SINGAPORE, 21 August 2026: Royal Caribbean is bringing a range of August offers to NATAS Fair, 21 to 23 August, giving vacationers more ways to plan their next getaways from Singapore and beyond.
Those attending this weekend’s fair can explore holidays from Singapore on ships Navigator and Quantum of the Seas, as well as eligible Royal Caribbean holidays departing ports in the Americas.
Offers on Singapore vacations with Navigator and Quantum of the Seas
Eligible vacations on Navigator and Quantum of the Seas feature a range of August offers, including:
Up to SGD1,200 instant savings per stateroom during selected August booking windows 60%.
USD100 onboard credit per stateroom through the Next Level Sale, on eligible bookings made from 21 to 26 August 2026
The extended season aboard Navigator of the Seas features a range of holidays, from three-night getaways starting from SGD300 to a 12-night Asia adventure from Tokyo, Japan, to Singapore. Guests will visit Mt Fuji, Nagoya and Osaka in Japan, as well as Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, with prices from SGD1,347.
Global vacations with Royal Caribbean:
Vacationers planning an international holiday can also access offers on selected international holidays, including:
Up to 60% off the second guest’s cruise fare.
Up to SGD1,200 instant savings per stateroom during selected August booking windows
Up to SGD140 off short sailings made by 3 September 2026
Up to USD100 onboard credit per stateroom for eligible Crown & Anchor Society members on China round-trip sailings aboard Spectrum of the Seas
BINTAN, Indonesia, 20 August 2026: Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts has opened Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon, a new beachfront resort on the Indonesian island of Bintan.
Located on Bintan’s northern coast and accessible by ferry from Singapore, the resort features 408 rooms and suites, each with a private balcony or terrace overlooking the gardens or sea.
Exterior of Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon.
Accommodation ranges from deluxe rooms and premium terrace rooms to junior, executive, ambassador and presidential suites.
Dining options include Port 19, an all-day dining restaurant serving Indonesian, Asian, and international cuisine alongside live cooking stations, while Yokatta Izakaya & Bar offers Japanese favourites.
Klon-Tong Deli draws inspiration from Bintan in the 1980s, serving pastries, ice cream, local specialities and coffee, while the Recreation Village Sports Lounge offers casual dining alongside live sports.
Sports and wellness
Guests have access to Bintan Lagoon International Golf, with two 18-hole golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Ian Baker-Finch.
Shantara Spa & Wellness provides a dedicated space for relaxation and wellbeing, with private treatment rooms, couples’ rooms, reflexology and facial treatments, together with a sauna and steam room.
Mövenpick Resort & Spa Bintan Lagoon also offers more than 2,000 sqm of meetings and events space.
SINGAPORE, 20 August 2026: MICE Show Asia 2026 will return from 21 to 23 October 2026 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Singapore, bringing together destinations, venues, MICE suppliers, meeting planners, corporate travel professionals and buyers to build partnerships and explore business opportunities across Asia Pacific.
The expansion reflects continued demand for business events opportunities across the region, as buyers and suppliers navigate changing expectations around destinations, event experiences, flexibility, technology, sustainability and the growing importance of measurable business and experiential value.
MICE Show Asia 2026 will connect an expanding marketplace of international and regional MICE suppliers with a diverse community of MICE and corporate travel buyers.
Confirmed exhibitors include Ayana, Festive Events, Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, Liberty International Tourism Group, Sapporo Convention Bureau, Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, Uganda Convention Bureau, Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, among others.
This focus on business connections is also reflected in the growing community of more than 200 MICE buyers. Among the confirmed buyers to date are representatives from leading organisations including Amex GBT, Asian MICE Planner Co Ltd, Be Event Group, ConferenceDirect, Culturebrand Luxury Travel & Events, HelmsBriscoe, International Conference Services, KIT Group APAC Pte Ltd, Lamont Co, Technical Communications Intelligent Japan Inc, TUI Travel Centre, World Association for Medical Law and the World Psychiatric Association.
Making its debut in 2026, the Association Executive Networking Session will bring together association executives in an invitation-only setting for peer-to-peer exchange, industry networking and discussions around shared opportunities and challenges.
MICE Fundamentals: Conference, Exhibition & Incentive Events Workshop. This ticketed workshop is designed to upskill emerging MICE professionals and new entrants to the industry. Led by experienced practitioners representing the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), the workshop will cover the fundamentals of designing and delivering successful conferences, exhibitions and incentive events, combining practical learning with real-world applications, industry networking and access to useful tools and resources.
Exploring the future of MICE
The MICE Show Asia 2026 conference programme will bring together industry leaders, MICE buyers, destinations, corporate travel professionals, technology experts and business events specialists to examine the trends and commercial priorities shaping the future of meetings, incentives, conferences and events across Asia Pacific.
Michael Kruppe, CEO / General Manager, Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC).
David Hughes, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Uniglobe Travel International.
MICE Show Asia 2026 will take place alongside ITB Asia and Travel Tech Asia, bringing the MICE, travel and technology communities together through the wider ITB Asia ecosystem.
BANGKOK, 20 August 2026: World Gym, a global fitness brand founded on California’s Muscle Beach in 1976, announced Wednesday the upcoming opening of its first club in Thailand at Imperial World Samrong.
The launch will introduce the brand’s world-class fitness experience to Thai members, combining internationally benchmarked facilities, advanced technology and accessible membership options.
World Gym Thailand team at Imperial World Samrong.
World Gym has grown from the golden era of bodybuilding at Muscle Beach into one of the world’s most recognised fitness names, operating nearly 300 clubs across six continents and serving more than one million members worldwide.
World Gym is today publicly listed in Taiwan (2762.TWSE), where it operates 140 locations, making it the company’s largest market. For Thailand’s rapidly growing fitness sector, the brand’s arrival brings an established international operator and a 50-year brand legacy to local members for the first time.
World Gym’s first Thai club combines internationally benchmarked facilities and equipment from partners including Matrix and Abs Company with advanced technology such as AI Posture Diagnostics, a three-minute assessment providing personalised insights into posture, balance and flexibility, and the MYZONE Switch wearable for effort-based training.
John Caraccio, Chairman, President, World Gym Corporation.
“Thailand is a strategic next step for World Gym. This market has the energy, ambition and rising fitness culture our brand was built on. Our promise here is simple: we’re not just opening a gym, we’re making world-class fitness part of everyday life. And we’re bringing our 50 years of legacy and the technology that defines the next generation of fitness here to achieve this,” says World Gym Corporation Chairman and President John Caraccio.
About World Gym Corporation World Gym Corporation is Taiwan’s largest fitness chain, operating 141 locations. In 2024, it acquired World Gym International, securing the iconic World Gym brand and global operating rights, establishing itself as a global fitness leader.
BANGKOK, 20 August 2026: The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is strengthening its 2026 strategy designed around consumer travel interests across eastern, western and northern China.
Led by TAT offices in Shanghai, Chengdu and Beijing, this localised approach targets high-value travellers, highlights fresh travel itineraries and spreads economic benefits to more emerging Thai destinations.
Photo credit: TAT. “Chinese travellers are becoming more diverse in how they choose destinations and experiences” — TAT Governor.
TAT Governor, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, said: “Chinese travellers are becoming more diverse in how they choose destinations and experiences. TAT is responding with a more focused regional strategy that matches Thailand’s tourism strengths with each market’s interests. Wellness, sport, culture, communities and emerging destinations are central to this approach, helping us attract quality visitors while spreading tourism value more widely across the country.”
In eastern China, TAT’s Shanghai Office is targeting premium travellers through wellness and experiential tourism. Under “Healing Is the New Luxury”, TAT is working with LANN Space, a Chinese mindfulness and holistic wellness platform, and leading online travel agency Tuniu.com to promote restorative travel experiences in Saraburi and Khao Yai.
In Jiangsu, TAT has extended its reach through a live Nanjing International Television program, presenting experiential tourism and destinations around Rayong and Hua Hin to over five million viewers.
In western China, TAT’s Chengdu Office is focusing on sport tourism and creator-led content. Together with Zx-tour, a Chinese sports travel company specialising in marathon packages including international running trips, TAT organised an “Offline Sharing Session for Amazing Thailand Marathons” in Chengdu to engage fitness enthusiasts from Sichuan and Chongqing.
This helped promote marathon and running events in Sukhothai, Kamphaeng Phet, Buri Ram, Hua Hin and Songkhla. While TAT also hosted Chinese content creators on a fam trip to Chiang Mai (extended into Chiang Rai) for community experiences, with the initiative supporting future direct flights linking western China to northern Thailand.
In northern China, TAT’s Beijing Office is targeting families for summer holidays while capturing demand in secondary provincial markets. In Changchun, TAT and major tourism partners in Jilin Province staged “Cool Summer Breeze: Long-Lasting Friendship Between Jilin and Thailand” showcasing Thai culture and soft power through Songkran-themed activities, Thai cuisine, handcrafts and contemporary performances.
The event attracted more than 80,000 participants, alongside a 7% increase from 2025 in direct airline seat capacity between Jilin Province and Thailand, supporting further travel demand from northeastern China.
Together, the campaigns demonstrate TAT’s targeted approach to China, with wellness and experiential travel prioritised in the east, sport and lifestyle travel in the west, and family travel and Thai culture in the north. Across all three regions, TAT links consumer interests with Thailand’s wider range of destinations and tourism products.
China remains Thailand’s largest international source market, delivering 3,149,889 arrivals from 1 January to 5 August 2026. Backed by the quality-focused “Trusted Thailand” initiative, which reinforces safety, service quality, and visitor assurance across the tourism experience, TAT expects Chinese arrivals to exceed five million in 2026, underscoring the market’s continued importance in both visitor volume and expenditure.
MUMBAI, 20 August 2026: Air India’s flagship Maharaja Lounge at Terminal 3, Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, has been honoured with the prestigious Gold award for “Airport Lounge Opening of the Year” at the FAB 2026 Awards, held in Bengaluru recently.
Organised annually by The Moodie Davitt Report, the FAB Awards are among the most prestigious global recognitions for airport food, beverage, lounge and hospitality excellence.
Photo credit: Air India. Air India’s flagship Maharaja Lounge at Terminal 3, Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.
The “Airport Lounge Opening of the Year” category brought together some of the most innovative and luxurious airport spaces launched across major aviation hubs worldwide.
Air India Chief Customer Experience Officer Rajesh Dogra said: “Receiving this global recognition for the Maharaja Lounge is a proud milestone for Air India. We sincerely thank our customers for their trust and loyalty, and our teams and partners whose commitment has helped bring this vision to life. As we continue our transformation journey, we remain focused on delivering world-class experiences that showcase the very best of Indian hospitality in the aviation industry.”
The Maharaja Lounge has been designed around a philosophy of thoughtful zoning, creating distinct spaces that cater to the diverse needs and moods of modern travellers. Spanning 16,000 sq. ft., the lounge seamlessly blends heritage-inspired warmth with contemporary elegance, offering guests the flexibility to work, dine, relax or unwind in dedicated environments tailored to their journey.
The lounge accommodates premium guests across a business section and an exclusive First Class zone. Standout spaces include The Aviators’ Bar, The Globetrotter’s Study, the Serenity Area, the Crystal Bar in the First Class section, and the Sleep Suites.
The award-winning lounge in Delhi is part of Air India’s broader strategy to drive fleet modernisation, including the introduction of new Airbus A350s, new line-fit Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, and retrofitted narrowbody and widebody aircraft.
KUCHING, Malaysia, 20 August 2026: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) announced the winners of the 2026 PATA Gold Awards during the PATA Travel Mart hosted in Kuching in Sarawak, Malaysia from 18 to 20 August.
Celebrating outstanding achievements across the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry, PATA identified 26 award categories that recognise innovative campaigns and impactful initiatives across marketing, sustainability and social responsibility segments.
Photo credit: PATA Annual Gold Award winners.
Among this year’s leading organisations in the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry, PATA named Sarawak Tourism Board, Malaysia, as the Grand Title Winner in the Marketing category, while the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, China, has gained the Grand Title Winner in the Sustainability and Social Responsibility category.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said: “The PATA Gold Awards continue to shine a light on the creativity, innovation and commitment shaping a stronger and more sustainable tourism industry. This year’s submissions were among the strongest we have seen, reflecting the remarkable efforts of PATA members and the wider industry in pursuing excellence. The winning entries show how bold ideas can create lasting impact — from innovative marketing and emerging technologies to conservation, climate action, inclusion and community empowerment. They set new benchmarks for excellence and demonstrate tourism’s potential as a force for positive change.
“I warmly congratulate all of this year’s winners and commend them for the passion and purpose behind their work. I also extend my sincere appreciation to our independent judging committee for their time, expertise and commitment to ensuring a rigorous and fair evaluation process.”
This year’s winners were selected by an independent judging committee comprising senior tourism professionals, academics, researchers and industry experts from across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.
As the PATA Gold Award 2026 Grand Title Winner in Marketing, the Sarawak Tourism Board was recognised for its Sarawak Guinness World Record – Longest GPS Journey by Successive Drones.
On 31 December 2025, Sarawak officially secured a Guinness World Record for the longest GPS journey by successive drones, completing an unbroken aerial relay of 1,706.7 km across the state. The historic flight involved 128 continuous flight segments spanning the length of Sarawak and captured extensive aerial footage showcasing the state’s diverse landscapes. The achievement provided a creative and high-impact platform to promote Sarawak ahead of Visit Malaysia Year 202As the
The PATA Gold Award 2026 Grand Title Winner in Sustainability and Social Responsibility, the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, was recognised for its Millennial Whispers of Stone, Shared Preservation of Heritage – Sustainable Development Program for the Systematic Conservation, Research, and Dynamic Inheritance of the Dazu Rock Carvings.
The Dazu Rock Carvings, an outstanding example of late Chinese grotto art, were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1999. The initiative establishes a sustainable system integrating conservation, research, revitalisation and inheritance through scientific protection, academic research, adaptive reuse, community participation and international cooperation, supporting the long-term preservation and sustainable development of this important heritage site.
The PATA Gold Awards recognise excellence across a broad range of disciplines, from destination and industry marketing to emerging technology, climate action, conservation, human capital development, community-based tourism, inclusivity and youth and women empowerment.
PATA Gold Awards 2026 – Grand Title Winners
1. Marketing
Winner: Sarawak Tourism Board, Malaysia
Submission: Sarawak Guinness World Record – Longest GPS Journey by Successive Drones
2. Sustainability & Social Responsibility
Winner: Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, China
Submission: Millennial Whispers of Stone, Shared Preservation of Heritage – Sustainable Development Program for the Systematic Conservation, Research, and Dynamic Inheritance of the Dazu Rock Carvings
KUCHING, Malaysia, 19 August 2026: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced the appointment of five additional members to its Executive Board, further strengthening the Association’s leadership and broadening representation from both the public and private sectors across the Asia Pacific region.
Photo credit: PATA. New faces on PATA’s Executive Board.
The newly elected and appointed Executive Board members are:
Jennifer Chun, Director of Tourism Research, Hawaii Tourism Authority, USA – Secretary/Treasurer;
Yang Li, Head of Public Affairs, APAC, Booking.com, Singapore – Executive Board Member;
Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director, Visit Maldives Corporation, Maldives – Executive Board Member;
Alhasan Aldabbagh, President, APAC, Saudi Tourism Authority, Saudi Arabia – Non-Voting Executive Board Member;
The first three members were elected to the Executive Board, while Aldabbagh and Pandey were appointed as non-voting Executive Board members. Together, they bring extensive industry experience, regional perspectives, and expertise to further strengthen the Association’s leadership.
Together, these appointments further strengthen PATA’s leadership and reflect its commitment to broadening industry representation, expertise and collaboration across the Asia Pacific region.
“We are delighted to welcome Jennifer, Yang, Ibrahim, Alhasan and Suman to the PATA Executive Board,” said Henry Oh, Chairman, PATA. “With the Board now fully constituted, we look forward to drawing on their diverse experience, knowledge and perspectives as we continue to strengthen PATA and support collaboration across our membership and the wider tourism industry.”
As Secretary/Treasurer, Jennifer Chun will contribute her extensive experience in tourism research and destination development to PATA’s leadership. She currently serves with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and has been actively engaged with PATA through her participation in the Association’s programmes and activities.
Yang Li brings extensive experience in the digital travel sector through his role with Booking.com in Singapore. His expertise in technology, digital platforms and the evolving travel ecosystem will provide valuable perspectives as PATA works to support its members in navigating a rapidly changing tourism landscape.
Ibrahim Shiuree represents Visit Maldives Corporation and brings experience from one of the Asia Pacific region’s leading island destinations. His perspective will further strengthen PATA’s engagement with destination organisations and the priorities of island tourism economies.
Alhasan Aldabbagh, President of APAC at Saudi Tourism Authority, brings extensive experience in destination development, international tourism and market engagement. His appointment further strengthens PATA’s representation and relationships across the Asia Pacific region and the wider global tourism community.
Suman Pandey, Group Chairman of Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure, has been a longstanding contributor to PATA and has served in leadership roles within the Association. His continued participation as a non-voting member will provide valuable continuity and industry insight, particularly from the perspective of adventure and experiential tourism.
With the addition of the newly elected members, PATA’s Executive Board comprises:
Chair Henry Oh, Chairman, Global Tour Ltd
Vice Chair Ben Montgomery, Corporate Ambassador, Centara Hotels & Resorts
Secretary/Treasurer Jennifer Chun, Director of Tourism Research, Hawaii Tourism Authority
Executive Board Members Jackson Pek, Chief Corporate & Legal Affairs Officer, Amadeus Maria Paz Alberto, President, Ark Travel Express, Inc. Yang Li, Head of Public Affairs, APAC, Booking.com Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, Director-General, Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) Dr Sharzede Salleh Askor, CEO, Sarawak Tourism Board Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director, Visit Maldives Corporation Alhasan Aldabbagh, President of APAC, Saudi Tourism Authority Suman Pandey, Group Chairman, Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure
KUCHING, Malaysia, 20 August 2026: Business networking sessions got underway at the PATA Travel Mart 2026 (PTM 2026) on Tuesday, bringing together over 1,100 tourism delegates from 48 countries and destinations for one of Asia Pacific’s leading international business-to-business travel trade events.
Hosted at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) from 18 to 20 August, PTM 2026 marks the first time that PATA’s flagship travel trade event has been held in Sarawak.
L/R: Noor Ahmad Hamid, Chief Executive Officer, PATA; Henry Oh, Chair, PATA; Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak and Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak; Dr Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, Chief Executive Officer, Sarawak Tourism Board.
The event brings together 221 buyers, representing 215 companies, from 29 source markets and over 365 sellers representing over 200 organisations and destinations, creating opportunities for tourism businesses and destinations to connect with international markets and develop new partnerships.
The event, organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association, is endorsed by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, hosted by the Sarawak Tourism Board, and supported by Business Events Sarawak.
“PATA Travel Mart is about building valuable, quality business connections that extend beyond the event and the opportunities they create that can grow into lasting partnerships,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “By taking PTM beyond the region’s traditional gateways, we are deliberately opening international markets to smaller and emerging destinations, helping disperse tourism, broaden economic opportunities and show that the next generation of tourism growth can come from beyond the established hubs.”
At the heart of PTM 2026 is its business exchange programme. Across the two main travel mart days, buyers and sellers participated in more than 4,000 scheduled business appointments, providing opportunities to develop new partnerships, explore new source markets and generate future business.
The event welcomed both returning and new buyers and sellers, reflecting continued interest in the Asia Pacific region and the value the international tourism industry places on direct business engagement.
“Hosting PATA Travel Mart 2026 in Sarawak is an important opportunity for us to strengthen our engagement with the international tourism community and contribute to the future growth of tourism across the Asia Pacific,” said YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak and Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak.
“As we grow the sector, our focus remains on creating meaningful economic opportunities, strengthening our tourism industry and ensuring that development continues to benefit our communities while safeguarding the cultural and natural assets that make Sarawak distinctive.”
More than a travel trade event
While business exchange remains at the heart of PTM, the event is also bringing together the wider PATA community through a programme of knowledge sharing, professional development, leadership, networking and destination engagement.
The programme began on 17 August with the PATA Youth Symposium, bringing together university students and young tourism professionals for discussions, learning opportunities and industry engagement.
The Youth Symposium continued on 18 August with community-based and experiential activities designed to give participants a deeper understanding of Sarawak and its tourism development.
On the evening of 17 August, PATA hosted its Executive Board and Board Members Networking Reception & Life Members Get-Together, together with the PATA Chapter and Student Chapter Awards and the Face of the Future Awards, recognising the achievements and contributions of PATA’s chapters, student chapters and emerging tourism leaders.
On 18 August, the PATA Knowledge Forum is bringing industry leaders and experts together under the theme “The Next Era: Impactful Partnerships, Purposeful Growth.” The Forum explores the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of tourism, with discussions focused on partnerships, purposeful growth, technology, business innovation, communities, culture and meaningful tourism experiences.
The Knowledge Forum forms part of PATA’s broader commitment to helping its members navigate a rapidly changing tourism environment by providing opportunities to exchange knowledge, access industry intelligence and develop new partnerships.
Alongside PTM and the Knowledge Forum, PATA’s Executive Board and Board meetings are taking place in Kuching, bringing together representatives from across the Association’s membership and leadership community.
Sarawak takes centre stage
PTM 2026 also provides international delegates with an opportunity to experience Sarawak and gain a deeper understanding of the destination’s tourism offerings.
Known for its rich cultural diversity, Indigenous heritage, biodiversity and natural landscapes, Sarawak provides a distinctive setting for PTM and an opportunity for international tourism professionals to experience the destination beyond its traditional tourism proposition.
Delegates are taking part in networking activities and destination experiences throughout the event, creating opportunities to discover Sarawak’s communities, culture, gastronomy, nature and adventure offerings while building connections with local tourism stakeholders.
“PATA Travel Mart 2026 gives us an important platform to showcase Sarawak directly to the international travel trade and allow delegates to experience the destination beyond the exhibition floor,” said Sarawak Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer Dr Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor.
“Through our culture, communities, gastronomy, nature and adventure experiences, we want delegates to gain a deeper understanding of what Sarawak offers and take that knowledge back to their respective markets, creating greater opportunities for Sarawak to be included in future travel programmes and itineraries.”
Sarawak Tourism Board has been a PATA member since 1981, and the two organisations have continued to collaborate on initiatives supporting tourism development, sustainability, resilience, biodiversity conservation and capacity building.
Supporting the next era of tourism
PTM 2026 comes at an important time for tourism across Asia Pacific, as changing source markets, traveller expectations, technology and business models continue to reshape the industry.
For PATA, the Travel Mart provides a platform for its members and partners to respond to these changes through business connections, knowledge sharing and collaboration.
“The tourism industry continues to evolve, creating both opportunities and challenges for destinations and tourism businesses,” added Noor Ahmad Hamid. “PATA’s role is to help our members navigate these changes by providing opportunities to connect, exchange knowledge, access industry intelligence and develop new partnerships. PATA Travel Mart is one of the most visible expressions of that role.”
With the business programme continuing through 20 August, PTM 2026 will provide further opportunities for buyers and sellers to connect, explore new markets and develop partnerships, while delegates continue to engage with Sarawak and the wider PATA community.
PATA extends its appreciation to all participating buyers, sellers, members, partners, sponsors and supporters, and particularly to the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, Sarawak Tourism Board and Business Events Sarawak for their support in bringing PTM 2026 to Kuching.
SINGAPORE, 19 August 2026: Digital travel platform Agoda has identified growing accommodation interest around local festivals across Asia, highlighting how cultural and international celebrations can create new travel moments and commercial opportunities for accommodation partners beyond traditional tourism seasons and established destinations.
This reflects a broader shift towards experience-led exploration as travellers continue seeking engaging experiences that create lasting memories instead of simply ticking off destinations.
Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report revealed that surveyed travellers are increasingly drawn to secondary destinations for the authenticity and immersive cultural experiences they offer. Cited by 25% of surveyed Asian travellers, cultural exploration is among the top three trip motivations, making festivals a timely opportunity to connect travellers with destinations known for local culture and community celebrations.
“Travel planning is increasingly being shaped by the experience travellers want to have, and social media is further amplifying awareness of cultural moments and local festivals to a much wider audience. Nagaoka City in Niigata Prefecture is a great example showing how quickly that can translate into travel interest. Accommodation searches for the host location of the Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks were 50x higher during the event period than before it, demonstrating how a local celebration can put a destination on travellers’ radar. Through initiatives like the Agoda Mega Sale campaign, we’re helping accommodation partners turn that interest into booking opportunities,” said Agoda Senior Vice President, Supply, Andrew Smith.
As travellers plan around festivals and local experiences in these destinations, Agoda’s upcoming Mega Sale campaign lets participating accommodation partners put relevant offers in front of them at key booking moments.
The campaign runs until 31 August, when travellers can access hotel offers of up to 60% off.
Here is a list of some of the upcoming festivals around Asia
25 September in Singapore, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong Celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month, the Mid-Autumn Festival brings families and communities together under the full moon. Traditions vary by destination but commonly include lantern displays, mooncakes, family reunions and public performances; Hong Kong also stages its distinctive fire-dragon dances. The festival gives travellers different ways to experience a shared Asian tradition through each destination’s local customs. Destination tourism organisations actively promote public celebrations staged in visitor precincts. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a great opportunity for travellers to soak up the festivities when they visit these destinations during this period. It offers an interactive element with lanterns in a less crowded atmosphere compared to Lunar New Year earlier in the year.
Chuseok, South Korea 25 September in South Korea Chuseok, often called Korean Thanksgiving, is one of South Korea’s most important traditional holidays. Celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, it centres on the autumn harvest, family reunions, ancestral memorial rites known as charye, and traditional foods such as songpyeon rice cakes. The festival’s popularity is reflected in the Korea Tourism Organisation’s statement that millions of people travel to their hometowns during Seollal and Chuseok to celebrate with their families. In 2026, the official Chuseok holiday runs from 24 to 26 September.
MassKara Festival, Philippines1 to 18 October in Bacolod, Philippines Held in Bacolod, the Philippines’ “City of Smiles”, MassKara Festival is known for elaborate smiling masks, energetic street-dance competitions, music, costumes and community celebrations. Created during a period of economic difficulty, the festival’s smiling imagery has become a powerful expression of Bacolod’s optimism and resilience. MassKara is staged as a major city-wide tourism event and documented by the Bacolod City Government, with public celebrations drawing crowds into the city and indicating existing infrastructure for travel specifically for the festival.
Vietnam Jungle Marathon, Vietnam17 October 2026 at Pu Luong Nature Reserve in Vietnam Vietnam Jungle Marathon takes runners deep into Pu Luong Nature Reserve, around 160km southwest of Hanoi. Its 10km, 25km, 50 km and 70km routes cross ethnic-minority villages, ancient jungle, limestone peaks, waterfalls and rice paddies, combining endurance sport with immersion in a lesser-visited part of rural Vietnam. According to the organisers, the race was created partly to bring people to an area that sees relatively few tourists. Anticipating the travel crowd for this marathon, the organisers provide transport guidance for reaching remote Pu Luong.
Jidai Matsuri, Japan, 22 October, in Kyoto, Japan Jidai Matsuri, or the Festival of the Ages, is one of Kyoto’s three great festivals. Its two-kilometre procession recreates more than a thousand years of Japanese history in reverse chronological order, with approximately 2,000 participants, 70 horses and oxen, and some 12,000 historically researched costumes and ceremonial objects. The procession travels from Kyoto Imperial Palace to Heian Jingu Shrine. Kyoto’s official tourism organisation publishes multilingual visitor information, a detailed procession route, and dedicated paid viewing seats to help spectators plan. The full procession takes around two hours to pass a single location.
