Amara Sanctuary Sentosa has launched the Family Adventure Escapade, designed for families with children aged 11 and below, offering the chance to create memories with a 450-metre ride across South-east Asia’s steepest zip line at Mega Adventure Park.
The package includes complimentary daily breakfast buffet for two adults and two children, 20 per cent savings when dining at Sanctuary Tearoom, two tandem tickets at MegaZip Adventure, as well as a complimentary Vanilla Milkshake at Sanctuary Tearoom daily for children aged 11 and below.
Families can enjoy a zip line tandem ride at Mega Adventure Park
The Family Adventure Escapade package is available for all room types except Amara Sanctuary’s Courtyard Suite and Couple Suite.
Marriott International has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ecopia Group, marking a strategic collaboration aimed at elevating corporate events and luxury travel experiences.
Both parties will leverage their respective strengths to develop an innovative market expansion programme, fostering deeper collaboration in the events and hospitality industry. In Malaysia and Indonesia alone, Marriott International operates over 130 hotels, with continuous growth each year.
From left: Ecopia Group’s Lim Hean Beng and Tan Snow Wie; Marriott’s Ramesh Jackson and George Varughese at the MoU signing at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur
This initiative aims to introduce greater entrepreneurship opportunities and support startups and enterprises in expanding into the Malaysian and Indonesian markets, further driving economic growth and reinforcing the region as a premier travel destination.
Tan Snow Wie, group managing director of Ecopia Group, said: “This is an important day for us because it really speaks volumes to the speed and growth of the work that we have now as we continue to drive excellence in the event industry…”
Urban Resort Concepts has appointed three senior executives to lead its corporate team, reinforcing the company’s commitment to delivering handcrafted experiences through culturally immersive guest journeys while driving innovation and growth across its expanding portfolio in Asia.
Nicholas Liang, with over 22 years of luxury hospitality experience across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, is the new vice president of operations. He was recently general manager at Four Seasons.
From left: Nicholas Liang, Michael Faulkner and Andreas Zimmermann
Michael Faulkner takes on the vice president of brand and commercial role. He brings with him an extensive experience in luxury hospitality, having held senior commercial leadership roles with brands such as Swire Hotels, Park Hyatt, and Crown Resorts.
Named vice president of development, Andreas Zimmermann hails from a strong background in luxury hospitality project management. Formerly corporate director of development for Rosewood Hotel Group, he has led the development of luxury hospitality projects across Asia-Pacific, overseeing feasibility studies, financial management, and contract negotiations.
New Zealand has teamed up with Warner Bros Pictures and Mojang Studios to launch a world-first destination DLC (downloadable content) for Minecraft, enabling players worldwide to explore New Zealand in-game.
The DLC will launch alongside the release of Warner Bros Pictures’ A Minecraft Movie, starring Jason Momoa and Jack Black, filmed in New Zealand and set to premiere worldwide.
Minecraft players can now visit New Zealand and experience a variety of real-world activities in the Minecraft Aotearoa New Zealand DLC
Prospective manuhiri (visitors) can experience a range of real-world activities in the Minecraft Aotearoa New Zealand DLC, such as paddling a waka in Abel Tasman, exploring glow-worm caves in Waitomo, or stargazing in Tekapo. They can then craft their own real-life adventure by booking New Zealand’s official 100% Pure Minecraft Itinerary, transforming this virtual journey into a dream trip to New Zealand.
Players will get a glimpse of travelling around New Zealand, taking part in activities that showcase Aotearoa’s culture, landscapes, and people. The game features six New Zealand locations, including Waitomo Caves (Waikato), Rotorua (Bay of Plenty), Kapiti Island (Wellington), Abel Tasman (Nelson/Tasman), Tekapo (Mackenzie), and Doubtful Sound (Fiordland).
Alongside adventure activities and quests, players can explore Māori culture, customs, and treasures, experience the sounds of taonga pūoro (musical instruments), and encounter native wildlife.
With widespread appeal and over 300 million copies sold, Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time. The partnership enables Tourism New Zealand (TNZ) to connect with 70 per cent of its primary target audience in key markets who actively engage with Minecraft, making it a powerful tool for global engagement.
Minecraft players worldwide can now download and play the Aotearoa New Zealand DLC for free from the Minecraft Marketplace.
TNZ chief executive René de Monchy hopes the initiative will encourage people to turn pixels into plane tickets and experience New Zealand in person.
“This is our chance to invite the world to play Aotearoa New Zealand and show just how much fun people can have here. We want to give people an immersive taste of what New Zealand has to offer,” he said.
“Shooting A Minecraft Movie in New Zealand was an amazing experience. There is so much to experience here that you can’t do anywhere else in this world. We’re excited to give Minecraft players a glimpse of it in the upcoming Aotearoa New Zealand DLC,” shared Torfi Frans Ólafsson, senior creative director of original content and entertainment at Minecraft, and producer of A Minecraft Movie.
To promote the launch of the DLC and the movie, TNZ has also partnered with Klook and Trip.com, using the collaboration to drive off-peak arrivals. Klook will integrate Minecraft products into its Klook NZ Pass, while Trip.com will promote Minecraft-inspired itineraries. The campaign, starting in early April, aims to bring New Zealand’s immersive experiences to a broader audience.
Volcanic activity at Indonesia’s Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara has reduced over the weekend, but the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) is urging continued vigilance while local tourism stakeholders are maintaining caution.
Lewotobi Laki-laki’s eruption on March 20 had resulted in seven flight cancellations from Australia to Bali, and five delayed services from Australia, Singapore, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur on the same day. A Singapore-Lombok flight was cancelled on March 21. Domestic flights between Bali and Labuan Bajo were also impacted, although no airport was shut down during the period.
Volcanic activity at Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Flores has decreased, but authorities urge continued vigilance
Flights to Bali have since resumed.
Paul Talo, chairman of the Indonesia Inbound Tour Operators Association, said the disruption had a “noticeable” impact on tourism activities, specifically hotels, restaurants, and tour packages, in addition to flights. Precise impact figures are pending at press time.
Hariyadi Sukamdani, chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association, noted that impact on travel and tourism could have been worse if the eruption had occurred during the high season.
He added that with Indonesia lying in the ring of fire and nature being unpredictable, tourists should be aware of potential travel disruptions.
Meanwhile, Bali and Angkasa Pura, the country’s airport manager, are working on alternative flight routes that bypass areas with volcanic ash. Tjok Bagus Pemayun, head of the Bali tourism office, said it is hoped that efforts would minimise losses from the destination’s number one source market, Australia.
Bayu Sutanto, secretary general of the Indonesian National Air Carrier Association, shared that airlines are closely monitoring the situation through the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Darwin, Australia as well as airport operation centres.
Trip.com has reported a significant increase in hotel bookings as fans from Asia and around the world secure accommodation for Lady Gaga’s Asia tour dates in Singapore, scheduled from May 18 to 24 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Singapore, the only Asian stop on Lady Gaga’s tour, is seeing a surge in travel interest, highlighting its growing reputation as a key event tourism destination that attracts visitors from across the region.
Trip.com has seen a rise in hotel bookings as fans book accommodation for Lady Gaga’s Singapore tour from May 18 to 24 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, pictured; photo by t.natchai
According to Trip.com, hotel bookings for the week of May 18 to 24 have already tripled compared to the same period last year. The surge also reflects a 76 per cent rise compared to the following week, May 25 to 31. Trip.com expects bookings to increase further as more fans secure concert tickets closer to May.
Other trends observed by Trip.com include top international bookings coming from China, Malaysia, Japan, the Philippines, and South Korea. Additionally, budget-conscious travellers are driving 38 per cent of accommodation searches toward three-star and below hotels, compared to just 18 per cent for the following week.
“Event tourism is a huge catalyst for travel around the world, and we believe the entire travel ecosystem in Singapore – comprising both the public and private sectors – is not just harnessing but also generating such demand in a very meaningful manner. This includes the hosting of the World Aquatics Championships Singapore 2025 later this year,” said Edmund Ong, general manager, Trip.com Singapore.
South African Tourism is intensifying its efforts to restore tourism from its two key Asian outbound markets, India and China, to pre-Covid growth levels. In addition to trade initiatives such as roadshows and fam trips, the NTO is prioritising faster visa processing to regain pre-pandemic visitor numbers from these markets.
“India and China are our two key growth markets in Asia. We are organising a roadshow in China in September 2025 and another in South Africa in January next year, specifically targeting the Chinese market. Additionally, fam trips are planned for China. As part of our efforts, we will be hosting 30 to 35 travel agents from India at our annual trade show, Indaba 2025,” said Gcobani Mancotywa, regional general manager for Asia, Australia and Middle East, South African Tourism on the sidelines of a roadshow in New Delhi.
South Africa is ramping up efforts to restore tourism from India and China to pre-pandemic visitor levels; Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, pictured
South African Tourism’s 21st annual India roadshow series commenced in New Delhi on March 18, followed by stops in Chennai and Mumbai on March 19 and 20, respectively.
A major factor impeding tourism growth from India and China to South Africa has been visa constraints. To address this, the South African government introduced the Trusted Tour Operator Scheme (TTOS) last year for both India and China, simplifying visa procedures. The scheme allows approved tour operators from South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs to submit group visa applications on behalf of their clients, reducing the number of required supporting documents. Phase 1 of the scheme saw fourteen tour operators from India and twenty-nine from China accredited, and plans are now in place to expand TTOS and accredit more tour operators in Phase II of the scheme this year.
“TTOS provides an opportunity for ease of visa processing. The commitment that we have given to the market through our home affairs is a maximum of three days turnaround in visa issuance which for example in the case of India was previously taking more than 12 days,” said Mancotywa.
In 2024, South Africa welcomed approximately 75,000 tourists from India, representing around 80 per cent of pre-Covid arrival numbers. Meanwhile, about 50,000 Chinese tourists visited the country during the same period, nearly half of the 95,000 recorded before the pandemic. South African Tourism is expecting a full recovery of tourist arrivals from India by the end of this year and from China by the end of next year.
Auckland Airport has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport to further strengthen existing close ties between New Zealand and India through the sharing of best practices in airport operations, management, and customer experience.
Auckland Airport CEO Carrie Hurihanganui highlighted significant opportunities to enhance connectivity, tourism, and freight between New Zealand and India. She stated that both Auckland and Delhi Airports would collaborate to support the goal of establishing non-stop flights between Delhi and Auckland.
The MoU aims to strengthen ties between New Zealand and India while sharing best practices in airport operations and customer experience
Travel between India and New Zealand has grown 78 per cent since 2015, with 351,000 people travelling in 2024. Of these, 110,000 travelled between Delhi and Auckland. In 2024, 102,000 New Zealanders visited India, while 83,000 Indians visited New Zealand.
Hurihanganui noted that the Indian market offers significant growth opportunities, with Tourism New Zealand data revealing that around 18 million people are actively considering a visit to New Zealand, and 57 per cent of them identify it as their top destination choice.
Delhi Airport is directly connected to 71 international cities, including London, Dubai, Singapore, New York, Toronto, and Sydney.
Hurihanganui added: “While there are no non-stop flights at this time, we know there is strong and growing demand for people wanting to travel between India and New Zealand, and this partnership will work to grow that demand even more.”
Commenting on the collaboration, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of Delhi International Airport, said: “This partnership promises to drive long-term growth and strengthen the ties between our two great nations. We look forward to working closely with Auckland Airport to help make non-stop flights a reality and to share best practices in airport operations and customer experience.”
Emerald Holding will soon take over London-based This is Beyond, a leading producer of seven premier B2B events in the experiential and luxury travel industry. This acquisition, expected to close in 2Q2025, supports Emerald’s strategic plan to diversify and optimise its portfolio by targeting high-growth markets with leading brands, reinforcing the company’s leadership in dynamic sectors and drives forward its strategic growth initiatives.
Following the acquisition, all employees of This is Beyond, including CEO and founder Serge Dive, will join Emerald. This is Beyond team’s creativity and innovative approach to designing and executing events that meet the specific needs of luxury travel businesses, alongside Emerald’s broad resources, is set to improve service delivery and customer engagement, strengthening the impact of This is Beyond’s events within the luxury travel sector.
The acquisition strengthens Emerald’s strategic growth with expanded portfolio of seven luxury travel events, including Further East in Bali
Since its founding in 2009, This is Beyond has established a strong reputation in the US$1.3 trillion luxury travel market, known for its ability to create unique, exclusive experiences that cater to the growing demand for high-end travel. Renowned for its focus on sustainability, design, and premium brands, This is Beyond curates specialised events that connect elite travel designers, global tour operators, and in-house travel managers.
The portfolio of This is Beyond events now under Emerald’s ownership includes PURE Life Experiences in Marrakech (experiential travel sector), LE Miami in Miami (contemporary travel sector catering to a creative audience), We Are Africa in Cape Town (African travel sector marketplace), We Are Africa North America in Sundance (travel from North America to Africa), Further East in Bali (travel show for the Asia-Pacific travel region), Do Not Disturb in Borgo Egnazia (private and exclusive travel experiences), and Specialists in Entertainment Travel in New Orleans (luxury entertainment travel sector).
Hervé Sedky, president and CEO of Emerald, said: “Expanding into the luxury and experiential travel sectors aligns with our strategy of portfolio optimisation and improving Emerald’s top-line growth. By combining This is Beyond’s expertise with Emerald’s strengths in innovation, market leadership, and in-person experiences, we will elevate our offerings, reinforce our presence in high-value markets, and deliver exceptional ROI to our customers.”
“As we look to the next iteration of our growth, joining Emerald provides us with all the support we need to scale our vision and deliver even more exceptional experiences for our communities. I’m confident that together, we’ll reach new heights and continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the industry. While we embark on this next chapter, I remain fully committed to This is Beyond and ensuring that our mission, values, and spirit continue to thrive,” added Serge Dive, CEO and founder of This is Beyond.
With strong backing from the government and the local travel trade, the southern Malaysian state of Johor is gaining more attention in the space of travel and tourism. It recently played host to the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF), South-east Asia’s premier travel trade event.
It was the state’s first such prestigious gathering, which attracted nearly 300 international buyers and 100 exhibitors from across the region. The event featured ASEAN bloc ministerial meetings, technical tours, and site visits that introduced delegates to Johor’s attractions firsthand, including Legoland Malaysia Resort, Johor Premium Outlets, and a city tour of Johor Bahru, the state capital.
Skyline of Johor Bahru, the capital of Johor state
Sharil Nizam Abdul Rahim, director of Tourism Johor, told TTG Asia: “Hosting ATF allows us to showcase our offerings and for the travel trade to experience the destination firsthand. It’s also a valuable networking opportunity to build relationships with foreign travel agents.”
The timing of ATF was strategic, aligning with preparations for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. Johor’s own Visit Johor Year 2026 campaign will run concurrently, leveraging the national initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture Malaysia.
The national campaign aims to draw 35.6 million international arrivals, up from 31.4 million in 2024, and generate 147.1 billion ringgit (US$32.7 billion) in tourism revenue. Johor’s ambitious targets include welcoming 12 million foreign tourists and generating 42.48 billion ringgit in tourism receipts by 2026, building on its 2024 goals of 22 million tourists and 38.94 billion ringgit in revenue.
Infrastructure upgrades are central to Johor’s strategy to enhance accessibility. The completion of Senai International Airport’s upgrade in late 2023 significantly bolstered its capacity to accommodate international arrivals.
Edwin Tay, chairman of the Malaysian Chinese Tourism Association’s Johor chapter, highlighted the strategic impact of new direct flights introduced by Batik Air in late 2024, including daily services from Johor Bahru to Thailand’s Bangkok and biweekly flights to China’s Kunming. “These flights provide international travellers with direct access to Johor Bahru, without the need to go through Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. It will also attract potential business investors to the state,” Tay noted.
Senai International Airport also connects Johor with major cities such as Guangzhou and Haikou in China; Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam; Jakarta and Surabaya in Indonesia; Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. To further enhance connectivity, Tourism Johor collaborates with Senai Airport Terminal Services and local authorities to attract more international airlines, offering marketing and operational support to optimise their operations.
Cross-border travel with Singapore, Johor’s largest tourist market, has also been streamlined.
Both countries have implemented QR code systems for faster immigration clearance, reducing land congestion. This initiative stems from an MoU to develop a framework for the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, which includes exploring passport-free clearance.
Sharil highlighted that Singaporean tourists, who often visit for shopping, dining, and leisure, contribute significantly to Johor’s tourism economy. “Singaporeans typically have higher spending power compared to tourists from other ASEAN member countries,” he said.
Other markets are no less valuable, he emphasised, as their travellers tend to travel in large groups, translating into substantial revenue for the travel and hospitality sectors.
Johor’s appeal is bolstered by its diverse attractions, to attract tourists with varied interests.
The Desaru Coast Adventure Waterpark features Kraken’s Revenge, Malaysia’s first water coaster, and Tidal Wave Beach, which generates waves up to four meters high, ideal for surfing. This waterpark is part of Desaru Coast, Malaysia’s first premium integrated destination.
Less than a decade old, Desaru Coast boasts renowned five-star international hotel brands, a conference centre, two championship golf courses, and pristine white sandy beaches along the South China Sea.
Arokia Das Anthony, executive director of The Essence of Asia Tours & Travel, emphasised Desaru Coast’s growing prominence.
“Desaru Coast is a premium development that has quickly become a sought-after destination for both leisure tourism and business events,” he remarked.
“Seven years ago, we included Johor as part of a multi-destination programme with Singapore, Melaka, and Kuala Lumpur. Today, Johor stands on its own as a mono-destination for regional travellers, thanks to its world-class offerings.”
Johor’s tourism evolution reflects a dynamic partnership between the public and private sectors. As the state prepares for Visit Johor Year 2026, it is positioning itself as a key player in Malaysia’s broader tourism strategy. With enhanced infrastructure, new flight routes, and a growing portfolio of attractions, the state is poised to attract an even larger share of international visitors, securing its place as a premier destination in South-east Asia.
