Intrepid Travel has named Ravindra Singh Shekhawat as country general manager, India.
With nearly 18 years’ experience in travel and hospitality, Shekhawat has been with Intrepid since 2008. He began as a tour leader in India and later held senior operational roles, including general manager in Nepal and most recently general manager at Intrepid DMC Indonesia.
In his new role, he is responsible for strategy, operations and performance in India, with a focus on sustainable growth, operational delivery and team leadership.
The Philippine Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) is increasing its marketing spend not just on its top source markets, but also on reinvigorating potentially big markets in Asia, including India and China.
“Apart from implementing more joint promotional initiatives for South Korea, the US, and Japan as our top three source markets, the TPB is focusing on India, whose nationals can enter the Philippines visa-free for a period of 14 days for tourism purposes,” said TPB chief operating officer Maria Margarita Nograles.
Philippines is placing greater emphasis on gastronomy in its tourism marketing, alongside expanded promotion in Asian growth markets
Inbound from India – breaching the 60,000 pax for the period January to September 2025 – is expected to grow exponentially since the introduction of the visa-free policy in June 2025 as well as commencement of Air India’s nonstop flights from Delhi to Manila five times a week in October.
The stronger marketing commitment comes as the Department of Tourism (DoT) numbers show that the destination has again missed its foreign arrivals targets, ending 2025 with 5.6 million foreign tourists versus the 8.4 million target and, in 2024, 5.9 million foreign tourists versus the 7.7 million target. These figures are also way below the 8.2 million arrivals posted in 2019.
Norgrales added that TPB, the marketing arm of DoT, is also “strengthening its efforts in China, as the country’s eVisa service for its nationals travelling to the Philippines for business or tourism purposes was recently resumed”.
It is understood that the slowdown in Philippine inbound the past several years is due to the drastic drop in tourist arrivals from China – once the destination’s primary source of inbound. The Philippines received an estimated 265,000 Chinese visitors last year, down from 312,000 in 2024 and nearly two million in 2019.
Gastronomy will form a bigger part of the global promotional initiatives as the Philippines is now officially on the Michelin-Guide’s Most Exciting Food Destination for 2026.
Nograles said Iloilo, with its UNESCO recognition as Creative City of Gastronomy and World Heritage Site, “is gaining traction in the US market”.
TPB will also continue joint promotions with foreign tour operators, consolidators, online travel agencies, and airlines, apart from fam trips that take media and travel trade participants “to known destinations in the Philippines”.
Improvements will also be made to institutional B2B events involving foreign participation mounted by TPB, such as the Philippine Travel Exchange and MICECONnect.
In addition, TPB is refining the perks for its Membership Programme to facilitate linkages among its members, communities, international travel agents, tour operators, local government units, and DMCs for possible collaboration on promoting destination Philippines.
Thailand’s hotel sector is entering a phase of operational maturity, with the focus shifting from aggressive inventory expansion to more sophisticated cost management and asset flexibility.
While the national room pipeline has grown over the past 18 months, the projected average supply addition of three per cent is notably lower than growth levels seen over the previous decade.
Palmqvist: the goal is not lower costs; it’s flexible costs; photo by Anne Somanas
According to data presented by Jesper Palmqvist, area director, Asia Pacific at STR, a division of CoStar Group, the industry is recalibrating for a more volatile demand environment. Owners are moving away from traditional blanket cost-cutting measures in favour of higher-yield strategies.
This is particularly evident in the luxury segment, which recorded a 3.4 per cent increase in average daily rate (ADR) despite a 7.3 per cent decline in occupancy during the first 11 months of 2025.
Palmqvist noted that the industry is “shifting to variable staffing by demand clusters”, with greater focus on guest mix and the use of energy efficiency as an asset lever to lift gross operating profit (GOP).
“The goal is not lower costs; it’s flexible costs,” Palmqvist emphasised in his analysis of current owner trends.
This flexibility is extending to F&B operations, where owners are increasingly outsourcing to strong local partners or replacing a single signature venue with “three average outlets”. Other approaches include pop-up and rotating chefs in place of permanent concepts, and hotel kitchens doubling as content engines for events, social media and PR.
Development strategies are also being viewed more pragmatically, with a growing preference for acquisitions over greenfield projects.
The near-term outlook for the capital remains conservative. Bangkok is forecast to record modest growth of one per cent in both occupancy and ADR throughout 2026, with performance expected to improve over the course of the year and more meaningful recovery anticipated by 2027.
On the future of hotel design and functionality, Palmqvist highlighted a clear shift in development priorities.
“Hotels are now designing for operations first, aesthetics second, with fewer keys and higher ADR in mind,” he stated.
Onyx Hospitality Group has signed a management agreement for Shama Hub Ladprao at a ceremony held at Amari Bangkok on January 22, 2026. The agreement was signed by Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO of Onyx Hospitality Group, and Somchai Ngamdamrongkiat, owner of Shama Yen Akat and Shama Hub Ladprao, in the presence of executives and staff from both organisations.
Shama Hub Ladprao is the second serviced apartment project awarded to Onyx Hospitality Group by Somchai Ngamdamrongkiat, following Shama Yen Akat, which has been in operation for five years. The new project reflects the continuation of the partnership between the owner and the operator.
Onyx Hospitality Group expands its serviced apartment portfolio with the signing of its first Shama Hub property in Thailand
The property will be the first Shama Hub in Thailand and the third in the region. Developed under the Shama Hub concept, the project focuses on compact, functional residences designed for flexible urban living. The development is located in Ladprao, an area with access to transport links, workplaces and lifestyle amenities.
Shama Hub Ladprao will include shared facilities such as co-working and social spaces. The property will operate under the Shama Hub brand, which provides serviced apartment accommodation with standardised operational and service frameworks.
Shama Hub Ladprao forms part of the wider Shama portfolio, which includes three sub-brands: Shama Luxe, Shama and Shama Hub. These brands vary by room size, location and design, and cater to different market segments. Shama currently operates 23 properties and pipeline projects across Thailand, China, and Malaysia.
“The continued growth of the Shama brand reflects its strong alignment with evolving travel and residential lifestyle preferences, particularly in the long-stay segment. This growth is the result of Onyx Hospitality Group’s ongoing market research and brand development efforts, aimed at positioning Shama as a serviced apartment brand that genuinely meets the needs of today’s residents,” said Yuthachai.
“We believe that a residence should be more than just a place to stay; it should be a living environment that addresses every dimension of modern living – from quality standards and safety to comfort, experience, and a genuine sense of belonging,” added Somchai.
Singapore Airshow 2026, taking place at Changi Exhibition Centre from February 3 to 8, 2026, will feature eight aerial displays by six air forces and two commercial aircraft manufacturers.
The flying display programme will include a mix of military and commercial aircraft. Making its first appearance at the event is the Royal Australian Air Force’s F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft.
Fighter jets and commercial aircraft will feature in the daily flying displays at Singapore Airshow 2026; photo by Singapore Airshow
Several military aerobatic teams will return, including the Indian Air Force’s Sarang helicopter display team, the Indonesian Air Force’s Jupiter aerobatic team and the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s Bayi aerobatic team. The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jet, which previously appeared in the 2016 and 2018 editions, will also perform.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force will present its Integrated Display Team, featuring the F-16C fighter jet and the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter.
Commercial aircraft displays will include the Airbus A350-1000 and the Comac C919 narrow-body aircraft.
Flying displays will take place once daily at 12.00 on February 3, and at 11.00 on February 4 and 5. During Weekend@Airshow on February 7 and 8, displays will be held twice daily at 11.00 and 15.30. Schedules are subject to change.
The event will also include a static display of more than 35 aircraft, covering commercial, business, military and unmanned platforms. Participating manufacturers and operators include Airbus, Bombardier, Comac, Dassault, Embraer, Gulfstream, Pilatus and Textron Aviation, alongside aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, German Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and United States Air Force.
Weekend@Airshow tickets are available from Sistic, priced at S$39 (US$29) for adults, S$19 for children aged three to 12, and S$250 for a group package including four tickets and one car park label.
“The flying displays are always among the most anticipated highlights of the Singapore Airshow and the 2026 line-up reflects the strong international support for the event,” said Leck Chet Lam, managing director of Experia Events.
“We look forward to welcoming industry professionals, aviation enthusiasts and the public to enjoy these spectacular aerial performances.”
AirAsia has launched a partnership with Hyrox Asia-Pacific, formalising a collaboration focused on travel support for fitness events across South-east Asia and other regional markets.
The partnership aims to support athletes, participants and spectators travelling to Hyrox host cities by providing flight access across AirAsia’s network. It reflects a shared focus on community participation and the growth of organised fitness events in the Asia-Pacific region.
The airline becomes official carrier for Hyrox Asia-Pacific, starting with the Singapore event in April 2026
As part of the agreement, AirAsia will work with Hyrox on community initiatives and on-ground activities beyond race days. The airline will also collaborate with selected Hyrox Training Club gyms to engage local fitness communities. Key markets include Osaka, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong and Incheon, with additional destinations to be added.
Participants registered for selected Hyrox races partnered with AirAsia in 2026 will be eligible for a 10 per cent flight discount during a designated booking period linked to race registration.
The partnership was announced alongside the unveiling of a co-branded aircraft livery carrying the theme Keep Moving, Keep Rising. The livery will operate within the AirAsia fleet during the partnership period.
AirAsia has been named Official Airline Partner for Hyrox Asia-Pacific. The 2026 Hyrox calendar includes the first Singapore edition of the event, scheduled to take place from April 3 to 5, 2026 at the National Stadium Singapore.
“Our partnership with Hyrox comes at the right time, as fitness becomes a global lifestyle movement… we can offer seamless travel experiences that bring people closer to the sports they love. Through this partnership with Hyrox, we look forward to continuing our mission to bring communities together,” said Amanda Woo, chief commercial officer of AirAsia X.
“Hyrox is more than a race, it is a lifestyle and sport built around community, consistency and shared ambition. Partnering with AirAsia allows us to better support our athletes and fans by making travel across the region more accessible, while strengthening Hyrox’s presence in key markets,” added Gary Wan, managing director of Hyrox Asia-Pacific.
Hyrox organises mass-participation fitness races that combine running and functional workouts. In Asia-Pacific, the series has held events in 10 cities, with more than 196,000 participants to date.
Further Hyrox events and related travel initiatives supported by AirAsia are expected to be announced later in 2026.
Centara Hotels & Resorts will open Centara Life Namba Hotel Osaka in the Namba district in 2Q2026. To mark the opening, Centara is offering a limited-time launch promotion for members of its CentaraThe1 programme.
The offer is available for bookings made until May 31, 2026, for stays between May 1 and August 31, 2026. Eligible members receive a 25 per cent discount on selected room rates and earn triple CentaraThe1 points per stay.
Centara Life Namba Hotel Osaka will open in the Namba district with a limited-time member launch offer
Centara Life Namba Hotel Osaka is located close to several of the city’s key areas, including Dotonbori, Kuromon Market and Shinsaibashi. The hotel is positioned as a base for visitors exploring central Osaka.
The launch offer applies only to CentaraThe1 members and is subject to availability and booking terms set by the hotel.
Corporate travel strategy should shift words more value-generating travel, relook at rate and sourcing methods, and leverage technology to manage complex travel programmes
Corporate travel strategy should shift words more value-generating travel, relook at rate and sourcing methods, and leverage technology to manage complex travel programmes
Travel managers, travel management companies, and suppliers are increasingly facing constant economic pressure, rising traveller expectations and the pressure from internal stakeholders to deliver measurable impact.
To stay competitive, travel decision makers need to relook at the strategy of their travel programmes from budget and sourcing to technology and content.
The 2025 Global Cvent Travel Managers Report surveyed 1,600 travel decision-makers across the globe on how they are tackling rising costs, embracing new sourcing strategies, and leading the way in a hybrid, digital-first world.
Shift from volume to value
In light of rising costs, rather than simply reducing the number of trips, travel leaders are prioritising trips that can generate more revenue and build relationships.
According to the report, organisations are likely to be reducing spending on incentive trips (31%), internal meetings or office visits (31%), and company retreats (30%). Instead, identify trips that other countries in the region are prioritising and build a data-backed case internally for where in-person travel in Asia delivers measurable ROI — and where virtual or hybrid formats can cover lower value needs.
This allows you to protect high-value travel such as strategic customer meetings, regional leadership gatherings, and major industry events, while being more cost-efficient.
Travel managers should reassess the purpose and timing of business trips to prioritise essential travel – such as gaining new customers and networking opportunities – and reducing non-essential categories.
Rethink rate and sourcing strategies in Asia
Asia’s diverse markets, currencies, and hotel landscapes make rate strategy particularly complex. The report found that many travel managers in Asia report difficulties negotiating, with nearly half stating that discussions with hotels are more challenging now than five years ago.
To combat this, travel managers can shift towards other locations in Asia where they can apply a more flexible, multi-market approach. Seeking more collaborative relationships with suppliers is also mutually beneficial.
Break down silos between travel and meetings
Organisations that have separate travel, meetings and events programmes may be losing out on savings and negotiating leverage.
91% of travel managers say they are responsible for sourcing hotels and venues for their organisation’s meetings and events. By consolidating the sourcing responsibilities under one job function, organisations report better operational efficiency (49%), cost savings (48%), and attendee satisfaction (48%).
If you are still operating in silos, now is the time to identify opportunities to combine hotel and venue sourcing for business travel and meetings across key cities. A more integrated approach can give a consolidated overview of total spend, stronger negotiating power with regional suppliers, and a more consistent traveller experience across trip types.
Technology is essential
The report shows how travel managers are leaning on technology to manage increasingly complex programmes from sourcing platforms and digital content to approval workflows and reporting.
To leverage technology efficiently, you must assess if your tech stack provides visibility into regional trends, identify gaps in digital content that hinder confident property comparisons, and collaborate with partners who support centralised sourcing strategies across multiple markets.
For more insights into building a resilient 2026 travel programme, read more of the 2025 Global Cvent Travel Managers Report to explore all the industry findings, regional breakouts, and practical insights.
Thai AirAsia has appointed Phairat Pornpathananangoon as general manager, effective January 31, 2026.
He succeeds Santisuk Klongchaiya, who is retiring from the role and will continue with the company as adviser.
Pornpathananangoon has more than 20 years’ experience with AirAsia. He joined Thai AirAsia in 2004 as financial planning manager, was appointed chief financial officer of Thai AirAsia X in 2014, and returned to Thai AirAsia as chief financial officer in 2021.
Thailand’s hotel investment market reached a record level in 2025, with total transaction volume of 26.4 billion baht (US$845.6 million), the highest ever recorded and an increase from 25.1 billion baht in 2024.
Data presented by JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group at the Thailand Tourism Forum 2026 showed that the result exceeded the 10-year historical average of 13.9 billion baht. Despite global economic cooling, the country’s hospitality sector continued to show resilience.
Thailand’s hotel investment market reached a historic milestone in 2025; photo by Anne Somanas
Orn Yomchinda, executive vice president, investment sales, Asia at JLL, said the 2025 figures surprised many in the industry.
“2025 has officially become Thailand’s biggest year yet for hotel transactions, characterised by a robust liquidity environment that outperformed our initial forecasts. What is particularly notable is that while the number of transactions year-on-year remained steady at 18, the average volume per transaction rose from 1.1 billion baht historically to 1.5 billion baht this year and last year,” said Yomchinda.
She also pointed to a shift in where capital is being deployed.
“Bangkok remains the undisputed powerhouse, accounting for 80 per cent of the total transaction volume, followed by Phuket at around eight per cent – quite a significant drop from 23 per cent last year, mainly because there’s not a lot of assets coming up for sale at reasonable pricing or market pricing; also lot of the owners are also long-term owners who are not looking to sell their assets,” she said.
While 2025 set a high benchmark, forecast transaction volumes for 2026 are expected to moderate to around 13 billion baht.
Yomchinda also identified emerging avenues for value creation amid rising costs and geopolitical uncertainty, including secondary markets beyond Bangkok, Phuket and Samui, as well as financing structures such as mortgages or sales with redemption rights.
She added: “Investors are now pivoting toward mixed-use developments such as hotels with branded residences and hotel redevelopments. There is a clear ‘new wave’ of repositioning older hotels in prime locations to unlock their true market value.”
In his new role, he is responsible for strategy, operations and performance in India, with a focus on sustainable growth, operational delivery and team leadership.
Pornpathananangoon has more than 20 years’ experience with AirAsia. He joined Thai AirAsia in 2004 as financial planning manager, was appointed chief financial officer of Thai AirAsia X in 2014, and returned to Thai AirAsia as chief financial officer in 2021.
