Newsmaker

Downtimes present a chance for internal reviews and improvement, and for holding staff and communities close, says Pan Pacific Hotels Group CEO Choe Peng Sum

Virtuoso, a global network of travel designers, has existed for more than 30 years – way before the Internet forced travel agents to stop acting as order takers and start being real advisors. Founder Matthew Upchurch never stops exhorting that message to agents. The CEO of Virtuoso talks about how to get more Asian travel experts into its fold.

Thailand has attracted global attention by securing international mega-events, but local organisers are reflecting on whether greater long-term value could come from investing in home-grown festivals – Pongsiri “Tom” Hetrakul, founder of Awakening Bangkok, shares his perspective on the potential of domestic events

Sonia Irvine, founder of Amber Lounge, takes Raini Hamdi backstage into a testosterone-charged world and gives insights into what it takes to throw the...

With India’s hospitality sector set for significant growth, Nikhil Sharma, managing director and chief operating officer, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, discusses the group’s expansion plans, the rise of spiritual and offbeat tourism, and the evolving dynamics of competition in the Indian market

Best Western International turned 70 years last year. David Kong, who has helmed the chain since 2004, will navigate it through the fast-changing industry...

While the hospitality industry is reeling from the Covid fallout, Hyatt’s hotel construction pipeline remains decidedly robust. Stephen Ho, president, growth and operations, Asia Pacific, Hyatt Hotels Corporation tells Prudence Lui how having boots on the ground has helped him thrive in his role, and the importance for brands to continue to evolve and innovate as they adapt to a new reality

Asia cruise industry veteran Michael Goh rises from the ashes of Dream Cruises to lead a familiar team back to business under the new organisation, Resorts World Cruises. As president and head of international sales, Goh welcomes the opportunity to reimagine a whole new cruise line that is backed by three decades of experience

Yuthachai Charanchitta, owner and CEO of Onyx Hospitality Group, is eager to grow his company, which will expand from 44 properties now to 54 by 2025. But he has chosen to take a calm and tailored approach to development to ensure only worthy partnerships are forged

The biggest difference in analysing big data pre-pandemic and post-lockdown is that many travel insights then do not apply in the current recovery stage anymore. Dawn Jeremiah, vice president, marketing & ecommerce, APAC, Go City, sheds light on how to navigate the new digital trends and leverage customer data to cater to them