K-pop star Jisoo has released a special video for her track Your Love, from her mini album AMORTAGE, filmed at Singapore’s Mandai Wildlife Reserve. The video highlights the city’s natural landscapes and wildlife attractions, including Rainforest Wild Asia, the region’s first adventure-based zoological park, and the Singapore Zoo, known for its open-concept habitats.
The video was officially released on August 12, and a behind-the-scenes video will be uploaded after.
Jisoo’s emotive performance brings Singapore’s greenery and wildlife to life, showcasing the city’s distinctive attractions to K-pop fans and international travellers alike
The collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board aims to promote Singapore to global audiences through K-content, inspiring visitors to explore its nature and cultural experiences.
To coincide with the launch of Jisoo’s video, Rainforest Wild Asia will host the Your Love meets the Wild campaign from August 13 to October 5, 2025, offering an immersive trail that recreates locations from the video.
Peppers Hunter Valley, Australia Peppers Hunter Valley has reopened following the rebrand of Grand Mercure The Vintage and a multi-million-dollar refurbishment. The property returns to the Hunter Valley, where the Peppers brand was first established.
The hotel offers one-, two- and three-bedroom villas upgraded with modern kitchens, as well as refreshed lighting and new furnishings. A redesigned reception area combines Peppers’ signature style with the relaxed atmosphere of the countryside.
Located within The Vintage precinct, the property is surrounded by vineyards, rolling hills and the Greg Norman-designed 18-hole golf course. A new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant and bar, Mezze, will open upstairs, adding to the precinct’s culinary offerings.
Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur will open in the iconic Merdeka 118, the tallest skyscraper in the Asia-Pacific.
The hotel occupies levels 75 to 114, offering guests panoramic views of the city skyline.
The property features 252 keys, including 27 suites, with wellness facilities and dining options reflecting Malaysian culture.
Situated near Petaling Street in Chinatown, the hotel provides easy access to Kuala Lumpur’s historic and cultural attractions.
Aloft Surabaya Pakuwon City
Aloft Surabaya Pakuwon City, Indonesia Aloft Surabaya Pakuwon City will open on August 22, 2025, introducing the Aloft brand and Marriott’s first hotel in eastern Surabaya. The hotel features 233 rooms designed for business travellers, digital nomads and weekend visitors.
Guests can enjoy a fitness centre, outdoor pool, meeting spaces, W XYZ Lounge, Vibe Restaurant and Echo Lounge & Bar. The hotel is directly connected to Pakuwon City Mall, The Courtyard and Park Shanghai, putting shopping, dining and entertainment just steps away.
Pullman Sydney Penrith
Pullman Sydney Penrith, Australia Pullman Sydney Penrith, the first five-star hotel in Penrith, offers 24 Junior Suites, 95 Superior Rooms, 25 Deluxe Rooms and eight accessible Superior Rooms. Junior Suites feature floor-to-ceiling windows, a sitting area, work desk, full-sized fridge and microwave, along with in-room amenities such as Hunter Lab skincare products and Nespresso machines. All rooms include smart controls, digital compendiums and a Sleep Therapy Menu with a range of wellness options.
The hotel features F&B options, a fitness and wellness centre, a 10-person sauna, and sustainably minded operations including zero single-use plastics and electric vehicle charging stations.
Located 21 minutes from Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport, Pullman Sydney Penrith provides easy access to the Blue Mountains, Sydney CBD and Harbour, as well as coastal attractions. The hotel is adjacent to the Western Sydney Convention Centre, and offers a central base for business and leisure travellers in New South Wales.
The Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) has confirmed Abu Dhabi as the host destination for its 68th Convention-cum-Exhibition, scheduled for September 17 to 19 at the Grand Hyatt, Abu Dhabi. The event is expected to attract over 350 delegates.
The association last hosted its convention in the emirate in 2016.
The 68th TAAI Convention in Abu Dhabi aims to strengthen ties and promote Indian visitor arrivals with immersive cultural experiences
“Much has changed in Abu Dhabi since our last convention there. A number of new products and experiences like teamLab have been introduced and we want our members to be updated on these developments. We are confident that hosting our convention in Abu Dhabi will further boost Indian visitor arrivals to the destination,” said Sunil Kumar, president, TAAI, while addressing a press conference in New Delhi on August 11 to announce the convention.
Held under the theme Business with Goodness, the convention will highlight tourism’s role as a promoter of peace and include knowledge sessions on industry insights and emerging trends. The delegates will also be offered the opportunity to discover Abu Dhabi through various tours. Some of the products and experiences covered will include BAPS Temple, Qasr-Al-Watan Palace, teamLab, The Louvre, Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Emirates Palace among others.
“This convention will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange while offering our members an immersive introduction to Abu Dhabi’s diverse cultural, leisure and business attractions. Our exhibition, the India Travel Trade Expo will create business opportunities and provide strong visibility for exhibitors, enabling them to network and forge new partnerships,” added Kumar.
The convention aligns with DCT Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030, which aims to welcome 39.3 million visitors annually by the end of the decade.
Sun Siyam Resorts, which operates a number of properties in the Maldives and Sri Lanka, has joined hands with the Ministry of Higher Education, Maldives to offer hospitality apprenticeship for young Maldivians.
The new programme is conducted through the World Bank-funded SAILS Project (Sustainable and Integrated Labour Services), which sets out to enhance skills development and youth employability in the Maldives.
Sun Siyam Resorts launches hospitality apprenticeship programme to boost skills and employment for young Maldivians
The first intake kicked off in July with 13 apprentices. Over the next six months, these apprentices will gain structured, on-the-job experience across key departments of Siyam World Maldives resort, from diving, finance, engineering, culinary, IT and more.
The programme includes mentorship by senior team members, skill-focused workshops, and real-world exposure aligned with national certification standards and Sun Siyam Resorts’ own service philosophy.
Apprentices who successfully complete the programme will be offered employment at any property under Sun Siyam Resorts.
Abdulla Thamheed, vice president of operations, Sun Siyam Resorts, said the project is a “long-term investment in the future of Maldivian tourism”.
The new hospitality apprenticeship reflects the same values that drive the group’s broader commitment to people and purpose, and joins other initiatives carried out under the Sun Siyam Cares framework that focuses on sustainability, environmental protection, and ethical tourism.
Sun Siyam Resorts spokesperson Claudia Klingbeil told TTG Asia that a second enrolment will follow in January 2026 – and this time it will be conducted across all properties.
Club Med has consolidated three existing business units into two integrated entities – East & South Asia and Pacific (ESAP) and China – with effect from May 1 this year.
The business transformation reinforces the brand’s commitment to deepening regional focus, unlocking new growth potential, and enhancing operational agility in high-priority markets.
Rachael Harding leads Club Med’s consolidated East & South Asia and Pacific operations
The new structure is aligned with the distinct business environment in ESAP and China, yet allows the company to preserve its collaborative “One APAC” mechanism.
Rachael Harding takes on the role of CEO of the newly integrated ESAP business unit, encompassing both commercial and resort operations management. She reports to Gregory Lanter, deputy CEO of Club Med.
The ESAP business unit also sees several key appointments: Cindy Beleau as vice president of revenue management APAC; Sandrine Rossi as vice president, operations and product; Anastasiya Kulish as vice president of Japan resort operations; Michelle Davies as general manager Pacific and ESAP new markets; Olivier Monceau who adds on meetings & events segment to his leadership of Singapore and Malaysia; Jerome Ferrie chief financial officer; and Arezki Haddad as chief HR officer.
Henri Giscard d’Estaing, president of Club Med, said in a press statement that the move “opens a new chapter for Club Med in Asia-Pacific”.
“With empowered leadership and a shared ‘glocal’ vision, Club Med now has even more agility to seize opportunities in key markets and reinforce our position as the worldwide leader in premium, all-inclusive travel,” said d’Estaing.
Harding said the “business transformation empowers us to scale with greater purpose and precision across the region”. She noted ESAP’s strong 2024 performance and significant growth potential for Club Med.
Meanwhile, in China, which is Club Med’s second-largest market with over 260,000 guests welcomed in 2024, the strategic realignment will see Andrew Xu carrying on as CEO of Club Med China. He will also serve as deputy CEO of Club Med, overseeing global finance.
Six Senses Uluwatu, Bali has appointed Armand Thieblemont as director of sustainability. He also takes on the role of regional director of sustainability, supporting the brand’s strategy and operations across Asia-Pacific while based in Bali.
Thieblemont began his hospitality career in Indonesia and joined Six Senses Zighy Bay in 2022 as sustainability director. He has contributed to key initiatives, including the opening of Six Senses Kyoto and the reopening of Six Senses Shaharut.
In his new role, he will lead environmental stewardship, sustainability innovations, and community outreach at Six Senses Uluwatu, with the aim of integrating luxury hospitality and sustainability.
Preferred Hotels & Resorts has made several senior appointments in Asia-Pacific, including Laurence Onfroy as vice president, business development, Asia Pacific; Eddie Wong as area managing director, Greater China & Australia; and Midori Kataoka as area managing director, Japan.
Based in Singapore, Onfroy will drive portfolio growth, strategic partnerships, and development of the sustainable brand Beyond Green.
From left: Laurence Onfroy, Eddie Wong and Midori Kataoka
Wong, based in Hong Kong, will lead growth and development initiatives across Greater China and Australia, while in Japan, Kataoka will oversee a portfolio of 50 member properties.
Swire Hotels has made three senior appointments: Mark Passmore as head of operations, Kristina Snaith-Lense as general manager of the upcoming House in Shenzhen, and Simon McHendry as general manager of The Upper House.
Passmore will oversee operations and design for all Swire Hotels properties in Asia, including The House Collective, EAST, and Headland Hotel. He has been with the group since 2015, leading key openings and most recently serving as director of operations for Chinese mainland.
From left: Mark Passmore, Kristina Snaith-Lense and Simon McHendry
Snaith-Lense will lead the Shenzhen House ahead of its 2027 launch, Swire Hotels’ first new opening in nine years, and will also oversee wellness projects across the group. She joined in 2011 and was most recently general manager of The Upper House.
McHendry will drive the continued growth of The Upper House and oversee Swire Hotels’ sales and revenue team. Since joining in 2016, he has held senior roles at East Beijing and The Temple House, and most recently served as head of development & projects.
Experience Gold Coast has launched a new locally developed app designed to transform how people explore the city by providing curated tips, hidden gems and exclusive deals in one platform.
Operated by Experience Gold Coast, the free mobile app offers personalised recommendations, smart tools and curated content to enhance how users discover and enjoy the area. The self-titled tourism app helps both visitors and residents explore the city’s highlights and features Goldie, an AI-powered chatbot that serves as a personal guide.
The Experience Gold Coast app aims to enhance how locals and visitors enjoy the city with personalised recommendations and an AI-powered guide
Gold Coast mayor Tom Tate said the app makes it easier for people to connect with the city, whether visiting for a weekend or living there long term. He explained it brings events, experiences and stories personalised to users’ interests to their fingertips.
Available for Apple and Android devices via the App Store and Google Play, the app includes a real-time events calendar, curated ‘what’s on’ listings and exclusive offers on experiences, dining and accommodation.
Experience Gold Coast head of marketing Brant Hirst described the app as the ultimate guide to the Gold Coast in your pocket. He added that Goldie, the lorikeet-inspired chat assistant, is ready to answer users’ questions.
Users can share their own Gold Coast stories through written or video submissions linked to specific places and events. The app’s personalisation tools tailor suggestions based on location, preferences and activity, helping both locals and visitors explore more of what they enjoy.
The Experience Gold Coast team collaborated with local developer Spritely to build the app. Spritely’s head of product, Scott MacKenzie noted that the city’s growth as a vibrant cultural destination influenced the app’s development, with content creators playing a key role in sharing authentic experiences.
The app launch follows recent data from Tourism Research Australia confirming the Gold Coast as Australia’s second largest holiday market and Queensland’s largest.
Hirst said: “This app is just the beginning of a broader digital transformation strategy, with plenty more exciting developments in the pipeline. What makes it so powerful is its ability to grow and evolve alongside our city – adapting to how people experience the Gold Coast now, and into the future.”
Ascott is expanding its global resort portfolio through asset-light growth, with around 50 properties in resort destinations in operation or development, supported by 11 new signings in the past 10 months via management and franchise agreements.
These account for about five per cent of its global portfolio of more than 1,000 properties, reflecting a focus on the leisure segment. The company is adapting its brands – Ascott, Citadines, lyf, Oakwood, Somerset, The Crest Collection and The Unlimited Collection – for resort settings to scale in high-potential destinations.
Ascott will debut in Phuket with the upcoming Ascott Abov Patong Phuket Resort, pictured
Recent signings include Ascott Abov Patong Phuket Resort in Thailand, with 254 rooms and leisure facilities, and a 227-unit branded residence, located 150 metres from Patong Beach. In Vietnam, new properties include Somerset Nha Trang, Citadines Selavia Phu Quoc and Harris Resort Cam Ranh. Lasong Hotel & Villas Sam Son in Thanh Hoa began opening in April 2025. In Indonesia, lyf Labuan Bajo will open in 2027, alongside Oakwood properties in Jimbaran, Canggu and Sanur.
In South Korea, an Oakwood property will open in Gangneung, and in the UAE, Al Mahra Resort by The Crest Collection will open in 2027 on Marjan Island.
These additions build on Ascott’s existing resorts, which include Oakwood Suites Chongli in China’s winter sports hub, Oakwood Ha Long near Vietnam’s Halong Bay, Somerset Pattaya in Thailand and Château Belmont Tours in France’s Loire Valley. The portfolio will be further strengthened by upcoming openings such as Balai Dajao by Preference in Siargao, Philippines, scheduled for late 2027, and other planned developments in Asia, the Middle East and Europe.
Ascott’s chief growth officer Serena Lim noted that rising leisure travel is driving strong interest from property owners, who are attracted to the company’s flex-hybrid model for serving both short and extended stays, supported by a brand strategy tailored to each resort setting.
Tan Bee Leng, chief commercial officer, Ascott, said: “From sun-drenched beachfront villas and serene mountain retreats to château stays and immersive wellness escapes, each resort adds lifestyle richness to the loyalty journey, deepening member engagement and incentivising cross-destination travel.
“Ascott’s flex-hybrid model and multi-typology brand approach allow us to scale trusted urban brands into resort destinations with local authenticity and operational excellence, creating a virtuous cycle that benefits guests, members and property owners alike.”
In his new role, he will lead environmental stewardship, sustainability innovations, and community outreach at Six Senses Uluwatu, with the aim of integrating luxury hospitality and sustainability.
