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Asia/Singapore Thursday, 13th August 2026
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New hotels: Jen Hangzhou by Shangri-La, The Aarlis Hotel Panchkula and more

By TTG Asia
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Jen Hangzhou by Shangri-La

Jen Hangzhou by Shangri-La, China
Jen Hangzhou by Shangri-La has opened in Gongshu District within Hangzhou Kerry Plaza, on the former site of the historic Hangzhou Oxygen Plant.

The hotel offers 176 guestrooms and suites, with Deluxe Rooms and above featuring double bathtubs, while all suites include private outdoor terraces. Facilities include an all-day dining restaurant, 24-hour fitness centre, indoor heated swimming pool, spa and more than 330m² of meeting and event space.

The property is directly connected to Hangyang Station on Metro Line 5 and is close to the Grand Canal, Qiaoxi Historic District, West Lake and the Wulin Star Expo Center, providing convenient access to Hangzhou’s cultural, commercial and business districts.

The Aarlis Hotel Panchkula

The Aarlis Hotel Panchkula, India
The Aarlis Hotel Panchkula has joined Vignette Collection as the brand’s first property in India and South West Asia.

Set against the Shivalik Hills in the Chandigarh Tricity region, the 145-room hotel offers contemporary guestrooms and suites with smart-room technology. Facilities include five dining venues, a spa, salon, fitness centre, swimming pool and around 2,790m² of meeting and event space, including the Aura Grand Ballroom.

The property provides convenient access to Morni Hills, Sukhna Lake, the Rock Garden and Chandigarh Capitol Complex, making it suitable for both business and leisure travellers.

Banyan Tree Mount Emei

Banyan Tree Mount Emei, China
Set in the foothills of Mount Emei in China’s Sichuan Province, Banyan Tree Mount Emei offers 130 rooms and villas overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mount Emei Scenic Area.

Accommodation ranges from Mountain View Rooms to one- and two-bedroom Lakeside Villas and a Presidential Villa, with every room featuring a private outdoor hot spring pool.

Facilities include Banyan Tree Spa, a temperature-controlled swimming pool, fitness centre, yoga studio, children’s club and three dining venues serving Sichuan, Cantonese and international cuisine. The resort also offers more than 1,200m² of indoor and outdoor event space.

Banyan Tree Mount Emei is a five-minute drive from Emeishan High-Speed Railway Station and around two minutes from the entrance to the Mount Emei Scenic Area.

NHAAN Resort & Spa Hoi An, Tapestry Collection by Hilton

NHAAN Resort & Spa Hoi An, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Vietnam
NHAAN Resort & Spa Hoi An, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, brings 174 rooms and suites to Cam Thanh village along the Co Co River, marking the brand’s debut in Vietnam.

The resort offers guestrooms and suites with garden or river views, while selected accommodation features private balconies or direct pool access. Facilities include four dining venues, an outdoor infinity pool, spa, 24-hour fitness centre, yoga deck, children’s club and a 200m² ballroom with two meeting rooms.

Located near Hoi An Ancient Town, the property also provides easy access to Cua Dai Beach and the Cam Thanh Nipa Forest. Guests can take part in local cultural experiences, including pottery, woodcarving and lantern-making workshops, as well as cycling tours around the surrounding countryside.

Tourism Australia unveils 10-year strategy to lift high-yield visitor spending

By TTG Asia
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Tourism Australia has released its Tourism 2035 strategy, setting out a 10-year plan to strengthen Australia’s competitiveness and grow international demand.

The strategy aims to increase overnight spending by high-yield international travellers to between A$61 billion (US$39.7 billion) and A$69 billion by 2035, supporting the continued growth of Australia’s tourism sector.

Tourism Australia’s new Tourism 2035 strategy identifies nature-based experiences as a key driver of future international visitor demand; Twelve Apostles on Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, pictured

Over the next three years, Tourism Australia will focus on four priorities: adapting marketing for AI-driven search and discovery, promoting Australia’s breadth of experiences, leveraging major international events such as the Olympics, and positioning Australia as a destination for nature-based luxury travel.

The strategy also identifies 10 global trends expected to shape tourism over the next decade, including stronger competition for high-yield travellers, growing demand from Asian markets, evolving booking behaviour, the impact of geopolitical and climate uncertainty, and increasing interest in sustainable and nature-based travel.

According to the latest figures, international visitors generated A$57 billion in overnight spending over the past year, with A$33 billion attributed to high-yield travellers targeted through Tourism Australia’s marketing. International tourism also supports more than 360,000 tourism businesses and over 720,000 jobs across Australia.

Robin Mack, managing director, Tourism Australia, said: “This strategy sets an ambitious course to create and convert demand into high-value visitation to Australia by addressing factors influencing traveller choice, through harnessing technology and fostering partnerships and collaboration across the tourism sector.

“Our vision is for Australia to be the first destination every traveller dreams of, and the one they ultimately choose.”

Robert Dougan, executive general manager, strategy and culture, Tourism Australia, added:

“Tourism Australia’s efforts will be squarely focused on creating and converting demand for travel to Australia by positioning our destination offering in the best way possible. Tourism 2035 provides our industry with insight on what to be prepared for and where the opportunities lie.”

Millennium Hotels launches children’s loyalty programme

By TTG Asia
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Millennium Hotels and Resorts (MHR) has unveiled MyMillennium Kids, introducing a loyalty programme for children staying with MyMillennium members at participating hotels.

The programme is available to children aged five to 10 staying for a minimum of two consecutive nights and will debut at selected properties across Asia-Pacific before expanding to Europe and the US in 2027.

Children staying at participating Millennium Hotels and Resorts can collect rewards through the new MyMillennium Kids programme

The first participating hotels include Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore, Orchard Hotel Singapore, M Hotel Singapore City Centre, M Social Resort Penang, M Social Hotel Phuket and M Social Hotel Suzhou.

Children enrolled in the programme will receive an Adventure Passport to collect stickers during eligible stays across participating hotels. Rewards are based on the number of stickers collected and include complimentary desserts, a Muriel the Cow plush toy, room upgrades on a future stay and MyMillennium Kids merchandise.

The programme also includes welcome gifts, a personalised letter from the programme’s mascot, Muriel the Cow, and a Junior Explorer ‘do-not-disturb’ sign that children can decorate.

MHR said the initiative is designed to strengthen its family travel offering as demand for multi-generational and family holidays continues to grow.

Cinn Tan, chief commercial officer, MHR, said: “The launch of MyMillennium Kids strengthens our family travel proposition while deepening engagement with MyMillennium members, creating more reasons for families to choose Millennium Hotels and Resorts across their travel journeys.”

Khiri Travel opens Manila office to expand Philippines operations

By TTG Asia
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Khiri Travel has unveiled a new office in Manila, strengthening its presence in the Philippines less than two years after establishing operations in Cebu.

Located in the heritage district of Escolta, the Manila office is the destination management company’s 20th office in South-east Asia and follows the launch of its Cebu office in September 2024.

Khiri Travel executives and staff mark the opening of the company’s new Manila office

The new office occupies space in the First United Building, formerly the Perez-Samanillo Building, a 1928 art deco landmark that has been refurbished for modern office use.

A blessing ceremony was held on July 28, attended by Khiri Travel executives, including CEO and founder Willem Niemeijer, YAANA Ventures chief financial officer Mark Remijan and Khiri Travel Philippines general manager Nadi Win.

The company said the new office will strengthen support for travel partners and operations across Manila and the wider Luzon region, with a focus on cultural, heritage, culinary and nature-based experiences.

According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, tourism contributed 2.35 trillion pesos (US$40.8 billion) to the economy in 2024. The sector accounted for 8.1 per cent of GDP in 2025, while international arrivals reached 5.94 million in 2025, compared with 8.26 million in 2019.

Nadi Win, general manager, Khiri Travel Philippines, said: “With our stronger presence in the capital, we will be able to better support our partners and travellers, strengthen coordination with hotels, guides and transport providers.”

Richard Ludwig, vice president – commercial, Khiri Travel, added: “By investing in our local team and presence, we can give our partners the confidence and support they need to grow their business here.”

NOL World adds accommodation bookings for South Korea travellers

By TTG Asia
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NOL World has expanded its inbound travel platform with the launch of an accommodation booking service for international travellers visiting South Korea.

The new service gives users access to more than 15,000 properties across the country, allowing them to book accommodation alongside K-pop concert tickets, tours, activities and transport through a single platform.

NOL World has expanded its inbound travel platform with accommodation bookings across more than 15,000 properties in South Korea; photo by NOL World

Accommodation options include luxury hotels, business hotels, resorts and local stays. The platform also features reviews from Korean users translated into multiple languages, including English, Chinese and Japanese.

Targeting the growing K-pop travel market, the platform enables users to search for accommodation near major concert venues, including Goyang Stadium, Inspire Arena, KSPO Dome and Sajik Stadium.

To mark the launch, customers who complete an accommodation booking during the campaign will receive a 10 per cent discount voucher for tours and activities in South Korea.

The company said it plans to further expand its travel ecosystem by integrating accommodation, entertainment and destination experiences.

Thomas Lee, CEO, NOL Universe, said: “NOL World is dedicated to expanding hyper-localised travel services that make visiting South Korea as effortless and convenient as possible for global travellers. By bringing together trusted accommodation, concerts, and a wide range of travel experiences on a single platform, we aim to become the go-to travel platform for visitors – from the moment they start planning their trip to South Korea until the day they return home.”

Sun Siyam Vilu Reef links guest stays with reef restoration

By TTG Asia
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Sun Siyam Vilu Reef has launched an Adopt-a-Coral programme that allows guests to take part in reef restoration during their stay in the Maldives.

Introduced on World Nature Conservation Day on July 28, the initiative supports coral restoration in the South Nilandhe Atoll as part of the resort’s Sun Siyam Cares sustainability programme.

Guests at Sun Siyam Vilu Reef can help restore coral reefs by attaching live coral fragments to nursery frames under the guidance of the resort’s marine team

Guests work alongside the resort’s marine team to attach live coral fragments to nursery frames, which are then placed in designated lagoon nursery areas to encourage reef regeneration and create habitats for marine life.

The programme was launched with a symbolic coral frame planting ceremony and guest activities. Participants will continue to receive updates after returning home, allowing them to follow the progress of the coral they helped plant.

The initiative forms part of the resort’s long-term environmental strategy, combining guest participation with marine conservation. Sun Siyam Vilu Reef’s house reef is home to a range of coral species, tropical fish and sea turtles.

Masdhooq Saeed, cluster general manager, Sun Siyam Vilu Reef, said: “Our reef is the heart of our island, and protecting it is a responsibility we proudly share with every guest who visits us.

“By giving our guests the opportunity to plant coral, we offer them a meaningful way to leave our sanctuary even better than when they arrived. It is a genuine privilege to empower our visitors to play a direct role in building a more resilient ecosystem while forging a lifelong bond with the Maldives.”

Ancient Dunhuang makes South-east Asia debut in Singapore

By TTG Asia
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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

By Anne Somanas
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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

By Rohit Kaul
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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

By TTG Asia
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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.”

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Sister Publications
TTG Asia TTGmice TTG India TTGassociations TTG Asia Luxury
TTG Asia | W Macau – Studio City names new GM
TTG Asia | Pullman Kuching enters final stretch of hotel revamp
TTG Asia | ITE HCMC 2026 set for biggest edition in 20-year history