Sarawak boosts ecotourism with new geopark packages ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026

December 2, 2025

Sarawak has strengthened its ecotourism appeal with the launch of the Sarawak Delta Geopark Tourism Packages Volume 2, ahead of Malaysia’s year-long Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026) campaign.

The new package reflects a strategic partnership between Tourism Malaysia and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Sarawak, in line with VM2026’s vision to promote sustainable and cultural tourism. It also positions Sarawak as a business events destination and enhances Malaysia’s reputation as a world-class, responsible travel destination.

Lee: these experiences capture precisely what modern travellers are looking for: authenticity, sustainability, and compelling storytelling

Speaking at the launch, Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (Promotion II) Samuel Lee Thai Hung said the new edition reflects a shared commitment to advancing Sarawak’s unique tourism narrative.

The Sarawak Delta Geopark spans 3,112km² across Kuching, Bau and Padawan, featuring landscapes shaped over millions of years. Sarawak aims to achieve UNESCO Global Geopark status in 2026, joining Langkawi and Kinabalu.

Lee said: “We look forward to the day when Sarawak joins the global network of UNESCO Global Geoparks, proudly representing Malaysia on the world stage.”

Volume 2 introduces 42 curated packages from 13 travel agencies, offering experiences that range from guided trails through ancient rock formations and fossil sites to firefly-lit mangrove cruises and cultural encounters in Malay, Bidayuh and Chinese villages. Hands-on activities showcasing Sarawak’s hospitality are also included.

Destinations featured in the packages include Sarawak Cultural Village and Bako National Park in Kuching; Wind and Fairy Cave Nature Reserve and Paku Rock Maze in Bau; and Annah Rais Homestay and Semadang River Kayak in Padawan.

“These experiences capture precisely what modern travellers are looking for: authenticity, sustainability, and compelling storytelling,” Lee shared.

He added that the initiative reinforces Malaysia’s appeal to travellers seeking meaningful and transformative journeys. Lee emphasised that Tourism Malaysia is committed to supporting Sarawak through strategic marketing and collaborations with airlines, travel agents, and state partners, highlighting that such efforts are crucial as the country prepares for VM2026.

Juspay, Sabre Direct Pay to transform travel payments globally

By TTG Asia

December 2, 2025

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Juspay, a global payments technology company serving enterprises and banks, and Sabre Direct Pay, a division of Sabre Corporation, have teamed up in a strategic global agreement to transform payments for travel businesses and their customers.

The collaboration combines Juspay’s payment orchestration technology with Sabre’s network at a pivotal time, with online bookings projected to reach US$1.2 trillion by 2026, accounting for nearly 65 per cent of all travel transactions.

The collaboration combines payment orchestration technology with Sabre’s network to enhance security, efficiency, and customer experience for travel merchants worldwide

Together, Juspay and Sabre aim to strengthen payment flows, enabling travel merchants to streamline operations, optimise transaction routing, and provide seamless, secure payment experiences.

The partnership will offer sector-specific capabilities, including access to local payment methods, faster go-to-market enablement, optimised cross-border payments, intelligent promotion engines, and streamlined reconciliation across multiple sources. Juspay will also integrate its tokenisation solution with Sabre Direct Pay to process transactions without handling sensitive card data, enhancing both security and efficiency.

Commenting on the agreement, Sheetal Lalwani, co-founder and COO at Juspay, said: “As digital payments evolve, travellers expect fast, secure, and seamless checkout experiences. By partnering with Sabre Direct Pay, we aim to bring smart, scalable payment solutions to the global travel ecosystem, helping businesses unlock new opportunities and deliver superior experiences worldwide.”

Patricio Boccardo, managing director at Sabre Payments, added: “Travel payments are the backbone of the entire travel ecosystem. Our agreement with Juspay is an important step in delivering sector-specific orchestration solutions that address the complexities travel companies face every day, from local payment methods and regulatory compliance to multi-currency settlements and instant, secure transactions. We’re building critical infrastructure that empowers agencies, airlines, and suppliers to operate more efficiently and confidently in every market.”

Lego holiday cheer returns to Legoland Malaysia

By TTG Asia

December 2, 2025

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Legoland Malaysia Resort has launched its festive season with the unveiling of a new Lego Holiday Tree, built from over 315,000 bricks and requiring more than 1,800 hours of assembly.

The tree debuted during the Brick-tacular Holidays Launch 2025, which included a Light Up with Love ceremony attended by over 50 children from Pusat Kebajikan Kalvari Johor and Children’s Wishing Well (Singapore).

Families can enjoy immersive shows, creative Lego workshops, and heartwarming holiday activities until January 11 next year; photo by Legoland Malaysia Resort

Running until January 11, 2026, this year’s Brick-tacular Holidays transforms the resort into a vibrant festive wonderland. Visitors can enjoy interactive Lego build activities, live entertainment, and meet-and-greets with popular Lego holiday characters.

The seasonal programme features a range of shows and performances, including the whimsical Jolly Gingerbread Jam, the musical Brick Beat Brigade, and the Merry Lego Musical culminating in the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

From December 20, the Brick-tacular Spectacular will showcase festive bagpipe performances with transforming costumes, while the Brick-mas Parade from December 25 to 28 brings Lego Santa and his entourage to Lego City. At Sea Life Malaysia, guests can explore an underwater Christmas adventure during the Merry Fish-mas event.

Families can also participate in creative hands-on activities such as Build an Ornament, the Jolly Minifigure Exchange, and The Brick-mas Workshop, which encourage personalised creations and festive fun.

As part of Lego Group’s global Build to Give initiative, guests are invited to create Lego hearts and share them online using #BuildtoGive. For each heart shared, Lego will donate a set to a child in need through its global charity network. Children from participating organisations joined guests at the launch to contribute to this initiative, highlighting the season’s spirit of giving.

Visitors can also take part in the Daily Advent Calendar Draw, with purchases of 150 ringgit (US$38) or more at resort outlets giving a chance to win prizes up to 50,000 ringgit.

Early online bookings receive a 20 per cent discount on one-day tickets, while an annual pass offers unlimited visits in 2026 along with exclusive in-park benefits and discounts.

With its festive shows, workshops, interactive experiences, and charitable initiatives, Brick-tacular Holidays at Legoland Malaysia Resort offers a season of creativity, community, and memorable family moments.

For more information, visit Legoland Malaysia Resort.

TFE Hotels appoints new leadership team in Melbourne

By TTG Asia

December 2, 2025

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TFE Hotels has appointed Grant Fleet, Michael Gibson, and Angelo Di Marco to key leadership roles in its Victorian operations team, reinforcing its focus on operational excellence and guest experience across its Melbourne portfolio.

Fleet joins Rendezvous Melbourne as hotel general manager. He brings more than 15 years of hospitality leadership, including senior roles at Yarra Valley Lodge, Mercure Resort Great Keppel Island, Towers of Chevron Renaissance, and several Rydges properties. He will oversee the hotel’s 340 guestrooms, event spaces, and dining venues.

From left: Grant Fleet, Michael Gibson and Angelo Di Marco

Gibson has been named general manager at Quincy Melbourne, with over 20 years of hospitality leadership across Accor, Ultiqa, Marriott, and Mantra Group.

Angelo Di Marco joins Travelodge Hotel Melbourne Docklands as hotel general manager, bringing more than a decade of experience, including his previous role as general manager at Rendezvous Hotel Perth Central and a secondment at Adina Apartment Hotel Britomart in New Zealand.

Wong Hong takes helm as director general of AAPA

By TTG Asia

December 2, 2025

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The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) has appointed Wong Hong as director general, effective April 1, 2026, following the decision of current director general Subhas Menon to step down after leading the Association since 2020.

Wong brings over 22 years of international aviation experience, having held senior roles in network planning, revenue management and sales at Singapore Airlines and Delta Air Lines. He most recently served as Delta Air Lines’ president – China, based in Shanghai, leading growth in the Chinese market through a partnership with China Eastern Airlines.

Reporting to the executive committee and the AAPA Assembly of Presidents, Wong will represent the interests of member airlines on aviation policy issues and work closely with industry stakeholders.

Hannah St Hotel expands leadership team ahead of opening

By TTG Asia

December 2, 2025

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Hannah St Hotel has made three senior executive appointments ahead of its opening later this month in Melbourne’s arts precinct.

Lindsay Guy joins as executive assistant manager, bringing extensive experience in guest experience and operational leadership. He has held senior roles at Crown Resorts, Accor Hotels, Ennismore Group, and Marriott International, including at the Hyde Melbourne Place, Pullman Melbourne City Centre, Sheraton Melbourne, Crown Metropol, and W Melbourne.

From left: Lindsay Guy, Bernard Glaude and Sergio Morales

Bernard Glaude has been appointed food & beverage manager, bringing 20 years of international hospitality experience, including Michelin-starred restaurants in New York and consulting on openings with Massimo Bottura and the Gramercy Park Hotel. He will oversee food and beverage operations across the hotel and Queensbridge precinct.

Sergio Morales joins as experience director, responsible for premium concierge services and lifestyle programmes within the mixed-use precinct.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan names new resort manager

By TTG Asia

December 1, 2025

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Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan has appointed Tim Churchmack as resort manager, where he will oversee the property’s operations.

He joins following a series of leadership roles across the Four Seasons portfolio and will focus on operations and guest experience as the resort enters its next phase.

He most recently served as hotel manager in Chicago.

Thailand reshuffles SEA Games venues as flooding disrupts Songkhla

By Anne Somanas

December 1, 2025

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Thailand is accelerating preparations for the 33rd SEA Games from December 9 to 20, 2025, expected to draw over half a million spectators and more than 10,000 foreign athletes, even as severe flooding in the south forces a major reshuffle of competition venues.

Following a high-level meeting on November 27 chaired by Tourism and Sports minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakon, the SEA Games Committee approved the relocation of 10 sports originally assigned to Songkhla to Bangkok.

Atthakorn Sirilatthayakon addresses venue changes for the SEA Games following severe flooding in southern Thailand; photo by Sports Authority of Thailand

Songkhla, one of the three host provinces chosen by Thailand alongside Bangkok and Chonburi, has suffered widespread infrastructure damage due to ongoing floods.

Several competition venues in Hat Yai and Mueang districts were severely affected, rendering Songkhla unable to host its scheduled events in line with required safety standards. Additionally, health concerns were raised by several participating countries of the risk of disease outbreak after the flood.

Atthakorn emphasised that the decision to change the competition venue was made prudently and with due regard for international standards.

“Although Thailand is facing a flood situation, we will not allow any risk to athletes and those involved. This SEA Games must be a safe, beautiful arena, and one that builds confidence among all nations,” said Atthakorn.

Chalitrat Chantarubeksa, deputy secretary-general of the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Thailand, acknowledged that Thailand would need to consider compensating participant countries for flights and accommodation booked in Songkhla.

Events impacted include Muay Thai, men’s football qualifying matches, chess, kabaddi, wushu, pencak silat, judo, petanque, karate, billiards and snooker.

While Bangkok is host to most of the 50-plus SEA Games sports, Chonburi’s coastal cluster – covering Jomtien beach, Bang Lamung, and Sattahip – is the stage for 15 sports such as sailing, jet skiing, open-water swimming, and triathlons.

With Songkhla out of the running, Bangkok will take on the additional host duties, with the sports being reassigned to venues such as Rajamangala National Stadium, Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, Impact Arena, Siam Amazing Park, and a university sports complex.

Chess will be hosted at The Bazaar Hotel Bangkok, whilst wrestling has been relocated to Pacific Park Sriracha in Chonburi.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports announced in July that SEA Games 2025 is targeting more than 500,000 spectators, supported by an estimated budget of 10 trillion baht (US$278 billion) and projected to generate around 17 trillion baht in economic value, alongside the creation of over 14,000 jobs.

As of the end of the June entry-by-number deadline, a total of 12,506 athletes from 11 NOCs were entered, with host nation Thailand fielding 1,807 athletes.

Additionally, Thailand will become the first South-east Asian nation to host a major regional sporting event with carbon neutrality at its core, with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports implementing a Green SEA Games & Sustainable Paralympics concept in partnership with Chulalongkorn University to create an “environmentally friendly and sustainable sports festival”.

Organisers will promote reusable personal water bottles over single-use plastic and encourage vendors to adopt biodegradable or recyclable materials; the event will also prioritise proper waste separation and management to maximise environmental sustainability, noted Pramoj Rangsanwichit, dean of Chulalongkorn University’s College of Petroleum and Petrochemicals, during preparations.

Thailand kicked off the SEA Games 2025 Torch Relay, involving 276 torch bearers and four host provinces – Bangkok, Chonburi, Songkhla and Nakorn Ratchasima – on November 16, with Atthakorn and Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt jointly leading the launch to mark the nationwide countdown to the Games.

The official opening ceremony is scheduled for December 9 at Rajamangala National Stadium.

The 13th ASEAN Para Games, scheduled for January 20-26, 2026 in Nakhon Ratchasima, will follow shortly after, which the Ministry of Tourism and Sports expects to draw over 4,000 participants.

Artotel Group enters into Eastern Indonesia with Myze Hotel Waingapu

By Mimi Hudoyo

December 1, 2025

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Myze Hotel Waingapu, an Artotel Collection, has opened in East Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, marking the Artotel Group’s expansion into Eastern Indonesia.

The property is positioned as a premium accommodation designed for travellers looking to experience the nature and culture of East Sumba.

From left: Myze Hotel Waingapu’s Anndy Bramasto, East Sumba vice regent Yonathan Hani, and Artotel Group’s Daniel Sunu Prasetyo

Located 10 minutes from Umbu Mehang Kunda Airport, the hotel offers access to the regency’s attractions, including Prailiu Traditional Village, Persaudaraan Hill, Walakiri Beach, Tenau Savanna and Warinding Hill.

Eduard Rudolf Pangkerego, COO of Artotel Group, highlighted the hotel’s importance: “Myze Hotel Waingapu is an exotic property for us as it is located in Eastern Indonesia, a region with remarkable tourism potential. This motivates us to advance tourism in (the area) by creating market demand among millennial and Gen Z travellers to vacation here through various activities, from nature exploration to wedding and honeymoon destination, as well as a venue for corporate and government meetings combined with leisure.

“In addition, we aim to promote the hotel internationally, especially to Australia – which is geographically close to Waingapu – and to South-east Asian countries, positioning the regency capital as a new tourism destination beyond Bali and Lombok.”

At the opening ceremony, Yonathan Hani, vice regent of East Sumba, expressed his appreciation to Nahna Maju Bersama, the hotel’s owning company, for developing an upscale property in Waingapu.

Emphasising the broader impact of the hotel on regional development, he shared: “The (opening) of Myze Hotel Waingapu proves that Sumba Island, East Sumba Regency, has the potential for tourism development. Additionally, the presence of this hotel provides a wide opportunity for the local community to learn and work. The hope is that (the hotel) will bring a positive impact on the local community, for this island.”

Acknowledging the government’s commitment to developing the tourism sector by lobbying airlines for increased capacity and participating in trade exhibitions in Europe, Daniel Sunu Prasetyo, director of operations of Artotel Group, was optimistic about the destination’s future.

“What we (as the hotel operator) need to do is to train our staff (more than 80 per cent of whom are local talents) to reach the five-star level of service and create experience programmes to offer to travellers,” he said.

The group’s target is a 65 per cent occupancy rate next year, projecting that 40 per cent will come from business events, with domestic and international tourists each contributing 30 per cent.

To support this growth, the hotel has 127 rooms and villas, an all-day dining restaurant, an executive lounge, a cigar lounge, a pool bar, a gym, a spa and a kids’ club. Its MICE facility is the biggest in East Sumba, with a ballroom for 600 guests and three break-out rooms that can each accommodate 100 guests.

Travellers to prioritise meaning over miles in 2026, says GHA

By TTG Asia

December 1, 2025

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Global Hotel Alliance (GHA) has released insights from its GHA Discovery loyalty programme, which has more than 32 million members worldwide, on travel trends for 2026. Survey results indicate travellers are seeking connection, comfort, and authenticity.

In 2026, journeys are expected to be more personal, with 65% of travellers saying travel expresses their identity and nearly 90% agreeing or remaining neutral overall. Among Gen Z, 50% consider travel more important than career milestones.

Gole: our 2026 study paints a picture of a traveller who’s more thoughtful and values-driven than ever

Leisure travel is also increasing, with travellers planning an average of six personal trips versus four for business. Nearly half expect more leisure travel, while only 12% plan to travel more for work. Gen Z and millennials are driving the shift, and over 40% expect to travel internationally for personal trips, led by China, Thailand, and India.

Curiosity is influencing destination choice, with 62% preferring new locations and 38% revisiting destinations for a deeper experience. Safety, cultural interest, and wellness are key factors, while younger travellers prioritise exploration. Slow-paced and conscious travel is growing, with 60% favouring small cities or rural escapes, while 42% prefer unplanned, restful trips.

Spending is becoming more selective, with 79% focusing on quality upgrades rather than free splurges, and luxury increasingly associated with personalised service, dining, and flexibility. Travel loyalty is evolving from point collection to lifestyle benefits, with travellers valuing room upgrades, early check-in, late check-out, timesaving, exclusive access, and recognition.

Technology is also shaping travel choices, with 60% using AI tools to plan trips, and contactless payments, digital hotel keys, and biometric boarding among the most valued innovations. Asia remains the top region, with Japan the most desired destination at 14%, followed by China at 7% and Thailand at 6%. Inspiration comes primarily from friends and family, followed by social platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

“Our 2026 study paints a picture of a traveller who’s more thoughtful and values-driven than ever,” said Kristi Gole, executive vice president of strategy at GHA. “They are travelling less for work, more for meaning, and choosing experiences that reflect who they are. What’s particularly exciting is how loyalty has evolved; for GHA Discovery members, it’s about lifestyle, recognition, and belonging wherever they go.”

Sarawak boosts ecotourism with new geopark packages ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026

Juspay, Sabre Direct Pay to transform travel payments globally

Lego holiday cheer returns to Legoland Malaysia

TFE Hotels appoints new leadership team in Melbourne

Wong Hong takes helm as director general of AAPA

Hannah St Hotel expands leadership team ahead of opening

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan names new resort manager

Thailand reshuffles SEA Games venues as flooding disrupts Songkhla

Artotel Group enters into Eastern Indonesia with Myze Hotel Waingapu

Travellers to prioritise meaning over miles in 2026, says GHA

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