He brings a wealth of international experience to his new role, having held the post of head of sales for Club Med in the UK, Ireland, and the Nordics since 2023.

Lauret joined Club Med as an account manager in Paris in 2015 and was promoted to national sales manager for Switzerland in 2021.

Based in Kuala Lumpur, his latest appointment signals a forward-looking strategy for Club Med in Malaysia and Singapore — one that prioritises trade empowerment and digital innovation.

“We are seeing strong momentum across both markets, driven by robust trade partnerships and evolving traveller expectations. I look forward to collaborating closely with our partners to unlock new growth opportunities and deliver exceptional holiday experiences to our guests,” said Lauret. 

(Source: Club Med)

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Topping the ranking are travellers from Taiwan and South Korea, with nearly one in four (23%) respondents from each market saying shopping motivated their trips.

Travellers from the Philippines (22%), Malaysia (20%) and Japan (15%) round out the top five, with Thailand (14%), Indonesia (12%), India (8%) and Vietnam (7%) completing the ranking.

The findings come from a survey of Asian travellers as part of Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report, which highlights the prominence of shopping as a travel motivator.

The data reveals that retail experiences remain a major draw across Asia, with options ranging from luxury malls and designer districts to night markets and local artisan hubs.

For many travellers, shopping is not just transactional but experiential, offering a way to discover local culture, secure unique souvenirs, and enjoy curated retail environments that are destinations in their own right.

Agoda’s findings also reflect evolving consumer behaviours in which travellers combine leisure and retail by planning trips around seasonal sales, pop-up events, and speciality shopping districts.

The trend suggests a stronger culture of travel-led retail, whether for fashion, electronics, beauty, or local crafts. The result is a travel ecosystem that turns shopping into a core part of the itinerary and drives demand for conveniently located accommodations, curated experiences and retail-focused activities.

Agoda Vice President Jun Dong commented: “Shopping remains a powerful reason to travel across Asia, and our data shows just how varied retail motivations can be by market.

Interestingly, Taiwanese and South Korean travellers prioritise shopping as a key motivator when planning trips, highlighting their enthusiasm for exploring diverse retail landscapes and seeking unique shopping experiences.

At Agoda, we ensure travellers can easily find accommodations that place them right at the heart of the shopping experiences they value most.”

(Source: Agoda)

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The season will feature 96 departures across 61 itineraries visiting 55 destinations in nine countries, with two ships homeporting in Japan.

What’s New in 2027 and 2028

• Expanded late-night stays aligned with major summer festivals across Japan.
• New festival inclusion: Osaka Bon Odori, with dedicated visits by both ships.
• Largest-ever Japan season with two ships homeporting in Tokyo.

The 2028 Japan season marks a major milestone for the cruise line, featuring 41 destinations. For the first time, both Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess will homeport in Tokyo for the full season.

Japan season highlights

• 85 departures across 52 itineraries, ranging from seven to 29 days.
• Two sister ships, the 2,706-guest Diamond Princess and 2,678-guest Sapphire Princess.
• Sailings visiting all four main islands of Japan, following peak cherry blossom blooms from south to north.
• Six late-night stays in Aomori, Hakodate, Hiroshima, Kochi, Osaka (for Kyoto) and Tokushima.
• Access to 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Mount Fuji (from Shimizu), Himeji-jo Castle (from Osaka), Hiroshima Peace Memorial and Sado Island Gold Mines (from Niigata), Shirakawago Historic Village (from Toyama).
• Signature 29-day Grand Circle Japan voyages, including fall foliage sailings visiting up to 24 ports.

Featured destinations 

Cities including Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto (via Osaka), Hiroshima and Sapporo.

Landmarks such as Himeji-jo Castle, Kochi Castle, Sannai-Maruyama ruins and Mt Fuji (from Shimizu).

Scenic regions including Aomori, the Oga Peninsula and Lake Towada

Seasonal sailings aligned with cherry blossom and fall foliage periods, mountain landscapes and coastal vistas.

Southeast Asia programme

Complementing the Japan season, Princess Cruises’ Southeast Asia programme offers a collection of longer, destination-rich itineraries operated by Diamond Princess, connecting Japan, Korea and Southeast Asia. 

• Voyages are designed as longer-duration sailings up to 28 days, connecting multiple regions.
• Round-trip Singapore sailings and Japan–Singapore repositioning cruises.
• Visits 29 destinations across nine countries.
• Overnight stay in Laem Chabang (for Bangkok) and late-night calls in Hong Kong and Osaka.
• Access to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Singapore Botanic Gardens and Iriomote Island (from Ishigaki)

(Source: Princess Cruises)

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The lineup of sporting events bookable through Klook comprises: the World Cup 2026, Roland-Garros 2026, Wimbledon 2026, and Formula 1.

The expansion is timed to coincide with a measurable shift in traveller behaviour, based on findings from Klook’s Travel Pulse 2026 study, which concluded that mega-events have become catalysts for travel. 

Data shows that one in five global travellers now plan their entire vacation around a specific event, with 25% specifically citing sporting matches as their main travel motivator.

The study shows that 91% of fans use mega-events as a springboard for a longer trip. Rather than a “fly-in, fly-out” approach, 41% of travellers surveyed said they extend their stay by at least three days.

Nearly half of the fans now secure event tickets one to six months in advance, creating a longer window to facilitate the rest of their travel needs, from local transport to tours.

World Cup 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 spans 16 host cities across the US, Canada, and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026

Roland-Garros 2026

As Official Hospitality Reseller for Roland-Garros 2026, Klook offers VIP packages that include priority courtside seating, exclusive access to hospitality areas, personalised welcome experiences, and Parisian dining. The event held at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris from 24 May to 7 June 2026, is one of four tennis Grand Slams, drawing fans from across APAC who pair tournament attendance with broader France and Europe itineraries.

Wimbledon 2026

Wimbledon 2026 debentures are now available on Klook. Held at the All England Club in London from 29 June to 12 July 2026, Wimbledon is the oldest and most prestigious tennis Grand Slam in the world. Klook offers debenture seats on Centre Court and Court No 1, giving fans guaranteed access and premium sightlines to the sport’s defining matches.

Formula 1

Formula 1 hospitality and tickets are available across all 24 races on the 2026 global calendar. Klook offers a wide range of options for each race, from grandstand and stand locations to hospitality inclusions, including single-day passes covering Friday qualifying, ensuring accessible entry points at every circuit on the calendar.

Tickets for the World Cup 2026, Roland-Garros 2026, Wimbledon 2026 and Formula 1 are now available on Klook’s platform.

The sports tourism market, valued at USD813.38 billion in 2026, is projected to reach USD1,984.17 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 11.79% over the forecast period. Klook has expanded its offerings to include major sports and live events, adding to its wealth of experiences and connecting fans to premium matchday access for four of the world’s most popular sports.

(Source: Klook)

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The launch aligns with the company’s strategic focus on high-growth regional markets and the increasing demand for foreign exchange services across Assam and the wider Northeast.

With this addition, Thomas Cook India expands its network to three locations in Assam, including its presence at the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (LGBIA).

(LGBIA: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (IATA: GAU, ICAO: VEGT), or Guwahati Airport, is an international airport serving the largest city of Assam and the state capital, Guwahati and Dispur, in India.)

• The product-service portfolio, available at the sales outlet, includes:

• Prepaid Travel Cards in partnership with Mastercard and Visa;

• Holidays: Borderless Travel — prepaid multi-currency card with 12 global currencies;

• Business Travel: FX Enterprise card – India’s first Eco-Friendly Forex prepaid card

• Overseas Education: Study Buddy card

• Thomas Cook One Currency Card: India’s first prepaid card with zero cross-currency conversion fees

• Overseas Education Forex for the strong student segment: transfer of university/tuition fees, living expenses, discounted air fares, excess baggage, insurance and foreign exchange products like the Study Buddy Card

• Currency: 26 global destination currencies

• Overseas Remittances: Thomas Cook Forex’s Send Money Abroad covering over 120 countries

Guwahati has witnessed a steady rise in foreign exchange demand, supported by increasing outbound leisure travel, a growing student segment, and strong business activity. The anticipated boost from direct international connectivity, following the launch of the new terminal at LGBIA, further strengthens Guwahati’s potential as a key forex market. 

“Guwahati is a high-potential and fast-evolving forex market, serving as the gateway to Northeast India with increasing outbound leisure and student travel, rising passport penetration and growing digital adoption,” said Thomas Cook (India) Limited Chief Business Officer – Foreign Exchange Deepesh Varma. “The launch of our new outlet reflects our confidence in the city’s growth trajectory and the strong demand we are seeing across walk-ins, digital enquiries and assisted channels.”

(Source: Thomas Cook (India))

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With over 40 years of experience in hospitality management, including more than three decades in senior sales leadership roles across Singapore and China, Fang brings a strong track record of driving revenue performance, elevating market positioning, and developing high-performing teams.

Her experience spans globally recognised brands, including Shangri-La Group, Marriott International and Far East Hospitality Group.

She oversees sales and marketing functions across Singapore, Bali, and the Maldives, with a focus on strengthening cross-market synergies, sharpening the commercial strategy, and building high-performing teams. A key priority will be to advance the resort’s positioning in the MICE and high-value leisure segments, while deepening engagement with regional and international demand drivers.

“As Singapore’s only rainforest resort, we are uniquely positioned at the intersection of nature and hospitality. Marlene’s appointment strengthens our ability to translate this distinct positioning into sustained commercial success. Her deep regional expertise and strategic clarity will be instrumental in driving growth across key markets, while fostering a culture of mentorship and excellence within the organisation,” shares  Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree Hotel Manager, Shereen Chow.

(Source: Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree)

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Bhutan’s national carrier will fly three times weekly from Singapore to Paro on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday, starting 16 May 2026, expanding capacity from the previous schedule of two departures on Thursday and Sunday.

Druk Asia, based in Singapore, is one of Asia’s pioneering Bhutan travel specialists. Since its inception in 2009 as Drukair’s local representative, the company has evolved into a trusted leader in curating journeys to Bhutan with a strong focus on social impact and wellness-centred travel. 

In October 2024, Druk Asia reinforced its commitment to protecting Bhutan’s cultural heritage and to a broader social Impact with its appointment by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Royal Government of Bhutan as the official marketing representative for the Museums of Bhutan Building Fund. 

Flight schedule

Under the enhanced schedule, Drukair will operate interim* flights between Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) and Paro International Airport (PBH) on the following days in April:

Singapore → Paro: Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday
Paro → Singapore: Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday

*subject to schedule changes and adjustments

Seasonal adjustment after 16 May 2026

Drukair will implement a seasonal adjustment to the schedule. From this date, flight operations will shift to the following days:

Singapore → Paro: Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday
Paro → Singapore: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday

Expanded connectivity to Bhutan 

Singapore serves as the vital link for Bhutan’s fastest-growing visitor markets. By adding a third weekly service, Drukair is simplifying the journey for long-haul visitors, particularly from the South Pacific and North America. 

In 2025, Singapore Changi Airport recorded an all-time high of 69.98 million passenger movements, with Australia ranking among its top four markets. 

Changi gateway

China, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Australia were Changi’s top four passenger markets in 2025, with North America registering some of the highest regional growth at 15.8%.

Australian connection

Australia is now home to Bhutan’s largest community abroad, approximately 37,500 residents. Daily, over 30 flights arrive in Singapore from Australia, operated by multiple carriers, including Scoot, Singapore Airlines, and Qantas. The enhanced Drukair schedule ensures seamless connectivity for both the Bhutanese diaspora visiting home and Australian travellers eager to check Bhutan off their bucket list. 

North American growth 

In 2025, visitors to Bhutan from the US rose by 20% while arrivals from Canada increased by 22%. For these travellers, Singapore offers the most efficient one-stop gateway via daily non-stop flights from New York (JFK and Newark), San Francisco, Los Angeles, and five flights a week from Vancouver with Air Canada.

This expansion reflects a growing demand for Bhutan’s “High Value, Low Volume” tourism model. By increasing frequency rather than just capacity, Drukair ensures that the journey remains exclusive and meaningful while improving access via Changi Airport, one of the world’s best-connected aviation hubs.

(Source: Drukair)

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The promotional discount is open for purchases until 1259 on 1 May 2026 (GMT+8), for bookings made via Vietjet’s website or mobile app using the promo code VJ20. A total of 11 million promo seats are available for travel until 31 August 2026. 

For travellers in Singapore, the promotion presents an opportunity to plan their next getaway to Vietnam. With Vietjet’s direct services from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang and Phu Quoc, travellers can choose city breaks to beach holiday destinations or longer multi-stop journeys. 

New flight to Nha Trang

Further enhancing these travel options, Vietjet will launch its new Singapore–Nha Trang route on 1 June 2026, giving Singapore residents access to one of Vietnam’s most popular seaside destinations.

To meet increased travel demand during the holiday peak, Vietjet plans to operate nearly 3,800 domestic flights across Vietnam between 25 April and 5 May 2026. Additional frequencies will be added on high-demand routes linking major cities and tourism destinations, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Hue, Quang Binh, Quy Nhon, and Phu Quoc, giving passengers greater flexibility and more convenient travel options.

Passengers who book via Vietjet’s official website or mobile app will also receive one entry into the airline’s “Fly Vietjet, strike gold” lucky draw programme, which offers the chance to win prizes including one tael of 999.9 gold. Additional prizes include gold and silver, as well as a range of e-vouchers for future travel.

More on the holiday peak season

From 25 April to 5 May, 2026, Vietnam features two public holidays, resulting in high travel demand as many offices close, although the period is not a single, continuous nationwide holiday. 

Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day 

Dates: Saturday, 25 April to Monday, 27 April.

The holiday honours the founders of Vietnam. In 2026, the main day (26 April) falls on a Sunday, so a compensatory day is given on Monday, 27 April, creating a three-day break. 

Reunification Day and Labour Day 

Dates: Thursday, 30 April to Sunday, 3 May.

30 April: Reunification Day (Liberation of South Vietnam).
1 May: International Labour Day.

Duration: Because these holidays fall on a Thursday and Friday, they combine with the weekend to create a four-day break for many workers. 

As of April 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed there is no policy to swap working days to create a single continuous nine-day break (meaning 28 and 29 April are working days), but many people take annual leave days to bridge the gap. 

Impact on travel and services

Offices and banks: Government offices and banks will be closed during these holidays (25 to 27 April and 30 April to 3 May.
Travel: This is a peak travel period for domestic Vietnamese travellers. Expect high demand for hotels and transport.
Visa Processing: Immigration departments will be closed, which can cause delays in visa processing.

(Source: Viethjet with additional information on holidays —  VietnamNet)

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The launch of this new service to Shanghai, China’s largest and most commercially dynamic city, is a major step forward in Air Astana’s ongoing network expansion across the country.

The new Almaty to Shanghai route, introduced at the end of March, operates three times weekly and complements Air Astana’s existing network of services to Beijing, Guangzhou, Sanya, Ürümqi and Yining. 

The addition of Shanghai strengthens the airline’s long-term commitment to developing connectivity between Kazakhstan and China, which began with its first flight between Almaty and Beijing in December 2002.

With Shanghai now part of the network, the Air Astana Group offers up to 32 weekly services between Kazakhstan and six Chinese cities, providing passengers with increased travel options and supporting both point-to-point and transit flows across Central Asia, the Caucasus, Europe and Asia. 

In 2025, the airline group carried more than 250,000 passengers between Kazakhstan and China, a 96% increase over 2024.

Commenting at the event,  Air Astana Group Chief Executive Officer Ibrahim Canliel said: “The launch of our Shanghai service is an important milestone in the development of our network and reflects the growing strength of ties between Kazakhstan and China. We see strong and accelerating demand across both business and leisure segments, supported by visa-free travel. Shanghai is a key global city, and this route, our sixth destination in China, will further enhance connectivity not only between our two countries, but also for passengers travelling onwards across our network.”

About Air Astana Group
Air Astana Group is the largest airline group in Central Asia and the Caucasus regions by revenue and fleet size. The group operates a fleet of 63 aircraft, split between Air Astana, its full-service airline, which began operations in 2002, and FlyArystan, its low-cost airline established in 2019. 

(Source: Air Astana)

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Who will control travel in 2046: AI companies, governments, or the travellers themselves? What will determine value in an AI-driven industry? And will travel remain accessible to all, or become a privilege?

These questions were at the heart of the inaugural Leadership Exchange, hosted last month by Phocuswright, a leading global travel research and events company, and ITB Berlin.

The year is 2046: AI companies control global data flows, travellers rely on intelligent agents to plan and book journeys, and some destinations restrict access to combat overtourism. This is not science fiction, but one of several plausible futures envisioned by senior travel leaders during the closed-door Leadership Exchange.

The Leadership Exchange at ITB Berlin 2026, held under the Chatham House Rule, convened industry leaders in a strategic think tank format to tackle four key questions: Who owns trust? 

Where does value sit in an AI-native industry? Is travel a right or a privilege? And will the sector consolidate or fragment? Its goal: to move beyond trend narratives and provide actionable insight for businesses, governments and stakeholders navigating a period of profound transformation.

A clear narrative emerged across all discussions: artificial intelligence will dramatically reduce friction in travel, but in doing so, it will fundamentally redistribute power.

“The travel industry is entering a structural shift unlike anything we’ve seen since the early days of digitalisation,” said Messe Berlin CEO Dr Mario Tobias. “With the Leadership Exchange, we created a space where decision-makers don’t just discuss the future but actively shape it. The choices we make now around trust, data and value creation will define the industry for decades to come.”

Download the complete Executive Brief 2026

The complete Executive Brief 2026, including all insights and strategic implications, is available for download

Trust becomes the new currency

In a world mediated by AI, trust is no longer anchored to a single player. Instead, it becomes fragmented and more valuable than ever. Built through countless micro-interactions and human signals such as user-generated content, trust must be actively designed into every step of the customer journey.

At the same time, multiple AI-driven booking channels risk blurring accountability, increasing the likelihood of “catastrophic” trust failures in the near term.

“Trust is not an algorithm. There’s no single recipe, and in the future, not only companies, but also consumers will be assessed on whether they can be trusted,” said Sunweb Group CEO Mieke De Schepper.

AI shifts value, and challenges brands

As AI agents take over search and discovery, personalisation emerges as the industry’s greatest opportunity. Travel experiences will be tailored in real time, based on deep data insights and individual preferences.

However, this shift comes with a cost: traditional intermediaries may lose relevance, and even strong brands could see their influence erode as the “source of truth” becomes the key differentiator.

“By 2029, discovery as we know it today will almost disappear. The real value will sit with personal agents that act on our behalf,” said T2Impact principal Timothy O’Neil-Dunne.

Access to travel grows, and divides

While technology could make travel more seamless and inclusive, structural tensions remain. Easier mobility may foster more open and connected societies, but also intensify overtourism and strain infrastructure.

At the same time, economic inequality, geopolitics, and regulation will increasingly determine who can travel, turning mobility into a privilege for some rather than a universal right.

“To control immigration and overtourism, travel is becoming more of a privilege. Countries will either visa their way out of tourism or price people out,” said Protect Group global strategy lead Stephen Joyce.

Fragmentation vs consolidation: an open question

AI has the potential to empower smaller players through hyper-personalisation, enabling niche providers to reach highly targeted audiences. At the same time, control over data could lead to powerful monopolies.

Despite differing perspectives, participants agreed that the next three years will be decisive: choices made now on data ownership, trust frameworks and technological integration will shape the industry’s trajectory for decades to come. As one participant put it, the future of travel is not to be predicted, but actively shaped.

Additional information is available at www.itb.com and from the ITB News & Insights & Social Media.

(Source: ITB Berlin)

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