TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Thursday, 12th February 2026
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TTG Asia | La Vie Hotels & Resorts enters Philippines with two Casiana signings
TTG Asia | Marriott deepens positive tourism footprint through enhanced Good Travel programme
TTG Asia | TAT unveils 2026 product strategy targeting three-trillion-baht revenue

TAT unveils 2026 product strategy targeting three-trillion-baht revenue

By Anne Somanas
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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has released its Tourism Product Highlight 2026 roadmap, a strategic blueprint designed to aggressively pivot the destination towards high-value, experience-based travel.

TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool outlined a three-pillar strategy focused on elevating product value over volume.

Launched at the Neilson Hays Library in Bangkok, the initiative prioritises product quality and supply chain standardisation to secure a three-trillion-baht (US$94.7 billion) revenue target for 202; photo by TAT

“The first pillar involves designing ready-to-sell narratives that enhance the marketability of existing tourism assets. The second emphasises community engagement to ensure tourism receipts benefit local economies. The third targets operator standards through the TAT Certified framework, utilising mechanisms like the Sustainable Tourism Goals Sustainable Tourism Acceleration Rating programme and Trusted Thailand to align local suppliers with international safety and sustainability benchmarks,” she stated.

She added: “The roadmap signals a clear intent to equip buyers with distinct, high-quality inventory that addresses global demand for wellness and purposeful travel while safeguarding domestic supply chains.”

The 2026 portfolio categorises offerings into niche segments to support this value-driven approach.

Highlights include Luxury Voyage Thailand, which promotes high-yield logistics such as private jet charters and classic car tours; romantic routes and destinations for couples through Romance in Thailand; and Thai Craft Destination, which commercialises local craftsmanship through specific routes like the Caffeine Route in Chiang Mai.

Other key segments include From Dusk till Dawn, identifying 60 nighttime economy assets such as Na Satta Thai park to extend visitor spending hours; and Rail Rover Thailand, creating 10 slow-travel rail itineraries.

The Travel with Care initiative pilots a creative tourism model in Krabi, while UNESCO Thailand packages seven routes linking recognised creative cities.

For the trade, the focus remains on tangible product development that agents can sell immediately.

The strategy moves beyond general branding to offer specific, bookable themes like 5 Must Do in Thailand for first-time visitors seeking iconic activities such as Muay Thai training.

“TAT believes that adding value and offering meaningful products and services that meet modern lifestyle needs will be a key factor helping to drive tourism revenue towards the three-trillion-baht target in 2026 and elevate Thailand as a global destination for wellbeing recovery and truly meaningful travel,” concluded Thapanee.

La Vie Hotels & Resorts enters Philippines with two Casiana signings

By TTG Asia
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La Vie Hotels & Resorts has expanded its footprint in South-east Asia with two management agreements covering Hotel Casiana & Events Centre in Tagaytay and the Grand Casiana Hotel in Mexico, Pampanga.

The signings follow the opening of La Vie’s Philippines-based office in early 2025 and mark the group’s first managed properties in the country. Under the agreements, La Vie will manage the operational hotel in Tagaytay and provide development oversight for the under-construction Grand Casiana Hotel in Pampanga.

La Vie Hotels & Resorts and Casiana Hotels formalise management agreements covering two properties in the Philippines

La Vie said the two signings establish a foundation for further growth in the Philippines, with both properties located in expanding leisure and commercial corridors.

The expansion comes amid continued growth in the Philippines’ tourism and business travel sectors. In 2025, tourism contributed an estimated US$91.8 billion to the national economy, representing almost 20 per cent of GDP, while international arrivals reached approximately 6.48 million.

Hotel Casiana & Events Centre Tagaytay is located along the Tagaytay-Nasugbu Highway in one of the country’s established leisure destinations. The 146-key hotel features a Scandinavian-inspired design and includes a heated swimming pool, children’s facilities, multiple event spaces and the Crystal Ballroom. The property is positioned to serve leisure travellers as well as corporate events, weddings and social functions.

The Grand Casiana Hotel Mexico is scheduled to open in 3Q2026. The 264-key, 20-storey hotel will be located around 30 minutes from Clark International Airport and is designed to serve the region’s growing aviation, logistics and business sectors. Facilities are planned to include large-scale conference spaces, dining venues, a rooftop bar, fitness centre, outdoor pool and day spa. The hotel is also targeting the MICE, corporate and airline crew segments.

Jerry Sy, developer and owner, Casiana Hotels, said: “Our partnership with La Vie Hotels & Resorts is a major step toward elevating the Casiana brand and strengthening our long-term investments in Philippine hospitality. Together, we are developing properties that will set new benchmarks, Tagaytay for leisure and social occasions, and Mexico, Pampanga for business and MICE.”

Jerry Xu, CEO, La Vie Hotels & Resorts, added: “We look forward to bringing La Vie’s expertise to the market, creating long-term value, and contributing to the evolution of the country’s hospitality landscape.”

Marriott deepens positive tourism footprint through enhanced Good Travel programme

By Karen Yue
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Travellers staying at some 80 Marriott International hotels around Asia-Pacific excluding China (APEC) will now have a chance to enjoy an expanded line-up of experiences that will bring them closer to their host destinations and local communities.

The enhanced Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy programme, which has been in the market for four years – boasts almost 100 experiences offered across close to 80 hotels in 12 APEC destinations.

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa’s contribution to the Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy programme is an introduction to Thailand’s traditional agricultural practices, with a nipa palm-planting experience and buffalo-bathing session

Experiences are developed based on two considerations – community and environment – and serve to explore what matters most to the host destinations and local communities, allowing travellers to contribute positively to places they visit.

One of these engaging, hands-on experiences in the programme is a soap-crafting workshop at Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon, where guests will turn used soaps into new bars using a simple and hygienic method. This project also supports children with cleft lips, palates, and other facial abnormalities, with all proceeds from the workshop donated to Operation Smile.

At Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, guests can learn about local conservation efforts aimed at restoring vital marine habitats and participate in a hands-on, educational coral planting experience.

John Toomey, chief commercial officer, Marriott International, APEC, said at a Singapore press briefing on February 9 that the enhanced Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy programme aligns with the growing appetite among travellers for quality experiences.

“We know from research that people are moving away from everyday transactions, such as purchasing a watch or purse, and leaning into experiences. We feel it is on us to make sure we bring the best experiences to our guests,” stated Toomey.

He added that activities are carefully curated for the Good Travel with Marriott Bonvoy programme, creating an opportunity for guests to “really step out of the hotel and do different things in the community that are only possible when you delve deep”.

Toomey observed that the desire for meaningful experiences is strong across all age groups. As such, the hotel group is committed to growing the programme to not only “win the hearts of all our guests” but also give something positive back to host communities.

Star Voyager returns with school holiday cruises

By TTG Asia
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StarDream Cruises welcomes the return of Star Voyager from May 22 to June 26, 2026, offering families, couples and friends a convenient round-trip cruise holiday departing from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur via Port Klang.

During this period, Star Voyager will operate a selection of two-, three- and five-night cruises to popular destinations across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, alongside new island calls including Con Son, Tioman, Bali (Benoa) and Lombok.

Star Voyager offers a simple way to explore South-east Asia during the school holidays

Ahead of her South-east Asia deployment, Star Voyager will also operate a special one-way sailing departing Hong Kong on May 17, 2026. This voyage includes a stop in Nha Trang, Vietnam, before continuing south. Guests may disembark in Singapore on May 21 for a four-night cruise or continue to Kuala Lumpur via Port Klang on May 22 for a five-night cruise.

The school holiday season begins with three departures from Kuala Lumpur between May 22 and 27, including a three-night Phuket-Penang Cruise and two two-night Phuket cruises. From May 31 to June 26, Star Voyager will offer a wide range of round-trip cruises from Singapore, including five-night Bali and Lombok sailings, five-night Vietnam cruises featuring Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Con Son Island, and multiple two-night Tioman getaways.

Bookings open on February 23, 2026.

For more information, visit StarDream Cruises.

Charlotte Travel expands Asia-Pacific reach with new Singapore office

By Karen Yue
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Hong Kong-based luxury travel consultancy, Charlotte Travel, has established a Singapore office to better serve its Asia-Pacific clientele of both high-end corporate and leisure travellers.

The Singapore operation is helmed by Louen Tang as managing director. He is supported by executive Adeline Wan.

From left: Charlotte Travel’s Charlotte Harris and Louen Tang

CEO Charlotte Harris described the move as “organic and natural”, as Charlotte Travel has a loyal base of customers who are mobile between Hong Kong and Singapore.

In an interview with TTG Asia in Singapore, Harris said: “Some of our clients have moved from Hong Kong to Singapore in recent years, while others have started businesses here in the city. They have often asked when Charlotte Travel would set up shop in Singapore too, so as to better facilitate travel discussions. Those conversations sparked our interest.”

Harris expressed a familiarity and love for both Singapore and South-east Asia, a region where she had grown up in and often visited for work prior to joining the travel and tourism industry.

As such, Singapore was a natural choice when the consultancy begun to draw up expansion plans.

Tang commented that the new Singapore office would allow Charlotte Travel to build a stronger “foundation” in the region, as it would grant the consultancy closer access to a market that is “sophisticated” in its travel habits.

He observed that Singapore-based travellers are highly experiential and eager to spend on “interesting experiences, not just hardware”.

Harris believes that Charlotte Travel’s 25 years of experience in curated travel and vast insider destination knowledge will give her agency an advantage in meeting the exacting needs of the Singapore market.

Both Tang and Harris shared that their connections in destinations could open doors to special areas and unique local artisans. Tang, for instance, is a certified wine educator and is able to craft exclusive experiences at oenothèques for guests.

She cited Charlotte Travel’s recent endorsement by the Forbes Travel Guide as another advantage as she grows her operations in Asia-Pacific. The by-invite endorsement indicates a culture of service excellence in travel.

Furthermore, travellers will benefit from excellent products, experiences and support through Charlotte Travel’s affiliation with Virtuoso’s global network of fine travel suppliers. The agency has been a member of Virtuoso for a decade, and Harris said Charlotte Travel was the first Virtuoso member in Asia then.

Charlotte Travel’s entry into the Singapore market is matched by a roll out of women-centric itineraries that are “created by women, for women”.

Harris believes that these journeys will resonate with strong, independent and successful women in Singapore “who are often taking care of their business and people around them, but have little leisure time for themselves”.

“We created this concept to allow women to plug into curated journeys with other like-minded women, or take what we have and go off on their own or with their friends,” she added.

An example of a women-centric journey weaves through India, where guests will spend seven days accessing Delhi’s ateliers, Agra’s jewel houses, and Jaipur’s artisan workshops with restorative Ayurvedic wellness at Amanbagh.

“We have also created a wellness retreat for our female guests to learn more about menopause, how to prepare for it, and how to manage it,” she shared.

Intrepid’s Impact Grant funds new circular marketplace in Sri Lanka with local partner

By TTG Asia
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Responsible travel specialist, Intrepid Travel, has rolled out a new experience to its Sri Lankan itineraries – one that highlights the impact employee and traveller donations to the Intrepid Foundation are delivering in local communities.

Travellers visiting Sigiriya will now be able to experience the newly opened ZeroPlastic Impact Centre, created by local partner Zero Plastic Movement with support from Intrepid’s award-winning Impact Grant programme.

Intrepid Travel’s guests can now visit ZeroPlastic Impact Centre in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, created by local partner Zero Plastic Movement and funded by Intrepid’s Impact Grant programme

The centre showcases locally made, plastic-free alternatives to everyday items, including cutlery and toiletries crafted from coconut shells, bamboo, cane, clay, wood, lacquer and natural fibres.

Funded by an A$50,000 (US$35,365) Impact Grant from The Intrepid Foundation, the centre connects travellers directly with local artisans, offering opportunities to purchase handicrafts, participate in workshops, and see circular economy initiatives in action.

Poornaka Delpachitra, general manager of Intrepid Travel Sri Lanka, said: “The ZeroPlastic Impact Centre marks a major milestone for us, as it truly sets an example for how tourism can be a vehicle to creating and sustaining positive change in local communities.”

The Impact Grant programme, launched in 2023, funds grassroots non-profits working across conservation, animal welfare, equality, and community development. Grants are funded through donations to The Intrepid Foundation, matched by Intrepid Travel, with recipients voted for by Intrepid staff and travellers.

In 2024 alone, more than 700 Intrepid staff voted to allocate A$266,000 across eight long-term Foundation partners globally. In 2025, The Intrepid Foundation awarded 16 grants totalling A$709,000, made possible by the generosity of Intrepid travellers.

Biheng Zhang, general manager of The Intrepid Foundation shared that 1,418 votes for the Travellers’ Choice grant have been received since public voting started in 2025

“We’re already seeing strong progress across those projects and look forward to sharing more once they’re complete,” Zhang said.

Other projects supported by the Impact Grant include a solar panel installation initiative by the Cambodia Rural Students Trust, which generates around 40,000 kWh of clean energy each year, providing reliable power for students and staff while cutting emissions and building local technical capability.

Amora Hotels and Resorts welcomes new COO

By TTG Asia
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Amora Hotels and Resorts appoints Tamer Habib as chief operating officer. In this role, he will lead the group’s commercial strategy and overall vision.

With more than three decades of hospitality experience, Habib most recently served as vice president of operations at Amora Hotels and Resorts.

His career includes senior roles with Marriott, Hyatt, InterContinental, and Stamford, bringing deep operational and commercial expertise to the group’s continued growth across Australia and Asia.

Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur appoints GM

By TTG Asia
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Etienne Dalançon has been named general manager of the upcoming Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur, set to open in late 2026.

He brings over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience and most recently served as general manager of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. His career spans senior leadership roles across Asia and Europe, with a strong focus on service excellence and operational leadership.

Indonesia and South Africa advance bilateral tourism partnership

By Mimi Hudoyo
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Indonesia and South Africa have agreed to strengthen synergy across a range of strategic tourism sectors, marking a new chapter in both nations’ commitment to building a resilient, inclusive and sustainable tourism industry.

The collaboration was formalised with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Indonesian minister of tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana and South African minister of tourism Patricia de Lille in Jakarta, as part of de Lille’s official visit to South-east Asia.

Indonesia and South Africa have signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation across tourism, connectivity and sustainability

Widiyanti said the partnership builds on a 2015 bilateral agreement, which remains the foundation of the two nations’ diplomatic relations.

“This MoU reflects a shared commitment to strengthening tourism cooperation as a driver for economic growth, cultural exchange, and deepened mutual understanding between the people of our two nations,” Widiyanti said.

The partnership’s first concrete priority is enhancing accessibility, involving high-level coordination between the Ministry of Transportation and the private sector.

It also revives the spirit of the 1955 Asian-African Conference held in Bandung, which underscored the importance of solidarity, mutual respect and collaboration among Global South nations. The strengthened bilateral relationship is seen as a tangible continuation of that legacy.

Martini Mohamad Paham, deputy for tourism resources and institutions at the Ministry of Tourism, said the ministry will coordinate with InJourney, the holding company for state-owned enterprises in aviation and tourism, to improve connectivity. This effort also extends to visa policy, following a statement by Indonesia’s vice president Gibran Rakabuming Raka during his visit to South Africa last year.

“The vice president stated that Indonesia would provide visa-free entry, which is currently still in process; at present it remains Visa on Arrival (VoA),” Martini noted.

Beyond logistics, the collaboration places a strong emphasis on sustainability and education. Indonesia aims to learn from South Africa’s expertise in managing national parks and its successful approach to educating both local communities and visitors on environmental “dos and don’ts”. On the education front, Indonesia’s six tourism polytechnics will participate in exchange programmes.

“We will learn from one another regarding hospitality and tourism development, as well as MICE,” Martini said.

The two countries also plan to advance their digital and promotional strategies, with South Africa expressing strong interest in participating in the Bali & Beyond Travel Fair in Bali in June, following its participation at the ASTINDO Travel Fair in Jakarta last week.

Planned initiatives include joint familiarisation trips, digital marketing collaborations and exhibitions to increase visibility in both markets. While South Africa is not yet a top-tier destination for Indonesian travellers, Martini highlighted its strategic importance as a gateway to the African continent.

“Both countries believe that the signing of this MoU will strengthen bilateral tourism cooperation while opening opportunities for a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient sector,” Widiyanti added.

De Lille welcomed the partnership, citing the strong historical ties between the two nations.

“The signing of this memorandum of understanding will further deepen the relationship between our two countries,” she said.

During the occasion, de Lille announced that South Africa is reforming its visa system, with Indonesian citizens now able to apply for visas online via digital devices, with processing times of less than 24 hours. She also invited Indonesian travel agents and tour operators to participate in familiarisation trips across South Africa.

She added that South Africa is committed to developing halal tourism and digital-based tourism, working with the Muslim Judicial Council and relevant authorities to ensure Muslim travellers feel safe and comfortable during their visit.

Data shows that 30,000 South African tourists visited Indonesia in 2025, while Indonesian arrivals in South Africa reached approximately 3,000.

“As part of this collaboration, we aim to increase tourist numbers in both countries. Indonesians will always receive a warm welcome in South Africa,” de Lille said.

Taiwan steps up India trade push to grow leisure travel

By Rohit Kaul
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Buoyed by a 20 per cent growth in Indian tourist arrivals last year, the Taiwan Tourism Administration is now looking to attract a greater number of leisure travellers to the island. At present, the corporate and MICE segments are driving travel demand from India to Taiwan.

To rebalance this mix, the Taiwan Tourism Administration is strengthening its engagement with the travel trade to grow leisure travel from the Indian market.

Shih: we are now focusing on leisure tourism through our travel trade engagements; photo by Rohit Kaul

“Incentive travel demand from India is growing for us. Last year we welcomed an 800 pax strong Indian incentive group of Asian Paints. We are now focusing on leisure tourism through our travel trade engagements,” said Paul Shih, director, Taiwan Tourism Administration, Singapore Office. Shih was speaking to TTG Asia on the sidelines of the Taiwan mega roadshow in New Delhi, which took place on February 3.

The NTO also participated in OTM 2026 from February 5 to 7 and has planned pan-India roadshows later this year across key markets such as Kolkata, Pune and Chennai. It is also working to showcase destinations and experiences beyond Taipei to Indian travellers.

“We have much more than Taipei to offer. From mountains and forests to coastlines and temples, Taiwan presents a diverse range of tourism products and experiences. Activities such as biking and diving are also available. Over the past two years, we have hosted more than 50 Indian travel agents, media representatives and opinion leaders,” said Kuanchu Chen, chief, Taiwan Tourism Administration, International Affairs Division, while addressing participants at the New Delhi roadshow.

Taiwan recorded more than 47,000 Indian tourist arrivals last year.

“We will also be hosting a few Indian travel agents for the Taiwan Lantern Festival scheduled to take place next month. Educating travel agent partners is a key pillar of our Indian market strategy,” concluded Shih.

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGssociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | La Vie Hotels & Resorts enters Philippines with two Casiana signings
TTG Asia | Marriott deepens positive tourism footprint through enhanced Good Travel programme
TTG Asia | TAT unveils 2026 product strategy targeting three-trillion-baht revenue