Complementing the FORMULA 1 (F1) Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2026, the 17^th edition of GPSS offers both visitors and locals a wide range of limited-time experiences to savour throughout this race season. 

Two new headliners join GPSS this year: the adidas Motorsport Popups at Funan and Raffles City Shopping Centre, and Orchard Paddock 2026 at Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza, alongside returning headliner CQ@Clarke Quay’s Ray-Ban presents: Beyond the Track. Alongside the three headliners and their large-scale programming, this year’s programme partners span both new and returning names — with debutants PlayStation’s Gran Turismo World Series Round 3 and Porsche with Raceborn Fest joining familiar favourites such as Zouk, TRIFECTA and LEGO. 

Singapore Tourism Board Director, Sports, Lilian Chee said: “Grand Prix™ Season Singapore amplifies the race experience by building anticipation and bringing fans together in the lead-up to one of the most exciting weekends on Singapore’s events calendar. Every year, our programme partners bring fresh ideas and experiences to GPSS, adding to the energy across the city and reinforcing Singapore’s position as a dynamic and vibrant destination. We invite seasoned motorsport fans and first-timers alike to feel the buzz across the city, soak in the atmosphere, and create memories that make our race weekend truly distinctive.” 

Orchard Paddock 2026 brings the energy of race weekend to Orchard Road, Singapore’s most iconic thoroughfare. Making its debut at GPSS from 8 to 10 October, the event will transform Ngee Ann City Civic Plaza after dark with late-night dining, live performances from local acts, and open-air movie screenings — giving visitors more ways to experience the excitement of race season into the night.  

The live music line-up on 8 October at Orchard Paddock will be headlined by ALYPH, a Singapore-born rapper, songwriter and producer who is one of the region’s most prominent contemporary hip-hop names and is the artist behind viral hit ‘SWIPE’; and YAØ, a Singaporean singer-songwriter and producer celebrated for his genre-blending contemporary pop sound. 

Over at the Singapore River, CQ @ Clarke Quay returns this year with Ray-Ban presents: Beyond the Track, as Ray-Ban brings the Scuderia Ferrari Collection to life at the bustling riverside precinct. Visitors can explore limited-edition pieces from the collection, take on thrilling race-themed challenges, including Race Simulators, Pit Stop Challenge, and Reflex Test, and stand a chance to win exclusive merchandise. In addition, fans can also look forward to a special appearance by a Scuderia Ferrari HP Formula 1 driver and continue the night at the popup with live performances from international acts as part of Music Matters Live. 

At Marina Bay, PlayStation’s Gran Turismo World Series (GTWS) Round 3 makes history as Singapore becomes its first-ever GTWS championship stop in Southeast Asia, bringing the world’s premier virtual racing championship to the Sands Theatre at Marina Bay Sands on 3 October. With the world’s best GT drivers battling for crucial points in the Manufacturers Cup and Nations Cup, the stakes couldn’t be higher as the penultimate round before the finals in Tokyo, promising an unmissable showdown for sim racing and esports fans alike. 

Also making its debut at GPSS this year, Porsche’s Raceborn Fest at Guoco Midtown invites thrill-seekers to experience the marque’s rich motorsport heritage, with iconic classic racing cars on display and the first-time unveiling of the new 911 Challenge race car in Southeast Asia. Visitors can take part in exciting motorsport-themed activities, step into the world of motorsport with professional racing simulators, and discover more about the upcoming Porsche Experience Centre Singapore — set to open next year in Changi. 

(Source: STB)

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Selected sailings also call at Penang, Langkawi, Pangkor, Phuket and Krabi, bringing even more cities, heritage and island escapes within reach.

“With Star Voyager offering a growing range of itineraries across Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, travellers can choose the experience that best suits their interests and make the most of their journey,” said StarDream Cruises President, Michael Goh.

Sail from Singapore: A gateway to Malaysia 25 September 2026 to 1 January 2027.

Singapore is an ideal starting point for a cruise getaway, with strong air connectivity that makes it easy for international fly-cruise travellers to combine a city stay with a Star Voyager cruise. Take in Singapore’s sights, flavours and cultural experiences before setting sail, with a choice of two, three and four-night cruises.

Set Sail from Malaysia: More ways to experience the region 28 September to 29 December 2026.

Travellers can also set sail from Kuala Lumpur or Melaka with a choice of two- and three-night cruises to Penang, Langkawi and Pangkor, as well as selected sailings to Phuket and Krabi in Thailand.

(Source: StarCruises)

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Throughout September 2026, Cathay Pacific is offering special fares across all cabin classes to nearly 40 destinations in the airline’s network. The offer is valid for travel through August 2027.

In addition, from 1 to 15 September 2026, Cathay members can enjoy additional savings on flights and repeat bookings when they book on the airline’s website or app.

SGD 80 off

• Hong Kong, selected destinations in Northeast Asia and the Chinese Mainland.

• Valid for travel from 15 September to 10 December 2026.

• Limited to the first 500 transactions.

SGD 138 off

• Selected destinations in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

• Valid for travel from 15 September to 10 December 2026.

• Limited to the first 50 transactions.

28% off

• Next Economy class ticket.

• Valid for travel from 8 January to 23 May 2027.

Extra lifestyle and travel rewards

Beyond airfare savings, Cathay AnniFAREsary extends the celebrations across the Cathay experience, offering members more ways to enjoy extra savings and rewards:

Offer details

Up to 1,946 bonus Asia Miles

 *   Members who purchase a ticket and have 8 or 0 in their membership number can receive 866 Asia Miles.

 *   20% off selected lifestyle rewards until 30 September 2026 when redeemed with Asia Miles.

Flight + Hotel packages

 *   SGD 130 off Flight + Hotel packages to Hong Kong.

 *   Minimum of two travellers.

Hong Kong retailer discounts

 *   Up to 40% off at 80 participating retailers in Hong Kong with a valid boarding pass.

For full details on Cathay’s AnniFAREsary offers, visit: www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_SG/offers/80yearstogether/flight.html

(Source: Cathay Pacific)

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Held at Smith Street, Chinatown, Singapore, the celebration invites international visitors and Singaporeans to discover the rich traditions behind one of the most cherished Chinese festivals, while enjoying an afternoon of music, performances, traditional crafts, and interactive activities.

A celebration of traditional arts and performances

The festivities at the main stage on Smith Street, Chinatown, Singapore will begin at 1400 on 19 September 2026, with the official opening featuring an energetic lion dance and a Wushu performance by Kong Chow Wui Koon. The dynamic showcase will highlight the strength, discipline and artistry of traditional Chinese martial arts.

Visitors can also discover the stories and traditions behind the Mid-Autumn Festival through a traditional lantern-making talk, offering fascinating insights into the craftsmanship, symbolism and cultural significance of lanterns.

As the afternoon unfolds, music and community spirit will take centre stage, with lively ukulele performances and community singing at 1500 and 1645. Audiences are invited to join in, sing along and celebrate the spirit of togetherness that lies at the heart of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Games and prizes for the community

The festivities will also feature interactive games designed to bring local visitors and international visitors together. At 3.30pm, put your knowledge to the test with “Make a Guess”, where participants can take part in a fun guessing game with 30 F&B vouchers up for grabs.

Heritage enthusiasts can then challenge themselves with the “Where Am I?” Heritage Game at 1600 and 1700. Participants will be invited to identify heritage locations and clues around Chinatown Singapore, with 30 F&B vouchers to be won by participants who successfully answer the challenge.

Creative with traditional crafts

Children and families can immerse themselves in hands-on cultural activities throughout the day. The “Lantern Painting Competition” invites young international visitors and Singaporeans (aged 7 to 12 years) to let their creativity shine by decorating the provided lanterns. Participants need to register online at www.chinatown.sg before 9 September 2026. The competition begins at 0930, with participants taking part according to their assigned time slots. “Lantern Painting Competition” participants will receive a complimentary F&B voucher worth SGD10 each.

Visitors can also experience a range of traditional arts and crafts presented by the Singapore Poon Yue Association, including paper cutting, handmade crafts, calligraphy, and fan dyeing. These activities offer younger generations the chance to experience traditional Chinese arts first-hand, while encouraging families to learn, create, and celebrate together.

Keeping culture and heritage alive

More than a festive gathering, the Mid-Autumn Festival at Smith Street, Chinatown Singapore is an opportunity to keep traditional culture alive by bringing meaningful heritage experiences into the heart of the community.

Through traditional performances, crafts, music, storytelling, and games, visitors of all ages can discover the customs, stories, and traditions passed down through generations. The festivities bring international tourists and local visitors together in the shared spirit of reunion, harmony and togetherness — values that remain at the heart of the Mid-Autumn Festival today.

More information is available at Chinatown.sg.

About Chinatown Business Association
Chinatown Business Association (CBA) was set up by a group of passionate Chinatown stakeholders drawn from a cross-section of business leaders, grassroots leaders, Chinese clan associations, hoteliers, hawkers, retailers, and more. CBA is a non-profit organisation serving the business and community interests of stakeholders in Chinatown.

(Source: CBA)

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Featuring 695 rooms and suites, the ship now moves from dry dock to the fitting-out berth, where work will continue on her interiors ahead of her highly anticipated debut in August 2027.

Oceania Sonata is the first of five ships planned for the line’s new Sonata Class. It will be followed by sister ship Oceania Arietta in 2029, with three additional ships scheduled for delivery in 2032, 2035 and 2037. 

The Sonata Class represents the next generation of Oceania Cruises’ small-ship luxury philosophy, combining more space, elevated suite accommodations, and enhanced culinary experiences with the line’s signature destination- and culinary-focused itineraries.

With her exterior structure now complete, work will turn toward bringing Oceania Sonata’s interiors and onboard experiences to life. At approximately 86,000 gross tons, Oceania Sonata will be nearly 30% larger than Oceania Allura, yet will feature only 90 additional guest accommodations, creating an exceptional sense of space and comfort throughout her elegant interiors. The ship will offer a serene adults-only environment, with expansive public spaces, including bars and lounges, plus thoughtfully designed guest suites and rooms.

Oceania Sonata will embark on a wide-ranging inaugural season from August 2027 through April 2028, visiting more than 90 destinations across Europe, the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, and Central and South America.

(Source: Oceania Cruises)

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The IATA ISP provides airlines with an industry-specific framework for sustainability management and assessment, supporting integration of ESG principles into their operations in line with internationally recognised best practices.

The certification recognises Air Astana’s structured approach to responsible procurement, including integrating ESG considerations into sourcing decisions, supplier assessments, robust governance processes, and continuous improvement of sustainability practices across its supply chain. This approach is underpinned by Air Astana’s Sustainability & ESG Procurement Policy Statement and Supplier Code of Conduct, which set out the principles and expectations for responsible procurement and sustainable engagement with suppliers.

“Receiving the IATA ISP Sustainable Procurement certification marks an important milestone in Air Astana’s sustainability journey. As the first airline in Central Asia and the CIS, and only the third airline in the world to achieve this certification, we are proud to set a benchmark for sustainable procurement in Kazakhstan and the region,” said Air Astana Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Canliel.

This achievement reflects Air Astana’s ongoing commitment to advancing responsible business practices and strengthening sustainability across its operations and supply chain. By embedding ESG principles into procurement and engaging suppliers as partners, the airline continues to support the long-term development of a more sustainable and resilient aviation industry.

Air Astana recognises progress among its suppliers and business partners through the annual Air Astana ESG Awards, held since 2024. The initiative acknowledges partners demonstrating strong ESG practices and contributing to the airline’s sustainability objectives, while encouraging further development and the exchange of best practices.

(Source: Air Astana Group)

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The landmark result was revealed as part of the group’s end-of-financial-year results to the Australian Securities Exchange.

FCM Travel Asia Managing Director, Vicki Parris, said the results came against a rapidly changing business travel landscape.

“FY26 has reinforced just how quickly the business travel landscape can change. Geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and the rapid evolution of AI have all challenged organisations to rethink how they manage travel. “Yet across Asia, business travel has remained a strategic investment as companies continue to expand and bring increasingly regional workforces together.

“Customer expectations are moving just as quickly. Organisations want more than efficient travel management; they’re looking for technology that makes travel easier to manage, backed by trusted advice and people who understand the markets they operate in. For us, that has created a real opportunity to keep raising the bar on what managed travel can deliver,” she explained.

“There’s plenty to be proud of in how we’ve responded to that opportunity across Asia in FY26. Our accelerated growth across our emerging markets, with Southeast Asia and Greater China delivering exceptional growth and nearly doubling in scale from FY25. “We’ve also made great strides in technology. In Japan, we launched our proprietary domestic booking solution, bringing more local content through a simpler, more seamless booking experience.

“Together with the continued evolution of Sam and our AI capabilities, we’re giving customers the benefits of globally connected technology while responding to the very different needs of individual markets across Asia.”

FCTG Global reports new wins

FCTG Global Corporate CEO Chris Galanty said: “It was a record year for TTV and revenue, and the productivity work we’ve been putting in for several years is really showing up in the result. This is despite headwinds, including the conflict in the Middle East, which affected businesses across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and parts of Europe. We’re operating in a world that keeps throwing curveballs, and our teams navigated that really well.”

“The US was a standout. Corporate TTV in the market surpassed USD2 billion for the first time,” commented Galanty. “The US is the largest travel market in the world, and we still only hold a small share of it. That tells you how much room we have to keep growing there.”

Closer to home, the ANZ Corporate business had its best year for both TTV and profit, strengthening its position as the number one player in the local market. Much of the year’s profit growth has come from what Mr Galanty calls “productive operations,” a multi-year effort to modernise the way the business runs.

“We’ve automated more of the process and given customers the tools to do more themselves when that’s what they want,” Galanty said. “What I’m proudest of is that this hasn’t come at the expense of service. We hit record SLA, NPS and CSAT scores this year. Productivity and customer experience have moved together, not against each other.

“Our focus is now shifting from productivity to growth. We’ve done the hard work of transforming the business; now the job is to take this proposition to market and win more customers. We’ll be investing more in sales and marketing this year, and next, than we ever have before,” he concluded.

(Source: FCTG)

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The two companies signed a three-year MoU to cooperate by leveraging their respective system and platform strengths across ten ASEAN nations — Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, and Brunei.

The alliance highlights a unified fixed commission structure for participating properties of Jin Jiang Hotels’ subsidiary across the ASEAN region covered by the MoU. 

This standardised framework will replace traditional, volatile floating commission models to improve commercial transparency, enhance cost predictability, and provide a more stable foundation for sustainable, higher-certainty growth for the hotel franchisee.

Deepening their collaboration through joint marketing and resource integration will enable the companies to build an integrated tourism-plus-accommodation ecosystem across ASEAN, aimed at strengthening tourism connectivity, supporting local hospitality ecosystems, and delivering value to travellers.

In parallel with this strategic cooperation, Jin Jiang Hotels’ subsidiary has established a robust localised footprint in Southeast Asia, deploying dedicated development and operations teams in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. 

(Source: Jin Jiang Hotels)

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The collaboration is built on three strategic pillars: enhancing cardholder value, unlocking new travel and lifestyle opportunities, and advancing innovative payment experiences. Together, these initiatives are designed to address the evolving expectations of travellers across Asia Pacific, as identified in Klook’s Travel Pulse 2026.

The Klook Travel Pulse research underscores a growing trend among travellers seeking meaningful, experience-led journeys alongside the best value. 

While 47% of APAC consumers actively seek deals, discounts and bundled offers, and 42% book earlier to secure better prices, travel decisions are increasingly being driven by experiences. More than half of travellers no longer begin with a destination in mind, with 23% choosing their destination based on a specific activity and 73% willing to visit a lesser-known city for a unique event.

Against this backdrop, the Klook–Mastercard collaboration will introduce a range of propositions designed to bring more value to travellers, with exclusive discounts and privileges for Mastercard cardholders ahead of the year-end travel period. This collaboration lays the groundwork for a growing pipeline of entertainment benefits, with more exciting opportunities to be announced as the collaboration deepens.

“Experiences give travel meaning, creating moments that become lasting memories,” said Klook Co-Founder and President Eric Gnock Fah. “By combining Klook’s experiences platform with Mastercard’s global network and trusted payments infrastructure, we can help travellers discover more, unlock greater value, and spend less time planning and more time experiencing the world.”

“The future of travel will be shaped by ecosystems that bring together the best of technology, payments and experiences. Through collaborations with industry leaders like Klook, with their deep insights on travellers, Mastercard is helping create more personalised, rewarding and seamless journeys across the region. Together, we’re unlocking new ways for consumers to discover, access and enjoy the experiences that matter most to them,” said Mastercard Executive Vice President, Market Development, Asia Pacific, Peter Robejsek.

Looking ahead, Klook and Mastercard will explore opportunities to further strengthen their collaboration across a range of strategic growth areas, from deepening data collaboration to evaluating next-generation payment innovations. Together, the companies aim to unlock new value for travellers and help shape the future of connected travel experiences.

(Source: Klook)

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The move forms part of Agoda’s collaboration with NTT DATA, a global leader in AI, digital business and technology services, to make its Singapore IT operations more energy efficient while maintaining the performance, availability and reliability required to serve millions of travellers worldwide.

NTT Global Data Centres’ Singapore facility holds BCA Green Mark Platinum and LEED Gold certifications. Alongside the renewable energy certificate coverage, the collaboration includes measures to reduce electricity use across Agoda’s servers and cooling systems.

Singapore Country Head for NTT Global Data Centres, Tadaaki Arimura, said: “Sustainable infrastructure is most effective when it is practical, measurable and built into day-to-day operations. Our work with Agoda shows how data centre efficiency can support business growth while helping reduce environmental impact.”

Based on Agoda’s internal 2026 measurements, Agoda lowered energy use by up to 16% for eligible workloads through dynamic power management, allowing servers to use less power when full processing capacity is not required. 

Agoda also reduced cooling-related energy use by approximately 40% per eligible server by adjusting fan speeds as needed, compared with running them at maximum speed. NTT Global Data Centres complements these efforts through facility-level airflow and cooling management.

Agoda, VP of Global IT Infrastructure Paolo Prinsecchi said: “At Agoda, we are always looking for practical ways to operate our IT infrastructure more efficiently and responsibly. 

“By partnering with the right colocation provider, such as NTT Global Data Centres, and optimising how we use our infrastructure and hardware, we can support more sustainable growth while maintaining the seamless experience our users expect from our platform.”

(Source: Agoda)

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