Bangkok hotels gear up for Asia’s largest Hyrox race

July 31, 2026

Bangkok hotels are turning the August 13-16, 2026 staging of BYD Hyrox Bangkok into commercial product, with race-week rates and recovery offerings for the more than 22,000 participants expected at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center for the largest Hyrox race held in Asia. The race runs for four days, up from three in March, when it drew nearly 17,500 participants.

“This will be the biggest Hyrox race in the history of Asia, which is important not only for Bangkok, but for Asia as a whole,” said Gary Wan, managing director of Hyrox Asia Pacific. Hyrox partners with more than 170 gyms in Thailand, including 100 in Bangkok.

Hyrox is staging more than 100 events in its 2025/26 season, drawing over one million participants across five continents, including 17 events in Asia-Pacific this year; photo by Hyrox

Hyatt, Hyrox’s official regional hotel partner in Asia-Pacific, has eight Bangkok hotels participating in the World of Hyatt Hyrox Stay Experience, which requires a minimum two-night stay and offers 10 per cent off member rates, 15 per cent off F&B and spa treatments, and in-room recovery amenities.

Sammy Carolus, general manager of Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, one of the programme hotels closest to the venue, reports a stronger mix from nearby South-east Asian markets.

“We are seeing a healthy pickup with booking pace around 32 per cent ahead of the same period last year, and Hyrox is clearly part of that story,” said Carolus. He added that participants often travel with family or friends, turning race weekend into a getaway that spreads spend across the city.

Another programme hotel, Andaz One Bangkok, has added an ice bath and a complimentary passive stretching session for recovery.

“Hyrox’s global race calendar encourages athletes to compete in multiple host cities, with each event offering World Championships qualification,” said Ross Cooper, general manager of Andaz One Bangkok. “With the event in August this time, it also presents an opportunity to generate incremental inbound demand during a traditionally softer travel period.”

Booking pace is still building at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon – also a World of Hyatt hotel – where general manager Patrick Janssen expects conversion closer to the event.

“Demand often builds nearer to the event, and we anticipate more last-minute bookings from participants and spectators,” said Janssen. “The Standard attracts guests seeking experiences that combine wellness, dining and culture, making Hyrox a strong fit for our audience, and we remain optimistic as the event approaches.”

Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, the first hotel in Thailand to join the global Hyrox network as part of the Hyrox Training Club, is also launching a hybrid training collaboration with VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center, part of Bumrungrad International Hospital, on July 31 ahead of the race. The programme covers medical performance insights and a recovery technology experience with red light therapy brand Dawn.

AI adoption surges among Chinese travel agencies

By Anne Somanas

July 31, 2026

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According to the latest Dragon Trail Research Chinese Outbound Travel Trade Survey, published on July 29, 2026, AI adoption is nearly universal among Chinese travel agencies, with most expecting increased use.

“In Dragon Trail’s summer 2025 Chinese Outbound Travel Trade Survey, 82 per cent of travel agents said their company was already using AI – one year later, the proportion has risen to 99 per cent,” noted Sienna Parulis-Cook, director of marketing and communications at Dragon Trail International.

Chinese travel agencies are expanding their use of AI across travel information management, translation and other business functions

Dragon Trail’s summer survey of 310 Chinese travel trade professionals currently engaged in selling outbound travel products explored how Chinese travel agents are using AI, as well as the technology’s current limitations and opportunities for future improvement.

The results showed that 99 per cent of travel agents reported at least some AI adoption by their companies, with 25 per cent saying the technology has been widely adopted across multiple business areas and another 46 per cent saying it is used in some business areas.

Looking ahead to the next 12 months, 89 per cent of respondents expected AI adoption by their companies to increase.

“Chinese travel agencies are using AI for a wide variety of business areas, the most popular of which are travel information collection and management for products such as hotels and flights, and translation and multi-lingual support, both selected by half of respondents,” said Parulis-Cook.

The survey also found that travel agents want to use AI to enhance personalisation but face challenges in doing so.

“Over half of our respondents (53 per cent) say this is the area where AI has the greatest potential to help them improve their business – but at the same time, customer information management is currently the area where travel agencies are least likely to be using AI and data security and privacy concerns are seen as the biggest challenge to applying AI to their business by 63 per cent of respondents,” Parulis-Cook elaborated.

She added that over the last year, Dragon Trail has been rolling out new AI tools for B2B marketing, including AI-powered support for live events and AI-enhanced travel trade marketing hubs, helping its clients to “connect more easily to the Chinese travel trade and empower travel agents to keep selling to this still-hungry market”.

Meliá Collection to make Vietnam debut with Mui Ne resort

By TTG Asia

July 31, 2026

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Meliá Hotels International will introduce its luxury Meliá Collection brand to Vietnam with the signing of Ocaria Retreat Mui Ne, a beachfront resort scheduled to open in 2029.

The 187-key property will comprise 156 guestrooms and 31 villas, becoming the first Meliá Collection hotel in Vietnam. It is being developed in partnership with Nam Chau Tourism JSC.

Ocaria Retreat Mui Ne will become Vietnam’s first Meliá Collection property when it opens in 2029

Located on Mui Ne’s beachfront, the resort has been designed as a coastal retreat that incorporates natural ventilation, sustainable materials and architecture inspired by the surrounding sand dunes and sea. Facilities will include two dining venues, a spa, fitness centre, meeting spaces, a kids’ club and an outdoor swimming pool.

Meliá currently operates 22 hotels in Vietnam, with six more properties in the pipeline. The addition of Meliá Collection expands the group’s portfolio in the country to five brands.

Mui Ne, around a three-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City via the Long Thanh-Dau Giay-Phan Thiet Expressway, is known for its beaches, red sand dunes and fishing village. Accessibility to the destination is expected to improve further with the future opening of Phan Thiet Airport.

The hotel also marks Meliá’s first collaboration in Vietnam with Nam Chau Tourism JSC, reflecting the group’s continued expansion through partnerships with local developers.

Aviation roundup: Cathay Pacific, TransNusa and more

By TTG Asia

July 31, 2026

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Cathay Pacific expands Latin America codeshares
Cathay Pacific is boosting its Latin America network with new codeshare services to Fortaleza and Recife in Brazil, Buenos Aires in Argentina, and Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic through oneworld partner Iberia via Madrid.

The additions will bring Argentina and the Dominican Republic into Cathay Pacific’s codeshare network for the first time.

Cathay Pacific currently serves six destinations in four Latin American countries through codeshare partnerships: Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in Brazil, Mexico City and Guadalajara in Mexico, Lima in Peru, and Santiago in Chile.

To support the expanded codeshare network, Cathay Pacific will add three weekly flights to its non-stop Hong Kong-Madrid service from October 25, 2026, increasing the route to daily operations. The additional flights will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

TransNusa connects Bali and Phuket
TransNusa has launched direct scheduled flights between Bali and Phuket, expanding its international network from Bali.

The new service operates four times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using an Airbus A320 with 174 seats.

Phuket becomes TransNusa’s fourth international destination from Bali, joining Perth, Singapore and Guangzhou, as the airline continues to develop Bali as one of its international hubs in Indonesia.

The route also expands TransNusa’s links with Thailand. The airline will begin scheduled flights between Jakarta and Bangkok on August 6, its second new international route in the second half of 2026.

Emirates rolls out new Economy headrests
Emirates is introducing adjustable headrests across its Economy Class cabins, with installation under way across its fleet.

The U-Dream headrest will be fitted to Economy Class seats on all Emirates Airbus A350s and most of its Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s. Three A350 aircraft are already equipped with the headrest, with the airline targeting installation across its entire A350 fleet by the end of 2026.

The headrest will also be pre-installed on all 270 Boeing 777X aircraft ordered by Emirates. From 2027, installation will begin on the airline’s retrofitted Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.

Developed with Safran Seats as part of its Z400 seat, the headrest can be adjusted vertically and tilted, while its side wings fold inwards to provide head and neck support. It has been tested to meet European Union Aviation Safety Agency safety standards.

Cebu Pacific to introduce Starlink Wi-Fi
Cebu Pacific will equip its fleet with Starlink inflight Wi-Fi from 2027, becoming the first low-cost carrier in South-east Asia to offer the service for passengers, flight crews and operational teams.

Cebu Pacific and fellow Indigo Partners portfolio airlines Frontier Airlines, Wizz Air, Volaris and JetSMART plan to install Starlink on more than 1,000 aircraft collectively.

The satellite-based system, developed by SpaceX, will support activities including streaming, online gaming and internet-based work during flights.

A different side of South Korea

By Audrey Ng

July 31, 2026

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The provinces of Chungcheongnam-do (Chungnam) and Chungcheongbuk-do (Chungbuk) may not be as well known as the South Korean capital city, but their natural landscapes and cultural attractions are at the centre of efforts to attract more international visitors.

From 2024 to 2025, Chungnam’s inbound visitors came primarily from Japan, Taiwan and the US. This year, the province is targeting growth from South-east Asia, Europe and the Americas.

Nature, heritage and wellness tourism are helping to drive visitor growth in South Korea’s Chungbuk and Chungnam provinces; photo by cstrike/shutterstock

Meanwhile, Chungbuk’s top inbound markets are China, Vietnam and Japan, although it is also seeing rapid growth from the Philippines, the UK, Canada and Mongolia. The province aims to attract four million visitors annually and increase the share of overnight tourism to 30 per cent.

To achieve these targets, both provincial governments have introduced initiatives to support tourism growth.

The Chungnam Culture & Tourism Foundation is implementing the Ultra-wide Tourism Transportation Innovation Leading District Project to improve accessibility within the province.

Chungbuk has introduced the Foreign Tourist Attraction Incentive Program for 2026, providing tiered incentives to domestic and international travel agencies for overnight stays, day tours, experiential tourism and charter flights.

From 2026 to 2028, Chungbuk is undertaking a Wellness Tourism Cluster Development project, a government-funded initiative focused on developing wellness tourism resources, products, brand identity and talent. The Chungbuk Cultural Foundation is also participating in tourism fairs in markets including Japan and China, while organising familiarisation trips.

On the product front, Chungnam is positioning itself as a place for healing.

“We aim to transform Chungnam into a hub for high-value-added tourism by attracting large-scale international conferences and incentive groups through the new convention centre in Cheonan, scheduled for completion at the end of 2027,” said Lim Jong-gwan, team leader, Tourism Marketing Team at the Chungnam Culture & Tourism Foundation.

The monorail in Songnisan Theme Park offers a panoramic view of Baekdudaegan and Songnisan mountains; photo by Visit Korea

The province’s event calendar includes the inaugural Taean International Horticulture & Healing Expo in May and the Boryeong Mud Festival in summer. In 2027, it will host the Nonsan World Strawberry Industry Expo and the Boryeong Island Biennale.

Chungbuk is focusing on developing stay-based tourism products that combine natural landscapes, traditional culture, local cuisine and wellness. Despite lacking a coastline, the province is home to some of South Korea’s largest lakes.

New tourism products include the Mancheonha Skywalk, Cheongpung Lake Cable Car and Jecheon’s Yakchaerak medicinal food brand. The central zone offers wellness experiences at Cheongnamdae, the former presidential retreat, forest healing programmes at Maengdong Healing Forest and cultural activities at Pumba Art Village.

In the southern zone, the province has established the Okboyoung brand, covering the towns of Okcheon, Boeun and Yeongdong, to promote wine, traditional culture and nature-based healing experiences.

Chris Kwon, team leader of the Global Tourism Team at the Chungbuk Cultural Foundation, said the province is also developing “specialised itineraries linked to K-Beauty experiences, Korean drama filming locations, and major international events in 2027, including World Youth Day and the Chungcheong World University Games”.

Chungbuk and Chungnam are developing pilgrimage routes linked to World Youth Day 2027, which will be held in Seoul and is expected to attract around one million participants.

The provinces have also expanded visitor support services, including multilingual guide services at major tourism sites.

Chungnam has introduced a foreign-language reservation and payment system through a smart mobility platform linked to the C-Tour Bus, which connects Cheongju International Airport with Gongju and Buyeo.

The C-Square Travel Lounge, which opened in November 2025 near Yongdusaji Cheoldanggan Square in Cheongju, offers K-Beauty experiences, local dining and shopping information, luggage storage, as well as tax refund and currency exchange services.

Visitors can also use the C-Pass Shopping Voucher, a digital voucher accepted at more than 50 participating businesses in key commercial districts.

For trade partners, Chungbuk’s Global Tourism Team provides support for group travel, including itinerary planning, transport assistance, interpretation services, marketing materials and familiarisation tours.

Cheongju International Airport supports access to Chungbuk and Chungnam. It operates 19 international routes linking cities in Japan, China, Mongolia, Vietnam and the Philippines, among others. Travellers can also hop on the high-speed rail from Seoul, which will bring them to Cheongju in 41 minutes.

Travel within the provinces is easy too, facilitated by the C-Tour Bus and the Tourism DRT (Demand Responsive Transit), an on-demand transport service.

Tourism Australia builds South-east Asia trade ties in Kuala Lumpur

By TTG Asia

July 30, 2026

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Tourism Australia brought its flagship trade platform, Australia Marketplace South East Asia, to Kuala Lumpur from July 22 to 24, connecting Australian tourism operators with travel partners from across the region.

The event attracted close to 200 delegates and brought together buyers and sellers through scheduled appointments and networking sessions. Participating South-east Asian markets included Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Australia Marketplace South East Asia brought together close to 200 delegates from Australia and six South-east Asian markets in Kuala Lumpur

The event comes as arrivals from the region continue to grow. Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam are among Australia’s leading source markets, while Thailand and the Philippines have further growth potential.

Malaysia remains an important market, with arrivals increasing 10 per cent year on year to around 200,000 in the 12 months to May 2026, making it Australia’s 11th-largest international source market.

Overall, Australia recorded 9.16 million international short-term arrivals during the same period, up 9.5 per cent year on year.

Tourism Australia’s consumer research indicates that Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Perth rank among the Australian destinations most sought after by South-east Asian travellers, particularly Malaysians. Natural scenery and wildlife experiences also rank highly.

Jennifer Doig, regional general manager, South and South-east Asia, Tourism Australia, said: “South-east Asia is a powerhouse region for Australia’s visitor economy, and we have seen incredible growth from the markets here. Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam continue to rank among the top source markets arriving in Australia, with Thailand and the Philippines holding strong potential for growth.

“Tourism Australia’s platforms such as Australia Marketplace are crucial, empowering our local tourism industry to establish and strengthen relationships with the travel professionals who understand South-east Asian travellers best.”

Rising costs weigh on Japan’s summer outbound travel

By Kathryn Wortley

July 30, 2026

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Japanese consumers are expected to travel overseas less this summer, amid rising costs due to the weak yen and geopolitical uncertainty.

Tokyo-based research firm Intage estimates outbound travel from mid-July to the end of September will fall 8.8 per cent year-on-year, based on its survey of 15- to 79-year-olds about their travel plans over the period.

Japanese travellers are expected to take fewer overseas trips this summer amid the weak yen, higher costs and geopolitical uncertainty; Haneda airport, pictured; photo by Tang Yan Song

The Strait of Hormuz crisis was a consideration for 26 per cent of respondents, whose actions ranged from adapting destination planning and budgeting to avoiding or cancelling overseas travel and switching from foreign to domestic trips.

The study found overseas travel budgets have risen by 129,798 yen (US$794) to 531,505 yen, largely due to higher prices.

Another study by JTB, which looked at travel plans from July 15 to August 31, also shows outbound travel will drop 8.8 per cent year-on-year, while average planned travel expenditure will rise 6.3 per cent year-on-year to 323,000 yen.

JTB’s report noted “a growing trend towards choosing overseas destinations where local prices are affordable, the impact of the weak yen is minimal and airfares are relatively low”, noting that the most popular destinations for Japanese travellers this summer are South Korea (26.2 per cent), Taiwan (16.2 per cent), the US and Canada (10.4 per cent), China (10.1 per cent), and Hong Kong and Macao (9.4 per cent).

Still, “international travel continues to be a priority” for Japanese travellers, even as they “remain mindful of the weaker yen and higher overseas costs”, Jun Otani, managing director Japan of Travelex, told TTG Asia.

Outbound travel demand from Japan will remain resilient over the next few months, he opined, noting this year’s Silver Week holiday in September is particularly favourable, with travellers able to create a nine-day holiday by taking just two days of annual leave.

“We expect continued demand for both regional destinations across Asia and longer-haul travel to Europe and North America, as well as healthy demand for foreign currency exchange, as travellers increasingly seek to secure exchange rates before departure as part of their travel planning,” he said.

MATTA Connect gains traction as B2B platform

By S Puvaneswary

July 30, 2026

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The recently concluded MATTA Connect in Ipoh strengthened its credentials as a regional B2B travel trade platform after its second edition attracted 300 local and international buyers and 100 sellers, with buyers and exhibitors reporting quality business meetings and new commercial opportunities.

MATTA president Nigel Wong noted that stronger participation, broader international representation and higher-quality business engagements demonstrated that the industry valued a dedicated B2B platform alongside the association’s flagship consumer-focused MATTA Fair.

MATTA Connect’s second edition in Ipoh brought together 300 buyers and 100 sellers, with participants reporting new business leads and partnerships

“The second edition saw stronger participation, broader international representation and more quality business engagements, which reinforces that the industry values such a platform,” he said, adding that the return of previous participants alongside new delegates reflected growing confidence in the event.

Wong stated MATTA Connect had evolved beyond business matching into a platform where industry stakeholders could exchange ideas on market trends, innovation, sustainability and future collaboration. Looking ahead, he added MATTA would continue to strengthen participation from regional and emerging markets while showcasing Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings, particularly second-tier destinations and unique local experiences.

Delegates said that the event had delivered meaningful business opportunities.

Returning for a second time as a buyer, Kedah-based Morahols Travel CEO Eric R Sinnaya shared this year’s edition generated promising leads with inbound and outbound operators from India and Uzbekistan.

“I met many serious buyers and sellers. The relaxed format allows discussions to continue beyond the scheduled business matching sessions, making it easier to build relationships,” he said.

Melody Lee, inbound department manager at Jinghe International Travel Agency, noted that the event attracted high-quality buyers with strong interest in FIT leisure travel and private tours to China.

“I secured bookings for year-end departures and early 2027, while also establishing new business contacts. Face-to-face meetings remain essential for building trust with partners,” she said.

Guohui Shi, inbound travel specialist at China Prime DMC, observed that Malaysian demand for travel to China had grown steadily following the implementation of the Malaysia-China mutual visa exemption arrangement. He attended MATTA Connect to strengthen relationships with Malaysian outbound agents while gaining a better understanding of Malaysian travellers’ preferences to develop products better suited to the market.

Rather than measuring success solely by exhibitor or buyer numbers, Wong emphasised MATTA’s long-term focus was on the quality of business outcomes and partnerships generated through the platform.

“We want to see stronger connections between international buyers and Malaysian tourism players, especially in promoting local destinations, second-tier cities and unique tourism products that can bring greater benefits to communities across the country,” he said.

Kimpton prepares for Indonesia debut in Ubud

By TTG Asia

July 30, 2026

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IHG Hotels & Resorts has revealed details of Kimpton Suntaya Bali Ubud, which will mark the luxury lifestyle brand’s entry into Indonesia when it opens later this year.

Located on Jalan Bisma alongside the Wos River, the 101-key hotel will be within walking distance of Ubud Art Market, Ubud Palace and the Water Palace. Accommodation will range from guestrooms to pool suites and private pool villas.

Kimpton Suntaya Bali Ubud will offer 101 rooms, suites and villas when it opens later this year

The hotel will feature five dining venues, including Imamura Ubud, an omakase restaurant led by Michelin-starred chef Hirofumi Imamura. He will also oversee Shaku by Imamura, which will offer Japanese izakaya-style dining.

Wellness facilities will include a two-storey fitness studio, recovery facilities and Sakshi Spa, which will incorporate elements of Balinese healing traditions.

Designed by Denton Corker Marshall, the property follows the contours of Ubud’s hillside and riverside setting, with its architecture drawing on the movement and rhythm of Balinese ceremonial processions.

Guests will also have access to Kimpton’s brand programmes, including Kimpton Kickstart, which offers daily coffee, tea and pastries, and the evening Kimpton Social gathering.

Austin Jones has been appointed general manager and will oversee the brand’s debut in Indonesia. He has previously worked across nearly a dozen Kimpton properties.

Austin Jones, general manager, Kimpton Suntaya Bali Ubud, said: “Kimpton Suntaya is designed to feel open, soulful, and connected, not just to the landscape, but to the people who live and travel here. We want this hotel to become a vibrant gathering place where guests and locals alike can experience Bali in a way that feels effortless, personal, and unscripted.”

Hong Kong West Kowloon Station opens first high-speed rail business lounge

By TTG Asia

July 30, 2026

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Plaza Premium Group (PPG) has unveiled the West Kowloon High Speed Rail Business Lounge at Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, the city’s first dedicated lounge for high-speed rail passengers.

Operated in partnership with MTR Corporation, the lounge is located in the Departure Concourse on Level B2 in the Mainland Port Area and is available to business class passengers.

Plaza Premium Group and MTR Corporation representatives mark the opening of the West Kowloon High Speed Rail Business Lounge

The 810m² facility offers seating areas, workstations, Wi-Fi, charging points, refreshments and beverages. Private rooms are also available, while staff can assist passengers through the terminal and to boarding gates. The interiors include a mural by Hong Kong artist Arthur Hang depicting the city’s skyline.

The opening comes as high-speed rail traffic through Hong Kong West Kowloon Station continues to grow. The station handled more than 16 million passenger trips in the first half of 2026, an increase of more than 10 per cent year on year, and currently provides connections to 113 destinations in China.

The new facility extends PPG’s lounge operations beyond airports in Hong Kong. The group currently operates five lounges at Hong Kong International Airport and also runs high-speed rail lounges in Changsha, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Song Hoi See, founder and CEO, PPG, said: “This evolution mirrors the changing behaviours of today’s travellers, who seek seamless connectivity across all transport hubs. As the Hong Kong West Kowloon Station serves as a vital bridge between Hong Kong, the GBA, and the broader Chinese mainland, we are honoured to bring our award-winning hospitality to this gateway.”

Bangkok hotels gear up for Asia’s largest Hyrox race

AI adoption surges among Chinese travel agencies

Meliá Collection to make Vietnam debut with Mui Ne resort

Aviation roundup: Cathay Pacific, TransNusa and more

A different side of South Korea

Tourism Australia builds South-east Asia trade ties in Kuala Lumpur

Rising costs weigh on Japan’s summer outbound travel

MATTA Connect gains traction as B2B platform

Kimpton prepares for Indonesia debut in Ubud

Hong Kong West Kowloon Station opens first high-speed rail business lounge

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