Marlene Poynder has been named general manager of Waldorf Astoria Sydney, which is scheduled to open in 2027.
She brings more than 30 years of luxury hospitality experience and most recently served as managing director of The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel.
Her previous roles include leadership positions at Waldorf Astoria Beijing, Waldorf Astoria Chicago, Conrad New York Downtown and Park Hyatt Sydney.
Laurens Kritzinger has been appointed general manager of W Bali – Seminyak, effective May 11, 2026.
He joins from The Westin Langkawi Resort & Spa, where he most recently served as general manager. He was previously general manager of Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak Resort.
Armand Steinmeyer has been appointed vice president, development, Southeast Asia at Radisson Hotel Group.
Based in the region, he will lead the group’s development strategy across South-east Asia.
He brings more than 15 years of experience in hospitality development, investment analysis, portfolio growth, mergers and acquisitions, and owner relations across South-east Asia, Asia-Pacific and EMEA.
Michael Yang has been named general manager, Hong Kong at Plaza Premium Group (PPG).
Based in Hong Kong, he will lead the group’s business and operations in the market.
He most recently served as general manager – special task force at PPG, where he led strategic expansion initiatives and partner engagement programmes across the region.
New Zealand’s tourism sector is moving to ensure the country remains visible and competitive as AI reshapes how travellers choose destinations.
Speaking at TRENZ 2026 in Auckland, Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar warned that AI is changing the traveller decision-making process, with destinations now competing to appear in AI-generated recommendations rather than traditional search results.
“Increasingly, travellers will not start with the destination. Instead, they will start with the prompt,” said Ravishankar. “Where should I go for two weeks in November with great food and lots of nature? The countries that show up well in that answer may well win the fight for the tourism dollar.”
To stay ahead, Air New Zealand is investing in AI-focused marketing and digital visibility strategies. Ravishankar said the airline is working to ensure New Zealand and the carrier are “sighted, trusted and machine-readable” by AI platforms.
The airline is also exploring “new agentic advertising approaches with OpenAI and Google” while preparing for AI-driven booking systems that could eventually make travel transactions on behalf of consumers.
Tourism Industry Aotearoa CEO Rebecca Ingram said AI was changing tourism marketing and booking behaviour.
“A recent US study by Phocuswright showed that over half of US travellers are now actively using AI to inform their travel booking decisions,” she said.
However, Ingram said New Zealand still held a competitive advantage in an increasingly digital environment.
“People don’t travel to gather information. They travel because they’re seeking a feeling they don’t have words for,” she said.
Tourism New Zealand CEO René de Monchy said while AI is transforming how travellers discover destinations, it also presents a significant opportunity for New Zealand.
“We’re going through a massive technology disruptive phase,” he said. “We have a massive opportunity as a destination to make sure we are discovered, that our content is accurate, and that machines can find us.”
Osaka’s luxury accommodation sector is gaining momentum, supported by Expo 2025 and the city’s upcoming US$10 billion integrated resort, scheduled to open in autumn 2030.
More than 250 new accommodation properties opened across Osaka Prefecture between 2020 and 2024, with the strongest development concentrated in the city’s central districts and the high-end segment, according to local government data.
International visitors have responded strongly to the growth. Properties in Osaka Prefecture recorded 19.7 million inbound guest stays in 2024, the latest available data, up from 13.5 million in 2023, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization.
Upscale openings in 2025 include the Waldorf Astoria Osaka and Patina Osaka, with both brands choosing Osaka for their first properties in Japan.
“Japan has long been a pinnacle of refined travel, blending deep-rooted traditions with modern innovation, and Osaka – renowned for its vibrant culture, culinary excellence and warm hospitality – was the perfect setting for Waldorf Astoria’s debut in the country,” Candice D’Cruz, vice president of luxury brands, Asia-Pacific at Hilton, told TTG Asia.
As luxury travellers increasingly seek “authenticity, emotional resonance and a deeper sense of connection to a destination”, Osaka stands out for “its unique culinary landscape as the Kitchen of Japan, vibrant street culture and proximity to key destinations across the Kansai region”, she said.
D’Cruz added that the city’s “distinctive personality” creates “a layered, experience-rich journey that appeals to discerning travellers”.
Elen Franke, general manager of Patina Osaka, said Osaka has become increasingly attractive to high-net-worth travellers in recent years.
“The Expo 2025 significantly elevated the city’s global visibility, bringing international attention, infrastructure investment, and renewed confidence in Osaka as a world-class destination. At the same time, the upcoming integrated resort development, including MGM Osaka, signals long-term growth in luxury hospitality, entertainment and international business,” said Franke, adding that this “kind of large-scale investment typically attracts affluent travellers”.
The Philippines is continuing efforts to position itself as a Muslim-friendly destination in Asia through expanded halal tourism infrastructure, workforce training and targeted engagement with Muslim-majority markets.
The country was recently ranked eighth among non-OIC destinations in the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index by Mastercard-CrescentRating, reflecting growing recognition of its halal and Muslim-friendly tourism initiatives.
The Department of Tourism (DoT) said Muslim-friendly travel experiences across the country now include a growing number of halal-certified restaurants, accommodation options, prayer facilities and tourism services designed to support Muslim travellers.
To date, 67 accommodation establishments nationwide have received recognition under the DoT’s Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishment (MFAE) programme. Megaworld Hotels & Resorts has also become the first hotel group in the country to achieve full MFAE recognition across all its properties.
The DoT said approximately 3,000 tourism frontliners and stakeholders have undergone halal and Muslim-friendly tourism training programmes focused on cultural understanding and service delivery.
Destinations including Boracay, Cebu, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro and Metro Manila continue to expand Muslim-friendly tourism offerings. In Boracay, initiatives include the development of Marhaba Boracay, an 800m² beach cove designed for Muslim families.
The Philippines is also strengthening tourism ties with neighbouring Muslim-majority countries including Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia under the BIMP-EAGA regional framework.
Alongside infrastructure development, the DoT continues to promote the country through targeted campaigns and the Muslim-Friendly Travelogue of the Philippines series, highlighting halal dining, cultural heritage and tourism experiences across the archipelago.
The tourism department stated improved international and domestic connectivity is supporting easier access to destinations including Manila, Cebu and Clark, allowing Muslim travellers to explore multiple regions across the country.
The Bali and Beyond Travel Fair (BBTF) 2026 is positioning itself as a marketplace to strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesian tourism through product readiness, industry quality and market confidence.
Speaking at the opening of BBTF 2026 Travex on May 29, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, Indonesia’s minister of tourism, said the event was more than an exhibition, describing it as a business platform designed to connect local stories with market-ready tourism products.
“BBTF is where Indonesia transforms beauty into travel business destinations, culture into experiences, and promotion into real market opportunities,” she said, highlighting tourism’s role in economic growth and job creation.
This year’s event has brought together 407 buyers from 44 countries and 286 sellers from Indonesia, Malaysia, China and Namibia.
Bali remains a key driver of Indonesia’s tourism growth, recording 6.95 million international visitor arrivals in 2025, up 9.7 per cent year on year. The island accounted for nearly half of Indonesia’s international arrivals.
However, Widiyanti stressed that Bali’s position should also help drive travel to other parts of the country. Under the “Bali and Beyond” banner, buyers are being encouraged to explore destinations including Lombok, Manado, Jakarta and tourism villages across the archipelago.
She noted that global competition has moved beyond natural attractions alone, with travellers increasingly seeking distinctive and high-quality experiences. As a result, Indonesian tourism businesses need to move beyond generic travel packages.
“The world doesn’t just buy a destination. The world buys a product that is clear, trusted, well-packaged, and ready to deliver the promised experience,” she said.
To support this effort, the ministry is developing Wonderful Indonesia Gastronomy as a tourism product and using the fair to showcase tourism villages through a collaboration with Bank Indonesia.
Meanwhile, Heru Hartanto Subolo, director general for Information and Public Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted tourism’s role in Indonesia’s international relations.
Through a network of 131 overseas missions, embassies and consulates, the Ministry is working to build cross-border trust and position Indonesia as a stable and credible tourism partner in South-east Asia.
Putu Winastra, chairman of the BBTF 2026 organising committee, said the event’s business sessions and post-tour programmes play an important role in encouraging longer stays and generating benefits for local communities.
“Quality tourism does not mean exclusive tourism. Quality tourism means tourism that creates higher value, better experiences, and stronger benefits for local communities,” he said.
Moxy Hotels has made its debut in Nepal with the opening of Moxy Kathmandu. The launch marks the Marriott Bonvoy lifestyle brand’s entry into a market attracting a broader mix of visitors beyond trekking and pilgrimage tourism.
Located in Kathmandu’s Durbarmarg business and entertainment district, the property is 15 minutes from Tribhuvan International Airport. It is targeting younger, experience-driven travellers seeking access to both heritage sites and the city’s growing creative scene.
Subarna Thapa, Moxy Kathmandu’s captain – the brand’s term for general manager – said the timing is right as Kathmandu evolves into a destination in its own right.
“Kathmandu is seeing a growing mix of digital nomads, young professionals, solo travellers and culturally curious visitors who want more fluid and socially engaging hospitality experiences,” said Thapa.
They are increasingly seeking spaces that are “energetic and interactive rather than overly formal”, aligning with Moxy’s communal and design-led approach. The hotel incorporates signature Moxy features including check-in at the bar and shared social spaces designed to encourage interaction among guests and locals. Programming includes community runs, DJ-led wellness sessions, full moon parties and events featuring local artists.
Thapa said Kathmandu’s hospitality landscape is evolving alongside changing traveller expectations.
“Today’s travellers are approaching Kathmandu with a deeper sense of curiosity and intention. The city is evolving into a destination that offers a compelling blend of spirituality, culture, creativity, cuisine and community,” he said.
“There is a desire to engage more deeply with the character of a place rather than simply tick off landmarks and Kathmandu naturally lends itself to that kind of discovery.”
Hong Kong Airlines has moved its check-in counters at Hong Kong International Airport from Terminal 1 (T1) to the new Terminal 2 (T2), becoming the first airline to operate from the expanded facility.
Passengers can now check in and drop baggage at Aisle Q or use self-service facilities at Aisle R in T2 before proceeding through security and immigration to board flights at the Midfield Concourse in T1.
The airline said the overnight relocation was completed after the final T1 departure, enabling passengers on the first T2 service to Shanghai Pudong to use the new facilities.
Hong Kong Airlines chairman Bruce Wang said the move comes ahead of the carrier’s 20th anniversary and would support the airport’s three-runway system by easing congestion at T1 and increasing operational capacity during peak periods.
He added that the airline would deploy additional staff and use social media and mobile apps to help passengers navigate the new check-in and boarding arrangements.
Hong Kong Airlines also recently launched a new brand identity inspired by Hong Kong’s Bauhinia flower, marking the first update to its aircraft tail livery since the airline was founded. Four aircraft are expected to be repainted this year, with the design to be introduced progressively across the fleet.
The airline also announced upgrades to its Flight Rewards Programme and Birthday Offers for loyalty members to coincide with the opening of T2.
