TTG Asia
Asia/Singapore Saturday, 15th August 2026
Page 7

Hong Kong rolls out new global tourism campaign across 22 markets

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The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has unveiled a new global tourism campaign, Only in Hong Kong, across 22 source markets as it seeks to drive visitor arrivals, spending and repeat visitation.

The campaign focuses on experiences spanning the city’s neighbourhoods, attractions, nature, culture, dining and hospitality, including the Star Ferry, Kai Tak Stadium, Victoria Harbour, local markets, beaches and hiking.

The campaign will promote the city across 22 source markets through digital, social, television and outdoor channels; photo by Hong Kong Tourism Board

Rather than relying primarily on conventional destination imagery, the campaign uses street scenes and everyday experiences to present Hong Kong through four themes – variety, vibrancy, contrast and world-class experiences.

A new visual identity has also been developed around 16 colours drawn from elements associated with Hong Kong, ranging from its traditional junk boats, trams and Victoria Harbour to local food, bauhinia flowers and pandas.

The campaign logo combines references to Hong Kong’s neon signs with the form of a traditional Chinese seal and incorporates the city’s ‘Asia’s World City’ positioning.

The campaign is being introduced in phases, beginning with digital and social media before expanding across television, local media and outdoor advertising in its 22 source markets.

HKTB will also work with international key opinion leaders and media from China and overseas to promote destination experiences. Travel, hospitality, dining, retail, events and aviation partners will support the campaign through their own media spaces and channels.

The tourism board said the shared platform is intended to provide industry partners with a consistent approach to promoting the destination internationally.

Songkhla serves up new gastronomy tourism campaign

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The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Thailand Gastronomy Network and HUG – Hatyai University Gastronomy Lab will launch a new campaign to position Songkhla as a gastronomy destination through an international livestream on August 5.

The livestream, titled World Kitchen of Spices: Thailand × Indonesia, will bring together chefs, educators, tourism professionals, students and food enthusiasts from Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong and other markets. Participants can either cook along or join a watch-and-learn session.

The Bold Flavor campaign will promote Songkhla’s culinary heritage through local food experiences and an international livestream

The event will also mark the launch of The Bold Flavor | Tam Rot Songkhla, a destination campaign promoting the province through its ingredients, culinary traditions, communities and food culture.

The session will compare Southern Thai curry pastes with Indonesia’s rempah and sambal traditions, exploring the cultural influences that have shaped both cuisines.

The initiative supports Songkhla’s tourism economy, which generated 50.66 billion baht (US$1.5 billion) from almost seven million visitor trips in 2025. During 1H2026, the province welcomed 3.84 million visitors, generating 27.51 billion baht in tourism revenue, with international visitors accounting for more than half of all arrivals.

The campaign also highlights a network of 47 local gastronomy experience designers, including chefs, farmers, producers, cafés and community enterprises. HUG plans to develop 10 to 15 signature food experiences aimed at strengthening Songkhla’s tourism offering and increasing visitor spending in local communities.

Vita Datau, president, Indonesia Gastronomy Network, said: “Thailand and Indonesia share centuries of culinary exchange through spices, trade and culture. The World Kitchen of Spices opens a new platform for cultural diplomacy, learning and collaboration that celebrates our shared heritage while respecting our unique identities.”

Jutamas Wisansing, founder and president, Thailand Gastronomy Network, and strategic lead, HUG – Hatyai University Gastronomy Lab, added: “HUG is more than a laboratory; it is a living platform where research meets communities, creativity meets culture, and local knowledge becomes meaningful visitor experiences.”

Interested participants can find registration details through the Thailand Gastronomy Network website.

Sentosa breaks ground on Asia’s first climate adaptation hub

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Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) has broken ground on Asia’s first experiential climate adaptation hub as part of a three-year partnership with the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment’s SG Eco Fund.

Changing Course – Climate Adaptation Hub, developed by SDC and Terra SG, will open at Imbiah Lookout by the end of 2026. The attraction will be free to the public and is the first project under the SG Eco Fund’s Climate Adaptation Package.

Changing Course – Climate Adaptation Hub is scheduled to open at Sentosa’s Imbiah Lookout by the end of 2026

Located next to Sentosa Nature Discovery on the former Sijori Wondergolf site, the hub will use the nature-reclaimed landscape as a learning environment to explore climate change and adaptation.

Seven experiential zones will cover flood resilience, coastal protection, passive cooling, biodiversity recovery, ecological succession and the role individuals can play in climate resilience. Paid guided programmes for schools, companies and the public will be introduced from 2027.

Terra SG developed the educational content and visitor experience with SDC, alongside students, teachers and academic partners from the National Institute of Education and Nanyang Technological University.

The wider three-year partnership will also support the Cooling Sentosa Roadmap and provide opportunities to showcase projects by SG Eco Fund grant recipients through Sentosa events and programmes.

SDC CEO Thien Kwee Eng said: “Sustainability is most meaningful when people can experience it for themselves. Changing Course reflects our vision of Sentosa as a place where guests can discover not only nature but also how we can strengthen it for future generations.

“This collaboration with SG Eco Fund and Terra SG is an important step to foster greater awareness and encourage the wider community to embrace innovative solutions to climate adaption and mitigation.”

Desmond Ho, trust secretary, SG Eco Fund, added: “Building climate resilience is a shared responsibility that requires the collective efforts of stakeholders across the public, private and community sectors. Through our partnership with SDC, we hope to deepen the awareness of the impacts of climate change and inspire more ground-up action to strengthen Singapore’s climate adaptation.”

Hotel Okura plans 2028 debut in Türkiye’s Cappadocia

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Hotel Okura Co. will open Hotel Okura Thermal Resort & Spa Cappadocia in Türkiye in 2028, marking the Japanese hotel operator’s entry into the country.

Located in the historic village of Mustafapaşa in the Cappadocia region, the 102-room resort is being developed in partnership with Türkiye-based real estate and hospitality investment group KK Universal.

The 102-key Hotel Okura Thermal Resort & Spa Cappadocia will feature a spa and wellness centre when it opens in 2028

The development builds on the Okura Spa & Resort Cappadocia project first revealed in 2015. Plans have since been expanded to include additional land and a larger focus on thermal and wellness facilities.

The resort will comprise four buildings, combining preserved historic stone structures with new facilities, with three buildings connected by underground passages. A historic mansion acquired for the project will also be restored and incorporated into the property.

Wellness facilities will centre on a 3,500m² spa and wellness centre, featuring thermal baths using mineral-rich spring water, traditional Turkish hammams and indoor and outdoor swimming pools.

Three dining venues are planned, including Hotel Okura’s teppanyaki restaurant Sazanka and an all-day dining restaurant.

Mustafapaşa, about 55km from Nevşehir Cappadocia Airport, is located within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cappadocia region. The village was recognised under UN Tourism’s Best Tourism Villages initiative in 2021.

Toshihiro Ogita, president, Hotel Okura Co., said: “This project represents an important opportunity to introduce the Okura philosophy to guests in one of Türkiye’s most remarkable destinations. Through Okura’s signature hospitality, rooted in the spirit of Japanese omotenashi, we aspire to serve as a bridge between Türkiye and Japan.”

Chatrium opens bookings for its Phuket debut

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Reservations are now open for Chatrium Phuket Rawai ahead of its opening in 4Q2026. Located on Rawai Beach, the resort is Chatrium Hospitality’s first property in Phuket and offers a base for exploring the island’s southern coast.

The resort will feature 304 rooms, suites and pool villas, with interiors inspired by the maritime heritage of Rawai’s Chao Lay community.

Chatrium Phuket Rawai will welcome guests from the fourth quarter of 2026, marking Chatrium Hospitality’s first resort in Phuket with 304 rooms, suites and pool villas

The resort includes splash pools, water slides and the Kalui kids’ club for families, while guests seeking relaxation can visit the Nemita spa or spend time by the pool. Dining focuses on fresh coastal flavours served in a relaxed setting.

Rawai is known for its fishing village atmosphere and access to nearby islands. Promthep Cape, Nai Han Beach and Ya Nui Beach are within easy reach, while Phuket Old Town is around 30 to 40 minutes away by car. Phuket International Airport is approximately 90 minutes away.

To celebrate the opening, the Seaside Grand Opening offer includes accommodation with breakfast for guests booking an opening stay.

For more information, visit Chatrium Phuket Rawai.

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore names new culinary director

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Pedro Samper has been appointed director of culinary at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.

He joins from The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, where he served as executive chef.

Samper brings more than 20 years of international culinary experience, having held senior roles at The Langham Hong Kong, The St Regis Kuala Lumpur, The St Regis Maldives and Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach.

Pallavi Pandey leads sales at JW Marriott Mussoorie

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Pallavi Pandey has been appointed director of sales at JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa.

She joins from Naukuchia House – IHCL SeleQtions, where she served as director of sales, overseeing sales strategy, budgeting, forecasting and revenue growth.

Pandey brings more than 15 years of hospitality experience, including roles with Leisure Hotels Group, Summit Hotels & Resorts and Clarks Inn Group.

Sports, entertainment build tourism advantage: industry speakers

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Resorts, attractions and destination managers speaking at the Southeast Asia Business Events Forum on July 29 agreed that the right blend of entertainment and public events can improve quality tourism outcomes.

Vivien Oh, director of international MICE, Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore, shared that the integrated resort presents an annual line-up of sports and lifestyle events that “enlivens” the guest experience and encourages repeat visits.

Events such as the Borobudur Marathon, pictured, are helping destinations attract visitors while generating benefits for surrounding communities

Events in 2025 included Clash of the Giants, which featured a futsal match between the Manchester Reds and Liverpool Reds Legends, and the Asia-Pacific premiere of Universal Pictures’ Wicked: For Good.

These events also demonstrate the versatility of Resorts World Sentosa’s event spaces. Its 6,000m² column-free ballroom can host a conference one day and turn into a concert hall the next.

At Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan & Ratu Boko, which manages three heritage attractions in Indonesia, a mix of cultural, spiritual and music festivals has helped to attract higher-yielding visitors.

Gistang Richard Panutur, commercial director of Taman Wisata Candi Borobudur, Prambanan & Ratu Boko, shared that events such as the Borobudur Jazz Festival in July attracted 80,000 people, while the Borobudur Marathon typically draws 13,000 runners.

Gistang noted that these heritage attractions cannot simply bring “millions and millions of people” onsite due to conservation and preservation priorities. Hence, meaningful events are necessary to attract quality tourists who will positively impact the “society and communities surrounding our sites”.

One positive outcome of hosting events at the 1,200-year-old Borobudur Buddhist temple is income contribution to the surrounding Magelang Regency in Central Java.

Ahmad Fajar, acting president director of InJourney Tourism Development Corporation – which develops and manages integrated tourism areas in Indonesia, including Nusa Dua, Golo Mori and Mandalika – shared that events can enable destinations to expand their source markets.

Through sporting events such as MotoGP Indonesia and the Mandalika Racing Series, Mandalika has been able to develop a sports tourism niche alongside corporate hospitality and wellness tourism. These events have also led to the development of hotels, homestays, restaurants and local shops, as well as the creation of local employment.

Bangkok hotels gear up for Asia’s largest Hyrox race

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Bangkok hotels are turning the August 13-16, 2026 staging of BYD Hyrox Bangkok into commercial product, with race-week rates and recovery offerings for the more than 22,000 participants expected at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center for the largest Hyrox race held in Asia. The race runs for four days, up from three in March, when it drew nearly 17,500 participants.

“This will be the biggest Hyrox race in the history of Asia, which is important not only for Bangkok, but for Asia as a whole,” said Gary Wan, managing director of Hyrox Asia Pacific. Hyrox partners with more than 170 gyms in Thailand, including 100 in Bangkok.

Hyrox is staging more than 100 events in its 2025/26 season, drawing over one million participants across five continents, including 17 events in Asia-Pacific this year; photo by Hyrox

Hyatt, Hyrox’s official regional hotel partner in Asia-Pacific, has eight Bangkok hotels participating in the World of Hyatt Hyrox Stay Experience, which requires a minimum two-night stay and offers 10 per cent off member rates, 15 per cent off F&B and spa treatments, and in-room recovery amenities.

Sammy Carolus, general manager of Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, one of the programme hotels closest to the venue, reports a stronger mix from nearby South-east Asian markets.

“We are seeing a healthy pickup with booking pace around 32 per cent ahead of the same period last year, and Hyrox is clearly part of that story,” said Carolus. He added that participants often travel with family or friends, turning race weekend into a getaway that spreads spend across the city.

Another programme hotel, Andaz One Bangkok, has added an ice bath and a complimentary passive stretching session for recovery.

“Hyrox’s global race calendar encourages athletes to compete in multiple host cities, with each event offering World Championships qualification,” said Ross Cooper, general manager of Andaz One Bangkok. “With the event in August this time, it also presents an opportunity to generate incremental inbound demand during a traditionally softer travel period.”

Booking pace is still building at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon – also a World of Hyatt hotel – where general manager Patrick Janssen expects conversion closer to the event.

“Demand often builds nearer to the event, and we anticipate more last-minute bookings from participants and spectators,” said Janssen. “The Standard attracts guests seeking experiences that combine wellness, dining and culture, making Hyrox a strong fit for our audience, and we remain optimistic as the event approaches.”

Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, the first hotel in Thailand to join the global Hyrox network as part of the Hyrox Training Club, is also launching a hybrid training collaboration with VitalLife Scientific Wellness Center, part of Bumrungrad International Hospital, on July 31 ahead of the race. The programme covers medical performance insights and a recovery technology experience with red light therapy brand Dawn.

AI adoption surges among Chinese travel agencies

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According to the latest Dragon Trail Research Chinese Outbound Travel Trade Survey, published on July 29, 2026, AI adoption is nearly universal among Chinese travel agencies, with most expecting increased use.

“In Dragon Trail’s summer 2025 Chinese Outbound Travel Trade Survey, 82 per cent of travel agents said their company was already using AI – one year later, the proportion has risen to 99 per cent,” noted Sienna Parulis-Cook, director of marketing and communications at Dragon Trail International.

Chinese travel agencies are expanding their use of AI across travel information management, translation and other business functions

Dragon Trail’s summer survey of 310 Chinese travel trade professionals currently engaged in selling outbound travel products explored how Chinese travel agents are using AI, as well as the technology’s current limitations and opportunities for future improvement.

The results showed that 99 per cent of travel agents reported at least some AI adoption by their companies, with 25 per cent saying the technology has been widely adopted across multiple business areas and another 46 per cent saying it is used in some business areas.

Looking ahead to the next 12 months, 89 per cent of respondents expected AI adoption by their companies to increase.

“Chinese travel agencies are using AI for a wide variety of business areas, the most popular of which are travel information collection and management for products such as hotels and flights, and translation and multi-lingual support, both selected by half of respondents,” said Parulis-Cook.

The survey also found that travel agents want to use AI to enhance personalisation but face challenges in doing so.

“Over half of our respondents (53 per cent) say this is the area where AI has the greatest potential to help them improve their business – but at the same time, customer information management is currently the area where travel agencies are least likely to be using AI and data security and privacy concerns are seen as the biggest challenge to applying AI to their business by 63 per cent of respondents,” Parulis-Cook elaborated.

She added that over the last year, Dragon Trail has been rolling out new AI tools for B2B marketing, including AI-powered support for live events and AI-enhanced travel trade marketing hubs, helping its clients to “connect more easily to the Chinese travel trade and empower travel agents to keep selling to this still-hungry market”.