StarDream Cruises welcomes the return of Star Voyager from May 22 to June 26, 2026, offering families, couples and friends a convenient round-trip cruise holiday departing from Singapore and Kuala Lumpur via Port Klang.
During this period, Star Voyager will operate a selection of two-, three- and five-night cruises to popular destinations across Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, alongside new island calls including Con Son, Tioman, Bali (Benoa) and Lombok.
Star Voyager offers a simple way to explore South-east Asia during the school holidays
Ahead of her South-east Asia deployment, Star Voyager will also operate a special one-way sailing departing Hong Kong on May 17, 2026. This voyage includes a stop in Nha Trang, Vietnam, before continuing south. Guests may disembark in Singapore on May 21 for a four-night cruise or continue to Kuala Lumpur via Port Klang on May 22 for a five-night cruise.
The school holiday season begins with three departures from Kuala Lumpur between May 22 and 27, including a three-night Phuket-Penang Cruise and two two-night Phuket cruises. From May 31 to June 26, Star Voyager will offer a wide range of round-trip cruises from Singapore, including five-night Bali and Lombok sailings, five-night Vietnam cruises featuring Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Con Son Island, and multiple two-night Tioman getaways.
Hong Kong-based luxury travel consultancy, Charlotte Travel, has established a Singapore office to better serve its Asia-Pacific clientele of both high-end corporate and leisure travellers.
The Singapore operation is helmed by Louen Tang as managing director. He is supported by executive Adeline Wan.
From left: Charlotte Travel’s Charlotte Harris and Louen Tang
CEO Charlotte Harris described the move as “organic and natural”, as Charlotte Travel has a loyal base of customers who are mobile between Hong Kong and Singapore.
In an interview with TTG Asia in Singapore, Harris said: “Some of our clients have moved from Hong Kong to Singapore in recent years, while others have started businesses here in the city. They have often asked when Charlotte Travel would set up shop in Singapore too, so as to better facilitate travel discussions. Those conversations sparked our interest.”
Harris expressed a familiarity and love for both Singapore and South-east Asia, a region where she had grown up in and often visited for work prior to joining the travel and tourism industry.
As such, Singapore was a natural choice when the consultancy begun to draw up expansion plans.
Tang commented that the new Singapore office would allow Charlotte Travel to build a stronger “foundation” in the region, as it would grant the consultancy closer access to a market that is “sophisticated” in its travel habits.
He observed that Singapore-based travellers are highly experiential and eager to spend on “interesting experiences, not just hardware”.
Harris believes that Charlotte Travel’s 25 years of experience in curated travel and vast insider destination knowledge will give her agency an advantage in meeting the exacting needs of the Singapore market.
Both Tang and Harris shared that their connections in destinations could open doors to special areas and unique local artisans. Tang, for instance, is a certified wine educator and is able to craft exclusive experiences at oenothèques for guests.
She cited Charlotte Travel’s recent endorsement by the Forbes Travel Guide as another advantage as she grows her operations in Asia-Pacific. The by-invite endorsement indicates a culture of service excellence in travel.
Furthermore, travellers will benefit from excellent products, experiences and support through Charlotte Travel’s affiliation with Virtuoso’s global network of fine travel suppliers. The agency has been a member of Virtuoso for a decade, and Harris said Charlotte Travel was the first Virtuoso member in Asia then.
Charlotte Travel’s entry into the Singapore market is matched by a roll out of women-centric itineraries that are “created by women, for women”.
Harris believes that these journeys will resonate with strong, independent and successful women in Singapore “who are often taking care of their business and people around them, but have little leisure time for themselves”.
“We created this concept to allow women to plug into curated journeys with other like-minded women, or take what we have and go off on their own or with their friends,” she added.
An example of a women-centric journey weaves through India, where guests will spend seven days accessing Delhi’s ateliers, Agra’s jewel houses, and Jaipur’s artisan workshops with restorative Ayurvedic wellness at Amanbagh.
“We have also created a wellness retreat for our female guests to learn more about menopause, how to prepare for it, and how to manage it,” she shared.
Responsible travel specialist, Intrepid Travel, has rolled out a new experience to its Sri Lankan itineraries – one that highlights the impact employee and traveller donations to the Intrepid Foundation are delivering in local communities.
Travellers visiting Sigiriya will now be able to experience the newly opened ZeroPlastic Impact Centre, created by local partner Zero Plastic Movement with support from Intrepid’s award-winning Impact Grant programme.
Intrepid Travel’s guests can now visit ZeroPlastic Impact Centre in Sigiriya, Sri Lanka, created by local partner Zero Plastic Movement and funded by Intrepid’s Impact Grant programme
The centre showcases locally made, plastic-free alternatives to everyday items, including cutlery and toiletries crafted from coconut shells, bamboo, cane, clay, wood, lacquer and natural fibres.
Funded by an A$50,000 (US$35,365) Impact Grant from The Intrepid Foundation, the centre connects travellers directly with local artisans, offering opportunities to purchase handicrafts, participate in workshops, and see circular economy initiatives in action.
Poornaka Delpachitra, general manager of Intrepid Travel Sri Lanka, said: “The ZeroPlastic Impact Centre marks a major milestone for us, as it truly sets an example for how tourism can be a vehicle to creating and sustaining positive change in local communities.”
The Impact Grant programme, launched in 2023, funds grassroots non-profits working across conservation, animal welfare, equality, and community development. Grants are funded through donations to The Intrepid Foundation, matched by Intrepid Travel, with recipients voted for by Intrepid staff and travellers.
In 2024 alone, more than 700 Intrepid staff voted to allocate A$266,000 across eight long-term Foundation partners globally. In 2025, The Intrepid Foundation awarded 16 grants totalling A$709,000, made possible by the generosity of Intrepid travellers.
Biheng Zhang, general manager of The Intrepid Foundation shared that 1,418 votes for the Travellers’ Choice grant have been received since public voting started in 2025
“We’re already seeing strong progress across those projects and look forward to sharing more once they’re complete,” Zhang said.
Other projects supported by the Impact Grant include a solar panel installation initiative by the Cambodia Rural Students Trust, which generates around 40,000 kWh of clean energy each year, providing reliable power for students and staff while cutting emissions and building local technical capability.
Amora Hotels and Resorts appoints Tamer Habib as chief operating officer. In this role, he will lead the group’s commercial strategy and overall vision.
With more than three decades of hospitality experience, Habib most recently served as vice president of operations at Amora Hotels and Resorts.
His career includes senior roles with Marriott, Hyatt, InterContinental, and Stamford, bringing deep operational and commercial expertise to the group’s continued growth across Australia and Asia.
Etienne Dalançon has been named general manager of the upcoming Waldorf Astoria Kuala Lumpur, set to open in late 2026.
He brings over 20 years of luxury hospitality experience and most recently served as general manager of Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. His career spans senior leadership roles across Asia and Europe, with a strong focus on service excellence and operational leadership.
Indonesia and South Africa have agreed to strengthen synergy across a range of strategic tourism sectors, marking a new chapter in both nations’ commitment to building a resilient, inclusive and sustainable tourism industry.
The collaboration was formalised with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Indonesian minister of tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana and South African minister of tourism Patricia de Lille in Jakarta, as part of de Lille’s official visit to South-east Asia.
Indonesia and South Africa have signed an MoU to strengthen cooperation across tourism, connectivity and sustainability
Widiyanti said the partnership builds on a 2015 bilateral agreement, which remains the foundation of the two nations’ diplomatic relations.
“This MoU reflects a shared commitment to strengthening tourism cooperation as a driver for economic growth, cultural exchange, and deepened mutual understanding between the people of our two nations,” Widiyanti said.
The partnership’s first concrete priority is enhancing accessibility, involving high-level coordination between the Ministry of Transportation and the private sector.
It also revives the spirit of the 1955 Asian-African Conference held in Bandung, which underscored the importance of solidarity, mutual respect and collaboration among Global South nations. The strengthened bilateral relationship is seen as a tangible continuation of that legacy.
Martini Mohamad Paham, deputy for tourism resources and institutions at the Ministry of Tourism, said the ministry will coordinate with InJourney, the holding company for state-owned enterprises in aviation and tourism, to improve connectivity. This effort also extends to visa policy, following a statement by Indonesia’s vice president Gibran Rakabuming Raka during his visit to South Africa last year.
“The vice president stated that Indonesia would provide visa-free entry, which is currently still in process; at present it remains Visa on Arrival (VoA),” Martini noted.
Beyond logistics, the collaboration places a strong emphasis on sustainability and education. Indonesia aims to learn from South Africa’s expertise in managing national parks and its successful approach to educating both local communities and visitors on environmental “dos and don’ts”. On the education front, Indonesia’s six tourism polytechnics will participate in exchange programmes.
“We will learn from one another regarding hospitality and tourism development, as well as MICE,” Martini said.
The two countries also plan to advance their digital and promotional strategies, with South Africa expressing strong interest in participating in the Bali & Beyond Travel Fair in Bali in June, following its participation at the ASTINDO Travel Fair in Jakarta last week.
Planned initiatives include joint familiarisation trips, digital marketing collaborations and exhibitions to increase visibility in both markets. While South Africa is not yet a top-tier destination for Indonesian travellers, Martini highlighted its strategic importance as a gateway to the African continent.
“Both countries believe that the signing of this MoU will strengthen bilateral tourism cooperation while opening opportunities for a more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient sector,” Widiyanti added.
De Lille welcomed the partnership, citing the strong historical ties between the two nations.
“The signing of this memorandum of understanding will further deepen the relationship between our two countries,” she said.
During the occasion, de Lille announced that South Africa is reforming its visa system, with Indonesian citizens now able to apply for visas online via digital devices, with processing times of less than 24 hours. She also invited Indonesian travel agents and tour operators to participate in familiarisation trips across South Africa.
She added that South Africa is committed to developing halal tourism and digital-based tourism, working with the Muslim Judicial Council and relevant authorities to ensure Muslim travellers feel safe and comfortable during their visit.
Data shows that 30,000 South African tourists visited Indonesia in 2025, while Indonesian arrivals in South Africa reached approximately 3,000.
“As part of this collaboration, we aim to increase tourist numbers in both countries. Indonesians will always receive a warm welcome in South Africa,” de Lille said.
Buoyed by a 20 per cent growth in Indian tourist arrivals last year, the Taiwan Tourism Administration is now looking to attract a greater number of leisure travellers to the island. At present, the corporate and MICE segments are driving travel demand from India to Taiwan.
To rebalance this mix, the Taiwan Tourism Administration is strengthening its engagement with the travel trade to grow leisure travel from the Indian market.
Shih: we are now focusing on leisure tourism through our travel trade engagements; photo by Rohit Kaul
“Incentive travel demand from India is growing for us. Last year we welcomed an 800 pax strong Indian incentive group of Asian Paints. We are now focusing on leisure tourism through our travel trade engagements,” said Paul Shih, director, Taiwan Tourism Administration, Singapore Office. Shih was speaking to TTG Asia on the sidelines of the Taiwan mega roadshow in New Delhi, which took place on February 3.
The NTO also participated in OTM 2026 from February 5 to 7 and has planned pan-India roadshows later this year across key markets such as Kolkata, Pune and Chennai. It is also working to showcase destinations and experiences beyond Taipei to Indian travellers.
“We have much more than Taipei to offer. From mountains and forests to coastlines and temples, Taiwan presents a diverse range of tourism products and experiences. Activities such as biking and diving are also available. Over the past two years, we have hosted more than 50 Indian travel agents, media representatives and opinion leaders,” said Kuanchu Chen, chief, Taiwan Tourism Administration, International Affairs Division, while addressing participants at the New Delhi roadshow.
Taiwan recorded more than 47,000 Indian tourist arrivals last year.
“We will also be hosting a few Indian travel agents for the Taiwan Lantern Festival scheduled to take place next month. Educating travel agent partners is a key pillar of our Indian market strategy,” concluded Shih.
TFE Hotels is expanding its presence in Tasmania with the addition of its Adina apartment-style hotel brand in Hobart. The opening marks the first Adina property in the state and joins the group’s existing Vibe Hobart within the same mixed-use development.
Adina Hobart is a 48-key property offering studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments, with options to interconnect into larger configurations. Designed to support longer stays, the apartments feature fully equipped kitchens and self-contained living spaces aimed at both leisure and business travellers.
Adina Hobart is expected to welcome guests in the 2H2026
The hotel is located alongside the 142-key Vibe Hobart, with Adina guests having access to shared onsite facilities including a restaurant and bar, conference spaces, swimming pool and gym.
TFE Hotels said the opening responds to growing demand for apartment-style accommodation at the premium end of the market, particularly for extended stays and travellers seeking flexible accommodation formats.
The addition of Adina Hobart brings a second TFE Hotels brand to the site and forms part of the group’s wider strategy to grow its apartment hotel portfolio across Australia. The company said the development also supports Hobart’s ongoing CBD regeneration, reinforcing the area’s role as a mixed-use hospitality and accommodation hub.
Chris Sedgwick, group COO, TFE Hotels, said: “As we expand our global footprint, we’re seeing increasing demand for apartment style hotels that offer the space, flexibility, and contemporary design that Adina does so well. With every new opening, whether here at home or in key international cities, Adina anchors our premium offering and showcases the best of Australian hospitality on the world stage.”
Jamie Capp, general manager, Adina Hobart, added: “Apartment-style stays are increasingly important to the visitor economy because they encourage extended travel and support local operators. With both Adina and Vibe now in Hobart, we’re offering travellers more choice – whether they’re here for business, culture, or nature.”
S Hotels and Resorts (SHR) has completed the rebranding of two UK hotels, Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh and The Grand Hotel Leicester, under The Unlimited Collection brand by Ascott.
The repositioning forms part of SHR’s wider asset enhancement strategy aimed at strengthening its presence in key European markets.
The Grand Hotel Leicester now operates under The Unlimited Collection by Ascott
The Unlimited Collection focuses on highlighting the individual heritage and local character of each property. Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh completed its rebranding in 4Q2024, while The Grand Hotel Leicester has undergone a full refurbishment and reopened on February 2, 2026.
The initiative reflects SHR’s strategy to reposition selected UK properties as lifestyle hotels for both domestic and international travellers. As part of its partnership with Ascott, the hotels are now integrated into the Ascott Star Rewards loyalty programme. SHR said the approach is already delivering results, with occupancy at its Edinburgh property reaching close to 98 per cent in 3Q2025.
Mount Royal Hotel Edinburgh by The Unlimited Collection is located on Princes Street and occupies a site that dates back to the early 1800s, when it operated as the Royal Hotel. The property now offers 169 guestrooms, many with views across Edinburgh Castle, Princes Street Gardens and the Old Town. Interior updates draw on the surrounding landscape through natural tones and Scottish design references, alongside a bar and restaurant positioned as a social space for guests and local residents. The hotel sits opposite the Scott Monument and the National Gallery.
The Grand Hotel Leicester is located on Granby Street in the city centre and is the only hotel in Leicester constructed in the early 1900s. The property has hosted notable historical figures and features preserved architectural elements, including a grand staircase, high ceilings and the restored King’s Room ballroom. The hotel offers 104 renovated guestrooms and a range of meeting and event spaces, with the redevelopment forming part of broader regeneration activity in the city centre.
SHR said further UK hotels are scheduled for rebranding as part of the next phase of its long-term growth strategy.
Michael Marshall, CEO, S Hotels and Resorts, said: “In Europe, enhancements to The Unlimited Collection portfolio allow us to create hotels that are deeply connected to their destinations, strengthening guest engagement while unlocking long-term value. This complements our recent success with repositioning of SAii Hotels & Resorts across Asia-Pacific.”
Thai Airways International (THAI) has expanded its strategic relationship with Amadeus, selecting three retailing solutions to support more consistent and personalised offers across its sales channels.
The airline will implement Altéa NDC, Air Dynamic Pricing and Anytime Merchandising as part of its wider retailing and distribution strategy. The move is intended to improve offer relevance, pricing accuracy and ancillary merchandising across both direct and indirect channels.
Thai Airways has selected additional Amadeus retailing solutions to support its distribution and pricing strategy
Through the adoption of these solutions, THAI aims to deliver a more consistent experience for passengers regardless of how they book. Real-time pricing aligned with demand and inventory is expected to support more competitive fares, while enhanced merchandising capabilities will allow the airline to present ancillary products through timely and context-aware recommendations.
Altéa NDC will serve as THAI’s NDC-enabled distribution platform, allowing the airline to create and distribute richer offers while preparing for future Offer and Order-based retailing. Air Dynamic Pricing applies AI-driven models to adjust fares in real time based on booking context and availability, with the airline expecting an average revenue uplift of more than three per cent. Anytime Merchandising will enable THAI to present personalised ancillary offers consistently across channels, supporting both revenue optimisation and customer experience objectives.
Together, the three solutions are designed to support THAI’s transition towards modern airline retailing, with integrated systems enabling improved control over pricing, offers and distribution.
Amadeus said the agreement builds on its long-standing relationship with Thai Airways and reflects a shared focus on next-generation retailing. The technology rollout will be supported by Amadeus’ local presence in Thailand, allowing closer collaboration during implementation and ongoing development.
The expanded partnership forms part of THAI’s broader transformation programme, as the airline continues to invest in digital capabilities to support its commercial strategy and passenger experience across web and mobile platforms.
Thai Airways CEO Chai Eamsiri said: “This technology investment represents a significant step in Thai Airways’ transformation. It strengthens our retailing capabilities, enabling us to offer passengers more relevant choices and a consistent experience across our digital channels.”
Javier Laforgue, executive vice president, travel unit and managing director, Asia Pacific, Amadeus, added: “This agreement is a milestone in our long-standing cooperation, and we look forward to working hand in hand with Thai Airways on its transformation journey.”
His career includes senior roles with Marriott, Hyatt, InterContinental, and Stamford, bringing deep operational and commercial expertise to the group’s continued growth across Australia and Asia.
