Ascott accelerates Vietnam growth

August 5, 2026

Ascott has signed management agreements for nine properties totalling more than 3,200 units in Vietnam in the first half of 2026, marking its fastest pace of growth in the country to date.

The additions expand Ascott’s Vietnam portfolio by more than 30 per cent to about 12,000 units across 42 operational and pipeline properties in 14 cities. Vietnam is now Ascott’s third-largest country by pipeline in Asia, with the newly signed properties opening progressively from 2028.

Ascott expands its Vietnam portfolio with nine new properties across key cities and leisure destinations

Four projects are with longstanding partner Sun Group, while five involve owners new to Ascott.

The signings deepen Ascott’s presence in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong, add three properties in Phu Quoc and one in Danang, and mark its entry into Quy Nhon.

The nine properties span the Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Somerset, Harris and The Crest Collection brands. They also mark the Vietnam debut of The Crest Collection, with properties in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Three Sun Group projects, totalling 1,400 units, will form part of an integrated development in Sunset Town, Phu Quoc, under the Ascott, lyf and Harris brands. A fourth will bring The Crest Collection to Ho Chi Minh City.

In Hanoi, DOJI Group will develop the 181-unit Diamond Crown Westlake by The Crest Collection. Other projects include the 250-unit Citadines Riverside Hai Phong, a 356-unit Oakwood property in Ho Chi Minh City, the 549-unit Somerset Non Nuoc Da Nang Resort and 357-unit Citadines Quy Nhon Resort.

Ascott currently operates 16 properties across seven cities in Vietnam. Upcoming openings include the 693-unit Harris Resort Cam Ranh in 1Q2027 and 369-unit Citadines Selavia Phu Quoc in 3Q2027, ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Phu Quoc that November.

Kevin Goh, CEO of Ascott, said: “Vietnam is one of the most exciting hospitality growth stories in Asia. Property owners value that our platform can serve both long and short stays, and operate formats as diverse as serviced residences, hotels, resorts and social living properties.

“With these new signings, we are reinforcing our leadership in serviced residences and extended stay while extending into the leisure destinations and luxury segments where new demand is taking shape.”

Explora Journeys takes delivery of third ship

By TTG Asia

August 5, 2026

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Explora Journeys has taken delivery of Explora III at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa, bringing the MSC Group luxury cruise brand halfway towards its planned six-ship fleet.

The vessel was handed over on July 23 and forms part of MSC Group’s investment of more than 3.5 billion euros (US$4.1 billion) in six Explora Journeys ships, all designed and built by Fincantieri in Italy.

Explora III’s delivery was marked with the traditional bottle-breaking ceremony at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard in Genoa

At 19.2 metres longer than sister ships Explora I and Explora II, Explora III offers additional public and accommodation space while carrying a similar number of guests. New features include three dining concepts – The Cellar, The Chef’s Table and Shore Club on 11 – as well as a second Owner’s Residence, additional Ocean Penthouses and Ocean Residences, expanded wellness facilities and Chopard’s first onboard boutique.

Following delivery, the ship departed Genoa on July 24 for a five-night Mediterranean preview sailing to Civitavecchia, calling at Marseille, Saint-Tropez, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Livorno.

Explora III will then head to Barcelona for its naming ceremony on August 1, before departing on its seven-night maiden journey to Lisbon on August 3. Its inaugural season will cover Northern Europe, Iceland, Greenland and North America.

In 2027, the vessel will operate Explora Journeys’ first Alaska season. The brand will subsequently enter Asia with Explora V in 2028.

Explora III is the first LNG-capable ship in the fleet and is also equipped with shore power capability, allowing it to use onshore electricity while berthed where infrastructure is available.

Three further vessels – Explora IV, Explora V and Explora VI – are under construction at Fincantieri and are scheduled to join the fleet in 2027 and 2028.

Celebrate Japan’s summer festivals with BWH Hotels

By TTG Asia

August 5, 2026

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Japan’s summer festival season offers travellers the chance to experience traditional celebrations across the country, with BWH Hotels highlighting stays close to many of the season’s best-known events.

In Tokyo, the Shibuya Bon Odori festival sees dancers fill the streets of Shibuya each August. Travellers can stay at Best Western Hotel Fino Tokyo Akasaka or Best Western Hotel Fino Tokyo Akihabara, while nearby Yokohama’s Minatomirai Dai Bon-Odori festival is easily reached from Best Western Hotel Fino Shin-Yokohama.

BWH Hotels offers stays across Japan, giving travellers easy access to summer festivals from Tokyo and Osaka to Hokkaido and Okinawa, including the Nogata Summer Festival in Fukuoka, pictured

In Osaka, the Tenjin Matsuri features parades, river processions and fireworks. Accommodation options include Best Western Osaka Tsukamoto, Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Osaka Kitahama and Best Western Hotel Fino Osaka Shinsaibashi. Travellers can also visit Nagoya’s Nippon Domannaka Matsuri, where thousands of dancers perform in traditional-inspired costumes, with Best Western Plus Nagoya Sakae nearby.

Further north, Sapporo Summer Festival transforms Odori Park into a beer garden and entertainment venue throughout July and August. Best Western Plus Fino Chitose Hotel provides a base for exploring the region.

In southern Japan, Fukuoka’s Nogata Summer Festival features floats, performances and fireworks, while Okinawa’s Nago Summer Festival combines food stalls, traditional eisa dancing and live music. Travellers can stay at Best Western Plus Fukuoka Tenjin-minami, Best Western Resort Okinawa Kouki Beach or Best Western Okinawa Onna Beach.

For more information, visit BWH Hotels.

Meliá Pattaya adds rooftop sound healing to wellness line-up

By TTG Asia

August 5, 2026

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Meliá Pattaya Hotel has introduced a new sound healing programme that combines guided relaxation with views across Pattaya’s coastline.

Held at the hotel’s rooftop bar, the Sound Healing Retreat uses singing bowls, crystal bowls, gongs and other instruments to encourage relaxation and mindfulness.

Meliá Pattaya Hotel has expanded its wellness programme with rooftop sound healing, alongside yoga, Pilates and spa treatments overlooking Pattaya’s coastline

Guests can also book private sessions at YHI Spa for individuals and couples, while group sessions are available for meetings, incentives and corporate retreats.

A signature experiences is the sunrise Yoga with Sound Bath session, which combines a 45-minute yoga class with a 20-minute sound healing experience at the rooftop venue.

The new programme complements the hotel’s wider wellness offering at YHI Spa, which includes massages, body treatments, facials and hydrotherapy. Guests can also join regular morning yoga and Pilates classes held at Yitong Sky Bar, focusing on flexibility, posture and mindful movement.

All wellness sessions are available by advance booking through the hotel’s spa.

For more information, visit Meliá Pattaya Hotel.

Fraser Residence River Promenade, Singapore

By Kathryn Wortley

August 4, 2026

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Location
Situated in a leafy oasis within Robertson Quay, the accommodation provides a tranquil setting as well as proximity to the café culture, al fresco dining and chilled-out bars the sophisticated neighbourhood is loved for. Just steps away is Alexandra Park Connector, a 1.7km stretch of path that runs along the Singapore River. During a stroll, I wasn’t lucky enough to spot any wildlife, but otters are a common sight in the vicinity, which is particularly pretty in the evening when the Jiak Kim Bridge is illuminated.

Other attractions are also within easy reach, with both the Great World and Havelock MRT stations only a five-minute walk away.

Accommodation
From the moment my taxi pulled up, I could tell Fraser Residence River Promenade, Singapore would be a statement property. Its exterior combines three conservation warehouses built in 1919 with a low-rise tower of 72 units in a seamless blend of contemporary and heritage architecture designed by award-winning firm SCDA.

My 24m² studio was impeccably appointed with all the details you would expect from a five-star serviced residence. In addition to the equipped kitchenette and washer/dryer, entertainment and smart technology were integrated throughout, including controls for the lighting beside the king-size bed. There was even a button to conveniently turn off all non-essential appliances.

This feature is just one of many environmental efforts by the property. Awarded the Green Mark GoldPlus, which recognises buildings with advanced energy-saving capability, strong resource efficiency and indoor environmental quality, the entire property is designed to minimise its carbon footprint.

I used the in-room premium filtered water system to fill up my water bottle before heading out each day and appreciated that my coffee grounds from the specialty machine with barista-designed controls would be upcycled. It was also a joy to indulge in shower amenities that were not only beautifully scented and good for the skin but also eco-friendly and biodegradable.

F&B
The self-service breakfast buffet featured a wide array of choices ranging from cereals, pastries and fruit to savouries featuring local flavours such as curry. A fridge of freshly prepared juices, smoothies and other drinks was also fully stocked.

During cocktail hour, from 17.30 to 19.30, I was treated to complimentary light bites, canapés and hot finger food served with my choice of wine, beer, cocktails and soft drinks. Indulging in this delicious culinary hospitality was a great way to unwind, meet other guests and enjoy the early evening atmosphere.

Fraser Residence River Promenade, Singapore

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Facilities
Upon entering through the historic façade, I was met with an open reception and lobby that flowed smoothly with The Living Room, the property’s exclusive clubhouse for residents. In a nod to the property’s exterior, it also artfully merged historic charm and modern comforts.

Sofas with plush cushions and intriguing coffee table books beckoned me to relax and unwind. Later, ample table and counter space allowed me to do some work using the high-speed Wi-Fi. The interior seemed to encourage social interaction, and it wasn’t long before I heard the muted sounds of friendly conversation.

The Living Room opened out onto a terrace featuring comfortable wicker tables and seating with parasols, accompanied by leafy plants. Alongside it, on a raised platform, were the 25-metre outdoor pool and sundeck with recliners. Open from 06.00 to 22.00, the pool became one of my favourite spots during my stay, particularly when its surroundings were lit up in the evening.

The well-equipped gym, accessible 24 hours, also proved ideal for both cardio and resistance training.

Service
The staff could not have been more welcoming or helpful, from suggesting cocktail recipes to helping me navigate the attractions I wanted to visit

Verdict
This is somewhere I would stay again and again, both for leisure and business trips.

Contact details
Website: https://www.frasershospitality.com/en/singapore/fraser-residence-river-promenade-singapore/

China eases travel for growing inbound market

By Caroline Boey

August 4, 2026

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China’s National Immigration Administration recorded 45.9 million border crossings by foreigners in 1H2026, up 20.6 per cent year-on-year, according to Chinese state media Zhejiang China.

The mid-July report added that visa-free entries accounted for 77.7 per cent of foreign arrivals, with the top 10 countries of origin being South Korea, Russia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, the US, Japan, Mongolia and Australia.

Visa-free access is helping drive international arrivals to China, as the country makes travel easier for foreign visitors; Forbidden City in Beijing, pictured

Digital marketing solutions and technology company Dragon Trail International, which launched its China Travel Course certification programme in 2021, told TTG Asia that close to 19,000 users, including around 3,000 registered travel trade professionals, have signed up.

Sienna Parulis-Cook, marketing and communications director, noted: “Among overseas users, the countries with the highest participation are Malaysia, Germany, the US, and France.”

The course is also widely used by travel agents in China, including those from Trip.com Group.

Apart from the basics, the course focuses on Chinese culture, history and landscapes, such as the Yellow River and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

“A recent module on video game-themed tourism is quite interesting, with a guide to destinations featured in popular games like Black Myth: Wukong and Honor of Kings (two of the most successful video games developed in China),” Parulis-Cook shared.

Meanwhile, foreign visitors in China can now access Chinese mobile payment platforms Alipay or WeChat Pay with foreign bank cards to pay for their purchases.

Parulis-Cook commented that Alipay is easier and more reliable for foreign visitors.

“Alipay also has something called Alipay+ where they’re integrated with a number of overseas digital payment wallets, allowing users of wallets like South Korea’s Kakao Pay to pay directly by scanning Alipay QR codes in China.”

Malaysian travellers rewrite the rules of outbound travel

By S Puvaneswary

August 4, 2026

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AI, visa-free travel and higher airfares are changing how Malaysians travel overseas and reshaping the role of outbound travel agencies, as travellers become more independent and agencies focus on expertise, value and niche markets.

Malaysian outbound tour operators interviewed at the recently concluded MATTA Connect said travellers are increasingly using AI tools and online booking platforms to research destinations, compare prices and plan their own holidays.

Chong says better-informed travellers are increasingly comparing agency itineraries and prices with online and AI-generated options

David Chong, general manager of Ipoh Overland Tours & Travel, said customers frequently ask the company to prepare itineraries before checking prices online or using AI-generated recommendations.

“Customers ask us to prepare an itinerary, then compare our prices online before asking whether we can match them. They are much better informed than they were before the pandemic,” he said.

The shift has also changed what travellers expect from organised holidays.

Instead of tightly scheduled coach tours, Chong said more customers are requesting customised itineraries, private travel and slower-paced programmes with greater flexibility.

“They no longer want packed schedules from morning until night. They want more free time and holidays that move at their own pace.”

Kathryn Lee, executive director of DeKim Tour & Travel, said millennials are increasingly comfortable booking hotels and attractions independently, prompting the agency to focus on market segments that continue to value personalised travel planning.

The company is placing greater emphasis on seniors and luxury travellers seeking bespoke itineraries, while group tours remain relevant for destinations where language barriers or more complex logistics make independent travel less practical.

Travel choices are also being reshaped by rising costs.

Adam Kamal, CEO of Suka Travel & Tours, highlighted airline fuel surcharges introduced earlier this year and geopolitical uncertainties in the Middle East have encouraged more Malaysian Muslim travellers to swap medium- and longhaul holidays for destinations closer to home.

“Indonesia has become our strongest-selling destination, helped by the favourable ringgit-rupiah exchange rate, while Vietnam is also attracting stronger demand.”

The trend has prompted Suka Travel to expand its South-east Asia portfolio to cater to travellers seeking better value.

The growing confidence among independent travellers is also evident from the destination side.

Mia Ding, marketing director of Nanchang-based Everbright Travel, noted the company has seen more Malaysian free independent travellers since China introduced visa-free entry for Malaysian ordinary passport holders.

“Many Malaysian Chinese travellers now contact Chinese operators directly through Chinese social media platforms when planning multi-city trips, although non-Mandarin-speaking Malaysians generally continue to rely on Malaysian outbound travel agents for arrangements,” she said.

Palladium Hotel Group enters Vietnam with two luxury hotel projects

By TTG Asia

August 4, 2026

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Palladium Hotel Group is expanding into Vietnam with two hotel projects and the establishment of its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Spanish hospitality group has partnered with Conasi Property Management and Development Corporation to redevelop L’Alya Ninh Van Bay into Bless L’Ayla Ninh Van Bay. Scheduled to open in mid-2027, the all-villa resort north of Nha Trang will add 54 villas as part of its refurbishment. Palladium acquired the property in July 2026 and will operate it on a white-label basis until renovations are completed.

Palladium Hotel Group will introduce its Bless Collection Hotels brand to Vietnam with properties in Ninh Van Bay and Hanoi

The group has also acquired the Hòa Bình Hotel in Hanoi, which will reopen as Bless Hotel Hanoi in 2028 following a major renovation. The project will restore the century-old building while upgrading it from a three-star to a five-star hotel.

The two properties will introduce the Bless Collection Hotels brand to Vietnam, offering luxury accommodation focused on design, gastronomy and destination-led experiences.

Palladium said Vietnam was selected for its strong tourism growth, expanding luxury hospitality sector and strategic location in South-east Asia. The new regional headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City will oversee business development, operations and future expansion across the region.

Jesús Sobrino, CEO, Palladium Hotel Group, said: “Choosing where to begin in Asia was a deliberate decision, and Vietnam was clear. Its growth is remarkable, but what convinced us is the shift in what the market values: distinctiveness and experience over scale alone. That is where our strengths lie.

“We enter Vietnam with a long-term commitment, a distinctive portfolio, and every intention to grow alongside partners who share our ambition.”

Plaza Premium Group, HeyMax team up to boost loyalty rewards

By TTG Asia

August 4, 2026

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Plaza Premium Group (PPG) has partnered with Singapore-based loyalty and travel rewards platform HeyMax to expand the reach of its Smart Traveller digital rewards programme.

The partnership introduces a new conversion option that allows HeyMax members in Singapore and Hong Kong to convert Max Miles into Smart Traveller (ST) Points at a 1:1 ratio. Conversions start from 1,000 Max Miles, enabling members to redeem rewards across Plaza Premium Group’s network of airport lounges, dining outlets and travel services.

The partnership enables HeyMax users to convert Max Miles into Smart Traveller points for airport lounges and travel services

The collaboration is aimed at giving travellers greater flexibility in earning and redeeming rewards while expanding the loyalty ecosystems of both companies.

Simon Huang, managing director, Smart Traveller, said: “This collaboration with HeyMax is aligned with our approach to building a stronger rewards network across Hong Kong, Singapore and beyond.”

David B Wang, head of loyalty partnerships, HeyMax, added: “At HeyMax, we recognise that great travel experiences begin long before stepping on a flight. By bringing Smart Traveller’s lounge and airport benefits into our ecosystem, we are delivering a unique proposition that deepens our commitment to our users. This partnership elevates the end-to-end journey – so every traveller across Hong Kong, Singapore, and beyond can travel sooner, better, and smarter.”

Wellness takes centre stage on Oceania Cruises’ shore tours

By TTG Asia

August 4, 2026

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Oceania Cruises is offering more than 50 Wellness Discovery Tours across Asia, Europe and South America, combining local wellness practices with cultural experiences.

The small-group shore excursions cover activities ranging from yoga and tai chi to thermal baths, dance and culinary experiences, with guests learning from local specialists in each destination.

Oceania Cruises’ Wellness Discovery Tours combine wellness activities with cultural experiences across destinations in Asia, Europe and South America; photo by Oceania Cruises

In Asia, experiences include Kandyan dance therapy in Colombo, organic food and tea tasting in Ho Chi Minh City and tai chi at Viharn Sien Park in Bangkok. Guests can also explore traditional Chinese medicine in Hong Kong, with treatments such as acupuncture and cupping, or practise tai chi at a Buddhist monastery on Yen Tu Mountain near Hanoi.

European options include a yoga session and wine tasting overlooking Santorini’s caldera, mineral-rich thermal baths near Rome and volcanic hot and cold pools near Naples. In Spain, guests can walk along the cliffs around Getxo near Bilbao, while a Patagonian excursion combines a catamaran journey through Aysén Fjord with a visit to Ensenada Perez Hot Springs in Chile.

The shore excursions complement wellness and enrichment activities aboard Oceania Cruises’ ships, including yoga and stretching, culinary lectures, cooking classes, food and beverage pairing sessions, creative workshops, guest speakers and performances.

Oceania Cruises operates itineraries ranging from seven to 180 days.

For more information, visit Oceania Cruises.

Ascott accelerates Vietnam growth

Explora Journeys takes delivery of third ship

Celebrate Japan’s summer festivals with BWH Hotels

Meliá Pattaya adds rooftop sound healing to wellness line-up

Fraser Residence River Promenade, Singapore

China eases travel for growing inbound market

Malaysian travellers rewrite the rules of outbound travel

Palladium Hotel Group enters Vietnam with two luxury hotel projects

Plaza Premium Group, HeyMax team up to boost loyalty rewards

Wellness takes centre stage on Oceania Cruises’ shore tours

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Fraser Residence River Promenade, Singapore

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