TFE Hotels strengthens leadership team across Australia

November 6, 2025

TFE Hotels has made several strategic leadership appointments across its Australian portfolio.

Jay Hore has been appointed area general manager, ACT, overseeing the ACT hotel cluster. He previously served as general manager of Hotel Kurrajong Canberra and A by Adina Sydney.

From left: Ansarina Flower and Sid Singh

Sid Singh has been promoted to cluster general manager, responsible for Vibe Sydney, Rendezvous Hotel Sydney The Rocks, and the Cluster Reservations Team across NSW, ACT, QLD, NT, and WA. He was most recently general manager at Vibe Sydney.

Chris Greening joins as general manager of A by Adina Sydney, having most recently served as hotel manager at Oxford House, Paddington. He has held senior roles with QT Hotels & Resorts, Independent Collection by EVT, and Crystalbrook Collection.

Andrew O’Donovan has been appointed general manager of Travelodge Hotel Hurstville, following roles including assistant hotel manager across multiple properties.

Ansarina Flower becomes general manager of Travelodge Sydney Airport, having previously led multiple TFE properties including Travelodge Hurstville and St Marks Road Co. Café.

Claire Slattery has been named hotel general manager of Adina Apartment Hotel Wollongong, returning to NSW after her role as rooms division manager at Rendezvous Hotel Perth Scarborough.

Fernando Rousseau has been promoted to executive assistant hotel manager at The Eve Hotel Sydney, where he was previously assistant hotel manager at A by Adina Sydney.

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore appoints new GM

By TTG India

November 6, 2025

0

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore has named Sahil Ranaut as general manager. He will oversee hotel operations, focusing on guest experience and business performance.

Ranaut brings over 16 years of hospitality experience, including senior roles with Marriott and IHG, and most recently served as area director of revenue management at Park Hyatt Hyderabad, managing 14 hotels across Southern India.

Conrad Singapore Marina Bay welcomes new GM

By TTG India

November 6, 2025

0

Conrad Singapore Marina Bay has appointed Fabio Berto as general manager. Berto joins from Conrad Manila, where he led the hotel through a period of strong performance and enhanced brand distinction.

With more than 30 years in international luxury hospitality, Berto has held leadership roles at Hilton properties including Hilton Niseko Village in Japan, Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund, Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, and Hilton London Metropole.

At Conrad Singapore Marina Bay, he will focus on strengthening the hotel’s connection to Marina Bay and delivering experiences that reflect the area’s distinctive character.

Klook expands leadership team

By TTG India

November 6, 2025

0

Klook has strengthened its leadership team with two key appointments: Daniel Kao as senior vice president of product & technology and Jakii Chu as senior vice president of growth marketing.

Both bring extensive experience from global tech and e-commerce companies to support Klook’s next phase of growth.

Kao, formerly chief technology officer at VIP.com and director of site operations and quality engineering at eBay, will focus on enhancing the company’s product and technology capabilities, using data and AI to improve the consumer experience.

Chu, previously chief marketing officer at Instacart and senior vice president of eCommerce at Fanatics, will lead Klook’s performance marketing transformation and develop an integrated marketing technology and analytics framework.

New hotels: Shangri-La Hongqiao Airport, La Résidence Phou Vao and more

By TTG India

November 6, 2025

0

Shangri-La Hongqiao Airport, China
Shangri-La Hongqiao Airport offers 91 rooms and suites with panoramic views of aircraft and Shanghai’s skyline. Floor-to-ceiling windows and open-plan layouts create a quiet, light-filled environment, while Horizon Club privileges include curated breakfasts and evening turndown service.

The hotel’s signature restaurant, Shangri-La Jiangnan Wok, led by Michelin-starred chef Tiger Yang and area executive Chinese chef Joe Hou, presents reinterpretations of traditional Jiangnan flavours through nine seasonal profiles, with takeaway bento boxes available for travellers.

The property provides nearly 3,000m² of flexible event space adjacent to the National Exhibition and Convention Center, suitable for weddings, conferences, and exhibitions. Its location offers direct access to Terminal 2 of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, the high-speed rail station, and the metro network, with downtown Shanghai and other Yangtze River Delta cities such as Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Nanjing reachable within an hour.

La Résidence Phou Vao, Laos
La Résidence Phou Vao in Luang Prabang reopens this month after a year-long renovation.

Set on Phou Vao Hill, the heritage hotel overlooks the UNESCO-listed temples of Luang Prabang and offers views of the Mekong Valley and surrounding mountains, with the old town a short walk away. Spanning 1.2 hectares of gardens, the property blends Lao design with French colonial influences.

All suites have been refurbished with new bathrooms, bespoke furnishings, handwoven textiles, and artworks reflecting the hotel’s heritage. The restaurant has been reimagined as a French brasserie, complemented by a Lao tasting menu. A new cultural programme, led by local historians, will offer guests a deeper connection to the city, while service continues to reflect Lao hospitality.

Novotel Sydney Cabramatta, Australia
Novotel Sydney Cabramatta, opening in November, boasts 140 guestrooms and suites designed for business and leisure travellers.

The hotel forms part of the newly rebranded Cabravale Club Resort, a fully integrated destination featuring a resort-style swimming pool, fitness centre, dining, event and entertainment venues, all within close proximity under one roof.

Traders Hongqiao Airport, China
Traders Hongqiao Airport features 520 guestrooms, some with views of aircraft or the city’s expressways. The hotel integrates smart technology, including luggage delivery robots, barista-style coffee robots, and an express check-in/out system linked to Shangri-La Circle profiles. Guests have access to a seven-choice pillow menu, all-day portable meals, and flight-related comfort packs, as well as a food hall offering a range of regional and international options, from baked goods and traditional breakfasts to local specialties.

The hotel is directly connected to Terminal 2 of Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport, the high-speed rail station, and the city metro, providing easy access to Shanghai and surrounding cities.

Small Luxury Hotels of the World nears record growth in 2025

By TTG India

November 6, 2025

0

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) added 38 new properties in 3Q2025, bringing its total to 87 new additions this year and expanding its portfolio to more than 650 hotels across over 90 countries.

The group’s growth also extends to Asia, the Caribbean and Europe, with several new openings and partnerships.

Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat is one of SLH’s newest properties, offering a tranquil escape in northern Vietnam’s UNESCO-listed Trang An region

Recent signings include Lilløy Lindenberg, a private island retreat in Norway; Hotel Saltus in the Italian Dolomites; Dunluce Lodge in Ireland; and Seaton House in St Andrews, Scotland.

Among upcoming properties, Sanctuary Rainforest Resort and Spa in Dominica will open in August 2026 as SLH’s first hotel on the island, offering 72 rooms set amid tropical rainforest. Palacio de Tavira, a 36-room hotel in Portugal’s Algarve region, opened in August 2025 in a restored 19th-century residence. In northern Vietnam, Jiva Hoa Lu Retreat joins the portfolio as part of SLH’s Considerate Collection, located in Trang An’s UNESCO-listed landscape of rice paddies and limestone karsts.

Other new additions include Siri Sala Private Thai Villa in Bangkok, Hotel De Orangerie in Bruges, The Burman Hotel in Tallinn, and The Feathers Hotel in Oxfordshire. New mountain properties include Hotel Villa Honegg in Switzerland and Via Regia Cappadocia in Turkey.

In the wine regions, SLH welcomes Le Marne Relais in Italy’s Piedmont, Longting Vineyard Hotel in China’s Penglai, and Castilla Termal Monasterio de Valbuena in Spain. New golf destinations include Dunluce Lodge on Ireland’s Causeway Coast and Seaton House in St Andrews, both close to world-class courses.

Nature-based escapes feature Lilløy Lindenberg in Norway, Pine Trees Hotel in Scotland, Parkhotel Egerner Hoefe in Germany and A Mandria di Murtoli in Corsica. The group also added Inn at Rancho Santa Fe in California, REVĪVŌ Wellness Resort in Bali, and Five Spring Resort The Shirahama in Japan.

With continued expansion across multiple regions and travel niches, SLH remains on track for record signings in 2025.

Thomas Cook India, SOTC relaunch China holidays as direct flights resume

By TTG India

November 6, 2025

0

Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel have relaunched China as a key holiday destination for Indian travellers, capitalising on the resumption of direct flights, relaxed visa processes, and strengthened diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The move follows strong consumer demand, with departures selling out even during the traditional low season of October-November.

China’ Zhangjiajie’s towering sandstone peaks are among the new destinations featured in Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel’s expanded China itineraries

The expanded China portfolio offers itineraries for multi-generational families, millennials and Gen Z, working professionals, couples, seniors, and solo travellers. Popular destinations such as Shanghai, Beijing, Xi’an, and the Great Wall remain central, while new locations including Chongqing, Chengdu, and Zhangjiajie have been added.

Unique experiences include rides on the Shanghai Maglev, immersive storytelling at Chongqing 1949’s 360° theatre, Yangtze River drone shows, Michelin-starred dining, and private Baijiu distillery tastings.

Multi-destination tours to China-Japan for the Cherry Blossom season are also available.

Group tours feature high-speed train travel, including the Xi’an-Beijing route, with enhanced comfort through porter services and pre-planned menus combining regional Chinese cuisine and Indian favourites, catered by Indian chefs to meet vegetarian preferences.

China’s growing infrastructure and connectivity are also boosting business travel and the MICE segment. Cities such as Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu are emerging as key hubs, attracting corporates for meetings, incentive programmes, and conferences, alongside increased interest in bleisure travel.

Rajeev Kale, president and country head, holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook India, said: “Announcement of direct flight connectivity has opened the doors to China and driven consumer interest. Leveraging on this opportunity, we have enhanced our China portfolio to go beyond the conventional, introducing new regions and experiences that resonate with India’s new age holidaymaker.”

S D Nandakumar, president and country head, holidays and corporate tours, SOTC Travel, added: “China’s re-emergence as a preferred destination is a significant opportunity. With direct connectivity restored and traveller confidence on the rise, our expanded portfolio offers Indians a seamless blend of China’s iconic landmarks and exciting new experiences.

“From group tours to customised holidays, we’re delighted to bring China back on the travel map for our customers. We also see growing traction for MICE, with organisations seeking culturally rich and high-impact destinations for their events and incentive programmes.”

Asia-Pacific tourism continues strong recovery, PATA reports

By TTG India

November 5, 2025

0

PATA’s Annual Tourism Monitor 2025 reports a strong rebound in international visitor arrivals across the Asia-Pacific. In 2024, 46 destinations recorded a total of 647.9 million arrivals, an increase of 24.1 per cent from the previous year and reaching 91.9 per cent of pre-pandemic levels.

Provisional data for 1H2025 show continued growth, with 295.7 million arrivals, reflecting a 5.4 per cent year-on-year increase and 92.6 per cent recovery.

International visitor arrivals in the region reached 647.9 million in 2024, nearing pre-pandemic levels and signalling continued growth for 2025

Asia led the region’s growth, recording 470.9 million arrivals in 2024, or 72.7 per cent of the total, up 30.7 per cent on 2023. The Americas followed with 153.0 million arrivals (23.6 per cent, up 9.7 per cent) and the Pacific with 24.0 million (3.7 per cent, up 6.9 per cent). China welcomed more than 127 million visitors, accounting for 19.7 per cent of the region’s total, while the US saw 72 million arrivals (11.2 per cent).

Japan recorded the highest growth among major destinations, with 36.87 million arrivals in 2024, up 47.1 per cent, driven by cultural appeal, favourable exchange rates, and improved air connectivity. In the first half of 2025, Japan continued its strong performance with 14.4 million arrivals, a 24.5 per cent increase, achieving a recovery rate of 131.6 per cent. Macau, China, also saw strong growth, with 34.9 million arrivals in 2024 (up 23.8 per cent) and a further 14.9 per cent increase in the first half of 2025, supported by diversification beyond gaming and improved infrastructure.

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said: “While growth has naturally eased following the sharp rebounds of 2023 and 2024, the data points to a healthy and sustainable trajectory for tourism across the Asia-Pacific. The region is entering a new phase of maturity – one defined not by recovery, but by resilience and recalibration. These results reaffirm the strength of the industry’s foundations and its ability to evolve in response to shifting market conditions and traveller expectations.”

Opportunities include the expansion of low-cost carriers, pushing inbound seat recovery to 123.1 per cent of 2019 levels, and India’s emergence as both a source and destination market. Challenges include slower outbound recovery from China, high operating costs in the Pacific, and ongoing geopolitical and climate risks.

Hamid added: “Destinations should continue to diversify their markets, strengthen public-private collaboration, and invest in long-term sustainability – both environmental and economic. Adaptability and cooperation remain our most valuable tools for steady, inclusive growth.”

The report can be viewed here.

Therme Group to build Asia’s first large-scale well-being destination in Singapore

By TTG India

November 5, 2025

0

Therme Group has won the Singapore Tourism Board bid to develop a S$1 billion (US$740 million) well-being destination at Marina South Coastal, Singapore.

The project will be the group’s first in Asia and the region’s first large-scale social well-being infrastructure, occupying a four-hectare waterfront site near Marina Barrage and Gardens by the Bay. It is expected to welcome around two million visitors annually, with roughly half from overseas.

Singapore’s Marina South Coastal will be transformed into a sustainable urban wellness hub attracting residents and international visitors; photo by Therme Singapore and DP Architects

The development will integrate water, nature, and architecture to promote holistic urban well-being. It is being designed in collaboration with DP Architects and Therme ARC, the group’s in-house architecture and design practice. The facility will combine thermal pools, botanical landscapes, art installations, and advanced health technology, creating a year-round destination that supports physical, mental, and social well-being.

The facility will also prioritise sustainability, incorporating high-efficiency water recycling, renewable energy solutions, and biophilic design to integrate the destination with the surrounding coastal park, creating a cohesive green and blue urban oasis.

“Therme Group is pioneering the future of well-being at scale globally,” said Robert Hanea, founder and CEO of Therme Group. “Our winning proposal for the Marina South Coastal site is an honour and a reflection of our shared vision for how cities can integrate well-being into everyday life. In Singapore, we are creating a destination for residents and visitors alike – a place where wellness, culture and nature come together.”

Jean Ng, assistant chief executive, experience development group, Singapore Tourism Board, added: “Our vision is to establish Singapore as a leading urban wellness haven through a world-class facility that offers transformative wellness experiences for visitors and locals alike. Their approach to wellness – encompassing physical, mental and emotional well-being – aligns well with our focus areas. In line with our pursuit of quality tourism, this attraction will draw travellers seeking wellness experiences, potentially increasing length of stay and spend, while providing locals with best-in-class wellness experiences.”

Travellers seek more personal, purposeful journeys in 2026: Skyscanner

By TTG India

November 4, 2025

0

Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2026 report outlines the seven key trends expected to influence global travel behaviour in the coming year, reflecting a shift towards more personal and purposeful experiences.

With the cost of living still a major factor, travellers are building trips around passions, priorities and a sense of value. The report combines Skyscanner’s data with consumer research and insights from brands including Reddit, Malin and Goetz, AllTrails and Penguin Books.

Skyscanner’s 2026 trends reveal travellers are curating trips around passions, priorities and value

The seven trends are:

Glowmads: Beauty rituals are influencing travel choices, with 33% of travellers wanting to experience local beauty culture and 20% influenced by social media. From in-flight skincare to visiting iconic beauty retailers, beauty is becoming part of the travel experience.

Shelf discovery: Food tourism is shifting from fine dining to local markets and supermarkets, with 35% of travellers planning to shop at local grocers on their next trip.

Altitude shift: Mountain escapes are attracting visitors beyond the ski season, with 76% considering an alpine holiday in summer or autumn. Skyscanner data shows a 103% year-on-year increase in hotel bookings using the ‘Room with a mountain view’ filter.

Bookbound: Travel inspired by literature is growing, with 57% booking or considering trips linked to books or authors. Searches using Skyscanner’s ‘library’ filter are up 70% year-on-year.

Catching flights and feelings: Social travel is rising, with 55% travelling or considering travel to meet new people. Hotel bookings using the ‘solo’ filter are up 83% year-on-year.

Family miles: Multi-generational trips are on the rise, with 31% planning to travel with family. Younger travellers are also driving this trend as they look for cost-sharing and shared experiences.

Destination check-in: Hotels are becoming the focus of travel decisions, with 29% choosing destinations based on accommodation design, atmosphere or uniqueness.

The report also highlights how AI and social platforms are reshaping travel planning. With 84% of people expecting to travel abroad as much or more in 2026 than in 2025, travellers are seeking curated, meaningful and efficient ways to plan and experience their journeys.

Bryan Batista, CEO of Skyscanner, said: “Skyscanner’s 2026 Travel Trends report shows how travel is about to get more personal than ever. Whether it’s building a trip around a must-stay destination hotel, getting lost in a new favourite book on a reading retreat, incorporating a beauty routine into their travel itinerary or bringing the whole family along for the journey, travel will become more curated, grounded and unique.”

TFE Hotels strengthens leadership team across Australia

Hyatt Centric MG Road Bangalore appoints new GM

Conrad Singapore Marina Bay welcomes new GM

Klook expands leadership team

New hotels: Shangri-La Hongqiao Airport, La Résidence Phou Vao and more

Small Luxury Hotels of the World nears record growth in 2025

Thomas Cook India, SOTC relaunch China holidays as direct flights resume

Asia-Pacific tourism continues strong recovery, PATA reports

Therme Group to build Asia’s first large-scale well-being destination in Singapore

Travellers seek more personal, purposeful journeys in 2026: Skyscanner

What to Buy Now

Regent Seven Seas Cruises unveils 2029 world cruise