Taoyuan City has strengthened its tourism ties with Japan’s Kansai region through a promotional mission to Kobe and Osaka on September 11-12, 2025.
Led by director Chen Ching-Fang of the Taoyuan Department of Tourism, the delegation included local tourism businesses engaging with the Kobe Tourism Bureau, JATA Hyogo Branch, Arima Hot Spring Association and regional partners, shifting from government-level dialogue to business-to-business connections.
The promotional mission to Kobe and Osaka highlighted Taoyuan’s attractions, cultural tours and culinary offerings, aiming to strengthen travel demand from Japan
The department hosted a promotional event in Osaka, inviting Japanese travel companies including JTB, Nippon Travel Agency and Kinki Nippon Tourist to support Taoyuan’s overseas tourism development.
In Kobe, the delegation visited local schools with the city’s Education Bureau to explore student travel and SDG initiatives. Chen noted that the partnership with Kobe, established in 2022, has already yielded results in school trips and now offers broader industry engagement opportunities.
On September 12, Taoyuan held its first tourism seminar in Osaka, introducing Taoyuan: The Starting Point of Your Journey. Japan is Taoyuan’s largest overseas market, with over 1.32 million Japanese visitors to Taiwan in 2024, including 140,000 overnight stays in Taoyuan. The city promoted travel from Taoyuan International Airport, highlighting cultural tours at the Pearl Coast, historical walks in Daxi Old Street, tea experiences in Longtan and eco-tourism at Lalashan and Xiao Wulai.
Taoyuan showcased its three tourism brands – Pearl Coast, Great Dragon Gate and Northern Cross-Island Exploration – and its culinary offerings, from goose dishes to indigenous cuisine. A promotional video featuring Japanese celebrity Angela Sato at Taoyuan’s night market attracted attention in Taiwan and Japan, supported by ads in Osaka’s Umeda Station.
The mission concluded with a visit to JATA Kansai, where both sides agreed to deepen collaboration and expand mutual promotion, boosting Taoyuan’s presence in Japan’s tourism market.
Onyx Hospitality Group is reinforcing its commitment to Japan as a key strategic market through a development initiative. As part of its growth plan in North-east Asia, Onyx will conduct a Japan Sales Mission from September 29 to October 3, 2025, to strengthen trade partnerships and lay the groundwork for future expansion.
The initiative focuses on one-on-one meetings with key partners, reflecting Onyx’s consultative approach and its dedication to cultivating long-term relationships within the Japanese travel trade.
The mission trip will showcase Amari Pattaya, pictured, and other Thailand properties, reinforcing the group’s commitment to the Japanese market
The sales mission will highlight Onyx’s key properties in Thailand, a popular destination for Japanese tourists in medical and wellness tourism, golf travel, and long-stay or retirement segments. Bangkok and Phuket are among the preferred destinations, creating opportunities for flagship properties under the Amari, Ozo and Shama brands, including Amari Bangkok, Amari Phuket, Amari Pattaya, Ozo North Pattaya, and Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok.
There is growing interest in emerging destinations such as Chonburi Province, home to Bangsaen and Pattaya, where properties include Amari Pattaya, Ozo North Pattaya and the newly opened Amari Bangsaen. Khao Lak in Phang Nga Province represents a market for Amari Vogue Krabi.
Robust air connectivity between Thailand and Japan, including direct flights from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka, supports frequent visits by leisure, business and long-stay travellers.
The mission will also feature properties under the newly established Onyx Hospitality Real Estate Investment Trust, including Amari Bangkok, Amari Pattaya, Ozo Pattaya and Ozo Phuket, all with average occupancy above 80 per cent. This highlights the group’s integrated approach to combining operational management with asset optimisation.
The sales mission reinforces Onyx’s commitment to the Japanese market by strengthening relationships with wholesalers, OTAs and retail agencies, aligning offerings with traveller preferences, and gathering market insights to inform future product and marketing development.
“Japan is a market that rewards consistency, depth, and cultural alignment,” said Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO of Onyx Hospitality Group. “Success here relies on strong, ongoing partnerships with travel agents and tour operators, and we are fully committed to nurturing these relationships. This sales mission is a key part of our long-term strategy to tailor our offerings to the evolving needs of Japanese travellers and steadily grow our presence through thoughtful, partner-led development.”
Plaza Premium Group (PPG) has opened a new regional headquarters in Riyadh, its second base in the EMEA region, marking a milestone in the company’s Middle East and Africa expansion and 10 years of operations in Saudi Arabia.
The opening ceremony on September 14, 2025, was attended by representatives from government entities, airport authorities, airlines and industry partners. The event included Song Hoi See, founder and CEO, Ali Bora İşbulan, deputy CEO, and Okan Küfeci, senior vice president EMEA, who outlined the group’s plans for growth and its role in airport hospitality in the region.
The new office will serve as a hub for the company’s operations across the Middle East and Africa, supporting airport lounges, hotels, meet-and-greet, fast track and concierge services
The Riyadh office will coordinate PPG’s operations across the Middle East and Africa, supporting airport lounges, hotels, meet-and-greet, fast track and concierge services. The new base reflects the company’s focus on innovation and providing consistent airport hospitality services.
The group operates in Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah and Red Sea International Airport, with over 350 staff in Saudi Arabia and around 100,000 guests served each month. Saudization currently stands at 60 per cent, with a target of 80 per cent, supported by a graduate training programme for future aviation and hospitality leaders. The expansion demonstrates the company’s commitment to local expertise and economic growth.
“The opening of our Riyadh regional office is a proud milestone as we advance our presence in Saudi Arabia and broaden our impact across the region. Our local partnerships and talented workforce continue to set new standards in airport hospitality, supporting the Kingdom’s Vision 2030,” said Song.
İşbulan added: “Saudi Arabia is a cornerstone of our global strategy, and Riyadh is the ideal base for our regional headquarters. This office not only strengthens our operational presence but also serves as a hub for innovation, partnerships, and delivering world-class passenger services that align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.”
Star Voyager will return to South-east Asia for the winter season, offering three- and four-night cruises to Penang, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur and Pulau Bintan.
Singapore departures from November 20 to December 14, 2025, include three-night weekend cruises to Penang, departing Thursdays, and four-night sailings to Phuket and Penang, departing Sundays.
The ship will offer sailings from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur to Penang, Phuket, Pulau Bintan and Kuala Lumpur, concluding the season in Hong Kong on February 13, 2026
From December 18, 2025, to February 5, 2026, itineraries will include four-night cruises to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) and Phuket, departing Sundays, and three-night weekend cruises to Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang) and Pulau Bintan, departing Thursdays.
Kuala Lumpur (via Port Klang) departures from December 19, 2025, to February 2, 2026, will include three-night cruises to Pulau Bintan and Singapore, departing Fridays, and four-night cruises to Phuket and Singapore, departing Mondays.
Guests can embark at the Singapore Cruise Centre or from Kuala Lumpur via the Port Klang Cruise Terminal.
The itineraries feature South-east Asia destinations including Singapore, Penang, Phuket, Pulau Bintan and Kuala Lumpur, with opportunities for cultural exploration, beaches, eco-tours, golf and water sports.
In addition, Star Voyager offers additional departures to meet demand during the holiday season.
Special one-way repositioning cruises will be offered at the start and end of the season. A four-night Hong Kong-Nha Trang-Singapore cruise will depart Hong Kong on November 16, 2025, calling at Nha Trang, Vietnam, before arriving in Singapore on November 20, 2025. A five-night Singapore-Ho Chi Minh City-Nha Trang-Hong Kong cruise will depart Singapore on February 8, 2026, calling at Ho Chi Minh City and Nha Trang, returning to Hong Kong on February 13, 2026, in time for Lunar New Year.
In 2025, hotels are no longer just places for weary travellers to rest and refuel; in the hands of visionary designers, they have become vessels for time travel – liminal spaces where past legacies, present-day narratives, and future ambitions converge.
Lobbies double as living rooms for locals and guests alike. Landscapes are conceived as wellness infrastructure. Architecture blurs the lines between nature and the built world, all while keeping one eye firmly on the decades ahead.
In the Aman Nai Lert lobby, a 12-metre-tall tree sculpture inspired by the park’s century-old Chamchuri tree rises through a triple atrium to the ninth floor, adorned with 6,000 gold leaves fading from gold to black, symbolising the hotel’s connection to nature and its heritage
Past: Cultural revival as a portal to history
At Dusit Central Park, Bangkok, Thailand, a flagship restoration in collaboration with Thailand’s Silpakorn University – renowned for its arts heritage – sets a benchmark for living history.
Led by Dragon Company with interiors by André Fu Studio, the rebuild of the group’s 1970 property, described by Dusit Thani’s group CEO Suphajee Suthumpan as “deeply personal”, preserves original elements, from the iconic spire to cultural motif pillars, while upgrading comfort and sustainability.
Balconies have been replaced with bay windows so guests can enjoy panoramic views of Lumpini Park shielded from city pollution, while the mixed-use complex also houses a new retail centre and the largest urban rooftop park in the city centre.
Aman Nai Lert Bangkok in Thailand – opened in April 2025 – also takes history as a key reference. It integrates the historic Nai Lert Park Heritage Home – built by Phraya Bhakdinorasreth “Nai Lert”, a visionary entrepreneur who helped shape modern Bangkok – into a serene ultra-luxury sanctuary anchored by a century-old Chamchuri tree at its centre.
“Nai Lert’s rich heritage provided an incredible foundation for this project. Our goal was to honour this legacy and Thai culture in a modern, timeless way alongside Aman’s renowned design DNA, developed over three decades,” shared Jean-Michel Gathy, principal and founder of Denniston.
Heritage revival is not limited to bricks and mortar. At InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, the Bill Bensley Digital Design Tour, launched in January 2025, adds an immersive high-tech twist, guiding in-house guests via smart devices through the designer’s inspirations from Vietnamese culture, nature, and heritage across four themed levels – as if Bensley himself were guiding them through.
Present: Nature-positive, community connected design
In the present, hotels ground guests in place through nature-positive and community-connected design.
“Guests seek more than accommodation; they desire immersive narratives that connect them to the local culture,” said Stéphane Lasserre, HKS studio practice leader for hospitality, who champions biophilic and place-based design.
“Hotel design has shifted from stylised representations of place to deeply authentic, destination-rooted experiences,” he added.
Today’s hotel designers simultaneously hold the past, present and future in mind, encapsulating them all in one stay
HKS, which has worked on mega-projects, such as Resorts World Sentosa Island Master Plan (2019) and Shanghai West Bund Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Convention Center (2028), today applies circular systems, AI modelling, and community collaboration to ensure spaces give more than they take – socially, ecologically, and economically.
Patrick Keane, founder of Enter Projects Asia, identified three trends driving hotel design today: New locations, including new markets and new destinations; going local – engaging community & community arts and crafts; and barefoot luxury, or sustainable eco-luxury.
He noted that post-lockdown, nature-driven concepts have moved from niche to mainstream, and that even “the most conservative design briefs” now include references to nature’s materials.
“Before the pandemic, the ideas of wellness and plant-based sustainability and community engagement and going local were all niche concepts. But now, they’ve become mainstream concepts that everybody has to somehow engage in to have that relevance or risk looking completely out of date,” he noted.
“All our ceilings for the lobby and conference facilities at the new South Palms Resort and Spa Panglao – MGallery Collection in Bohol (the Philippines) are cloud-like patterns made from one-kilometre of rattan – saving over one-kilometre of plastic and toxic materials by a simple move of switching to an abundant, tactile natural material,” Keane said.
He defined three “flavours” of genuine sustainability impact: performance (energy efficiency, passive cooling), arts and crafts (low-impact, local materials), and biophilic design (organic forms and plant integration), noting that certifications have now modernised this concept.
Keane cautioned against tokenism – such as eliminating plastic straws, but placing plastic furniture around the pool – and championed early design decisions that truly reduce impact.
For Siriporn Sririam, a biologist and nature conservationist serving as senior project officer, Thailand & regional at Agence Française de Développement (AFD), nature-positive tourism means rethinking hotel design to actively protect biodiversity – from property design that reduces impact to coastal areas, to beachfront hotels that actively reduce light pollution to support turtle nesting.
Thoughtful menu design plays a part too, such as a 2024 project at Jaras Restaurant, InterContinental Phuket Resort, where a partnership with WWF Thailand brought invasive species like blackchin tilapia into a zero-waste fine-dining menu to drive ecological balance.
Future: Wellness as a bridge to longevity
Today’s hotel narrative also extends into the future, where technology-integrated wellness and sustainability become dual bridges to future-proofing both people and the planet.
“Wellness has transcended the traditional spa to become an intrinsic element woven throughout the entire hotel experience,” explained Lasserre, adding that HKS, with assistance from its research team, incorporates scientifically backed principles of brain wellness and emotional design, curating rooms to evoke specific emotions through thoughtful selections of furniture, fittings, and natural materials.
Robert Day, HKS studio leader for master planning and landscapes, pointed to the emergence of integrative wellness.
“Luxury properties are increasingly offering an expanded suite of wellness facilities – including world-class healthcare capabilities – while retaining the comfort, aesthetics, and service standards of a luxury resort,” he said.
He anticipates more high-end retreats that seamlessly integrate advanced treatment facilities into their environments, creating transformative sanctuaries where guests can invest in preventative health, longevity, and lifestyle renewal within an elevated travel experience.
Wanviput Sanphasitvong, a physician at VitaLife Scientific Wellness Center and Bumrungrad International Hospital, echoed these observations, noting that wellness travellers are increasingly seeking proven results and “want to get younger by staying in these (wellness) hotels”.
The Siro brand, billed as the world’s first fitness and recovery-themed hotel, designed by LW Design Group in Dubai’s One Za’abeel, exemplifies this shift.
“Our vision was to design not just a hotel, but a comprehensive wellness ecosystem where every element enhances the guest’s journey toward optimal health,” said Pooja Shah-Mulani, LW’s creative managing partner.
Keane foresees a “plant-based revolution” in building materials that mirror sustainability trends across industries. This will result in tactile spaces that feel alive.
“We see ourselves as part of this shift. The Industrial Revolution, more than 200 years ago, transformed construction with steel. Now, I believe we’re moving toward plant-based solutions: bamboo, rattan, recycled wood products, and cross-laminated timber. That’s the direction I see the industry taking,” he stated.
Lasserre noted “future-proofing” as a key trend, where hotel spaces are designed to remain relevant for decades, while Day said the rise of ‘bleisure’ would result in ever more liminal spaces that could transition seamlessly between work and play.
Angsana Zhoushan, China Angsana Zhoushan is located at the foothills of Wujian Mountain in Putuo District, next to Wuling Wetland Park and overlooking the Thousand Island Coast east of Shanghai. It is about 15 minutes from the ferry terminals, with direct boat links to Putuo Mountain and Dongji Island.
The hotel has 222 guestrooms and villas, some with private onsen pools or courtyards. Facilities include the Angsana Spa, an onsen with 16 outdoor pools and a children’s pool, a gym, an indoor heated pool, as well as yoga and meditation areas.
Dining includes Cantonese dishes at Chun Feng, international and local food at Market Place, light meals at Lingbo, and afternoon tea in the lobby lounge, while the Angsana 101 programme offers workshops in local crafts and the Terra Kids Club provides indoor and outdoor spaces for children aged three to six.
Shilla Monogram Gangneung
Shilla Monogram Gangneung, South Korea Shilla Monogram Gangneung has opened on Songjeong Beach in Gangneung, about two hours from Seoul by train.
It has 917 rooms, including 315 rooms and 602 residence units, with most offering ocean views. The fifth floor is designed for families, with children’s rooms fitted with bunk and family beds. Signature Suites feature Jacuzzis with sea views, and Terrace Suites include private terraces and pools.
Facilities include a children’s play area, party and media rooms, a screen golf facility, a library and business corner, a wine shop, convenience store, and laundry.
The hotel’s location gives access to Anmok Coffee Street, Gyeongpodae Pavilion, Jungang Market, and Arte Museum Gangneung within a 10-minute drive.
Hannah St Hotel
Hannah St Hotel, Australia Hannah St Hotel has opened as part of the Queensbridge precinct in Southbank, Melbourne.
The hotel has 188 rooms featuring custom furniture, collectable art, and bold finishes, reflecting the studio’s residential design background applied to a commercial setting.
Facilities include The Clubhouse, which spans several floors and houses a 25-metre lap pool, steam room, sauna, and gym. There are co-working studios, meeting rooms, and lounges, as well as spaces for private dining and rooftop gatherings. A podcast recording studio is available on request.
The property sits within the podium of the 65-storey Queensbridge Building, near Melbourne’s arts and cultural district. The location places guests within easy reach of Southbank attractions, including the Melbourne Arts Precinct.
Aerotel Shanghai
Aerotel Shanghai, China Aerotel Shanghai is located on the sixth and seventh floors of Terminal 2 at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, a three-minute walk from domestic and international security checkpoints.
The hotel has 82 rooms with flexible hourly booking options for transit, arrival, and departure passengers. Rooms accommodate solo travellers, couples, and families, with some offering runway views. Each room has Wi-Fi, mattresses and pillows, hot showers, and complimentary amenities.
Facilities include a rooftop garden lounge, dining options with buffet and à la carte meals, a Grab and Go area with 24-hour snacks, a co-working space, resting room, and luggage storage. The hotel also provides direct access to the terminal.
The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) and Agoda have partnered to strengthen the digital capabilities of micro, small and medium-scale accommodation providers across the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).
The initiative is expected to strengthen digitally enabled tourism businesses, supporting sustainable growth and regional competitiveness.
Rural and small-scale accommodation across the Mekong region are set to benefit from enhanced digital training and support for local tourism; Kampong Pluk Floating Village Houses, pictured
The regional E-commerce Training for MSME Accommodation Providers in the Greater Mekong Subregion will begin on September 18, 2025, with the Thailand session, and run through November, expanding to Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and China (Yunnan and Guangxi). The programme targets home stays, ecolodges and guesthouses in rural and secondary destinations, enterprises that are vital to inclusive and community-based tourism in the GMS. By enhancing digital engagement, the training aims to help accommodation providers improve online presence, competitiveness and business sustainability in preparation for rising visitor numbers.
This marks the first collaboration between MTCO, Agoda and the GMS National Tourism Organisations of Cambodia, China (Yunnan and Guangxi), Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
Delivered online in local languages and tailored to each location, the workshops provide practical skills for managing listings on platforms such as Agoda. Training includes uploading room inventory and images, managing availability and pricing, implementing promotions, and engaging effectively with customer reviews.
MTCO executive director Suvimol Thanasarakij said: “By working together across borders, we can ensure that small operators in our region are equipped with the digital tools they need to connect with global travelers and share the unique experiences of the Mekong.” Damien Pfirsch, chief commercial officer at Agoda, added: “We expect this initiative to help bring global visibility to these accommodation and help distribute economic benefits across the GMS.”
High-end Singaporean travellers are finding inspiration at the NATAS Travel Fair by visiting the “separate counters” run by major outbound agents to plan customised programmes.
According to NATAS (National Association of Travel Agents Singapore) president Steven Ler, these travellers are clear about their expectations and are drawn to the fair by the large number of tourist boards represented. Papua New Guinea was the destination partner for the end-February/early-March fair this year, he added, with other tourism boards participating to provide fresh insights.
Ler observed that high-end Singaporean travellers are seeking new ideas and engaging with tourism boards from destinations such as Taiwan and South Korea
“Papua New Guinea, for example, offers new options for travellers looking for adventure and the culture is very different,” Ler said.
He observed that high-end Singaporean travellers are also seeking new ideas and are highly engaged with tourism boards from popular destinations such as Taiwan and South Korea, which come with new content, partners and products.
While the fair does not have a dedicated luxury segment, Ler said well-known brands such as Chan Brothers Travel, CTC Travel and EU Holidays “have a presence” and operate “separate counters” onsite to engage customers who do not find group series programmes suitable.
Despite the softer economy, Singaporeans are not resisting overall cost increases of between 20 and 30 per cent, he noted. To mitigate higher costs, some travellers are shortening trip durations while others are planning longer, back-to-back holidays.
“Some retirees are combining two holidays into one to save on longhaul air fares and this is trending for some programmes to Latin America, Europe and cruises,” he added.
Dusit Thani College, Thailand’s institute for hospitality education under Dusit International, has been certified to administer Japan’s Accommodation Industry Proficiency Test in Thailand, providing direct pathways for Thai talent as well as those from ASEAN member states to secure positions in Japan’s hospitality sector.
The certification follows the signing of an agreement on September 2, 2025, between Dusit Thani College, the General Incorporated Association Center for Accommodation Industry Proficiency Test, and the All Japan Ryokan Hotel Association, with support from the Kyoto Convention & Visitors Bureau and Jeducation language school in Bangkok.
Dusit Thani College will become Thailand’s first certified testing centre for Japanese hospitality skills, paving the way for graduates to pursue careers in Japan’s hospitality sector
As Thailand’s first certified testing centre, Dusit Thani College can now recruit and train Thai and candidates from ASEAN member countries through its hospitality and culinary arts programmes and facilitate their official skills certification locally.
Successful graduates will qualify for employment in Japan via the government’s Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) visa, introduced in 2019 to address labour shortages in sectors including F&B and hospitality.
Aligned with Dusit Thani College’s Talent Opportunity Programme (TOP), which prepares participants for entry-level roles in six months, the new pathway allows aspiring professionals to train, gain certification, and access employment in Japan.
The All Japan Ryokan Hotel Association, representing more than 15,000 traditional inns and hotels across Japan, will promote certified candidates to member employers through job fairs in Bangkok. Dusit Hotels and Resorts will also welcome graduates to its properties in Japan, including Dusit Thani Kyoto and Asai Kyoto Shijo, providing further opportunities for international placement.
Jeducation, a Japanese language school in Bangkok, will provide essential language training to ensure participants meet SSW visa requirements and are equipped for life and work in Japan.
John Lohr, executive director of external affairs at Dusit Thani College, said: “This collaboration directly addresses the hospitality skills shortage in Japan while creating exciting career opportunities for our students. By combining world-class training at Dusit Thani College with official certification and a clear pathway to employment, we are building a strong pipeline of talent that benefits both Thailand and Japan.”
Makoto Yamashita, area general manager – Kyoto, Dusit Hotels and Resorts, added: “This partnership underscores our commitment to developing future leaders in hospitality and giving them access to life-changing opportunities abroad. It is a win-win for our students, our partners, and the wider industry.”
Dusit Thani College will begin recruiting candidates for its TOP Japan Pathway programme in October 2025. The first examinations and employer recruitment fairs are scheduled for February 2026.
Vietjet has welcomed an Airbus A330 widebody, registered VN-A820, bringing its total fleet to 121 aircraft, including those operated by Vietjet Thailand and Vietjet Kazakhstan.
The addition reflects the airline’s ongoing growth strategy and readiness to meet rising travel and trade demand during the year-end peak season.
Vietjet introduces an Airbus A330, expanding its fleet and international services to Australia, India, Japan and Kazakhstan
The A330, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, delivers improved fuel efficiency and performance. Vietjet plans to deploy the aircraft on services to Australia, India, Japan and Kazakhstan, offering passengers enhanced comfort and a modern inflight experience.
The aircraft features Vietjet’s signature red and yellow livery, with a flowing golden silk ribbon symbolising connectivity, cultural exchange and global integration.
With a modern fleet and more than 400 new aircraft on order from Airbus and Boeing through 2030, Vietjet continues to expand its international network, adopt advanced technologies, improve operational efficiency and provide safe, reliable travel while supporting long-term sustainable value.
