Tokyo unveils new website to promote food tourism

January 8, 2026

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has launched a new website, Go Tokyo Gourmet, aimed at promoting the city’s food culture to domestic and international visitors.

The website features articles and videos introducing Tokyo’s culinary landscape, covering both established cuisine and everyday food culture. The government said the platform is intended to deepen interest in Tokyo’s food scene and encourage visitors to experience it first-hand.

Chefs and food specialists, including Tokyo Tourism Ambassadors, contribute insights to the Go Tokyo Gourmet website to highlight the depth of the city’s food culture

Tokyo’s culinary offering is presented through a wide range of themes, from dishes that developed during the Edo period, including sushi, tempura, eel and soba, to contemporary cuisine shaped by global influences. The site also highlights locally sourced ingredients and the role of chefs and food professionals in shaping the capital’s dining scene.

Perspectives from chefs appointed as Tokyo Tourism Ambassadors, along with chefs active in Tokyo, food specialists and other industry figures, are also featured. Their contributions are used to explore the background, techniques and ideas behind Tokyo’s food culture.

In addition to restaurant-focused content, the website examines the historical development of Tokyo’s cuisine, tracing its evolution from the Edo period to the present day. Topics include food-related traditions, dining customs, everyday meals enjoyed by residents and emerging themes such as sustainability and dietary diversity.

Sections aimed at travellers focus on food experiences commonly associated with visits to Tokyo, including ramen, rice balls, convenience store meals and vending machine culture. The site also provides information on vegan, halal and gluten-free dining options, as well as guidance on Japanese dining manners, services and restaurant reservation platforms.

The website includes details of food-related events in Tokyo and practical information to help visitors navigate the city’s dining scene. Content is available in Japanese and English.

Go Tokyo Gourmet was launched on December 18, 2025, and is operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Updates related to Tokyo’s food attractions will also be shared through official social media channels on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

Crown Resorts adopts Canary guest technology across Australian properties

By TTG Asia

January 8, 2026

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Crown Resorts has selected Canary Technologies to provide guest-facing digital tools across its properties in Australia, as part of efforts to modernise the guest experience.

The roll-out will include Canary’s mobile check-in, AI-powered guest messaging, digital compendium, dynamic upsells and smart checkout. The tools are designed to allow guests to access services and information on their own mobile devices without the need to download an app.

*Crown Resorts is rolling out Canary Technologies’ guest-facing digital tools across its Australian properties to support mobile-enabled services; Crown Perth, pictured*

Crown said the technology will enable guests to check in and out digitally, communicate with staff through messaging functions, access resort information and receive upgrade or add-on offers during their stay. The systems are intended to streamline operations while reducing friction for guests and staff.

Canary Technologies provides a guest management platform that digitises touchpoints from booking to checkout. The company’s platform is used by more than 20,000 hotels in over 100 countries, including major international hotel groups.

Daniel Mourad, general manager for Asia Pacific at Canary Technologies, said: “We’re excited to partner with Crown Resorts, a brand synonymous with luxury and innovation. With Canary, Crown is setting a new benchmark for elevating the experience with guest-facing tech and further enhancing the elite level of service they’re known for.”

Nicole Pelchen, chief technology officer at Crown Resorts, added: “At Crown, we’re constantly evolving to match the expectations of today’s luxury traveller. Canary’s solutions allow us to digitise key touchpoints across the stay without losing the warmth and personalisation our guests value. From Mobile Check-In to Smart Checkout, we’re delivering a modern experience at every step.”

SkyBoss premium fare returns on Vietjet’s Singapore-Vietnam flights

By TTG Asia

January 8, 2026

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Vietjet has reinstated its SkyBoss premium fare on selected international services, including routes between Singapore and Vietnam, as part of efforts to cater to passengers seeking added comfort and priority services.

The SkyBoss fare is available on flights linking Singapore with Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Danang and Phu Quoc. It applies across Vietjet’s international network to and from Vietnam.

Vietjet’s SkyBoss fare includes priority check-in, lounge access and upgraded in-flight meals on selected routes

Passengers travelling on the SkyBoss fare receive priority services at the airport, including dedicated check-in, boarding and access to premium lounges where available. The fare also includes increased baggage allowances, with up to 10kg of carry-on luggage and up to 30kg of checked baggage, as well as the carriage of one golf club set.

On board, SkyBoss passengers are offered unlimited hot meals and beverages. Meal options include Vietnamese dishes such as pho and banh mi, as well as drinks including Vietnamese coffee and matcha latte.

Vietjet said the fare is positioned for both business and leisure travellers and is designed to provide a more streamlined journey from departure to arrival.

The airline operates four direct routes between Singapore and Vietnam, supporting frequent travel between the two markets for business, tourism and visiting friends and relatives.

SkyBoss fares on Singapore-Vietnam routes start from S$210 (US$155) one way, including taxes and fees, with prices varying by route and travel period.

New hotels: Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon, AC Hotel by Marriott Puchong and more

By TTG Asia

January 8, 2026

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Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon, Indonesia
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon is scheduled to open in 1Q2026 on Bintan’s northern coast, a short ferry journey from Singapore. The beachfront resort is set along the island’s longest private beach, with access to two nearby championship golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Ian Baker-Finch.

The resort will boast 420 rooms and suites, including premium terrace rooms with ocean views. Facilities are planned to include six dining venues, a spa, beach club, multiple swimming pools, children’s splash areas, sports courts, playrooms and a recreation village. Events space will total 2,000m², including a grand ballroom of 900m² and additional function rooms.

AC Hotel by Marriott Puchong, Malaysia
AC Hotel by Marriott Puchong has opened in Bandar Puchong Jaya, close to the IOI Puchong Jaya LRT station and with access to the LDP. The hotel is near IOI Boulevard, Skypod Square, IOI Mall and the Puchong Financial Corporate Centre, with Sunway Lagoon, Putrajaya International Convention Centre and Kuala Lumpur City Centre a short drive away.

The hotel has 180 rooms, including deluxe rooms, junior suites and suites, with open layouts, workspaces, high-speed internet access and USB charging points. Facilities include the AC Lounge, AC Kitchen with live cooking stations, 695m² of event space, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and a prayer room.

Four Points by Sheraton Amritsar, Mall Road, India
Four Points by Sheraton Amritsar, Mall Road has launched as a dual-branded complex with Marriott Executive Apartments Amritsar in the city centre. The property is 11 km from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport and 2.3 km from Amritsar Junction railway station, with the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, the Partition Museum and Durgiana Temple all a short drive away.

Four Points by Sheraton Amritsar, Mall Road features 124 rooms overlooking Mall Road, with workspaces, USB charging points and Wi-Fi, while Marriott Executive Apartments Amritsar offers 59 apartments, including studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom layouts with separate living, dining and sleeping areas and kitchenettes.

Shared facilities include all-day dining at Kitchen 1574, a Pan-Asian restaurant, a bar, lobby lounge, outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre. Event facilities span around 1,201m², including a pillarless ballroom of approximately 557m².

The Imperial Hotel, Kyoto, Japan
The Imperial Hotel, Kyoto is scheduled to open on March 5, 2026, in the Gion district of Kyoto. The hotel occupies part of the Yasaka Kaikan, a registered Tangible Cultural Property, within the grounds of the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo. Located amid historic streets and close to temples, traditional theatres and cultural landmarks, the property places guests at the centre of one of Kyoto’s best-known districts.

The hotel has 55 rooms across three areas: the Main Building Heritage, the Main Building and the North Wing. Accommodation ranges from premier rooms to suites, with designs incorporating preserved architectural elements, city and mountain views, and, in the North Wing, tatami flooring. Facilities include restaurants and a bar, a spa, swimming pool and fitness centre.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises brings back suite upgrades for 2026 voyages

By TTG Asia

January 8, 2026

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Regent Seven Seas Cruises has relaunched its Upgrade Your Horizon offer, giving travellers booking selected voyages the option of a complimentary two-category suite upgrade, up to a Penthouse Suite, alongside a reduced deposit of 7.5 per cent.

The promotion applies to new bookings made by February 28, 2026, on selected sailings from 2026 onwards, covering itineraries scheduled for 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Guests can enjoy a complimentary two-category suite upgrade on selected voyages; the Grandeur Suite aboard Seven Seas Grandeur, pictured

The offer is available across a wide range of destinations, including Alaska, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Canada and New England, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, South America and the South Pacific. Eligible guests benefit from enhanced onboard inclusions linked to their upgraded suite category, such as a complimentary one-night pre-cruise hotel stay for Concierge Suites and butler service for Penthouse Suites.

Among the voyages available under the promotion is a 12-night round-trip sailing from Miami aboard Seven Seas Grandeur, departing March 26, 2026, which includes an extended stay in Bermuda and calls in Norfolk, Charleston and Nassau. A 17-night Northern Pacific journey aboard Seven Seas Explorer departs Tokyo on May 3, 2026, crossing the International Date Line before continuing through Japan and Alaska to Vancouver.

Other highlighted itineraries include a 20-night sailing from Doha to Cape Town aboard Seven Seas Navigator on May 22, 2026, an 11-night European itinerary from Amsterdam to Barcelona aboard Seven Seas Mariner on September 7, 2026, and a 10-night autumn voyage from New York to Montréal aboard Seven Seas Splendor on October 20, 2026. A shorter seven-night Adriatic and Mediterranean sailing aboard Seven Seas Voyager departs Trieste on November 10, 2026, ending in Athens.

For more information, visit Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

Khiri Travel achieves group-wide GSTC certification in Asia

By TTG Asia

January 7, 2026

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Asian DMC Khiri Travel has received the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification across all destinations where it operates, covering eight countries in Asia.

The certification applies to Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Khiri Travel was officially certified on December 18, 2025.

Niemeijer: Khiri is walking the talk on making tourism a force for social and environmental good

The assessment was carried out by Control Union, a GSTC-accredited certification body. The audit reviewed Khiri Travel’s office practices and field operations, and included interviews with local partners and suppliers across its operating markets.

In addition to the company-wide certification, 14 Khiri Travel staff members earned the person-based GSTC Professional Certificate in Sustainable Tourism in 2025. The group included “Green Team” representatives from all eight countries where the company operates. The staff training formed part of Khiri Travel’s stated goal to become a fully GSTC-certified DMC by the end of 2025, which it has now achieved.

The certification adds to a year of industry recognition for Khiri Travel. In 2025, the company was named Destination Management Company of the Year at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards and received an Outstanding Achievement Award for Most Sustainable Travel Company at the TTG Travel Awards.

The GSTC pointed out: “Being certified by an Accredited Certification Body means that your tourism product or service complies with the highest social and environmental standards on the market.

“With an accredited certification, customers and buyers are assured that the business was certified in a credibly verified procedure in a transparent, impartial, and competent manner.”

Sukhum Jarangdej, sustainability coordinator at Khiri Core, said: “As a DMC, ensuring that all partners share Khiri’s commitment to sustainability is a challenge. Achieving certification shows that Khiri’s network of partners and suppliers are aligned with the company’s vision for responsible travel.”

Willem Niemeijer, chief executive and founder of Khiri Travel, added: “Certification shows that Khiri is walking the talk on making tourism a force for social and environmental good. It is proof of our commitment to upholding the four Cs of regenerative travel as defined by The Long Run: conservation, community, culture and commerce.”

Hyatt integrates Wink Hotels into Unscripted by Hyatt, expanding footprint in Vietnam

By TTG Asia

January 7, 2026

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Hyatt Hotels Corporation has entered into an agreement with Indochina Kajima to bring the Wink hotel portfolio in Vietnam under the Unscripted by Hyatt brand, marking the global debut of the brand and expanding Hyatt’s presence in the country.

The move adds six operating Wink properties to Hyatt’s system: Wink Saigon Centre, Wink Danang Centre, Wink Danang Riverside, Wink Tuy Hoa Beach, Wink Can Tho Centre and Wink Hai Phong Centre. Hyatt’s portfolio in Vietnam will increase from four hotels to 10. A seventh property, Wink Hanoi Westlake, is scheduled to open in late 2026.

From left: Hyatt’s Stephen Ho and Wink’s Michael Piro

The combined Wink portfolio comprises more than 2,000 rooms across Vietnam, covering major cities as well as emerging coastal and cultural destinations including Can Tho, Tuy Hoa and Hai Phong.

The agreement is between Hyatt and Indochina Kajima, a joint venture between Indochina Capital and Kajima Corporation. Wink will operate within Hyatt’s Essentials portfolio, with Unscripted by Hyatt positioned as a conversion-focused brand designed to allow properties to retain their individual identity while accessing Hyatt’s distribution systems and loyalty platform.

Wink was launched in Vietnam in March 2021 with the opening of Wink Saigon Centre and has since expanded rapidly across the country. The brand operates with a technology-led model and focuses on compact, centrally located hotels catering primarily to domestic and regional travellers.

Under the arrangement, Wink hotels will continue to operate under their existing identity while participating in Hyatt’s global platforms, including the World of Hyatt loyalty programme, which has more than 61 million members.

As part of the integration, World of Hyatt members will be eligible to earn 500 bonus points per qualifying night for stays at Wink hotels between January 1 and March 31, 2026.

Stephen Ho, president for Greater China and growth, Asia Pacific at Hyatt, said: “This relationship with Indochina Kajima and Wink marks a milestone in our strategy to expand Hyatt’s brand presence in the dynamic Vietnam market.”

Michael Piro, chief executive of Indochina Capital and Wink, added: “Wink was built on the belief that Vietnamese travellers deserve design-forward, tech-enabled hotels that don’t compromise on personality.”

New Scoot flight to boost travel deeper into Thailand’s north

By TTG Asia

January 7, 2026

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The launch of a new direct Singapore-Chiang Rai air service is expected to support inbound visitor growth to northern Thailand, as tourism authorities seek to broaden international access beyond established gateways.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Scoot marked the inaugural service on January 1, 2026, with the arrival of flight TR670 at Mae Fah Luang International Airport. The new route expands international air access to Chiang Rai, positioning the northern province to attract more overseas visitors interested in cultural and nature-based travel.

The first Singapore-Chiang Rai flight arrived on January 1, 2026, strengthening air links to northern Thailand

The inaugural flight arrived at 18.50 on New Year’s Day and received a ceremonial welcome, including a cannon salute and the presentation of locally crafted souvenirs to passengers. The event was attended by Chiang Rai provincial authorities, TAT representatives, Scoot executives, airport officials and tourism partners.

Singapore remains one of Thailand’s top inbound markets, with 967,341 visitors recorded in 2025 and arrivals projected to exceed 1.12 million in 2026. While demand has traditionally centred on destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai, tourism authorities are stepping up efforts to promote emerging destinations including Chiang Rai, supported by joint promotions and media activities linked to the new route.

Pattaraanong Na Chiang Mai, deputy governor for international marketing for Asia and the South Pacific at the TAT, commented: “The new route also supports TAT’s efforts to stimulate demand among high-value shorthaul segments, particularly repeat travellers from Singapore. These include wellness and health-focused travellers, luxury and experiential seekers, sport and active lifestyle visitors, as well as couples and special-interest travellers such as honeymoon and wedding groups.”

She added that the service enhances opportunities for multi-destination travel, allowing visitors to combine Chiang Rai with other parts of Thailand through overland and fly-and-drive itineraries.

The new connection also aligns with Thailand’s tourism dispersion strategy, which aims to channel visitor flows towards secondary destinations. Authorities see the route as complementing existing access to Chiang Mai and encouraging travellers to explore northern Thailand more widely.

Scoot will operate five weekly flights on the route using Embraer E190-E2 aircraft with 112 seats. Services depart Singapore on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays in the afternoon, with early-morning return flights from Chiang Rai on Tuesdays and Saturdays, offering schedules designed to support inbound and outbound travel.

Calvin Chan, chief commercial officer of Scoot, shared that the new service would provide “more seamless connectivity between Singapore and Thailand, allowing more international travellers across the SIA Group’s network to visit Chiang Rai conveniently”.

Minor Hotels to manage NH Hua Hin as brand expands in Thailand

By TTG Asia

January 7, 2026

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Minor Hotels will take over management of NH Hua Hin from January 16, 2026, expanding the NH Hotels and Resorts presence in the seaside town of Hua Hin.

The hotel will operate under the NH Hua Hin name and will comprise 152 rooms and suites, starting from 30m², with views of the city or surrounding mountains. Accommodation will include deluxe rooms, studios, family rooms with bunk beds and one-bedroom suites, catering to leisure and business travellers.

NH Hua Hin will come under Minor Hotels’ management from January 2026, expanding the group’s presence in Hua Hin

NH Hua Hin will include three F&B outlets: an all-day dining restaurant serving international and local dishes, a lobby café offering light meals and drinks, and a rooftop bar beside an infinity pool. Leisure facilities will also include the rooftop swimming pool, a fitness centre and a Kids’ Club with indoor and outdoor areas.

For meetings and small events, the property will offer a function room measuring 110m², with capacity for up to 90 guests.

Hua Hin, located about 200 kilometres south of Bangkok, is a long-established coastal destination. NH Hua Hin sits at the southern end of the town, around 400 metres from Hua Hin Beach, and close to local night markets such as Cicada Night Market and Hua Hin Night Market. Shopping centres including Bluport Hua Hin and Market Village Hua Hin are also nearby. The destination provides access to wider attractions in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, including Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park and Pa-La-U Waterfall in Kaeng Krachang National Park.

The rebranding reflects Minor Hotels’ strategy to grow its select-service portfolio in key Asian markets. NH Hua Hin will become the fourth NH Hotels and Resorts property in Thailand, joining existing hotels in Bangkok and Phuket. It will also be the group’s third property in Hua Hin, alongside Anantara Hua Hin Resort and Avani+ Hua Hin.

Group CEO of Minor International Dillip Rajakarier said: “NH Hua Hin will set a new benchmark for accessible hospitality in Hua Hin, complementing our luxury and premium offerings in the region.”

A riverside Valentine’s at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Singapore

By TTG Asia

January 7, 2026

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Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore presents a focused Valentine’s programme centred on staycations and dining, running from February 12 to February 16, 2026.

Set along the Singapore River, the hotel positions its Valentine’s offering around time spent on site, combining accommodation with meals designed for couples who prefer a contained and unhurried celebration.

Valentine-themed afternoon tea is served at The Lobby Lounge, offering a daytime option for couples within the hotel’s riverside setting

Two Valentine’s staycation packages are available across the five-day period. Both include an upgrade to a Premier Room, subject to availability, Prosecco Rosé on arrival, Valentine-themed in-room amenities, a rose-petal turndown service and late check-out. Guests also receive one-for-one gin cocktails from The Lobby Lounge gin cart and one-for-one Epicure Brunch on February 15, 2026.

The Valentine’s staycation with romantic dinner includes an overnight stay and a four-course Valentine’s set dinner for two. Dinner may be served either in-room or at the Executive Club Lounge on level 29, which overlooks the city skyline. Packages are priced from S$362 (US$269).

An alternative option pairs the overnight stay with a Valentine-themed afternoon tea for two at The Lobby Lounge. The afternoon tea features Pryce Tea pairings and the hotel’s unlimited scone trolley, served in a riverside setting. Packages are priced from S$295.

For couples not staying overnight, a four-course Valentine’s dinner is also available as a standalone experience from February 12 to February 16, 2026. The menu includes Hokkaido scallops with crabmeat gateau, a choice of lobster bisque or mushroom cappuccino soup, main courses such as braised US beef short ribs or slow-roasted Atlantic salmon, followed by a raspberry and lychee dessert. Dinner is priced at S$168 per couple at The Lobby Lounge, including two glasses of house wine, or S$228 per couple at the Executive Club Lounge, including one bottle of Prosecco.

For more information, visit Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore.

Tokyo unveils new website to promote food tourism

Crown Resorts adopts Canary guest technology across Australian properties

SkyBoss premium fare returns on Vietjet’s Singapore-Vietnam flights

New hotels: Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon, AC Hotel by Marriott Puchong and more

Regent Seven Seas Cruises brings back suite upgrades for 2026 voyages

Khiri Travel achieves group-wide GSTC certification in Asia

Hyatt integrates Wink Hotels into Unscripted by Hyatt, expanding footprint in Vietnam

New Scoot flight to boost travel deeper into Thailand’s north

Minor Hotels to manage NH Hua Hin as brand expands in Thailand

A riverside Valentine’s at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Singapore

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