Alila, part of Hyatt’s Luxury Portfolio, has launched a global campaign, A World Awaits, highlighting personalised guest experiences across its hotels.
The campaign also introduces Alila Moments, a series of immersive experiences designed to connect guests with local culture, the environment, creativity and wellness.
Guests can explore cultural, wellness and environmental experiences across Alila hotels worldwide
A World Awaits explores how travel can both reveal the world and prompt personal reflection. The campaign invites guests to experience destinations with presence, pairing visuals of Alila locations with personal moments of immersion and mindfulness.
A World Awaits also marks the debut of the Alila Moments platform, a collection of curated experiences available at all Alila hotels worldwide. Each experience is designed to foster connections with the local environment, culture, and other guests. Examples include a guided hike and river plunge at Alila Ventana Big Sur in California, a day with artisans and traditional wellness treatments at Alila Fort Bishangarh in India, spiritual and cultural activities at Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali, a frankincense-themed ritual and dinner at Alila Hinu Bay in Oman, and an incense-blending and meditation session at Alila Shanghai.
The campaign is being implemented across 18 destinations including Indonesia, the Maldives, Oman, India, China, Malaysia and California, and features the newest property, Alila Dong’ao Island Zhuhai. Alila Mayakoba is expected to open in late 2025 as the first Alila property in Latin America.
“A World Awaits is a pivotal campaign for the Alila brand, reinforcing its commitment to the luxury traveller who cherishes every step that they take, believes in moments of wonder large and small, and cares about the planet as much as they care about themselves,” said Katie Johnson, vice president, global brand leader, luxury portfolio, Hyatt.
“From cultural and environmental immersion, to enriching bespoke experiences and holistic wellbeing, with this campaign, Alila hotels look forward to guests experiencing the worlds of culture, tradition, nature, spirituality and more, that await them at every corner.”
Dusit Thani Group marked a historic leadership handover on September 12, 2025, as group CEO Suphajee Suthumpun – who has held the role since 2016 – officially transferred her responsibilities to acting chairman of the board Chanin Donavanik before departing to assume her new role as Thailand’s minister of commerce.
In his remarks to the press, Chanin underscored the group’s transformation over the past decade.
Dusit Thani’s Suphajee Suthumpun stepped down on September 12, 2025, to assume her new role as Thailand’s minister of commerce; photo by Dusit International
“In the past nine years, our managed portfolio has grown from 27 to 297 properties across 18 countries, and our brand portfolio has expanded from four to nine. We’ve chosen to grow differently – through management rather than heavy investment – while channelling capital into Dusit Central Park. Some see accumulated losses, but what they don’t see is that this is the most ambitious project in our history, one that will redefine Dusit Thani,” he said.
Chanin praised Suphajee’s stewardship, adding: “After fulfilling her duty to the country, I hope she returns to Dusit. We are all one family, and I am only keeping the seat warm until she comes back.”
Reflecting on her nine-year tenure, Suphajee said: “Last year was a record for us, surpassing 10 billion baht (US$270 million) in revenue for the first time. We still have some issues with losses, but those will be eradicated once we transfer 16 billion baht worth of residences sold, opening a new chapter for Dusit.”
She then explained why she accepted the cabinet role.
“I never expected to assume a role in politics, but my decision rests on two reasons. First, Thailand faces urgent challenges. Reducing the cost of living alone is not enough; we must also generate income by opening foreign markets, strengthening domestic commerce, and enhancing competitiveness. My experiences in international business with IBM, Thaicom and Dusit have prepared me for this task,” she said.
“Second, this role is short-term – just four months. That means we must act decisively, deliver quick results, and leave a foundation for the next team. Prioritisation of impactful issues will be critical,” she underscored.
Her agenda spans seven focus areas: short-term visible impact, opening foreign markets, strengthening the Thai brand, teamwork across ministries, promoting Thai products to create jobs, embedding sustainability, and supporting tourism as a vital economic engine.
Suphajee was invited to assume the role through a personal call from Thailand’s current prime minister, Anutin Charnvirakul, who heads a minority government backed by the People’s Party.
As part of the coalition deal, he pledged to dissolve the House of Representatives within four months, with a general election expected in early 2026.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been selected to host the 31st World Route Development Forum (Routes World 2026), a global event that shapes the future of air connectivity.
The event will be led by the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), in partnership with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) as tourism partner, the Air Connectivity Program (ACP) as air connectivity partner, and Matarat Holding as airport partner, and organised by Tahaluf.
Riyadh prepares to welcome global aviation leaders at Routes World 2026
Routes World is an international platform where airlines, airports, tourism authorities and aviation stakeholders plan and negotiate future air services. Each year, the event attracts thousands of aviation decision-makers, supporting the growth of international travel and tourism.
The selection of Riyadh as host city highlights Saudi Arabia’s growth as a global aviation hub under Vision 2030. In 2024, more than 128 million passengers travelled through the Kingdom’s airports, a 15 per cent increase on the previous year and 25 per cent above pre-pandemic levels. In the first half of 2025, airports handled 66.7 million passengers, 467,000 flights and 575,000 tonnes of cargo.
Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of STA, noted that Saudi Arabia is opening new links between people and places, with visitor numbers rising six per cent in 2024. Majid Khan, CEO of ACP, said the event highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to growing its tourism and aviation sectors, while Steven Small, managing director of Routes, added that strong visitor spending and modern aviation infrastructure make Riyadh an ideal host for the forum.
Riyadh’s King Salman International Airport is expected to handle 120 million passengers by 2030 and 185 million by 2050. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah is expanding its capacity from around 50 million today to 80–114 million by 2030, reaching 100 million by 2035. The Kingdom is also investing in new airlines and infrastructure, including the launch of Riyadh Air by the end of 2025, which will serve over 100 international destinations.
Riyadh’s successful bids for World Expo 2030 and the FIFA World Cup 2034 show confidence in its ability to host major events. Hosting Routes World 2026 will further strengthen the Kingdom’s role as a global connector between Asia, Africa and Europe.
GACA president and chairman of Matarat Holding, Abdulaziz Al-Duailej, said: “Hosting Routes World 2026 is a major milestone in our journey to position Riyadh and the Kingdom as a central hub for global aviation. The decision recognises Saudi Arabia’s aviation growth, infrastructure investment programme and Vision 2030 tourism and economic growth agenda.”
Qantas adds A220 service and Jetstar route to New Zealand
The Qantas Group will expand its trans-Tasman operations, including Qantas’ first international service using the A220 aircraft between Brisbane and Wellington and a new direct Jetstar route from Brisbane to Queenstown in 2026.
From February 2026, Qantas will operate its A220 aircraft on flights between Brisbane and Wellington, marking the aircraft’s first international deployment. The A220 will initially operate up to three times a week, replacing existing E190 services and some Boeing 737 flights. The aircraft is more fuel efficient than previous-generation planes and offers a lighter, brighter cabin, larger windows, overhead lockers and fast free Wi-Fi.
Jetstar will begin direct flights between Brisbane and Queenstown from June 2026, operating three times a week during the snow season (June to October) on A320ceo aircraft, providing more than 17,000 low-fare seats annually.
Qantas and Jetstar will also increase frequency on existing trans-Tasman routes. Jetstar Brisbane-Auckland will operate up to twice daily, Melbourne-Christchurch will operate daily year-round, and Sydney-Auckland will increase to up to 12 per week. Qantas will add two extra flights per week between Sydney and Christchurch during February and March.
Lufthansa Group
Lufthansa Group launches early check-in at Singapore Changi Airport
The Lufthansa Group has introduced an early check-in service for all passengers travelling from Singapore to Europe with Lufthansa and Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS).
The service, available at Changi Airport’s Jewel, allows guests to drop off their bags and check in as early as 08.00 on the day of departure, 12 hours before the main check-in counters open. Passengers can use the service from 08.00 until 20.00.
Air Astana and Air India
Air Astana, Air India deepen codeshare on Almaty-India routes Air Astana and Air India have strengthened their cooperation through a codeshare partnership covering flights between Almaty and Delhi, and Almaty and Mumbai. Under the agreement, Air India will place its AI designator code on Air Astana-operated flights, offering passengers greater connectivity and convenience for travel between the two countries.
The arrangement builds on an existing interline partnership that began earlier in 2025. Air Astana customers can already connect via Delhi and Mumbai to 18 destinations across India, as well as nine international destinations served by Air India. At the same time, Air India passengers gain access to Air Astana’s network through Almaty, connecting to key cities in Central Asia and China, including Astana, Bishkek, Tashkent, Dushanbe, and Urumqi.
Vietjet
Vietjet to operate direct flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Manila
Vietjet will launch a direct service linking Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s economic hub, with Manila, the capital of the Philippines, starting November 22, 2025. The route will operate five round-trip flights per week, enhancing air connectivity across South-east Asia.
The new service is Vietjet’s first direct connection between Vietnam and the Philippines. Tickets are available via the airline’s official website for travel from November 22, 2025, to March 29, 2026.
Park Hyatt Auckland has appointed Lisa Breckon as director of sales and marketing.
She has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry and was most recently director of sales and marketing at CPG Hotels, where she managed the sales and marketing function across 10 properties and oversaw the launch of the Fable Hotels & Resorts brand in New Zealand.
Her expertise includes sales strategy, digital marketing, brand development and revenue optimisation. She also has experience in building teams and client relationships.
The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) is anticipating a visitor surge in the coming years – from 72 million in 2019 and 65 million in post-Covid 2023 – to reach a predicted excess of 85 million by 2027, according to the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office. This projection has highlighted the importance of visitor management to protect the environments and communities that call GMS destinations home.
“What happens when visitors love a place too much? We see overflowing waste, overcrowding and communities pushing back against tourists. That’s why visitor management is key to saving what we love,” said Chumpol Musiganont, deputy director-general of the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration in Thailand.
Sherpas help tourists with their luggage as they ascend the mountains in Phu Kradueng National Park
Speaking at the Mekong Tourism Forum in Luang Prabang, Laos in June, Musiganont added: “Poor experience leads to fewer return visits, while effective management enhances quality, protects heritage and ensures community equity.”
Common techniques
Musiganont pointed to tools used to control impacts and enhance visitor experience. Zoning and spatial planning is a common technique, where specific zones are designated for activities, such as tourism, conservation or residential use.
Timed entry and booking systems, including advance reservations and ticket quotas, can be effective in managing visitor flow during peak periods. Additionally, digital tools are proving key, such as smart visitor monitoring using apps or Internet of Things sensors, to track visitor numbers, patterns and behaviours.
“This is a good way to learn how many people there are and where congestion occurs,” said Musiganont, adding that data can help with informed decision-making and planning.
Thailand has been able to better manage tourist flows with the QueQ app, which allows visitors to reserve entry to popular attractions and venues. To date, at high demand sites, QueQ has reduced the average waiting time by 38 per cent.
A code of conduct for tourist is also essential for visitor management. Musiganont recalled how massive Chinese inbound volumes to Thailand earlier had resulted in friction between visitors and residents.
He said: “Thai people complained about improper behaviour. That happened because they (the tourists) were never informed about how to conduct themselves. Foreigners must be informed of the code of conduct.”
Finally, he recommended involving local communities. “Engaging local residents in decision-making and benefit-sharing, while fostering stewardship and cultural integrity is important to gain local support,” he stated.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai,Thailand
Easing congestion in Thailand
The small mountain of Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai province, Thailand is surrounded by a national park and is home to the famed Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Buddhist temple. This destination receives millions of visitors annually.
Visitorship surges especially on weekends and during religious festivals, leading to parking issues, littering and noise.
“The visitor experience and site integrity were under pressure. Many who had to wait in one place felt upset and complained,” Musiganont said.
A raft of actions was introduced. This included enforcement of one-way traffic, zoning, regulation of vendor stalls, and installing signs and behavioural guidance encouraging quiet and respectful conduct in sacred areas.
It also trialled the QueQ app, which reduced waiting times during busy periods by 32 per cent. During the trial period, all of these tools combined reduced temple congestion by 40 per cent and complaints by 50 per cent, while increasing visitor satisfaction by 27 per cent, according to Chiang Mai Tourism Office.
Thailand’s Phu Kradueng National Park is now working on strategic visitor management. It is popular with visitors hiking the 5.5km trail to camp overnight at its summit. The large volume of visitors results in up to 180kg of waste dumped daily at the summit, which attracts elephants. Trails are also erodied, making it inaccessible to the elderly and disabled. Furthermore, congestion issues are common on weekends.
To overcome this, the park has unveiled ambitious plans to introduce a cable car system and shuttle hub. App-based queuing and reservation systems will be introduced, as well as visitor zoning and capacity control, and wildlife and visitor tracking tools.
The project is currently under Environmental Impact Assessment, but predicted benefits include reduced trail erosion and improved waste management, minimising wildlife disturbance, and increased access.
Musiganont said: “Visitor management isn’t about limiting tourism, it’s about shaping it. Smart tools, like zoning and digital queuing, are already making a difference.”
He urged GMS tourism leaders to invest in capacity-based infrastructure, such as smart queuing and controlled access, engage local communities as custodians and co-designers, support legal reform and policy innovation that enables sustainable solutions in protected areas, and use data to guide action.
Ecko Hotels & Resorts has added 12 new properties across key destinations, expanding its presence to 12 hotels nationwide.
Since its launch in April 2025 with locations in Rishikesh, Tapovan and Haridwar, the group has added more than 1,000 rooms in Pandukeshwar, Badrinath, Amritsar, Dehradun, Puri, Goa, Alibaug, Lansdowne and Udaipur.
Rocha said the expansion marks a major step in growing Ecko Hotels & Resorts’ presence across destinations popular with spiritual and leisure travellers
The expansion targets spiritual tourism while also catering to MICE, weddings, leisure, heritage travel and coastal retreats.
Each new property promises immersive stays that highlight India’s diverse heritage – from Himalayan retreats and spiritual centres to coastal towns and heritage cities – reinforcing Ecko Hotels & Resorts as a provider of distinctive hospitality experiences.
Perkin Rocha, founder and CEO of Ecko Hotels & Resorts, commented: “We are not just improving our inventory with Pandukeshwar, Badrinath, Amritsar, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Puri, Goa, Alibaug, Lansdowne and Udaipur, but also establishing avenues for some great stay experiences and lasting values in the world of Indian hospitality, all proudly within such a short span of time.”
Disney Cruise Line (DCL) adjusted the launch timeline of its newest ship, the Disney Adventure, with its maiden voyage now planned for March 10, 2026.
During an online meeting with DCL yesterday afternoon, TTG Asia understands that the company has made the “difficult decision to postpone the maiden voyage”, as the company has “encountered unexpected delays in the shipbuilding process”.
Disney Cruise Line delays debut of the Disney Adventure to March 2026
The spokesperson expressed: “This is the largest vessel we’ve taken on, and has been a very ambitious project. With all the announcements that we’ve been making, we want to deliver excellence, and the highest standard and experience for our guests.”
Voyages scheduled from December 15, 2025, to March 12, 2026, will be impacted. DCL will be reaching out to affected guests and travel agents to offer flexible rebooking options.
For guests booked on the original maiden voyage date of December 15, they will be given the opportunity to sail on the new maiden voyage on March 10, 2026, at a 50 per cent discount. This reservation will be automatically shifted, and guests will receive a confirmation with their reduced fare by October 8, 2025.
For those unable to make the new maiden voyage date, they may request for a refund of the amount paid out to DCL to their original form of payment, and they will be able to use their 50 per cent discount on a future cruise. Guests have to let DCL, or their respective travel advisor know by September 21, 2025. The future cruise must be booked by March 31, 2026, and the cruise must depart on or before March 31, 2027.
For other affected guests, refunds will be made to the original form of payment. Guests will also be extended a 50 per cent discount of their future voyage fare for use on a future cruise, and can book their future cruise as soon as they receive the cancellation confirmation of their original sailing. The future cruise must also be booked by March 31, 2026, and the cruise must depart on or before March 31, 2027.
Travel advisors have also been similarly notified. DCL has also informed travel advisors that commissions that would have been payable on clients’ cancelled sailings will not be affected and, for new bookings made using the 50 per cent future cruise discount, commissions will be calculated using the discounted price, subject to DCL’s sales agreement and/or commission programme terms and conditions.
The Disney Adventure will be the first DCL ship to homeport in Asia.
Artificial intelligence (AI), direct bookings, and secure payment systems are reshaping digital marketing, as hotels and travel brands adapt to a cookie-less environment and rising demand for personalisation.
At the Next Gen Digital Marketing & AI panel discussion, speakers highlighted how hotels are gaining greater control over pricing with AI-driven insights, while brand reputation, secure transactions and gradual adoption of new technology are becoming key growth drivers in the Web 3.0 era.
From left: Filoxenia’s Chris Cheong, Rev Logix’s Jessica Tham, PayPal’s Lewis Lee, AB&Artho’s Adlina Borhan and MVX Multiverse’s Vincent Kok
Jessica Tham, consultant at Rev Logix, said hotels are steadily moving away from heavy reliance on OTAs, which often charge high commissions, and are focusing on strengthening direct bookings through their own channels.
She explained that AI is reshaping dynamic pricing by enabling hyper-personalised offers based on guest search patterns, preferences and booking history. With AI-powered data analysis, hotels gain more control over pricing, reduce dependence on third parties, and create more guest-centric experiences.
According to Tham, the shift has accelerated as hotels realise the value of owning customer data and using technology to optimise both pricing and engagement. “Hotels that invest in their own booking platforms and data strategies are no longer just competing with OTAs on price – they are competing on personalisation and trust,” she said. She added that this approach also helps hotels respond quickly to market fluctuations, a key advantage in volatile travel conditions.
Vincent Kok, co-founder of MVX Multiverse, noted that AI adoption should be a step-by-step process rather than a “big bang” overhaul.
“AI is not just about reducing costs – it can also open up new revenue opportunities when applied creatively,” he said, adding that chatbots, which now offer multilingual support and more natural interactions, are a realistic entry point for independent hotels looking to enhance customer service while managing costs.
Lewis Lee, head of business development APAC at PayPal, highlighted the role of secure payments in influencing customer willingness to book. He said PayPal’s focus on fraud prevention and data privacy translates into higher conversion rates, with more than 70 per cent of users completing transactions when the service is offered.
Adlina Borhan, CEO of AB&Artho, stated public relations has become a strategic lever for building reputation and trust with guests, which in turn drives business.
“Reputation builds trust, and trust brings revenue. If your brand is not recognised for its credibility, even the best pricing strategies will fail to convert,” she said. Adlina explained that PR, marketing and technology must work together to support the book-direct journey: PR creates awareness and trust, marketing drives engagement, and technology secures the transaction.
The session was moderated by Chris Cheong, director digital strategies, Filoxenia. The half-day forum entitled Driving hospitality to the next level: Next Gen Digital Marketing & AI was organised by Filoxenia Hospitality Management at Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur recently.
Minor Hotels has appointed Sasha Tyas as general manager of Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas.
Tyas has more than 25 years of international experience in luxury hospitality, with leadership roles in Portugal, Brazil, the Caribbean, the Seychelles and the Maldives.
She was previously general manager of the 224-suite Ilma yacht with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, sailing in Europe and the Caribbean.
Her expertise includes sales strategy, digital marketing, brand development and revenue optimisation. She also has experience in building teams and client relationships.
She was previously general manager of the 224-suite Ilma yacht with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, sailing in Europe and the Caribbean.
