ANA has partnered with the city of Mombetsu in Hokkaido to launch a campaign to boost inbound tourism to the region.
From September 18 to October 2, 2025, ANA will offer promotional fares for travellers departing from Singapore and Thailand.
ANA’s discounted fares from Singapore and Thailand allow travellers to explore Tokyo and Mombetsu in northern Hokkaido
Passengers booking a combined itinerary to both Tokyo and Mombetsu can enjoy discounted fares to Mombetsu, making it more affordable than flying to Tokyo alone. Stopovers of 24 hours or more in Tokyo are possible, allowing travellers to experience both the city and the natural charms of northern Hokkaido.
Mombetsu offers ice drift cruises, fresh seafood from the Sea of Okhotsk, seal encounters and expansive natural scenery, providing a contrasting experience to Tokyo’s urban landscape.
The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta, Pacific Place has appointed Sumit Joshi as general manager.
He brings more than 25 years of experience in hotels, resorts and residences. In his new role, he will focus on guest experience, local culture and staff leadership at the hotel.
Joshi started his career with The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, progressing through leadership roles. He was most recently the general manager of JW Marriott Jakarta.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has strengthened its Asia-Pacific team with several new hires.
Melissa Ong has been named director, travel partnerships, Asia, based in Singapore, effective September 8. She was with Marriott Luxury Group as global account director for six years and previously worked for The Leading Hotels of the World for eight years.
Melissa Ong is the new director of travel partnerships, Asia
The reservations team in Sydney has grown from two to five. New members are Christopher Menon, who joined on August 18 from Four Seasons Singapore; Nathan Gudsell, who joined on September 2 from Baillie Lodges; and Jasmine Zaman, who will join on October 6 from Marriott, where she is currently assistant front office manager at Pier One Sydney Harbour.
Menon and Gudsell are training in Fort Lauderdale and will begin assisting partners in October. Zaman will train in Malta and will begin in November.
Flash floods in Bali last week cut off roads and caused fatalities, but tourism operations continued largely unaffected.
Heavy rain led to flooding in Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, Jembrana and Tabanan. The national disaster agency (BNPB) said more than 120 locations were hit and 18 people died, with water mainly affecting residential and urban areas.
The Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the wider Ubud area were not affected by last week’s floods and remain safe, fully operational and open to visitors
Ngurah Rai International Airport remained open, tourist sites were unaffected and cancellations were minimal, with blocked roads posing the main disruption.
Tour operators adjusted programmes, with I Nyoman Subrata of Bali Bedira Anugrah Tour & Travel saying guests were advised against rafting and groups were redirected to Pandawa, Melasti and Uluwatu, while Ubud and Lovina continued as usual.
ASITA Bali chairman Putu Winastra said operators kept overseas partners updated: “This was the first flood of its kind in Bali. Naturally, there was concern, but the situation was under control, and the industry acted swiftly.”
Hotels also supported guests. The Bali Hotel and Restaurant Association (IHRA) said properties near blocked roads allowed flexible check-outs, meals and shuttles, while others sent regular updates. “The priority was just to make sure visitors felt safe and looked after,” said chairman I Gusti Agung Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya.
Meanwhile, the Bali Tourism Office worked with authorities to monitor areas and guide operators. “Our priority was to deliver clear and accurate information so operators could adjust itineraries safely and guests remained informed,” said I Wayan Sumarajaya, office head. He urged operators to step up disaster preparedness as the rainy season continues.
Tourism minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said government readiness was in place and that Bali could restore confidence. “Bali remain open and safe for visitors,” she said.
Putu added that the industry must turn the experience into stronger measures: “We need to ensure both visitors and the industry can feel confident and safe, even during extreme weather strikes.”
Sri Lanka Tourism is aiming to attract the growing Indian wedding market and recently organised multi-city luxury wedding shows across the country for the first time, seeking to position Sri Lanka as a wedding destination for Indian couples, covering cities including Ahmedabad, Mumbai and New Delhi.
Fourteen Sri Lankan exhibitors, including wedding planners and hotels, took part in the shows to engage directly with Indian travel agents, wedding planners and other stakeholders.
Hewawasam: we have the capacity to cater to double the number of Indian weddings we currently host
“Traditionally, our southern province destinations like Bentota, Hambantota and Weligama have been popular for Indian weddings which have the presence of hotels such as Hilton and Shangri-La that can accommodate large gatherings. However, we are now also promoting emerging destinations like Trincomalee, Pasikudah and Arugam Bay for Indian weddings,” said Buddhika Hewawasam, chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), while speaking to TTG Asia during the Delhi edition of the wedding shows.
Currently, the typical Indian wedding group visiting Sri Lanka stays for seven to 10 days, which includes pre-wedding and post-wedding ceremonies. In the past eight months alone, Sri Lanka has hosted 30 large weddings along with 50 small and mid-sized Indian weddings, according to SLTPB.
“We have the capacity to cater to double the number of Indian weddings we currently host. Our goal is to conduct these wedding shows regularly across India,” Hewawasam added, revealing plans to extend the initiative to southern Indian cities in the coming months.
Beyond B2B engagements, Sri Lanka Tourism is also focusing on consumer outreach. It plans to host familiarisation trips for social media influencers and run wedding-focused digital campaigns targeting Indian audiences.
“We will also participate in various wedding-focused events across India to showcase our diverse offerings for the segment,” Hewawasam concluded.
Recognising the high-yield tourism value of travellers from Singapore, as well as the market’s inclination for repeat trips to Japan, the Kyoto Ryokan Hotel Association led a roadshow to the city-state earlier this month to connect with outbound travel agents.
Teruhiko Isohashi, chairperson of the association, noted that travellers from Singapore appreciate cultural experiences that are of high quality – something that a traditional Japanese ryokan can offer.
The Kyoto Ryokan Hotel Association promotes traditional stays to Singapore travel agents during recent roadshow; photo by Karen Yue
“However, not many travellers from Singapore would consider staying in a ryokan during their visit to Japan. We understand that some may feel a little apprehensive about staying in a ryokan because of its layout, how the mattress and bedding (known as futon) are laid out on the floor, and how rooms are utilised for various purposes. In a ryokan, the room functions as a dining and living space in the day, and is transformed into a bedroom at night. This can feel unusual to foreigners,” explained Isohashi.
He added that service offered at these traditional accommodation is also very personalised and emphasises frequent and meaningful interaction.
“Ryokan staff would frequently enter the guestroom to present refreshments and to transform the room according to the hour of the day. Foreign guests who are used to privacy at international hotels may find this quite strange,” he said.
Through the Kyoto Ryokan Hotel Association’s visit to Singapore and its interactions with outbound travel agents, Isohashi told TTG Asia that he hopes to introduce the unique way of life a ryokan stay can offer to travellers.
“This is one of the best opportunities to learn about Japanese culture,” he opined.
As more travellers from Singapore open up to the idea of staying in ryokans, which are often located in serene and scenic parts of the prefecture, they will also uncover more gems across Kyoto prefecture, beyond tourism mainstays. This, Isohashi hopes, will spread tourism footfalls beyond the autumn season peak and encourage more travellers to venture deeper into the destination.
“Kyoto is beautiful in every season, and every part of the prefecture presents a different view and experience across the seasons. Amanohashidate in the north of Kyoto, for example, is stunning in winter and that is the best time to savour crabs caught off the coast. Kibune (a small town in the mountains) offers beautiful hikes in summer, when travellers can also enjoy a kawadoko dining experience (dining on platforms laid over the river),” described Isohashi.
Isohashi, who is passionate about sustainable tourism, told TTG Asia that ryokan stays are ideal for travellers who prioritise responsible travel options.
“While modern hotels have started on sustainable tourism practices in recent years, ryokan owners have always been sourcing local and seasonal food for guests, engaging local artisans and materials for construction and items used in hotel operations, and highlighting local arts and culture as guest experiences. They have been doing this since the beginning. The association is now helping our members to put their good work on record and get certification from the Global Sustainable Tourism Council,” he shared.
Silversea has revised its fare structure to offer guests greater flexibility with the introduction of three new fare types with immediate effect.
These options allow guests to personalise their travel with pre- and post-cruise add-ons, including air travel, hotels, transfers and land experiences. The all-inclusive onboard offering will remain unchanged.
Guests can personalise their voyages with new fares, pre- and post-cruise add-ons, and curated shore experiences
The new fares include the All-Inclusive Plus Fare, which provides a refundable deposit and coverage under the Fare Guarantee Program. Guests on oceangoing voyages can apply a shore excursion credit, determined by the length and region of the sailing, to the experiences of their choice. Expedition voyages will continue to include shore excursions, Zodiac tours, expert lectures, in-country flights, pre- and post-cruise hotel nights as required, and other customary inclusions.
The All-Inclusive Fare is available on oceangoing voyages and allows guests to purchase shore excursions à la carte, either before the cruise or on board. This fare requires a non-refundable deposit.
The Last-Minute Fare, available on select oceangoing and expedition voyages within five months of departure, offers savings for guests. The deposit is non-refundable and the full payment is required at booking.
All fare types allow guests to purchase air travel, pre- and post-cruise hotels, transfers, shore excursions and land experiences through Silversea, tailored to their preferences.
Silversea is also expanding its shore excursion offering to allow greater personalisation. New experience types include Highlight Experiences, providing seamless tours of iconic sites; Signature Experiences, smaller curated tours; Private Experiences, exclusive to a group of guests; Custom Experiences, tailor-made tours; and Overland Experiences, two- or three-day mid-cruise inland tours available on select voyages.
The brand has also launched City Stays by Silversea, offering pre- and post-cruise hotel stays in locations such as Copenhagen, Rome, Barcelona and Athens. These stays provide central accommodation with personalised service, giving guests the opportunity to explore local life, dining, historical and cultural insights, and interactions with the community.
“The Luxury of Choice reflects our deep commitment to delivering on the feedback of our guests,” said Bert Hernandez, president, Silversea. “Our guests consistently tell us that they value flexibility in their travels. With our new fare options, we’re empowering them to personalise every aspect of their journey – from start to finish – while continuing to enjoy our signature all-inclusive onboard experience, which is one of the most comprehensive at sea.”
Wyndham Rewards has added KrisFlyer, the lifestyle rewards programme of the Singapore Airlines Group, to its roster of point transfer partners, giving its approximately 120 million enrolled members new ways to use their membership.
Under the partnership, Wyndham Rewards members can now earn KrisFlyer miles on qualified hotel stays instead of Wyndham Rewards points, at a rate of one mile per USD$1 spent, or convert existing points into KrisFlyer miles, starting from 6,000 points for 1,200 miles. Once converted, miles can be used for flights, cabin upgrades and other options.
Wyndham Rewards members can now earn or convert points into KrisFlyer miles for flights, upgrades and experiences
Wyndham Rewards members earn a minimum of 1,000 points with every qualified stay, while three simple free night redemption tiers, starting at 7,500 points per night.
The programme also offers a path to elevated status after just five nights of stays, and continues to add partners and features. Earlier this year, it introduced Wyndham Rewards Experiences, a platform allowing members to turn points into events such as VIP access to the Vans Warped Tour, through both dynamic auctions and fixed-point rewards.
“Today’s travellers want more than points – they want a global rewards currency that gives them the freedom to travel where, when and how they choose,” said Eyvonne Lin, vice president, marketing and commercial performance, APAC, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
“As Wyndham expands with new hotels around the world, it’s essential we do the same with Wyndham Rewards. Our partnership with KrisFlyer – now one of more than a dozen point transfer partners – is yet one more way for members to turn their everyday hotel stays into flights, upgrades, and experiences on their own terms.”
AirAsia Move has expanded its list of airline partners to include Air Macau, expanding travel options for passengers between Kuala Lumpur, Macau, and other destinations across China and Asia, while supporting Macau’s target of attracting 39 million visitors in 2025.
To mark the partnership, AirAsia Move users can book Air Macau flights from Kuala Lumpur to Macau through the app from as low as 470 ringgit (US$111). Promotional fares are available for booking until September 12, 2025, for travel between September 1, 2025, and February 7, 2026.
Passengers can now book Air Macau flights via the Move app, with exclusive perks and promotional fares
In addition to Air Macau, AirAsia Move partners directly with more than 70 other global carriers, including Royal Brunei Airlines, Air Mauritius, and Etihad. The platform also offers flights from around 700 other airlines through authorised suppliers. Users can choose from over a million hotels worldwide, along with first- and last-mile connectivity through airport transfers and other ancillary travel products such as online duty-free shopping and travel insurance.
AirAsia Move CEO Nadia Omer stated: “Having Air Macau on the Move platform as a direct airline partner enables us to offer travellers not just convenience, but the chance to explore this incredible city at the best value. We are excited to make Macau more accessible to our users while contributing to the city’s tourism goals.”
Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore has introduced the Ultimate F1 Weekend Stay package for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix.
Available from September 22 to October 12, 2025, the package includes access to the Executive Club Lounge or The Lobby Lounge, race-themed beverages, an on-site F1 merchandise retail booth, an F1 cap and a limited-edition Racer Otter plush toy for each guest.
The Ultimate F1 Weekend Stay package runs from September 22 to October 12, 2025, with dining, lounge access and race-themed perks
The package also offers one-for-one racing-themed cocktails at The Lobby Lounge, as well as a one-for-one Epicure Brunch on October 5, 2025. The brunch will feature 18 food stations including seafood on ice, wagyu ribeye, lamb from the Josper grill, foie gras, international dishes and desserts. A children’s menu, food corner and activities will also be available, with complimentary dining for children under five.
Other inclusions are a racing-themed turndown service, a themed welcome set-up with amenities and complimentary yoga classes on Saturdays at 15.30 during the race period.
The hotel is a 10-minute drive from the Marina Bay Street Circuit.
Bookings are open until October 11, 2025, for stays between September 22 and October 12, 2025.
Joshi started his career with The Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, progressing through leadership roles. He was most recently the general manager of JW Marriott Jakarta.
