Minor Hotels will introduce its Avani brand to Japan with the development of Avani Kyoto, scheduled to open in 2030.
The project is being developed in partnership with Taisei Corporation and Heiwa Real Estate, with Minor Hotels participating as both investor and operator.
Minor Hotels marks the signing of Avani Kyoto, which will introduce the Avani brand to Japan in 2030
Located on Karasuma Street in central Kyoto, the hotel will occupy the site of the former Kyoto Shimbun headquarters and will have direct access to Marutamachi Station on the Karasuma Subway Line. The property is within walking distance of attractions including the Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle.
The development will involve the renovation of the existing North Building and the construction of a new South Building, creating a hotel with approximately 240 guestrooms.
According to Minor Hotels, the design will combine elements of Kyoto’s architectural heritage with facilities aimed at both short-stay and extended-stay travellers. The property will include dining venues and shared social spaces.
Avani Kyoto forms part of Minor Hotels’ wider expansion plans in Japan through its joint venture with Royal Holdings. The partnership is expected to support future growth of the group’s Anantara, Avani and Tivoli brands in key urban and leisure destinations across the country.
William E Heinecke, founder and chairman of Minor International, said: “Avani Kyoto represents an important step in Minor Hotels’ long term expansion strategy, bringing the brand into one of Asia’s most culturally significant destinations.
“Through our local partners, we are creating a hotel that is aligned with the character of Kyoto while delivering a contemporary experience for guests.”
Jewel Changi Airport has launched Jewel Blooms with Lego Botanicals, a mall-wide activation featuring floral displays built from approximately 800,000 Lego bricks.
Running until August 30, 2026, the event is billed as the largest Lego Botanicals-themed activation in South-east Asia.
More than 800,000 Lego bricks have been used to create floral displays across Jewel Changi Airport
Highlights include two 2m-tall Lego rose models at Forest Valley and a series of themed garden displays at Canopy Park inspired by landscapes from Japan, the Mediterranean and the English countryside.
The activation also includes a fashion showcase created with the Singapore Fashion Council, featuring designs incorporating Lego Botanicals elements by regional designers. The pieces will remain on display at Jewel.
Visitors can participate in a stamp rally across seven locations until July 26 and redeem a souvenir at the Lego pop-up store, subject to availability.
The event also features exclusive merchandise, Lego displays and retail promotions for shoppers.
Bruno Bohl has been appointed area general manager of Marco Polo Hongkong Hotel, Gateway Hotel, Hong Kong and Prince Hotel, Hong Kong.
He brings more than 30 years of hospitality experience, having held leadership roles with IHG Hotels & Resorts, Accor, Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels and Wanda Hotels & Resorts.
Most recently, he served in senior leadership positions at flagship hotels in China, including as general manager of InterContinental Guangzhou Exhibition Center.
Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, the Maldives Sun Siyam Vilu Reef in the Maldives has introduced 50 new overwater accommodation known as the Ocean Signature Villas with Pool and Slide. The collection comprises 48 one-bedroom villas and two two-bedroom villas positioned over the lagoon with sunrise and sunset views.
Each villa features a private pool, outdoor hammock, direct lagoon access via an 11-metre water slide, separate lounge area, integrated pantry and an open-plan bathroom with a freestanding bathtub. The two-bedroom option is designed for families or groups, with private en-suite facilities for each bedroom.
Part of the Sun Siyam Privé Collection, the new villas expand the resort’s overwater accommodation offering in the South Nilandhe Atoll.
Courtyard by Marriott Okinawa Resort
Courtyard by Marriott Okinawa Resort, Japan Courtyard by Marriott Okinawa Resort is a 170-room beachfront property located on Kise Beach in Nago, northern Okinawa. The hotel offers guestrooms and suites with ocean or mountain views, including family-friendly accommodation options.
Facilities include an all-day dining restaurant, lobby lounge and bar, fitness centre, kids’ club and Marine Club Berry, which offers activities such as diving, flyboarding and stand-up paddleboarding. The resort also features a 210m² function room and a chapel for meetings, events and weddings.
Located around one hour by road from Naha International Airport, the hotel provides access to northern Okinawa’s beaches and outdoor attractions. Nearby points of interest include the Busena Marine Park Underwater Observatory, Kanehide Kise Country Club and the UNESCO-listed Yambaru National Park.
voco Kuching
voco Kuching, Malaysia voco Kuching is a 321-room hotel located a short drive from Kuching International Airport, marking the debut of the voco brand in Malaysia. Accommodation ranges from standard and balcony rooms to suites and penthouse suites.
Facilities include a restaurant, café and bar, and over 2,400m² of event space, including the Rainforest Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 1,350 guests.
The hotel provides access to Kuching’s business districts, convention venues and cultural attractions, serving as a base for exploring Sarawak’s capital.
Radisson Red Cebu Mandaue
Radisson Red Cebu Mandaue, the Philippines Radisson Red Cebu Mandaue is a 144-room hotel nestled within Astra Centre, a mixed-use development in Mandaue City. The property offers a range of accommodation, including Superior and Deluxe Rooms, Family Rooms, Junior Suites and Executive Suites.
Facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, meeting spaces, pool bar, all-day social bar and a 24-hour grab-and-go deli.
The hotel is located near Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Cebu IT Park, Cebu Business Park and Oakridge Business Park. Guests also have access to attractions such as Magellan’s Cross, Fort San Pedro, the Cebu Taoist Temple, Temple of Leah and Tops Lookout.
Timor-Leste has welcomed UNESCO’s designation of Nino Konis Santana National Park as the country’s first Biosphere Reserve, a move expected to strengthen its position as a destination for nature-based and sustainable tourism.
The designation was approved on June 5, 2026, during the 38th Session of UNESCO’s International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme in Paraguay.
Jaco Island, an uninhabited 10km² island, forms part of the UNESCO-recognised Nino Konis Santana National Park in Timor-Leste
Located in Lautem Municipality at the eastern tip of Timor-Leste, Nino Konis Santana National Park encompasses forests, coastal habitats, coral reefs, beaches and sites of cultural significance.
The reserve includes the country’s largest remaining primary forest, freshwater ecosystems surrounding Lake Iralalaro and marine habitats within the Coral Triangle, one of the world’s most biodiverse marine regions.
According to the Ministry of Tourism, the recognition raises the international profile of the protected area and supports efforts to attract travellers interested in nature, conservation and community-based tourism.
Activities available within the reserve include birdwatching, hiking, snorkelling, diving and cultural experiences linked to local communities and heritage sites.
The ministry said the UNESCO designation broadens Timor-Leste’s tourism offering and strengthens its position within the growing sustainable tourism market.
Antonio da Silva, director-general of tourism, said: “UNESCO’s recognition of Nino Konis Santana National Park as Timor-Leste’s first Biosphere Reserve is a proud moment for our country and a significant step forward for our tourism sector.
“As global demand grows for destinations that value sustainability, this recognition provides a powerful platform to attract travellers who want to explore responsibly and contribute positively to the places they visit.”
Philippine travel agencies are optimistic that demand for domestic and international travel will recover as airline fuel surcharges continue to decline amid easing tensions in the Middle East.
The Philippines’ Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) lowered the fuel surcharge on passenger flights to Level 12 from June 16 to 30, down from Level 13 during the first half of June.
From left: Jaison Yang and Princess Aila Macamay, both of whom expect lower fuel surcharges and improving geopolitical conditions to support a recovery in travel demand
Fuel surcharges are additional fees added to airfares to reflect changes in fuel prices.
The surcharge rate has been on a downward trend since May 1, reflecting softer jet fuel prices. However, surcharge levels remain significantly higher than before the Middle East conflict, when the CAB imposed a Level 4 surcharge.
Industry stakeholders hope the lower surcharge will make air travel more affordable and encourage bookings in the coming months.
“We are optimistic that the lower fuel surcharge rate and the easing of tensions in the Middle East will help boost travel demand,” Philippine Travel Agencies Association president Jaison Yang told TTG Asia on June 16.
Yang said the industry has experienced sluggish sales since May, a trend he expects to continue until mid-August. He added that travel demand could begin to recover in September.
According to Yang, higher airfares have discouraged many travellers, particularly affecting the MICE segment. Rather than cancelling trips altogether, many customers have opted to postpone their travel plans.
Princess Aila Macamay, a sales agent at Manila-based Discover Group, also observed a slowdown in bookings following the escalation of tensions in the Middle East.
She said enquiries that previously converted quickly into bookings became harder to close as travellers grew more cautious due to safety concerns. The company also recorded a decline in overall enquiries.
Macamay added that higher fuel costs squeezed travel agency margins, with Discover Group absorbing part of the increase in airfares after fuel prices rose unexpectedly.
The higher airfares also pushed up package prices. Macamay said a 15-day Europe tour package that previously cost around US$2,487 rose to about US$2,985 as airfare costs increased.
To minimise disruption, the company also sought alternative airline routings that avoided stopovers in Middle Eastern countries.
Despite the challenges, industry players remain optimistic.
“If we survived the pandemic, there’s no way we can’t survive this crisis,” Yang said. “During the pandemic, there was no movement, no tourism, virtually zero economic activity. But we survived.”
Macamay also expressed confidence that improving geopolitical conditions and lower fuel surcharges will support a gradual recovery in travel demand.
Ascott’s ongoing quest to be a more inclusive employer has been recognised by SG Enable – the focal agency for disability in Singapore – through the Enabling Mark (Gold) award, which is regarded as the highest tier of Singapore’s national disability-inclusive employment accreditation.
Linda Ong, director of human resources with Ascott, said the award “reflects the collective progress Ascott has made in embedding disability-inclusive practices across hiring, workplace support and employee development” in Singapore.
Ong: Ascott Singapore has implemented job redesign to enable associates with disabilities to perform effectively
Ascott’s inclusive hiring efforts include its 2024 MoU with SG Enable to establish disability inclusion and accessibility standards in hospitality. Over the course of the partnership, Ascott and SG Enable collaborated across five key pillars: Inclusive Spaces, Inclusive Programmes, Inclusive Digital Interfaces, Inclusive Hiring and Inclusive Training.
Initiatives undertaken across these five pillars include the creation of a secure platform that allows associates to voluntarily self-identify as persons with disabilities; upgrading the Discover ASR booking platform to show properties’ accessibility features, in accordance to globally recognised Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 AA standards; and ensuring that all frontline associates complete disability awareness training by 2027.
Additionally, the lodging specialist worked with disability inclusion specialist, Colorful Earth, to assess where change was most needed across its Singapore operations. This included a review of policies, systems, training materials, and ESG disclosures, alongside 31 in-depth interviews with teams at headquarters, regional offices, and properties.
Insights from these activities informed the eventual production of the Ascott Disability Inclusion Playbook, which was introduced in November last year. The playbook ensures realistic and usable applications in hospitality operations, and “serves as an internal guide to improve accessibility across our global portfolio”, shared Ong.
A public version of the playbook was also produced with inputs from external partners, including SG Enable, Workplace Safety and Health Act and The Valuable 500, incorporating case studies from across the industry.
Reflecting on the significance of the SG Enable award, Ong told TTG Asia: “It independently recognises that inclusion has become embedded within business operations rather than existing as an isolated CSR initiative.
“The accreditation also places Ascott Singapore among organisations formally recognised for embedding inclusive hiring and workplace practices, providing external validation for employees, leaders and partners who have contributed to the journey.”
She continued: “The recognition reinforces that disability inclusion and business performance can go hand in hand. This aligns with Singapore’s broader push towards greater disability inclusion under the Enabling Masterplan 2030, which encourages organisations to create more inclusive environments and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.”
Ascott’s disability inclusion and accessibility transformation has had its own challenges, recalled Ong.
She detailed: “Attracting and retaining talent with disabilities remains an area that requires ongoing focus. The hospitality industry is not always perceived as an accessible or viable long-term career option, and misconceptions about job requirements may discourage qualified candidates with disabilities from pursuing opportunities in the sector. To address this, Ascott Singapore works closely with agencies, educational institutions, and community organisations to strengthen outreach efforts and build a sustainable pipeline of talent.
“Another key consideration is ensuring the successful integration of associates with disabilities into the workplace while fostering an inclusive culture where all employees feel valued, supported, and empowered to perform at their best.”
Ong shared: “Ascott Singapore adopts a collaborative approach across departments to provide ongoing mentorship, peer support, and regular check-ins that facilitate integration, engagement, and professional growth. Open communication channels are encouraged to enable employees to share feedback and raise accessibility concerns, while the organisation continues to balance operational requirements with reasonable accommodation, particularly in guest-facing, operational, and shift-based roles.”
Difficulties aside, the disability inclusion and accessibility transformation is crucial to Ascott’s hiring strategy, as it allows the company to “access a broader and more diverse talent pool” to overcome ongoing workforce challenges.
To facilitate successful integration, Ascott Singapore has implemented job redesign and reasonable accommodation frameworks that assess roles against individuals’ strengths, capabilities, and support needs during the recruitment process. Where appropriate, job scopes are refined to enable associates to perform effectively while maintaining operational requirements.
The inclusive commitment also strengthens employee engagement, innovation, and team performance by bringing diverse perspectives and experiences into the workplace, opined Ong.
“It reinforces Ascott Singapore’s commitment to creating an environment where all associates have equitable opportunities to contribute, grow, and succeed,” she stated.
The company has seen positive outcomes from its efforts. It welcomed more than 10 associates with disabilities across its 21 properties in Singapore, with no voluntary attrition recorded to date.
Beyond recruitment, Ascott continues to strengthen its inclusive employment pipeline through partnerships and outreach initiatives. One such example is its participation in the Talent Explorer Programme, which introduces students with disabilities to career opportunities in the hospitality sector.
Ong sees an opportunity to transfer key lessons from Singapore’s disability inclusion and accessibility journey to the company’s wider, global operations, with implementation tailored to the unique context and needs of each market.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Alipay+ have unveiled a new campaign that uses AI-powered recommendations and travel planning tools to support visitors travelling to Thailand.
The initiative combines traveller behaviour data, AI-driven analytics and tourism information from TAT to generate recommendations across four categories: attractions, food, activities and accommodation. The campaign will initially target Chinese travellers through Alipay, an Alipay+ partner e-wallet.
The initiative uses AI-generated travel recommendations and personalised trip planning to help visitors explore Thailand
The recommendations are delivered through Alipay+ Voyager, an in-app AI travel assistant that provides personalised suggestions and travel information based on individual preferences.
According to the partners, the platform is designed to support travellers throughout the travel journey, from destination discovery and itinerary planning to bookings and payments.
Users can access information on attractions, transport, accommodation and local experiences, while also making bookings for flights, hotels, attractions and ride-hailing services within the app ecosystem.
The collaboration also incorporates travel safety information and emergency contact details, including access to Thailand Tourist Police services and other emergency assistance channels.
TAT and Alipay+ said the initiative forms part of broader efforts to integrate AI into tourism services and improve the visitor experience through personalised recommendations and digital tools.
Future plans include expanded use of the AI travel assistant, the introduction of a Thailand destination benefits card offering travel and retail discounts, and the development of additional destination content for Chinese travellers.
The campaign also highlights local attractions and experiences across Thailand, ranging from cultural sites and food experiences to lifestyle activities and lesser-known destinations.
Yolrawee Sittichai, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Beijing Office, said the partnership represents a significant step in using digital technology to support Thailand’s tourism development and strengthen digital tourism services for Chinese travellers.
Scarlett Xing, general manager of Alipay+ Travel Solutions at Ant International, described the collaboration as the next phase of the companies’ partnership, using AI-powered tools to support traveller discovery, enhance the visitor experience and create opportunities for tourism businesses and merchants in Thailand.
Soneva is evolving its foundational philosophy from Barefoot Luxury to Bare Luxury, placing greater emphasis on discernment over excess.
Soneva Fushi pioneered the barefoot concept in 1995 as a response to industry trends that equated excess with excellence. With sustainability now widely adopted across the hospitality sector, the brand sees a need to further refine its market positioning.
Soneva is repositioning its brand around the concept of Bare Luxury, focusing on personalised experiences and well-being; photo by Soneva
“Much of the industry has caught up over the last 30 years, and we wanted to ensure Soneva remains at the forefront of what the future of luxury should look like. Rather than adding more, the brand is removing everything that does not serve, revealing what we call ‘Just What Matters’,” said Rhea Saran, global director of communications at Soneva.
This repositioning is driving operational changes across the Maldives portfolio. Management is shifting away from rigid protocols to give staff greater flexibility in responding to guest needs.
“While things were perhaps prescriptive in the past and heavily dependent on standard operating procedures, we are now training for emotional intelligence to truly empower our people,” she said.
She added that standard operating procedures do not always allow staff to respond appropriately to individual guest needs, and that employees are being given greater flexibility to tailor experiences.
The philosophy is also shaping product development. In October, Soneva Jani will introduce 37 well-being suites within its overwater villas.
“That space in the villas used to be an office. We asked ourselves what matters to our guests: an office space or well-being? So, we converted them into well-being studios with direct equipment access,” Saran explained.
According to Saran, the changes reflect evolving guest preferences, including longer stays, multi-generational travel and growing interest in well-being.
These operational shifts align with changing ultra-high-net-worth traveller behaviours.
“We’ve seen a rise in longer stays, multi-generational stays and people really inquiring about things like well-being – which has given us a sense of what is really important to our guests,” she shared.
The concept is perhaps most visible at Soneva Secret, the group’s 13-villa property in a remote Maldivian atoll, where guest experiences are designed around individual preferences rather than fixed schedules.
“Bare luxury is not minimalism, nor is it not giving people a sense of choice. We are not putting the burden of creativity on our guests. This is where the editing comes in: what are we not presenting that allows you to focus on what matters,” Saran said.
Novotel Living Singapore Orchard has launched the Kai Family Package, an extended-stay offer that includes exclusive merchandise and welcome amenities for children.
Available for stays until December 31, 2026, the package is priced from S$208++ (US$162++) per night, based on a minimum six-night stay.
The Kai Family Package at Novotel Living Singapore Orchard includes a children’s welcome gift featuring the property’s new mascot, Kai the Turtle Explorer
Each child receives a welcome gift bag containing a Kai the Turtle Explorer plush toy and a travel activity book. Kai the Turtle Explorer is the property’s new children’s mascot, developed in partnership with Singapore-based children’s lifestyle brand TravelTod.
The package is available across the property’s 85 serviced apartments, which feature kitchenettes, washer-dryers, coffee machines and high-speed Wi-Fi, catering to families and long-stay guests.
Located near Orchard Road, the property also offers a clubhouse serving daily breakfast and all-day refreshments, alongside facilities designed for extended stays.
Novotel Living Singapore Orchard is Green Globe-certified and incorporates sustainability initiatives including in-room water filtration systems, refillable bathroom amenities, wooden key cards and energy-efficient systems.
Guests are also eligible to earn and redeem benefits through Accor’s ALL – Accor Live Limitless loyalty programme.
Most recently, he served in senior leadership positions at flagship hotels in China, including as general manager of InterContinental Guangzhou Exhibition Center.
