KUCHING, 10 October 2025: Amelia Roziman, CEO of Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak), has been honoured with The Iceberg Excellence Award, becoming the first Asian and only the fifth recipient in the award’s 10-year history.
This recognition was presented during the inaugural LEGACY360 Education in Kuching, where Amelia’s bold vision, leadership in legacy-driven event strategies, and pioneering contributions to sustainable business events were celebrated.
Amelia Roziman (centre) with Gary Grimmer (far left), Jane Vong-Holmes (The Iceberg Ambassador), and James Latham, Founder and Producer of The Iceberg (far right).
The Iceberg Excellence Award is exclusively reserved for trailblazers whose work goes beyond conventional event planning and elevates the industry’s capacity to deliver long-term, meaningful impact. By awarding Amelia, The Iceberg recognises her outstanding role in championing legacy, sustainability, and purpose in the business events sector.
“As the first person from Asia to receive this honour, Amelia is not only a source of pride for Malaysia and Borneo, but she sets a powerful benchmark for the industry globally,” stated James Latham, Founder and Producer of The Iceberg. “She is a deserving recipient, and we hope that the strength of her advocacy inspires more.”
BESarawak CEO Amelia Rosiman shows her award at the Borneo Inspires Legacy Awards 2025.
Under Amelia’s leadership, Sarawak has undergone a paradigm shift, transitioning from events as transactional gatherings to legacy-driven platforms that yield lasting social, environmental, and economic benefits.
Her advocacy plan, titled Sarawak 2030, transformed business events into a priority economic sector in the Sarawak government’s Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030. The plan also won the ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) Best Marketing Award.
Throughout her career, Amelia has guided Sarawak to win 29 destination marketing awards and earned 10 professional honours, including the induction of the Events Industry Council (EIC) Hall of Leaders in 2023. She is the first woman in Asia to receive the EIC honour for her contributions to the global business events sector.
A proud Bidayuh, one of the indigenous tribes of Borneo, Amelia is a pioneer in Malaysia’s business events industry, having played a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s business events landscape since 2006 and inspiring a new generation of leaders in the field.
“I am deeply humbled and honoured to receive The Iceberg Excellence Award. This recognition also goes to the BESarawak team, reflecting the collective passion and conviction of everyone who believes that events should contribute to positive change,” said Roziman. “This award also stands as a testament to Sarawak’s ambition to lead in the future of sustainable, legacy-centric business events by 2030.”
“I hope to inspire destinations, organisations, and event leaders to commit seriously to legacy thinking, to embed sustainability practices into every event, and to genuinely measure success not only by attendance and revenue, but also by its long-term impact.”
The Iceberg is a platform, presented by the Joint Meetings Industry Council, focused on exploring, documenting, and promoting the legacies of business events. The Iceberg promotes a global movement that amplifies voices and ideas toward more purposeful and sustainable events, whereby Amelia is listed among its distinguished ambassadors.
Dubai, UAE, 10 October 2025: Empowering customers to fly with confidence, Emirates has unveiled a suite of new services and products for people with disabilities at the 7th edition of AccessAbilities Expo in Dubai World Trade Centre.
Emirates’ latest services and enhanced offerings include a new Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub available on emirates.com for global customers – providing a wealth of information for travellers with varying accessibility requirements and enabling them to plan their journey by specific need. Emirates also revealed new onboard sensory products and fidget toys for children and adults, and an array of process enhancements across the in-flight experience, as well as improved on-ground features in its hub of Dubai, and several innovative and future-focused ideas that are currently in development.
Emirates’ latest services and enhancements for customers with accessibility requirements
New ‘Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub’ on Emirates.com
Emirates’ new Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on the flagship Emirates.com is designed to contain all the information needed for accessible and inclusive travel, featuring accessibility-friendly navigation that allows customers to find information easily and explore the many ways that Emirates can provide travel assistance and support. Emirates’ Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub will continue to evolve and grow to meet customer needs.
Aiming to reduce anxiety before travelling, the Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub spent a year in development, resulting in a design that features a seamless visual style and thoughtful and user-friendly navigation options. To provide consistent, inclusive experiences, the website is built on a token-based architecture to enable seamless updates and simplified customisation. Even the colour palette is rigorously tested for contrast compliance to support clarity and readability, and designs are tested with assistive technologies such as screen readers, voice control, and keyboard navigation.
Customers can choose to view and explore sections by disability, including Mobility Assistance, Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment and Hidden Disabilities. If preferred, customers can search by looking at specific parts of the journey, which have been clearly arranged – Before your flight, Departure from Dubai, Onboard your flight, Connecting in Dubai and Arriving in Dubai. A third option allows customers to browse by specific needs, including Book Special Assistance, Prepare for travel with the autism-friendly guide, Explore Dubai Airport (DXB) Map and Sensory guides, Find Emirates Support on Be My Eyes support app for people who are visually impaired, Apply for a Sanad tourist card to access helpful services in Dubai, and more.
There are also dedicated sections on Travelling with a Wheelchair and Mobility Aids, as well as detailed information on Medical Travel, including how to apply for a Frequent Traveller Medical Card (FREMEC) for customers with medical conditions or those travelling with medications and medical devices. The new Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub also features a section on Family Travel, providing clear information on Travelling with Children, Travelling during pregnancy, and travelling with unaccompanied minors.
The Emirates Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub has been carefully designed to allow for seamless and swift updates with new information and improvements as accessible travel requirements continue to evolve. In the design and build of the hub, Emirates utilised inclusive research methods, including engaging a diverse range of users, including those with disabilities, in the usability studies.
New Sensory Products & Fidget Toys available onboard
Emirates has designed a range of sensory products and fidget toys for customers of all ages that will be available onboard in all cabin classes, from 1 November 2025. Sensory products and fidget toys are widely recognised for their ability to offer controlled stimulation for neurodivergent minds, allowing an overstimulated system to calm and rebalance. To support customers in this situation, Emirates has designed a tactile stress reliever in the style of an aircraft, two types of fidget cubes and a branded aircraft rubber popper. The items will be given to passengers who are neurodiverse, anyone who is struggling onboard, and even to nervous flyers if appropriate.
New Mattress in Business Class to enhance comfort and minimise disruption
In Business Class, Emirates has introduced a new product and process improvement which will positively impact customers with accessibility requirements – a new ‘mattress hood.’ This is an enhancement to Emirates’ existing mattress for customers who wish to relax or sleep in Business Class, where the new mattress now has a built-in ‘hood’ which attaches the mattress to the seat more firmly – similar to a fitted sheet. As the mattress is now more secure on the seat, it no longer needs to be collected by cabin crew before landing. For customers with severe mobility disabilities who prefer not to be moved mid-flight, this will be a significant improvement to comfort onboard. Emirates’ new mattress hood is approved as an exception from a safety perspective for take-off and landing.
New Accessibility Features on In-Flight Entertainment – ice
Emirates is committed to setting industry standards and promoting accessibility for people with disabilities. The airline now offers over 600 movies with ‘Closed Captions’ and 200 movies with ‘Audio Description’, providing accessibility to customers with visual impairments. Emirates headphones are also compatible with hearing aids when set to the ‘T’ position. To alleviate anxiety or enhance relaxation, Wellbeing TV offers 12 channels, along with 31 channels of Happiness and Wellbeing podcasts and playlists, including meditations and soothing sounds.
Onboard Emirates’ latest aircraft, the Airbus A350-900, a new user interface on ice has been designed in partnership with Thales and advocacy groups for customers with visual impairment, to ensure all customers have an intuitive, high-quality in-flight entertainment experience. This imparts best practice experiences for customers who are blind or have low vision, including audio-cue navigation assistance, voice metadata feedback, touch and swipe gesturing support, and presents a large selection of audio-descriptive (AD) content available on ice.
Improved Barrier-Free Access and Biometrics in Dubai
At Emirates’ hub in Terminal 3, Dubai International (DXB), a smart corridor has been equipped with a barrier-free design and biometric technology, allowing passengers with disabilities to move smoothly and independently. The area now features flexible camera coverage, allowing cameras to self-adjust to heights and angles without restricting or dictating a person’s movement, whether they are in a wheelchair or have mobility issues.
The Emirates self-service check-in kiosks have also been improved, with text-to-speech functionality, improved touchscreen usability, braille and tactile features, a headphone jack for mobility and sight challenges, and the ability to self-adjust to accommodate the customers’ height.
Emirates Accessible Chauffeur Drive Service
Emirates also has a newly improved Emirates-branded wheelchair accessible vehicle, which is now the prototype for a planned fleet of 10 vehicles, to be introduced by early 2026. The Chauffeur Drive vehicle is a Mercedes V250 Van featuring an electric wheelchair lift and ramp. The lift is a powered device designed to extend and lower to ground level, safely raising the customer with their wheelchair into the vehicle in a seamless manner. Once inside, the additional safety restraints secure the customer who may have severe mobility disabilities. Emirates’ chauffeur drivers are currently being trained in mobility assistance and to support customers with disabilities. Currently, wheelchair-accessible vehicles are used for First and Business Class customers availing of chauffeur-driven services based in Dubai, with plans to extend their availability in the future.
Research & Innovation – Initiatives for Accessible Travel
At Emirates, teams of innovation experts are dedicated to developing solutions for issues including Accessibility. The team has already produced several prototypes designed to benefit Emirates’ customers with accessibility requirements. One of the innovations that Emirates is exploring is a collaboration with Airbus to enhance cabin accessibility. Through the usage of a unique technology provider, the concept will facilitate independent travel for passengers who are blind or have low vision, using discreetly placed QR codes that can link to the customers’ phones and provide an audio description of the cabin and haptics to locate essential functions like seat rows, lavatories, emergency exits and even digital menus.
Emirates’ focus on Accessible Travel
Championing Change
Emirates is championing change in the aviation industry, with the goal of making travel more accessible and inclusive for everyone. As part of its efforts to champion change, Emirates established a dedicated Office of Accessibility and Inclusion and became the world’s first autism-certified airline in March 2025. Emirates has trained over 35,000 staff to support customers with autism and has introduced the ‘Travel Rehearsal’ initiative across 17 countries so far, enabling customers to practice the nuances of the airport experience before travelling.
Designing for Dignity
Emirates is engaged in designing new policies, processes and products with a focus on the dignity of customers with accessibility requirements. Empowering all customers to fly with confidence, Emirates introduced a new Accessibility policy and commitment in recent years and implemented new processes in Call Centres to support customer requirements, launched the Accessible & Inclusive Travel Hub on Emirates.com to support the customer experience, and introduced many new products to support Accessible Travel in collaboration with direct feedback from communities and groups with accessible travel needs.
Advancing Accessibility
Emirates continues to drive the accessible travel agenda forward in an evolving space, doing what is right and responsible, step by step and prioritising innovation. Emirates also collaborates with a diverse array of international partners to advance the accessible travel agenda – from legislators and operators to specific groups and communities, as well as global customers. Emirates also aims to advance accessibility by standardising global processes and creating consistency – online, in call centres, in airports and in-flight.
BANGKOK, 10 October 2025: Anantara Hua Hin Resort has unveiled its extensive renovations ahead of its 25th anniversary.
Designed in the style of a traditional Thai village, which has inspired many other Anantara properties worldwide, the resort retains its signature elegance while updating its facilities to reflect contemporary tastes and the brand’s global standing as a flag bearer of Thai hospitality.
Two Bedroom Family Pool Suite at Anantara Hua Hin Resort
Leisure, wellness and recreation
The resort has unveiled a refreshed main pool with updated lounging areas and modern landscaping, enhancing the profusion of mature trees that make the resort a veritable green oasis.
The existing Active Zone has been upgraded and extended outdoors with the addition of recreational and CrossFit equipment. Holidaymakers can look forward to an expanded range of activities, including pickleball, paddleball, tennis, rock climbing, cycling and Muay Thai boxing lessons in a dedicated ring.
The original sea frontage has been extended to ensure guests continue to enjoy seamless access to the resort’s beachfront.
The most significant changes are the resort’s 171 newly renovated rooms and suites, including several new categories that promote indoor-outdoor living and maximise the views.
The Garden View Rooms, the resort’s largest category, features 45 units, offering 32-sqm space with ground-floor terraces and upper-level rooms having balconies.
The resort’s beachside restaurant has undergone a complete renovation and reopened as Sea. Fire. Salt. – the new signature lunch and dinner venue.
“As Anantara’s first resort, Hua Hin holds a special place in our brand’s story,” explains Anantara Hua Hin Resort general manager James Sutcliffe. “This transformation reaffirms our commitment to evolving with today’s travellers while staying true to the authentic Thai charm and gracious service that have long defined the Anantara experience.”
SINGAPORE, 10 October 2025: Dida, a global AI-first travel technology group, has launched its ‘Future of Travel’ Innovation Challenge in partnership with Headstart Global, empowering UK university students to reimagine the future of travel through technology, creativity, and sustainability.
Students will form teams to develop breakthrough ideas across three innovation streams, AI-powered travel, sustainable tourism and future accommodation design.
Photo credit: Dida.
Finalists will pitch to Dida’s executive leadership at the grand final on 1 November at the Shangri-La Hotel, London, with winners receiving cash prizes and an all-expenses-paid week at Dida’s Shenzhen headquarters.
Hosted by Dida, the challenge brings together elite teams from leading universities across the UK — including the London School of Economics, University College London, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Warwick, and the University of Manchester — to develop solutions that address some of the most exciting frontiers in travel technology.
Winners will receive cash prizes and an exclusive, all-expenses-paid Insight Week at Dida’s global headquarters in Shenzhen, China’s renowned “Silicon Valley.”
The experience will immerse students in Dida’s innovation ecosystem, providing hands-on exposure to cutting-edge AI applications and product development that shapes the future of travel.
Dida Holdings Group CEO, Daryl Lee, commented: “The future of travel belongs to those who can combine technology, creativity, and human insight. Through this challenge, we’re allowing students to experience how global travel is being transformed from the inside out – not just through AI, but through the ideas and imagination of the next generation.”
The competition represents Dida’s latest step in strengthening its global innovation agenda and fostering deeper collaboration between academia and the travel technology industry.
About Dida Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Shenzhen, China, Dida is a global AI-first travel technology group that combines the scale and innovation of China with the diverse needs of international travel partners.
SINGAPORE, 10 October 2025: Travellers are rewriting the rulebook on why they travel, opting for meaning over mileage, and experiences over rote itineraries.
Trip.com Group and Google explore this shift in “Why Travel?”, a new global consumer report that examines the intersection of purpose, people, and place in travel.
Photo credit: Trip.com.
By combining Trip.com Group’s global booking intelligence and proprietary booking data with Google’s research and search insights, the report uncovers how travellers are seeking deeper purpose and richer connections through culture, community, and technology to create more experience-focused journeys in 2026 and beyond.
The Why Travel report highlights five key themes that are shaping tomorrow’s journeys: Travel as Expression (where identity and aesthetics drive choices), Travel with Purpose (where curiosity and meaning replace cookie-cutter itineraries), Travel to Heal (where wellness and restoration become the agenda), Travel to Connect (where music, sport, and multigenerational moments bring people together), and Travel of Tomorrow (where AI and immersive technologies redefine inspiration and discovery).
Key Insights from the Why Travel? Report
Travel as Expression: Social media channels are driving travel bookings. In markets like Thailand, Indonesia, and India, over 75% of travellers say they watch travel-related livestreams. Over 40% and up to 76% viewers in some markets say they’re likely to book travel directly through links in livestreams.
Travel with Purpose: Travellers increasingly crave cultural experiences with a more thoughtful sense of exploration. Google searches for “Japanese tea ceremonies” show a 53% year-over-year increase, demonstrating the enduring power of traditional rituals and cultural practices to evoke a sense of purpose.
Travel to Heal: Wellness trips are evolving into a combination of physical challenge and restorative indulgence. Searches for “golf & spa resorts” grew by +300%, and “ski & spa” packages rose by +250% year-over-year.
Travel to Connect: Travel is no longer a solo pursuit; it’s a shared experience. Friends, families, and fan communities are influencing where people go, with concerts and sports as key travel drivers. Two-thirds of travellers are willing to travel abroad for concerts, while endurance tourism sees a fivefold increase with runners, cyclists, and Hyrox competitors crossing borders to compete and connect.
Travel of Tomorrow: Technologies like AI become the co-pilot as consumers’ confidence in using technology to plan a trip grows. “Help planning my trip” searches grow by +190% YoY.
“Travel in 2026 will be more than movement; it’s about meaning. At Trip.com Group, we are seeing travellers fly across the globe for fitness events, discover cities through local food scenes, and make booking decisions driven by social influence. By working with Google, we uncover the cultural shifts that explain not just where people go, but why they travel,” said Trip.com Group Vice President Han Feng
“We’re seeing a clear shift in how and why people explore the world, seeking deeper purpose, richer connections and experiences enhanced by technology. Google’s AI tools like Gemini, AI Mode on Search and Google Translate are emerging as travel collaborators to help people plan and make decisions,” said Google LCS Specialists team Managing Director, Greater China Joyce Zhang. “AI is an essential tool also for the industry, enabling partners like Trip.com Group to capture the immense opportunities that lie ahead in 2026 and beyond”.
Trip.com Group is doubling down on comprehensive concert travel packages and continues to expand AI-driven planning tools such as ‘Trip. Planner’ to deliver seamless, personalised journeys. Looking ahead, the next wave of consumer growth will be driven by emotional alignment, cultural fluency, and tech-enabled flexibility – the foundations of the future of travel.
HONG KONG, 10 October 2025: Airports Council International Asia-Pacific & Middle East (ACI APAC & MID), the trade association representing airports, has released the 2025 edition of the Airfare Trends for the Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions, highlighting the rising cost of air travel.
The analysis, developed with the assistance of Flare Aviation Consulting, offers a data-driven perspective, highlighting markets that have experienced significant increases in airfares and examining the factors behind this surge in two of the world’s most dynamic aviation regions.
Despite a substantial recovery of passenger traffic across the region, an increasing trend is observed from H1 2019 to 2025, in contrast to the decreasing pattern seen during the pre-pandemic years. The surge is driven mainly by inflation (as measured by the CPI) and reduced airline competition in specific key sectors.
The Asia-Pacific region has witnessed an average increase of +8% from H1 2019 to 2025, compared to an average decrease of 18% observed during H1 2014 to 2019. However, the increase reported over the first half of the current year has been much more acute at the country level, especially in the Oceania and ASEAN regions. The Middle East has seen a 15% surge in H1 2019 to 2025, compared to an average 9% decrease observed during H1 2014 to 2019.
The report once again demonstrates the marginal role of airport charges in influencing changes in airfares. Airport charges and turnaround costs (including government taxes) have generally increased below CPI levels. Interestingly, in markets where airport charges have moderately decreased, airfares have continued their upward momentum.
Key findings
Airfares have surged across all markets, except China.
Southeast Asia and Oceania experienced the highest increases, with airfares rising 20% and 30% above pre-pandemic levels, respectively.
Oceania is the most expensive region for air travel.
India and China are currently below the regional average in terms of airfare levels.
International fares increased by 17% above pre-pandemic levels, especially in Southeast Asia and Developed East Asia.
Domestic fares surged more than 30% above 2019 levels, especially for short-haul LCC routes, where reduced competition allows for higher pricing.
Economic travellers bear the most significant share of these increases.
Routes with low airline competition saw airfares increase up to 13 percentage points above the regional average.
The US-China market remained stable in 2025, with no significant impact on airfare.
Airfare variations are primarily influenced by inflation (CPI) and airline competition, factors that are outside the airport’s control.
Airfares increased by 9% to 28% across the markets in the regions, even in markets where airport charges had decreased.
ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East Director General Stefano Baronci said: “The objective of this analysis is to assess the market dynamics and its impact on aviation, as well as provide transparency into the rising cost of air travel. This study also demonstrates that lowering airport charges does not necessarily result in a reduction in ticket prices; instead, it limits airports’ ability to invest in capacity and technology to enhance service quality. To make air travel more affordable from a consumer perspective, policymakers should focus on liberalising markets such as open skies, market access and efficient slot policy that can strengthen airline competition. At the same time, ensuring airports can continue to invest to build capacity to support the growth in the coming years.”
BANGKOK, 10 October 2025: Travel is about to undergo three significant shifts, each introduced by a different global body: the European Union, in collaboration with IATA (airports and airlines), the World Travel & Tourism Council (hotels), and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (destinations and data).
These initiatives may sound technical, but this article sets out to educate travellers, managers, and front-line staff about what is happening and why it is important.
Photo credits: AJW. Biometrics at work at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.
At their heart, all three are about consistency, to use the phrase, helping us measure apples with apples. Think of it as creating a Michelin-style guide for tourism, where everyone recognises the same standard, no matter where they go. Without such a common yardstick, airports, hotels, and countries all operate on different terms, making comparison unfair or even impossible.
1. Biometric Borders and Seamless Travel
Led by: The European Union and the International Air Transport Association (IATA)
The EU’s new Entry/Exit System will soon replace passport stamping with fingerprint and facial scans. At the same time, IATA’s “One ID” programme aims to link check-in, security, and boarding into a single, document-light journey.
Objectives: Make border checks faster by introducing digital enrolment.
Speed up repeat trips once travellers’ biometrics are stored.
Link the entire airport journey with minimal paper handling.
From personal experience, I have already seen the impact at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, where biometric gates are in place. The first enrolment takes longer, but subsequent trips save minutes rather than seconds when moving through queues. It is not just about efficiency, either. Stronger identification helps guard against those who would use airports for disruption or worse. In an age where security concerns remain high, biometrics serve both convenience and protection.
The litmus test: We will know this shift has been successful when first-time enrolments take only a few minutes, and repeat visitors consistently clear airports faster than they did under the old manual passport system.
Biometric gates are becoming a common sight at airports worldwide.
2. Hotel Sustainability Basics: A Common Language for Responsible Travel
Led by: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)
“Hotel Sustainability Basics” is a new set of 12 minimum actions designed for every hotel. These include linen reuse, waste reduction, and tracking water and energy use. Over 5,000 hotels in 80 countries are already on board.
Objectives: Establish a universal baseline for responsible hotel operations.
Offer low-cost verification, particularly for independent contractors.
Give buyers, booking platforms, and corporate clients a single standard to look for.
This is where apples-with-apples comparability really counts. Until now, the sustainability field has been cluttered with competing eco-labels. Guests and companies struggle to determine which hotels are truly eco-responsible. The Basics provide clarity, simplicity, and fairness. For hoteliers, the benefits are also commercial: as booking sites start to highlight these verified properties, those without recognition may lose visibility or contracts.
Litmus Test (the proof of success): We will know this standard has achieved its goal when major booking platforms use it as a filter, and hotels without verification are at a disadvantage in winning business.
3. UN Tourism’s Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism
Led by: United Nations Tourism (formerly UNWTO)
For decades, tourism has been primarily measured by arrivals and spending. The UN’s new Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST) changes that. It requires governments to also account for jobs, community benefits, and environmental impacts, such as water use and waste.
Objectives: Standardise how all nations track tourism’s impact.
Allow meaningful global comparisons.
Link tourism planning to climate policy and community wellbeing.
As the old saying goes, “If you can measure it, you can manage it.” The MST is about moving beyond headcounts to a richer, fairer picture. For managers and operators, this will result in more data requests and reporting. That may feel like extra work, but the benefit is clear: Destinations will be able to design policies based on facts, not assumptions.
Litmus Test (The proof of success): We will know MST has taken root when destinations routinely report not only tourist numbers but also community income, job creation, and environmental impacts, and when those numbers influence real planning.
Travel is about to undergo three critical shifts.
Although they address very different areas, borders, hotels, and destinations, the three initiatives share a common goal: order, fairness, and comparability in a fragmented industry.
For travel businesses, preparation is essential. Tour operators should brief clients on biometric enrolment and allow more time for first trips. Hotels should review themselves against the 12 Basics now. Operators of all sizes should start preparing their data in anticipation of government requests.
One way to accelerate adoption would be for these organisations to promote friendly competition, such as awards for the fastest airports, the most improved hotels, or the most transparent destinations. Recognition can motivate change just as effectively as regulation.
Ultimately, the travel industry is entering an era where convenience, sustainability, and accountability are no longer extras. They are expectations. Those who adapt early will gain trust, efficiency, and resilience.
Connecting the names to the news
For clarity, here are the formal names once again:
Biometric borders in Europe: The EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) and IATA’s One ID.
Hotel sustainability: The WTTC’s Hotel Sustainability Basics.
Tourism measurement: UN Tourism’s Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST).
I have already felt the difference in Bangkok, where biometric gates save time and staffing at security. These changes may sound like bureaucracy, but they are already becoming part of daily travel. The question is not whether change is coming, but how prepared we are to embrace it.
About the author Andrew J Wood is a former hotel general manager with over 35 years of experience in hospitality and travel. Born in Yorkshire, England, he is a graduate of Napier University, Edinburgh, and has lived in Thailand for over 34 years. A past president of both Skål International Asia and Skål International Thailand, Andrew is a regular guest lecturer at universities and is a well-known travel writer and tourism speaker. He contributes to numerous regional publications, sharing insights on tourism, hotels, airlines, and hospitality across the region.
SINGAPORE, 10 October 2025: MSC Cruises opened sales this week for its Summer 2027 Alaska cruises on MSC Poesia following an extensive upgrade that is underway.
Starting 26 April 2027, MSC Poesia will sail from Seattle, offering seven-night itineraries to some of the region’s most breathtaking destinations, departing each Monday through September 2027.
Photo credit: MSC. Sales are now open for Alaska sailings in summer 2027.
MSC Poesia will undergo one of the most significant upgrades in MSC’s cruise fleet history, including the addition of the MSC Yacht Club, two speciality restaurants, Butcher’s Cut and Kaito Sushi Bar, All-Stars Sports Bar, a newly refreshed MSC Aurea Spa, and an enhanced MSC Gym Powered by Technogym.
Guests sailing aboard MSC Poesia will be able to enjoy these new features on MSC Cruises’ inaugural season in Alaska, starting in May 2026, as well as the ship’s second season in the region, with sales opening today for Summer 2027.
MSC Poesia’s Alaska itineraries will explore some of the region’s most picturesque destinations, including Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Tracy Arm, and Juneau (Alaska), along with Victoria (British Columbia, Canada), and the natural beauty, spectacular landscapes, magnificent wildlife and rich Alaska Native culture heritage.
Before her Summer 2027 Alaska season, MSC Poesia will reposition from Miami to Seattle over an 18-night cruise departing 8 April 2027. The sailing will include a crossing of the Panama Canal.
BANGKOK, 9 October 2025: Thailand’s economy in 2025 tells a complicated story. Gold exports have soared nearly 70% in the first seven months of the year, helping push the baht to its strongest level in five years.
At the same time, tourists, who bring billions in invisible export earnings, are finding the country less affordable. This is the gold–baht conundrum: success in gold and finance weakens competitiveness in tourism.
Photo credits: AJW. Thailand’s 2025 paradox — searching for balance
Gold inflows lift the baht
Global investors are rushing to safe-haven assets, and Thai traders are riding the wave. In the first seven months of 2025, gold exports exceeded THB254 billion (approximately USD8 billion). As dollars flowed in, the baht strengthened by over 8% against the US dollar, dropping from around THB34 per dollar to as low as 31.70.
Other currencies tell the same story. Against the pound, one sterling (UKP1) now buys about THB43 to 44, making a British couple’s holiday in Phuket more expensive than a year earlier. The euro and yuan have also slipped, and Indian travellers in particular feel the squeeze.
It is worth noting, however, that Thailand is not a significant gold mining country. Most of the bullion comes from abroad, often imported from Switzerland, Hong Kong, or Singapore, before being refined and re-exported through Bangkok’s huge jewellery and bullion markets. Thailand is essentially a global hub, not a gold producer.
Why gold alone doesn’t drive the baht – but gold is the spark
Economists stress that correlation does not mean simple cause and effect. In 2025, gold exports jumped nearly 70%, while the baht appreciated by more than 8% against the US dollar. One study reported a correlation of 0.88 — with a value of 1.0 indicating perfect correlation. In plain terms, when gold moves up, the baht almost always follows. Yet, because the link is not one-to-one, other forces are clearly at work, including returning tourists and speculative investors, as well as China’s slowdown and global trade tensions. Gold is the spark, but not the whole fire.
A strong baht brings mixed results
For gold traders and financial markets, this is a triumph. For tourists and the businesses that depend on them, it feels like a squeeze. A London family booking two weeks in Phuket suddenly finds meals and hotels pricier, not because local rates have changed, but because the pound now buys fewer baht.
The result is Thailand’s loss, as holidaymakers look to cheaper alternatives in Vietnam, Cambodia, or Indonesia.
Economists call it Dutch Disease
There is a well-known name for this kind of imbalance. Economists call it Dutch Disease, a term coined in 1977 when the Netherlands discovered natural gas in the North Sea. The gas boom sent the Dutch guilder soaring, but Dutch manufacturers became less competitive abroad.
Thailand’s conundrum looks strikingly similar. The gold boom lifts the baht, but the stronger currency makes tourism less affordable and factory exports less competitive. Car production has already slipped this year, a sign of how quickly rising currencies can hurt other industries. The rise of imported EVs is also a factor.
The gold-baht paradox lies in the contradiction between a strong baht and tourism that requires competitive exchange rates.
Tourism is an export?
Tourism is often referred to as an invisible export because no container ships leave port, yet billions of dollars flow in. In Thailand, it accounts for a significant share of GDP (20%) and supports millions of livelihoods.
The challenge is that tourism is highly price sensitive. Families on tight budgets notice quickly when the baht strengthens. Indian travellers may choose Kuala Lumpur over Bangkok. Even if total arrivals rise, spending per head can fall. For tuk-tuk drivers, street food vendors, and family-run hotels, the difference is immediate.
Who gains, who loses
The winners are easy to see. Gold traders and refineries are enjoying record business. Financial markets applaud a baht that signals strength and stability. The government welcomes healthier reserves and revenues.
The losers are just as visible. Tourists feel squeezed, local businesses see thinner margins, and communities already struggling with crowded beaches or waste disposal find the rewards smaller when visitor spending power shrinks.
Avoiding the conundrum
The solution is not to restrict gold flows or artificially weaken the baht. Instead, Thailand must adapt by making its tourism less vulnerable to price shifts.
This means targeting travellers who are less price sensitive and more experience-driven. Wellness and medical tourism, gastronomy, cultural immersion, and high-end journeys, such as the new Blue Jasmine luxury train to Chiang Mai, are all ways to broaden appeal.
Thailand can also improve its infrastructure, manage visas effectively, and invest in sustainability to enhance its value. If these steps are taken, the country can soften the conundrum and prove that gold and beaches do not have to be in conflict.
Conclusion
The gold–baht conundrum illustrates how prosperity comes with hidden costs. Gold exports and safe-haven flows have lifted the baht, but more substantial currency risks could undercut tourism and manufacturing.
Other factors, including speculative inflows and the Chinese slowdown, as well as concerns about tariffs and global instability, also play a role. Handled poorly, the winners in trade will be outweighed by the losers in tourism. Handled wisely, Thailand can balance its visible and invisible exports, turning this conundrum into an opportunity for growth.
About the Author Andrew J. Wood is a former hotel general manager with over 35 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industries. Born in Yorkshire, England, he has lived in Thailand since 1991. A long-time resident of Bangkok, Andrew is the Past President of Skal International Asia, Skal International Thailand, and has twice served as President of Skal Bangkok. He is a regular guest lecturer at universities and a writer contributing to regional publications.
SINGAPORE, 9 October 2025: Radisson Hotel Group has announced a key milestone in its expansion in Indonesia with the signing of Atiara Ubud Bali, A Radisson Collection Resort. It marks the debut of the group’s luxury lifestyle brand, Radisson Collection, in Indonesia.
Photo credit: Radisson Hotel Group. Rendering of Atiara Ubud Bali, A Radisson Collection Resort.
Located in the lush jungle landscapes of Ubud, Bali, Atiara Ubud Bali, A Radisson Collection Resort is set to open in 2027, featuring 52 rooms, including six dedicated wellness suites with outdoor terraces, private yoga decks, and Jacuzzis. A 530 sqm Presidential Suite, complete with expansive terraces and a private pool, adds an exclusive touch.
Designed for wellness-focused travellers and international visitors seeking tranquillity, the resort is a 90-minute commute from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport and a 30-minute transfer to the island’s most iconic attractions.
Indonesia is a priority growth market for Radisson Hotel Group within the Asia-Pacific region. It currently operates three hotels in the country, with four more under development. Strategic expansion is focused on the nation’s key destinations, including Jakarta and Bali, with multiple new projects in the pipeline.
The group has also confirmed Radisson Nusantara in Indonesia’s new capital city, where construction is set to begin in late 2025.
Looking ahead, Radisson Hotel Group aims to add 20 more hotels in Indonesia by 2030, further strengthening its presence in both established gateways and emerging destinations.
