JAKARTA, Indonesia, 19 May 2026: Indonesia is gearing up to energise its business events industry with the launch of the first-ever Indonesia Business Event Mart (IBEM), held in conjunction with the Southeast Asia Business Events Forum (SEABEF) from 28 to 31 July 2026 at the Jakarta International Convention Centre.
The event is organised through a strategic partnership between E&C Productions and TTG Events and is supported by the Republic of Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism. It aims to unite buyers and exhibitors from Indonesia and other international markets, creating a platform for industry growth and business exchange for an estimated 250 buyers and 200 sellers.
Photo credit: TTGmice. Launch promotion in Jakarta for Indonesia’s inaugural Indonesia Business Event Mart (IBEM) and the Southeast Asia Business Events Forum (SEABEF) set for July.
With strong international air connectivity and its status as the capital, Jakarta offers an accessible and strategic location for global and regional delegates. The event will be held at the Jakarta International Convention Centre, located approximately 45 minutes from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Held alongside IBEM, SEABEF will serve as a regional platform for knowledge sharing and industry dialogue, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and associations to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of business events in Southeast Asia.
The co-location of both platforms creates a comprehensive experience—combining thought leadership with commercial engagement under one umbrella.
About IBEM Indonesia Business Event Mart (IBEM) is a new business events’ marketplace designed to connect global and regional industry players with Indonesia’s fast-growing business events sector. The event is organised in collaboration with E&C Productions and supported by the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia.
SHANGHAI, 19 May 2026: H World Group Limited has announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2026, highlighting continued momentum in network coverage, loyalty engagement, and the group’s expanding presence across Asia Pacific.
H World CEO Jin Hui commented: “As we enter 2026, H World continues to advance brand-led, high-quality growth. In the first quarter, we opened 537 new hotels in China, well on track to meet our full-year gross opening target of approximately 2,200 to 2,300 hotels. Our blended H World China ADR increased 4.5% year-over-year and drove a 3.0% year-over-year increase in blended RevPAR.”
Photo credit: HWG. JI Hotel Vientiane Mekong Riverside
For the first quarter, hotel GMV reached RMB26.4 billion, up 17.4 % year-on-year. Revenue from manachised and franchised hotels grew 20.3% year-on-year to RMB3 billion, underscoring the strength of the company’s asset-light model and sustained demand from partners.
Adjusted EBITDA reached RMB1.9 billion for the quarter, a 24.2% increase year-on-year.
As of 31 March 2026, H World’s worldwide hotel network in operation totalled 13,215 hotels and 1,303,563 rooms, including 13,095 hotels under H World China and 120 hotels under H World International.
The group’s geographic coverage increased to 1,461 cities in China, up from 1,394 cities as of 31 March 2025, reflecting continued expansion across regional markets and momentum in penetrating lower-tier destinations.
H World remains focused on the mass market, with economy and midscale hotels as the core of its portfolio. The continued upgrades of Hanting and JI Hotel, together with the launch of Hanting Inn, a new economy hotel brand, have further strengthened the group’s competitiveness in the economy and midscale hotel markets, reinforcing H World’s leadership in China’s mass-market hospitality segment.
Expanding APAC presence
H World also continued to open new hotels in APAC as part of its regional expansion. With Singapore as its operational hub, the group is extending its footprint into key Southeast Asian markets, including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
In Q1 2026, the first overseas JI Hotel 5.0 officially opened in Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Located in a prime area of the city, the hotel carries forward JI Hotel’s signature Eastern-inspired design, reflecting H World’s growing ability to bring its brands to international markets.
As of 31 March, H World Group operates six hotels in APAC, with a pipeline of approximately 10 additional hotels.
Supported by its standardised brand system, digital operating capabilities, and supply chain advantages, H World aims to continue its growth momentum across APAC.
H Rewards, the group’s loyalty programme, saw growing consumer engagement in the first quarter, with room nights booked by members increasing 10.7% to 60 million.
“Looking ahead, we will continue to pursue high-quality hotel network expansion, strengthen our brand positioning, enhance member-centric sales capabilities underpinned by the H Rewards membership program, and further deepen our technology and AI development,” Jin Hui said.
About H World Group Originating in China, H World Group Limited (NASDAQ: HTHT) (HKEX: 01179) has developed into a leading hospitality group with a presence across diverse market segments, from economy to upper-midscale and lifestyle hotels. H World’s brands include HanTing Hotel, JI Hotel, Crystal Orange Hotel, Steigenberger Hotels & Resorts, MAXX, Jaz in the City, IntercityHotel, Zleep Hotels and Steigenberger Icons. In addition, H World holds the rights as master franchisee for Mercure, Ibis and Ibis Styles, and co-development rights for Grand Mercure and Novotel in the pan-China region.
SINGAPORE, 19 May 2026: Digital travel platform Agoda reveals that family travel remains the most popular choice for Asian travellers, ranking higher in preference than travel with a spouse or partner, or even with friends.
Regionally, Indonesians lead the ranks with 69% of survey respondents selecting family travel as the top choice, higher than the Asia-wide average of 52%. They are followed closely by Vietnam (61%), Malaysia (59%), Taiwan (58%) and the Philippines (55%). Thailand and South Korea both report half of respondents (50%) travelling with family, while India records 40% and Japan 32%.
The findings come from Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook survey and underscore the enduring importance of family as a driver of travel across the region. For many travellers, family trips prioritise shared experiences, convenience and value, whether that means multi-generational holidays, school holiday breaks, or extended family reunions. Destinations that offer family-friendly accommodations, accessible transport and activities that appeal to multiple age groups will continue to be a draw for family travellers this summer.
Families making their summer vacation plans can take practical steps to make booking and travel go more smoothly. When searching for accommodation, filtering for larger room configurations or connecting rooms and suites can help ensure everyone has space to relax, while prioritising properties with kid-friendly amenities such as pools and play areas can help keep children engaged. Flexible cancellation and modification policies offer peace of mind and safeguard plans that may change. Lastly, choosing locations with easy access to family attractions to reduce transit time to maximise quality time together.
Agoda Associate Vice President Krishna Rathi commented: “Family travel remains at the heart of many people’s travel plans across Asia, especially during the summer vacation months. Our insights show clear differences by market but a shared priority for comfort, convenience and quality experiences that bring the family together. At Agoda, we make it easy for families to find the right stay, whether they need extra space, child-friendly facilities or proximity to family attractions so they can focus on making memories together.”
ABU DHABI, 19 May 2026: Etihad Airways and Uzbekistan Airways have signed a codeshare agreement that opens Central Asia for Etihad’s passengers and links Uzbekistan Airways guests to Etihad’s daily Abu Dhabi service.
The agreement was signed last week, with the first codeshare flights available for travel from 9 August 2026.
Photo credit: Etihad. Etihad Airways Chief Revenue & Commercial Officer, Arik De (left) and Uzbekistan Airways Deputy Chairman of the Board for Commerce and Tourism, Shukhrat Yadgarov. (right).
Under the partnership, Etihad guests can book a single ticket on Uzbekistan Airways flights from Tashkent to eight destinations across Uzbekistan: Samarkand, Urgench, Nukus, Termez, Fergana, Namangan, Andizhan, and Bukhara — as well as several international destinations on Uzbekistan Airways’ network.
Uzbekistan Airways guests, in turn, can now reach Abu Dhabi via Tashkent on the new Etihad daily service starting this summer. Etihad and Uzbekistan Airways are also developing a frequent flyer partnership between Etihad Guest and UzAirPlus, set to expand reward options for members of both programmes.
Uzbekistan is one of Central Asia’s fastest-growing inbound markets. Travellers are drawn to the Silk Road heritage of Samarkand and Bukhara, the medieval citadel of Khiva, and the wide-open landscapes of Karakalpakstan. The agreement gives Etihad’s guests a single connection to all of it.
Tashkent is the largest city in Central Asia, a region where economic and cultural ties are growing fast. The new partnership puts Uzbekistan within easy reach of Etihad’s guests, while giving Uzbekistan Airways travellers wider access to international markets through Abu Dhabi.
Etihad Airways Chief Revenue & Commercial Officer, Arik De, said: This agreement gives our guests easy access to eight Uzbek cities on a single ticket while offering direct service to our beautiful home in Abu Dhabi. We’ve found a strong partner in Uzbekistan Airways, an airline expanding its fleet and reach, and we’re looking forward to growing the relationship from here.”
Uzbekistan Airways JSC, Deputy Chairman of the Board for Commerce and Tourism, Shukhrat Yadgarov, said: “Partnering with Etihad Airways marks another strategic milestone in the continued expansion of Uzbekistan Airways’ international network. Through this codeshare agreement, passengers of the national carrier will gain access to a new destination within our route portfolio – Abu Dhabi. The new service will complement our existing daily operations between Tashkent and Dubai, further strengthening air connectivity between Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.
With the addition of Uzbekistan Airways, Etihad’s partner network now spans 46 codeshare and over 130 interline partners, the largest of any non-alliance airline, giving guests single-ticket and through-fare access to over 350 destinations worldwide.
Bookings are available from today at etihad.com and uzairways.com.
SINGAPORE, 19 May 2026: Explora Journeys’ EXPLORA III is setting off on her maiden voyage on 3 August, highlighting visits to the Norwegian fjords and the coastlines of New England.
EXPLORA III sails from Barcelona to Lisbon, through Northern Europe and Iceland, before crossing the Atlantic via Greenland to North America. Across the season, EXPLORA III traces a graceful northern arc through striking landscapes and culturally rich destinations, with no repeated itineraries.
Photo credit: Explora Journeys.
Guests sailing aboard EXPLORA III during Summer 2026 will experience the sheltered harbours of Baltic capitals and Scandinavia’s historic cities before crossing the Atlantic towards Iceland, Greenland, the Canadian Maritimes and New England.
A defining highlight of the season is the solar eclipse journey of 12 August, with EXPLORA III positioned in optimal conditions to witness this rare celestial phenomenon — the first such event visible from Europe in 27 years.
The northern Europe itineraries introduce maiden ports for the brand, including Bergen, Flåm, Riga and Tallinn. At the same time, voyages through the Icelandic Fjords and Greenland reveal dramatic, remote landscapes shaped by shifting ice and ancient traditions where the slow movement of glaciers measures time.
In the Norwegian fjords, guests may explore the small-town charm of Mandal by silent electric boat, visit family-run orchards overlooking the Fisterfjord or ascend the Loen Skylift near the shimmering Briksdal Glacier for panoramic views across one of Europe’s most breathtaking glacial landscapes.
As EXPLORA III crosses westward, guests are invited into peaceful pursuits along Canada’s rugged coastline, from kayaking and hiking along the Cabot Trail to exploring the windswept Magdalen Islands and the pristine wilderness of the Mingan Archipelago. Heading southward, the season concludes along the cinematic Atlantic seaboard, where it transforms into autumn hues. Guests can discover the forested shores and river canyons of New England, alongside iconic moments in New York City, before the ship makes her grand arrival against the tropical skyline of Miami.
SINGAPORE, 19 May 2026: FCM Travel says its AI travel companion, Sam, goes live across more than 90 countries in June after an introductory phase introduced to the company’s clientele earlier this year.
A proprietary AI ecosystem built at the core of FCM’s technology, making Sam the intelligence layer running through everything FCM does – not a feature sitting on top of it. For existing customers, what’s coming will feel like a different product entirely.
Photo credit: FCM.
“This is a genuine, game-changing first for the managed travel industry,” said FCM Travel Global Chief Experience Officer, John Morhous. “A lot of our competitors are trying to bolt AI onto existing stacks, but the real power in AI is that the more connected it is, the more you can do with it. Sam is built, not bought – and that compounds over time.”
Sam’s intelligence works across all roles — travellers, arrangers, and travel managers — with equal depth. Most AI in managed travel still focuses on a single point in the journey. Underpinning it all is FCM’s proprietary technology architecture, which defines which trusted data sources Sam queries for each interaction, preventing hallucination and ensuring enterprise-grade accuracy.
Central to Sam’s architecture is its proprietary guardrail system – a capability that goes far beyond hallucination prevention. Travel managers can configure precisely how Sam responds to specific query types, ensuring answers always reflect their policies and rules of engagement.
A traveller not entitled to business class will never receive a recommendation for a premium fare. An out-of-policy hotel will not be surfaced as an option.
Spend thresholds, approval workflows, and supplier preferences are all automatically enforced in conversation, giving organisations the benefits of conversational AI while retaining the programme controls that enterprise travel demands.
“Travellers are tired of fragmented experiences – piecing together more than five tools just to get through a trip,” said Morhous.
“Sam isn’t a single point of support. It’s there throughout the entire journey, for every person in a travel programme. Because our AI is proprietary, the accuracy and compliance enterprises need isn’t bolted on – it’s built in.”
At launch, Sam delivers end-to-end trip support across the full traveller journey, with real-time programme data intelligence for travel managers through plain-language conversation, seamless handoff to FCM consultants with full context intact, and a unique smart redirect into customers’ existing booking tools – the only AI solution in managed travel to offer this.
“June is only the beginning,” said Morhous. “Because we own our technology end-to-end, every release makes our customers’ programmes smarter.”
SINGAPORE, 19 May 2026: Air India confirms a rationalisation of its services on selected international routes between June and August 2026.
The adjustments have been made in response to a combination of factors, including continued airspace restrictions over certain regions and record-high jet fuel prices for international operations, which significantly impact the commercial viability of certain planned services.
Photo credit: Air India.
In a press statement, the airline said: “These changes are aimed at improving network stability and reducing last-minute inconvenience to passengers.”
Despite these adjustments, Air India will continue to operate more than 1200 international flights monthly, retaining a robust international network that spans five continents, including 33 flights per week to North America, 47 flights per week to Europe, 57 flights per week to the UK, 08 flights per week to Australia, 158 flights per week to the Far East, Southeast Asia and SAARC regions, and seven flights per week to Mauritius (Africa).
The temporary network adjustments are summarised below by region:
North America
Delhi-Chicago: temporarily suspended
Delhi-San Francisco: reduced from 10x weekly to 7x weekly through August
Delhi-Toronto: reduced from 10x weekly to 5x weekly through July, increasing to daily operation from August
Delhi-Vancouver: reduced from 7x weekly to 5x weekly
Mumbai-Newark service increases from 3x weekly to 7x weekly, and Delhi-New York (JFK) remains a 7x weekly service, while Delhi-Newark and Mumbai-New York (JFK) services will be temporarily suspended.
Europe
Delhi-Paris: reduced from 14x weekly to 7x weekly
Delhi-Copenhagen: reduced from 4x weekly to 3x weekly
Delhi-Milan: reduced from 5x weekly to 4x weekly
Delhi-Vienna: reduced from 4x weekly to 3x weekly
Delhi-Zurich: reduced from 4x weekly to 3x weekly
Delhi-Rome: reduced from 4x weekly to 3x weekly
Australia
Delhi-Melbourne: reduced from 7x weekly to 4x weekly
Delhi-Sydney: reduced from 7x weekly to 4x weekly
Asia
Delhi-Shanghai: temporarily suspended through August
Delhi-Singapore: reduced from 24x weekly to 14x weekly
Mumbai-Singapore: reduced from 14x weekly to 7x weekly
Chennai-Singapore: temporarily suspended through August
Delhi-Bangkok: reduced from 28x weekly to 21x weekly from July
Mumbai-Bangkok: reduced from 13x weekly to 7x weekly from July
Delhi-Kuala Lumpur: reduced from 10x weekly to 5x weekly
Delhi-Ho Chi Minh City: reduced from 7x weekly to 4x weekly in July and August
Delhi-Hanoi: reduced from 5x weekly to 4x weekly in July and August
Delhi-Kathmandu: reduced from 42x weekly to 28x weekly in June, and further to 21x weekly in July and August
Delhi-Dhaka: reduced from 7x weekly to 4x weekly
Mumbai-Dhaka: temporarily suspended through August
Mumbai-Colombo: reduced from 7x weekly to 4x weekly
Delhi-Colombo: reduced from 14x weekly to 12x weekly
DUBAI, 18 May 2026: Radisson Hotel Group expands its footprint in Dubai with the opening of Radisson Blu Hotel, Dubai Barsha Heights, a 537-room five-star city hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Located in Barsha Heights, the hotel offers five restaurants and bars, 16 meeting and event spaces, a spa and fitness centre, and an outdoor swimming pool.
The opening marks another important addition to Radisson Hotel Group’s growing portfolio in the UAE and strengthens Radisson Blu’s presence in Dubai.
The hotel provides convenient access to key business areas, including Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, and Knowledge Park, while also placing guests within easy reach of Mall of the Emirates, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, and JBR.
The group has named Sherif Madkour the property’s General Manager.
BANGKOK, 18 May 2026: ONYX Hospitality Group celebrates its 60th anniversary with a portfolio spanning hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and luxury residences
The ONYX Hospitality Group, which traces its roots back to the founding of Siam Lodges in 1965 and its subsequent corporate rebranding in 1992 as Amari Hotels & Resorts, targets a total revenue of THB10.33 billion in 2026, representing a 14% year-on-year increase.
It also plans to expand its portfolio to more than 75 properties by 2030, underscoring its sustained growth momentum and strengthening its position across the Asia Pacific region. This expansion will be supported by a planned investment of THB 5.5 billion over the next three years, primarily focused on enhancing and upgrading existing properties.
Over the past six decades, ONYX Hospitality Group has grown from managing a single hotel in Thailand into a regional hospitality company with a multi-brand portfolio including Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence.
Today, ONYX manages 49 properties and remains on track to expand its portfolio to more than 75 properties across Asia Pacific by 2030.
ONYX Hospitality Group, Chief Executive Officer Yuthachai Charanachitta said: “As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we see this milestone not merely as a reflection of our past achievements, but as the beginning of our next phase of growth. Looking ahead, we remain committed to expanding our regional footprint, strengthening our brands, and creating long-term value for our partners, investors and customers, while continuing to develop the organisation in a balanced and sustainable manner. At the same time, we are dedicated to playing an active role in elevating service standards and supporting the long-term advancement of Thailand’s hospitality industry.”
In 2026, the Group is set to launch several new projects, including Shama Sukhumvit 101 Bangkok, Shama Medini, and Y Hotel Nanshan Shenzhen.
BANGKOK, 18 May 2026: Minor Hotels confirms the rebranding of its vacation ownership business from Anantara Vacation Club to Minor Vacation Club as the group expands its timeshare portfolio.
For over 15 years, Anantara Vacation Club has played an integral role within Minor Hotels, building long-term relationships with guests who return year after year to Club Resorts and affiliated Minor Hotels properties around the world.
Photo credit: Minor Hotels
While the Club began with close ties to Anantara, its offering has expanded significantly. Today, points owners can enjoy offerings from the broader Minor Hotels portfolio, from Anantara and Elewana to Avani and Oaks, alongside dining, leisure, and lifestyle experiences beyond accommodation. This growth prompted the need for a name that more accurately reflects the full scope of access now available.
As a result, Anantara Vacation Club will be renamed Minor Vacation Club, operating under the broader Minor Vacations umbrella and serving as the main timeshare product. Minor Vacation Club will also launch two Club Resorts in Japan later this year. This milestone signals the next phase of growth for the Club, shaped by carefully selected destinations, distinctive experiences, and access that extends beyond a single hotel brand.
