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H World expands hotels in Southeast Asia

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 September 2025: H World Group Limited, a leading Chinese hospitality group, announced the signing of three new JI Hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Phnom Penh, Cambodia. 

The milestone marks H World’s debut in Malaysia and further expands JI Hotel’s footprint in Southeast Asia, underscoring its commitment to building a diversified, asset-light portfolio across the region.

Rendering of JI Hotel Downtown Kuala Lumpur, the first JI Hotel in Malaysia.

“This is an exciting step in our Asia Pacific strategy,” said H World Asia Pacific President Murphy Zhu. “By introducing JI Hotel to Malaysia and deepening our presence in Cambodia, we are extending the international reach of one of our flagship brands. 

“Beyond introducing a highly recognised Chinese brand, we are also bringing the strength of H World’s supply chain, development expertise, and digital capabilities to our partners across Southeast Asia.”

The new JI Hotel in Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, expected to open in Q4 2026, marks H World’s first hotel in Malaysia.

Zhu said H World is thrilled to introduce its flagship JI Hotel to Malaysia, as the hospitality leader is expanding its presence in Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.

Three JI Hotels will open in 2026

JI Hotel Downtown Kuala Lumpur: Developed in partnership with Saadiq Tri Venture, this 101-room hotel is expected to open in Q4 2026 in the Dang Wangi district of Kuala Lumpur. Featuring the latest JI Hotel 5.0 design, the property will blend oriental aesthetics with modern comfort.

JI Hotel Phnom Penh City Centre: Situated in the city’s central business and government district, this 130-room property will transform an existing building into a new benchmark for midscale hospitality. It is scheduled to open in Q2 2026.

JI Hotel Phnom Penh Mekong Riverside, a 110-room new-build property overlooking the Mekong River, is scheduled to open in Q3 2026. With direct access to Phnom Penh’s cultural landmarks, the hotel will combine river-view dining with local cultural experiences.

Murphy Zhu commented: “Beyond introducing a highly recognised Chinese hotel brand to international markets, we are also bringing the strength of H World’s supply chain, development expertise, and cost efficiency to our partners.”

Path to overseas expansion 

In July 2025, H World International announced the signing of Steigenberger Phnom Penh, the brand’s first entry into Cambodia.

In May 2025, H World entered the Laotian market with four signings in Vientiane and Luang Prabang, introducing IntercityHotel, Orange, and JI Hotel to the country. Notably, the Orange Hotel project marked the brand’s global debut outside China.

H World opened its first hotel in Cambodia — MAXX Phnom Penh Downtown on 28 December  2024. It was MAXX’s first project in the Asia Pacific region.

The latest announcement on expansion coincided with the sixth anniversary of the JI Hotel Orchard Road, Singapore, the brand’s first overseas property. 

About H World Group Limited
Headquartered in China, H World Group Limited (NASDAQ: HTHT; HK: 01179) is a leading global hospitality company with a diversified portfolio including Steigenberger Icons, Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts, MAXX, HanTing, JI Hotel and Crystal Orange Hotel. 

(Source: H World Group).

Goa Tourism on Tashkent sales mission

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TTR WEEKLY
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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, 23 September: The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, successfully concluded its ‘Experience Goa’ Roadshow in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, last week. 

The event marked another milestone in Goa Tourism’s global outreach initiative aimed at positioning Goa as a vibrant, diverse, and sustainable destination far beyond its beaches.

(Left) Kedar Naik, Director Tourism, Government of Goa, met with Alok Pandey, Minister/PR to SCO-RATS (Right) at the Goa Roadshow in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Minister for Tourism, Government of Goa, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte said: “Our roadshow in Tashkent opened new avenues for collaboration and connectivity with the Uzbek travel trade. We are excited to welcome more travellers from Uzbekistan to experience Goa’s heritage, festivals, wellness, and adventure offerings.”

Director of Tourism, Government of Goa, Shri Kedar Naik added: “The Tashkent Roadshow has reinforced Goa’s image as a year-round destination offering authentic and memorable experiences. Our engagement with Uzbekistan’s travel trade has laid a strong foundation for future partnerships and growth.”

The roadshow targeted leading tour operators, travel agents, airline partners, and dignitaries from Uzbekistan, who engaged in one-on-one interactions with Goa Tourism to explore potential collaboration opportunities. The showcase highlighted Goa’s diverse offerings — heritage, culture, wellness, adventure and festivals and introduced campaigns, ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’ and ‘Regenerative Tourism’.

Sabah presents East Coast Malaysia roadshow

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TTR WEEKLY
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KOTA KINABALU, 23 September 2025: Tourism Malaysia ramped up domestic promotions through the Sabah & Labuan Meet East Coast Roadshow held from 21 to 23 September. 

This year’s roadshow, organised in collaboration with Sabah Tourism Board and Labuan Corporation, targeted travel trade partners in Kelantan and Pahang, aiming to strengthen ties and boost travel from the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Labuan.

Sabah and Labuan travel sellers join Tourism Malaysia roadshow.

Taking place in Kota Bharu and Kuantan, the roadshow comprised 15 tourism and hospitality players from Sabah and Labuan — travel agencies, tour operators, tourism associations, and a hotelier engaged with their East Coast counterparts, exploring new collaborations and partnerships during business-to-business (B2B) sessions.

Beyond networking, the programme featured two inspirational speakers offering comprehensive insights into the attractions and experiences of Sabah and Labuan, inviting visitors to discover their diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. 

With the support of the Kelantan and Pahang state governments, more than 100 travel content buyers from East Coast Malaysia joined the roadshow presentations. 

Tourism Malaysia Sabah Director Haryanty Abu Bakar emphasised the strategic importance of the roadshow: “In conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), we are adopting a more aggressive approach to diversify tourism package offerings and enhance promotional activities across all states to boost interstate travel. 

AirAsia supports accessibility between Sabah and East Coast Peninsular Malaysia via three flights weekly. With the increased network collaboration and growing two-way domestic tourism demand, we hope this will encourage other airlines to expand into this vital sector.”

According to the latest data released by the Sabah Tourism Board, Sabah welcomed 2,119,813 visitor arrivals from January to July 2025, representing a 20.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. International visitor arrivals reached 854,648, while domestic arrivals totalled 1,265,165.

Munich Airport welcomes Oktoberfest

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 September 2025: Munich Airport has kicked off the Oktoberfest season with traditional costume groups from the Isargau Trachtenverband e. V. and Lufthansa’s famous traditional costume crew set the festive mood for the 190th ‘Wiesn’ (Oktoberfest) that runs from 20 September to 5 October.

This year, the Lufthansa traditional costume crew flew to Shanghai, China, on 20 September. A visit to Seoul, South Korea, is scheduled for 29 September. As in previous years, there will be further traditional costume flights to selected destinations in Europe.

Photo credit: Munich Airport.

The Lufthansa traditional costume flights at Munich Airport began in 2006. The first crew in Bavarian attire took off from Munich to New York on 1 September 2006. Since then, they have visited over 30 destinations worldwide. This brought back an idea that had already delighted guests on board in 1957. During Oktoberfest, the airline serves Bavarian specialities in business class, and similar delicacies are offered in the Lufthansa lounges in Munich Airport’s Terminal 2.

During the 16 days of Oktoberfest, the airport expects more than 16,000 takeoffs and landings with approximately 2.3 million passengers — that’s a passenger increase of 4% compared to the same period last year. Due to the high volume of traffic, passengers should allow more time for their journey, baggage check-in, and security checks at the airport.

Throughout the 16 days of Oktoberfest, Munich Airport welcomes arriving guests in Terminal 2 with gingerbread hearts and roasted almonds. Traditional costume groups perform in the public area and behind the security checkpoints on selected days. In addition, pop-up stores from ‘Trachtendealer’ and ‘Bavarian Caps’ open with special offers for the festive season. Starting on 20 September, Airbräu invites visitors to celebrate on the weekends with live music and the 20th tapping of the festival beer ‘Gaudium’.

HKIA passenger traffic peaks in August

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 23 September 2025: Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) handled 5.68 million passengers and 34,840 flight movements during August 2025, representing year-on-year growth of 15.8% and 10.2%, respectively, with passenger traffic reporting a new daily high since the pandemic. 

The surge in traffic was primarily due to a rebound in travel to and from Japan and a continued rise in traffic to and from the Chinese Mainland and other destinations.

HKIA named “Best Global Airport” and “Best Airport – Asia (Over 1m tonnes)” at the 2025 Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) Awards.

Over the summer holidays, passenger traffic peaked on 10 August, surpassing 200,000 and hitting a new record since the pandemic. Days with increased passenger flow from flight rescheduling following adverse weather are excluded from the daily high records.

Cargo volume recorded a year-on-year increase of 5.6% to 429,000 tonnes during the month. This was mainly driven by sustained traffic to/ from Europe and the Middle East, which offset declines in traffic to/ from North America under the lingering tariff impacts. A 13.5% increase in transshipments underpinned the growth.

Over the first eight months of 2025, passenger volume saw 15.4% growth year on year to 40.3 million, while flight movements increased by 9.9% to 260,830. Cargo traffic grew 2.6% year on year to 3.3 million tonnes.

On a 12-month rolling basis, passenger volume rose by 16.7% year on year to 58.4 million, while flight movements increased by 11.9% to 386,655. Cargo throughput grew 5.0% year on year to 5 million tonnes.

Meanwhile, HKIA was named “Best Global Airport” and “Best Airport – Asia (Over 1m tonnes)” at the 2025 Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) Awards organised by Asia Cargo News, a renowned logistics and cargo supply chain publication. HKIA has now won “Best Global Airport” for 10 consecutive years. The AFLAS Awards recognise leading service providers, including air and shipping lines, airports and seaports, and logistics and other associated industry professionals. Winners were nominated and voted on by readers and industry professionals.

Airport Authority Hong Kong Executive Director Commercial Cissy Chan said: “We are honoured to be named ‘Best Global Airport’ once again, as well as Best Airport in Asia. This recognition represents the support and trust of the air cargo industry, which motivates us to uphold our commitment to maintaining high standards while continuously improving our facilities and services to serve all partners and stakeholders better.”

CX will resume Seattle flights March 2026

By
TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 23 September 2025: Cathay Pacific confirms the return of non-stop flights to Seattle from 30 March 2026, reconnecting Hong Kong with one of the most vibrant cities on the west coast of the US. 

Seattle marks the airline’s ninth passenger destination in North America, further enhancing the global connectivity of its Hong Kong hub. The airline will serve the route with five weekly services.

Photo credit: Cathay Pacific.

This comes as Cathay Pacific continues to strengthen its presence in North America. In April this year, the airline debuted its direct passenger flights between Hong Kong and Dallas-Fort Worth, which will increase to daily from 26 October 2025, up from the current four return flights per week.

Cathay Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “Resuming direct passenger flights to Seattle reinforces our goal to deepen business and cultural ties between Hong Kong and a dynamic tech hub in the United States. This route not only provides greater convenience for our customers, but also supports the growing demand for connectivity between Asia and North America, particularly among travellers from the Chinese Mainland and India.”

Cathay Pacific’s Airbus A350-900 aircraft will serve the Hong Kong-Seattle route configured with business, premium economy and economy cabins. 

Flight schedules are as follows (all times local):

The new five-times-weekly service complements Cathay Pacific’s North America summer schedule for 2026. It includes more than 110 return flights per week to Boston, Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and Vancouver.

Ticket sales for the Seattle service opened on Monday, 22 September, with a special round-trip promotion fare in economy class starting from HKD5,060 (22 September to 31 October 2025) for departures between 30 March and 30 June 2026. 

First Aiden Hotel debuts in downtown Bangkok

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TTR WEEKLY
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Proposal 5 Feb 25

BANGKOK, 22 September 2025: BWH Hotels, a leading global hospitality enterprise comprised of WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and SureStay Hotels, is set to illuminate Bangkok’s hospitality scene with the signing of Aiden Surawong Bangkok, an avant-garde boutique hotel that will mark the debut of the edgy Aiden brand in Thailand.

Surawong is the cultural heart and soul of Bangkok, where exquisite architecture, a vibrant art scene and dynamic street life fuse seamlessly in one of the city’s oldest districts. Located near the Chao Phraya River and inspired by asterism, Aiden Surawong Bangkok is an elegant sanctuary where global travellers can meet kindred spirits and feel connected to the soul of the city.

Proposal 5 Feb 25

The Aiden experience brings together three pillars of connection: social hangouts, remote working spaces and wellness offerings. In Bangkok, these elements are woven together with a striking design concept that blends the luminosity of the celestial stars and the glamour of the Earth’s precious gemstones.

Seventy-seven guest rooms are havens of refined design, with organic textures and in-room amenities that reflect the essence of the local community. After an immersive day of exploration, like-minded explorers can share stories at the rooftop, with its effortlessly chic seating, stylish urban pool and skyline views. The lobby lounge offers a vibrant setting for cool cocktails and social interaction.

“Aiden is a new generation of hotels for smart, savvy, and well-informed travellers who crave complete convenience without sacrificing their sense of style. From a social hangout to moments of relaxation and Instagram-worthy spaces, this impressive hotel will give our guests the inspiration they need to continue their journey of discovery in Bangkok,” said BWH Hotels Vice President – APAC, Olivier Berrivin.

Aiden Surawong Bangkok is set to open its doors in December 2025, becoming the 14th property for BWH Hotels in Bangkok, under eight of the group’s innovative, industry-leading brands. With more hotels in the pipeline, BWH Hotels will continue to welcome guests from all around the world to this captivating capital city.

To book a stay with BWH Hotels in Asia, visit bestwesternasia.com and worldhotels.com. 

Travel DMC Group expands in the Philippines

By
TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 22 September 2025: Travel DMC Group, an Asian-based destination management company, announced this week its intention to invest USD1.5 million to expand its footprint in the Philippines’ inbound tourism sector.

As part of this expansion, the company will establish new offices in Manila, Cebu, and Davao, reinforcing its commitment to the Asia market. 

Photo credit: Travel DMC Group.Travel DMC Group Philippines Director Gina Pecales.

Travel DMC Group is also in discussions to acquire local tour operators, which will strengthen service delivery and enhance capacity to meet growing demand.

The investment will focus on building stronger B2B partnerships with local travel agencies, expanding technology platforms for agents and operators and developing competitive travel products tailored for the Asian market.

“The Philippines is one of the most dynamic tourism markets in Asia, and we see tremendous potential for growth. Our investment demonstrates our long-term commitment to supporting the local tourism economy,” said Travel DMC Group chairman Parvesh Kumar, who holds the majority stake in the company.

Travel DMC Group Philippines Director Gina Pecales added: “With offices in Manila, Cebu, and Davao, we are positioning ourselves to deliver world-class services to our partners. This expansion represents a milestone in our journey to strengthen regional presence and create long-term value for the entire tourism ecosystem.”

About Travel DMC Group
Established in 2011, the group offers a wide range of tours in Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong and Thailand and is a subsidiary of Travel Group.

Travel Insurance: Smartest ticket you’ll buy

By
Andrew Wood
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BANGKOK, 22 September 2025: When we pack our bags for a journey, most of us think about tickets, hotels, and itineraries; far fewer give much thought to travel insurance.

It’s often treated as an optional extra. In reality, insurance is as essential as your passport, providing an invisible safety net that can make the difference between a minor disruption and a financial or personal disaster.

I write from personal experience. Recently, in Sri Lanka, I fractured my shoulder in three places after a fall in my hotel room in Galle.

A midnight trip to the bathroom, a misjudged step, and suddenly I was in an ambulance. My first stop was a government hospital, which, on paper, offered free care. In reality, the wards were overrun, the staff overwhelmed, and the facilities ill-equipped to handle foreign visitors. 

Locals struggled to get the treatment they needed, and adding tourists to the queue worsens the strain. My advice is blunt: never rely solely on “free” public healthcare while travelling. Without proper insurance, you risk delays, inadequate treatment, and immense stress.

The turning point came when, thanks to my travel insurance, I was transferred to a private hospital. The contrast was like night and day. Skilled staff, modern equipment, and timely treatment restored my confidence. I was attended to immediately and quickly dispatched to have an X-ray of my shoulder. It was a stark reminder that you get what you pay for, and when your health is at stake, cutting corners is not an option.

Back in Thailand, barely three weeks later, I had another accident at home and broke my foot. Without insurance, that could have been financially painful as well. Instead, my accident cover meant the bills were taken care of. Peace of mind is priceless, especially when accidents come in quick succession.

This was not my first brush with injury abroad. Some years ago, in Bhutan, a country I admire deeply for its emphasis on its citizens’ happiness. I had slipped while trekking and broken my ankle. 

Bhutanese hospitals, though free and staffed by caring professionals, lacked the diagnostic equipment to detect the fracture. Only upon my return to Bangkok was the break confirmed. That delay reinforced a lesson: insurance not only covers costs but gives you the ability to access higher standards of care, sometimes beyond the borders of the country you are visiting.

The hard fact is that accidents happen anywhere, even in places we love and feel safe. Hotel designers, please note – steps in bedrooms are a hazard. Travellers, please note, a policy that covers hospitalisation, emergency evacuation, and follow-up care is not a luxury; it is a necessity.

Travel opens the door to wonder, discovery, and joy. But it also carries risk, often when you least expect it. Please take my advice, born from hard knocks and hospital stays across numerous countries: secure the best possible travel insurance before you set foot on your journey.

About the author
Andrew J Wood is a travel writer, commentator, and international hospitality editor with more than 40 years in the hotel and tourism industry. A former hotel general manager, he is a past president of Skål International Asia, Thailand, and Bangkok, and a regular contributor to the region’s travel and tourism publications.

Taiwan promotes bike-friendly stays

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TTR WEEKLY
-

TAIPEI, Taiwan, 22 September 2025: Taiwan Tourism Administration is presenting its Bike Friendly Accommodations programme by partnering with lodging providers.

The initiative offers facilities and services such as secure bike parking, maintenance and cleaning areas, late check-out, and guided cycling tours, ensuring a safe and convenient journey for cycling travellers across Taiwan.

Photo credit: Taiwan Tourism Administration. Taiwan Tourism.

Come BikeDay Cycling Festival

Autumn’s crisp and refreshing weather makes it the perfect season for events, and the most iconic among them is the annual Come! BikeDay Cycling Festival is hosted on the shores of Sun Moon Lake. Blending local culture, live performances, and family-friendly riding experiences, this year’s event will unfold on 22 November and is expected to attract cycling enthusiasts from around the world to share in the festive lakeside atmosphere and breathtaking scenery.

Beyond the Come BikeDay event, Taiwan also boasts a fascinating cycling calendar that includes the internationally renowned Taiwan KOM Challenge (held annually in June), one of the world’s toughest road races with a 105 km course climbing over 3,500 meters in elevation. 

There is also the Tour de Taiwan, a multi-stage international road race that draws professional teams worldwide.  

L’Étape by Tour de France Taiwan, officially licensed by the Tour de France, returns to Taiwan on 18 October 2025. 

In addition, the annual Taipei International Cycle Show (Taipei Cycle) takes place in the spring (23 to 25 March 2026) and serves as a global hub for industry innovation and exchange, reinforcing Taiwan’s reputation as the “Bicycle Kingdom.”

These annual events combine leisure, sport, industry innovation, and sustainable tourism — underscoring Taiwan’s strong commitment to cycling culture. Complementing the events is Taiwan’s comprehensive cycling infrastructure, which includes numerous dedicated bike paths, the celebrated Sun Moon Lake loop route, and the legendary Route No. 1 that circles the island for nearly 968 km with clear signposting, making it the ultimate choice for round-island cycling adventurers.

Through its events, accommodations, and infrastructure, Taiwan is steadily building a dynamic cycling tourism ecosystem that invites travellers everywhere to “Cycle Taiwan Sustainably.”

L’Étape by Tour de France Taiwan

Photo credit: Taiwan Tourism Administration. L’Étape by Tour de France arrives in Taiwan on 18 October.

Sun Moon Lake welcomes the L’Étape by Tour de France for the first stop in its Asia tour this year. The Tourism Administration invites cyclists from around the world to Taiwan to experience one of the world’s top cycling events. The historic Tour de France, the world’s best-known cycling event, launched the “L’Étape Series by Tour de France” to provide amateur cyclists with an opportunity to experience the highest level of cycling events related to the Tour de France. 

The “L’Étape Tour de France – Nutrilite Sun Moon Lake Station” is expected to attract more than 3,000 cyclists from over 30 countries, successfully lifting the profile of Taiwan Cycling Sports tourism on the international stage.

It marks the second year in a row that the L’Étape Tour de France Cycling Challenge will be held at Sun Moon Lake, with the starting line at the Xiangshan Visitor Centre. The event offers a 104-km challenge category and a 29-km classic category. The Tourism Administration is inviting cycling enthusiasts from all over the world to be a part of this event, which is certified by the Tour de France organiser, the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO). 

Cycling fans are also invited to participate in the classic lake route, selected by CNN as one of the world’s 10 most beautiful cycling routes. They can enjoy the scenery of Sun Moon Lake on this 20-km route.

For more information on Bike Friendly Accommodations, please visit the Taiwan Stay website: Bike Friendly Accommodation. 
(Source: Taiwan Tourism Administration). Taiwan Tourism.

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