Conrad Bengaluru has appointed Aagman Baury as hotel manager.
He was most recently general manager at The Leela Ambience Convention Hotel, Delhi, where he focused on operational performance and market positioning.
In his new role, he will oversee hotel operations, with a focus on guest experience, efficiency and growth.
Macao will welcome two high-level Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings this June – the 13th APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting and the 67th APEC Tourism Working Group Meeting. In the lead-up to these meetings, Asia-Pacific collaboration on tourism development was spotlighted at MITE 2026, which took place last week.
The Macao SAR government said in a statement that senior tourism representatives of the APEC member economies will gather in Macao for dialogues aimed at forging closer communication and cooperation for the future development of the tourism industry in the Asia-Pacific region.
Macao will capitalise on the unique advantages gifted by China’s support and its function as a bridge that connects China and the world to convey the achievements of both China’s modern development and Macao’s multicultural harmony.
Further leveraging the spotlight on Macao ahead of the APEC meetings, the organisers of MITE 2026 staged an Asia-Pacific collaboration onsite, where exhibiting travel agencies presented itineraries to the region and destination pavilions showcased the latest tourism offerings.
A representative at Multinational Tourism Group Company told TTG Asia that Chinese travellers are particularly keen on Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan in Asia, and are eager to explore more mainland Chinese cities such as Chongqing and Qingdao.
A travel passport was created to drive greater visitor engagement at MITE 2026, with visitors collecting stamps at participating booths for a chance to enter a lucky draw.
There was also strong NTO representation from Asia-Pacific at MITE 2026, with pavilions for Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and more. Visitors not only interacted with local tourism companies, they also joined scheduled activities to better appreciate the destinations.
At the Thailand pavilion, for example, visitors learned massage techniques for migraine and enjoyed cultural dances.
Yoganthiran Manikam, vice consul (tourism) with the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, who led Malaysian tourism businesses at MITE 2026, said the annual event has been an invaluable platform for Malaysia to connect with trade buyers and consumers from all over China.
“MITE is such an important event, as it attracts visitors not only from the immediate Greater Bay Area. Since it is Visit Malaysia Year 2026, it is even more crucial that we are present at MITE 2026,” said Manikam.
He shared that the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board intends to promote a “surreal Malaysia” positioning across the Greater China market.
“We want tourists visiting Malaysia to experience authentic culture and food across the country,” he said, adding that Chinese travellers are becoming prolific explorers, some of whom have driven attention to “hidden gems” in Malaysia through their personal social media posts.
This regional focus extended to the Asia-Pacific Sustainable Gastronomy Showcase, where food, wine and coffee sections offered MITE 2026 visitors both tasting and learning experiences.
The attention on Asia-Pacific tourism collaboration at MITE 2026 was timely, as hospitality companies and traveller intention studies have observed growing resilience in intra-Asia travel appetite.
Travel tech firm Klook’s latest Travel Pulse research, conducted with consumer insights platform GWI, observed strong travel intention among Asia-Pacific respondents (64 per cent) compared to those in the west (43 per cent).
Marcus Yong, vice president global marketing at Klook, said: “Asia continues to be the heartbeat of where all this is happening.”
Macao is making progress in its tourism+big health economic diversification efforts through an expansion of health-related infrastructure across the city. According to the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), new facilities include the Islands Healthcare Complex – Macao Medical Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, iRad Hospital at Studio City Macau, Medical Center at Wynn Palace Cotai, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Technology and Creativity Museum.
The MGTO spokesman said these facilities “create a solid foundation for health and wellness tourism experiences”.
MGTO actively promotes wellness offerings to visitors worldwide and encourages the travel trade to explore available resources.
This commitment carries through last week’s MITE 2026, where the Macao+Hengqin medical tourism potential was highlighted. An inspection of Macao and Hengqin health institutions was offered to MITE 2026 buyers on April 11.
The Macao-Hengqin Wellness Traveller Forum, also held on April 11 in collaboration with the Economic Development Bureau of Hengqin using a multi-venue events model, presented new medical tourism routes through both Hengqin and Macao across two to three days.
Exhibitor Macau Investment (Hengqin) Health Tourism Co. runs the TCM Cultural Experience Centre, the venue for the April 11 forum. Xue Ji, assistant sales manager of the centre, told TTG Asia that 150 delegates from Macao and overseas participated in the event.
The TCM Cultural Experience Centre conducts its own traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) promotions through study tours for students from Hong Kong. Some 1,600 students will join its programmes this April to June, according to Xue.
Islands Healthcare Complex – Macao Medical Center of Peking Union Medical College Hospital was a first-time exhibitor at MITE 2026. It showed off its smart healthcare innovations through displays of high-end medical equipment.
Head of international medical department, Zhang Hong, said the medical centre wants to attract both mainland and overseas Chinese.
Andy Wu, managing director of Gam Lun Macau Tours, sees opportunities for travel agents to work with IRs in Macao to grow opportunities in tourism+big health, especially as more properties diversify into wellness and medical services.
Cindia Lam, dean of Institute of Executive and Professional Development at the Macao University of Tourism, said Macao’s academia can support talent development, training, and research in the area of tourism+big health.
“Macao is increasingly well positioned to develop this segment, with infrastructure and policy direction becoming clearer, while continued work is underway on talent development and service integration.
“With new hospitals now in operation and specialist services expanding, local medical education and residency pathways are also taking shape,” she reflected.
Lam opined that “a broader health and wellness experience that combines medical or wellness services with hospitality, therapeutic dining, TCM elements, and selected cultural and leisure offerings” is the “most suitable model for Macao”.
She stressed the need for a collaborative approach for Macao’s health and wellness tourism bid to succeed: hospitals must ensure clinical quality, tourism operators must shape the visitor experience, and the government must provide policy and coordination.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says the aviation industry is ready for contactless, biometric-enabled international travel, with digital identity able to replace paper documentation.
IATA director general Willie Walsh announced this at an April 8 press conference in Singapore.
Under the IATA Strategic Partnerships Program, several digital identity proof-of-concept (PoC) trials were completed with support from airlines, airports, technology providers and governments across Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Walsh said the partners tested how digital identity stored in mobile wallets and biometric verification can support passenger journeys without repeated paper document checks.
Importantly, the PoCs demonstrated that system interoperability is sufficiently advanced to support contactless journeys involving multiple carriers and different digital identity wallets, including Digital ID in Apple Wallet for US passport holders, Google ID pass for UK and US passport holders, and digital identity programmes such as India’s Digi Yatra.
IATA shared examples of three PoC trials.
One involved connecting international journeys with a transfer (Japan Airlines – Tokyo Haneda – Hong Kong – European airport), where passengers shared identity data in advance using digital wallets, enabling biometric processing at departure and transfer points.
A second was based on airline-managed digital identity (Air New Zealand – Auckland – Hong Kong), where passengers used an airline digital wallet to share identity data during booking and check-in, enabling remote biometric enrolment and contactless processing at airport and customs touchpoints.
The third tested interoperability across providers (IndiGo – Bengaluru), demonstrating that digital identity solutions from different providers – including national programmes such as Digi Yatra and international wallet credentials – can work together within a single journey, enabling processing from airport entry to boarding.
Cathay Pacific Airways will reduce flight capacity between mid-May and the end of June 2026 due to higher jet fuel costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
The Hong Kong-based airline plans to cancel about two per cent of its scheduled passenger flights from May 16 to June 30, 2026, while its low-cost subsidiary HK Express will cut around six per cent of flights from May 11. Services to Dubai and Riyadh will remain suspended until June 30.
The adjustments come as fuel prices have risen sharply. According to CNA, data from the International Air Transport Association shows the global average jet fuel price reached US$209 per barrel for the week ending April 3, up from US$99.40 per barrel in the week ending February 27. The airline said rising crude oil and refinery costs are driving the increase.
Despite the temporary reductions, Cathay Pacific has maintained its broader growth plans. CEO Ronald Lam said the airline intends to expand passenger capacity by 10 per cent in 2026, supported by demand for longhaul routes to North America, Europe and Australia. Traffic through the Middle East has been affected by the conflict involving Iran.
The airline expects to resume its full schedule after June, with both Cathay Pacific and HK Express planning to operate all scheduled passenger services beyond that period.
Industry conditions are expected to remain challenging in the near term. Reuters reported that aviation executives said a recent two-week ceasefire involving Iran is unlikely to ease pressure on fuel supply quickly, with constraints expected to persist even if shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz reopen.
Cathay Pacific said the decision to reduce capacity was taken as a last resort and apologised to customers for any inconvenience caused.
Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur will host the World Labour Day Celebration and Rain Rave Water Music Festival from April 30 to May 2, 2026 in Bukit Bintang, as Malaysia seeks to attract regional and international visitors.
The event is co-organised by Tourism Malaysia and The Fame as part of the Visit Malaysia 2026 programme. It is positioned as an urban tourism initiative aimed at increasing visitor numbers and supporting activity across retail, hospitality and related services.
Seven states, including Negeri Sembilan, Johor, Melaka, Kedah, Labuan, Pahang and Terengganu, are preparing related events aligned with local cultural themes, extending participation beyond Kuala Lumpur.
The festival will combine music, cultural programming and lifestyle experiences. Activities include performances by international, regional and Malaysian DJs, alongside curated markets featuring local food, crafts and cultural elements. The programme also incorporates traditional performances and games, drawing on Malaysia’s multicultural heritage.
Organisers said the event is designed to support tourism-linked businesses and contribute to wider economic activity. Planning includes traffic management, crowd control and coordination with enforcement agencies.
The initiative is supported by agencies including Istana Budaya, the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation, the National Department for Culture and Arts and the Department of National Heritage.
Tourism Malaysia is promoting the event under Visit Malaysia 2026, while the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture is coordinating with relevant authorities on implementation and safety measures.
The festival is expected to become an annual event linked to Labour Day, forming part of Malaysia’s tourism calendar and supporting efforts to attract visitors while promoting cultural activities and local industries.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap has introduced the Path of History tour, a permanent exhibition that presents archival material documenting early travel in South-east Asia.
The exhibition includes photographs, video footage, architectural drawings and artefacts that trace the development of international travel between 1900 and 1940. The display is available to in-house guests and is led by a Raffles historian.
The tour is accompanied by a new book, A Tale of Two Hotels – Raffles in Cambodia, by Andreas and Carola Augustin. The 160-page publication covers the history of Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor and Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, including their role during the early period of tourism in Cambodia.
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor opened in 1932 as accommodation for visitors to Angkor Wat, while Raffles Hotel Le Royal opened in 1929 in Phnom Penh. Both properties are part of the Raffles portfolio and have undergone restoration and refurbishment in recent years.
The exhibition and book reference historical figures and events linked to the hotels, including early travellers to Cambodia and cultural exchanges such as performances by the Royal Ballet of Cambodia in Paris.
The Path of History tour is curated by Andreas and Carola Augustin and focuses on the connection between the development of travel in the region and the history of the two Raffles properties.
For more information, visit Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor.
Macao’s reputation as a worry-free destination is an outstanding advantage at a time when travellers place greater value on personal safety and undisrupted journeys.
Government statistics show a marked decrease in criminal cases in Macao over the 2024 and 2025 period, while Numbeo’s 2026 Global Safety Rankings placed Macao in fifth position worldwide, with a high score of 81.8.
Pamela Chan, managing director of Taipa Village Destination, told TTG Asia: “Macao’s reputation as one of the safest and most politically stable destinations in the world has become a cornerstone of its tourism strategy. Due to its geopolitical neutrality, it maintains a unique position that feels removed from global power struggles. Another advantage is the effective governance on social, legal and economic aspects.”
This reputation rings especially loud among affluent travellers, who are “increasingly risk-averse regarding their personal safety and the stability of the regions they visit”, observed Chan.
She said: “As high-end travel is increasingly multigenerational, involving children and elderly parents, safety is the non-negotiable priority. Macao’s integrated resorts offer a high level of security, where families can move around with peace of mind. (Safety) is a primary driver for families choosing Macao as their holiday destination.”
Rutger Verschuren, area vice president – Macao & Hengqin, Artyzen Hospitality Group and general manager – Artyzen Grand Lapa Macao, said Macao has “a real competitive advantage, especially in today’s uncertain global environment”.
He noted that “families and couples, as well as corporate travellers, place safety high on their list of requirements when choosing a holiday or meeting destination”.
Verschuren said the perception of safety drives better tourism earnings.
“That sense of ease encourages deeper exploration, longer stays to discover more, and return visits, often with family or friends,” he explained.
Bruno Simões, managing director of DOC DMC Macao & Hong Kong, remarked: “China is exceptionally safe, and Macao – being so compact – feels even more secure.”
He added that some events that were affected by the Gulf crisis have chosen to relocate to Macao, indicating strong confidence in destination Macao.
The 14th Macao International Travel (Industry) Expo (MITE) kicks off today (April 10) at the Venetian Macao. Held under the theme, Global Convergence, Future Horizons, the annual event demonstrates its international influence with participation from more than 700 tourism-related enterprises and governmental entities from 59 countries and regions as well as over 600 hosted buyers from around the world.
Supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Macao, MITE 2026 is organised by the Macao Government Tourism Office and coordinated by Macau Travel Agency Association.
The event this year welcomes both travel industry professionals and the public. The programme comprises more than 130 themed sessions, such as destination presentations, industry forums, and performances.
Public visitors will discover special travel offers prepared exclusively for MITE 2026, covering hotel accommodation, travel packages, air tickets and more. Purchases will come in handy for the upcoming Labour Day and summer holidays.
The Thai government has introduced a strategic tourism policy to shift the sector from volume metrics towards higher-value yields, in a policy statement delivered by prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul to the Thai parliament on Thursday.
The framework mandates structural integration of national tourism functions under the Ministry of Culture to leverage cultural diplomacy on the global stage, alongside the use of modern technology to improve management efficiency and support tourism development.
Another key element is the development of Thailand as a 365-day destination.
By delivering travel experiences that create “lasting impressions and cherished memories”, paired with enhanced safety standards, Thailand aims to build on its strengths in wellness tourism to generate consistent year-round demand.
Officials said the objective of this year-round model is to deliver secure travel experiences “to ensure (visitors) return to Thailand as if it were their ‘second home’”.
For the local travel trade, the policy calls for deeper integration of domestic supply chains. The government is directing hospitality providers to incorporate local agricultural goods and spa products into the visitor experience. This sourcing model is intended to distribute economic benefits to rural producers while standardising sustainable operations across the sector.
At the same time, the administration is prioritising infrastructure to support international exhibitions and major conventions, as well as “world-class recreational activities” such as concerts and sports events. New zones will be developed to attract long-stay remote workers, particularly in high-demand sectors within Thailand.
Authorities will also focus on developing and promoting destinations where local communities benefit directly and contribute to sustainable preservation.
To stimulate the domestic market, travel within Thailand will be supported through tax incentives and travel benefits to Hidden Gems cities, along with the development of products linked to Geographical Indications through collaboration between the private sector and local communities.
The policy also requires stricter enforcement of destination safety regulations.
A new mandatory visitor insurance system covering health and accidents will be introduced, alongside international certification standards for tourist venues and personnel.
The new administration is set to assume full executive authority following the conclusion of a mandatory two-day parliamentary policy debate on Friday, ending a two-month transition period since the February 8 election.
