Scheduled for October 22-25, 2026, at the Ambassador Hotel on Bangkok’s Soi Sukhumvit 11, the third iteration of the festival promises to be an unparalleled convergence of the world’s most accomplished and adventurous travellers.

“The Extraordinary Travel Festival is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of global exploration and human connection,” says Gazarian, whose website, GlobalGaz, features stories and images from his extensive travels. “Following the tremendous success of our previous gatherings, we are excited to bring together this unique community once again in a city that truly embodies the spirit of adventure.”

ETF III is designed for both seasoned mega-travellers (those who have visited many countries, including all 193 UN sovereign nations) and passionate individuals aspiring to push their own travel boundaries. 

Attendees will gain invaluable insights, share captivating stories, and learn practical strategies from those who have truly gone the distance. While many speakers and attendees have achieved the rare feat of visiting all 193 sovereign countries — an accomplishment that about 500 people can claim — the festival aims to inspire and inform everyone who shares a deep love of travel, regardless of their current country count.

The festival will feature over 40 dynamic speakers, delivering engaging keynotes, insightful breakout sessions, and lively panel discussions. 

This year’s lineup 

Jamie Aleman: Travelled to every country in the world, both the North and South Pole, and has travelled to outer space.

Jason Wang: Recently completed summiting Mount Everest, completing all Seven Summits.

Kach Medina Umandap: Has visited every country in the world, being the first to complete this quest on a Filipino Passport.

Thor Pedersen: Travelled to every country on an unbroken 10-year journey without ever flying. 

“Imagine the world’s modern-day Marco Polos gathered in a single location,” Gazarian adds. “The energy, enthusiasm, and vast knowledge exchanged about travel and country-collecting at our previous events were truly transformative.”

The largest mega-travel clubs will be prominently represented, including Every Passport Stamp (40,000 members), Travel Massive (80,000 members), Pangea, Most Travelled People (40,000 members), and NomadMania (50,000 members), fostering an unparalleled networking environment.

Building on the success of past festivals, ETF III will offer attendees a robust speaker schedule, complemented by parties and a gala dinner. 

Ticket Information: Attendees wishing to reserve a spot can now purchase tickets online at: https://extraordinarytravelfest.com/tickets/

Use code BANGKOK to save on your ticket to this event.  

(Source: ETF)

The post Extraordinary Travel Fest returns to Bangkok appeared first on TTR Weekly.

The company has launched Destination Convention Malaysia in collaboration with the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak) and Sabah Convention Bureau. 

The new platform brings together Malaysia’s convention infrastructure, hospitality capabilities and destination experiences, giving organisers a broader view of what the country can offer across different locations and event formats.

Rather than focusing on a single city or venue, the initiative pairs Kuala Lumpur’s international connectivity and established convention infrastructure with the cultural, natural and incentive experiences available across Sarawak, Sabah and other destinations in Malaysia. 

More choice within a single market

Destination Convention Malaysia makes it easier for regional organisers to identify locations and experiences suited to different event objectives and delegate profiles.

Malaysia’s offering spans major urban convention centres, resort and leisure destinations, nature-based experiences and locations with distinctive cultural identities. This gives planners the flexibility to host large-scale conventions, corporate meetings, incentive programmes and experience-led events within one national market.

“Regional planners increasingly want destinations that can provide strong infrastructure while also giving delegates a meaningful experience outside the formal programme,” said Marriott International Market Vice President Malaysia George Varughese. “Malaysia can offer both. It combines international connectivity and established convention capabilities with an extraordinary variety of cultures, landscapes and experiences. Through Destination Convention Malaysia, we want to make that full proposition more visible and accessible to planners across Asia-Pacific.”

The initiative was unveiled during Malaysia Means Business, an industry forum convened by Marriott International at the St Regis Kuala Lumpur. The event brought together leaders from the country’s business events, destination and hospitality sectors to examine how Malaysia could capture a greater share of the regional meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions market.

A panel discussion featuring senior representatives from Marriott International, MyCEB, BESarawak and Sabah Convention Bureau explored how Malaysia could capture a greater share of the Asia-Pacific MICE market.

Panellists explored how organiser and delegate expectations are changing. Personalised programmes, wellness, sustainability, technology and experiences connected to the host destination are playing a greater role in event planning, alongside practical considerations such as accessibility, accommodation and venue capacity.

“Malaysia’s strong business events pipeline reflects the confidence organisers have in our capabilities, and our opportunity now is to build even greater awareness of the diversity we can offer across the country,” said MyCEB Chief Executive Officer Tan Mei Phing.

“By bringing destinations together through Destination Convention Malaysia, we can showcase the collective strength of Malaysia’s business events ecosystem and present an even more compelling proposition to regional and international organisers.” 

Marriott International currently operates 65 hotels across Malaysia, giving regional planners access to accommodation and event facilities across key business and leisure destinations. Its portfolio provides access to major convention and event facilities including Marriott Putrajaya International Convention Centre, Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel & Convention Centre, Courtyard by Marriott Kuala Lumpur South, Desaru Coast Conference Centre and Langkawi International Convention Centre.

(Source: Marriott International)

The post Marriott teams up with MyCEB to promote events appeared first on TTR Weekly.

Now in its ninth year, Phuket Hotels for Islands Sustaining Tourism, or PHIST, is calling for a “Whole Village” approach to sustainability, arguing that environmental responsibility must become a fundamental requirement for Thailand’s long-term tourism competitiveness, not simply a collection of corporate pledges.

Organised by the Phuket Hotels Association, PHIST 2026 brings together hotel owners, operators, developers, architects, suppliers, government representatives, environmental organisations and tourism leaders.

This year’s programme features 93 speakers across 26 panel sessions, workshops and masterclasses, together with 43 exhibitors and 13 non-profit organisations.

Among the speakers are KP Ho, Founder and Executive Chairman of Banyan Group, Dr Pinsak Suraswadi, Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, and Phil Smith, General Manager of Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore.

Phuket provides an increasingly important test case for sustainable tourism. The island continues to experience rapid hotel and property development alongside infrastructure pressures, traffic congestion, water and waste challenges and continued expansion at the luxury end of the hospitality market.

The industry’s challenge is therefore changing.

The question is no longer whether hotels have sustainability policies. Most now do. The more difficult question is what those policies are actually achieving and how results are being measured.

Increasingly, attention is shifting toward operational key performance indicators, including energy consumption per occupied room, water usage, food waste, single-use plastics, local purchasing, staff accommodation, transport emissions, and coastal protection.

This moves the sustainability conversation beyond awards, pledges and good intentions towards measurable performance and accountability.

PHIST’s organisers believe collaboration is essential. Sustainability cannot be delivered by hotels acting independently when many of the pressures affecting destinations, from waste management and infrastructure to coastal protection and transport, extend far beyond individual properties.

The “Whole Village” approach therefore calls for hotels, government, communities, suppliers, developers and environmental organisations to work collectively rather than in isolation.

For Phuket, the stakes are particularly high. Tourism underpins the island’s economy, but continued growth also puts increasing pressure on the environment and quality of life that make the destination attractive.

PHIST has developed significantly since its launch nine years ago. What began primarily as an annual industry gathering is evolving into a year-round platform designed to encourage collaboration, share practical solutions and turn sustainability commitments into measurable action.

The message from PHIST 2026 is increasingly clear: sustainability is no longer simply about protecting the environment. It is about protecting the long-term competitiveness of Thailand’s tourism industry itself.

About the author
Andrew J Wood is a British-born travel writer and former hotelier who has lived in Thailand since 1991. A graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh, he has more than four decades of experience in international hospitality and tourism. A long-standing member of Skål International, he is a former Director and Past President of Skål International Asia, Thailand and Bangkok. Currently, he serves as Vice President of Skål International Bangkok. He writes regularly on travel, tourism, hospitality and Asia-Pacific industry developments.

The post PHIST 2026 puts sustainability centre stage appeared first on TTR Weekly.

The show unfolded at a defining moment for Malaysia’s national tourism agenda. Malaysia welcomed 42.2 million international visitors in 2020, an 11.2% increase compared with the previous year. This positive momentum has continued into 2026, with 21.2 million international arrivals recorded in the first half of the year alone. 

Under Visit Malaysia 2026, the country is targeting 47 million international tourist arrivals and MYR147.1 billion in tourism receipts by year-end, and this edition of the National MATTA Fair aims to contribute directly to that push.

The 59th edition of the MATTA Fair extended over 10 exhibition halls at MITEC, bringing together the country’s largest gathering of licensed travel agencies, tourism boards, hotels and airlines, alongside 12 state tourism organisations (STOs) from across Malaysia, and 16 national tourism organisations (NTOs) worldwide, with Taiwan taking centre stage as this edition’s International Favourite Destination.

Adding to the momentum, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) returned as Official Airline Partner and Premier Sponsor, anchoring the fair and showcasing its growing portfolio of travel and lifestyle offerings. 

Meanwhile, RHB Bank, the fair’s Official Bank Partner, delivered an expanded suite of travel rewards and financing options for visitors looking to fund their next holiday.

“The positive tourism performance we are seeing this year is encouraging and presents opportunities for the entire tourism industry. We are actively seeking to build on this progress by making travel more accessible and trustworthy. As a Strategic Partner to Visit Malaysia 2026, MATTA will continue working closely with the government and our industry partners to support the national tourism agenda and promote Malaysia as a preferred destination for travellers,” said MATTA President Nigel Wong.

 (Source: MATTA)

The post Tourism makes gains during MATTA Fair appeared first on TTR Weekly.

From 1 to 3 September, professionals across the Leisure, MICE, Corporate Travel and Travel Technology sectors came together to connect with regional and international partners, gain new market perspectives and explore avenues for future growth.

More than 3,000 industry professionals attended this year’s edition, including over 400 qualified buyers, with more than 100 exhibiting brands represented at ITB India 2026.

“India and South Asia continue to offer significant opportunities for the global travel industry, and the international participation at ITB India this year reflects the strong interest we continue to see in these markets,” said Messe Berlin Asia Pacific Executive Director, Darren Seah. “By connecting global suppliers with qualified buyers and combining commercial exchange with industry insights, networking and senior-level dialogue, ITB India offers a valuable B2B marketplace where new relationships and ideas can develop into long-term business.”

Exhibiting brands from Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, Africa, Northeast Asia and South America participated in this year’s edition. Among this year’s exhibitors were Columbia Pictures Aquaverse, DoubleTree by Hilton Jakarta Kemayoran, Halong International Cruise, Hotel Indonesia Kempinski Jakarta, IHCL, MakeMyTrip, Northern Lights Villages, oneworld alliance, Philippine Airlines, Sarawak Tourism Board, Seibu Prince Hotels & Resorts, Tokyu Hotels Japan and Visit Maldives Corporation.

ITB India 2026 was backed by a network of travel trade and industry associations, strengthening its engagement with travel agents, tour operators, MICE professionals and tourism communities across India. Participating associations include the Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI), Enterprising Travel Agents Association (ETAA), Global Travel Agent Association (GTAA), Network of Indian MICE Agents (NIMA), Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), Skal International India, Tourism India Alliance (TIA), Travel Agencies Association Pune (TAAP), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Travel Agents Association of Nashik (TAAN), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) and Travel Trade Association of Uttar Pradesh (TTAUP).

Dates for the diary

ITB Asia will be held in Singapore from 21 to 23 October 2026, covering the APAC market. The inaugural ITB Americas will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico, from 10 to 12 November 2026, covering the American market. ITB Berlin, the world’s leading B2B trade show for the travel industry, will take place in Berlin from 16 March to 18 March 2027. ITB China, the premier marketplace for China’s travel industry, is scheduled for 25 to 27 May 2027 in Shanghai.

(Source: ITB India)

The post ITB India wraps up its 4th edition appeared first on TTR Weekly.

“It’s not about following the trends where there’s always a beginning and an end,” said Ingo Schweder, founder and chief executive officer of GOCO Hospitality and managing director of Horwath HTL Health & Wellness, at BEING Thailand 2026 in Phuket. “The term trend means it is coming and it is going.

That means you should never do something in a real estate development which is a short-term trend.”

Schweder said emerging concepts including ice baths and sound healing can nevertheless help expand the sector by introducing consumers to wellness experiences and creating future demand for more established operators.

The comments reflect a shift from immersive wellness, where guests stay at dedicated resorts to pursue specific health goals, toward hybrid models that make wellness part of a broader hotel experience.

At Six Senses, guests can choose how deeply they engage, from structured programmes to healthier food, sustainable practices, fitness and social activities integrated into a conventional stay, said Jael Fischer, the group’s head of development for Asia Pacific.

A younger customer base is accelerating the change. Schweder said millennials account for 41% of global wellness spending, with younger consumers increasingly willing to spend on experiences that support health and wellbeing.

That demand is reshaping hotel development. Wellness facilities that once occupied hundreds of square metres are increasingly reaching several thousand square metres in high-end hotels and resorts, Schweder said, as operators devote more space to fitness, recovery and social wellness.

Food is becoming a core part of the wellness proposition. Operators are moving away from restrictive menus toward healthier versions of familiar dishes, while fermented foods and adaptogens are gaining prominence. Six Senses combines everyday dining with menus tailored to programmes including detoxification, fitness and weight management.

Wellness is also becoming more social. Community tables, shared saunas and group activities are challenging the idea that wellness must be a solitary pursuit. At Kamalaya, Chief Financial Officer Matthew Brennan said the resort’s community table is popular with guests travelling alone.

Fitness is emerging as another important entry point, with running, swimming and outdoor activities allowing hotels to connect health and movement with the destination.

The shift is also moving into cities. Six Senses has developed urban wellness concepts combining fitness, spa, food and social spaces, while Schweder said luxury city hotels are allocating significantly more space to wellness. The goal is to make wellbeing part of daily life rather than an annual retreat.

For Thailand, the opportunity comes with a warning: the country must evolve without losing its identity.

Thailand helped establish Asia’s international spa industry and combines hospitality expertise, medical infrastructure and traditional health practices. The panel argued that Traditional Thai Medicine should play a larger role in the country’s next generation of wellness offerings.

“Thailand has to protect its uniqueness and its heritage and its traditional medicine,” Brennan said.

Fischer added that Thailand’s ability to combine Eastern and Western approaches, alongside its strong hospitality culture, gives the country an advantage as global wellness becomes more sophisticated.

The executives also warned against “well-washing” — adding wellness branding or fashionable equipment without integrating wellbeing throughout the guest journey.

The emerging competitive battleground is therefore not the latest wellness gadget, but how effectively hotels integrate health, fitness, nutrition, sustainability and human connection into the overall stay.

Event overview and organisers
C9 Hotelworks, QUO, and Mrs B Group organised Being Thailand 2026, with support from Delivering Asia, Phuket Hotels Association, SAii Laguna Phuket, Meliá Hotels International, Layan Life by Anantara, Gardens of Eden, Laguna Phuket, the Bangkok Hospital Network in Phuket, and Lemongrass House.

(Source: Being Thailand 2026)

The post Wellness hospitality expands beyond spas appeared first on TTR Weekly.

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)

The post Countdown to Grand Prix Season Singapore 2026 appeared first on TTR Weekly.

Japan will host the 2026 Asian Games (20^th Asian Games, official name Aichi–Nagoya 2026) from 19 September to 4 October, prompting a surge in accommodation searches made on Agoda.

 Nagoya City emerges as the most popular host city in Aichi Prefecture, followed by Toyota City, Toyohashi City, Okazaki City, and Ichinomiya City. Among the host cities, Toyota City recorded the highest increase in travel interest during the event period compared to three weeks prior at 715%, followed by Ichinomiya City at 504%, Kariya City at 324%, and Okazaki City at 237%, indicating travel interest is expanding beyond Nagoya City to cities across Aichi Prefecture where the sporting events will be held.

Nagoya City tops accommodation searches, while travel interest expands to surrounding host cities.

Top 10 cities by search volume during the Asian Games

• 1 Nagoya City
• 2 Toyota City
• 3 Toyohashi City
• 4 Okazaki City
• 5 Ichinomiya City
• 6 Kariya City
• 7 Kasugai City
• 8 Komaki City
• 9 Nishio City
• 10 Shinshiro City

Nagoya City recorded the highest accommodation searches for stays during the sporting event period, with a wide range of sports scheduled, including water polo, athletics, basketball, judo, football, rugby sevens, gymnastics, and tennis. In addition to being a central area where visitors can watch a variety of sporting events, the opportunity to combine sports spectating with Nagoya’s unique food, shopping, and sightseeing experiences makes it a highly appealing travel destination during the fall season.

Fast-rising travel interest in surrounding host cities: Toyota City up 715%, Ichinomiya City up 504%.

Agoda reports a rise in travel interest not only in the main host city of Nagoya, but also in cities across Aichi Prefecture where a wide variety of sporting events will take place, suggesting that the event is expanding travellers’ interest across the prefecture. 

Among the cities hosting sporting events, Toyota City recorded the highest growth in travel interest, with a 715% increase in accommodation searches compared to three weeks before the event period. 

Additionally, Ichinomiya City and Kariya City ranked as the second- and third-fastest-growing destinations during the sporting event, based on accommodation searches, at 504% and 324%, respectively. With Ichinomiya scheduled to host badminton and Kariya scheduled to host football, fans can expect unforgettable competitions that make the trip worthwhile.

Growing interest in the Aichi-Nagoya area from across Asia

The sporting event in fall 2026 is likely to be driving growing interest in the Aichi-Nagoya area not only among travellers in Japan, but also among travellers across Asia. Among international markets, Taiwan recorded the highest number of searches to the event host cities, followed by South Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and China.

Top 5 international markets by search volume

• 1 Taiwan
• 2 South Korea
• 3 Hong Kong
• 4 Philippines
• 5 China

Meanwhile, the host cities saw the biggest increases in travel interest from China (724%) and the Philippines (249%).

The high interest from China may be driven by strong awareness of the sporting event following the previous edition held in Hangzhou, expectations surrounding the national team, and the timing of the event, which coincides with the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holiday periods.

For the Philippines, meanwhile, anticipation surrounding the men’s basketball team’s bid to defend its title – following its first gold medal in 61 years at the previous edition of the sporting event – may also be contributing to increased travel interest.

Agoda International Japan Senior Country Director Tadashi Ikai commented: “One of Asia’s leading sporting events to be held in Japan in fall 2026 is allowing both domestic and international travellers not only to watch sports, but also to visit different areas across Aichi and Nagoya. It’s especially exciting to see heightened interest in lesser-known cities like Toyota City, Ichinomiya City, and Kariya City in Aichi Prefecture.”

(Source: Agoda)

The post Agoda monitors Asian Games travel searches appeared first on TTR Weekly.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid and GBTA Senior Director – APAC Elle Ng-Darmawan during the recent PTM Knowledge Forum at PATA Travel Mart 2026 in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.

Under the agreement, GBTA will serve as the Corporate Travel Partner for PATA Travel Mart 2027, bringing its global network of corporate buyers, procurement professionals, and travel managers together with PATA’s established Asia-Pacific tourism marketplace.

The partnership will focus on enhancing the business travel and business events components of PATA Travel Mart 2027 through programme development, corporate buyer mobilisation, knowledge exchange, and targeted business-to-business engagement.

As part of the collaboration, GBTA will work with PATA to support the development and delivery of corporate business travel content as part of the PTM Knowledge Forum. GBTA will also leverage its extensive professional network and communication channels to encourage qualified corporate buyers to participate in the event.

PATA will work with GBTA to facilitate the participation of qualified corporate buyers at PATA Travel Mart 2027, in accordance with PATA’s standard hosted buyer qualification and approval procedures.

The partnership will also include joint marketing and promotional activities across the respective communication channels of PATA and GBTA, helping to connect the Asia-Pacific travel industry with a wider international community of corporate travel buyers and decision-makers.

“Corporate travel plays an important role in connecting destinations, businesses and communities across the Asia-Pacific region,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “Our partnership with GBTA will bring together complementary networks and expertise, creating new opportunities for meaningful business connections and knowledge exchange. We look forward to working together to strengthen further the corporate travel component of PATA Travel Mart 2027 in Macao.”

GBTA  Senior Director, APAC Elle Ng-Darmawan added: “As the world’s largest and fastest-growing region for business travel spending, APAC continues to play a critical role in driving global economic growth, trade and connectivity. GBTA’s recent 2026 Business Travel Index report underscores the scale and dynamism of the APAC market, which in turn makes collaboration across the travel ecosystem more essential than ever.

Our partnership with PATA creates a timely platform to connect travel managers, suppliers, destination leaders and other industry professionals in Macao. By combining our networks and expertise, we can unlock new opportunities, drive greater value for our members and ensure the region’s travel industry will continue to thrive.”

The partnership is designed to support a more business-driven PATA Travel Mart 2027 by giving corporate buyers more opportunities to discover Asia-Pacific destinations, products and services, while enabling suppliers to engage directly with qualified decision-makers from the global business travel community.

PATA Travel Mart 2027 will take place in Macao, China, from 20 to 22 September 2027, bringing together tourism suppliers, buyers, and industry stakeholders from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond for business exchange, networking, and knowledge sharing.

(Source: PATA)

The post PATA and GBTA boost corporate travel at PTM 2027 appeared first on TTR Weekly.

With core cities like Hong Kong, Shenzhen and Guangzhou, the GBA remains an economic powerhouse. Its GDP of USD2.15 trillion makes it the world’s 10^th-largest economy. At the same time, Hong Kong, home to 40% of the GBA’s high-net-worth families (RMB10 million+), alone spent USD30.3 billion on outbound travel in 2025, with residents making 15.7 departures per capita annually.

ITE2026 – the 40^th anniversary edition – featured 602 exhibitors from 69 countries/regions and drew 8,442 trade buyers (20% from Guangdong, 16% from other Chinese provinces and 17% from other Asian markets). Trade visitors included 54% travel agents and 22% MICE professionals. Public attendance exceeded 74,000 frequent and affluent travellers: 75% took multiple holidays in 2025 and 63% plan higher travel budgets in 2026.

Pre- and post-show online interest was strong: 881,102 visits to ITE’s trade website www.itehk.com from March to July 2026 – peaking at 290,670 in June.

ITE’s B2B programme includes Business Matching (buyers seated by markets, exhibitors come to them), KOL networking sessions, and rentable in-hall meeting rooms for hosting workshops or presentations. The B2C programme features over 100 seminars and themed displays.

(Source: ITE Hong Kong)

The post ITE on course for 2027 show dates appeared first on TTR Weekly.