Mandarin Oriental will debut in north-western China with the launch of Mandarin Oriental, Xi’an in 2029. Developed under a management agreement, the property aims to offer a tranquil retreat with a focus on wellness and cultural experiences in one of China’s oldest cities.
Located in the former capital of 13 dynasties and home to landmarks such as the Terracotta Warriors, Mandarin Oriental, Xi’an will draw on Tang Dynasty influences in its design, offering contemporary accommodation that reflects the city’s cultural legacy.
Mandarin Oriental brings wellness-focused luxury to Xi’an with its upcoming 2029 opening
Set on a landscaped site next to a new park, the hotel will feature 166 rooms and suites with outdoor terraces, hot spring facilities and uninterrupted views. It will also include seven villas with private terraces and pools.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental will offer a range of wellness and beauty treatments in hot spring pavilions, alongside a 50-metre indoor-outdoor infinity pool, children’s pool and a wellness programme. The hotel will also use natural materials and seasonal design elements to reflect Xi’an’s heritage.
Facilities will include five dining outlets, a Chinese restaurant with locally inspired cuisine, and a 1,200m² ballroom with outdoor terraces. Other amenities include children’s play areas, a library, gallery, retail boutique and entertainment spaces.
Laurent Kleitman, group chief executive of Mandarin Oriental, said: “This is more than a hotel, it is an urban retreat that honours the city’s historic grandeur while setting a new standard in wellness and cultural storytelling. Xi’an fits perfectly into our China strategy and our plans to further grow our portfolio over the next 10 years.”
Xudong Zi, general manager of Xi’an Wolong Real Estate, added: “Our shared vision, supported by Qujiang Government, is to create a destination that harmonises the city’s heritage, natural beauty and contemporary design, setting a new standard for experiential travel in China. With Mandarin Oriental’s expertise in crafting exceptional guest experiences, we are confident this project will become a defining landmark for Xi’an and a source of pride for the local community.”
Dusit International has signed a strategic partnership agreement with French real estate investment firm Sydel to establish Dusit France, a joint venture aimed at introducing Dusit’s brand of Thai-inspired hospitality to France for the first time.
The partnership will draw on Sydel’s local knowledge and operational expertise to identify opportunities for Dusit Hotels and Resorts, whose portfolio spans nine brands across various market segments, from midscale lifestyle hotels to luxury retreats.
Dusit International and Sydel formally established Dusit France at a signing ceremony held in Paris
Brands under consideration for the French market include Dusit Thani, Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Collection, Dusit Hotels, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels and Dusit Suites.
The joint venture will focus on identifying strategic locations, supporting asset repositioning, and introducing hotel concepts built around guest experience, well-being, and long-term value creation.
The agreement was formalised at a signing ceremony in Paris on July 10, 2025, where Dusit International chief operating officer Gilles Cretallaz outlined the group’s growth plans in the region.
Cretallaz said: “This partnership marks an important milestone in our global expansion strategy, and we are confident that our unique blend of cultural authenticity, innovation, and gracious service will resonate strongly with travellers and developers alike.”
Dusit currently operates 294 properties in 18 countries, including 55 under Dusit Hotels and Resorts and 239 luxury villas under Elite Havens. In Europe, its portfolio includes Dusit Suites Athens, an upper-upscale property in the coastal district of Glyfada.
In the lead-up to International Primate Day on September 1, InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort in Central Vietnam has designated August as Primate Appreciation Month, reaffirming its commitment to conservation.
A series of educational and interactive activities will run throughout the month, designed to engage guests of all ages while supporting the local population of critically endangered red-shanked douc langurs.
Guests are invited to learn about the importance of primates and help protect the resort’s own population of red-shanked douc langurs with immersive and engaging activities throughout August
The Son Tra Peninsula is home to three primate species: the brown macaque, the slow loris, and the red-shanked douc langur. Globally, fewer than 2,500 of these langurs remain in the wild, with an estimated 1,000 living on Son Tra. As custodian of this habitat, InterContinental Danang plays an active role in protecting these endangered primates.
August’s programming includes nature-focused experiences across the resort. At the Green Hub, guests can learn about douc langurs through interactive displays and talks by resident naturalist Trung Quân, a former national park ranger. There will also be Yoga sessions featuring new poses inspired by forest movement.
The resort will also host twice-daily wildlife expeditions into the Son Tra forest in partnership with Next Continent Travel, offering guests the chance to spot local species, including douc langurs. The resort team will carry out maintenance on its five hand-woven Monkey Bridges, which enable wildlife to travel through the forest canopy safely.
M Club, the resort’s hilltop lounge said to have once belonged to a monkey named Charles, will offer guided tours exploring its monkey-themed design. A private cinema within the venue will screen nature documentaries throughout August.
Children’s programming includes scavenger hunts to find red-shanked douc langur plush toys, which they can keep if discovered, along with themed yoga sessions held every Saturday.
Rotorua, a familiar destination on the New Zealand circuit, is rolling out the welcome mat for even more Asian visitors, especially those from emerging source markets like the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
Motivation to visit – and revisit – will come from Rotorua’s wide variety of products across adventure, culture, wellness and scenic categories, as well as new activities and refreshed accommodation options.
Ohinemutu is a living Māori village set on the picturesque shores of Lake Rotorua; photo by Paul Michael
Speaking to TTG Asia during TRENZ 2025, a travel trade show dedicated to raising the profile of New Zealand destinations, Andrew Wilson, chief executive for RotoruaNZ, said destination reach is already well established in Singapore, China, and India, and RotoruaNZ’s strategy has been to “ensure products and operators are ready for those markets”.
For the China market, RotoruaNZ recently inked an MoU with Air China that will result in joint activity to raise destination awareness and drive higher Chinese arrivals to the Sulphur City – a nickname Rotorua earned for its active geothermal system and abundant hot springs.
RotoruaNZ shared that in 2024, Asian arrivals spent NZ$15.3 million (US$9 million) in the destination on card alone, excluding pre-paid tours, cash or online spend.
“We’re really fortunate that a number of established operators have some great resource, some really key people who visit these Asian markets pretty regularly to sell the best that Rotorua has to offer,” he said.
And, Rotorua’s best tourism options are expanding.
Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa elevates Rotorua’s premium wellness offerings
Come September, Redwoods Treewalk and Nightlights will unveil Redwoods Glowworms, a 70-metre eco cave featuring rock formations, cascading waterfalls, a cool environment that is home to over 5,000 glow-worms. The experience combines conservation, education, and adventure.
Bruce Thomasen, co-founder of Redwoods Treewalk and Nightlights, said Redwoods Glowworms is a result of a partnership with Expedition Earth duo Bridget Thackwray and Topher Richwhite, who have developed the bio-integrative designs and the eco-environment that allows glow-worms to thrive.
Also new is the high-end Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa that sits on the shores of Lake Rotorua. This facility combines Mãori culture and Ngãti Whakaue water healing practices, with its star attraction being the two-hour, seven-step Restorative Journey, which takes rejuvenation seekers from the Te Hihiri Blessing Stone ritual through Te Tukinga Tongariro Fire & Ice Caves, Te Pae Paru Geothermal Mud Lounge, and more.
Several hotels in the destination have undergone recent refurbishment.
Millennium Hotel Rotorua has completed the first phase of major renovations of its guestrooms and facilities. It has been almost 20 years since the last full remodel was ordered.
Refreshed guestrooms at the hotel now boast updated bathrooms with geothermally heated water systems, luxurious comforts, a vibrant colour palette inspired by Rotorua’s volcanic and lake tones, and a floor-to-ceiling photo panel that showcases images ofunique events, attractions, and landscapes of Rotorua.
Deluxe rooms offer guests a relaxing soak in locally made cedar hot tubs.
The second phase of renovation is expected to finish by 4Q2025.
The 130-year-old On The Point Lake Rotorua luxury lodge also unveiled refurbished rooms in September, with final rounds works to complete this December.
According to Ann Gregor, general manager of On The Point Lake Rotorua luxury lodge, and a veteran who has served Rotorua’s tourism industry for the past 30 years, Rotorua is being rejuvenated “in the good hands of our mayor Tania Tapsell, who understands tourism and backs us”.
Gregor shared that Rotorua’s community spirited approach to tourism business and development meant that travel trade buyers and their guests would benefit from the warmest of hospitality.
“There’s a lot of mums and dads, daughters and sons working together within the tourism industry here. If somebody came to me and I didn’t have what they needed, I would more than likely know of someone else who could help.
She explained: “So, instead of just leaving the problem, I would take them or introduce them (to the alternative). That’s how we do things in Rotorua.”
Meanwhile, Wilson sees strong potential in Rotorua’s Mãori culture to draw Asian visitors.
He observes that travellers are increasingly drawn to connections with the place they are visiting. Learning and interacting with the indigenous tribes in Rotorua can provide that desired experience.
Te Puia is a major attraction in Rotorua, offering travellers a single gateway to the destination’s Mãori heritage and arts, geothermal features, and kiwi conservation efforts through informative guided tours. It is home to the world-renowned Põhutu Geyser in the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, as well as the New Zealand Mãori Arts and Crafts Institute, where students develop traditional skills in weaving, and wood, stone, and bone carving – playing a vital role in preserving Mãori culture.
Guided tours at Te Puia include visits to the institute, with opportunities to observe and engage with artists at work.
Affluent Asians may also increasingly feel at home in Rotorua, as the destination has several top-end experiences to offer, from “world-class spa experiences” offered by Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa and Polynesian Spa to “spectacular tours” conducted by the likes of Volcanic Air, which operates scenic flights and air tours of the region.
Rotorua’s luxury accomodation options will continue to grow with a future five-star hotel set to rise on the banks of Lake Rotorua and a new luxury lodge that may be announced in the next 12 to 18 months, revealed Wilson.
According to Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa’s general manager, Debbie Robertson, the hotel by Lake Rotorua shares the same owner and the search for a suitable operator is underway.
Once opened, the luxury hotel will enhance the experience of geothermal water wellness retreats with the convenience of connected access.
Robertson told TTG Asia that Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa acts as a catalyst to the elevation of Rotorua’s cultural offerings into the premium travel space.
“What we do gives other Mãori business owners the inspiration that they, too, can offer a product at a luxury or premium price point. Te Puia is another great example of a successful Mãori operator in the premium travel space,” she explained, adding that affluent travellers can benefit from a finer form of storytelling and experiences that connect them with Rotorua’s tribes, land, waterways and mountains.
Ken Orr has been appointed general manager of Millennium Hotel Queenstown by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels New Zealand Limited.
With more than 20 years of experience at the company, Orr has held a range of managerial and operational roles across Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.
He stepped down from his previous position as vice president of operations in June 2025 to relocate to the South Island.
Interest in China is rising among Indonesian travellers, driven by improved air access, new offerings, and growing appeal of cities beyond Beijing and Shanghai.
TX Travel reports that bookings to China doubled in 2024 compared to 2023, with a further 30 per cent increase expected by mid-2025.
Indonesians explore more of China with draws such as Harbin’s Ice Festival, pictured
“Everything we offer, from affordable group tours to premium tours costing above US$1,900 per pax is selling out,” said Anton Thedy, CEO of TX Travel.
A recent popular option was a northern lights tour to Mohe, China’s northernmost city. “We filled 10 groups in no time. It just shows how diverse the interest is,” Anton added.
He believes the country’s mix of cities, towns, landscapes and heritage makes it appealing to a wide audience, especially as Indonesian travellers share their experiences online.
“People are drawn to China because it offers so much in one trip. It’s not a place you can fully explore in just a week,” he said.
Dwidaya Tour has observed a similar trend. Its vice president of marketing communications, Yohannes Heraldo, said China has overtaken other destinations to become the company’s top outbound product.
“Despite being one of the last countries to reopen post-Covid, it’s now our top seller,” he shared.
Yohannes noted that travellers are looking beyond the traditional Beijing-Shanghai route. “We’re seeing growing interest in secondary cities like Chengdu, Xi’an, Hangzhou, and especially Harbin. Winter travel is becoming a seasonal favourite, thanks to the Ice Festival and the snowy landscapes,” he said.
While affordability remains a factor, Yohannes said travellers are also seeking new experiences.
“Indonesians like variety. The fact that China keeps offering different attractions and experiences helps keep the interest going,” he added.
Improved air connectivity has also contributed to the rise in demand. Carriers such as Batik Air and China Southern have added direct routes to more cities, making it easier for agents to build multi-city or shorthaul packages.
Pauline Suharno, chairman of the Indonesian Travel Agents Association, said China’s transformation extends beyond infrastructure. “The tourism experience has really levelled up,” she added.
She pointed to the increase in modern resorts, new theme parks, maintained museums, and small towns that are now more accessible.
“It’s much more welcoming, for families, young travellers, everyone,” Pauline said.
As Thailand moves to position itself as a global festival destination, tourism leaders are placing renewed focus on a powerful yet often under-valued asset – the influencer.
Speaking at one of the Spark Thai Festivals: Local to Global sessions hosted by the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau during the Splash Soft Power 2025 forum, Thailand’s marketing experts and event creators agreed that travel influencers are co-creators shaping Thailand’s soft power economy.
Panellists dish on their secrets for effective collaboration with influencers; photo by Anne Somanas
Pawat Ruangdejworachai, president and CEO of MI Group, said: “Influencers aren’t just reviewers – they’re cultural curators with loyal communities. If we match them with the right festival DNA, they become co-creators (that shape) perceptions and attracting new traveller segments.”
Pawat cited successful case studies such as Tourism Authority of Thailand’s #AmazingSongkran campaign, which mobilised hundreds of global micro-influencers to drive attendance, or niche festivals like Cat Expo, which in recent years saw growing traction among Japanese and South Korean fan bases thanks to regional creator collaborations.
Adapter Digital’s head of media and performance, Krit Krityayarn, emphasised that authenticity trumps scripting. Influencers should be allowed to “be themselves”, as “their distinct voice is what audiences trust”.
Festival design must also align with influencer culture, opined Pongsiri Hetrakul, festival director of Awakening Bangkok, who added that influencers recognise Thailand as a festival nation.
“Thais are natural-born influencers. When we search for ‘Awakening Bangkok’ on social media, one thing that stands out about our light festival compared to those from other cities is that 60 per cent of the results are portraits of people engaging with the festival setup. Thais really immerse – they’ll even lie on the ground next to the event logo just to stage the perfect shot. Their enthusiasm has even led foreign visitors to imitate the behaviour,” he observed.
Delving deeper into user-generated content, Kobkiat Sangwanich, race director of the Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok and Ironman 70.3 Bangsaen events, noted that at large-scale events, every participant becomes a micro-influencer.
“At the Amazing Thailand Marathon, a global scale event which draws 50,000 runners per day, every participant becomes a storyteller. That’s soft power in motion,” he remarked.
Kobkiat also stressed that partnerships with the government and NTOs are key in building international participation at local festivals and events.
Meanwhile, Thainchai Pisitwuttinan, CEO and co-founder of Global Sports Ventures and president of the Rajadamnern World Series, highlighted the viral power of “TikTok idol camps” – creator collectives that travel and post together.
“Our Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium works with camps like the Bangsaen Sai Club, which has a combined following of over a million followers. When they all post together about one of our sporting events, it creates a massive buzz,” he stated.
Pongsiri added that influencers also have the power to “drive the culture forward”.
Batik Air’s first Bangkok–Subang flight departed on July 28
Batik Air connects Subang and Bangkok Batik Air has launched its first international service from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (Subang Airport), with flight OD533 from Don Mueang International Airport, Bangkok.
The new Subang-Bangkok route operates daily using Boeing 737 aircraft and marks a key step in strengthening air links between Malaysia and Thailand. Positioned closer to Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, Subang Airport offers a convenient alternative to Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Hong Kong Airlines
Hong Kong Airlines to launch Hong Kong-Lijiang route from September Hong Kong Airlines will begin operating direct flights between Hong Kong and Lijiang three times weekly from September 8, 2025. It will be the sole local carrier on the route.
Lijiang is the airline’s third new destination in mainland China this year, following Hulunbuir and Xi’an, as part of its ongoing network expansion. The route will be served by Airbus A320 aircraft.
Flight HX412 will operate from Hong Kong to Lijiang on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The return service, HX413, will run from Lijiang to Hong Kong on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Firefly; photo by DLeng
Firefly to relocate jet operations to KLIA Terminal 1 Firefly will relocate its jet operations from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB) to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 from August 19, 2025. The airline’s turboprop services will continue to operate from SZB.
Jet services from KLIA will begin on August 19 with the first flight to Tawau. This will be followed by flights to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu on August 21; Singapore on August 22; Johor Bahru on August 23; Kota Bharu and Terengganu on August 30; and Sibu on September 3.
Firefly will also increase its services between KLIA and Penang from twice weekly to six times weekly starting August 23, with plans to increase to 10 times weekly from November.
The routes will be operated using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
AirAsia adds Pontianak to network with new Malaysia–Indonesia routes
AirAsia expands Indonesia network with new Pontianak services AirAsia Malaysia will launch two new direct routes to Pontianak, Indonesia, from Kuala Lumpur and Kuching starting September 12, 2025. It will be the only airline operating international services to the capital of West Kalimantan.
The new routes expand AirAsia’s network in Indonesia, following the recent launch of services to Palembang in July and the upcoming Kuala Lumpur-Semarang route in September. With the addition of Pontianak, AirAsia Malaysia will serve 17 destinations in Indonesia, operating 223 weekly flights between the two countries.
Singapore-based Heeton Holdings is set to open Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton in Paro, Bhutan, this August, marking its first hotel to be both built from the ground up in Asia and directly managed by the company.
Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton will have 87 rooms, alongside amenities such as a spa, gym, heated indoor infinity pool, fusion restaurant Cypress, and a bar. There are also two event venues: an open-air bonfire deck – which doubles up as an archery and cultural space – for 200 guests, and a rooftop terrace for 400.
Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton offers an affordable five-star option in Bhutan’s growing leisure market
When asked why Heeton Holdings chose to directly manage the property, group general manager Jeryl Sing told TTG Asia: “Bhutan is such a niche market, and it is a mainly leisure market. Given that majority of the visitors to Bhutan book through a travel agency, hotels will need to collaborate closely with them. We realised that it was more cost-effective to operate on our own, as compared to paying a management fee to an international brand.”
Sing said the decision to position Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton as a five-star property was driven by what the company saw as a gap in the market for “entry-level five-star hotels” in Bhutan, adding that it aimed to offer an “affordable five-star option”.
“We’re looking at around US$650 per night depending on the season. This is achievable for leisure tourists who want a little bit more premium, as compared to ultra-luxury international properties such as Six Senses or Aman,” he explained. Meanwhile, local Bhutanese brands usually operate in the three- to four-star hotel categories.
The opening of Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton is Phase One of Heeton Holdings’ plan in Bhutan, with Sing sharing there is more land behind the hotel – also owned by the company – that has yet to be developed.
“We are also looking at possible opportunities in Thimphu and Punakha once Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton is up and running,” he added.
In addition to leisure tourists, Sing also aims to attract corporate clients during the low season (summer: June-August; winter: December-February), leveraging The Royal Academy’s 20-minute proximity to Dawa at Hilltop by Heeton.
He shared: “MICE events are usually held at The Royal Academy’s hall, and although business events in Bhutan are small – a few hundred attendees in comparison to Singapore’s thousands – this will be a market for us to tap into.”
This way, Sing opined, Heeton Holdings has a first-mover advantage in Bhutan’s hospitality market, given that the “exotic destination” is up-and-coming among well-heeled travellers in the region.
He acknowledged: “Bhutan’s Sustainable Development Fee makes it a pricier destination, which can deter some travellers. However, I’m optimistic that the Bhutanese government’s focus on growing tourism will pay off, and we’re fully aligned with their aim to attract more visitors.”
Heeton Holdings’ projects in the Asia-Pacific region have typically been developments managed by international brands. The company only recently took over management of two hotels in Thailand in 2023. In the UK, Heeton Holdings have nine hotels, five of which are directly managed and mostly in the three- to 3.5-star category.
Park Bo-gum, star of When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025), has been named honorary ambassador for Korea Tourism. The appointment was made by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization at a ceremony on July 29, 2025, attended by 160 guests.
Two promotional videos featuring Park were released – one styled as a fantasy film, the other a music video – both showcasing destinations across South Korea. Park also performs the theme song, On My Way.
Park Bo-gum stars in new tourism campaign showcasing South Korea through music, film and travel
Additional videos inspired by Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead, as well as features on Gyeongsangbuk-do and Jeonbuk, were also unveiled.
He stepped down from his previous position as vice president of operations in June 2025 to relocate to the South Island.
