TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Friday, 26th December 2025
Page 141

Vivid Sydney 2025 unveils full line-up of artists and experiences

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Vivid Sydney, Australia’s largest event, will return to transform the Harbour City in 2025, running from May 23 to June 14. With the theme Dream, it explores the question, “What’s in a dream?” during this year’s celebration.

For its 15th year, the festival footprint has been redesigned to include five zones: Circular Quay and The Rocks, Barangaroo, Martin Place and the CBD (for the first time since 2018), Darling Harbour, and The Goods Line and Inner City. Each connected zone will showcase events from the festival’s four pillars: Light, Ideas, Food, and Music.

Vivid Sydney returns from this year with exclusive collaborations, new zones, and global talent

Vivid Sydney will highlight Sydney’s creative pulse with exclusive collaborations featuring the Sydney Writers’ Festival, Sydney Film Festival, and cultural institutions such as the Art Gallery of NSW, Australian Museum, Bangarra Dance Theatre, City Recital Hall, State Library of NSW, and Sydney Theatre Company.

Vivid Light will showcase exclusive commissions, including David McDiarmid’s Kiss of Light on the Opera House, Vincent Namatjira’s King Dingo on the MCA, and House of Romance at Customs House. Interactive installations along the Vivid Light Walk will feature 3D projections, voice-activated animations, and more. Attendees can also design their own projections, with 150 entries featured weekly on the ASN Co. Building’s Clock Tower in The Rocks.

This year, the entire Vivid Light Walk is free for all to enjoy, with new landmarks such as the Museum of Sydney, The Bond in Barangaroo, and Challis House in Martin Place, alongside returning sites like the Argyle Cut and CTA Building.

Vivid Ideas will feature D W Pine’s keynote and Matthew Walker’s talk on sleep. Free events include the Firetalk series and Endling by Legs On The Wall. Stranger Things: The Experience will debut at Luna Park Sydney.

Vivid Food will feature Nigella Lawson curating exclusive dinners at Muru Giligu in Martin Place, with light, sound, and NSW produce. Favourites like Vivid Fire Kitchen return to The Goods Line, while the Vivid Chef Series pairs top chefs with Sydney’s best dining. Maryanne Street transforms into the Spice Lounge, and Surry Hills’ Hollywood Quarter hosts exclusive gigs, food trails, and street parties, all supported by the Transport for NSW Open Streets Program.

Vivid Music celebrates collective dreams through sound and song, featuring a curated line-up of global artists, special events, interactive experiences, and exclusive performances.

Tumbalong Nights at Darling Harbour will feature music from diaspora and First Nations artists, including Winston Surfshirt, Ayesha Madon, and Dobet Gnahoré. Oxford Art Factory hosts Pete & Bas, and Vivid Supper Club offers contemporary cabaret. Vivid LIVE at the Opera House features over 50 artists, including Anohni, Sigur Rós with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, and Japanese Breakfast.

At Carriageworks, Mall Grab, Ngaiire, and Skegss will perform, alongside the return of the legendary Night Market featuring Sydney’s top bars and restaurants.

Tickets are now available on the website.

For more information, visit Vivid Sydney.

Alma Resort welcomes HR director

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Ngo Thi Thu Ngan has been appointed director of human resources at Alma Resort Cam Ranh.

A hospitality professional with two decades’ experience, the Vietnamese national joins the beachfront resort on Vietnam’s Cam Ranh peninsula after working as the director of talents and culture at Mövenpick Resort Cam Ranh.

Her extensive human resources experience comprises roles at Wyndham Grand KN Paradise Cam Ranh, Glow Scenia Nha Trang Bay Hotel, Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa, Tan Viet Corporate, and Khanh Hoa Trading and Investment Company.

Megaworld Hotels and Resorts makes key appointments

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Megaworld Hotels and Resorts has appointed Sophia ‘Khendy’ Altamirano as group director of revenue management, distribution and business development; Yvonne Villacorte has joined as general manager of Belmont Hotel Mactan; and Geraldine Gaw as general manager of Hotel Lucky Chinatown.

Altamirano has over 27 years of experience in the Asian hospitality industry, including 17 years with Accor Hotels Group. She was formerly the market director of sales and distribution and director of the national sales office at Marriott Philippines.

From left: Sophia Altamirano, Yvonne Villacorte, and Geraldine Gaw

Villacorte, with 30 years of experience, was previously the general manager of Best Western Ivywall Panglao and has worked with several hotel chains in Vietnam and the Philippines.

Gaw joins Hotel Lucky Chinatown after serving as the area director of sales and marketing at Megaworld Hotels and Resorts. With over three decades in the industry, she has primarily focused on sales and marketing before transitioning to operations.

Ibaraki Airport sets sights on becoming key flight hub in central Kanto region

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Japan’s Ibaraki Prefecture has unveiled a proposal for its airport to become the third flight hub in the central Kanto region, alongside Haneda and Narita airports.

Located in Omitama, just 100 minutes by bus or train from central Tokyo, Ibaraki Airport aims to attract international visitors looking for an entry and exit point to Japan within the Kanto region. While 19.1 million passengers chose Haneda Airport for international flights in fiscal 2023, Ibaraki’s local government is eager to increase its share of passengers, which totalled 750,000 during the same period.

Ibaraki Airport aims to become the third major flight hub in the Kanto region with its expansion plan; photo by KO-TORI

Under the plan, Ibaraki Airport would offer flights to Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, as well as Europe and the US, expanding its current shorthaul international services to destinations such as Shanghai and Taipei, in addition to domestic flights to Sapporo, Kobe, Fukuoka, and Naha.

The increase in international flights would require the expansion and upgrading of airport facilities, according to local government officials. Development would include new taxiways to increase the number of flights served to more than eight per hour, improved fuelling facilities for greater efficiency, and a larger aircraft parking apron as the current one can only accommodate three planes.

The terminal building would also see improvements, such as an expanded security checkpoint, waiting room and baggage claim area, to accommodate the expected increase in passengers.

Ibaraki Airport, which celebrates 15 years of operations in 2025, has long sought to attract more international passengers, even considering a name change to Tokyo Ibaraki International Airport, a proposal that was abandoned due to local opposition.

PATA achieves carbon neutrality in 2024 through global offset initiatives

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PATA has confirmed that all its activities in 2024 were carbon neutral, with emissions from events offset through projects in Cambodia, supported by Sustainable Travel International, and emissions from other operations, such as training, staff travel, and office activities, offset in Thailand through the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation.

Since 2022, PATA has been offsetting the carbon footprint of in-person events while applying emission reduction strategies in line with its Climate Action Plan and Carbon Neutral Events Guidelines. However, certain emissions, such as those from transportation, electricity use, and waste, remain unavoidable. To address this, PATA continues to support credible carbon offset projects while implementing strategies to minimise emissions, such as exploring sustainable event design, optimising digital solutions, and collaborating with venues and suppliers prioritising sustainability.

PATA’s Keo Seima project reduces emissions, protects biodiversity, supports the indigenous Bunong people, and creates sustainable income opportunities through ecotourism, farming, and skills training

PATA offset emissions from the PATA Annual Summit 2024 (PAS 2024) in Macau and the PATA Travel Mart 2024 (PTM 2024) in Bangkok through the Keo Seima Project, which protects Cambodia’s Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary. This project reduces emissions by preventing deforestation and supports biodiversity, while safeguarding the rights of the indigenous Bunong people and combating illegal activities like logging and poaching.

The project also addresses the socio-economic drivers of deforestation, creating income opportunities through climate-smart farming, ecotourism, and skills training, while improving access to clean water, healthcare, and education.

Through the Keo Seima Project, PATA offset 354.75 MTCO2e from PAS 2024 and 490.9 MTCO2e from PTM 2024.

Additionally, the Southern Cardamom Project in Cambodia offset emissions from the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2024 (PDMF 2024) held in Thailand. This project protects one of South-east Asia’s last primary rainforests and provides alternative income through ecotourism, conservation employment, and sustainable agriculture. It also supports community-led forest protection, with over 130 rangers patrolling the area. PATA offset 120.91 MTCO2e from PDMF 2024 through this project.

A third initiative, the PSTC Solar Farm 10 MW Project in Thailand, offset emissions from PATA’s general operations. This renewable energy project, registered with the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organisation, provides clean power, reduces fossil fuel reliance, and contributes to environmental sustainability in Thailand. PATA offset 95 MTCO2e from its operations and activities, including its capacity-building programmes in Kuching and Macau.

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid stated: “Sustainability is no longer an option; it is a responsibility. In 2024, for the first time, we achieved full carbon neutrality, offsetting emissions from all our events, operations, and capacity-building programmes.

“As the tourism industry works towards a more responsible future, we remain committed to reducing our footprint while supporting projects that protect biodiversity, empower local communities, and safeguard the future of travel, while also encouraging our members and partners to do the same. In 2025, we will take further steps to refine our sustainability strategies, enhance our Climate Action Plan, and explore third-party verification of our emissions to ensure transparency and accountability.”

Emirates and Trip.com strengthen partnership to boost global travel offerings

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Emirates and Trip.com are expanding their long-standing partnership to focus on identifying growth opportunities in new markets and customer segments.

The agreement was formalised at ITB Berlin by Nabil Sultan, executive vice president, passenger sales & country management for Emirates and CT Ooi, vice president of flights business, Trip.com Group.

Trip.com Group’s CT Ooi, Emirates’ Adnan Kazim and Nabil Sultan signed the agreement at ITB Berlin

Both companies will collaborate to enhance Trip.com’s global presence through strategic partnerships and activations, leveraging Emirates’ extensive international network and coordinating promotional efforts in key Asian and European markets, which remain a strategic focus for both companies. The collaboration aims to boost customer conversion by integrating Emirates’ flight offerings with Trip.com’s expanding hotel and travel services portfolio while also partnering on exclusive promotions for families and holiday seekers.

Additionally, the two companies will coordinate impactful campaigns to drive growth in global markets and explore value-added services and customised offers for both the Trip.com Rewards and Emirates Skywards programmes. The partnership will include cross-promotional opportunities targeting segments like students, youth, and cruise customers, with Emirates offering its Chauffeur Drive service on the Trip.com platform to tap into Trip.com’s premium customer base.

Emirates first partnered with Trip.com in 2020 to expand its reach in China and Asia. This initial cooperation included joint marketing promotions to boost Emirates’ sales via Trip.com’s online platforms and provide a customised booking experience.

The expansion comes as the airline strengthens its presence across Asia, with the launch of daily non-stop flights between Dubai and Shenzhen, China, four weekly services to Danang, Vietnam, and three weekly flights to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Emirates boasts the largest network of any non-Asian carrier, serving 24 destinations across East Asia.

Sultan said: “The next phase not only strengthens our position to provide more of our products to Trip.com’s customer base, but also unlocks traveller demand for air and hotel packages, enables us to integrate offers across both of our loyalty programmes and tap into a variety of consumer segments with specialised promotions. We look forward to empowering Trip.com customers with options to customise their travel with ease on Emirates.”

“By combining Emirates’ world-class network with Trip.com’s innovative travel ecosystem, we are creating more opportunities for travellers to access exclusive flight and hotel packages, tailored promotions, and enhanced loyalty rewards,” added Ooi.

Sentosa, CapitaLand, and Weixin Pay to enhance digital transformation and the Chinese tourist experience

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Sentosa Development Corporation, CapitaLand, and Weixin Pay have signed a memorandum of understanding for their first tripartite collaboration.

The partnership aims to enhance the Chinese tourist experience through exclusive payment perks, seamless bookings, and AI-driven travel planning, while reinforcing Singapore and Sentosa as top destinations. The collaboration will include co-branded marketing initiatives to attract more Chinese tourists, elevate Sentosa’s profile, position CapitaLand malls as the preferred shopping destinations, and solidify Singapore’s status as a leading outbound travel destination for Chinese visitors.

The collaboration aims to offer Chinese tourists personalised services and seamless bookings, boosting the appeal of Singapore and Sentosa

SDC launched the Weixin Mini Program “Sentosa Discovery Guide” to enhance the experience for Chinese travellers. It features AI-powered itinerary planning, real-time attraction guides, dining vouchers, hotel packages, and instant ticket bookings for popular attractions such as the Singapore Cable Car and Minion Land at Universal Studios Singapore.

The Mandarin-enabled interface allows Chinese travellers to easily address pre-arrival inquiries and make bookings, while also bypassing currency exchange hassles by offering same-day tickets for immediate attraction entry.

CapitaLand offers a variety of features for Chinese tourists and residents, including personalised recommendations, interactive content, dedicated support, real-time travel guides, and exclusive perks. Since 2019, CapitaLand has integrated Weixin Pay across 17 malls, attracting about 100,000 users. In partnership with Weixin Pay, CapitaLand has launched a “Pay and Earn Points” initiative, allowing users to earn redeemable points for every purchase, creating a smooth “spend-earn-redeem” process.

Dusit to manage Indonesia’s Kaliwatu Residences – Dusit Collection

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Dusit International has signed a hotel management agreement with Komodo Property Management to manage Kaliwatu Residences – Dusit Collection in Indonesia. This signing marks Dusit’s first Dusit Collection branded hotel in Indonesia.

The property is located on the western tip of Flores, just 10 minutes by car from Komodo International Airport and the town of Badjo – the gateway to Komodo National Park, renowned for its Komodo dragons and diving.

Kaliwatu Residences – Dusit Collection will be completed in phases by 2Q2028

Developed in phases, with full completion scheduled for 2Q2028, the project will feature 63 private villas with plunge pools, 194 apartments, and a clubhouse housing a restaurant, bars, shops, a gym, a spa, and a rooftop swimming pool.

Kaliwatu Residences – Dusit Collection will provide easy access to Labuan Bajo’s cultural and natural attractions, including pink beaches, underground caves, waterfalls, hiking trails with panoramic viewpoints, and encounters with Komodo dragons within Komodo National Park.

Ongoing infrastructure improvements, including recent upgrades to Komodo International Airport and upcoming direct flights from Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and Perth, Australia, are enhancing Labuan Bajo’s reputation as a premier destination for relaxation and adventure.

Gilles Cretallaz, chief operating officer, Dusit International, said: “Labuan Bajo is an extraordinary destination with immense potential, and we are delighted to introduce our signature Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to this stunning location.”

“Our vision for Kaliwatu Residences – Dusit Collection is to create a sanctuary that harmonises with nature while delivering world-class amenities. The development and construction of the project are fully supported by local authorities and are being carried out in collaboration with the local community, further enhancing its positive impact on the local economy,” added Alessandro Mugavero, CEO, Komodo Property Management.

INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit hosts creative art latte workshop

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INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit has introduced a new art latte workshop designed to bring out the inner barista and artist in guests.

Led by seasoned barista Anuchita Khajeeram, the 45-minute workshop, held at the hotel’s Open Living Lounge, covers basic coffee knowledge, how to use an espresso machine and make the perfect espresso shot, milk frothing techniques, and the fundamentals of latte art pouring, where participants can create heart and flower designs, or try more advanced pegasus and seahorse patterns.

Guests can learn coffee basics, espresso making, milk frothing, and latte art design at INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s new workshop

Each workshop accommodates a maximum of two participants, with sessions held from 13.00 to 17.00 scheduled based on demand and availability.

To make a reservation, e-mail INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit.

What’s your impact story?

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Over lunch with WTTC’s chief Julia Simpson when she was in Singapore for the Aviation Festival Asia last month, a journalist piped up: “Sustainability is not a sexy topic. We know not to put that word in the headlines.” There was a murmur of agreement.

Sustainability is a curious thing. To say that people don’t care for it would be wrong. Our meeting with Julia, for instance, drew conversations heavy on responsible tourism development and progress in sustainable aviation. Almost all government activations and budgets now have a segment on responsible development. Even the private sector has become more strategic about what they are doing in relation to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and employs teams responsible for these initiatives.

Sustainability isn’t just on the lips of policymakers and business leaders. In Singapore, sustainability concepts and importance are emphasised in schools – even in pre-schools – through projects and class discussions. I am certain the same is seen in other countries.

Yet, most people don’t want the pursuit of sustainability to be a personal burden. In the space of travel and tourism, there is a disconnect between what travellers say about sustainability and the choices they ultimately make. WTTC’s Bridging the Say-Do Gap report notes that while travellers care about sustainability, data shows that cost and quality remain the dominant purchasing priorities.

There is also a difference in how sustainability news attract readers. I noticed that TTG Asia content on our own and public channels relating to hotel and tour operator efforts are more popular than those about measures taken by airlines to cut emissions. Perhaps this is because hotels and tour operators have been able to package their sustainable efforts into appealing experiences – farm-to-table lunches in the hotel’s own herb garden, electric vehicle-friendly road trips, interactions with artists of disappearing trades, etc. In contrast, sustainable aviation fuel and fuel burn may be too far removed from the travel experience or too technical to be everyone’s cup of tea.

Two heads are better than one, and I see an opportunity for travel and tourism organisations to work closer with content creators to better package and deliver the impact story in order to close the cost and conscience gap, and have all consumers understand that their travel decisions can impact the world’s journey to net zero and accept that the cost of responsible travel must be shared.