Capella Singapore has appointed Paul Jackson as its new general manager.
With over 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Jackson is set to elevate the hotel’s legacy by creating immersive experiences that celebrate both global sophistication and Singapore’s rich cultural heritage.
His career includes a nine-year tenure at Claridge’s in London, along with experience at renowned properties worldwide, such as Mandarin Oriental, The Ritz, and Grand InterContinental.
Ahead of its transition to the Singapore Oceanarium, the SEA Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa marks 12 years of operation with a special anniversary campaign.
Named 12 Years of Creating Wonder, the campaign features three new interactive exhibits, and runs from now till April 30.
“We have come a long way since we opened SEA Aquarium, and our 12th anniversary is a moment to reflect on the milestones that have shaped our journey. The anniversary programme features immersive experiences, interactive exhibits, and community-driven collaborations – reflecting how we have connected with our guests over the years – all designed to bring together the friends of SEA Aquarium and our communities through a shared love for the ocean,” said Lam Xue Ying, vice president at SEA Aquarium.
Nestled along the regular route of the aquarium, each of the exhibits mark the aquarium’s efforts toward marine education, conservation, and research.
Visitors will first come across the Treasures of Curios, an interactive station that highlights the aquarium’s ongoing efforts in research and conservation. Among them are the successful breeding programme of the critically endangered Bowmouth Guitarfish and beach clean-up initiatives. A motion sensor Lightbox also shows the animals that live in the internal zone.
Next up, the Marine Mirage introduces a sensory element to the experience. Visitors can put their hands in an enclosed space to touch replicas that mimic the textures of zebra sharks, sea jellies, sea urchins and cownose rays.
Lastly, at the Ocean Oracle zone, guests use viewfinders to discover facts about marine animal relationships and lenses to see close ups of shark teeth.
Apart from these exhibits, SEA Aquarium is also partnering with Arts & Disability Singapore (ART:DIS) to create a special three-part artwork series titled Evolving Oceans: A Symphony of Life. The triptych will symbolise transformation, marine biodiversity, and community engagement, bridging the past, present, and future.
ART:DIS also conducts marine-themed art workshops during the campaign, designed for kids, where guests can sign up inside the aquarium.
There will also be daily mascot meet-and-greet sessions by the aquarium’s manta ray trio, Mika, Manja and Mako, and Sam, the hammerhead shark.
The Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train will launch its three-night Wild Malaysia journeys on April 28, featuring the best of the region’s cuisine. Three Michelin-starred chefs from Asia will join Culinary Curator Chef André Chiang to showcase exceptional dishes on these special journeys.
Entitled Tastes of Tomorrow: A Culinary Gathering with Chef André Chiang, Chiang is joined by Chef Vicky Cheng of restaurant Wing and VEA in Hong Kong (April 28), Chef Jason Liu of restaurant LING LONG in Beijing and Shanghai (July 28); and Chef Jungsik Yim of restaurant Jungsik in Seoul and New York (September 8) – each chef will share their kitchen secrets and offer guests a unique culinary experience.
Onboard, the chefs will craft menus using regional ingredients and spices that tell the story of the land. Alongside Chef Chiang’s menu, the guest chefs will each prepare a signature dish reflecting the region’s heritage. On the final evening, they will join forces for a special four-hands dinner, celebrating the blend of friendship, flavour, and Malaysia’s local cuisine.
Furthermore, bartender and mixologist Shelley Tai will craft a unique cocktail menu for each gala dinner onboard, complementing the chefs’ diverse flavours with her own creations inspired by Singapore’s vibrant culture and history. Guests can also join the chefs in the Observation Car for an intimate conversation about their creative process, accompanied by live Malaysian jazz.
In addition, guests are invited to join each chef on curated offboard excursions. These include a guided tour of Taman Negara National Park, offering exclusive insights into their inspirations, philosophies, and the artistry behind their creations.
The Eastern & Oriental Express offers three-night itineraries year-round, with the Wild Malaysia itinerary running from March to October. Accommodation starts from US$5,800 per person in a Pullman cabin including all meals, a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, on board entertainment, on and offboard activities.
For more information, visit Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train.
As the world becomes increasingly health conscious amid mounting air pollution and congested urban hubs, India is noting an uptick in wellness tourists seeking to rebalance their body, soul and mind.
Baby Mathew, chairman and managing director of Somatheeram Ayurveda Group, noted an increase in interest from Asia, especially Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan and South Korea, and notably among the young.
“India is famous for Ayurveda, yoga and natural remedies, and we’re seeing more people looking for spirituality and healing, while wanting to escape the pollution and cities,” said Mathew.
Aman Amola, inbound manager at Explore Bharat, also noted an uptick in increasingly younger people investing in medical tourism.
“Young people are now seeking healthier lifestyles, they are health conscious, and this health trend is increasingly bringing them to India,” he told TTG Asia.
He said that in addition to wellness tourism, Delhi – India’s capital territory – is luring both domestic medical travellers as well as a rising number of young people from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and other countries in South Asia seeking fertility treatment.
“Delhi has some of the best hospitals in the region for this, and this is becoming a big sector,” Amola noted, adding that India’s affordable healthcare is also luring international visitors needing other forms of treatment.
In 2024, the nation’s medical tourism market was valued at US$7.69 billion, with an estimated 7.3 million foreigners visiting for treatment. This is expected to hit US$8.71 billion this year.
Mathew said the government’s announcement of visa relaxations will help drive business to India’s medical tourism industry, making it easier and cheaper for many nationals to enter the country.
The Japan Tourism Agency, Japan Sports Agency and Agency for Cultural Affairs have pledged to strengthen the brand of Japan and its regions through collaboration in a newly signed comprehensive partnership agreement.
Building on a cooperation agreement inked in 2016, the partnership will see the three agencies promote emerging destinations that combine sporting, cultural and artistic resources to offer attractions unique to Japan that will enthuse visitors at home and abroad.
“We aim to further increase the number of foreign visitors to Japan and revitalise domestic tourism, thereby realising a virtuous cycle of the economy, with the keywords of ‘sustainable tourism,’ ‘increased consumption’ and ‘promotion of tourism to regional areas,” the Japan Tourism Agency and the Agency for Cultural Affairs said in a joint statement.
Western Hokkaido, for example, offers top-quality skiing and snowboarding as well as an introduction to the culture of the island’s indigenous people through attractions such as the Ainu Culture Promotion Center in Sapporo and the Ainu Culture Museum in Nibutani.
Meanwhile, around the Seto Inland Sea, there are dedicated cycling routes, to and around the many islands including Naoshima, which is renowned for its contemporary art and the Benesse House Museum, and Ikuchi island, home to the culturally rich Kosanji Temple complex.
The agreement also aims to support the creation of opportunities to visit and tour Japan, including through hosting international sporting, cultural and artistic events.
Marriott International recently signed an agreement with Jee Teng Hospitality to open Sheraton Nai Harn Beach in Phuket, a new-build resort that marks the brand’s debut on the Thai island.
Nestled within a 4.3-hectare beachfront site, majority of the resort’s 600 rooms, suites and villas is expected to offer uninterrupted views of the Andaman Sea, with a dedicated beach sports center for kayaking, paddle-boarding and more.
“With the upcoming launch of Sheraton Nai Harn Beach, Marriott International and Jee Teng Hospitality will operate two outstanding properties in Phuket, totalling over 1,000 keys with three additional projects in the pipeline. This follows the successful debut of Four Points by Sheraton Phuket Patong Beach Resort in 2020,” said Rajeev Menon, president, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International. “Phuket, Phang Nga, and Krabi now form Marriott’s second-largest destination in Thailand, with 17 hotels and resorts, this milestone also highlights the incredible potential of the region”.
Guests can look forward to discovering Sheraton’s new design and inviting spaces that foster a sense of belonging, connection and collaboration. The hotel will house two swimming pools, a large fitness centre, spa, Kid’s Club, and 763m2 of function space to host events including weddings.
The surrounding Nai Harn area is known for its peaceful charm, with local restaurants, boutique shops, and lively a beachside night market. Phuket Town is over 30 minutes away, and Phuket International Airport an hour’s drive away.
Sheraton Nai Harn Beach becomes the fifth Sheraton branded property in Thailand.
The Air Astana Group fleet has grown to sixty aircraft following the arrival of a new Airbus A320neo in Almaty. Its full-service carrier Air Astana now has a fleet of 35 aircraft, while low-cost carrier FlyArystan operates 25.
Both carriers in the Group have grown rapidly with an increasing number of the newest Airbus A321LR and Airbus A320neo aircraft as part of Air Astana’s network expansion to destinations across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
FlyArystan continues to boost low-cost services throughout Kazakhstan and Central Asia, together with an increasing number of longer-range flights to Georgia, China and the Middle East.
“Expanding our fleet to 60 aircraft is a significant milestone for Air Astana Group and an important step towards accomplishing our strategic plans,” said Peter Foster, CEO of Air Astana Group. “We will continue to invest in modern aircraft and expand our route network, offering passengers even more opportunities for convenient and affordable travel both within the region and beyond”.
The Group aims to increase its fleet to 80 aircraft by 2028.
China based B2B travel distribution company DidaTravel has rebranded to Dida to reflect the company’s vision of delivering ‘smarter solutions to power the strongest partnerships’.
The decision to simplify the name to Dida marks the next chapter in the company’s journey, as it plans to take innovation to the next level by harnessing the power of data, machine learning and generative AI to drive exceptional efficiency and remove many of the key pain-points currently experienced across the industry.
Rikin Wu, founder and CEO at Dida said: “Our new identity is more than just a change of logo or branding – it’s a reflection of who we are and what we stand for. Over the years, our partners have consistently praised our tech-driven solutions and the adaptability of our teams.”
“The new Dida brand embodies these strengths and reinforces our commitment to delivering smarter, more flexible solutions that will help our partners thrive in an increasingly competitive market. In the future, we look forward to collaborating with leading enterprises in and beyond the travel industry, leveraging our strengths and AI technology to explore even more innovative business models.”
UN Tourism will hold two special events and a diverse range of activities at Expo 2025, which will open its doors at Yumeshima Island, Osaka on April 13.
UN Tourism said it is “proud to participate in Japan Expo 2025, bringing together global leaders, innovators and changemakers through two flagship events that highlight our commitment to inclusive growth and sustainable development in tourism”.
These events are the Celebrating Female Founders Event on April 28 and the Global Tourism Investment Forum on April 29.
Featuring a pitching session, panel discussion and fireside chat, the Celebrating Female Founders Event is designed to celebrating female entrepreneurship and introduce female founders from UN Tourism Global Startup Competitions.
The Global Tourism Investment Forum “will focus on the exchange of good practices and cultural collaboration to leverage investments, with a special emphasis on cross-cultural collaboration and impact investment,” continued the UN, adding that the “gathering of global leaders, investors and innovators aims to foster innovative financing mechanisms and strategies that enhance investment opportunities and maximise sector-wide impact”.
UN Tourism will also have a presence at the onsite UN Pavilion, which will welcome visitors for the duration of the Expo 2025 under the theme, United for a Better Future. UN Tourism will be among the 35 UN entities displaying exhibits and running programming that showcase efforts to address global challenges and align with Expo 2025’s Theme Weeks.
The Co-creating Cultures for the Future Week, held April 25 to May 6, will explore tourism, the arts, culture, music, heritage and local community revitalisation.
Despite AI’s limitations in terms of certainty of information and lack of semantics, the technology continues to demonstrate good use in the space of travel and tourism, opines Wolfram Höpken, professor and director at the Institute for Digital Transformation at University of Applied Sciences Ravensburg-Weingarten.
In his opening for the March 5 conference session, The Future of Destination Marketing: Is AI taking over?, at ITB Berlin 2025, Höpken identified various AI applications in travel and tourism – specifically offer generation, marketings, information and search, reservation and booking, consumption, and feedback.
He noted that these functions “are not new and have been done for centuries”, and the work process is being improved with statistical approaches and machine learning, “which are the core of AI”.
He expects greater use of big data analytics in travel and tourism as technology continues to evolve. Citing examples of what big data analytics can already do, Höpken said a project with the Lake Constance region (which overlaps parts of Germany, Switzerland and Austria) tracks how travellers are moving through the destination and patterns of tours by collecting and analysing 1.5 million photos posted on Instagram.
Another trend to come is the rise of AI agents that use large language models or chat services in the background to speed up the design of travel and tourism products and services.
According to Sojern’s newly published State of Destination Marketing 2025 report, AI is reshaping destination marketing, with 63 per cent of DMOs using it for content creation. Only 28 per cent use AI for data analysis, highlighting a massive opportunity to use AI for deeper insights and more effective decision-making.
Addressing resource limitations and training gaps will be critical to unlocking AI’s full potential, according to Sojern.
Following up on Höpken’s presentation, representatives from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Dublin City Tourism Unit shared real example of how technology is being woven into destination marketing efforts.
Kershing Goh, regional director Europe at STB, spoke of the NTO’s partnership with Google to bring AR experience directly to Google Maps in 2024.
This partnership builds upon the success of Merli’s Immersive Adventure – an innovative AR tour to six points of interest around Singapore through STB’s Visit Singapore Travel Guide app launched in January 2024. Powered by Google’s ARCore and Geospatial Creator, the tour follows Singapore’s tourism mascot, Merli, as he guides visitors to iconic spots such as the Victoria Theatre & Concert Hall, Fullerton Hotel and Maxwell Food Centre.
In the expanded partnership, new AR experiences are available on the Google Maps mobile app, not just on the Visit Singapore Travel Guide app. Furthermore, participating tourism stakeholders in Singapore have developed location-based AR experiences for travellers.
Goh explained that the technology approach to enhancing the Singapore destination experience was necessitated by the city-state’s limited land space that restricted tourism product development, manpower crunch, and the constant need to refresh the tourism narrative and tourism experiences for visitors.
STB also worked on fitting live weather data into experience recommendations, “as Singapore is in the tropics and it rains a lot”, which can impact travellers’ decision on what to do in the destination.
“Another interesting thing that we were looking into was how to (connect) points of interest with emotions. A traveller arriving from New York on a long flight may be jet-lagged, so what can we serve as a destination that’s going to feed his current state of mind?” explained Goh.
Barry Rogers, head of Dublin City Tourism Unit, shared the city’s high-tech approach to destination management, which earned it the title, European Capital of Smart Tourism, in 2024. Dublin City Tourism Unit launched three large corporate collaborations: one with Google on Google Maps, one with MasterCard on analytics and innovation, and one with openAI on modeling for tourism.
He spoke about the A Day in Dublin platform that is able to build “individual, hyper-personalised itineraries for Dublin City” just by asking the traveller/user a series of questions to understand their travel preferences and profile.
“This means that the prompt engineering of the platform is really important,” said Rogers.
In a trial by TTG Show Daily, the A Day in Dublin platform posed seven questions about the region of interest, desired pace of travel, who would be travelling with the user, when the trip would be made, desired activities, and willingness to explore beyond the region of interest. Within minutes, a five-point itinerary for a single day was generated.
