Sander Looijen has been appointed market vice president, Vietnam at Marriott International.
He most recently served as area general manager, Bali (premium and select properties), overseeing a portfolio of 22 hotels and resorts.
A Marriott veteran since 2001, he has held leadership roles across Thailand, Hong Kong, Indonesia and South Korea.
What made you introduce tulåh and how has the response been for the retreat since its opening?
The honest answer is that tulåh came from a deeply personal place. Years of incorrectly practised yoga had compressed my vertebrae to the point where doctors saw no option other than surgery. I am an engineer by training, so I am always searching for a better solution. This made me turn to Ayurveda, the healing system that Kerala, my home state, has practised and perfected for thousands of years. It worked. That experience fundamentally changed how I think about health. The world didn’t have a facility where clinical intelligence and ancient healing wisdom were not separate offerings, but one seamless, integrated experience. That integration is the idea at the heart of tulåh.
The response has been humbling. The domestic market, particularly Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, has outperformed our projections. There is a more sophisticated Indian wellness traveller today than people realise, someone who has seen the world’s best and is genuinely excited that something of this depth now exists at home. Internationally, the GCC has been strong, which is natural given our connections there. Europe, particularly the UK and Germany, is building steadily. We have only scratched the surface.
What sets tulåh apart from other retreats in the region?
Kerala has an extraordinary wellness heritage. But most destinations, even the finest, offer spa experiences with Ayurveda layered on top. At tulåh, there is no separation between the clinical and the wellness. Panchakarma, genome mapping, sessions with our psychologists and movement therapy are not different tracks. They are one programme, designed together by a multidisciplinary team. Spanning modern medicine, Ayurveda, functional medicine, psychology, traditional Chinese medicine, nutrition and movement science, this team sits together and thinks together. That model is rare anywhere in the world.
We have also invested in innovation at a level not seen before. Our engineering team designed and globally patented the world’s first Ayurvedic Vichy Bed. Therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen and photobiomodulation are fully integrated into the healing philosophy, not added as novelties.
How do you balance authentic Ayurvedic practices with the expectations of modern luxury travellers?
I would challenge the word “balance” because it implies compromise, and we have made none. Ancient knowledge is not something we have adjusted; we respect it completely. What modern diagnostics do is give it even greater depth and precision. Where we have genuinely set a new standard is in delivery. I have travelled extensively and experienced what passes for the finest in luxury wellness globally. I came back knowing exactly what was missing. That understanding is built into every element of tulåh.
The herbs used in our treatments are grown in our own medicinal gardens on the estate. The food is therapeutically intentional and prepared with the care you would expect from any world-class culinary experience. The architecture has no sharp edges or hard corners. A well-travelled guest will arrive and immediately feel that they are in exceptional hands.
How are local culture and traditions integrated into the guest experience?
For me, tulåh is a platform to showcase India to the world. Every artist on our walls, every musician in our lounges and every cultural installation a guest encounters is Indian. Someone who travels from London, Tokyo or Dubai to tulåh leaves with a relationship to Indian art and culture they did not arrive with.
Cultural programming runs through the entire guest journey, not as an add-on, but as part of the healing itself. Art, music and creativity – this is medicine at tulåh. Guests participate in art sessions during their stay. They visit the spice markets of Kozhikode, home to one of the world’s oldest trading ports. They explore the Malabar region with local historians who carry the story of this place in their bones.
What kind of travellers are you targeting?
Our guest is someone for whom health is a serious priority, not a passing interest. Typically, they are high-achieving professionals, executives and entrepreneurs, people who understand that their greatest asset is their well-being and want to invest in it with the same rigour they bring to everything else. Many have already experienced the world’s finest wellness destinations and are looking for something with greater depth and measurable outcomes.
Corporate wellness is a growing opportunity. Burnout among senior leadership is real, and organisations are beginning to take it seriously. The international medical wellness traveller, someone who comes to Kerala specifically for therapeutic reasons and wants that combined with world-class diagnostics and genuine luxury, is also a strong and growing segment.
Post-pandemic wellness has become one of the key reasons for people to travel. What kind of trends are you noticing in the wellness segment?
The shift from reactive to preventive healthcare is accelerating; Covid made that permanent. People no longer want to wait until they are ill. Longevity science and health optimisation are becoming mainstream, not just for the ultra-wealthy. The appetite for genuinely integrated approaches, where ancient wisdom and modern science collaborate rather than compete, is growing strongly.
Stays are also getting longer and more serious. The shift is away from three-night breaks towards seven-, 14- and 21-day programmes where real transformation is possible. That is where we operate. And India, as a wellness destination, is having its moment. I believe tulåh is part of a larger story about India’s rightful place as a world leader in integrative health and healing.
Do you have plans to expand your wellness offerings in other parts of the world?
When we think of the expansion of the tulåh brand, we certainly think globally. The need for preventive care is a global concern, and we see ourselves eventually being accessible in major global hubs such as London, Dubai and Singapore. This allows our guests to monitor their progress and have accountability and autonomy over their own healthcare.
Our expansion model is about building a global network of integrated wellness, within which a guest’s health journey continues wherever they are in the world. We want tulåh to become part of how people live, not a destination they visit once and forget, but an ongoing framework for how they relate to their own health.
Sunway Hospitality Group has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tourism Malaysia to support the Visit Malaysia Year 2026-27 campaign and promote Malaysia in international tourism markets.
Signed on June 15, 2026, the agreement will see the two organisations work together on marketing, trade engagement and destination promotion initiatives aimed at increasing visitor arrivals and strengthening Malaysia’s tourism profile globally.
The partnership will include joint campaigns targeting travel trade partners, media and influencers, alongside support for familiarisation trips and hosted experiences. Sunway Hospitality Group will also participate in overseas sales missions and international trade events with Tourism Malaysia.
To coincide with the agreement, Sunway Hospitality Group has launched a promotional campaign offering up to 30 per cent off room rates, complimentary room upgrades and double Discovery Dollars for GHA Discovery members. The offer is valid for bookings made until July 31, 2026, for stays through September 30, 2026.
Castaldi said the partnership would support Visit Malaysia Year 2026-27 while aligning with Sunway’s broader sustainability objectives and long-term commitment to Malaysia’s tourism sector.
Mohd Amirul Rizal added that the collaboration would combine Tourism Malaysia’s destination expertise with Sunway’s hospitality portfolio to expand the country’s reach among international travellers and support future tourism growth.
Moving beyond halal certification and towards more personalised guest experiences will be critical for hotels seeking to capture a larger share of the growing Muslim travel market, hospitality leaders said at the Halal in Travel Global Summit 2026, organised by CrescentRating in partnership with HalalTrip.
Speaking during the session Beyond Halal-Certified: Crafting Conscious, Future-Ready Hospitality Experiences, panellists argued that halal food offerings and prayer facilities are no longer sufficient differentiators, as Muslim travellers increasingly expect hotels to understand and cater to their individual needs.
Abdullah Basalamah, area general manager and vice president, rooms, at Far East Hospitality, said halal certification should be viewed as the starting point rather than the end goal.
He shared that Far East Hospitality’s serviced residences in Singapore, which welcome significant numbers of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) travellers, focus on understanding guest preferences before arrival.
Initiatives include dedicated crockery and cutlery for Muslim guests, replacing alcoholic minibar offerings with non-alcoholic alternatives, and adapting services around guests’ cultural requirements.
Abdullah also cautioned against treating Muslim travellers as a single market.
“Not every Muslim guest is the same,” he said, noting that travellers from the Middle East, South Asia and South-east Asia often have different expectations and service requirements.
He added that technology is likely to play a growing role in personalising the guest experience, highlighting the potential of AI-powered concierge tools that can recommend halal dining options, prayer facilities and attractions based on travellers’ backgrounds and interests.
Another panellist, Dieter Ruckenbauer, general manager of Le Méridien Bangkok, said hotels should focus on reducing friction throughout the guest journey rather than simply meeting basic requirements.
“Halal food and prayer mats are no longer the differentiators in the industry; they are really the baseline,” he said.
Ruckenbauer explained that hospitality often comes down to small but meaningful gestures, such as proactively providing information on nearby mosques, prayer facilities and Muslim-friendly experiences before guests need to ask.
For him, the goal is to create peace of mind for Muslim travellers.
“The biggest luxury for travellers is not the amenity itself. It’s the peace of mind that everything has already been considered before their arrival,” he said.
The session was moderated by Ersya Rachmat, events management lead at CrescentRating and HalalTrip.
Therme Group has broken ground on Therme Singapore, a large-scale wellness and leisure destination planned for Marina South and scheduled to open in 2030.
Spanning more than 66,900m², the development will be Therme Group’s first project in Asia and will include more than 20 indoor and outdoor pools, over 70 wellness treatment rooms, dining facilities and landscaped public spaces.
The seven-storey development will be organised into three zones: Play, featuring family-focused water attractions and 18 water slides spanning more than 1.8km in total length; Relax, with thermal pools, mineral baths and wellness facilities; and Restore, which will house saunas, steam rooms and treatment spaces.
Nature forms a central part of the project, with more than 200,000 plants across 200 species planned throughout the development. A public coastal park covering almost four hectares will also be created, linking the site to Marina Barrage and expanding public access to waterfront green spaces.
Therme Singapore is being developed in partnership with Kajima Overseas Asia and designed by DP Architects together with Therme ARC. Sustainability features will include solar panels, energy-efficient building systems, smart irrigation technology and climate-adaptive landscaping.
The development will also incorporate technologies including RFID wristbands for access and cashless payments, a robotic locker system and ozone-based water filtration systems.
The project is expected to create around 400 jobs across hospitality, operations, engineering and facilities management. Therme Singapore has also signed agreements with the Institute of Technical Education and Republic Polytechnic to support skills development, internships and employment pathways.
Robert Hanea, founder and CEO of Therme Group, said: “As our first destination in Asia, Therme Singapore will serve as a gateway for regional growth to develop partnerships, capabilities and models that can be scaled across Asia and beyond.”
Mah Bow Tan, chairman of Therme Group Asia and Therme Singapore, added: “Beyond the visitor experience, Therme Singapore is also about people, creating jobs, developing new capabilities, and supporting Singapore’s tourism, hospitality and wellness sectors.
“Singapore is the ideal platform for Therme’s growth in Asia. It offers the right environment for this vision through strong connectivity, a deep talent ecosystem and a culture of innovation, enabling us to serve both local communities and visitors from across the region.”
The World Gourmet Festival will return to Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel from September 29 to October 4, bringing together international, regional and local culinary talent under the theme, The World of Flavours.
The annual event will feature a programme of dining experiences, chef collaborations, culinary showcases and industry discussions. Chefs from Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel will also participate in selected events throughout the festival.
Highlights will include dinners led by international guest chefs, collaborative tasting menus, live culinary demonstrations, afternoon tea experiences, bar takeovers and panel discussions featuring industry figures.
A new addition for 2026 is the Young Chef’s Award, which will recognise emerging culinary talent through a competition judged by a panel of local and international chefs. Participants will be assessed on their creativity, technical skills and culinary vision.
The festival follows its 25th edition in 2025, which featured solo chef dinners, collaborative dining events, masterclasses, bar takeovers and food-focused experiences across Bangkok. The event brought together chefs representing nearly 30 Michelin stars.
According to the organisers, this year’s programme will focus on showcasing a range of culinary traditions, techniques and influences from around the world through a series of curated experiences.
Additional details, including participating chefs and event schedules, will be announced closer to the festival.
William Heinecke, founder and chairman of Minor International, said: “The World Gourmet Festival has become one of the region’s most recognised culinary events, bringing together leading chefs and gastronomic talent from around the world.”
The organisers said the festival aims to continue strengthening Bangkok’s position as a destination for international dining experiences and culinary events.
Crossroads Maldives has launched 1 Journey, 3 Vibes, a multi-resort package allowing guests to experience three distinct properties within a single stay.
Located 15 minutes by speedboat from Velana International Airport, the programme combines stays at SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and SO/ Maldives without the need for domestic flights or seaplane transfers.
Guests can choose between a nine-night itinerary spanning all three resorts or a four-night option covering two properties. Packages include full-board dining, return speedboat transfers, a personal butler and a Crossroads Passport stamped at each resort.
The experience begins at SAii Lagoon Maldives, continues at Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and concludes at SO/ Maldives, with each resort offering a different style of accommodation and activities.
Guests also have access to The Marina @ Crossroads, which features restaurants, retail outlets, wellness facilities and family attractions.
The Standard Package is priced from US$7,780 and includes three nights each at the three resorts. A Premium Package from US$8,880 includes upgraded accommodation across all properties.
The offer is available for bookings until October 31, 2026, for stays through December 20, 2026.
For more information, visit Crossroads Maldives.
Hervé Duboscq has been named general manager of Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas.
He brings more than 30 years of hospitality experience across Asia, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean.
He most recently served as general manager of Shangri-La Colombo.
Brought to you by AmaWaterways
Small but upscale ships, a high level of personal service and itineraries that take travellers to places less travelled, river cruising offers a different way to experience cities and towns in the heart of countries.
Offering this is AmaWaterways with a brand refresh that reflects its high-touch service and commitment to immersive travel experiences, as it accelerates its fleet expansion with more than 50 ships planned by 2032.
With itineraries across continents, the world is one’s oyster.
In Europe, AmaWaterways continues to deepen its presence along the Danube with the launch of AmaSofia this year. The new vessel expands the company’s offerings on one of Europe’s most iconic rivers, sailing through destinations rich in history, culture and architecture in western and central Europe.
Travellers seeking a more immersive journey can also pair their river cruise with the brand’s new City Escapes programme. Designed to extend stays in major European cities and during quieter travel periods, guests can spend more time exploring key cities such as Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna, Strasbourg and Budapest, as well as other historic towns in a more authentic and relaxed way.
AmaWaterways is also expanding its presence in Africa with four new itineraries designed to showcase the continent’s landscapes, wildlife and cultures.
The itineraries combine river cruising with safari experiences, allowing travellers to explore destinations through multiple perspectives. Guests can encounter wildlife in national parks, cruise along waterways and engage with local communities, creating journeys that go beyond traditional sightseeing.
The expansion underscores AmaWaterways’ continued investment in long-haul experiential travel and growing demand for immersive itineraries that connect guests more closely with nature and culture.
In Asia, AmaWaterways will debut a new ship on the Mekong River in 2027. Joining the AmaDara, the 60-stateroom AmaMaya will introduce travellers to the cultural traditions and way of life as it cruises through Vietnam and Cambodia through curated itineraries.
A key differentiator for AmaWaterways lies in its onboard experiences, particularly its culinary offerings. Across its fleet, regional cuisine plays a central role in the guest experience, with menus crafted using locally sourced ingredients and inspired by regional traditions.
Guests can discover the flavours of each destination through dishes that reflect local culinary heritage, bringing an added sense of place to every journey. On select sailings, The Chef’s Table Experience offers an elevated dining concept showcasing carefully curated menus and immersive gastronomic storytelling.
For instance, it has also introduced experiences such as Cooking with Mamie on select France itineraries, where a French grandma will host intimate cooking sessions for small groups and share stories and techniques that have been passed down through generations, connecting travellers more deeply to the destinations they visit.
The company is also strengthening support for the trade with enhanced digital tools for travel advisors.
Through a new partnership with Approach Guides, advisors can now create free co-branded marketing pages featuring AmaWaterways itineraries and experiences.
The tool allows advisors to personalise content with their own branding and contact details, making it easier to market river cruises and generate leads without requiring technical expertise or additional logins.
Embark on your next river voyage now at AmaWaterways.
The Muslim travel market is growing faster than previously expected, driven by increasingly diverse source markets and a rising preference for regional travel, according to the Mastercard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2026.
Released at the Halal in Travel Global Summit 2026, the report forecasts Muslim international arrivals will reach 196 million in 2025, exceeding earlier projections by 10 million travellers.
CrescentRating has consequently revised its 2030 forecast upwards from 245 million to 262 million arrivals, with annual expenditure expected to reach US$310 billion.
The figures suggest Muslim travel has moved beyond post-pandemic recovery and entered a new phase of long-term growth.
Fazal Bahardeen, founder and CEO of CrescentRating and HalalTrip, said Muslim travel demand is no longer concentrated in a small number of traditional source markets.
According to the report, nearly 90 per cent of Muslim outbound travellers originated from just 30 source markets in 2019. By 2026, that figure had fallen to 77 per cent as demand expanded from emerging and diaspora communities across Europe, North America and East Asia.
For destinations, the shift means traditional market strategies may no longer be sufficient.
“The destinations that win Muslim travel over the next decade will not be the ones with the most flights or the most hotels or even the most halal restaurants. They will be the ones that travellers can trust before they arrive,” Fazal said.
The report also highlighted a growing shift towards what it termed “home-continent mobility”. Rather than cancelling travel plans amid geopolitical tensions, airspace disruptions and economic uncertainty, Muslim travellers are increasingly choosing destinations closer to home that offer greater predictability, convenience and confidence.
South-east Asia is emerging as one of the main beneficiaries of this trend, combining proximity to major Muslim source markets, extensive air links, cultural familiarity and established halal tourism offerings.
Aisha Islam, senior vice president, customer solutions centre, Southeast Asia, Mastercard, stated the region is well positioned to benefit from these shifts.
“As AI becomes more embedded in travel planning, destinations and businesses need to make trusted information, secure payments and Muslim-friendly services easier to discover and act on. For South-east Asia, this presents a strong opportunity to strengthen its position as a connected, inclusive and digitally enabled travel corridor.”
Technology is also reshaping how travellers discover and evaluate destinations. GMTI 2026 found that 80 per cent of travellers now use AI tools for travel planning, accelerating the shift from traditional search-based discovery to AI-assisted recommendations.
“Modern travellers are looking for certainty before they step onto a plane, and they are increasingly delegating that validation process to intelligent systems,” Fazal said.
In response, CrescentRating introduced two new initiatives at the summit: the AI Recommendation Readiness Auditor, which assesses how visible and credible destinations appear within AI-powered recommendation systems, and the Destination Activation Stack, a framework designed to strengthen destination readiness and visitor experience.
According to Fazal, destinations are no longer judged solely on the availability of halal food and prayer facilities. Increasingly, they must demonstrate that Muslim-friendly services are accessible, reliable, digitally discoverable and aligned with traveller expectations around safety, inclusivity and experience quality.
The growing importance of South-east Asia was reflected in this year’s GMTI rankings. Malaysia retained its position as the world’s leading Muslim-friendly destination for the 11th consecutive year, while Indonesia climbed to share second place with Türkiye and Saudi Arabia.
Among non-OIC destinations, Singapore remained the highest-ranked destination and placed 11th globally. Hong Kong ranked second among non-OIC destinations, while Taiwan and the UK shared third place.
The report also recognised Mindanao in the Philippines as the Most Promising Muslim-Friendly Region among non-OIC destinations, while West Java received the same accolade among OIC destinations.
