Walk Japan adds new East Hokkaido Trek to portfolio

February 26, 2026

Walk Japan has launched the East Hokkaido Trek, a nine-day, eight-night guided hiking tour through the remote landscapes of eastern Hokkaido. Designed for experienced walkers, the itinerary follows sections of the recently established 410km Hokkaido East Trail, connecting three national parks from Kushiro’s wetlands to the Shiretoko Peninsula.

Daily walks range from 11 to 18km, crossing wetlands, low mountain passes, forests and farmland, and finishing at the Sea of Okhotsk. Highlights include Kushiro Shitsugen, a Ramsar-listed wetland; Atosa-Nupuri, an active volcano; the geothermal town of Kawayu Onsen; and the crater lakes Kussharo-ko and Masshu-ko. The trek also explores the Shiretoko Peninsula, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Walk Japan introduces a nine-day guided trek through eastern Hokkaido, linking wetlands, volcanoes and the Shiretoko Peninsula

Guests will experience regional Hokkaido cuisine and stay in comfortable accommodation with onsen bathing facilities.

The fully guided tour has a maximum group size of 12, begins in Kushiro and ends in Memanbetsu, with departures in June, July, September and October. Prices start from 798,000 yen (US$5,300) per person based on double occupancy.

For more information, visit Walk Japan.

Plaza Premium Group names new Oceania GM

By TTG Asia

February 25, 2026

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Plaza Premium Group appoints Cyrus Wong as general manager, Oceania, overseeing the Group’s operations and performance across the region.

He most recently served as director, asset management at Plaza Premium Group, where he led portfolio performance and long-range commercial planning across global assets.

Wong joined the company in 2020, supporting international expansion through feasibility assessments and commercial negotiations with airlines, airports, and hospitality partners.

Juan Losada takes helm at Regent Phu Quoc

By TTG Asia

February 25, 2026

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Losada brings more than 15 years of luxury hospitality experience and previously served as pre-opening and opening general manager of Regent Phu Quoc from 2019 to 2022, where he led the resort’s launch and market positioning.

He returns with international leadership experience across luxury properties in destinations including Dubai and Barcelona.

Philippine hotel owners oppose plan to scrap travel tax

By TTG Asia

February 25, 2026

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The Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) has raised concerns over proposals to abolish the national travel tax, warning that the move could undermine the recovery of the domestic tourism sector.

The proposal is intended to reduce travel costs for outbound passengers. However, PHOA said removing the tax at this stage could shift policy focus towards overseas travel at a time when local tourism businesses continue to rebuild. The association said it supports measures that enhance competitiveness but urged policymakers to ensure that domestic tourism recovery remains a priority.

Philippine resort destinations remain a core driver of the country’s visitor economy; Boracay, pictured

PHOA said the potential impact on hotels and related tourism enterprises could be significant, particularly if outbound travel increases at the expense of domestic and inbound demand. The group argues that current priorities should centre on strengthening inbound tourism and supporting local accommodation providers, resorts and tourism workers.

According to the association, eliminating the travel tax without a clear replacement mechanism could reduce funding support linked to tourism development and promotion. PHOA said any decision to abolish the tax should be accompanied by a comprehensive plan outlining alternative measures to sustain industry growth.

The group maintains that the timing of the proposal is critical, as many operators are still stabilising operations and rebuilding international demand. It has called for broader industry consultation before any legislative changes are implemented.

PHOA president Arthur M Lopez said: “We should not be subsidising a ‘bon voyage’ at the expense of our own backyard. Before we cut the cord, we need a dialogue that prioritises Philippine jobs over foreign spending.

“We should be focusing on inbound and not outbound tourism. We do not want to encourage overseas spending that boosts the economies of our neighbours. Instead, we should support our own hotels, resorts, and other tourism establishments and help our local workers.”

The association said it supports measures that enhance competitiveness but urged policymakers to ensure that domestic tourism recovery remains a priority.

UK rolls out ETA requirement for 85 countries

By TTG Asia

February 25, 2026

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From today, foreign visitors from 85 countries are required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter the UK.

The ETA must be secured in advance of travel.

*The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme is now mandatory for eligible foreign visitors*

According to the UK government, airlines will prevent passengers from boarding if they do not hold an ETA, eVisa or other valid documentation.

An ETA costs 16 pounds (US$21.70), permits multiple entries and is valid for two years.

It is also mandatory for visitors transiting through the UK who pass through passport control.

“The ETA scheme is a vital part of our work to strengthen the UK’s border security, helping to deliver a more efficient and modern service that works for both visitors and the British public,” said Mike Tapp, minister for migration and citizenship.

Countries eligible to apply for an ETA are those that do not require a visa for short visits. These include Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. Passport holders from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan may also apply.

The scheme was first introduced in October 2023 and extended to European visitors in April 2025. It forms part of broader efforts to digitise the UK’s immigration system and move towards a more contactless border.

Applicants can apply via the UK ETA app. Approval is typically granted within minutes, although travellers are advised to allow up to three working days before departure.

IHG targets upscale conversions with Noted Collection brand

By TTG Asia

February 25, 2026

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InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has introduced Noted Collection, a new premium collection brand focused primarily on conversions in the upscale to upper-upscale segment.

The brand is designed to attract high-quality independent hotels seeking access to IHG’s global distribution, revenue management and technology platforms, as well as its IHG One Rewards programme of more than 160 million members. IHG said discussions are already underway with multiple owners, including portfolio operators, regarding potential additions to the brand.

Noted Collection will focus on upscale and upper-upscale conversions within IHG’s premium portfolio

Noted Collection becomes IHG’s 21st brand and will sit within its premium portfolio alongside Crowne Plaza, voco and Ruby, while complementing luxury and lifestyle brands including Hotel Indigo and Vignette Collection. The rollout will begin in the Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa region.

IHG estimates that of the 2.3 million independent rooms globally within the upscale and upper-upscale segments, many could benefit from joining a larger enterprise platform. The group expects the brand to reach more than 150 hotels worldwide over the next decade.

The collection model allows properties to retain their individual identity while integrating into IHG’s commercial and operational systems. Each hotel will be selected for its distinct positioning and character, with brand hallmarks centred on curated guest experiences, locally driven food and beverage concepts, and personalised service.

For owners, the proposition centres on faster integration into IHG’s systems while maintaining design autonomy and brand individuality.

Elie Maalouf, CEO, IHG Hotels & Resorts, said: “There is strong appetite from owners of high-quality, one-of-a-kind hotels ready to join the power of our platforms and expertise, and Noted Collection offers them a distinctive and attractive brand with a gateway to stronger performance. Noted Collection will allow guests around the world to enjoy even more choice and new experiences with the trust of True Hospitality that comes with every stay at an IHG hotel.”

Beyond Green joins Travalyst Coalition as accommodation partner

By TTG Asia

February 25, 2026

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Beyond Green has become the newest accommodation industry partner of the Travalyst Coalition, strengthening collaboration around sustainability standards and data transparency in travel.

Travalyst is an independent not-for-profit organisation that works to align the travel sector around consistent, credible and open-access sustainability data. The coalition brings together industry stakeholders to support informed decision-making by travellers, businesses and destinations, with a focus on accelerating progress towards net-zero and nature-positive goals.

Beyond Green has joined the Travalyst Coalition to support sustainability data alignment across the accommodation sector

As an accommodation partner, Beyond Green will contribute insights from its global portfolio of independently owned and operated hotels. The organisation said the partnership will help ensure that emerging tools, sustainability data models and industry frameworks reflect operational realities across different hotel sizes, regions and markets.

Beyond Green will participate in Travalyst working groups, policy discussions and knowledge-sharing forums. The collaboration is intended to support industry-wide alignment on sustainability metrics while keeping member hotels informed of regulatory developments and best practice guidance.

The announcement follows the recent launch of Travalyst’s Data Hub, a platform designed to improve consistency and transparency in sustainability data across the travel sector. The initial phase focuses on accommodation, with future expansion planned across rail, destinations and other travel segments.

The partnership reflects broader industry efforts to standardise sustainability reporting and improve comparability across travel providers.

Beyond Green president Philipp Weghmann said: “At Beyond Green, we believe that great travel experiences should also be good for the planet. By joining the Travalyst Coalition, we are strengthening our commitment to transparency and helping ensure that travellers everywhere have access to credible sustainability information. Together with Travalyst and our fellow partners, we look forward to shaping tools and frameworks that support hotels of all sizes while empowering travellers to make informed, responsible choices.”

Julie Cheetham, CEO, Travalyst, added: “By working closely with Beyond Green and gaining valuable insight into the needs of their member properties, this partnership will support the work of our coalition to continue to scale credible, compliant and consistent sustainability data across the accommodation sector and beyond.”

China Airlines, Agoda launch StayMiles hotel platform

By TTG Asia

February 25, 2026

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Agoda, through its strategic partnerships arm Rocket Travel by Agoda, has partnered with China Airlines to launch StayMiles, a dedicated hotel booking platform for the carrier’s loyalty members.

Rocket Travel by Agoda specialises in powering white-label hotel booking platforms for airlines and travel brands, enabling loyalty integration and ancillary revenue generation. The company will serve as China Airlines’ exclusive digital travel partner, managing the platform from search and booking to customer service.

The StayMiles platform integrates hotel bookings with China Airlines’ loyalty programme

StayMiles enables China Airlines customers to book hotels worldwide while earning and redeeming miles through a single integrated system. Members can redeem hotel stays starting from 1,000 miles using a flexible payment slider that allows a combination of miles and cash. Customers can also earn up to 10,000 miles per night on eligible stays, expanding mileage accrual beyond flight purchases and supporting broader engagement with the airline’s loyalty programme.

Through the platform, China Airlines members gain access to more than 600,000 properties globally, covering key markets including Taiwan, North and Southeast Asia, North America, Canada and Europe.

The launch reflects continued integration between airline loyalty programmes and accommodation platforms, as carriers seek to extend reward earning and redemption opportunities beyond core air services. By incorporating hotel bookings into its mileage ecosystem, China Airlines aims to strengthen loyalty engagement and provide additional value across the travel journey.

Damien Pfirsch, chief commercial officer and head of Rocket Travel by Agoda, said:

“This partnership with China Airlines marks an exciting milestone especially as travel loyalty evolves into more integrated and rewarding experiences. Our tailored solutions empower members to earn and redeem miles effortlessly within a seamless booking environment.”

Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport rolls out new all-inclusive experience

By TTG Asia

February 25, 2026

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Sumitomo Fudosan Villa Fontaine Co., part of the Sumitomo Realty & Development Group, has introduced a new all-inclusive experience at Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport, directly connected to Haneda Airport Terminal 3.

From April 2026, travellers can book a curated Wonderful Japan itinerary designed to combine accommodation, dining and cultural experiences into one stay.

Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport will introduce curated experiences such as private chauffeur service, kimono styling and indoor rickshaw rides within an all-inclusive stay package

Located within the Haneda Airport Garden complex, the hotel offers convenient access for international arrivals and departures. The package is structured to simplify travel arrangements by integrating multiple services into a single booking, reducing the need to coordinate separate reservations.

The plan includes accommodation in Executive rooms or higher categories, daily breakfast and dinner, bar access and selections of Washoku Japanese cuisine. Guests also receive access to the Izumi Tenku no Yu natural hot spring facilities and one Elle Spa treatment session.

Arrival services include a meet-and-greet in the airport arrival lobby. During the stay, guests have access to a private hire chauffeur service. Cultural elements form part of the itinerary, including a private indoor rickshaw ride and professional kimono styling.

To mark the launch, the hotel is offering a 20 per cent early booking discount for reservations made via the official website using promo code BL46. The offer is valid for bookings made by March 31, 2026, for stays from April 1, 2026.

For more information, visit Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport.