Virtuoso has enhanced its leadership team with the appointment of Cheryl Cheney Bunker as senior vice president of global memberships and Cory Hagopian as senior vice president of global partnerships, continuing its focus on global expansion and luxury travel growth.
Cheryl Cheney Bunker has been appointed senior vice president, global memberships. She has been with Virtuoso since 2007 and most recently served as vice president of global member relations, overseeing more than 1,200 travel agencies and over 20,000 travel advisors in 58 countries. In her new role, she will lead global membership strategy and oversee engagement across all regions.
From left: Cheryl Cheney Bunker and Cory Hagopian
Cory Hagopian has taken on the role of senior vice president, global partnerships. He joined Virtuoso in 2022 and has overseen both member and partner relations. He will now focus on global partner sales and relationships across product areas including accommodation, cruises, tourism boards, transport, and insurance. His role includes expanding partnerships in new markets and managing the organisation’s ultra-high-net-worth segment.
Scenic Hotel Group has appointed Bernard Yong as international sales manager, a new role within the group. He will work with Steve Shearer, director of international sales and brand development.
Yong has experience in the hospitality industry, including eight years at Mitchell Corporation, where he was involved in business development and client relations. He has also worked in real estate and duty-free management.
Tourism industry stakeholders are cautiously assessing the long-term impact of the new tariffs announced by US president Trump on regional travel flows, corporate spending and outbound demand in the Middle East for the US.
“It is too early to say, but any uncertainty causes businesses to become a little bit more conservative in what they are doing. Anything which leads to a barrier to business can have an impact on business travel spend or where business spend is going,” said Catherine Logan, regional senior vice president for EMEA and APAC at the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).
Industry leaders assess how the US tariffs could affect travel demand, business spending, and regional trade ties
Trump issued an executive order in April 2025, imposing a 10 per cent customs duty on goods imported into the US from all countries, with higher duties on imports from specific countries. Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia will face a 10 per cent tariff, while others like Jordan and Iraq will face higher rates of 20 per cent, according to a report by PwC Middle East.
“We don’t see a direct impact of the tariffs announced by president Trump in the Middle East, but indirect. If the global economy is not doing well, nobody can escape. So, we hope the US can really understand what they are doing,” said Jane Sun, CEO of Trip.com Group.
Trump’s tariffs caused initial disruption in global financial markets before a 90-day suspension was implemented. Amid investor concerns, stock markets in the Middle East recorded their worst decline in five years when the new tariffs were announced, according to regional media.
Ciaran Kelly, managing director of Middle East & Africa at FCM Travel, said the current situation could lead to diversification in global trade and travel patterns, which may benefit the Middle East.
“There are phenomenal opportunities in the region like Jebel Ali in Dubai is a world-class logistics hub, Qatar is the largest LNG producer, Egypt has booming manufacturing. This could result in a shift of business via the Middle East into Africa or Asian markets,” he added.
Trump is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE next month – a tour observers say could shape future diplomatic and economic discussions around the tariffs.
Road trips through Australia’s New South Wales are now more sustainable, thanks to improved electric vehicle infrastructure
New South Wales pushes sustainable road trips Australia’s Destination New South Wales (NSW) has launched a new marketing campaign, Recharge Here, that promotes electric vehicle (EV)-friendly road trips across the state in support of the sustainable growth of regional visitor economies.
The campaign features nine EV-friendly road trips in Greater Sydney and regional NSW. Some of these itineraries include Central Coast and Hunter Valley, a U-shaped 257km trip from Newcastle to Maitland; Grand Pacific Drive – a 200km journey along the coastline from Sydney to Jervis Bay; and Greater Blue Mountains Drive, a 283km round trip from Sydney to the Blue Mountains.
The itineraries also identify the locations of EV charging stations along the routes so that drivers can enjoy their journey without range anxiety.
Each road trip has its own webpage, which breaks the itinerary into stages and shows the EV charging options along the route, alongside visitor experience recommendations.
Recharge Here is developed as an extension of Destination NSW’s Feel New brand, and highlights the accessibility of the state’s stunning natural beauty and vibrant cultural experiences through EV infrastructure.
The NSW government is investing A$199 million (US$126 million) to support the installation of thousands of publicly available EV charge ports across the state. This includes ultra-fast charging stations, destination and kerbside chargers.
Funding has been awarded for more than 3,000 charge ports at more than 1,100 sites, with many more to come.
Minister for roads and tourism John Graham said: “NSW offers world-class road trips along magnificent coastlines, beautiful countryside and stunning alpine ranges. These new EV chargers will mean all drivers can enjoy these epic journeys.
“The installation of EV chargers across regional NSW ensures our regional visitor economies can attract the growing number of EV drivers.”
Minister for climate change and energy Penny Sharpe added: “We are committed to making the state a leader in electric vehicle adoption and sustainable tourism.
“Driving electric is not only better for the environment, but it’s also the most budget-friendly way to hit the road. Lower running costs means EVs offer significant savings for drivers.”
Marketing EV-friendly road trips aligns with a recommendation in the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy review to position NSW as a leader in sustainable tourism through initiatives such as the development and promotion of EV experiences. – Karen Yue
Orix encourages hotel guests to participate in upcycling projects
Orix focuses on responsible consumption Tokyo-based Orix Hotel Management Corporation, which operates a variety of onsen resorts, hotels and training facilities across Japan, promotes sustainable tourism at 22 of its directly operated properties.
Part of its Tsunagu-Hagukumu Tourism (Connecting Tourism) Project, the efforts aim to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 8, 12 and 14: Decent Work and Economic Growth, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Life Below Water.
The long-term goal, according to Orix, is for the company’s actions to help “ensure that the world will remain a place where people can enjoy travel and tourism even 100 years from now”.
In 2024, under the project theme, Save the Sea, accommodation under the group served breakfast featuring fish skin and leftover kelp, which would normally be discarded, to highlight the importance of reducing food waste and food loss.
Properties also rolled out initiatives to promote recycling and upcycling of plastic waste. A collaboration was arranged with aquariums in Tokyo and Kyoto to accept marine plastic waste collected through their sustainable activities, which was added to plastic waste generated on premises to create decorative items in common areas. These creations included wall clocks, and pens that were used in conjunction with message boards designed to stimulate conversations among guests about sustainability.
Guests were also encouraged to donate caps from their PET bottles, which were in turn made into accessories and sold in the aquariums to raise awareness about the importance of protecting sea life.
Through guests’ involvement in the project, Orix hopes that “realisations gained will bring about even a small change in everyday awareness and behaviour, even after the trip is over and guests return to their daily life”. – Kathryn Wortley
Kuda Kepang dancers in Sabak Bernam
Selangor backs talent investment
The Selangor government, through Tourism Selangor, has allocated 500,000 ringgit (US$111,385) to train up to 80 individuals from the state this year as local tour guides.
The Selangor Community Host training programme, conducted in conjunction with the ongoing Visit Selangor Year 2025 campaign, is the first of its kind. It aims to equip local residents with the skills to share stories of their area’s history, heritage, and culture with both local and international visitors, said Tourism Selangor’s CEO, Chua Yee Ling.
It is designed to create job opportunities while boosting the local economy, particularly within the tourism sector.
In the long run, the Selangor state government seeks to build a strong network of well-trained community hosts across the state, reinforcing Selangor’s position as a leading destination for cultural and heritage tourism.
Chua shared: “This specialised programme equips participants with the skills needed to serve as tour guides in their respective hometowns, ensuring they can provide visitors with engaging and insightful experiences. With inclusivity as a core principle, the initiative supports sustainable tourism growth and development.
“The six-month training programme covers a range of essential topics, including tourist behaviour and consumption psychology, tourism market trends, fundamental tourism theories, on-site training at the destination on local culture, and heritage experiences and package development.”
Upon graduation, local guides will obtain a badge that allows them to earn an income by conducting guiding services in their district as well as to work closely with product owners and other stakeholders in their district.
This programme, which has the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia, will be closely monitored by the Selangor state government to ensure its effectiveness in enhancing community-based tourism and generating economic opportunities for local residents.
Tourism Selangor will also work closely with Empire Putra College to assess the progress of participants, ensuring they acquire the necessary skills to deliver high-quality guided experiences. Regular evaluations and feedback sessions will be conducted to refine the training module and address emerging tourism trends.
Successful graduates will have opportunities to collaborate with tourism operators, heritage sites, and local businesses, further strengthening Selangor’s tourism ecosystem.
The initiative also aims to foster deeper engagement between tourists and local communities, providing authentic experiences that highlight Selangor’s diverse cultural and natural attractions. – S Puvaneswary
Better conditions for whale shark in the Maldives
Better protectors of whale sharks The Maldives’ government has updated its marine conservation regulations to enhance the experience for tourists interacting with whale sharks in the destination while safeguarding the vital ecosystem that supports whale sharks in their natural habitat.
Key provisions include maintaining a minimum distance of three metres from the body and four metres from the tail of whale sharks. Touching or swimming alongside them while holding on is strictly prohibited.
Additionally, interactions must be approached calmly and quietly, with movement limited to the sides of the whale sharks to avoid chasing or obstructing their natural path.
The regulation prohibits feeding whale sharks and restricts the use of flash photography, selfie sticks, and bright lights during interactions. Aerial photography guidelines dictate that drones must be operated at least 30m above sea level and within the operator’s line of sight. It also designates a 250m contact zone around whale sharks, allowing only three vessels at a time, enforcing a speed limit of five knots per hour, and reducing to two knots within 50m of the whale shark.
Furthermore, the government has enforced propeller guards on all excursion boats touring areas beyond South-Ari Marine Park (SAMPA), where whale shark activity is observed. SAMPA is a world-renowned for having whale shark sightings all year round.
Special speedboats patrol areas with whale shark activity to monitor vessels that take tourists to these sites.
Prior to these regulatory updates, minister of climate change, environment, and energy, Thoriq Ibrahim, said more than 100 tourists would swim after a single whale shark.
“(There was) no set policy – even speedboats ventured into this area,” he stated.
“By mandating propeller guards, we are taking a significant step towards ensuring the safety of both whale sharks and those who admire them. This measure reflects our commitment to sustainable tourism and the preservation of our marine environment,” added Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and managing director of Visit Maldives.
Emergency protocols are also established for vessels now, ensuring that whale sharks are not obstructed or disturbed during their natural behaviours.
In the event of encountering an injured or entangled whale shark, the regulation provides clear directives to follow, including notifying the Environment Protection Agency and ensuring the whale shark’s safe release. – Karen Yue
A greener island Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC), which oversees the development, management, marketing, and promotion of Singapore’s resort destination Sentosa, attained the gold standard for sustainable tourism, the GSTC Destination Criteria (GSTC-D) of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), in 2022.
While this certification has a three-year lifespan, SDC has chosen to undergo comprehensive annual external audit to ensure that all criteria of the certification are met and maintained. It also regularly shares sustainability best practices and updates with members of the Sentosa Carbon Neutral Network (SCNN), a gathering of island businesses that work together on crucial impact projects, such as decarbonisation and curation of sustainable offerings and experiences, aimed at carbon neutrality by 2030.
Kelly Yoong, divisional director, corporate planning & development, SDC, said: “SDC recognises the transformative power of partnership and collective action in driving meaningful sustainability initiatives. The SCNN has become the key collaboration platform to galvanise sustainability actions on the island, such as the implementation of Sentosa Disposables Policy, Sentosa’s Solarisation Programme, and Sentosa Cares Week. By bringing on board businesses on the island and other industry players, SDC has been able to further hasten adoption and amplify the impact of its initiatives.”
These sustainability efforts are not only kept backstage. SDC has dedicated webpages to raise awareness of its sustainability initiatives and encourage its guests to Play Well, Eat Well, and Travel Well. A carbon calculator is available for Sentosa guests to track their carbon footprint and make conscious choices to reduce their environmental impact.
Sentosa is committed to continued responsible development, with upcoming initiatives encompassing education initiatives for students, the introduction of electric buses along with the necessary infrastructure to support sustainable transport, and creation of spaces for guests with different abilities.
To further encourage sustainable actions, Sentosa will leverage on technology to reward guests for making environmentally-conscious choices during their stay. – Karen Yue
The Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners serve as godparents of the new Seabourn Pursuit ultra luxury expedition ship
Seabourn spotlights Kimberley’s Traditional Owners Seabourn Cruise Line has made a landmark contribution to the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation, Traditional Owners of Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region, becoming the first cruise line to name an Aboriginal group as godparents of a ship.
The naming of the Wunambal Gaambera people as godparents of the line’s newest ultra-luxury expedition ship, Seabourn Pursuit, which took place during the ship’s Kimberley voyage in June 2024, marked a symbolic gesture of environmental and cultural stewardship. In practical terms, it supports Wunambal Gaambera’s vision to create a self-sustaining tourism industry.
“It was important to us that our choice of godparent authentically aligned to our brand values and belief in the power of sustainable travel,” said a Seabourn spokesperson. “We’re fiercely committed to safeguarding their heritage for future generations while providing transformational travel experiences.”
Seabourn’s monetary donation, along with funding from Tourism Western Australia and the community’s Uunguu Visitor Pass income, supports the early stages of Ngula Jar Island’s tourism development and contributes to the supply of art materials for year-round commercial arts and craft initiatives for their artists and craft producers.
There are also plans to provide welcome and smoking ceremonies, rock art tours, junba song and dance, as well as art and stories from the Uunguu Rangers looking after the well-being of the country, once Wunambal Gaambera builds more facilities.
“We, the Wunambal Gaambera people, have a communal need and responsibility to look after and prosper from our country,” said Catherine Goonack, chairperson of the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation.
“Seabourn’s monetary contributions assist us to keep our land and sea country healthy, strengthen our Wanjina Wunggurr culture, and create economic opportunities for our people.”
While Seabourn is one of several tour operators cruising the Kimberley coast, it stands out for its public recognition and funding support of Traditional Owners. The cruise line also works with Dambimangari guides on board during its Kimberley voyages, enriching guest experiences with cultural insights.
Seabourn Pursuit now features Ngula Jar Island on all its Kimberley itineraries, ensuring regular visitation and cultural exchange. – Adelaine Ng
Waste management gets specific attention in Bali
Bali cleans up
A group of businesses in Bali, Indonesia have joined hands to form the Community Waste Project (CWP) last October, an initiative aimed at drastically reducing the island’s landfill waste and setting a new standard for sustainability in the country.
Waste management is particularly serious in Bali, where 1.6 million tonnes of trash is produced each year, including 330,000 tonnes of plastic waste. Hotels and businesses are estimated to contribute around 13 per cent of Bali’s total waste, much of which ends up in landfills.
Due to ineffective waste management, 52 per cent of Bali’s waste is mismanaged and significant amounts of it wind up in rivers and ultimately the ocean, threatening Bali’s ecosystem, the livelihood of its communities, and the tourism industry.
Spearheaded by Mexicola Group, Potato Head Family, and Total Bangun Persada in collaboration with Brunch Club, Finns, Kynd, Lemongrass, and Peppers Seminyak, a 2,000m² waste facility has opened adjacent to Bali’s largest landfill, Suwung, in Denpasar.
CWP creates a sustainable model for Indonesia’s hospitality sector, reducing environmental impact while transforming waste into valuable products for the industry.
With an initial investment of US$400,000, CWP processes organic, inorganic, and garden waste through advanced sorting, composting, recycling, and upcycling methods. By turning waste into practical products for the hospitality industry, such as compost and upcycled plastic panels, the facility aims to create a circular economy model that benefits both the environment and local businesses. – Mimi Hudoyo
InterContinental Halong Bay Resort, Vietnam
InterContinental Halong Bay Resort will be located in Ha Long Marina Urban Area near Bai Chay, offering access to Ha Long Bay’s cruises, caves, and local fishing villages.
Located two hours from Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport, the resort will feature 174 guestrooms and suites, 60 residences, and 41 villas. Dining highlights include a rooftop Japanese restaurant and bar with bay views, and a two-storey Cantonese venue offering private dining and open kitchen service.
Amenities include a spa, three outdoor pools, family activities, a cinema room, and five event spaces, including a Grand Ballroom for up to 1,050 guests.
Alila Dong’ao Island Zhuhai
Alila Dong’ao Island Zhuhai, China
Alila Dong’ao Island Zhuhai is located at the southwestern tip of Dong’ao Island in Zhuhai, offering sea views and ferry access from Zhuhai city in under an hour. The resort features 104 suites, many with balconies, courtyards, or private pools. Suites have separate living rooms, floor-to-ceiling windows, and tea rooms. Two rooftop suites offer interior designs and 270-degree ocean views.
Dining options include two restaurants: one serving seafood and à la carte breakfast, while the other offers Cantonese dishes with ingredients sourced from local farms. The bar serves teas and cocktails with sea views. A sundown ritual with a singing bowl marks the evening transition.
Facilities include a yoga room, fitness centre, spa, children’s club, and a 15-metre infinity pool. For events, the resort has over 465m² of meeting space, including a ballroom, a meeting room with sea views, and a 230m² outdoor lawn with a terrace for weddings and gatherings.
Garrya Mu Cang Chai
Garrya Mu Cang Chai, Vietnam
Garrya Mu Cang Chai, a resort in Mu Cang Chai, Yen Bai province, Vietnam, opens in a region famous for its mountains and rice terraces. Covering 6.5 hectares, the resort features 110 rooms, suites, and villas with views of the terraces and mountains – some offer private pools, while others have gardens and tea rooms.
Located a six-hour drive from Hanoi, the property is near landmarks like the Mam Xoi and Mong Ngua rice terraces, the Mu Cang Chai bamboo forest, and H’Mong villages.
The resort features two restaurants, a bar, an eight-metre-high bamboo ballroom, event spaces, and a Hydro Wellbeing Area with pools, a sauna, and a fitness centre.
Hotel Oriental Express Kagoshima Tenmonkan
Hotel Oriental Express Kagoshima Tenmonkan, Japan
Hotel Oriental Express Kagoshima Tenmonkan has opened in the heart of the city’s downtown district. Located five minutes by car from Kagoshima Chuo Station and under an hour from the airport, the 13-storey hotel offers 165 rooms suited for business and leisure travellers.
Facilities include a public bath with carbonated spring water, fitness room, on-site laundry, and a lobby with 24-hour coffee and tea service. The top floor features a breakfast buffet in the morning and a bar serving drinks with views of Sakurajima and Kinko Bay.
Indian tour operators are raising concerns that the recent terrorist attack near Pahalgam in Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 28 tourists, could affect travel demand for nearby destinations such as Jammu and Ladakh. However, industry leaders remain hopeful about the outlook for tourism in other parts of the country.
“Following the recent tragic attack in Kashmir, there is growing uncertainty around tourism demand to the valley. While we haven’t seen any direct impact on neighbouring destinations like Ladakh just yet, there is concern that travellers may begin to reconsider or postpone their plans in the wider region,” said Rama Mahendru, country general manager for India at Intrepid Travel.
Operators fear cancellations may spread beyond Kashmir, affecting travel plans to nearby destinations such as Ladakh; Thiksey Monastery in Ladakh, pictured
Tourism in Kashmir had been witnessing robust growth in recent years. However, the attack has prompted several countries to issue travel advisories against visiting the region. Canada has updated its travel advisory, asking citizens to avoid all travel to the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir, excluding Ladakh. The US has also issued a Do Not Travel advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, with the exception of eastern Ladakh and its capital, Leh.
“Tourism in Kashmir was growing strongly for the past few years. With the terrorist attack, travellers are now more apprehensive. Several countries have issued travel advisories, urging their citizens to avoid the region. I think neighbouring destinations like Ladakh will also feel an impact for the next two to three months. However, the real picture regarding international tourism demand will become clearer once the tourist season begins later this year. There is an urgent need for the government to reassure global markets that India remains a safe travel destination,” said Pronab Sarkar, managing director, Swagatam Tours.
A New Delhi-based tour operator, speaking on condition of anonymity, told TTG Asia that cancellations for Ladakh trips are already being reported. “We had a group from the US scheduled to visit the Vaishno Devi temple in Katra in May. They have now cancelled their trip. The situation is alarming for both domestic and inbound tourism demand,” the operator said.
Despite the challenges, some industry leaders are urging for a measured response. “We have been working hard to educate our overseas partners that Kashmir is just one destination within a vast country and that the situation will normalise soon. If travellers prefer to avoid Kashmir for a while, they can fly directly to Ladakh. We urge the media not to create a negative narrative for the entire region. So far, we have not seen any impact on other destinations within India,” said Deepak Bhatnagar, CEO of Minar Travels.
Minor Hotels has signed Avani+ Fujairah Resort in the UAE, which is set to open in 2028. This new property will be the first Avani resort in Fujairah and marks the brand’s debut in the emirate.
The development strengthens Minor Hotels’ presence in the UAE and supports its commitment to expanding the Avani portfolio in key leisure destinations across the region.
Avani+ Fujairah Resort marks the Avani brand’s first beachfront resort in the UAE
Developed in partnership with Al Fahim, a family-owned UAE conglomerate and long-time partner of Minor Hotels, this project builds on their successful relationship, following the opening of Avani+ Palm View Dubai Hotel & Suites. Al Fahim’s hospitality investment arm, Emirates Property Investment Company (EPICO), continues to drive growth in the UAE’s hospitality and real estate sectors.
Located along Fujairah’s eastern coastline on the Gulf of Oman, Avani+ Fujairah Resort will feature 232 guestrooms and 16 villas, ranging from three to five bedrooms. Designed for both families and couples, selected accommodation options will include private pools and direct lagoon access, features unique to the region’s hospitality landscape.
The resort will offer a range of dining and leisure facilities, including a spa, rooftop grill restaurant, poolside bar and restaurant, all-day dining venue, and The Pantry, Avani’s signature grab-and-go concept. Additional amenities will include a fitness centre, a swimming pool, and dedicated facilities for children and teens, including a splash pool and club space. The resort will also provide MICE facilities, including meeting rooms and banquet spaces.
William Heinecke, chairman and founder of Minor International, commented: “The signing of Avani+ Fujairah Resort is a key step in our continued growth across the Middle East reflecting the rising strength of the Avani brand. We’re pleased to expand our valued partnership with Al Fahim Group and bring new energy to one of the UAE’s most exciting destinations.”
Ahmed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, chairman of Al Fahim, added: “With Fujairah’s natural beauty and growing tourism profile, the resort is well placed to be a standout addition to our portfolio.”
At the PATA Annual Summit 2025 in İstanbul, Türkiye, PATA unveiled a new report, The Evolving Tourism Workforce: Human Capital Development in APAC, focusing on workforce-related challenges and opportunities within the region’s tourism industry.
Developed by PATA member Pear Anderson, the report brings together insights from government bodies, industry stakeholders, academic institutions, and youth representatives. It outlines current trends in human capital and provides strategic recommendations and case studies to support sustainable workforce development across Asia-Pacific.
The study highlights urgent workforce challenges and opportunities across the region
The study was initiated in January 2024 and represents over a year of extensive interviews, surveys, and analysis, making it one of the most in-depth examinations of the Asia-Pacific tourism workforce to date.
The report identifies several challenges affecting the tourism workforce in the Asia-Pacific region. These include difficulty in attracting new talent to the sector, high staff turnover and retention issues, and ongoing skills gaps, particularly in digital literacy and sustainability. Another concern is the misalignment between workforce development efforts and broader sustainability goals.
The report also emphasises a need for stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as between academia and industry, particularly in preparing youth to enter the workforce with realistic expectations and future-ready skills.
Among the findings is a misalignment of expectations and policy approaches across government, industry, education, and youth sectors. It notes the need for structured public-private dialogue to avoid unintended outcomes in human capital policies. The report also identifies a gap between how prepared young people feel to join the industry and how employers assess their readiness – pointing to a disconnect between education and employment. It also stresses the need to support the motivation and purpose that drive many tourism workers, while protecting them from unfair working conditions.
Pear Anderson director, Hannah Pearson, commented: “This report reflects what many in the industry have felt intuitively for some time – we are at a crossroads. Our research reveals both sobering realities and bright opportunities. The future of tourism in Asia-Pacific depends on how we develop, empower and value our people today.”
“This timely report comes at a pivotal moment when tourism must re-establish its footing, as a new and younger generation enters the workforce,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “The insights gathered from diverse stakeholder groups across the region highlight the complexity of our workforce issues, while also providing a roadmap for recovery, resilience, and long-term growth.”
He added: “We hope this report will inspire our members and the broader industry to rethink training and development, initiate new collaborations across sectors, and customise strategies to build a stronger, more adaptable workforce.”
ECKO Hotels & Resorts, a collection of hotels and resorts across India, has launched with 100 keys in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, comprising three properties – ECKO Antarman Ganges, Haridwar, ECKO Rishikesh, and ECKO Tapovan by the Ganges.
The name ECKO is derived from the Greek word echo, symbolising the brand’s aim to reflect guest satisfaction through consistent and thoughtful hospitality in a calm setting.
ECKO Hotels & Resorts strengthens its presence in Uttarakhand with the opening of three properties that focus on spirituality, adventure, and wellness
ECKO Hotels & Resorts creates spaces where guests and staff can be themselves, connecting travellers with local culture and fostering a sense of community through shared spaces and events. The brand prioritises sustainability and integrates technology to enhance the guest experience.
Each property offers essential amenities and caters to leisure, spiritual, MICE, wedding, and corporate travel needs. The brand’s tagline, Living in the moment, reflects its emphasis on encouraging guests to fully engage with their surroundings – whether for business, reflection, or rest.
ECKO Antarman Ganges, Haridwar is located on the banks of the Ganges, overlooking the Shivalik hills. It features one of the largest private ghats in the area, exclusively for resident guests.
ECKO Tapovan by the Ganges is a contemporary property in Tapovan, near the river. It offers a variety of dining options, including a 24/7 bakery and pizzeria, an all-day restaurant, and facilities such as a rooftop pool, lounge, and spa.
ECKO Rishikesh is located in the city centre and features banquet halls and flexible meeting spaces, suited for corporate offsites, conventions, private events, and modern weddings.
The company has a growing pipeline of properties in metropolitan cities, emerging suburbs, and spiritual destinations, including Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, Tirupati, Ranikhet, Vrindavan, Amritsar, and Shirdi. It is also exploring management opportunities in international markets, particularly in South-east Asia.
Founder and CEO Perkin Rocha stated: ”We are excited to launch ECKO Hotels & Resorts in Devbhoomi, Uttarakhand first. It is a significant milestone for our brand, as Uttarakhand is one of the only states to offer spiritual, adventure and wellness tourism along with several national wildlife parks and scenic mountains. I am certain that our unique hotels in Haridwar, Tapovan and Rishikesh will delight guests with engaging unique dining, stay and bespoke experiences.”
Artyzen Singapore has appointed Marcel NA Holman as general manager.
Holman brings over 35 years of global hospitality experience, having most recently served as managing director at infinitude Hospitality, where he provided strategic counsel to luxury hotels and resorts. He has also held senior leadership roles with Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts, Langham Hospitality Group, and The Sukhothai Hotels & Resorts.
In his new role, Holman will lead the strategic direction of Artyzen Singapore, focusing on growth, operational excellence, and guest experience.
Yong has experience in the hospitality industry, including eight years at Mitchell Corporation, where he was involved in business development and client relations. He has also worked in real estate and duty-free management.
In his new role, Holman will lead the strategic direction of Artyzen Singapore, focusing on growth, operational excellence, and guest experience.
