Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) will host the 13th edition of its Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE 2025) from April 25 to 27 next year, with the first two days welcoming trade visitors.
Travel buyers can expect a wide range of exhibitors at the show – government entities, such as national and regional NTOs; tourism resources, such as theme parks and hotels; tourism organisations, such as travel agencies and destination services; and others across various niches like sports travel, gourmet and wellness.
Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo will be held from April 25 to 27 next year
Travel players exhibiting at MITE 2025 will benefit from extensive exposure, as more than 40,000 spectators are expected. Concurrent conferences and events will be live broadcasted to the world via the Expo official website and other social media platforms, with over seven million total viewership expected.
According to MGTO, last year’s MITE saw the participation of more than 37,000 attendees, 688 exhibitors, more than 500 trade buyers, and 534 trade visitors. More than 14,000 business matches materialised both online and in-person.
The event will be hosted at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Expo Hall ABC.
Dorsett Kai Tak, Hong Kong The 373-room Dorsett Kai Tak offers upscale living with views of Victoria Harbour, and is adjacent to the 50,000-seat stadium, just four MTR stops from Tsim Sha Tsui and four stops from the Exhibition Centre.
The hotel features over 30 per cent greenery in its design, a central seawater cooling system for air conditioning and energy efficiency, and electric vehicle chargers in 40 per cent of parking spaces.
Onsite are an infinity pool, gym, all-day restaurant, rooftop bar, and a grand ballroom.
Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort
Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort, the Philippines
The seven-hectare Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort in Mactan, Cebu celebrates its 35th year of operation with the launch of a six-storey building that adds 65 keys to its existing 190 keys.
Called Sidlakan – the Cebuano word for east, the building’s 60 guestrooms and five junior suites are inspired by Filipino homes with all the modern amenities.
JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon
JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon, Vietnam
The dual-tower JW Marriott Hotel & Suites Saigon is located at the junction of Hai Ba Trung Street and Le Duan Boulevard in Ho Chi Minh City, with a direct connection to mPlaza Saigon.
The hotel comprises two separate towers – the 21-storey hotel tower features 305 rooms and suites, while the 31-storey residential tower houses 260 one- to three-bedroom residential suites, all of which offer panoramic views of the city’s skyline and Saigon River.
Facilities include an outdoor pool, fitness centre, spa, five dining venues, and 1,200m² of event spaces.
Penang Marriott Hotel
Penang Marriott Hotel, Malaysia Penang Marriott Hotel is one of three properties in the Penang Marriott Complex, along with Marriott Residences Penang and Marriott Executive Apartments, Penang.
Penang Marriott Hotel boasts 223 rooms and a variety of dining experiences, a fitness centre, steam room and an outdoor infinity swimming pool, while Marriott Executive Apartments Penang offers hotel services for long stays with its 90 suites, where each unit comes with separate sleeping and living areas, and gourmet kitchens.
Facilities include fitness and business centres, and 24-hour security.
Israel has urged its citizens holidaying in coastal areas in Sri Lanka to leave immediately owing to a possible terrorist attack linked to the Middle East crisis.
Its National Security Council made the call on Israelis on Wednesday saying the warning was based on “current information about a terrorist threat focused on tourist areas and beaches”.
Tourists are advised to avoid Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka due to intelligence reports of a potential terror attack linked to the Middle East crisis
Sri Lankan newspapers said security has been tightened in parts of the eastern coast and also the southern coast, frequented by Israeli tourists.
Earlier on Wednesday, the US, the UK and Canadian missions in Sri Lanka urged their nationals to avoid the surfing paradise of Arugam Bay on the country’s eastern coast following intelligence reports of a possible terror attack connected to the Middle East crisis.
Police confirmed the reports saying security has been strengthened in the area, adding that they had received reports of a possible attack a few weeks ago.
No details were given but police sources said this was connected to tensions between Arugam Bay area residents, mostly minority Muslims, and Israeli nationals who have set up a few businesses in the area to cater to Israeli surfers.
Sri Lanka is supporting the Palestine cause and backing international pleas for Israeli to suspend attacks on the Gaza strip which has suffered for more than a year under an onslaught by Israeli forces. Muslims in Sri Lanka form the second largest minority group after the Tamil minority community.
However the country also has cordial and diplomatic ties with Israel.
Israel ranks as Sri Lanka’s 18th source market for tourist arrivals, while Sri Lanka has long been working to attract support from affluent nationals in the Middle East.
While the UK is a key source market, Sri Lanka aims to achieve 2.3 million tourist arrivals this year, matching the record high set in 2018.
The Malta Tourism Authority is eager to share the country’s culture and heritage with travellers from Asia-Pacific, from settlements built by the Phoenicians to mediaeval fortifications installed by knights.
“Although Malta is a well-known holiday destination in Europe, it is still an emerging destination in Asia-Pacific. The tourism market in Asia-Pacific holds great potential for us, with many travellers having already visited Europe in the past, but still eager to explore deeper cultural gems and unique local customs,” said Monica Wu, regional marketing manager, Malta Tourism Authority, at the organisation’s first networking event in Singapore on October 22.
The Malta Tourism Authority is hoping to attract more travellers from Asia-Pacific to the destination; Malta’s capital city Valletta, pictured
She noted that there was growing interest in Malta among travel consultants as they sought new destinations to present to their clients.
“Asian tourists are very experienced in many places. They want something different, and we can give it to them,” she added.
Malta, a small island in the middle of the Mediterranean sea, is often referred to as the ‘heart of the Mediterranean’. With a rich history that dates back centuries, Malta is part of the European Union and a Schengen country, which, Wu noted, Singaporean and Malaysian travellers do not need visas to enter.
Malta received 2.97 million tourists in 2023, a 30.1 per cent increase from 2022’s 2.28 million. The largest share of tourists from Asia-Pacific came from Australia at 53,000, followed by China at 11,000, while tourists from South-east Asia made up 10,000.
To enhance the destination’s visibility, the Malta Tourism Authority is focusing on building brand awareness through digital marketing and media partnerships and positioning the destination in the mid- to-high-end market.
“We have found that travellers from the Asia-Pacific region tend to have extensive overseas travel experience and often place greater emphasis on ‘experiential’ destination products. The quality of accommodation and dining are important for them. At the same time, they are also particularly concerned about the safety of the destination,” shared Wu.
The Malta Tourism Authority’s strategy focuses on several unique characteristics of the country. These include Malta’s storied cultural heritage, Mediterranean cuisine and traditional cooking methods, and outdoor activities from diving to cycling.
Religious tourism – the country is predominantly Catholic – and screen tourism are also two popular themes that visitors enjoy, added Wu. The destination has been featured in Jurassic World, Game of Thrones and computer game Assassin’s Creed.
Getting “quality tourists” is an important part of its tourism strategy, stated Wu. As its efforts in wooing the longhaul market are still in the early stages, the key is to establish the Malta brand rather than attracting mass tourists.
Several reports have noted that Malta faces overtourism. Currently in place is a Malta Tourism Strategy by the government that outlines its plans up till 2030 for long-term sustainable and responsible development of its tourism sector.
More hotels are currently being developed in Malta. At present, Malta has 17 five-star hotels and 47 four-star hotels, providing a total of approximately 11,700 beds, as well as many three-star hotels and guesthouses.
“In our future marketing efforts and collaborations with the trade, we will focus on building a positive reputation and sustainable destination image in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Wu.
Ascott China has entered a joint venture with Jin Jiang Hotels (China Region) to advance the asset-light expansion of their respective apartment hotel brands in China, namely Ascott’s Quest and Jin Jiang Hotels’ Tulip Lodj.
Using a franchise model primarily, the joint venture will enable the rapid growth of Quest and Tulip Lodj to meet China’s underserved demand for apartment hotels in the upscale and upper midscale segments, while driving long-term investment success for owners.
The partnership will see Ascott develop Tulip Lodj into a high-quality apartment hotel brand; photo by Jin Jiang Hotels (China Region)
From the outset, the joint venture company will manage two operating properties in Wuhan and one pipeline property in Shenzhen franchised under Tulip Lodj, totalling about 600 units. Plans are underway to broaden the footprint of Tulip Lodj and launch Quest in China by providing opportunities for franchised partnerships.
As China’s largest and the world’s second largest hotel group, Jin Jiang manages around 13,250 hotels with more than 1.34 million rooms and nearly 200 million loyalty members.
The joint venture represents a win-win collaboration between Ascott China and Jin Jiang Hotels (China Region) to tap the vast potential of the country’s hotel franchise industry. It will leverage Jin Jiang Hotels’ franchise-ready infrastructure comprising strong local teams and robust supply chains across the country to rapidly launch the Quest brand and provide strong support for its future expansion. In parallel, the collaboration will see Ascott develop Tulip Lodj into a high-quality apartment hotel brand.
Properties under the joint venture will join the distribution networks and loyalty programmes of both Ascott and Jin Jiang Hotels. Guests who are members of both Ascott Star Rewards and Jin Jiang Rewards will enjoy the flexibility to earn and redeem points with either programme when booking stays at Quest and Tulip Lodj in China.
Lee Ngor Houai, COO, Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA), South Asia and China, Ascott, commented: “Bleisure travel is thriving in China as professionals seek the ideal blend of work and leisure, creating a vibrant demand for apartment hotels. Leveraging our complementary strengths with Jin Jiang Hotels, we are confident that the joint venture will serve as an excellent platform for local owners to access one of Ascott’s iconic brands and bring it to their respective locations. We will work closely with Jin Jiang Hotels to develop supportive frameworks and effective commercial strategies to power the success of Quest and Tulip Lodj owners in China.”
“By bringing Tulip Lodj into the joint venture, we aim to propel the development of this unique social living concept that blends the rich cultures of China and France. As franchising becomes an increasingly important business model in China’s hospitality industry, the joint venture is well-positioned to leverage the established franchise capabilities of both Ascott and Jin Jiang Hotels to fuel new growth,” added Wang Wei, CEO, Jin Jiang Hotels (China Region).
Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) and STIC Travel Group (STIC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen Sentosa’s positioning as a sustainable destination for leisure, business and education in the Indian market.
This one-year partnership will seek to create innovative educational experiences targeted at students in India, highlighting Sentosa’s sustainable practices and diverse ecosystems.
The collaboration aims to boost tourism arrivals from India by offering immersive sustainability-focused educational experiences
The MoU signifies a joint effort to design immersive learning experiences that utilise Sentosa’s unique environment as a living classroom to foster a deeper understanding of the importance of sustainability. These programmes will emphasise key concepts such as the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals, carbon footprint reduction and biodiversity conservation.
This partnership builds upon STIC’s broader efforts to boost educational tourism in Singapore by offering Indian students an opportunity to explore Singapore’s heritage, sustainable development initiatives and interactive learning experiences.
Central to this partnership is the launch of the Unchartered Sentosa tour designed to inspire students to become advocates for positive environmental change in their own communities.
Slated to roll out in November, Unchartered Sentosa offers Indian students a hands-on exploration of sustainability principles through a diverse range of activities.
These include intertidal exploration of the Southern Shores to learn about marine conservation and coastal ecology, guided nature walks along Serapong and Imbiah Trail to discover native flora and fauna in Sentosa, an Amazing Race adventure on Sentosa and St John’s Island to educate participants on the importance and relevance of responsible consumption, interactive workshops that equip participants with ocean survival skills at Lazarus Island, visits to Sentosa’s sustainable attractions such as the Cable Car and Skyline Luge, and an Eco Tour of Siloso Beach Resort demonstrating real-world applications of sustainable design and green technology
SDC CEO Thien Kwee Eng said: “By leveraging Sentosa’s ecological diversity, we’re creating a unique platform for students to gain hands-on experience in environmental stewardship. We look forward to creating unique Sentosa-based itineraries and experiences with STIC that showcase Sentosa’s commitment to sustainability and provide invaluable educational opportunities for students.”
“This initiative not only enhances (the) global perspective (of Indian students) but also equips them with practical knowledge about sustainability that they can bring back to their communities,” added Isha Goyal, CEO, STIC Travel Group.
The cruise industry is experiencing a renaissance, and 2024 is proving to be a record-breaking year, as observed by Trip.com Group.
With a remarkable surge in global cruise bookings of a 344% year-on-year growth from January to October 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, this rise reflects a global trend of travellers rediscovering the appeal of cruise vacations as they seek diverse destinations and experiences in a single journey.
Cruise vacations are becoming increasingly appealing to a broader audience
A standout trend is the substantial rise in fly-cruise bookings, with bookings from international tourists up by 520% year-on-year. The combination of air travel and cruising allows international travellers to start their voyages in exotic locations, contributing to the overall growth of the industry.
Additionally, younger travellers are at the forefront of this growth. Bookings from millennial travellers skyrocketed by 857%, while those of Gen Z travellers increased by 450%.
Older age groups too, saw significant growth, with a 112% rise in bookings from those born in the 1950s and over 400% among those born in the 1980s. These figures underscore the expanding appeal of cruise vacations across a broader demographic than ever before.
Cruise trips are also becoming longer, with the average cruise duration rising from 4.53 days in 2023 to 4.81 days in 2024, highlighting the increasing preference for extended travel experiences.
In addition, booking behaviours have evolved, with the average booking window lengthening by 10 days to 37 days in 2024, indicating that travellers are planning their cruise holidays further in advance. This reflects a shift towards making cruises a key part of family vacations and long-term holiday planning.
Cruise bookings are particularly popular across key global hubs, with Singapore ranking top in international cruise destinations, followed closely by Port Klang, Barcelona, Jakarta and Tokyo at fifth spot.
The upcoming launch of the Disney Adventure – set to sail from Singapore in December 2025 – has also generated significant interest, reflecting the strong demand for family-friendly cruising options. This will be the first Disney ship to homeport in Asia, offering three- and four-night voyages with immersive Disney, Pixar, and Marvel experiences. With bookings set to open on December 10, the Disney Adventure is expected to attract a wide range of families looking for unforgettable holiday experiences at sea.
Onyx Hospitality Group has signed an agreement with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH), introducing Oriental Residence Bangkok to SLH’s repertoire.
Oriental Residence Bangkok stands as the inaugural property under the Oriental Residence brand within the Onyx Hospitality Group portfolio – the property successfully met SLH’s stringent criteria, which include independence, a central city location with fewer than 200 rooms, storytelling capabilities, a commitment to supporting local communities and the environment, and providing exclusive and distinctive offerings including authentic experiences unique to the locality of the property.
Oriental Residence Bangkok is now part of the SLH portfolio
Being accepted into the SLH portfolio grants Oriental Residence Bangkok access to a global network of over 570 hotels renowned for luxury and independence in more than 90 countries, an affiliation that not only enhances exposure to international clientele but also positions the property as a preferred destination for independently minded travellers seeking luxury, meaningful experiences, and cultural immersion.
Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO, Onyx Hospitality Group, said: “It underscores our commitment to delivering unparalleled hospitality experiences that resonate globally while preserving our property’s distinctive character and community engagement initiatives.”
Mark Wong, senior vice president Asia Pacific, Small Luxury Hotels of the World added: “Our partnership with the well-respected Onyx Hospitality Group further solidifies our brand presence in Thailand. With its deep heritage roots in Thai culture and hospitality, we are looking forward to expanding Oriental Residence Bangkok’s audience reach through our global storytelling platforms and distribution networks.”
Japan’s hotel investment outlook looks promising, with growing demand and improving supply, including refurbished properties and new luxury hotels, according to experts at the Hospitality Japan Conference.
Speaking at the event in October, Caspar Pingel Schmidt, managing director of QCC Collection Group, said international hotels have high potential to grow in Japan, where only seven per cent of hotels are foreign-branded.
Panel discussion on Japan’s hotel development prospects during the Hospitality Japan Conference; photo by Kathryn Wortley
“The demand for hospitality in Japan is very strong”, due to the attractive prices and high-quality, said Gary Kwok, CEO and managing partner at Axe Management Partners.
Rising construction costs and a shortage of labour, however, are constraining supply of new properties, leading to more renovation and rebranding of existing properties.
It is a popular strategy for investors from an ESG perspective and on practical terms, agreed the speakers, as apartment-type hotels can be run by fewer staff, helping future-proof the properties amid Japan’s population decline.
Still, more supply, particularly in rural areas, is needed for the Japanese government to achieve its goal of welcoming 60 million tourists annually by 2030. The target is for each visitor to spend at least two nights in regional areas.
“Investors had been piling into Japan (pre-Covid), creating over supply – but some hotels were converted into other uses during the pandemic. Now, there is a lot of supply but it is not going to meet the growing demand,” said Kwok. “Investors should work with local governments to promote second- and third-tier cities, because they are important for the long-term sustainable growth of tourism.”
Cooperation is key, added Midori Kataoka, regional director at Preferred Hotels & Resorts, noting that luxury destinations can be created outside the “golden route” only with “meticulous planning with national and regional governments”.
Nico Black, general manager at Six Senses Kyoto, said luxury hotels can “revive small towns” through job creation and community engagement.
Challenges remain though, according to Takahiro Tsujikawa, president and CEO at Polaris Holdings Co., adding that “investors remain very cautious about investing in non-major cities, resulting in less supply coming into rural areas” while Kyoto and Okinawa have many luxury hotels but a shortage of two- and three-star hotels.
The Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) has partnered with the Department of Tourism (DoT) to create a significant roadmap aimed at guiding future developments and addressing long-standing challenges in the hotel industry over the next five years.
Dubbed the Philippine Hotel Industry Strategy Action Plan (PHISAP) 2023-2028, this document serves as a vital blueprint for infrastructure development, product diversification, marketing and promotions, digital transformation, and industry collaboration, all while emphasising sustainable practices to ensure the long-term viability of the sector.
Philippines’ PHOA and DoT have rolled out a roadmap to enhance the hotel sector and drive tourism growth
PHOA executive director, Benito Bengzon Jr, said it also highlights the necessity of building more hotel rooms required by various Philippine destinations amid growing international and domestic demand.
Currently, there are 335,592 hotel keys across 18,818 accommodation establishments in the Philippines. By 2028, an additional 120,463 keys will need to be added to meet the projected 11.5 million foreign tourist arrivals, as outlined in the DoT’s National Tourism Development Plan (NTD), not including the anticipated 100 million domestic trips each year.
Other proposed programmes under PHISAP include enhancing the industry’s global competitiveness, institutionalising data collection on key hotel and accommodation strategies together with the private sector for effective planning and monitoring, and developing a highly competitive workforce.
It also recommends increasing investments in marketing and promotions within the hotel sector to align with the NTDP projections, promoting public-private partnerships and facilitating investments by enhancing the investment climate through optimised tools for tourism planning, partnerships, and incentives.
Tourism secretary Christina Frasco remarked: “The challenges that we face are too vast and too complex to be solved by any single sector or by government alone. Together, we must build a resilient, adaptable, and forward-thinking tourism ecosystem to meet the demands of today’s travellers while anticipating the needs of the future.”
Recognising that hotel owners are key investors in tourism, Frasco expressed hope that PHISAP will enable investors to “continue to have a deep understanding of the landscape that the Philippine tourism is in and work with us in (the) government to ensure that the landscape improves”.
