The refresh introduces a more flexible and personalised offering, anchored in a three-tier card suite. Alongside Visa Infinite, the portfolio includes the two newly launched tiers of Visa Infinite Privilege and Visa Infinite Private, each tailored to distinct affluent segments within a unified premium offering.

Affluence in Asia Pacific continues to grow, with affluent households projected to increase at an 8% compound annual growth rate through 2030. 

The region is home to nearly 31% of the world’s ultra-high-net-worth population. At the same time, affluent consumers are redefining what premium means — less about status and more about how experiences fit into their lives. 

The enhanced Visa Infinite brings together curated experiences and a global network of partners, underpinned by Visa’s intelligent payment capabilities, to deliver a seamless and connected offering. These intelligent payment capabilities help simplify everyday payments, support higher-value spending, and enable secure card sharing with trusted delegates. 

“Visa has long helped shape premium experiences for affluent consumers across Asia Pacific,” said Visa Head of Products & Solutions, Asia Pacific, TR Ramachandran. “As expectations evolve toward more intentional and globally connected experiences, we are building on that momentum. The refreshed Visa Infinite brings together our scale, innovation and partnerships to deliver more relevant and differentiated value for today’s affluent customers.”

The refreshed Visa Infinite introduces a clear progression of benefits and access across three tiers, underpinned by intelligent payments capabilities including elevated transaction limits, smart authorisation, cross-border issuance and always-on security. 

Visa Infinite anchors the suite, delivering elevated everyday value and enhanced travel and lifestyle rewards. Visa Infinite Privilege builds on this with broader access and more curated experiences. At the top tier, Visa Infinite Private is an invitation-only offering, designed for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, with bespoke services and exclusive access to rare and highly personalised experiences.

Curated programmes 

The refreshed proposition comes to life through curated experiences built around the passions of today’s affluent, from travel and dining to wellness and entertainment.

From Infinite Tastes: Beyond the Menu, a chef-led culinary programme unlocking deeper access to the stories, craft, and culture behind Asia Pacific’s dining scene, to Visa Destinations, a global travel platform offering curated journeys and exclusive access, each programme offers more immersive, behind-the-scenes access and opportunities for deeper discovery. 

These experiences reflect the growing influence of affluent consumers, whose spending is increasing at nearly three times the rate of other cardholders, particularly across travel, entertainment, and retail. Demand for wellbeing and more personalised services is rising among affluent consumers, with around 90% seeking health-focused experiences and 84% expecting more high-touch curated experiences. 

(Source: Visa)

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The partnership introduces premium live events as a new category across Trip.com Group’s platforms, providing customers with access to more than 500,000 official hospitality and VIP packages across Formula 1, Premier League football, major music tours and other world-class live events. 

For Seat Unique Group, the agreement accelerates its international growth strategy. It marks its first major expansion into the Asia-Pacific region, connecting its network of more than 140 official rightsholders with one of the world’s largest international travel audiences.

The announcement comes as experience-led travel continues to reshape how people plan international trips. Trip.com Group’s recent research found that two-thirds of Asia Pacific travellers have planned vacations around concerts at least once, with 66% willing to travel internationally to watch their favourite artists live. In addition, football, basketball, and Formula 1 are among the most popular live sports to watch on vacation.

For international travellers, the partnership offers seamless access to official premium experiences at some of Europe’s most iconic sporting, music and entertainment events through Trip.com Group’s all-in-one platform. With every package sourced directly through Seat Unique Group’s extensive network of official rightsholder relationships, travellers can book with confidence, knowing they’re purchasing authentic hospitality and VIP experiences from trusted sources.

For the 140-plus official rightsholders working with Seat Unique Group, the partnership expands reach and unlocks access to one of the world’s largest international travel audiences. By placing official premium inventory in front of hundreds of millions of new buyers already planning trips to the UK and Europe, it creates a powerful new distribution channel that would be difficult, if not impossible, to replicate through their own channels alone.

Seat Unique Group CEO Robin Sherry said: “The way people travel is changing. Increasingly, it’s no longer just about where you go, but what you experience when you get there. By partnering with Trip.com Group, we’re giving millions of travellers access to official premium experiences at some of the world’s biggest sports, music and entertainment events through a platform they already know and trust. This partnership marks a significant milestone for our business. It accelerates our international growth, helps our rightsholder partners reach millions of new premium customers and brings unforgettable live experiences within reach of a truly global audience.”

Trip.com Group Chief Marketing Officer Bo Sun said: “Experience-led travel is reshaping how people plan their journeys, and travellers are increasingly building trips around the moments that matter most to them. Live events are a powerful expression of that shift, and through this partnership we’re bringing fans closer to some of the world’s most exciting sports, music, and entertainment experiences. This marks another step in our journey to unlock new possibilities between travel and experiences, bringing greater value to travellers and destinations worldwide.”

Premium live experiences will be available on Trip.com in the coming months, providing travellers with access to official hospitality and VIP experiences at Europe’s eminent live events.

Seat Unique Group works directly with many of the world’s most recognisable clubs, venues and promoters, including Arsenal FC, Everton FC, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Co-op Live, KMJ Entertainment and most Grand Prix races. 

(Source: Trip.com and Seat Unique Group)

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In addition to revealing the newest ship in this fleet enhancement, Holland America Line is also releasing renderings of the new Pinnacle and Bridgeview Suites for the first time — offering an inside glimpse into this new stateroom category, a highlight of the ship transformation.

Building on the momentum of Oosterdam, Zuiderdam is the second of six ships to undergo the programme upgrade. 

The enhancements expand the ship’s accommodations with the addition of a reimagined Pinnacle Suite, two new Bridgeview Suites, 14 Vista Suites and 32 Solo Verandah staterooms, creating more options for guests while maintaining the spacious experience for which the ship is known. 

Zuiderdam: New accommodations

Bridgeview Suites: Two suites located above the bridge, offering sweeping, forward-facing views through wraparound windows, a private balcony, and distinct living and sleeping spaces designed to maximise light and scenery.

Solo Verandahs: Purpose-built staterooms for solo travellers, each featuring a private balcony and thoughtfully designed living space tailored for one guest.

Vista Suites: A guest-favourite category from Pinnacle Class ships, Vista Suites bring spacious, light-filled accommodations with a sitting area, oversized windows and a private verandah to Zuiderdam.

Reimagined Pinnacle Suite: The most expansive accommodations on board, redesigned to offer an elevated residential-style experience with generous living space, refined finishes and panoramic ocean views.

Oosterdam debuts the upgrade

Oosterdam will be the first ship to debut its Evolution transformation, marking the opening chapter of the programme as Holland America Line begins rolling out enhancements across the fleet. 

Bookings are now open for the ship’s first collection of voyages following its refurbishment, giving guests an early opportunity to experience its updated staterooms, enhanced spaces and expanded venues firsthand.

(Source: Holland America)

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It’s the first of three vessels in its next-generation fleet, officially designated the Ace Class. 

Held at the Fincantieri shipyard, the steel-cutting ceremony revealed the ship’s name and showcased a 3D hologram offering a first look at the future of Carnival cruising.

Carnival’s partnership with Fincantieri—a global leader in shipbuilding—dates back more than 30 years to the original Carnival Destiny, which ushered in a new era as the world’s largest cruise ship at the time. Today, that legacy continues with a class designed to redefine the guest experience.

Carnival Destiny will introduce a new way to experience the ocean from the ship, making it the most outward-facing megaship at sea. It will feature more ocean-view balcony cabins and 4.5 acres of glass—including expansive, multi-story glass walls—all of which will open up sightlines throughout the vessel. 

Carnival Destiny will also deliver a bold evolution in how guests engage on board. More than 70% of its venues and attractions will be entirely new concepts for Carnival.

“Carnival Destiny builds on a legacy that changed cruising once before, reimagining what guests can experience at sea,” said Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy. “With this ship, we’re elevating the guest experience again, creating a ship that feels more expansive, while helping guests feel more connected and ultimately have more fun.”

Carnival Destiny will sail to destinations in the Paradise Collection by Carnival, the largest portfolio of exclusive destinations in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico. Additional details on Carnival Destiny’s features and experiences will be released later this year, with the ship’s delivery scheduled for Summer 2029. Two additional Ace-Class ships are planned for 2031 and 2033.

(Source: Carnival).

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The partnership further enhances ITB Asia’s role as Asia-Pacific’s leading platform for the travel industry, creating new opportunities for recognition, high-level networking and business engagement across leisure, corporate and MICE travel communities.

The partnership reflects a strong fit between ITB Asia’s international travel trade platform and Business Traveller’s long-standing authority in recognising excellence across the travel and hospitality industry. 

By integrating one of the industry’s most recognised awards programmes into its official event programme, ITB Asia further enhances the value it offers exhibitors, buyers and visitors while strengthening engagement with the global corporate travel community.

“This partnership marks an exciting milestone for ITB Asia and reflects our continued commitment to strengthening the corporate travel segment,” said Messe Berlin Asia Pacific Executive Director Darren Seah. “Bringing the Business Traveller Global & Regional Awards to our event for the first time creates a unique opportunity to celebrate excellence while connecting industry leaders, innovators and decision-makers from across airlines, hospitality, destinations, travel technology and MICE on one international stage.”

The Business Traveller Global & Regional Awards have set the benchmark for excellence in travel and hospitality for more than 40 years. 

Each award is voted on by Business Traveller’s readership of frequent travellers and overseen by an international team of travel experts, recognising outstanding performance across global and regional markets and celebrating excellence across airlines, hospitality, destinations and travel services.

For more information on the Business Traveller Global & Regional Awards 2026 and ITB Asia 2026, visit https://www.itb-asia.com/conference/business-traveller-awards-2026-in-partnership-with-itb-asia/.

Experience the wider ITB Asia 2026 programme, featuring leading exhibitors, conference sessions and networking opportunities and benefit from Early Bird rates available until 11 September 2026: ITB Asia Visitor Registration.

Secure a booth at ITB Asia 2026 to showcase your brand and connect with senior decision-makers from the corporate travel segment: ITB Asia Exhibitor Registration.

For more information on the Business Traveller Global & Regional Awards 2026 and ITB Asia 2026, visit https://www.itb-asia.com/conference/business-traveller-awards-2026-in-partnership-with-itb-asia/ 

Experience the wider ITB Asia 2026 programme, featuring leading exhibitors, conference sessions and networking opportunities and benefit from Early Bird rates available until 11 September 2026: ITB Asia Visitor Registration.

(Source: ITB Asia)

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The airline also brought home its first HR Asia Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) Award, recognising its commitment to building an inclusive, people-centric workplace.

The annual HR Asia Awards recognise organisations across the region for strong human resource practices, employee engagement and workplace culture. Vietjet was among the leading companies in Vietnam recognised at this year’s awards.

The DE&I Award category recognises organisations that foster diverse, equitable and inclusive workplaces where employees from different backgrounds are respected, supported and given equal opportunities to grow.

The two awards reflect Vietjet’s continued focus on building an open, professional and globally connected workplace as it expands its operations across Asia and other global markets.

Vietjet currently employs nearly 10,000 employees from more than 68 countries and territories. Close to 30% of its workforce comes from across Asia, while almost 30% comprises young professionals aged between 20 and 30.

The recognition comes as Vietjet continues to expand its regional network, including its connectivity with Singapore. The airline currently operates direct services from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Phu Quoc, connecting travellers with Vietnam’s major business, cultural and leisure destinations. The airline will further expand its network with a new direct service between Singapore and Nha Trang, starting 11 December 2026.

(Source: Vietjet)

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The initiative was introduced at the Vietnam Halal Tourism Conference 2026 on 8 July, which brought together government representatives, international organisations and industry leaders to discuss how Vietnam can strengthen its appeal to Muslim travellers.

For travellers in Singapore, the initiative comes as Vietjet continues to expand connectivity between the two countries. The airline currently operates direct services from Singapore to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Phu Quoc. Its upcoming Singapore–Nha Trang service is scheduled to begin on 11 December 2026, operating four return flights each week.

Vietnam Halal Connect is envisioned as a platform that will bring together airlines, airports, accommodation providers, tourism businesses, halal certification bodies and technology partners. Through improved coordination, the initiative seeks to provide Muslim travellers with clearer information and greater confidence when planning and experiencing their trips.

As part of the initiative, Vietjet plans to work with relevant partners to expand Halal meal options, develop digital travel solutions and encourage tourism services that better address the needs of Muslim visitors. The initiative will also support the adoption of internationally recognised halal standards where applicable. 

“We see strong opportunities to strengthen Vietnam’s appeal among Muslim travellers through better connectivity and services that respond to their evolving travel needs,” said Vietjet’s Commercial Director Ha Nang Viet. “Through Vietnam Halal Connect, we hope to encourage closer cooperation across the travel value chain so that Muslim travellers can explore Vietnam with greater confidence and convenience.”

Vietnamese officials speaking at the conference highlighted the country’s potential to attract a larger share of the Muslim travel market, supported by its location between Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and the Middle East, as well as its range of cultural, culinary and coastal tourism experiences. 

According to figures presented at the event, Vietnam welcomed more than 21 million international visitors in 2025, of whom approximately 600,000 were Muslim travellers. The platform also reflects Vietjet’s strategy of expanding international connectivity while supporting Vietnam’s tourism development. The airline currently operates more than 135 domestic and international routes, connecting Vietnam with destinations across Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia and other markets with growing demand for Muslim travel.

As Vietnam expands its Halal tourism capabilities, Vietjet aims to support this growth by strengthening air connectivity and partnerships that enhance the overall journey, from flight and meal planning to accommodation and destination experiences.

(Source: Vietjet).

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Presented during GHA’s annual CEO conference aboard Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ luxury cruise ship Seven Seas Splendour last week, the awards celebrated excellence across 13 categories spanning loyalty performance, guest engagement, technology, sustainability, marketing and luxury hospitality.  

The alliance’s most prestigious accolade, the Best Brand Performance Award, was presented to Wharf Hotels in recognition of its outstanding overall performance across the GHA DISCOVERY programme, achieving the highest levels of guest satisfaction while consistently delivering exceptional member recognition and engagement. 

Kempinski Hotels and Outrigger Resorts & Hotels were named runners-up, reflecting the exceptionally high standard of performance across the alliance.

The Hotel of the Year Award was presented to Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas as the top-performing hotel based on GHA DISCOVERY member room nights booked over the past year, reflecting exceptional loyalty engagement and commercial success. 

The Best New Hotel Award went to Lanson Place Parliament Gardens, Melbourne, in recognition of the most successful new addition to the portfolio, based on strong member engagement and rapid performance growth.

Cheval Collection earned the Best Cross-Brand Contribution Award for driving strong engagement across multiple brands within the alliance and encouraging members to explore the wider GHA portfolio. Wharf Hotels took home its second award of the evening, receiving the Best Member Recognition Award as the brand with the highest guest satisfaction scores across the alliance.

Among other winners, Hotel Groove Shinjuku, A PARKROYAL Hotel in Tokyo, received the Web & App Hotel of the Year Award for outstanding booking and revenue performance through GHA DISCOVERY’s digital channels. At the same time, JA Resorts & Hotels was recognised with the Marketing Excellence Award for exceptional engagement across the programme’s campaigns, promotions and content initiatives.

For excellence in growing the programme’s member base, Minor Hotels received the Best Enrolment Performance Award, having generated the highest number of new GHA DISCOVERY member enrolments over the past year. Rotana Hotels & Resorts was recognised with the Best Use of Technology Award for innovative deployment of digital solutions to enhance both member experiences and operational efficiency.

At the brand level, The Doyle Collection received the Most Improved Brand Performance Award for delivering significant gains in performance, engagement and collaboration within the alliance. At the same time, SAii Hotels & Resorts was named Best New Brand Performance for achieving the strongest results among brands that joined GHA in the past year.

The Green Collection Exceptional Engagement Award was presented to PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore, in recognition of its outstanding contribution to sustainable hospitality, including initiatives that support local communities and environmental preservation. The Ultratravel Collection Hotel of the Year Award went to Capella Bangkok, honouring exceptional leadership in luxury hospitality and a consistent ability to meet the evolving expectations of high-end travellers.

The ceremony also paid tribute to the alliance’s long-standing members. The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts and Marco Polo Hotels were recognised for 20 years of membership, while Lungarno Collection and Shaza Hotels marked 15 years with the alliance. Outrigger Resorts & Hotels was honoured for its 10-year milestone, underscoring its valued contribution to GHA.

(Source: GHA)

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Clavell brings more than three decades of senior operational, brand, and development experience across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. His career includes leadership roles with respected luxury hospitality brands, including The Ritz‑Carlton, Bulgari Hotels & Resorts, EDITION, W Hotels, Rosewood, and Urban Resort Concepts.

Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Urban Resort Concepts in Hong Kong, where he led the repositioning and global expansion of The PuLi Group across hospitality, residences, and retail. Before this, he was Senior Vice President & Managing Director, EMEAC at Rosewood Hotel Group, overseeing a fast‑growing region and leading the profitable turnaround of its European and Middle Eastern portfolio.

In his role as COO at Aman Group, he will oversee global operations to ensure the highest standards of guest experience, consistency, and financial performance across all brands, including Janu, as well as all properties and business units. He will work closely with the Chairman to support the company’s continued expansion across hotels, resorts, branded residences, and Aman Group’s growing lifestyle verticals.

(Source: Aman Group)

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The launch addresses one of the biggest gaps emerging in digital travel. AI assistants, superapps, banking apps, loyalty programmes and connected devices are increasingly becoming places where customers plan, compare and decide. But a recommendation is only valuable if the hotel is live, available and bookable at the moment the customer wants to confirm.

Dida MCP to close that gap

Through Dida MCP, approved partners can empower their users to search, compare, and book hotels within the partner’s environment—no unnecessary handoffs. No forcing the customer out of the experience. 

The partner keeps the brand, the customer and the data relationship. Dida operates behind the scenes as the infrastructure that makes the hotels searchable, bookable and serviceable.

The launch does not mark a move by Dida into direct consumer travel; rather, it extends Dida’s established B2B model into the AI agent economy.

“The tech industry is currently obsessed with building AI that can talk about travel,” said Dida Holdings Group CEO Daryl Lee. “But talking does not generate revenue. Bookings do.”

“You can build the smartest chatbot in the world, but you cannot prompt-engineer live inventory. AI can recommend based on what it knows. Booking requires what is live. For 14 years, Dida has done the heavy lifting behind travel distribution: securing supply, managing rates and availability, connecting content, handling bookings, payments, settlement, confirmation and servicing”

“With Dida MCP, we are putting that infrastructure directly into the hands of approved B2B partners that own the customer relationship. You bring the customer. We do the heavy lifting. The booking happens inside your own experience.”

From recommendation to revenue

Dida was founded in 2012 to digitise and simplify global travel distribution. Today, its hotel portfolio spans more than 2 million hotel properties in more than 100 countries, supported by the content, rates, availability, booking, confirmation and servicing systems needed to complete real travel transactions at scale.

Until now, accessing that capability usually required bespoke API development, specialist travel knowledge and significant engineering time. Dida MCP changes the starting point. Approved partners can begin connecting to Dida’s hotel search and booking tools in minutes, removing much of the bespoke integration work that traditionally came first.

Dida believes it is among the first B2B travel infrastructure providers to make global hotel search and booking accessible to approved AI-enabled partners through an MCP-enabled gateway.

Built for B2B partners, not to compete with them

Dida MCP is designed for partners that want to make hotels bookable inside their own products.

For travel agencies, OTAs, TMCs, wholesalers, and tour operators, it creates a faster path to AI-native customer experiences. Their users can search, compare, and book hotels within their own agent, app, or digital interface, with booking data flowing back to the partner in real time.

For companies with large captive audiences, including banks, card programmes, loyalty platforms, telcos, e-commerce platforms, associations, superapps and consumer device makers, it creates a faster path into travel without having to build hotel supply, connectivity, payment, confirmation and servicing infrastructure from scratch.

For hotels and travel suppliers, it opens another route to qualified demand. As discovery shifts into AI-led environments, hotel supply can reach trusted partner ecosystems while preserving the controlled B2B distribution, booking and servicing processes the industry depends on.

Dida MCP is launching first with global hotel supply, one of the largest and most complex parts of travel to fulfil well. Over time, Dida expects the same approach to extend across its wider content, including flights, ground transportation and experiences, giving partners a single route to a growing range of travel products.

About Dida

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Singapore, with major operations in Shenzhen and across Asia Pacific, Dida is a global AI-first travel technology group serving the B2B travel ecosystem.

Dida connects high-quality travel content from hotels, airlines and ancillary providers to travel agencies, TMCs, tour operators, OTAs, wholesalers and other distribution partners worldwide.

Through its core business lines, Dida Hotels, Dida Flights, Dida Go and Dida Experiences, the company gives travel partners the technology, supply connectivity, automation and data-driven insights to operate more efficiently, engage customers more deeply and grow faster.

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