Shatec, a Singapore institution that has trained hospitality professionals for over four decades, is winding down its operations, a local Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao has reported.
According to the report, operations have gradually ceased since April 2025, with courses expected to be discontinued by 1Q2026. At this point, TTG Asia understands that Shatec is no longer accepting new students. The institute’s main Bukit Batok campus building was put up for sale in May 2025 for S$18 million (US$14.1 million), while the Orchard campus – open for only a year – closed at the end of June 2025.
Shatec’s departure creates a gap in the hospitality industry; Shatec’s campus in Bukit Batok, pictured
The official statement shared with TTG Asia from Loh Lik Peng, chairman of the Shatec Board, stated: “Shatec is currently in the early stages of reviewing its long-term plans. The sale of the building is part of Shatec’s asset management strategy. As the review is still ongoing, we are unable to provide further comments.”
The closure of Shatec is a setback to Singapore’s tourism and hospitality industry, particularly given the country’s existing struggles to attract and retain talent.
When approached for a comment, Singapore Tourism Board’s (STB) executive director, hospitality and tourism talent, Rachel Loh, told TTG Asia that STB is aware of Shatec’s plans, adding that the existing batch of pre-employment training students are currently completing the courses.
Loh pointed out: “Singapore’s tourism sector continues to be well-supported by numerous established training providers. These include Continuing Education Training Centres such as Republic Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic; and various Workforce Skills Qualifications-accredited training organisations such as NTUC LearningHub, and TMC Academy.
“STB remains committed to supporting the tourism sector’s training needs to ensure Singapore maintains its productivity and competitiveness as a leading destination.”
Established in 1983 by the Singapore Hotel Association, Shatec has graduated approximately 40,000 individuals.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation plans to expand its luxury and lifestyle brand portfolios across Asia-Pacific, with close to 90 properties expected to open in the region over the next five years. This includes the regional debut of the Thompson Hotels brand and further expansion of the Andaz, The Standard and Park Hyatt brands in destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia and Australia in 2025 and 2026.
Since 2017, Hyatt has doubled its global number of luxury rooms, tripled its resort rooms, and increased its lifestyle rooms fivefold. As one of the key regions driving global demand for high-end travel, Asia-Pacific continues to see strong growth, and Hyatt is expanding to meet this need. As of the first quarter of 2025, 64 per cent of Hyatt’s hotels and resorts in the region were in the luxury and upper-upscale segments.
Hyatt to open nearly 90 properties across Asia-Pacific, including Andaz Gold Coast, pictured, by 2029
The Thompson Hotels brand will enter Asia-Pacific with the opening of Thompson Shanghai Expo in 4Q2025. The hotel draws inspiration from the city’s industrial heritage and international character, with a focus on contemporary design, cultural programming and culinary events. Originally founded in Manhattan, the Thompson Hotels brand targets socially and culturally engaged travellers.
Hyatt will also expand the Andaz brand, with upcoming openings including Andaz Gold Coast in Australia and Andaz One Bangkok, located near Lumphini Park. Andaz Shanghai ITC will become the brand’s second hotel in the city. Following Hyatt’s acquisition of Standard International’s brands in 2024, new projects are underway across the region. This includes The Standard, Pattaya Na Jomtien, set to open in 3Q2025 with a 1960s-themed beach club concept.
Park Hyatt will enter Malaysia with the opening of Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur in August 2025. The hotel will be located at the top of Merdeka 118, the tallest skyscraper in Asia-Pacific. The property will feature design elements inspired by local culture and include a cacao-themed bar, the first of its kind in the city. Meanwhile, Park Hyatt Tokyo will resume operations in 4Q2025 following a major refurbishment to mark its 30th anniversary. The renovation will update guestroom and dining concepts while preserving the brand’s minimalist aesthetic.
In Vietnam, Park Hyatt Phu Quoc is expected to open in 1Q2026. The resort will cover around 65 hectares along a one-mile stretch of beach on Phu Quoc island, with design elements focused on contemporary art and craftsmanship. Also planned is the opening of Andaz Gold Coast in 2Q2026, followed by The Barai, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, in 3Q2026. Two new residential properties under The Standard brand are scheduled to open in Hua Hin and Phuket Bang Tao in 4Q2026.
“Today, luxury is about authenticity and unique experiences. Our recently refined brand architecture and expansion in luxury and lifestyle portfolios allow us to cater to discerning travellers with focus and differentiation,” said Carina Chorengel, senior vice president, commercial, Asia Pacific, Hyatt. “We are excited about offering enriching experiences that will further strengthen Hyatt’s position as a leader in luxury and lifestyle hospitality in the region.”
Well-heeled globetrotters who realise they can create hotels based on their own travel experiences are driving the growth of small, distinctive luxury properties worldwide, observed Mark Wong, senior vice-president, Asia Pacific, at Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH).
Speaking to TTG Asia at ILTM Asia Pacific 2025, taking place this week in Singapore, Wong said: “These owners are world travellers themselves, and have the money to build hotels offering the kind of hospitality and experiences that they have sought for themselves on their trips. They know what customers are looking for.
The Townhouse in Islamabad, Pakistan, developed by young owners, is one of the latest additions to the SLH portfolio
“And they are choosing to develop their own brand instead of going with a major brand, so as to retain a local touch and avoid having to follow somebody else’s rules.”
With such a mindset, these new-generation hotel owners are approaching SLH to be part of the independent hotel community.
“We are often their first point of contact, as they have stayed with SLH hotels before and are familiar with what we do. Now, they want to build a hotel that is in line with SLH criteria,” Wong said.
He added that many of these hotel owners are also choosing to promote their home town through their hotel – and this is happening often in emerging destinations across India and China.
“They are very involved in hiring and training locals to be part of the hotel operations, and they invest in efforts to revitalise their own hometown, such as beautifying the environment and rebuilding roads and the surroundings,” he said.
Citing an example, Wong said the owners of Amaya in Himachal Pradesh, India have hired and trained local villagers to be part of the staff, “giving the whole village a second life”, where people no longer have to leave the village to look for jobs in the big cities and local families can support themselves through tourism.
As these owners – often young, well-educated and worldly-wise – develop luxury hotels in lesser-known parts of the world, they are also creating more authentic experiences and encouraging travellers to venture deeper into the country.
“These owners provide an answer to overtourism concerns,” reflected Wong.
While affluent travellers are eager to explore lesser-known destinations and new-generation owners are helping to develop these alternatives, Wong said governments must also play their part.
“Luxury travellers won’t want to travel too long or go through too much trouble to get to a destination. So, infrastructure needs to step up. Roads and railways have to be built, and accessibility to second- and third-tier cities must exist. You cannot expect hotel owners to do all that because there are federal rules,” he stated.
SLH now has 620 hotels in 90 countries, and the numbers will continue to grow as “more and more smaller properties emerge”. Recent additions to the SLH portfolio in Asia-Pacific include the historic Hotel Chourakukan in Kyoto’s Higashiyama ward; the all-suite Takanawa Hanakohro ryokan in Tokyo; the Baale Resort Goa, set amid rice paddies and swaying palms in India; and The Townhouse in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Ant International has launched Alipay+ Voyager, an AI travel companion integrated into digital wallets, in partnership with Agoda, Fliggy and Trip.com.
The tool combines Ant International’s AI technology with cross-border travel services from OTA partners and more than 100 million merchants within the Alipay+ ecosystem.
Alipay+ Voyager assists travellers with planning, booking and in-destination services through mobile wallets
Accessible through a single AI interface embedded in mobile wallets and super apps, Alipay+ Voyager enables travellers to plan itineraries, make bookings and purchase local services using text or voice in their native language. The service has been introduced on Alipay (Chinese mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong SAR, China) and GCash (the Philippines), with further rollout to additional Alipay+ partners expected throughout 2025.
Originally launched as a cross-border payment platform, Alipay+ now connects 36 mobile wallets and payment apps with 1.7 billion consumer accounts and more than 100 million merchants worldwide. Since 2015, Ant International’s Wallet Tech team has worked with partners in emerging markets to build payment, security and growth solutions. The team now plans to extend its agentic AI capabilities through Alipay+ GenAI Cockpit, the company’s core AI platform for fintech applications.
The introduction of Alipay+ Voyager comes as the global online travel market is projected to grow by 10 per cent annually through 2032, with mobile devices accounting for two-thirds of user traffic. Travellers, particularly from Generation Z, are increasingly turning to mobile-first, all-in-one platforms to access local experiences and manage travel plans.
Alipay+ Voyager provides end-to-end assistance within familiar wallet apps, enabling users to research, decide and act on travel options throughout their journey. The tool facilitates real-time access to local services, including transport, shopping and dining. It also adapts to individual preferences, proactively offering solutions in response to issues such as flight delays or bad weather, without requiring user prompts. For merchants and OTAs, the system offers a streamlined way to reach consumers across multiple key markets through a single deployment within the Alipay+ network.
Gil Hazan, senior vice president of strategic partnerships at Agoda, said the collaboration would help the company reach a wider audience and offer travel solutions tailored to the varied needs of modern travellers.
Douglas Feagin, president of Ant International, shared: “Travellers today are using more tech to enhance their trips, and there is a need for the industry to adapt and meet these new and emerging expectations.
“By integrating a proactive, always-on AI travel companion within digital wallets that consumers already use frequently, we’re empowering travel and wallet partners with new opportunities to engage travellers in a more relevant, personalised way, through every step of their journey.”
Azerai Ke Ga Bay, a coastal resort in southern Vietnam, is offering new guest experiences focused on local traditions. The resort sits on a five-kilometre beach near a fishing village known for its seafood.
The Fish Like a Local activity teaches guests to cast traditional Vietnamese nets from the shore. Another option allows guests to fish from a circular basket boat, commonly used in the region.
Guests can experience catching fish with traditional local-style nets at Azerai Ke Ga Bay
A cooking class is also available, using local herbs and seafood. While guests do not cook their own catch, the class complements the fishing experience. Alternatively, guests can order a Vietnamese barbecue with local seafood.
The resort is around 2.5 hours by car from Ho Chi Minh City and is located between Hon Ba Island and nearby sand dunes.
In central Vietnam, Azerai La Residence, Hue has launched cultural and culinary experiences. The 122-room hotel, set in a 1930s colonial mansion, now offers updated cooking classes led by executive chef Nguyen Dong Hai, who was recognised in April as a Master Culinary Artisan of Vietnam.
Guests can prepare dishes such as bánh khoái, a traditional pancake from Hue, filled with shrimp, pork and bean sprouts, served with a peanut sauce.
The hotel also offers an Imperial Feast at its Le Parfum restaurant, featuring dishes from the Nguyen dynasty period, with live traditional music. Costumes are provided for those wishing to dress in royal style.
A new two-night Ancient Capital Pilgrimage package includes visits to local religious sites and participation in spiritual rituals.
A&K Sanctuary, rebranded from Abercrombie & Kent’s Sanctuary Retreats portfolio of safari camps and lodges last December, is set for a portfolio update, with one property in Uganda relaunched with a new look last week and another in Botswana scheduled to reopen in August.
Michelle Mickan, vice-president of marketing for Abercrombie & Kent, said Gorilla Forest Lodge in Uganda – the only lodge located within the gates of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bwindi National Park, home to the largest remaining population of mountain gorillas – has been rebuilt and “redesigned to be in harmony with the natural environment”.
From left: Abercrombie & Kent’s Evon Ler and Michelle Mickan (photo by Karen Yue); the interior of a luxurious tent offered at the Gorilla Forest Lodge
Gorilla Forest Lodge offers 10 large and luxurious tents with en-suite bathrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows that bring the outside in, and veranda-style decks that allow guests to enjoy the forest.
Baines’ Lodge in Botswana’s biodiverse Okavango Delta, set to reopen next month following a complete overhaul, will bring nature-lovers close to “the stars above, hippopotamus underneath, and some of the best predator sightings”.
Named after the 19th-century explorer and painter Thomas Baines, Baines’ Lodge will offer six suites, all elevated above the surrounding wetlands.
Mickan highlighted Abercrombie & Kent’s 60 years of expertise in African travel. The company’s strong reputation has helped attract interest from Asian travellers looking to explore the continent.
“We often see Asian guests new to Africa choosing to travel with us. First-timers usually start with Kenya or Botswana, then they fall in love with Africa and choose to return for Tanzania, Uganda or Namibia – all locations where we have lodges,” she said, adding that A&K Sanctuary will soon open new lodges in Rwanda and Kenya’s Amboseli National Park.
She shared that they have clients who have travelled to Africa more than 15 times.
“They say Africa gets into your soul, and every part of Africa is very different. People fall in love with the experience,” she added.
Within Asian source markets, A&K Sanctuary sees strongest demand from Singapore and Hong Kong. According to Mickan, there are also good opportunities in Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, and South Korea.
A&K Sanctuary – as well as the wider Abercrombie & Kent – gets sales support across Asia through Evon Ler, who is the company’s director of sales, Asia.
“She is here to provide our agent partners with training and education. We’re really investing in the Asian market,” said Mickan. Abercrombie & Kent has also just established an office in Indonesia, joining seven others in the region.
Adventurous fans of A&K Sanctuary will soon have another destination to explore, when Pure Amazon launches in August. The luxury riverboat, which accommodates up to 22 guests and offers a one-to-one staff-to-guest ratio, will take travellers deep into the vast Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve in northern Peru. Guests can choose from journeys spanning three, four and seven days, and gain access to various excursions to discover wildlife and connect with local communities.
A&K Sanctuary’s current fleet of luxury riverboats sail Egypt’s Nile River.
Wellness programmes are in abundance at this year’s ILTM Asia Pacific luxury travel tradeshow, with hotel and resort exhibitors presenting a range of treatments for mind, body and soul. The intense wellness focus is in line with the latest Buzz vs. Reality: APAC edition research published by ILTM, Altiant and Hyatt, which found that affluent consumers are paying rapt attention to intentional well-being retreats.
The report found that affluent travellers are opting for intentional wellness holidays, with 72 per cent of respondents preferring to dedicate four to eight nights to such getaways. Almost half of respondents have taken a specifically planned wellness holiday before, and are open to taking wellness trips with their children (54 per cent) or extended family (34 per cent).
1 Hotel Melbourne’s Bamford Wellness Spa is created in partnership with Carole Bamford, a pioneer in organic, sustainable, and holistic living
Fifty-five per cent of respondents say wellness facilities and services are very important or essential to their choice of hotel, and the same number of respondents expressed willingness to pay more for hotels with wellness facilities, such as indoor bikes and yoga mats, in the guestrooms.
To stand out, luxury accommodation operators have crafted programmes that takes mind, body and soul into consideration.
The wellness experience at the soon-to-open InterContinental Halong Bay Resort begins with an appreciation of the surroundings. The spa is named Hidden Lagoon, inspired by a mythical place hidden deep within the spirit of Halong Bay, where the dragon’s final breath lingers and time stands still. The architecture comprises a towering limestone feature that represents the iconic landscape of Halong Bay. Guests walk through the lush and green facility and enter one of the treatment rooms under the limestone feature.
While local elements and traditions are woven into the programmes, such as facial treatments using extracts of pearl harvested from Halong Bay, the spa will also feature modern sensibilities through collaboration with Margaret Dabbs London, a luxury British beauty brand, and Sodashi, an Australian clean beauty brand.
The newly-launched 1 Hotel Melbourne offers Bamford Wellness Spa, created in partnership with Carole Bamford, a pioneer in organic, sustainable, and holistic living. The spa offers a range of all-natural treatments, as well as a wellness area with an indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and a Jacuzzi-style spa. The hotel’s Field House Gym satisfies another aspect of wellness pursuits. It is equipped with new equipment, personal trainers, and a variety of movement and mindfulness experiences.
Toni Stoeckl, chief marketing officer at Starwood Hotels, which operates 1 Hotels as well as Baccarat Hotels and Treehouse Hotels, said wellness is a big part of the 1 Hotels product and programmes across all properties are created in partnership with Bamford.
He noted that “wellness tourism is no longer about a quick massage; it is about a personalised experience”, especially one that is offered with expert partners.
So strong is the wellness tourism appetite – and its rapid evolution towards holistic realignment for longevity – that Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) is preparing to launch a Well-being Collection soon.
Mark Wong, senior vice president, Asia Pacific at SLH, shared that the collection will comprise a group of hotels that have invested heavily into longevity and preventive treatments. It will enable health-conscious guests with specific wellness interest to more easily identify specialised properties.
However, not all hotels and resorts that tout a wellness edge see the need to boast high-tech solutions. At the luxurious Espacio The Hakone Geihinkan Rin-Poh-Ki-Ryu resort, tucked deep within a tranquil Japanese forest, the ultimate wellness treatment lies in doing absolutely nothing.
Keiko Morimoto, director of corporate planning office with Espacio Enterprise, told TTG Asia: “Guests who stay with us for three or four days do the same thing over and over – they wake up, enjoy a meal served right to them in their room by ladies in kimonos, get into the onsen, emerge for a drink, nap, take another bath or swim in their plunge pool, and drink again. It is a very relaxing routine.”
Club Med, part of Fosun Tourism Group, will mark its 75th anniversary in 2025 with global events recognising its French heritage and the vacation concept of L’Esprit Libre.
The celebrations kicked off in China recently, where the owners held a party, themed That’s 75 Years of L’Esprit Libre, at Club Med Lijiang Resort for more than 100 guests. The event introduced guests to French art-de-vivre and outlined the brand’s global expansion plans.
The 75th anniversary event was held at Club Med Lijiang, showcasing French heritage and local culture
Guests also took part in activities including yoga, archery, French cuisine, fireworks, and night shows, as well as excursions beyond the resort that connected guests with local nature and culture.
Andrew Xu, co-president of Fosun Tourism Group and global deputy CEO of Club Med, said: “Looking ahead, we will continue our global expansion, strengthen our market leadership through unique premium experiences, drive innovation in the vacation industry, and deliver the happiness of vacations to more guests.”
Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) has opened WEAVE, a new lifestyle destination emphasising sustainability and biophilic design.
Spanning three interconnected levels, WEAVE integrates greenery throughout the structure, with cascading plants, sustainable roofing, natural ventilation and materials reflecting the island’s geology. These features support RWS’s target of becoming a carbon-neutral destination by 2030.
Artist impression of WEAVE, a design-forward lifestyle destination home to Asia-first retail and dining experiences; photo by Resorts World Sentosa
With its integrated approach to design, natural systems and tenant mix, WEAVE represents a step forward in RWS’s shift towards sustainable, next-generation destinations.
Outdoor cooling is managed through automated systems and weather sensors, in combination with high-volume low-speed and jet fans. A heat pump system repurposes waste hot water from hotels to produce cooled air, while ETFE roofing allows daylight to nourish plants and cut heat gain by up to 80 per cent, reducing energy use for lighting and cooling.
RWS is also promoting WEAVE as a marketplace for local and international brands. It will host Asia-first and Singapore-exclusive outlets, including Coach’s new concept store, a Vilebrequin flagship, a customised adidas space, MENSHO X ramen by chef Tomoharu Shono, and the return of Din Tai Fung with its first cocktail bar in Asia. Home-grown brands such as Old Seng Choong, standard Bread bakery and Tivoli Coffee House will also open, offering local bakes and café menus.
“WEAVE was envisioned as a living, breathing sanctuary, an architecture of movement, light and landscape. We sought to dissolve boundaries between indoor and outdoor, inviting guests to slow down, explore and reconnect with nature through spatial moments that surprise, shelter and inspire,” said Azaria Lee, project director at Benoy.
1 Hotel Melbourne, Australia 1 Hotel Melbourne, located in the North Wharf precinct along 220 metres of the Yarra River, blends sustainable design with heritage elements like the historic Goods Shed No. 5 and over 7,000 integrated plants.
The hotel has 277 guestrooms, including 36 suites, plus 114 branded residences with private services such as in-residence dining and spa treatments.
Facilities include multiple dining options, a spa, indoor pool, sauna, steam room, and gym. Event spaces cover over 1,000m², including the riverside Seafarers Event Space for up to 900 guests, all designed with reclaimed materials and zero-waste planning. The hotel is next to Seafarers Rest Park and offers complimentary electric vehicle experiences for city exploration.
Panglao Vista Suites
Panglao Vista Suites, the Philippines The newly opened Panglao Vista Suites on Bohol’s popular Panglao Island offers 125 superior rooms and 99 deluxe rooms, with views of the ocean and mountains.
Managed by SMS Hospitality, the property features a 150m² function hall, outdoor pool, fitness centre, restaurant, banquet hall, and pool bar. It is located seven minutes by car or shuttle from Panglao International Airport and within 15 minutes of nearby beaches and tourist sites.
Yotel Tokyo Ginza
Yotel Tokyo Ginza, Japan Yotel has opened its first property in Japan, located in the Ginza district of Tokyo. The hotel features Yotel’s signature space-saving design and technology-led amenities, including the adjustable SmartBed, mood lighting, and efficient storage solutions across its guestrooms.
Public spaces include the Komyuniti bar and restaurant on the first floor, offering food and drinks inspired by Yotel locations around the world.
The hotel also offers in-room wellness experiences and collaborations with lifestyle brands.
Mondrian Gold Coast
Mondrian Gold Coast, Australia Mondrian Gold Coast in Burleigh Heads is the brand’s first hotel in Australia. The beachfront property offers 208 rooms, including studios, suites, two- and three-bedroom homes, private beach houses with plunge pools, and the top-floor Sky House with ocean views.
Dining options include an Italian-inspired all-day restaurant, and a poolside venue focused on seasonal, local produce. Facilities comprise a gym, spa, 24-metre resort-style pool, and magnesium plunge pools.
The hotel also features 20 event spaces, including a ballroom, private residences, and the high-rise VeeRoom. It will host regular cultural programming, including artist collaborations, live performances, and community-focused events.
