Outpayce from Amadeus and UnionPay International have entered a partnership that will allow airlines to accept UnionPay cards directly through their payment systems.
The agreement enables airlines using Outpayce’s Xchange Payments Platform to process UnionPay transactions natively across both direct and indirect booking channels. Native acceptance is expected to begin in the first half of 2026, with rollout across markets continuing through the year.
The partnership will allow airlines using Amadeus systems to accept UnionPay cards directly across booking channels
UnionPay cards are issued in 85 countries and regions and can be used in 183 markets. The payment method is widely used by travellers in Asia-Pacific, making it relevant for airlines serving Chinese outbound markets.
According to ResearchAndMarkets, Chinese outbound travel is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13.5 per cent, increasing from US$140 billion to US$386 billion by 2033.
Under the new arrangement, travellers booking through the Amadeus Travel Platform can be redirected to complete payments directly with the airline using UnionPay cards. This allows access to services such as loyalty benefits that may require direct payment with the airline.
For airlines, direct processing of payments is expected to improve cash flow and provide greater control over areas such as fraud management. It also allows airlines to offer consistent payment options across their own websites and third-party distribution channels.
The Amadeus Travel Platform connects travel providers, including airlines, hotels and rail operators, with more than 60,000 travel sellers.
“UnionPay has established a solid presence in the airline payment vertical. By deepening cooperation with Amadeus, UnionPay cards will be fully integrated into the underlying technology of airline distribution,” said Bomme Sheng, global director of UnionPay International.
“We are committed to enabling a smooth payment experience in every channel however the traveller chooses to pay,” added Damian Alonso, head of product and partnerships at Outpayce.
Scenic Group plans to expand its river cruise fleet with three new vessels scheduled to enter service between 2027 and 2028. The additions include one Emerald Cruises ship and two Scenic luxury ships operating in Europe and Asia.
The expansion comes as the company marks its 40th year of operations.
Scenic Group will add three new river cruise ships to its fleet between 2027 and 2028, including vessels operating on the Douro and Mekong rivers; Scenic Spirit and Spirit II, pictured
The new ships are part of a broader fleet expansion programme. Scenic Group has previously confirmed several additional vessels, including Emerald Astra, scheduled to begin service in May 2026 on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers, and Emerald Lumi, which will operate on France’s Seine River from 2027.
The new vessels will operate on the Douro River in Portugal and the Mekong River in South-east Asia.
The first of the ships, Emerald Nova, is scheduled to begin service in June 2027 on the Douro River. The vessel will join Emerald Radiance and operate itineraries exploring northern Portugal and neighbouring regions in Spain.
One of the routes, the 11-day Douro Highlights: Porto, Salamanca & the Wine Valley itinerary, includes visits to cities and wine regions along the river, with activities such as guided hikes and kayaking.
Scenic Aria, another vessel planned for the Douro River, is expected to enter service in September 2027. The ship will join ScenicAzure and operate itineraries including the 11-day Unforgettable Douro and the eight-day Delightful Douro cruises.
The third vessel, Scenic Spirit II, is scheduled to begin service in early 2028 on the Mekong River, which flows through Vietnam and Cambodia. The ship will expand the company’s presence in the region following increased demand for cruises in South-east Asia.
The company is also introducing new yachts under the Emerald Cruises brand, including Emerald Kaia in 2026, Emerald Raiya in 2027 and Emerald Xara in 2028, as well as the Scenic Ikon yacht in 2028.
JW Marriott Singapore South Beach has introduced the Stay & Explore package, designed for travellers seeking a city stay with added convenience and access to local attractions.
Located in the Marina Bay area, the hotel provides access to Singapore’s cultural sites, shopping districts and lifestyle attractions. The package includes a minimum three-night stay and a selection of benefits aimed at helping guests explore the city.
JW Marriott Singapore South Beach introduces the Stay & Explore package, combining accommodation, airport transfers and city sightseeing experiences
Guests receive complimentary two-way airport transfers with at least five days’ advance notice, along with a pair of Discover Tickets for either the Hop-on Hop-off Singapore Big Bus Tour or Singapore DUCKtours. Additional tickets can be purchased for extra guests.
The package places visitors close to Marina Bay, City Hall and the arts and civic district, providing access to museums, parks and other cultural attractions. Guests can explore the city by land or water before returning to the hotel.
Within the property, facilities include the Flow18 Sky Garden overlooking Marina Bay. The hotel also offers several dining venues, including Cantonese restaurant Madame Fan, contemporary restaurant Akira Back Singapore and Beach Road Kitchen, which serves international cuisine. Evening venues include the raw bar Fish Pool and the music lounge Cool Cats.
The Stay & Explore package is available for booking now and valid for stays until August 31, 2026. Rates vary depending on room category, stay dates and availability.
Cvent’s new ebook – Your Top Event Trends for 2026 – breaks down the biggest forces reshaping events today
Events in 2026 will not be defined by flashy formats or the latest buzzwords but by intentionality instead.
Now that AI has become an expectation, audiences are more discerning about how they spend their time.
To help planners, marketers, and hospitality professionals navigate this shift, Cvent has released Your Top Event Trends for 2026, a new ebook that goes beyond surface-level predictions.
Drawing on industry research, planner insights, and real-world examples, the ebook breaks down the biggest forces reshaping events in nine trends and what you can do about them today.
Here are three trends from the ebook and why they matter for your 2026 strategy.
Trend 1: AI goes operational
How you apply AI matters
AI has moved from pilot projects to the core of how modern event teams work. The conversation has shifted from “what’s possible?” to “what’s provable?”
Data from Cvent shows that 66 per cent of event professionals say AI allows them to spend more time on high-value work, underlining its shift from experiment to expectation.
Across the event lifecycle, AI is being used to:
Accelerate sourcing and diagramming, surfacing right-fit venues and layouts faster, with less manual back-and-forth.
Turn survey responses, engagement data, and session behaviour into insights that directly inform future event design, rather than static reports.
Reduce repetitive admin so planners and venues can focus on higher-value work like stakeholder alignment, content strategy, and experience design.
But success is not just about where AI is deployed – it’s about how. Teams are investing in AI literacy, setting clear governance around data usage and tool selection, and tracking impact by looking at: hours saved, faster cycles, better attendee experiences, and stronger outcomes.
Trend 2: Trust becomes a brand differentiator
Events are being shaped by shifting audience expectations
In an AI-saturated, low-trust digital world, credibility is a competitive advantage. People are encountering more algorithmically generated content, more noise, and more ambiguity about what is real – and they are responding by being more selective and more skeptical.
Events stand out precisely because they cut through that fog. They create spaces where:
Conversations are unscripted and human, not canned soundbites.
Products and solutions can be seen, tested, and questioned in real time.
A brand’s values show up in how it treats attendees, not just what it says in a campaign.
Trust is built through hundreds of small signals: accurate floor plans and diagrams, reliable AV and Wi-Fi, clear accessibility information, transparent data practices, and proactive communication when plans change.
For venues and suppliers, this trend raises the bar. Technology needs to operate seamlessly in the background, removing friction so staff can focus on hospitality, not firefighting. Data must be collected with intent, explained clearly, and protected rigorously, because how you handle data is now part of how audiences judge your brand.
The brands that rise to the top in 2026 will be the ones that make trust a design principle, not a tagline.
Trend 3: B2B Still Demands Authentic Emotion
Authenticity with partners translates into long-term relationships and revenue
Even in B2B, buying decisions are emotional before they are rational. In 2026, emotion is what earns attention, mindshare, and action.
The events that stand out will not feel generic or transactional but intentional, human, and story-driven. Strong programs are built around a simple question: “How do we want people to feel when they leave?”
That emotional outcome then shapes everything else – format, content, pacing, space, and sensory cues.
We are seeing this play out in:
Keynotes that borrow techniques from entertainment: using lighting, music, staging, and pacing to create anticipation and focus, not just spectacle.
Space design that supports the desired emotional arc: buzzy, high-energy areas for connection; quiet zones for reflection; intuitive flows that reduce stress and cognitive load.
Local and sustainable touches that give attendees a sense of place and purpose, reinforcing the story the event is trying to tell.
This kind of emotional resonance is a team sport. Event and marketing teams, venues, AV partners, and F&B all contribute to a cohesive narrative. When they are aligned on the feeling that they are trying to create, the experience becomes far more memorable – and far more likely to translate into long-term relationships and revenue.
See all nine event trends shaping 2026
These are just three of the nine trends reshaping how events are designed, sourced, and measured in 2026. If you are planning your next year of programmes, or rethinking how events support your broader go-to-market, you want the full picture: data points, practitioner quotes, and concrete ideas you can put into play now.
Download Your Top Event Trends for 2026 to explore all nine trends, see how leading teams are responding, and get practical guidance to build an event strategy that is more intentional, more human, and more accountable in the year ahead.
Tourplan, a software provider for tour operators and destination management companies, has appointed Eduard Liebenberger as chief technology officer (CTO).
He brings more than 25 years of experience in technology leadership, with roles across New Zealand, Australia, Germany, the UK and Austria. He joins from Streamliners, where he was CTO, and has previously held senior roles at Jade Software and William Hill, leading digital transformation and product engineering teams.
The escalating conflict in Iran is already affecting the travel and tourism sector across the Middle East, with international visitor spending estimated to be falling by at least US$600 million per day, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).
The organisation said disruptions to air travel, traveller confidence and regional connectivity are affecting tourism demand across the region.
Major aviation hubs in the Middle East have faced disruptions as the conflict in Iran affects regional travel demand; Dubai International Airport, pictured
The Middle East accounts for about five per cent of global international arrivals and 14 per cent of global transit traffic. Disruptions in the region therefore affect a wide range of sectors including airlines, airports, hotels, car rental companies and cruise operators.
Major aviation hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Bahrain, which normally handle about 526,000 passengers per day, have experienced closures and operational disruptions as the conflict escalates. These interruptions have affected both regional and global travel connectivity.
WTTC said its estimate is based on its 2026 pre-conflict forecast, which projected US$207 billion in international visitor spending across the Middle East this year.
Despite the disruption, the organisation said the travel and tourism sector has historically shown strong recovery following security-related crises.
Previous WTTC research indicates that tourism demand can recover within about two months when governments and industry take steps to restore traveller confidence.
“Travel and tourism is the most resilient of sectors. Our analysis of previous crises demonstrates that security-related incidents often see the fastest tourism recovery times, in some cases as quickly as two months, when governments and industry work together to restore traveller confidence,” said Gloria Guevara, president and chief executive officer of WTTC.
“Clear communication, strong coordination between the public and private sectors, and measures that reinforce safety and stability are critical to rebuilding trust with travellers and supporting the sector’s recovery.”
WTTC said it will continue monitoring developments and remains in contact with governments and industry leaders regarding traveller safety and sector recovery.
Marriott International has signed an agreement with KS Hotels to debut The Luxury Collection to Cambodia and Laos through the conversion of two boutique properties: La Résidence Angkor in Siem Reap and La Résidence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang.
The move will mark Marriott’s first hotel in Laos and the debut of The Luxury Collection brand in both countries.
Two historic boutique hotels in Luang Prabang and Siem Reap will join Marriott’s Luxury Collection following planned upgrades
Both hotels are expected to undergo upgrades to meet the brand’s global standards while preserving their architectural character and local design influences.
La Résidence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang is expected to join The Luxury Collection in October 2026. Located on a hill overlooking the UNESCO-listed old town, the property sits within tropical gardens with views of temples and the Mekong River.
Following its transition, the hotel is expected to offer 41 rooms and suites designed with Lao craftsmanship and traditional materials. Planned facilities include a restaurant combining French and Lao cuisine, an outdoor pool, fitness centre, yoga deck and spa. Meeting rooms and a retail boutique are also planned.
Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its preserved architecture, temples and religious traditions. The property is located about 4.9 km from Luang Prabang International Airport.
La Résidence Angkor in Siem Reap is scheduled to join The Luxury Collection in October 2027. The property is located along the Siem Reap River near Angkor Archaeological Park.
The hotel is expected to feature 59 guestrooms, including 14 suites, designed with Cambodian architectural elements. Plans also include three private residences with outdoor pools.
Dining facilities are expected to include several venues ranging from a brasserie to a street-facing restaurant serving Mekong regional cuisine. Other planned facilities include a spa with six treatment rooms, an outdoor pool, fitness centre and event space.
“This signing marks a defining milestone for Marriott International, as it represents the company’s debut hotel in Laos and the entry of The Luxury Collection in two inspiring, culturally rich destinations,” said Rajeev Menon, president, Asia-Pacific excluding China, Marriott International.
Hoiana Resort & Golf has introduced a new indoor Entertainment Hub as part of its expanding leisure and lifestyle facilities.
The latest addition forms part of Hoiana Resort & Golf’s broader effort to expand its leisure offerings and provide more indoor entertainment options for guests visiting the integrated resort.
Hoiana Resort & Golf’s new Entertainment Hub features bowling lanes, arcade games and social entertainment spaces
The all-weather venue brings together gaming, social entertainment and leisure activities within a single indoor space. It adds to the resort’s existing attractions, which include a golf course, accommodation, entertainment venues and more than 25 dining outlets across the beachfront development.
The Entertainment Hub includes several zones designed for different activities. A central sports bar acts as a gathering space where visitors can watch international sporting events on large screens. The area also features games such as pool, foosball and darts.
The venue also includes four boutique bowling lanes designed for small-group play. Next to the bowling area is a virtual sports zone where visitors can take part in sports simulations, including golf swing practice and other interactive challenges.
For younger visitors and families, the hub includes a neon-lit arcade area with arcade machines, prize games and other interactive attractions. A nine-hole indoor mini golf course is also part of the space, featuring themed obstacles and interactive elements.
Additional facilities are planned for a later phase of the project. These include five themed karaoke suites equipped with audio-visual systems. The private rooms will feature designs inspired by themes such as science fiction and underwater settings and are intended for small group gatherings and celebrations.
Banyan Tree is expanding its global spa and well-being offerings with a new phase of its Banyan Tree Connections programme, introducing small-group retreats and expanding private wellness experiences across more destinations.
The programme, first introduced in 2025, focuses on well-being activities designed to encourage reflection, mindfulness and shared experiences. The latest phase introduces Connections Retreats, multi-day programmes for small groups that combine guided wellness practices with local cultural elements.
Each Banyan Tree Connections retreat session is designed to combine mindfulness, movement and local wellness practices
Each retreat is designed around the natural setting and traditions of the destination, with activities such as meditation, movement sessions and local rituals.
Planned retreats in 2026 include a five-day programme in May at Mamula Island by Banyan Tree in Montenegro led by Manduka ambassador Nicole Marty. The retreat will include yoga, mindful movement and guided reflection sessions overlooking Boka Bay.
Another retreat is scheduled for October at Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape in Bali, led by sustainability advocate Nadya Hutagalung. The programme will incorporate meditation, sound healing and wellness activities inspired by the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana.
The expansion also includes the wider rollout of Banyan Tree Connections, a private well-being programme for two guests. Originally introduced at four resorts in 2025, the programme will expand to eight more Banyan Tree properties from May 2026.
New destinations include Banyan Tree AlUla in Saudi Arabia, Banyan Tree Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Banyan Tree Lang Co in Vietnam, Banyan Tree Nanjing Garden Expo in China, Banyan Tree Samui in Thailand, Banyan Tree Bintan in Indonesia and Buahan, A Banyan Tree Escape in Bali. The programme will also be introduced at Banyan Tree Guangzhou Jiulong Lake in China when the resort opens later this year.
Banyan Tree is also expanding its visiting practitioner programme, which brings international wellness specialists to selected resorts for workshops, consultations and short retreats.
When Preethi Sanjeevi realised there was a gap in the market for travel services catering to those aged 50 to 70, she decided to create a platform dedicated to them.
Approaching this age group herself, she observed that most travel products and services are designed for the under-40 market.
Greytt curates travel plans, accommodation and activities tailored to travellers aged 50 and above; photo by Kampus Production
With that, she gathered her co-founders and friends – Ramakrishnan CN and Rajeev Lochan – to launch Greytt, a Singapore-based travel innovation company.
“We’re creating a company where purpose is at the centre of it,” she said. “Greytt is reshaping 50+ travel by shifting the conversation from senior tourism to purposeful longevity living. Many people over 50 still want to explore the world, but uncertainty around convenience, safety and comfort often holds them back. Greytt exists to restore that confidence.”
Greytt Journeys is the company’s proprietary platform that provides customisable travel plans for FIT travellers aged 50 and above. Users can key in their destination and activities of interest to receive a suggested travel plan with relevant hotels, activities and logistics providers tailored to their preferences. Subscribers can continue refining their itinerary until they are satisfied.
The company launched in early 2025 and almost a year later, Greytt has more than 270,000 active users and 13 destinations listed on its platform, including Bali, Tokyo, Seoul, Sydney and Bangkok across Asia-Pacific. The team aims to expand this to 25 destinations by the third quarter of this year.
From left: Ramakrishnan CN, Preethi Sanjeevi and Rajeev Lochan
The relatively limited number of cities reflects the company’s emphasis on ensuring its recommendations are suitable for its target age group.
It does so through Greytt Score, its proprietary Fit-for-50+ rating system that evaluates how suitable a hotel, activity or service is for travellers aged 50 and above.
The score assesses factors such as accessibility, comfort and safety, and ranks accommodation based on how age-appropriate it is, helping travellers make more informed choices when booking their holidays.
It is the details that make the difference.
Users can select detailed preferences when booking accommodation, such as standing showers rather than climbing in and out of bathtubs, quiet environments, the availability of staff for on-site assistance, and access to nearby services such as pharmacies and ATMs.
The long-term vision is for Greytt Score to become for travel what the Michelin rating is for food.
Sanjeevi shared: “In a world where people are living longer, travel becomes a powerful way to stay curious, connected and purposeful. Greytt helps travellers move through the world not cautiously, but confidently and fully.”
He brings more than 25 years of experience in technology leadership, with roles across New Zealand, Australia, Germany, the UK and Austria. He joins from Streamliners, where he was CTO, and has previously held senior roles at Jade Software and William Hill, leading digital transformation and product engineering teams.
