November 2025, continues through January 2026. The schedule includes two five‑night Miyakojima-Ishigaki-Naha cruises departing January 4 and 11, and a five‑night Miyakojima-Naha cruise departing January 18. The season concludes with a five‑night Coron-Puerto Princesa sailing on January 25 and a two‑night Laoag cruise on January 30.

Guests will explore Naha’s cultural landmarks, including Shuri Castle and traditional markets, on Star Navigator’s Okinawa cruises

Okinawa’s early‑January climate provides cool conditions for outdoor activities and coincides with the peak of the winter whale‑watching season. Guests can also explore Ishigaki’s coral reefs, Miyakojima’s lagoons and Naha’s cultural landmarks, including Shuri Castle.

Onboard, Star Navigator offers dining, entertainment and family‑friendly facilities to complement the regional itineraries.

For more information, visit StarDream Cruises.

Sri Lanka to expand visa-free access to 40 markets from January 2026

By Feizal Samath
0

Sri Lanka will allow visa-free entry to nationals of 40 countries from next month, a move intended to stimulate travel demand to the destination.

Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau chairman Buddika Hewawasam told TTG Asia that parliamentary approval was expected “any moment now” and that the plan would take effect from January onwards.

The lighthouse at Galle Fort, a UNESCO-listed site on Sri Lanka’s southern coast and a longstanding highlight of the country’s cultural tourism offering

The countries included are the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, France, the US, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, New Zealand, Kuwait, Norway, Türkiye and Pakistan.

Nationals from India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia are already eligible for visa-free entry under an existing arrangement.

The free-visa scheme was first announced in July 2025, with cabinet approval granted at the time. It followed an earlier announcement in August 2024 to allow visa-free travel for nationals of 35 countries, which was not implemented.

The industry has welcomed the move, particularly following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah on November 27-28. “This will boost tourism,” a hotel manager in the southern port city of Galle said.

Hewawasam said tourism activity was returning to normal after the cyclone temporarily affected access to hill destinations including Nuwara Eliya and Kandy. “These roads are now open,” he said, adding that other popular resorts were not affected. He said arrivals were expected to pick up after December 16-17, as this is when travellers from the UK, France and other parts of Europe typically take their holidays.

Authorities are targeting between 2.1 and 2.2 million visitor arrivals this year, slightly below the initial target of 2.3 million. The shortfall has been attributed to cancellations and postponed travel plans following flooding and the cyclone.

Asia-Pacific drives tourism growth in Euromonitor’s top 100 cities

By TTG Asia
0

Euromonitor International has released its Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025, produced in partnership with Lighthouse, benchmarking the world’s most competitive urban tourism hubs.

The report highlights Asia-Pacific as the second-largest region for international arrivals, recording the fastest growth globally with inbound trips rising 10% to surpass 350 million. The Middle East and Africa followed with 7%. Bangkok led the ranking with 30.3 million visitors, followed by Hong Kong, London and Macau.

Euromonitor International’s 2025 Index shows Asia-Pacific leading global tourism growth, with Bangkok, Tokyo, Singapore and Seoul, pictured, among the top destinations

Tokyo secured third place while Singapore retained ninth. Seoul entered the top 10 for the first time, climbing two spots from last year, driven by the global popularity of K-culture. Asia also performed strongly in the top 20, with Osaka (11), Taipei (15), Hong Kong (17), Kyoto (19) and Bangkok (20).

Momentum across the region was supported by visa relaxations, infrastructure upgrades and high-profile cultural and sporting events, strengthening connectivity and enhancing visitor experiences. The top five cities remained unchanged, with Paris leading for the fifth year, followed by Madrid, Tokyo, Rome and Milan. Paris received over 18 million international visitors in 2025, supported by tourism infrastructure, culture and sustainability initiatives.

Sustainability continues to shape urban competitiveness, with Spanish cities such as Madrid and Seville leading eco-friendly strategies, alongside Nordic destinations Helsinki and Oslo. AI is reshaping tourism management and visitor experiences, from New York’s smart city platforms to Bangkok’s digital arrival cards. Infrastructure investment also underpins growth, with Rome, Tokyo and Paris advancing hotel developments and airport expansions, while São Paulo stands out for metro and logistics upgrades.

Nadejda Popova, global head of loyalty at Euromonitor International, said: “Even amid economic headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty, global travel proved exceptionally resilient in 2025. International arrivals to the top 100 cities climbed 8% to 702 million, highlighting the ability of cities to adapt, innovate and deliver experiences that travellers continue to find irresistible.

“As cities compete for visitors, the focus is shifting towards sustainability, resilience and delivering meaningful, personalised experiences. The 2025 Index highlights those destinations that are not only thriving today but also setting the standard for the future of urban tourism.”

View the full report here.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | Tokyo unveils new website to promote food tourism
TTG Asia | Four Seasons Maldives highlights family bonding and marine education across two resorts
TTG Asia | Momentus Hotel Alexandra names new commercial director