TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Saturday, 8th August 2026
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Ancient Dunhuang makes South-east Asia debut in Singapore

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The Asian Civilisations Museum will present Sacred Caves: Dunhuang, Buddhism, and the Silk Road this September, bringing life-size reproductions of the Mogao Caves and original works of art from Dunhuang to South-east Asia for the first time.

Presented in collaboration with the Dunhuang Academy, the exhibition explores more than 1,000 years of history at Dunhuang, an oasis city in present-day Gansu province in north-west China that connected China, India, the Middle East and other regions along the Silk Road.

Sacred Caves: Dunhuang, Buddhism, and the Silk Road brings life-size Mogao Cave reproductions and original works from Dunhuang to Singapore

The Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were created between the fourth and 14th centuries and contain Buddhist paintings, sculptures, manuscripts and devotional objects.

Among the exhibition highlights is a life-size reproduction of Cave 45, one of the best-preserved Tang dynasty caves at Mogao. It features sculptures of the Buddha, disciples, bodhisattvas and guardians, alongside murals depicting scenes of life along the Silk Road.

Other exhibits include a brick depicting a Sogdian man leading a camel, reflecting the role of traders and travellers in exchanges across Eurasia, and a linmo painting of the three hares motif, which appears in art and architecture across Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

For more information, visit Asian Civilisations Museum.

Chinese outbound demand holds firm amid travel headwinds

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Despite a volatile global aviation landscape marked by geopolitical headwinds and rising jet fuel prices earlier this year, Chinese outbound travel demand is demonstrating resilience.

According to this summer’s Dragon Trail Research Chinese Outbound Travel Trade Survey, launched on July 29, 2026, which surveyed more than 300 agents working in Chinese outbound travel, 78 per cent of travel agents reported increased outbound demand in 1H2026 compared with last year, while 70 per cent said demand for the current summer season had outpaced 2025 levels.

Chinese outbound growth is being led by younger travellers, as demand shifts towards small-group, private and customised trips

“The results highlight the incredible resilience of the Chinese outbound market,” said Janice Meng, market research analyst at Dragon Trail International.

“Even with reduced flight capacity and diplomatic tensions affecting parts of the region, travel agents report continued growth,” she noted.

The data reveals an evolution in how mainland consumers are structuring their international itineraries.

Traditional large-scale package tours are steadily losing ground to more personalised, niche alternatives. Small-group and private tours have emerged as the fastest-growing product category, cited by 37 per cent of surveyed agents, closely followed by customised and luxury travel at 33 per cent. Conversely, traditional package tours – though still a staple offering – lag in growth momentum, with only 23 per cent of the trade identifying them as a growth driver.

This shift is being spearheaded by a demographic transition.

Chinese travel agents identified young travellers aged 18 to 35 as the fastest-growing market segment for outbound trips (47 per cent). Source markets remain heavily concentrated, with 40 per cent of agents identifying Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities as the primary engines of growth, compared with just six per cent seeing major potential in lower-tier cities.

South-east Asia and East Asia continue to dominate product availability and sales performance.

Thailand has established its comeback as the favourite international destination for Chinese travellers. It topped the best-selling destination list for summer 2026 and was named the single most noteworthy outbound destination of the year, securing 19 per cent of trade responses.

The trade attributes Thailand’s popularity to its natural landscapes, growing market demand, proximity and convenient transport links. Its visa-free policy and value for money have also given it a competitive edge.

Japan (16 per cent) and South Korea (13 per cent) secured the other top-three positions for noteworthy destinations in 2026, although Japan’s market faced air capacity constraints following cancellations in late 2025.

Singapore and the US tied for fourth place, each capturing seven per cent of the trade’s preference.

Culture shapes Indian travel choices: Skyscanner

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Culture is emerging as one of the strongest influences on travel decisions among Indian tourists, with heritage, festivals and regional cuisine increasingly shaping where they choose to holiday, according to The India Culture Travel Index launched by global travel app Skyscanner in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Based on a global survey of 2,000 Indian travellers conducted by OnePoll between June and July 2026, the report found that two-thirds of Indian travellers now plan their holidays around heritage, festivals and food. According to the survey, heritage sites are the strongest pull for culture-led trips, while social media platforms lead the discovery of these sites.

Navina Jafa and Neel Ghose discuss culture-led travel at the launch of Skyscanner’s India Culture Travel Index in New Delhi; photo by Rohit Kaul

“Culture exploration is not just influencing travel, it is also deciding where the traveller goes. Eighty-four per cent of the survey respondents said their interest in cultural travel has grown while 46 per cent have already travelled internationally for a cultural event, festival or heritage trail,” said Neel Ghose, travel trends and destinations expert, Skyscanner India.

Two in five Indian travellers plan to take two culture-focused trips within India over the next year. The top Indian religious festivals driving destination choice include Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi and Navratri Garba.

“A very stark difference we are seeing in our travellers is that a year ago, 41 per cent planned in the last two months, now we see travellers are much more intentional. So, 40 per cent of travellers are planning three to six months in advance. Indian travellers are generally known for being very last-minute. However, when it comes to culture, we are noticing a completely different trend,” added Ghose.

Top domestic destinations for cultural travel include Kochi in Kerala, Udaipur in Rajasthan, Almora in Uttarakhand, Kolkata in West Bengal and Mumbai in Maharashtra.

Internationally, Japan ranked among the top destinations for experiences such as tea ceremonies and samurai history, while Thailand and Vietnam attracted visitors with their street food culture and traditional crafts. Italy’s Renaissance heritage, the UK’s royal history, literature and theatre, and France’s museums and culinary traditions also featured among preferred international cultural destinations.

Navina Jafa, an expert in heritage tourism, sustainability, cultural strategy and Kathak dance, said: “India’s cultural heritage is not only about monuments but also the ecosystems around heritage landscapes including creative skilled communities, cultural traditions, and living practices.”

Ascott accelerates Vietnam growth

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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

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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

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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

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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 

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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.

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

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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

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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.