Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) have strengthened their leadership in Asia-Pacific with a dual-role sales structure to support the brands’ growth in the region.
Lisa Pile, vice president and general manager for RSSC in Asia-Pacific, now also oversees Oceania Cruises in the region. Pile has worked with RSSC since 2016 and brings extensive experience across Asia’s luxury travel markets, having lived and worked in Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, Bangkok, and Singapore.
From left: Lisa Pile and Constance Seck
Constance Seck returns as director of sales, Southeast Asia, for both Oceania Cruises and RSSC. Based in Singapore, Seck has over 20 years of experience in luxury travel markets, including senior roles in hotels, consortia management, and travel agencies.
James Sitters remains director of sales, Australia and New Zealand, for Oceania Cruises.
Pile will be supported by three regional leaders: Seck for South-east Asia, Holly Kong for North Asia (excluding Japan), and Toshi Kurihara for Japan. Kong has more than seven years with the company, while Kurihara has led sales in Japan since 2023.
Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) has appointed two senior executives to expanded leadership roles.
Steve Ayalo has been promoted to vice president, IT governance, risk & compliance, and Matthew Lloyd to vice president, marketing technology & CRM.
From left: Steve Ayalo and Matthew Lloyd
Ayalo, who joined GHA in 2015, has led the development of the company’s cybersecurity and compliance frameworks, including the cybersecurity operations centre, threat intelligence services, and governance around emerging technologies such as AI. In his new role, he will oversee ISO certification, enterprise IT strategy, information security risk management, and regulatory compliance across all business units.
Lloyd joined GHA in 2018, bringing 10 years of prior travel industry experience with Hilton and Southwest Airlines. He has led global CRM initiatives, digital innovation, and customer data platform rollouts. He will take on broader responsibilities, shaping departmental culture, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and mentoring emerging talent to enhance GHA’s marketing capabilities.
The Malaysian state of Pahang held its first-ever tourism roadshow in India, with events in New Delhi on September 24 and Chennai on September 26. The initiative aimed to promote Pahang’s diverse destinations and experiences beyond the popular Genting Highlands among Indian travellers.
“Nearly 60 per cent of Indian travellers visiting Malaysia include Genting Highlands in their itineraries. With these roadshows, we want to introduce other experiences in Pahang to Indian visitors, from our beaches and islands to rainforests and heritage towns,” said Leong Yu Man, chairman, Pahang State Committee on Unity, Tourism and Culture while speaking to TTG Asia in New Delhi.
Leong shared that the roadshows aim to draw Indian travellers beyond Genting Highlands to explore Pahang’s beaches, islands, and rainforests; photo by Rohit Kaul
Pahang is looking to promote other highlands like Cameron, beaches like Cherating, Fraser’s Hill and Tioman Island in the Indian market.
“For Indian travellers who love sunshine, beautiful beaches and activities like diving, snorkelling and trekking, Tioman is the perfect place. Indian travellers can also explore the ancient rainforests of Taman Negara when visiting Pahang,” she added.
Apart from officials from the government of Pahang, 12 suppliers from the state including travel agents and hoteliers participated in the roadshows. Pahang received around 53,000 Indian overnight visitors last year.
She noted: “These numbers don’t include Indian travellers who are visiting Pahang for a day trip and going back to Kuala Lumpur. So, this makes the real figure for Indian travellers that come to Pahang much higher.”
Pahang Tourism is also looking to shortly organise a familiarisation trip for travel agents and media representatives as part of its marketing initiatives in India.
The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, in partnership with the Philippine Department of Tourism Korea, hosted a familiarisation trip from August 17 to 23, 2025, highlighting Palawan and Cebu to strengthen tourism ties with South Korea.
Nine Korean travel agents participated in the trip, visiting attractions and experiences across the two destinations. Delegates explored the UNESCO-listed Puerto Princesa Underground River, went island-hopping in Honda Bay, and visited resorts, eco-tourism sites, and cultural landmarks. The tour concluded in Cebu, showcasing the city’s heritage and culinary offerings.
Travel agents from South Korea explore Palawan and Cebu, experiencing the Philippines’ beaches and cultural sites first-hand
According to the Department of Tourism’s latest data, South Korea remains one of the Philippines’ top source markets for international arrivals, with 903,751 inbound tourists recorded as of September 1, 2025. Initiatives such as this familiarisation trip aim to strengthen partnerships with Korean travel agents and position the Philippines as a destination for leisure and cultural experiences.
The tour was supported by partner hotels and resorts including The Funny Lion, Astoria Palawan, Four Points by Sheraton Palawan Puerto Princesa, Hue Hotel and Resorts, Microtel by Wyndham Puerto Princesa, Best Western Plus The Ivywall Hotel, and Cowrie Island Resort.
“We are hopeful that by showcasing the Philippines’ unique destinations to our valued partners in South Korea, we can inspire more Koreans to visit our shores,” said TPB chief operating officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles. “Palawan and Cebu embody the warmth, beauty, and cultural richness of our country, and we look forward to welcoming even more travellers to experience this first-hand.”
“This trip gave us a deeper appreciation of the Philippines as a destination,” said Nam Eun Young of JP World. “Palawan’s natural beauty and Cebu’s cultural energy provide an ideal experience that will appeal to Korean travellers. We are excited to create new tour products to promote these destinations to our market.”
Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) has opened its Australian Taiwan Tourism Information Centre (TTIC) in Sydney as travel from Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) to Taiwan rises.
Visitor numbers increased by more than 26 per cent in the past year and are expected to grow a further 16 per cent in 2025, with 150,000 ANZ visitors anticipated. More than 60 per cent of travellers visit Taiwan for leisure.
The new centre provides travel advice and information on Taiwan’s attractions for Australian and New Zealand visitors
The centre, located at 22 Market Street in Sydney’s CBD, provides information on Taiwan’s attractions, travel advice, cultural displays, and planning assistance. Taiwan offers hot springs, mountain trails, Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, Alishan forests, temples, night markets, and culinary experiences recognised by the Michelin Guide Taiwan 2025.
Major events in 2025-26 include the Taiwan Lantern Festival, East Coast Land Art Festival, Moonlight Sea Concerts, cycling and birdwatching festivals, the Hot Spring and Fine-Cuisine Carnival, New Taipei Christmasland, Taipei 101 Countdown, and international marathons.
TTA will also launch campaigns in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Auckland, and participate in trade events such as TADA Sydney and Total Holiday Options. Direct flights to Taiwan are available via China Airlines, EVA Air, and Air New Zealand, with additional connections through Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong.
TTA deputy director general Shih-fang Huang said: “Australian travellers are adventurous and discerning, seeking meaningful cultural encounters and authentic nature experiences, and Taiwan has it all. With the opening of our new TTIC Sydney office, we’re making it easier for Australians to discover Taiwan’s beauty, flavours and culture, while strengthening our partnerships here and underscoring our commitment to the country.”
Marriott International has signed an agreement with HTL Gateway to open AC Hotels by Marriott Ulaanbaatar, marking the company’s entry into Mongolia. The hotel is expected to open in 2027 and will offer spaces for business and leisure travellers.
The property is planned as part of a mixed-use development in the Khan Uul District of Ulaanbaatar, located along Buyant-Ukhaa Road with access to the CBD, Sukhbaatar Square, and Chinggis Khaan International Airport. It is near the Buyant Ukhaa Sport Palace, AIC Steppe Arena, and Yaarmag’s commercial and residential hub.
The AC Hotel by Marriott Ulaanbaatar will be part of a mixed-use development in the Khan Uul District
The hotel is expected to have 190 guestrooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a grab-and-go AC Store, and a lounge and bar. Amenities will include an indoor swimming pool, fitness centre, spa, and dedicated spaces such as an AC Library. Meeting and event facilities are expected to include a junior ballroom, function rooms, and breakout spaces.
Mongolia welcomed more than 800,000 international visitors in 2024, a record for the country. The hotel is expected to contribute to the hospitality sector in Ulaanbaatar and provide services for travellers.
“We are excited to expand Marriott International’s portfolio into Mongolia, a country that is emerging as both a dynamic business hub and a distinctive leisure destination,” said Duke Nam, regional vice president for South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines, Marriott International. “This signed agreement reflects our confidence in Mongolia’s long-term tourism potential and underscores our commitment to bringing diverse hospitality experiences to this growing market.”
Erkhes Battuul, founder and project leader of HTL Gateway, added: “The Mongolian government has placed strong emphasis on the tourism sector and is undertaking many initiatives to expand the country’s presence in international markets. Together with Marriott, we are confident that this signing will set new standards and open an exciting new chapter in Mongolia’s hospitality industry.”
MGallery hotels across Asia will mark European Heritage Days this September with cultural programmes that highlight local traditions and stories. Activities include wooden stamp-making in Vietnam, heritage quests in Laos, island practices in the Philippines and cultural showcases in Thailand.
European Heritage Days, held each year to invite the public to discover art, architecture and history through events at significant sites, are marked by MGallery hotels in Asia with activities that open their doors to communities and guests, linking the past with the present and sharing cultural traditions across the region.
Guests at Hôtel de la Coupole in Sapa, pictured, explore heritage through wooden stamp-making and traditional H’Mong Batik art
In Laos, 3 Nagas Luang Prabang – MGallery Collection, located within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will offer activities such as Sketching the Past, using the hotel’s façade as a canvas, and the Hidden History Quest, which traces its past as a royal ice cream parlour and meeting place for the court. Guests can wear traditional Lao attire and end the visit with the return of the hotel’s ice cream.
At Hôtel de la Coupole – MGallery Collection in Sapa, Vietnam, a Stamp Rally Tour highlights the work of Phuc Loi Stamp, one of the country’s last wooden stamp makers. Guests collect handcrafted stamps while exploring the property, view an exhibition by H’Mong Batik artist Ha Phuong, and join a talk with both artisans before leaving with a carved stamp set.
Hôtel des Arts Saigon – MGallery Collection in Ho Chi Minh City will present Pigment in Bloom with Lotus Gallery, an exhibition focusing on gouache, a medium central to Vietnamese art in the early 20th century. The works will be displayed in the hotel’s Café des Beaux-Arts.
In the Philippines, South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao – MGallery Collection will host Waves of Heritage, where storytellers and artisans demonstrate traditional fishing, crafts and sustainable practices. The programme connects visitors with the local community and the rhythms of island life.
In Phuket, Avista Hideaway Patong Phuket – MGallery Collection will hold Heritage Day – Ode to Thai Culture on September 19. The event includes lotus-folding, gong rituals, Thai dance, fire performances, calligraphy, garland making and traditional snacks.
Tourism Expo Japan 2025, Japan’s largest B2B travel event and public travel festival, has opened for the first time in Aichi Prefecture, near Nagoya.
Organised by the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and the Japan Travel and Tourism Association, the exposition this year particularly aims to promote greater tourism dispersal to regions through destination diversification and to stimulate the outbound market, which has recovered to only 70 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.
Japan’s largest travel trade and consumer event highlights regional dispersal and global market growth; photo by Kathryn Wortley
Under the theme of Travel for discovery and new encounters, the event will “provide visitors with the opportunity to rediscover the wonder and appeal of travel”, said JATA chairman Hiroyuki Takahashi.
JNTO president Atsumi Gamo expressed gratitude to tourism stakeholders for enabling Japan’s visitor arrivals to reach a record high of 36.87 million in 2024 but noted that “channelling this inbound tourism power toward regional revitalisation requires more focus on attracting visitors to local regions”.
To support this goal, JNTO will conduct familiarisation trips for 250 travel and MICE agents from Asia, Europe and North America across 12 courses in the Chubu and Hokuriku regions of central Japan over September 27-30.
Takashi Ando, chairman of Aichi Prefectural Tourism Association, said he hoped hosting would help position Aichi not only as an industry hub but also as a destination known for its diverse tourism offerings, from food culture and cuisine to history and nature.
Tourism Expo Japan 2026 will be held at Tokyo Big Sight from September 24 to 27 next year. When held at the same venue in 2024, the event attracted 182,934 attendees and 1,284 companies and organisations.
Ascott has reached a milestone as its Citadines portfolio surpasses 200 properties globally – the upper-midscale brand now comprises 205 properties and around 35,000 units, with more than 60 per cent operational.
Since a brand refresh three years ago, Ascott has signed over 50 new properties totalling about 8,000 units, including conversions, bringing Citadines to 18 new cities such as Colmar, Hobart, Liverpool, Surabaya, Phu Quoc, Udupi, Tangier, Marrakech and Kuwait, while expanding in major Chinese hubs including Changshu, Dalian, Foshan, Guilin, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Tianjin and Zhuhai.
Citadines Hongkou Plaza Shanghai is set to open in 2H2026 under a franchise agreement, bringing the total number of Citadines properties in the tier-one Chinese city to around 10
Conversions have been a major driver, accounting for 61 per cent of new openings in the first seven months of 2025. Citadines Antasari Jakarta opened three weeks after conversion, while Citadines City Centre Liverpool completed its transformation in around three months. The brand currently has 15 franchised properties, including key Chinese locations such as Shenzhen, Shanghai, Wuxi and Xi’an, with Citadines Universiade Centre Longgang Shenzhen set to open in November 2025.
Citadines Almaz Casablanca, the brand’s first property in Morocco, opened in early 2025 following a late-2024 franchise agreement.
Citadines’ growth aligns with trends in the upper-midscale segment, valued at US $115.2 billion in 2024 and projected to grow at 6.8 per cent CAGR through 2033, driven by rising incomes and demand for value-driven accommodation.
Since 2004, Ascott has transformed Citadines from a Europe-centric chain into a global platform, with 70 per cent of properties in Asia-Pacific, 20 per cent in Europe and a growing presence in the Middle East, Africa and Turkey. The brand combines apartment-style space with hotel conveniences and curated local experiences and is expanding into resorts, including Citadines Selavia Phu Quoc in Vietnam (2027) and Citadines Mactan Cebu Resort in the Philippines (2028).
The activ∞ programme continues to deliver experiences across 23 countries, from city runs and cycling tours to yoga and cultural activities, while upcoming openings until the end of 2026 include Citadines on the Pier Hobart, Citadines Vue Aston Phnom Penh, Citadines Paragon Davao, Citadines Hongkou Plaza Shanghai, Citadines Huadu Guangzhou, Citadines Connect West Surabaya and Citadines Racine Casablanca.
Serena Lim, chief growth officer of Ascott, stated that Citadines stands out for its built-in versatility, enabled by Ascott’s flex-hybrid model.
She added: “Our franchise model is conversion-friendly and operationally efficient, helping partners enter the market faster with lower complexity. As more owners seek trusted partners and high-performing midscale brands, franchise-led growth will become a key driver of Citadines’ continued global expansion.”
Preferred Hotels & Resorts has unveiled its first private jet journey, Legendary Journeys – The Ultimate Private Jet Experience, in partnership with Bucketlist Xperiences.
The 17-night itinerary, running from October 6 to 23, 2026, takes guests to Singapore, India, Rwanda, Kenya, Greece, Morocco and London. Travellers will stay at luxury properties, including four members of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ Legend Collection, while experiencing curated excursions, wildlife encounters, and cultural events.
Travellers can explore seven countries in 17 nights, combining luxury stays with curated cultural and wildlife experiences on Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ first private jet journey
The journey begins aboard a private VIP airliner with lie-flat leather seating, gourmet meals, curated wines and spirits, and a 17-member service team. Enhancements include private transfers, VIP airport access, luggage concierge, personalised gifts and amenities, and a professional photographer and videographer to capture highlights. Participants will also receive I Prefer Hotel Rewards Titanium Status and a million points, equivalent to over 10 complimentary nights at more than 650 participating properties.
In Singapore, guests will stay two nights at The Fullerton Bay Hotel, enjoying sunset cocktails on the rooftop and a welcome celebration on Marina Bay. In Jaipur, India, the itinerary includes three nights at a Legend Collection property with VIP excursions to the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort and City Palace, culminating in a Royal Wedding Celebration.
In Kigali, Rwanda, guests at the Movenpick Kigali will take a helicopter flight over the Virunga Mountains, trek in Volcanoes National Park and meet conservation leaders from the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund. The Kenyan leg includes three nights at andBeyond Suyian Lodge or Angama Mara, featuring game drives, sunrise hot-air balloon safaris and dinners beneath the stars.
In Santorini, Greece, travellers will stay at Andronis Luxury Suites, with private plunge pools and caldera views, enjoying sunset sailing and wine tastings. In Marrakech, Morocco, the journey continues with a stay at the Mandarin Oriental, including medina visits, mountain excursions, and dining under desert skies. The experience concludes with one night at The Londoner, where guests will tour city landmarks and enjoy the hotel’s spa and rooftop terrace.
Seats are limited to 29 couples, with single occupancy available on request. Pricing begins at US$133,500 per person based on double occupancy.
Lindsey Ueberroth, CEO of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, said: “Our mission has always been to connect travellers with the world’s most remarkable independent hotels and destinations in ways that are both unforgettable and transformative… the Legendary Journeys experience delivers rare adventures with personalised service, crafted to feel effortless, memorable and truly legacy-defining.”
“Together, we are curating an experience that transcends traditional travel, blending private jet journeys with independent luxury hospitality at the world’s most extraordinary destinations,” added Jordan Kaplan, president of Bucketlist Xperiences.
