Sky22 at Courtyard by Marriott Singapore Novena reopens on January 27, just in time for Lunar New Year celebrations. Since its soft opening on December 18, 2024, the all-day dining restaurant has introduced a revitalised design featuring biophilic elements and expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, offering stunning views of the city.
The refreshed space provides flexible seating for intimate meals or larger gatherings, with an open kitchen and upgraded buffet stations that encourage interaction.
Sky22 has refreshed its interiors to showcase floor-to-ceiling windows boasting views of the city
Sky22’s new menus focus on sustainable, locally sourced ingredients. The revamped Semi-Buffet Lunch, priced at S$29.50 (US$22) per person, features an expanded salad bar and a rotating menu of main courses such as Laksa Lemak, Miso Braised Wagyu Beef Cheek, and Beer-Battered Black Grouper.
For Lunar New Year, Sky22 invites guests to celebrate with a festive reunion feast, including a DIY Lo Hei Bar, seafood platters, and signature dishes like Singapore Chilli Crab and Kam Heong Tiger Prawn. The Lunar New Year Reunion Buffet Dinner, available from January 17 to February 8, is priced at S$59 (adult) and S$28 (child).
Reservations made by January 12 will receive a 20 per cent discount, excluding January 28-30.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is strengthening its operations and expanding its presence in key markets with two recent appointments.
Damian Borg has been promoted to senior director of sales strategy & operations for Asia Pacific, where he will support Ben Angell, vice president and managing director of NCL APAC, in focusing on the fly-cruise market to key destinations such as Europe, Alaska, and Hawaii. He will also provide strategic leadership to the region’s four country managers: Manoj Singh (India), Takahiko Yajima (Japan), Crystal Wong (Greater China and South Korea) and William Tay (South-east Asia).
From left: Damian Borg and Jason Montague
Jason Montague has been appointed chief luxury officer for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH), where he will oversee both Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises. Montague brings extensive industry experience, having previously led these brands as president and CEO of Regent Seven Seas Cruises and president and COO of both Oceania and Regent.
Vietjet is celebrating the New Year by offering free hot air balloon rides at the Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival, India’s largest event of its kind, to passengers who book Vietjet flights between Vietnam and India (including connecting flights) by January 19 on the airline’s official website or mobile app.
The 10th Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival will be held across three cities in Tamil Nadu: Chennai (January 10-12), Pollachi (January 14-16), and Madurai (January 18-19). The event will feature hot air balloons from over eight countries, showcasing an array of shapes and colours.
Book Vietjet flights between Vietnam and India to get a free hot air balloon ride at the Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival
Passengers can claim a free hot air balloon ride by presenting their flight ticket or boarding pass at the Vietjet booth at the festival. This offer is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additionally, travellers can enjoy Vietjet’s special Friday promotion, with tickets starting at just US$0. Terms and conditions apply.
Malaysia’s prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim, officially launched the Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign on January 6 at the Malaysia Airports Engineering Complex in Sepang, highlighting the crucial role of sustainable tourism in driving economic growth and benefiting local communities.
Anwar emphasised the importance of balancing development with environmental preservation, advocating for sustainable practices to improve the nation’s quality of life. He noted that the impact of VM2026 would extend well beyond tourism, benefiting sectors such as hospitality, transport, retail, and food industries.
Anwar Ibrahim (fourth from left) launches the Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign at the Malaysia Airlines Engineering Complex
During the launch, he unveiled the campaign’s logo, mascot, theme song, and the aircraft livery featured on the planes of Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, and Batik Air Malaysia.
This marks the first time these airlines will proudly display the logo as part of their aircraft designs, symbolising a united effort to promote tourism and generate excitement for the transformative year ahead.
The event also premiered the official VM2026 theme song, titled Surreal Experiences, which captures the essence of Malaysia’s unique offerings. This song will be a key component of the campaign to attract global attention and engage visitors with the enchanting experiences Malaysia has to offer.
In addition, the Malayan Sun Bear, an endangered species and a symbol of Malaysia’s commitment to wildlife conservation, has been adopted as the official icon for the campaign.
Designed in a lovable, animated style, the Malayan Sun Bear aims to appeal to all ages, evoking a sense of warmth and joy, and further enhancing Malaysia’s image as a welcoming destination for tourists.
In his speech, the minister of tourism, arts and culture Malaysia, Tiong King Sing, shared that the campaign is founded on two key pillars: high-yield and sustainable tourism, which demonstrates “our dedication to delivering meaningful experiences while safeguarding Malaysia’s unique treasures”.
To achieve this, the plan focuses on key strategies: increasing tourist arrivals by encouraging longer stays, extending visit durations through enriched cultural and eco-tourism offerings, and driving higher spending by promoting niche tourism experiences.
The event was attended by key representatives from various ministries and leaders from the travel trade industry, reflecting the national significance of the VM2026 campaign.
The campaign has set an ambitious target to welcome 35.6 million international visitors and generate 147.1 billion ringgit (US$31.2 billion) in tourism receipts.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launched a photo exhibition and cultural showcase at the Nihao! China: China Ice and Snow Tourism Overseas Promotion Season 2025 on January 5 as a highlight of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, held from January 5 to 8, celebrating the longstanding friendship between Thailand and China.
The Harbin Ice and Snow Festival, China’s largest snow festival, attracts over 40,000 attendees daily. TAT’s involvement strengthens Thai-China cultural ties while encouraging high-spending Chinese travellers to visit Thailand.
Thailand commemorates 50 Years of diplomatic ties with China at Harbin Ice and Snow Festival
At the heart of TAT’s presence is the Thai Charm Photo Exhibition, a visual journey showcasing Thailand’s rich cultural heritage, unique traditions, and vibrant tourism experiences. Through the lens of the 5 Must Do in Thailand concept (Must Taste, Must Try, Must Buy, Must Seek, and Must See), the exhibition captures the essence of Thai hospitality and offers a glimpse into the nation’s diverse travel offerings.
The exhibition connects Thai culture with Chinese audiences, where visitors can explore everything from Thai cuisine and activities to local crafts, hidden gems, and live performances, which included a celebration of Thai traditions through greetings (wai), cuisine, and cultural practices; a southern Thai dance; and a lively central Thai performance traditionally seen in festive processions.
The showcase also featured a north-eastern (Isan) performance blending bamboo percussion with umbrella dances, and a grand display of cultural treasures from all regions of Thailand.
In addition to these events, TAT has planned a grand Chinese New Year celebration in Bangkok’s Chinatown. This celebration aims to deepen ties between the two nations and attract travellers to explore Thailand throughout the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025.
TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool commented: “This marks the beginning of a year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of Thai-China relations. The photo exhibition and cultural performances illustrate Thailand’s charm and serve as a bridge to inspire Chinese travellers, who are integral to our goal of welcoming 39 million international tourists in 2025.”
The Skål International Thailand Annual Forum 2024, held in Chiang Mai in December, brought together tourism leaders from Thailand, Asia, and the US.
A key moment was the ceremonial exchange of presidential chains, with Skål Thailand acting national president Shana Kongnum handing over the chain to incoming president Eddy Brosse. Brosse then passed his chain to Bas van Straten, the new president of Skål Phuket, and Sittipong Wongsomboon took over as president of Skål Chiang Mai from Vorapot Chutima.
From left: Kevin Rautenbach, Eddy Brosse, Bas van Straten, Shana Kongnum, Sittipong Wongsomboon, Vorapot Chutima, and Andres O. Hayes
The event included workshops on Skål’s revised statutes, membership benefits, and its mission in a changing world. Members also explored marketing strategies for the tourism industry, sustainable practices, and professional development.
Skål International provides members with networking opportunities, global events, and resources for growth, including new training videos and podcasts on leadership and empowerment available through their website and app.
On November 24, 2024, the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation (STDF), in collaboration with public and private sectors, officially launched the Phuket Old Town Carbon Neutrality 2030 project, an initiative that positions Phuket’s historical district as Thailand’s first area to commit to achieving carbon neutrality.
Endorsed by Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the project aims to transform the Old Town into an international model for sustainable tourism while serving as a pilot for reducing carbon emissions across the province.
Sorawong Thienthong (centre) with leaders of local administrative organisations and private sector leaders during the Phuket Old Town Carbon Neutrality 2030 project launch ceremony; photo by STDF
Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, president of the STDF and advisor to the Phuket Tourism Association (PTA), explained the rationale behind the initiative.
“Thailand has set ambitious KPIs: achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2065. However, Phuket currently lacks a concrete action plan to meet these goals. Recognising this gap, we decided to pilot a prototype on a smaller scale in the Old Town. If successful, it could serve as a model for broader implementation,” he shared.
Phuket’s Old Town was chosen due to its unique blend of tourism and local community life, as well as the willingness of its residents to participate in the project.
“Our goal is to significantly reduce carbon emissions in this area and achieve neutrality by 2030,” Bhummikitti added.
The project, spearheaded by the STDF, is jointly driven by Phuket City Municipality, the Big Data Institute (BDI), and the Old Town community. Its primary objective is to reduce carbon emissions by 30 per cent within three years and by 50 per cent by 2030.
Key strategies include introducing electric public transport, such as a new EV bus line around the area in collaboration with Phuket Smart Bus, improving public waste management systems and segregating home waste for recycling, and utilising AI to monitor emissions.
AI-integrated CCTVs, installed by the BDI, are already operational in Old Town, providing real-time data on traffic and pedestrian activity to track carbon emissions more accurately, particularly at the Thalang walking street.
“We collaborated with the BDI to classify numbers of vehicles passing through and their models, monitor foot traffic – because people bring waste into the environment – and estimate emissions. This data helps us paint a clearer picture of the area’s carbon footprint,” Bhummikitti explained.
Supporting institutions such as the Phuket Provincial Electricity Authority, the local fishers association, and the Pollution Control Department also supply data, which is fed into BDI’s centralised dashboard for analysis.
Additionally, a new organic waste composter, funded by the STDF, has been installed at the Golden Dragon Monument to reduce landfill dependency.
“This composter will handle organic waste from Old Town, reducing landfill contributions at Saphan Hin by at least 400kg daily,” Bhummikitti noted.
Looking ahead, STDF is collaborating with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to position Phuket as a certified sustainable tourism destination. A sustainability audit is underway, with results expected by January 2025.
Phuket will also host the Global Sustainable Tourism Conference (GSTC2026) in May 2026, drawing over 700 participants and showcasing projects like the Old Town initiative.
“Achieving carbon neutrality involves two steps: reducing emissions as much as possible, then compensating through activities like tree planting,” Bhummikitti shared.
“At the end of January, when the GSTC audit results come in, we will see our current potential and what gaps we have to fill in order to achieve a sustainable destination label such as Green Destinations or EarthCheck, which will be another important step in accrediting Phuket as a sustainable tourism destination,” he concluded.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines celebrated 100 years of connections between the Netherlands and Indonesia last November, marking the airline’s enduring presence and ongoing innovations.
From a pioneering 55-day journey between the two countries in 1924 to today’s 15-hour flights, the airline has witnessed and played a significant role in the advancements of the aviation industry.
From left: KLM’s Maarten Stienen and Femke Kroese, and Dutch ambassador to Indonesia Marc Gerritsen
While the first flight took several days and required 26 stops between the two continents, it is now possible to fly to Amsterdam in just 15 hours.
In a written interview with TTG Asia in conjunction with the celebration, KLM COO Maarten Stienen stated: “KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has always been present in Indonesia and innovated along the way.
“After the first flight to Jakarta 100 years ago, we have had continuous scheduled flights since 1930, with a disruption during World War II. KLM (has been flying) to Bali since 1988,” he pointed out, adding that the fact that KLM has been continuously serving these destinations for such a long period highlights their importance.
Stienen continued: “In summer 2024, over 250,000 passengers flew with KLM to and from Indonesia, showing how big the demand is for this route. (It is) not a surprise, given that business is booming in Indonesia and the country has a lot of beauty to offer to visitors.”
Now part of the Air France-KLM Group, which includes Air France and Transavia, KLM’s extensive network covers over 300 destinations in 125 countries, with primary hubs at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Paris Charles de Gaulle.
While the airline was a pioneer in longhaul service a century ago, its current focus on innovation is centred on sustainability.
Stienen said: “KLM is the oldest airline still operating under its original name (but) we are no longer pioneering distances in aviation – however, we aim to be a responsible airline group (and) continue to connect people with destinations all over the world, (believing) that through innovation, we can reduce the long-term impact of flying on our planet.”
The airline aims to have over 80 new-generation aircraft in its fleet by 2030, which are more fuel-efficient and produce fewer emissions per passenger kilometre than their predecessors. Additionally, the new aircraft are quieter than the previous models.
“Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is also one of the most promising levers that will help us reduce CO2 emissions. We plan to use more than 10 per cent SAF on board our aircraft by 2030, exceeding the obligations by the European Commission,” he shared.
When asked about his vision for the future of the airline industry over the next century, Stienen said: “Our aim is to be in business for the next 100 years and give future generations the opportunity to travel, to connect people and cultures from all over the world.
“Flying is vital to our economies and brings wealth to communities worldwide. We need to reduce our impact on the planet and grow in a way that is balanced with our environment, among other innovations with cleaner and quieter aircraft.”
He explained that, as an industry, the first step taken by the airline was to increase the use of SAF: “At KLM, we mix 1.2 per cent SAF into our fuel, and the Air France-KLM group purchases the most SAF worldwide, accounting for 16 per cent of the global supply in 2023. We are working on projects to radically improve the fuel efficiency of flying in the longer term, such as our cooperation with Delft Technical University on the Flying V and our collaboration with ZeroAvia to fit hydrogen-powered engines to an existing plane.”
A section of the Jeju Olle Trail, a scenic and popular foot path that lies on the perimeter of South Korea’s Jeju Province, has been named Jeju Olle Trail 8 Route: ASEAN-Korea Olle in honour of the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Korea dialogue relations and its elevation to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The ceremony, led by the ASEAN-Korea Centre in cooperation with the Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the Jeju Olle Foundation, was held on November 8 in Seogwipo. It saw the presence of key figures including ASEAN-Korea Centre’s secretary general, Kim Jae-shin; Jeju governor Oh Young-hun; Jeju Olle Foundation’s founding CEO and chairperson, Suh Myung Sook; deputy minister of foreign affairs, Chung Byung-won; and ambassadors of the 10 ASEAN countries in South Korea.
A section of the Jeju Olle Trail has been renamed ASEAN-Korea Olle to mark the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-Korea relations
Jeju Olle Trail 8 now bears a commemorative signage and bench introducing ASEAN and South Korea.
The initiative aims to promote South Korea’s beautiful natural landscapes, such as the Jeju Olle, to visitors from South-east Asia while fostering understanding of the ASEAN grouping among South Koreans.
The ASEAN-Korea Centre plans to expand this friendship trail to the 10 ASEAN member states to foster deeper connection between the region and South Korea.
Another ceremony was held for the ASEAN Culture & Tourism Book Corner within the Jeju International Peace Centre, where the ASEAN-Korea Centre’s Jeju ASEAN Hall is also located. The book corner features a collection of literature showcasing the cultural and tourism resources of South-east Asia, donated by the ASEAN-Korea Centre and the 10 ASEAN Embassies in South Korea. It also displays a collection of personal favourites selected and autographed by these ambassadors.
Kim shared: “The ASEAN-Korea Centre has been pursuing various projects to invigorate culture and tourism between (South) Korea and ASEAN, introducing the rich culture and tourism offerings of both regions. This meaningful project endeavours to promote (South) Korea’s natural tourism assets such as the Jeju Olle to ASEAN, and vice versa.
“The permanent commemorative milestone is a testament to the enduring relations between (South) Korea and ASEAN, and the ongoing journey both regions will continue to pursue.”
Banyan Group is set to welcome its 100th resort for its debut in Singapore in April this year, along with the opening of new properties in destinations beyond Asia, including Tanzania and the Dominican Republic.
Growth momentum is set to continue this year, with 15 new hotel and resort openings and five new branded residence developments expanding the group’s portfolio.
Banyan Tree made its debut in Japan with the opening of Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto in 2024, pictured
These include the debut of the Mandai Rainforest Resort, a nature-inspired property within the Mandai Wildlife Reserve in Singapore; Ubuyu, a Banyan Tree Escape in Tanzania, offering an immersive experience in Ruaha National Park; and the group’s first standalone development in Bangkok, which combines hotels, dining, a spa, and nightlife. In Asia, new properties will open in Zhuhai, Busan, Jeju, Bangkok, and Cebu, while the Caribbean will see the opening of Cassia Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic.
Additionally, Banyan Tree Gallery products will be available on Emirates and EVA Air from 2025, expanding the group’s retail reach.
Over the past year, Banyan Group expanded its portfolio with 18 new hotel and resort openings, including six in Japan and South Korea, and eight in China. A highlight was Banyan Tree’s debut in Japan with the opening of Banyan Tree Higashiyama Kyoto. The Group also hosted several anniversary events and initiatives globally.
Banyan Group’s ethos of Embracing the Environment, Empowering People continues to drive its sustainability and well-being initiatives. Marine conservation efforts will be boosted with the Coral Reef Restoration Project on Hainan Island and a new coral larval restoration method in the Maldives.
Through the Rewilding Banyan Fund, the group will expand habitat restoration efforts, including a bee-friendly forest on Bintan Island, Indonesia, while the 8 Pillars of Wellbeing will be further integrated into guest experiences with new retreats, visiting practitioners, and spa brand developments in 2025.
Eddy See, president and CEO, Banyan Group, said: “2025 will continue to be a meaningful evolution of our dynamic portfolio as we plant flags in new locations in Asia and beyond. With new destinations, products, experiences and partnerships, we also look forward to the deepening of our sustainability promise and commitment to well-being.”
