TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Tuesday, 16th December 2025
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Page 143

PATA, Meaningful Tourism Centre sign MoU to advance responsible travel and tourism

By TTG Asia
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To drive impactful initiatives that promote meaningful tourism, PATA has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Meaningful Tourism Centre (MTC), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing sustainable and responsible travel and tourism through the principles of Meaningful Tourism.

Signed and recognised on the stage of the Nepal-India-China Expo 2025 (NICE 2025), on February 25 in Pokhara, Nepal, the agreement reaffirms the shared vision of shaping the future of tourism by fostering sustainable development and industry-wide collaboration.

From left: Meaningful Tourism Centre’s Wolfgang Georg Arlt and PATA’s Noor Ahmad Hamid

PATA and MTC will jointly develop and share best practices, foster industry discussions, and advance research and capacity-building initiatives including trainings and workshops, as well as reciprocal activities such as speaking engagements and industry knowledge-sharing that support more meaningful travel experiences.

Meaningful Tourism is an approach that goes beyond sustainability by ensuring that all tourism stakeholders – travellers, businesses, employees, local communities, governments and the environment – benefit equitably. It emphasises responsible travel that fosters cultural appreciation, protects environmental assets, and enhances the overall experience for both visitors and hosts.

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said: “This partnership marks an important step in strengthening our commitment to tourism that is both responsible and impactful. By joining forces with the Meaningful Tourism Centre, we aim to enhance industry awareness and support initiatives that not only enrich traveller experiences but also bring tangible benefits to local communities, cultural heritage, and the environment.”

“Only a holistic approach which brings benefits and satisfaction to all stakeholders in tourism and hospitality will bring back the positive image our industry used to have as a provider of joy, new experiences and even peace. We have to organise our activities in a way which makes us part of the solution instead of being seen as part of the problem,” added MTC CEO Wolfgang Georg Arlt.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts sees ongoing growth in Asia-Pacific in 2024

By TTG Asia
0

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts continues its robust growth across Asia-Pacific, as revealed in the region’s full-year results for 2024. Key highlights include the company awarding 286 contracts, opening 220 new hotels, and recording nine per cent year-on-year net room growth, equivalent to approximately 19,000 rooms.

The global travel market bounced back strongly in 2024, with Asia-Pacific driving the recovery through a surge in passenger traffic. China contributed by relaxing entry visa policies, boosting inbound tourism across the region. By end-2024, Wyndham had more than 1,870 hotels open in Asia-Pacific. This growth was further underscored last month with a visit from Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, who visited four cities in the region – Shanghai, Taipei, Bangkok, and Singapore – where he participated in more than 20 project signing ceremonies and engaged in meetings with over 100 hotel owners from across the region.

Wyndham set records with 286 contracts and 220 new hotels across Asia-Pacific; Wyndham Garden Qionglai Downtown, pictured

In 2024, Wyndham awarded nearly 30 per cent more contracts across Asia-Pacific than in 2023, including over 250 hotels in China. Key openings include Howard Johnson by Wyndham Pattaya JC in Thailand; La Vie D’or Hotel and Resort, Trademark Collection by Wyndham in South Korea; Ramada by Wyndham Vientiane Central in Laos; Wyndham Jomtien Pattaya in Thailand; as well as Wyndham Garden Hotel Xixi Hangzhou and Wyndham Garden Qionglai Downtown in China.

Growth across the Asia-Pacific region supports Wyndham’s mission of making hotel travel accessible to all. With operations, marketing, distribution, and resources designed to support owners’ success, they benefit from the Wyndham Advantage. This includes over US$325 million in technology investments over the past six years, giving owners access to tools from industry providers, including property management systems, helping them stay competitive in the digital age.

Wyndham has addressed consumer needs through marketing campaigns that boost guest satisfaction and brand reputation. In China, the brand launched a partnership with Kungfu Panda 4 in April, featuring themed hotel décor and meet-and-greets. In August, Wyndham partnered with Harley-Davidson, offering HOG members discounts at over 500 properties in Asia-Pacific.

Other campaigns, including Workcation and Festival Retreats, provide exclusive benefits to approximately 114 million Wyndham Rewards members globally. These efforts enhance the Wyndham Rewards programme, inspiring more guests to book their next trip.

“When you couple our commitment to growth with our Owner First philosophy, we’re helping owners leverage the power of our brands to introduce new travel opportunities to guests – all while delivering on our mission of making hotel travel possible for all,” said Joon Aun Ooi, president, Asia Pacific, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.

SH Hotels & Resorts rebrands as Starwood Hotels

By TTG Asia
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SH Hotels & Resorts, the parent company of 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels, is celebrating its 10th anniversary by rebranding as Starwood Hotels, reviving the iconic brand created by Barry Sternlicht nearly 30 years ago.

In its milestone year, Starwood Hotels is celebrating global growth, with flagship properties opening in Tokyo, Melbourne, and Copenhagen, alongside expansion into the Middle East and Southern Europe.

The hospitality company behind 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels, and Treehouse Hotels enters a new era with global expansion and rebranding; Baccarat Hotel New York Grand Salon, pictured

The 1 Hotels brand, launched in 2015 with 1 Hotel South Beach and 1 Hotel Central Park, focuses on biophilic design and sustainability. It has expanded to locations in Brooklyn, West Hollywood, Sanya, Toronto, Nashville, San Francisco, Hanalei Bay, and Mayfair. 1 Hotels is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation to donate 100,000 trees for reforestation in Los Angeles and supports local communities. Its Mission membership programme allows guests to support environmental and social causes while enjoying a personalised experience.

In 2025, 1 Hotels & Homes will open 1 Hotel Seattle, 1 Hotel & Homes Melbourne, 1 Hotel Copenhagen, and 1 Hotel Tokyo. Future openings beyond 2025 include Cabo San Lucas, Paris, Elounda Hills, Austin, Riyadh, and San Miguel de Allende.

Baccarat Hotels & Residences will expand into Rome, Florence, Riyadh, Dubai, and the Maldives, following the success of Baccarat Hotel New York. Treehouse Hotels will debut Treehouse Manchester and Treehouse Silicon Valley in Spring 2025, with future locations in Adelaide, Riyadh, and Brickell.

As part of its growth strategy, 1 Hotels & Homes and Baccarat Hotels & Residences are also developing new branded residences.

Sustainability is central to Starwood Hotels, with properties aiming for LEED or BREEAM certifications. New properties like 1 Hotel Melbourne and 1 Hotel Seattle feature sustainable design, plant-forward menus, organic products, and refillable water stations. The company is also expanding its team and supporting local communities through initiatives like 1 Less Thing.

Dining and wellness are key elements of the guest experience at Starwood Hotels. The brand partners with top chefs for unique dining experiences, while properties offer experiential programming that connects guests to nature and promotes holistic well-being.

“Reintroducing the Starwood Hotels name is personally very exciting for me. It’s a tribute to a legacy that millions of people know and trust—and it comes at a decisive moment in our company’s history,” shared Sternlicht, founder and chairman of Starwood Hotels and chairman of Starwood Capital Group.

“By reviving the Starwood Hotels name, we aim to marry this trusted legacy of youth, innovation, and guest focus with our modern, tech-enabled, personalised approach to hospitality. As we take this next step, we’re doubling down on our mission to inspire, innovate, and make a difference – for our guests, our partners, and the planet.”

Trip.com Group expands global support for women in tourism and entrepreneurship

By TTG Asia
0

With women representing over 54 per cent of the global tourism workforce, as reported by the UNWTO, Trip.com Group is reinforcing its commitment to empowering women in tourism through a series of impactful initiatives.

The group continues to spearhead efforts aimed at expanding opportunities for female professionals through The Mulan Project, which was initially launched in China in 2023. The programme has played a key role in fostering career development, skills training, and entrepreneurship for women in the tourism sector. Since 2023, this project has helped create over 20,000 female job opportunities, with further expansion planned in 2025 to enhance career pathways for women in tourism.

Trip.com Group is empowering women globally with opportunities and skills in tourism and beyond

Trip.com Group also trains and recruits bilingual tour guides to meet the growing demand from international travellers. One example is The Shanghai Express, a free half-day tour led by bilingual guide Huang Xuan, who offers immersive cultural experiences in Mandarin, English, and Shanghainese. Since its launch, the tour has become highly popular, with sessions booking out within 30 minutes. To meet this demand, the company is expanding training programmes and recruiting more multilingual guides for inbound tourism and corporate events.

Additionally, Trip.com Group promotes rural women’s employment through its Country Retreats programme, which drives rural revitalisation and creates jobs for local women. A notable example is Xi Xi, a Gen Z innkeeper who has worked at various rural lodges, growing a successful business known for its local culture, eco-tourism, and whale-watching experiences.

Since 2024, Trip.com Group has extended its commitment to women’s empowerment by supporting Women in Travel CIC’s initiatives in Europe. The partnership backs the Enterprising Programme, focusing on the Tour Guiding Academy, which trains underserved women to create and lead immersive tours in the UK and internationally. This initiative promotes female micro-entrepreneurship, elevating underrepresented voices and enabling women to generate income while celebrating diversity and heritage. In 2025, Trip.com Group plans to collaborate with Women in Travel CIC in international markets to further advance women-led tourism globally.

Beyond tourism, Trip.com Group supports female employees with progressive workplace policies, such as hybrid work options, a global childcare subsidy fund, and paid parental leave. These initiatives have helped nearly 100 per cent of female employees return to work after maternity leave, underscoring the company’s commitment to workplace equality and career growth for women.

Trip.com Group’s CEO Jane Sun said: “The tourism industry employs more women than any other sector, yet many still face barriers to career advancement. Through initiatives like The Mulan Project, we are committed to creating more employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, upskilling women, and fostering gender equality.”

Sojern launches fully managed e-mail marketing service for hoteliers

By Karen Yue
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Marketing platform Sojern has rolled out a fully managed e-mail marketing service that is said to be the hospitality industry’s first solution to streamline marketing, making it easier for hoteliers to drive direct bookings, build guest loyalty, and reduce OTA dependence.

The service is part of Sojern’s multichannel commission-based offering, which means that hotel marketers will only pay for performance.

Sojern’s managed email service helps hoteliers boost direct bookings and reduce OTA reliance

Sojern noted that time, expertise, and costs are common obstacles to effective hotel e-mail campaigns. Through the fully managed e-mail marketing service, hoteliers can partner with Sojern to effortlessly execute high-performing e-mail campaigns without the need for in-house resources.

Powered by Sojern’s AI-driven marketing platform, the service combines Sojern’s Guest Marketing Suite with the expertise of e-mail designers and copywriters to ensure seamless campaign creation, deployment, performance, and measurement. Sojern’s e-mail solution seamlessly connects with the hotel’s property management system (PMS) to unlock powerful guest insights, enabling targeted e-mail campaigns that drive engagement and direct bookings.

Automated reconciliation further streamlines operations, allowing hoteliers to focus on the guest experience rather than manual tasks.

Noreen Henry, chief revenue officer at Sojern, said: “Today’s travellers increasingly seek personalised experiences, from their destination choices to their on-property stays. In fact, 90 per cent of consumers expect brands to understand and anticipate their needs. As guests invest more in memorable and tailored experiences, they expect the same level of personalisation from hotels before they’ve even arrived.

“With Sojern’s fully-managed e-mail solution, hotel marketers can deliver timely, branded content that drives engagement, direct bookings, and loyalty – overcoming traditional bandwidth and budget hurdles without additional work.”

For now, the service will only be available to hoteliers in the US and Canada, and will be introduced to more countries throughout the year.

Lina Ang, managing director, international property sales, Sojern, told TTG Asia that there is strong anticipation for the new service here in Asia-Pacific.

She said: “We’re seeing high demand, which is incredibly exciting for us. Watch this space for more updates on our plans to introduce the e-mail pay-for-performance model in Asia-Pacific.

“As hoteliers in the region focus on driving more direct bookings and reducing OTA reliance, Sojern’s solution will provide an easy, cost-effective way to engage guests through targeted e-mail campaigns – without additional workload or upfront costs.”

IHG Hotels & Resorts names Bryan Chan as VP – development

By TTG Asia
0

IHG Hotels & Resorts has appointed Bryan Chan as its new vice president, development for South-east Asia and South Korea.

In this role, Chan will lead the strategic expansion of IHG’s brands in the region, strengthen stakeholder relationships, and manage a team of developers.

With over 10 years at IHG, Bryan has taken on increasing leadership responsibilities. He brings 15 years of deal-making experience across various industries, including hospitality real estate, energy, infrastructure, transport, and industrials.

Branded residences boost growth and investment in Philippine hospitality

By Rosa Ocampo
0

The integration of branded residences into the hospitality landscape is making waves in the Philippines, bridging the gap for high-end living spaces and providing funding for hotel groups to expand.

C9 Hotelworks managing director Bill Barnett stated that branded residences are now “critical to the growth of global hospitality brands”, highlighting that 65 per cent of Four Seasons’ global project pipeline is mixed-use. He also noted that major chains like Marriott and Accor now have dedicated teams for branded residences.

The C9 Sessions event was held at The Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila

In the Philippines, Sheraton Mactan Cebu launched Sheraton Residences before the hotel, which helped the developer, Apple One, build the hotel and provided early returns, Barnett told TTG Asia.

Apple One is adopting the same approach for the new JW Marriott Panglao Bohol, where branded residences play a crucial role in internationally branded hotels and support developers in investing in new greenfield projects, he emphasised.

Melissa Lim, general manager of IM Hotel and Oakwood Makati Avenue, said in a previous interview that mixed developments are a “natural progression in our journey forward… in capturing the long-stay and corporate markets, where Ascott and its Oakwood brand have a strong presence”.

Lim added that IM Hotel Group, which plans to expand into franchising in three to five years, converted the upper floors of IM Hotel into 150-suite Oakwood Makati Avenue last year, allowing long-stay guests to enjoy the hotel’s spa, event spaces, and other facilities.

Barnett stated that Manila, where mixed developments dominate the hospitality landscape, has the potential to evolve into a global playground city like Bangkok and other cosmopolitan hubs, which have successfully integrated luxury real estate with vibrant entertainment, sports, resorts, and lifestyle offerings.

As tourism continues to drive growth in the country, Barnett said the fusion of branded residences and hospitality paves the way for the Philippines to become an even more attractive choice for both travellers and investors.

More Filipinos head to Europe for pilgrimage and much more

By Rosa Ocampo
0

Predominantly Catholics, throngs of Filipinos are going on a spiritual pilgrimage to Europe this Holy Year of Jubilee for the Catholic Church, which takes place every 25 years in remembrance of the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

The ailing Pope Francis has themed this Jubilee Year Pilgrims of Hope as the faithful are encouraged to make pilgrimage in Rome and Jubilee churches around the world and obtain plenary indulgences for the forgiveness of sins.

With Holy Land pilgrimages closed and Japan visa delays, more Filipinos are turning to Europe for their travels; St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, pictured

Travel Specialist Ventures managing director, Rowena Coloma, noted that as a result of “very strong demand for Europe… most hotels in Rome are full this year”.

Coloma noted a number of tour offerings focused on mono Italy, mono Spain and mono France, and the continuing popularity of pilgrimages to Marian apparition and miraculous sites, with extension to Paris for shopping and leisure.

Miki Travel CEO Asia Division, Olivier Moeschler, observed that Philippine outbound to Europe has started getting stronger since 2023, not just for religious pilgrimages but also for family travel and emerging activities like river cruising and to emerging destinations like the Balkans and Nordic countries.

Europe’s allure, Moeschler said, is such that the Philippines is Miki Travel’s fastest growing market to Europe, with Singapore ranking second.

Pilgrimage is not the only reason why Filipinos flock to Europe. Amkor Travel and Tours owner and operations manager, Marianne Malinao Tismo, said travellers are shifting to Europe as Holy Land pilgrimage destinations are not yet open and due to the longer processing period for Japan visa application.

This year, Tismo said the volume of pilgrimage groups to Europe will start departing by April and that they are now preparing for departure October onwards.

Thailand’s soft powers whet luxury travellers’ appetite

By Anne Somanas
0

Thailand’s strategic use of soft power, particularly in luxury tourism, has ignited a surge in demand for immersive experiences, such as experiential dining and hyperlocal activities, according to industry leaders.

Daniel Fraser, CEO of Smiling Albino, highlighted the rising demand for curated food experiences: “From the best street food to top-tier matcha spots, travellers are arriving with savvy, media-driven requests for specific culinary highlights.”

More travellers are seeking unique and specific culinary experiences

Georgie Walsh, general manager of Elevate DMC, said social media trends are a key driver, pointing out that restaurants featuring celebrity chefs and Instagrammable spots are also gaining traction among the firm’s key source markets. These include the UK, France, and the Commonwealth of Independent States nations.

High-end properties are also making such immersive – yet exclusive – culinary experiences available to their guests, such as Centara Reserve Samui’s distinctive market-to-table experience, where guests accompany a chef to handpick ingredients for a personalised meal.

“It’s a wonderful, well-received experience,” shared Tom Thrussell, vice president – brand, marketing and digital at Centara Hotels & Resorts.

Additionally, today’s luxury travellers seek more than just indulgence – they crave luxury that is integrated with hyper-authentic, meaningful connections to local craftsmanship and culture.

Walsh noted “a clear rise in luxury experiences incorporating local culture”, adding that travellers want to combine high-end stays with authentic elements like street food, Muay Thai, and glimpses into local life.

Meanwhile, Fraser shared that these “high-craft” experiences span the gamut, from traditional textile workshops and fine woodworking to designer jewellery making, immersive Muay Thai experiences, VIP offerings from clubs or lounges, or one-of-a-kind contemporary performances.

“Travellers from North America, Europe, and Australasia are requesting these things from us more and more,” he added.

Michael Henssler, chief operating officer at Centara Hotels & Resorts, noted a broader trend – today’s luxury guests are no longer seeking a “home away from home”; instead, they want unforgettable moments, which can also be about embracing spontaneity and finding joy in the unplanned.

“Gone are the days of predictable opulence; today’s discerning guest demands something more. The experiences we treasure are the ones that live on in our memories – and that we can showcase to our friends online.

“These could even be impromptu yet exclusive moments that come together on the fly,” he pointed out.

Paul Jackson joins Capella Singapore as GM

By TTG Asia
0

Capella Singapore has appointed Paul Jackson as its new general manager.

With over 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Jackson is set to elevate the hotel’s legacy by creating immersive experiences that celebrate both global sophistication and Singapore’s rich cultural heritage.

His career includes a nine-year tenure at Claridge’s in London, along with experience at renowned properties worldwide, such as Mandarin Oriental, The Ritz, and Grand InterContinental.

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Sister Publications
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TTG Asia | Sri Lanka to expand visa-free access to 40 markets from January 2026
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TTG Asia | Asia-Pacific drives tourism growth in Euromonitor’s top 100 cities