Newsmaker

Following an investment of more than US$100 million, tulåh opened in Kozhikode, Kerala, earlier this year – founder and chairman of Tulah Clinical Wellness and KEF Holdings, Faizal Kottikollon, discusses the retreat’s approach to Ayurveda, ambitions to position Kerala as a global wellness destination, and demand from both Indian and international travellers

With the Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) taking place from June 16 to 18, Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) executive director Suvimol Thanasarakij discusses the importance of the event, addresses industry concerns, and outlines the event’s key objectives and expected outcomes

Newly appointed Rakuten Travel Xchange (RTX) CEO James Park outlines plans to accelerate international growth, deepen direct hotel partnerships across Asia-Pacific and beyond, and use AI to improve connectivity, content and booking experiences

Zipair’s new CEO, Fukada Yasuhiro, outlines plans to double the airline’s fleet, expand longhaul routes and deepen technology adoption, even as soaring fuel costs and geopolitical uncertainty weigh on the low-cost aviation sector

John Mowry, managing director, Alton Aviation Consultancy (New York), examines how rising fuel costs and geopolitical tensions are reshaping airline viability, investor confidence and industry dynamics

In an interview with TTG Asia, Agoda CEO Omri Morgenshtern discusses AI commerce, moving up the booking funnel, and changing roles in travel operations

Darryl Lee, group CEO of B2B travel technology group Dida Holdings, discusses the mechanics of its new strategic partnership with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), tapping into the world’s largest outbound market, and how AI is addressing fragmentation in global hospitality distribution

BWH Hotels’ president of international operations and president of WorldHotels, Ron Pohl, outlines the group’s reverse strategy in Asia and why the region remains central to its future plans

Moving beyond traditional hospitality philanthropy, andBeyond’s president Mark Wheeler outlines a Vision 2030 strategy designed to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and overtourism via low-impact, high-biodiversity investment

Subhas Menon will retire from both the airline industry and his role as director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) by the end of April – he recounts his life’s passion in air travel and maintains hope that governments will better support an industry that is crucial for socio-economic development