SINGAPORE, 21 August 2025: Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess will make her debut in Southeast Asia in October 2026 when the ship homeports in Singapore for two cruises before she leaves for her Australian season.
The ship was christened in June 2013 in Southampton, England, by the Duchess of Cambridge, who is now HRH The Princess of Wales.
Photo credit: Princess Cruises. Royal Princess.
Alaska to Singapore
On 19 September 2026, Royal Princess will end her season in Alaska and will then embark on a 26-night Southeast Asia, Japan and Alaska Grand Adventure Cruise that will start in Seattle, Washington and end in Singapore on 16 October.
The destinations she will visit include Juneau, College Fjord, and Whittier. This leg will also feature a cruise of Hubbard Glacier. After that, she will cross the International Date Line in the Pacific to Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Vietnam before arriving for the first time in Singapore on 16 October.
Guests are also able to join the second half of the cruise, which is a 13-night sailing from Yokohama on 4 October that will visit Shimizu, Osaka, Keelung (Taipei), Hong Kong and Chan May (Vietnam) before arriving in Singapore.
Dry Dock in Singapore Before Southeast Asia Cruises
After arrival, Royal Princess, which can carry 3,560 guests and was built in Italy, will undergo a two-week dry dock in Singapore. She will then emerge from dry dock on 1 November to go on her first cruise out of Singapore, which is a nine-night Southeast Asia cruise visiting Ho Chi Minh City, an overnight in Bangkok, before sailing to Ko Samui.
This will be followed by a 13-night Southeast Asia cruise departing Singapore on 10 November, and includes a stop in Lombok, Indonesia. These two cruises can be combined into a 22-night Southeast Asia & Australia cruise that will visit Darwin, Yorkeys Knob, Brisbane on the second leg before arriving in Sydney on 25 November.
Among the offerings onboard are two sets of cantilevered walkways extending over the port and starboard sides of the ship known as the “SeaWalk,” three swimming pools, a dancing water fountain, a nightclub, a pizzeria, an Italian tratoria and a 24-hour international café amongst many dining venues and several entertainment lounges as well as original musical productions.
News that Royal Princess will be making her maiden call and sailing from Singapore in 2026 follows several major announcements from Princess. Discovery Princess is also making her maiden call to Singapore this October for a special five-night Malaysian cruise.
It was also recently announced that Sapphire Princess and Diamond Princess will be homeporting in Japan for the first time in 2027 after their homeporting season in Singapore from December 2026 to February 2027. These signify an increase in Princess Cruises’ presence in Asia.
For the upcoming season, Diamond Princess will be returning to Singapore in December 2025 to February 2026 for 10 to 12-day sailings with visits to 10 exotic destinations in Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam after she completes her season in Japan.
KUALA LUMPUR, 21 August 2025: Firefly, a subsidiary of Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), on Tuesday launched a daily jet service to Tawau (TWU) in Sabah from its hub at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) Terminal 1.
The new daily service follows Firefly’s relocation of its jet operations from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (SZB). A Boeing 737-800 with 189 seats is deployed for the round-trip flight.
A Tawau welcome for Firefly’s inaugural jet service.
Flight schedule
FY2574 departs from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 1615 and arrives at Tawau (TWU) at 1900. FY2575 departs Tawau (TWU) at 2000 and arrives in Kuala Lumpur (KUL) at 2255.
A one-way fare from KUL to TWU starts at SGD281.
The airline celebrated the new service with a send-off ceremony held at the boarding gate, where passengers received celebratory tokens. Senior MAG leaders, including Firefly COO Captain Hamdan Che Ismail and MAG COO of Airlines Dersenish Aresandiran, attended the inaugural celebration.
Featuring daily return services, the route strengthens connectivity between Peninsular Malaysia and the east coast of Sabah, catering to the growing demand of both business and leisure travellers. This strategic expansion is part of Firefly’s broader network growth from KUL, which will also include new services to Sibu (SBW), Kota Bharu (KBR), Kuala Terengganu (TGG), and Johor Bahru (JHB), and affordable air travel across ASEAN.
Firefly’s COO commented: “Launching our jet operations from KUL represents a strategic milestone in enhancing connectivity across Malaysia and the region. As a regional carrier, Firefly is committed to providing greater accessibility and travel options for passengers, supporting both domestic and regional connectivity. This service reflects our ongoing dedication to delivering convenience, efficiency, and value, while strengthening Firefly’s role as a key player in the region’s aviation network.”
SAMUI ISLAND, 21 August 2025: Thailand’s booming wellness tourism sector is gaining renewed global focus, with Samui Island set to host the upcoming C9 Hotelworks Session titled “Koh Samui Wellness Tourism – Beyond the Spa” at W Koh Samui on Monday, 29 September 2025.
W Hotel, Koh Samui
The event arrives as Thailand’s wellness economy reaches unprecedented heights. In 2023, the sector was valued at THB1.4 trillion, with wellness tourism spend soaring from THB194 billion in 2022 to THB419 billion. While local travel remains strong, it’s the rise in international wellness seekers that is fuelling growth. Samui, with its upscale retreats, yoga sanctuaries, and spa resorts, is emerging as a global wellness hub, drawing visitors in search of more meaningful, long-stay experiences.
Organised by hospitality consultants C9 Hotelworks in collaboration with Delivering Asia Communications, Skål International Koh Samui, and W Hotels, the 90-minute industry forum aims to redefine how destinations approach wellness travel.
Attendance is free based on advance registration. The event opens at 1500, with the panel convening from 1600 to 1730.
The discussion will move beyond traditional spa models and into areas such as biohacking, genomic medicine, sports tourism, immersive healing retreats, and AI-powered fitness innovation. Executives from top resorts, including Kamalaya, Lamai Samui Resort, and Vikasa Yoga, will share their perspectives on how Samui can lead the shift toward lifestyle-driven wellness.
The famous Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary. Holistic Spa and Wellness on Samui Island, Thailand
Key contributions will come from Bangkok Hospital Network’s Genolife Services, which is pioneering genomic medicine programmes for travellers, and Technogym Southern Thailand, which will highlight AI’s role in personalising fitness. The design side of wellness will also feature, with Interior Architecture 103 explaining how architectural details can enhance recovery and wellbeing.
Samui’s tourism recovery underlines the event’s importance. In early 2025, 1.13 million arrivals were recorded at Samui International Airport, a 9% increase over the same period last year. In 2024, the island welcomed 2.78 million visitors, surpassing pre-pandemic numbers. Hotel performance is up, with double-digit gains in occupancy and rates, and new hotel openings, including Nivata by Hilton and SO/ by Sofitel, reflecting investor confidence.
The C9 Session is more than just a discussion. It’s a timely strategy summit aimed at integrating wellness into mainstream tourism through innovation, investment, and cross-sector collaboration. By anchoring itself in genuine health transformation rather than trend-chasing, Koh Samui is poised to become a case study in next-generation tourism success.
About the author Andrew J Wood is a respected travel writer, hotelier, and tourism lecturer with over four decades of experience in Southeast Asia’s hospitality and tourism sectors. He is a former general manager of several leading hotels in Thailand. Andrew is also a former Director of Skål International, past President of Skål International Asia, Thailand’s National President, and a two-time past president of Skål International Bangkok. He contributes regularly to leading regional and global travel publications.
MONTRÉAL, 21 August 2025: Air Canada is gradually restarting its operations since Tuesday after reaching a mediated agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) through a mediatory process.
Discussions concluded on the basis that the union commit to having the airline’s 10,000 flight attendants immediately return to work, allowing the airline to resume the operations of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, which have been grounded since 16 August.
Photo credit: Air Canada. The airline is gradually reinstating flights.
“Restarting a major carrier like Air Canada is a complex undertaking. Full restoration may require a week or more, so we ask for our customers’ patience and understanding over the coming days. I assure them that everyone at Air Canada is doing everything possible to enable them to travel soon,” said Air Canada President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Rousseau.
The first flights resumed on the evening of 19 August, but the airline advised customers that the return to full, regular service may require seven to 10 days as aircraft and crew are out of position. During this process, some flights will be cancelled over the next seven to ten days until the schedule is stabilised.
Only customers with confirmed bookings whose flights are shown as operating should go to the airport. Air Canada offers options to those with cancelled flights, including obtaining a full refund or receiving a credit for future travel. The carrier will also provide rebooking for customers on other airlines, although capacity is currently limited due to the peak summer travel season.
Air Canada serves 10 destinations in Asia that the strike impacted.
BANGKOK, 21 August 2025: Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports has proposed a new campaign to offer free domestic flights to 200,000 foreign tourists, but it faces criticism from some tourism associations that claim it would better serve the country’s economic interests if the project ran during the low season, May to September 2026.
First reported by the Bangkok Post, the initiative is tagged “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights.” It targets tourists who book tickets directly with the airline or via major online booking sites to Bangkok.
They can pick up a free flight beyond Bangkok to designated domestic destinations. By default, the international ticket will need to be purchased from an airline that also serves domestic destinations in the country or has a codeshare agreement with a foreign airline serving Bangkok to offer connections to domestic destinations. Usually, the codeshare applies to flights to major domestic destinations such as Phuket, Krabi and Chiang Mai, which are not by any stretch of the imagination “lesser known destinations.”
Scheduled to start in September (less than two weeks away), the proposed project should have been approved and released to travellers much earlier. Most travellers planning a trip to Thailand in September have already bought their international and domestic flights if they are planning to visit multiple destinations in Thailand.
Here are the campaign’s key details
Target: 200,000 foreign tourists.
Campaign Period: The programme is scheduled to run for three months, from September to November.
Mechanism: Foreigners who book an international flight to Thailand directly with an airline or an online travel agent would be able to claim a free round-trip domestic flight ticket.
Participating Airlines: The scheme would involve six Thai carriers: Thai Airways International, Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air, Thai Lion Air, and Thai Vietjet.
Government Subsidy: The government plans to subsidise the tickets with a budget of THB700 million, providing THB1,750 per one-way ticket (or THB3,500 for a round trip) for each tourist.
Objective: The ministry aims to generate THB8.8 billion in revenue through the campaign, to boost tourism nationwide. (The taxpayer will ultimately fund the subsidy fare).
As of now, the proposal still requires cabinet approval. The idea claims to incentivise travellers to visit less-visited provinces, aligning with the country’s broader “Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism and Sports Year 2025” campaign. The proposal is part of a broader campaign, which the Thai Cabinet officially endorsed in May 2025, to elevate “Thailand as a world-class destination to attract over 39 million international visitors.”
SINGAPORE, 20 August 2025: Singapore has always been a vital gateway for Sarawak tourism, and in 2025, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) returned with renewed focus and ambition.
Making its fourth consecutive appearance at the National Association of Travel Agents Singapore (NATAS) Holidays, STB aimed to strengthen Sarawak’s position as a preferred short-haul destination, building on the 59,793 Singaporean arrivals recorded in 2024 and driving further growth in arrivals this year.
Sarawak’s representative engaged visitors at NATAS 2025 with stories and heritage displays showcasing the state’s rich Culture, Adventure, Nature, Food, and Festivals (CANFF) offerings.
Held from 15 to 17 August 2025 at the Singapore EXPO, the travel fair offered STB an impactful platform to connect directly with Singaporean families, millennial travellers, retirees, expatriates,
and travel industry professionals. Sarawak’s showcase centred on its five core tourism pillars, Culture, Adventure, Nature, Food, and Festivals (CANFF), which continue to define its appeal as an authentic, immersive, and accessible Borneo destination.
These engagements also highlighted Sarawak’s strong air connectivity, with 26 direct flights weekly from Singapore, including 19 to Kuching, three to Sibu and four to Miri.
“Singapore continues to be one of Sarawak’s most important source markets,” said Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor, CEO of Sarawak Tourism Board. “We are here not just to promote packages, but to share our living heritage, celebrate our diversity, and invite travellers to explore a Sarawak that is both culturally profound and naturally majestic.”
Visitors at NATAS were treated to live cultural performances reflecting Sarawak’s ethnic diversity and heritage, alongside a traditional tattoo demonstration featuring a Sarawakian tattoo artist offering temporary tribal body art, an interactive nod to the state’s Indigenous traditions. At the heart of the booth were Sarawak travel packages promoted by participating travel agents, with STB representatives offering destination briefings and product knowledge to guide consumer choices.
STB’s participation at NATAS forms part of a sustained engagement strategy in the Singapore market, which also includes Sarawak’s showcase at ITB Asia in October 2025 and the highly anticipated Sarawak Mega Fair from 16 to 19 October 2025. Together, these initiatives aim to strengthen market presence, deepen partnerships, and boost visitor arrivals from Singapore.
With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 approaching, these efforts also serve to elevate brand visibility and generate demand ahead of Malaysia’s most extensive tourism campaign. Through experiential promotions, targeted trade engagement and authentic cultural showcases, Sarawak continues to captivate the Singapore market and lay the groundwork for sustainable tourism growth in the years to come.
For more information on Sarawak tourism and attractions, visit: Sarawak Tourism
MANILA, 20 August 2025: South Palms Resort and Spa Panglao – MGallery Collection opens as a bold new expression of design-led hospitality in the Philippines.
Located on a pristine stretch of beach in Bohol, the Philippines, the 88-room-and-suite beachfront resort reimagines tropical luxury through the lens of Boholano myth, artisanal design, and natural wellness.
(Left to Right) Phillip Pond, Founder of Atelier Pond, Patricia Ho Douven, Founder and Principal of White Jacket, Prasati Chenchin, Director of SCSY Studio, Pedro Angco Jr, Local Mosaic Artist, Chris Singer, Founder and Managing Director of SCSY Studio, Patrick Keane, Founder of Enter Projects Asia
Just 10 minutes from the Bohol-Panglao International Airport and near the famed Chocolate Hills, world-renowned dive sites, and forests, the resort offers front-row access to the island’s rich and tranquil beauty.
The resort is the vision of a globally renowned creative team: Interior designer Patricia Ho Douven of White Jacket, F&B and detailing specialist Phillip Pond of Atelier Pond, public space designer Patrick Keane of Enter Projects Asia, and master planners Chris Singer and Prasasti Chenchin of SCSY Studio. Together, they have created a property defined by tactility, sustainability, and a deep respect for local culture.
“By listening to local voices and weaving in cultural memory, we shaped a hotel that feels both discovered and dreamed,” said C9 Hotelworks’ Managing Director and the project’s lead consultant, Bill Barnett.
Events unfold across three key spaces: the 100-sqm Acqua Pavilion; the 200-sqm Marcela Ballroom; and a sweeping 500-sqm beachfront lawn, connected to a rooftop garden.
“We have created a place where Boholano culture comes alive, where nature and luxury exist in harmony, and where every guest forges meaningful connections that transform their stay into a personal story,” said South Palms Resort & Spa Panglao MGallery Collection General Manager Danish Khan.
A new flagship for MGallery in the Philippines, South Palms joins the Admiral Hotel Manila – MGallery Collection as the brand’s second property in the Philippines and its first resort experience in the Visayas.
Guests can enjoy an exclusive “Elite Access” offer, which is available to book for stays until 31 October 2025. This rewarding promotion includes PHP3,000 in resort credit, which can be redeemed for dining experiences and leisure activities. ALL and Accor Plus members will receive additional benefits.
BANGKOK, 20 August 2025: Thailand’s journey forward is powered by tourism, not only as an economic engine but also as a cultural force.
At its heart lies Thainess — the warm hospitality, Buddhist values, language, and traditions that shape both inbound and domestic tourism.
Photo credit: AJW. Bangkok’s famous landmark, Wat Arun, the ‘Temple of Dawn’.
Campaigns such as “Thai Rak Thai” (Thai loves Thai), “Thai Tiew Thai” (Thai travel Thai), and “We Travel Together” have tapped deeply into this national identity, encouraging Thais to explore their own country while showcasing the kingdom’s soul to international audiences.
Tourism isn’t just an income stream; it’s the lifeblood of Thailand’s aspirations for the 21st century, funding infrastructure, transport, technology, education and a better quality of life for all Thais.
Under the stewardship of TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Thailand’s tourism sector is being reimagined with renewed energy, clarity, and unity. A famously fragmented industry, spanning planes, trains, hotels, catering, MICE, digital platforms, and cultural experiences, it is now moving in a common direction. Since assuming office, Governor Thapanee has brought not only creativity and cohesion, but also a pragmatic roadmap for collaboration between the public and private sectors.
Bringing industry voices together
Skål International Bangkok President James Thurlby highlights the need for cohesion and bold innovation: “With so much global potential, the key is to focus on unity and collaboration. We must support each other and use our collective strength to diversify markets.”
Photo credit: AJW. TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool.
Governor Thapanee’s blueprint for progress centres on the “New Thailand” strategy, a bold framework built around five pillars: new customers, new products, new partnerships, new marketing, and new performance metrics. This modernised model encourages creativity, inclusion, and resilience, positioning Thailand as a premium, future-facing destination.
She has also been a driving force behind sustainability and environmental integrity. In close partnership with KHATA (Khon Thai Against PM2.5 and Air Toxicity Alliance), TAT is tackling challenges such as agricultural burning, smog pollution, and harmful carbon emissions. KHATA’s influence has been profound—not just in spotlighting urgent environmental concerns, but in reshaping how tourism fits into the national conversation on sustainability.
This extends beyond green practices to economic sustainability as well. Thailand can no longer afford to rely on outdated models like zero-rated commissionable tours, particularly from markets where the bulk of revenue generated is immediately repatriated. These mass-tourism models offer little value to Thai service providers, local communities, or the economy.
Critics and commentators agree that the shift away from these unsustainable practices is overdue. Among them, I add my voice, as a long-time tourism professional, that tourism is not just a key economic driver, but it is essential to Thailand’s national development. With tourism contributing over 20% of GDP, the sector plays a vital role in improving the quality of life for Thai citizens and in enabling the government to sustainably reinvest in infrastructure, healthcare, transport, education, technology, and digital communications.
Thailand must now attract high-value, high-net-worth travellers who seek and can afford elevated, meaningful travel experiences. From bespoke wellness retreats and curated cultural programmes to fine dining and private heritage tours, Thailand is exceptionally well-positioned to cater to this segment.
One of the most exciting developments is the revival of luxury rail travel. With the importation of historic Japanese train carriages, TAT and the private sector have aligned on a shared dream, bringing royal-style rail journeys to Thai tracks. The Red Blossom and Blue Train concepts represent a significant step forward in delivering immersive, high-end travel that celebrates Thai elegance, history, and service culture. This is more than transport, it’s destination storytelling on rails.
TAT’s Village to the World initiative also exemplifies inclusive innovation. In partnership with the Stock Exchange of Thailand and leading corporations, rural communities are being transformed via ESG* towards modern tourism models. Seven prototype provinces are already benefitting from this approach, connecting local tradition to global trends while creating stable economic opportunities for rural populations. (*ESG Environmental, Social and Governance – is a set of standards measuring a business’s impact on society, the environment, and how transparent and accountable it is.)
Meanwhile, the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism & Sports Year 2025 campaign fuses tradition with energy, highlighting five celebration-based themes: Festivity, Moment, Privilege, Invitation, and Celebration. These themes not only appeal to global travellers, but they also resonate with Thailand’s natural strength – Hospitality infused with joy. Bangkok exemplifies this kudos and has always been a magnet for tourists. It’s the no.1 attraction.
In 2024, Bangkok welcomed 47.20 million visitors, 32.40 million international tourists and 14.80 million domestic travellers, offering a mix of affordability, multiple attractions, vibrant culture and diversity.
A foodies paradise, the Thai capital offers affordable travel experiences focusing on history and culture (temples, palaces, museums), excellent shopping and dining, a lively nightlife and a warm tropical climate. Its two international airports ensure the city leads as a crucial aviation gateway to exploring Southeast Asia and beyond.
Movies on location
The Location Thailand programme is equally impactful, turning film locations into travel landmarks. Major international productions, such as The White Lotus Season 3 and Jurassic World: Rebirth, are being filmed in destinations like Phuket, Trang, and Krabi, generating visibility and economic activity. With up to 30% cash rebates, Thailand is positioning itself as a global film tourism hub.
TAT’s financial ambitions match its creative ones. With a target of THB3 trillion in tourism revenue by 2026, the plan is supported by integrated planning across international and domestic offices, strategic air connectivity expansion, and renewed digital engagement through AI and innovative tourism platforms.
Significantly, TAT is also leading the country’s Carbon Neutral and Net Zero Tourism framework, in collaboration with TSRI (Thailand Science Research and Innovation) and other research partners. This commitment aligns with national sustainability goals and represents Thailand’s growing role as a model for climate-smart travel.
Thailand’s tourism strategy under Governor Thapanee is not about patchwork fixes; it is about full-spectrum transformation. One leader. One vision. One united direction forward.
About the author Andrew J Wood is a respected travel writer, hotelier, and tourism lecturer with over four decades of experience in Southeast Asia’s hospitality and tourism sectors. A former general manager of several leading hotels in Thailand, Andrew arrived in Asia in 1991 at the Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok and has remained in Thailand ever since. He has worked with the Royal Garden Resort Group (now Anantara), the Landmark Group, and was General Manager at the Royal Cliff Group and Chaophya Park Hotels & Resorts. A regular speaker at international tourism forums, he is a past president of Skål International Asia, Thailand’s National President, and a two-time Past President of Skål International Bangkok.
MONTRÉAL, 20 August 2025: Air Canada confirmed on Tuesday that flights of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge remain suspended due to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) failing to direct its flight attendant members to resume the performance of their duties as directed by the Canadian Industrial Relations Board (CIRB).
The CIRB has also directed flight attendants to resume the performance of their duties immediately.
Photo credit: Air Canada: Rolling cancellations extended.
Customers whose flights are cancelled are being notified of the cancellations and offered options that include a full refund, a future travel credit or rebooking on another airline. Those whose flights are cancelled are strongly advised not to go to the airport, unless they have a confirmed booking on a flight by another carrier.
In response to a labour disruption by CUPE that led to a strike on 16 August, Air Canada has been cancelling flights on a rolling basis. According to the latest announcement, all flights by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge remained cancelled throughout 19 August 2025. Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz or PAL continue to operate as usual.
The airline now estimates 500,000 customers have been disrupted as a result of the strike action.
Based on the latest updates, there is no confirmed date for when flights will resume. While the Canadian government and the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) have issued multiple back-to-work orders, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) has so far defied them.
Even if the strike were to end immediately, Air Canada has stated that it will take several days for operations to return to normal, as aircraft and crew are out of position. Some flight cancellations could continue for up to seven to 10 days after the strike concludes.
In conclusion, flights will resume when the strike ends. The earliest this could happen is if the union were to suddenly agree to the government’s order or reach a negotiated settlement. However, based on the union’s current position, this seems unlikely in the very short term.
About Air Canada Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and internationally on six continents.
TAIPEI, Taiwan, 20 August 2025: Over 150 music performances in two weeks, 39 cross-industry music forums — Taipei launches Asia’s newest music platform and showcases its soft power.
The 2025 “Trendy Taiwan” will take place from 25 August to 7 September, delivering an international metropolitan music festival that showcases the city’s creative energy and charm to the world.
Three objectives
Concert Economy – activating consumption through music and connecting performance venues across Taipei.
Industry Trends – featuring expert forums discussing the trends and the future of the music industry.
Urban Actions – engaging cultural landmarks throughout the city.
Director of The Department of Cultural Affairs, Tsai Shih-ping, noted that, unlike last year’s pilot edition, this year’s edition focuses more deeply on the Concert Economy driven by music to boost tourism and consumption, with big concerts establishing the Trendy Taipei Boom.
Taipei Arena Series will feature top artists from Taiwan, Japan, and Korea, from 5 to 7 September, with tickets already selling fast online.
Additionally, Taipei Very Live will take place in the lead-up to the main events, from 5 to 7 September, connecting 22 Live Houses and music restaurants with over 50 diverse performances, including rock, jazz, and pop.
Taipei Music Centre chairperson Sandy Huang emphasized that Taipei Music Centre is an administrative organisation dedicated to promoting pop music and also serves as one of the key venues representing the development of the pop music scene, This year’s Taipei Music Expo (TMEX) and Jam Jam AsiaA present 70 performances from 28 to 31 August with tickets now on sale.
Industry trends
The Industry Trends section enables Taipei to connect with the world and engage with the future through immersive exhibitions and global forums. The Trendy Fusion Forum will take place at Ambi Space One. It will host renowned guests like Sebastian Masuda (pioneer of Japanese Kawaii culture) and Cha Haley (K-pop industry strategist), who will offer global insights on pop culture and music and bring valuable international perspectives and industry insights to the forum.
TMEX, Asia’s leading music industry expo, will gather representatives from 10 APAC countries and 60 exhibitors, including major festivals like Busan Rock Festival, Zandari Festa (Seoul), Thailand’s Big Mountain Festival, and venues like Zepp and Duo Live House (JP). International delegates this year expanded from 25 to over 100, including top figures like the chairman of Busan Metropolitan City Festival Committee Nam Deok-hyun, the curator of SXSW Sydney Kartini Ludwig, the programme director of 988 FM Malaysia Hu Bi-Ai and Senior Programme Director of MY FM Chou Wei-Wen. New this year is an Industry Matchmaking Day, facilitating real collaborations between artists and professionals.
StartSphere Taipei, featuring startups from six countries, including Japan, Korea, the US, Thailand, Vietnam and other countries.
Taipei Film Academy focuses on “AI and the Future of Film”, inviting people in the movie industry in Taiwan and abroad to explore the possibilities of technology and filming.
Expanding into neighbourhoods this year, bringing music closer to everyday life and offering everyone more chances to take part in events and sense the charm of music and culture. With its blend of concerts, performances, forums, exhibitions, and marketplaces, Trendy Taipei welcomes music lovers, creatives, tech enthusiasts, and casual passersby to find inspiration and resonance in the city. Let’s walk into the town, listen to the rhythm of now, and witness how creativity redefines the power of the moment.
