PATA Singapore Chapter will launch the In My Honest Opinion (IMHO) Industry Dialogue series on January 15, 2026, with the first session focused on AI revolution and applications in travel, tourism and hospitality.
Singapore Tourism Board’s Jordon Tan will speak on AI impact on the tourism sector
IMHO Industry Dialogue is set to take place twice or thrice a year, with every session offering industry colleagues a chance to discuss a current hot topic.
The first session, hosted in partnership with SPH Media and to be held at the SPH Media Auditorium, will feature Jordan Tan, CTO, Singapore Tourism Board, as speaker. Tan will open the fireside chat with a presentation titled, Navigating the AI revolution in tourism.
Tan will be joined by David Lim, chair, Association of Singapore Attractions, as fellow speaker. TTG Asia Media’s group editor Karen Yue will be the session moderator.
Event attendees will get to network over a refreshment break and have the option to join a limited-capacity guided tour of SPH studios and facilities.
Hilton and Explora Journeys have launched a partnership, with Hilton introducing Hilton Honors Adventures, an extension of its loyalty programme focused on adventure-driven travel. Explora Journeys will serve as the programme’s luxury ocean travel partner.
From summer 2026, Hilton Honors members will be able to use points to book sailings across global destinations, from the Mediterranean and Northern Europe to the Caribbean, Alaska, Asia and the Red Sea. As part of the launch, a limited-time preview offer is available to Hilton Honors members through June 7, 2026.
Explora Journeys sailings are now accessible through Hilton Honors Adventures, offering curated global itineraries
Members can book Journeys with exclusive benefits, including 100,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points rewarded per suite, and up to 400 euros (US$434) Journey Experience Credits on 16 curated Hilton x Explora Journeys itineraries, and 200 euros (US$217) credit on all other Explora Journeys voyages. These credits can be redeemed for onboard experiences, including fine dining, wine tastings, Destination Experiences, spa treatments, curated shopping, and suite upgrades.
Explora Journeys’ sailings prioritise extended time in each destination, combining relaxation with cultural and immersive experiences. The itineraries cover a broad range of locations, including the Mediterranean’s historic ports, Northern Europe’s fjords, Caribbean islands and the Panama Canal, Alaska and Canada’s wilderness, and immersive Japan sailings from 2027.
The partnership integrates Hilton’s loyalty benefits with ocean travel, providing new ways for members to experience destinations with flexibility, personalisation and service standards Hilton is known for.
Chris Silcock, president, global brands and commercial services, Hilton, said: “This exciting new partnership creates the perfect moment to launch Hilton Honors Adventures, introducing new ways for our members to experience iconic destinations and hidden gems around the world.”
Anna Nash, president, Explora Journeys, added: “This partnership unites two brands committed to thoughtful travel, meaningful connection, and deep discovery. Together, we’re offering Hilton Honors members a stay at sea that blends the freedom of the ocean with the warmth of genuine hospitality.
“Our goal is simple: to create moments that are effortless, personal, and crafted with care, always guided by our commitment to the well-being of our guests.”
Cross Hotels & Resorts has signed an agreement to develop Cross Bali Uluwatu, an upper-upscale resort located 200 metres from Suluban Beach, one of Bali’s well-known surf and cultural landmarks.
The project marks a continued expansion for Cross Hotels & Resorts across Indonesia, focusing on destinations that integrate design, culture and commercial performance. The resort is expected to become a significant addition to the company’s Indonesia portfolio, reinforcing its role in the country’s evolving hospitality landscape.
Cross Hotels & Resorts and The Cube Group mark the signing of Cross Bali Uluwatu, set to open as an upper-upscale resort near Suluban Beach
Developed by The Cube Group, the resort reflects a long-term development approach centred on community, culture and capital value. The design takes advantage of the elevated site to offer ocean and sunset views. Cross Bali Uluwatu will feature 120 keys and facilities typical of an upper-upscale property, aiming to create a destination that balances relaxation, cultural engagement and design-led hospitality.
Jihong An, executive director of Cross Hotels & Resorts, commented: “Uluwatu is one of Bali’s most compelling destinations, and Cross Bali Uluwatu embodies exactly what our growth strategy stands for; meaningful sites, strong partnerships, and design with purpose. This signing reinforces our commitment to creating high-performing hotels in markets where culture and commercial potential align. Together with The Cube Group, we are shaping a destination that will resonate with travellers and deliver long-term value for our owners.”
Princess Cruises has concluded a busy year in Singapore and South-east Asia with Diamond Princess commencing her homeporting season in Singapore on December 7.
The ship began the season with a 16-day cruise calling at Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Phuket and Nha Trang, including two days in Halong Bay, before continuing to Danang and Ho Chi Minh City.
Diamond Princess at Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore, marking the start of the ship’s South-east Asia homeporting season from December 7
Diamond Princess will operate a series of festive sailings in South-east Asia through February 2026, covering the Christmas and New Year period, Chinese New Year and Valentine’s Day. These itineraries include ports in Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, as well as Sihanoukville in Cambodia, providing access to Angkor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
On February 10, 2026, Diamond Princess will depart on a sold-out 14-night cruise to Yokohama. The itinerary includes calls at Phu My (Ho Chi Minh City) and Nha Trang in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Keelung (Taipei), and the Japanese ports of Osaka and Shimizu, before arriving in Yokohama on February 24. The ship will then remain in Japan for an extended season running until November 2026.
Diamond Princess accommodates 2,670 guests and features a Japanese bath complex covering 820m2, the largest of its kind at sea. The facility includes indoor and outdoor bathing areas and hot tubs with ocean views.
Singapore also welcomed two Princess Cruises maiden calls in 2025. Crown Princess arrived on November 29 before entering a three-week dry dock at Seatrium shipyard ahead of her Australian deployment. Discovery Princess made her first call on October 29, sailed a five-night cruise to Malaysia, and then entered dry dock at the same facility, completing works on November 18.
Looking ahead to the 2026/2027 season, Royal Princess will make her first call in Singapore on October 16, 2026, arriving from Seattle on a 26-night voyage. After a two-week dry dock, she will operate two South-east Asia cruises before continuing to Japan. For the first time, Sapphire Princess and Diamond Princess will both be based in Japan in 2027, following a twin-Singapore season from December 2026 to February 2027.
Radisson Hotel Group has signed Anta Hotel Bali Canggu, a member of Radisson Individuals, a lifestyle serviced apartment project in one of Bali’s coastal districts. Scheduled to open in 2027, the property will feature 116 serviced apartments and expand the group’s footprint in Indonesia, a focus market in its Asia-Pacific growth strategy.
Located in Canggu, a beach hub popular with international visitors, surfers, expatriates, and remote workers, the property will provide a contemporary base surrounded by rice fields, temples, and beaches. It sits along Jalan Shortcut Teratai Batu Bolong, about one hour from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport and close to Echo Beach, Batu Bolong Beach, and Berawa Beach. Guests will also be near Subak Uma Desa’s rice fields and temples such as Pura Batu Bolong and Pura Batu Mejan.
A rendering of the rooftop pool and lounge at Anta Hotel Bali Canggu, which will offer panoramic views across the district
Anta Hotel Bali Canggu will offer 116 serviced apartments with terraces and kitchenettes, including 88 studios, 10 one-bedroom units, and layouts designed for longer stays. All apartments will feature balconies or terraces, with most ground-floor units planned to include private pools. The property is designed to appeal to digital nomads, remote professionals, and long-stay travellers, with a co-working space at the centre of the social experience. Flexible event areas will accommodate workshops, wellness sessions, fitness activities, and private gatherings.
Public areas are planned as sheltered open-air spaces, allowing natural movement between indoor and outdoor zones. The top floor will house a rooftop bar, pool bar, and lounge with panoramic views over Canggu. The rooftop’s flexible layout will support simultaneous uses, from wellness activities to casual gatherings. Dining and wellness facilities will include an all-day restaurant, café, rooftop pool, gym, and treatment areas.
The group currently operates three hotels in Indonesia with 579 keys and has three properties under development with 405 keys across city and resort locations.
“Bali sits at the intersection of leisure, lifestyle, and long-stay travel, and Canggu is one of its most dynamic districts,” said Ramzy Fenianos, chief development officer, APAC, Radisson Hotel Group. “This signing strengthens our presence in Indonesia and demonstrates our commitment to investing in markets and product types that owners and guests are asking for.”
Dusit Thani College (DTC), Thailand’s hospitality education institute under Dusit International, has partnered with Alkhaleej Training and Education to introduce its Talent Opportunity Programme (TOP) in Saudi Arabia.
Alkhaleej becomes DTC’s first global licence partner, marking the start of wider international expansion.
Dusit Thani College partners with Alkhaleej Training and Education to deliver hospitality training in Riyadh
TOP is a six‑month pathway combining more than 280 hours of practical learning with a two‑month classroom phase and a four‑month internship at leading hotels in the Dusit portfolio and with local partners. Graduates are prepared for entry‑level roles in culinary, pastry, food and beverage, and guest service.
Alkhaleej, which has over 30 years of experience in vocational training across 60 centres nationwide, will deliver TOP at its Riyadh training centre. This makes DTC the first non‑Swiss hospitality school to introduce a formal, internationally benchmarked skills‑based programme in the Kingdom.
The launch in January 2026 will be accompanied by specialised TOP UP short courses for baristas, concierge professionals and luxury service roles, alongside B2B upskilling modules in areas such as digital marketing, cost control, housekeeping, OTA optimisation, pricing, banqueting and HR. Graduates seeking degree‑level qualifications will also have a direct pathway to DTC’s Bangkok campus, including four‑year BBA programmes in Hospitality Management and Professional Culinary Arts.
According to the WTTC, travel and tourism is expected to contribute more than 10 per cent of Saudi Arabia’s GDP in 2025, with employment projected to reach 2.7 million jobs. Demand for large‑scale training pathways is rising as the country accelerates its tourism transformation.
“By licensing TOP to esteemed international partners such as Alkhaleej, we aim to support national tourism strategies, strengthen local workforces, and create meaningful pathways for upskilling, reskilling and career transitions,” said John Lohr, executive director of external affairs, Dusit Thani College.
Hatem Aldryaan, CEO of Alkhaleej Training and Education, added: “TOP represents a practical, employment‑focused model that directly links training with real job opportunities. It arrives at a pivotal moment for the Kingdom’s tourism and hospitality growth.”
Dusit International will also debut hotel management in Saudi Arabia with the opening of Dusit Princess Al Majma’ah, Riyadh, in 1Q2026.
Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, has launched the second edition of its Scoot With Heart campaign, continuing its focus on storytelling that highlights human connection beyond travel.
Launched in December, the campaign introduces the theme “What if?”, inviting reflection on relationships that may have faded over time or moments left unspoken. The initiative aims to encourage individuals to reconsider past connections and view them as opportunities for renewed engagement.
The Scoot With Heart campaign features reunion films and digital stories focused on personal reconnection
To bring the campaign to life, Scoot partnered digital publisher The Smart Local to produce a series of social media assets featuring personal stories. Central to the campaign are two short reunion films starring Scoot employees, shared across Scoot’s and The Smart Local’s Instagram and TikTok platforms.
One film follows a Scoot pilot as she reflects on family and motherhood while listening to recorded messages from her family. The segment culminates in a reunion, after which Scoot arranges for her family to join her on a flight she piloted to Nanjing.
The second story features a section manager in Scoot’s Ground Operations department as she revisits Pulau Ubin, where she spent her childhood, reconnecting with her cousin while retracing memories from their early years on the island.
Beyond the reunion films, the campaign extends to a digital photo series featuring 20 individuals in Singapore. Each participant shares a personal “What if” message on handwritten boards, reflecting on missed conversations, long-distance relationships, or people who played important roles in their lives.
Agatha Yap, director of marketing, communications & loyalty at Scoot, shared: “‘What if’ is a question we all ask ourselves at some point in our lives, whether it relates to the people we miss, the words we did not say, or the time we wish we had made. Through this year’s Scoot With Heart campaign, we want to remind everyone that meaningful connections can be renewed… we hope these stories inspire our community to take that first step to turn their own What if into moments of reconnection.”
Wharf Hotels has appointed Crystal Chan Busch as group director, global sales.
In her new role, Chan Busch will oversee global sales strategy and operations across the group’s key markets, including Asia-Pacific, the Americas and Europe.
She most recently served as multi-property executive director of sales at Sands Resorts Macao, where she led sales for three integrated resort brands encompassing nine hotels and more than 10,000 rooms.
Siyam World Maldives has appointed Alee Siyam as director of operations and promoted Giselle Encinareal to executive assistant manager.
Siyam, who joined Sun Siyam Resorts in 2016, was previously executive assistant manager. He was part of Siyam World’s pre-opening team and has held several operational roles at the resort. As director of operations, he is responsible for overseeing the resort’s day-to-day operations and service delivery.
From left: Alee Siyam and Giselle Encinareal
Encinareal most recently served as director of talent and culture at Siyam World, a role she has held since rejoining Sun Siyam Resorts in 2022. With more than 20 years of experience across luxury resorts in the Maldives, she now oversees back-of-house functions including talent and culture, learning and development, and quality assurance.
Dusit International has signed a hotel management agreement with Earth & Shore Leisure Communities Corporation, a real estate and land‑development company in the Philippines, to operate Asai Camaya Coast, a new 150‑key lifestyle hotel set to open in 2029 within the expansive 20 million square metres Camaya Coast development in Mariveles, Bataan.
The signing marks a strategic milestone for Dusit as it grows its presence in the Philippines, introducing the Asai Hotels brand to one of the country’s fastest‑rising destinations for domestic tourism and short‑break escapes from Metro Manila – accessible in four hours by car or 90 minutes via the Manila-Camaya ferry.
Dusit International and Earth & Shore seal partnership for Asai Camaya Coast, opening 2029 in Bataan
Bataan tourism is driven by WWII heritage sites, scenic beaches, and eco‑tourism appeal. With new leisure offerings, residential communities, entertainment facilities, and infrastructure upgrades such as the upcoming Camaya Airport, the Earth & Shore‑led development is positioned to attract even more travellers.
Asai Camaya Coast will be the brand’s first property within a master‑planned seaside township, offering access to dining and retail areas, outdoor activity hubs, a water park, an 18‑hole golf course, event spaces, and the township’s signature white‑sand beach.
Sustainability is central to Camaya Coast’s vision, with large portions preserved as natural forest supporting fruit trees, orchids, and wildlife. This nature‑first approach aligns with Dusit’s Tree of Life sustainability framework and will enable eco‑friendly, locally inspired guest experiences.
Dusit currently operates five properties in the Philippines, including Dusit Thani Manila and Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort, and has several openings planned from 2026 onwards. These include Dusit Hotel Greenhills Manila, Plaza de Zamboanga – Dusit Collection, Dusit Princess hotels in Lipa and Cebu City, Asai Oslob Cebu, and dusitD2 Residences Cebu City.
She most recently served as multi-property executive director of sales at Sands Resorts Macao, where she led sales for three integrated resort brands encompassing nine hotels and more than 10,000 rooms.
