BANGKOK, 20 May 2026: The Pacific Asia Travel Association officially launches the PATA Micro-credentials Programme, a training and learning initiative that aims to empower tourism professionals in the Asia Pacific with practical, industry-driven skills.
Hosted on src.pata.org, the programme comprises short courses developed by two PATA members, EarthCheck and The Sigmund Project, with self-paced learning and content focused on relevant tourism knowledge. The target group are entry-level to senior professionals, Entrepreneurs and SMEs, and government and tourism organisations.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid announces the launch of the Micro-credentials programme at PATA Annual Summit 2026 in Gyeongju, Korea (ROK).
Learners will also be awarded with digital certificates upon completion.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said: “At PATA, one of our core aims has always been to support the industry through knowledge sharing and collaboration. Through this initiative, we hope to make practical learning more accessible and flexible, while drawing on the expertise and experiences of PATA’s global network. We believe that by sharing knowledge and learning from one another, we can help tourism stakeholders across the region grow, adapt, and move forward together.”
Initial courses available under the programme
Integrating ESG into Tourism SMEs – EarthCheck The course offers practical ESG strategies for small tourism businesses to build more sustainable operations and improve efficiency. Participants will learn simple, cost-effective actions that can deliver measurable environmental and social impact.
AI-Powered Marketing for Tourism Professionals – The Sigmund Project The course offers practical applications of AI to create faster and smarter marketing campaigns, produce content, advertisements, and branding materials, and significantly reduce marketing time and production costs.
MELBOURNE, 20 May 2026: Crystal Cruises has confirmed a new collaboration with Approach Guides, launching an innovative suite of marketing technologies designed to help travel advisors more effectively promote Crystal voyages, engage clients and increase bookings.
At the heart of this new approach are “content experiences,” designed and ready-to-use digital marketing pages featuring Crystal’s itineraries, destinations, and exclusive offers. These pages can be instantly co-branded by advisors and shared across email and social channels. Each piece of content is paired with a personalised, co-branded Crystal website, enabling advisors to capture private leads directly and seamlessly convert interest into sales.
Photo credit Crystal Cruises.
To support adoption and maximise advisor success, Crystal is co-hosting a webinar for travel advisors on 28 May. The webinar will offer a live, hands-on demonstration of the platform, showing advisors how to co-brand content in real time, create their own marketing assets and begin sharing with clients immediately.
Participants will hear directly from Crystal Cruises Sales Director – Cruise, Jacqui Tufala, and Approach Guides founder, Jennifer Raezer, on how this technology is designed to elevate advisor marketing while driving measurable results.
The platform is designed for simplicity and speed. Advisors can access Crystal’s marketing content, add their personal branding, and begin sharing with clients in minutes — eliminating the need for time-intensive content creation while ensuring a polished, high-end presentation consistent with the Crystal brand.
“We are so thrilled to be partnering with Approach Guides to provide our valued trade partners with cutting-edge technology that delivers both inspiration and immediacy. Working with Approach Guides provides our travel partners an elegant, intuitive way to market Crystal to their luxury clients, combining beautiful storytelling with powerful lead generation. It’s a meaningful step forward in how we support advisor success and help them grow their business,” said Crystal Cruises VP Sales and Partnerships, AU/NZ, Susan Haberle.
In addition, Crystal is offering agency-level integration options that allow host agencies to co-brand Crystal content directly from their intranet systems. This ensures advisors can access and distribute marketing materials within their existing workflows with minimal setup.
Travel advisors can explore the new platform and begin creating their own co-branded content by visiting: inspires.to/crystal.
DOHA, Qatar, 20 May 2026: Qatar Airways and Philippine Airlines are expanding their strategic partnership by enhancing the connectivity between their networks. Starting 1 June 2026, Philippine Airlines will place its (PR) code on Qatar Airways flights from Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao to Doha, and connect to over 20 major European cities, including Paris, Rome, and Frankfurt via Hamad International Airport.
Qatar Airways will place its QR code on Philippine Airlines’ domestic flights, enabling travellers arriving in Manila and Cebu to enjoy seamless connectivity to popular leisure destinations such as Caticlan and Puerto Princesa.
Complementing the codeshare expansion, Qatar Airways’ loyalty programme, Privilege Club, has partnered with Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay Miles to extend loyalty benefits to members of both programmes. This marks Privilege Club’s 26th airline partnership and increases the loyalty programme’s footprint in Southeast Asia, delivering diverse opportunities for members to collect and spend Avios across Philippine Airlines’ global flight network. Privilege Club members can now collect and spend Avios on Philippine Airlines routes across Australasia, Southeast Asia, and the US, and access a wider range of cities within the Philippines, including Cebu, Clark, and Davao City.
Additionally, Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Miles members can also collect and spend miles when flying across Qatar Airways’ global network, including destinations across Africa and Europe. For Philippine Airlines, this latest loyalty partnership enhances its presence in the Middle East by expanding its network.
Avios can be spent on travel rewards, including flights with Qatar Airways, Oneworld, and partner airlines, award flights, and Qatar Airways upgrades, as well as direct bookings with Qatar Executive. Lifestyle benefits include packages with Qatar Airways Holidays, dining and shopping at Qatar Duty Free, and much more. Similarly, Mabuhay Miles members can enjoy a broad range of rewards across its lifestyle partners, spanning travel, retail, and dining experiences.
HALONG, Vietnam, 20 May 2026: InterContinental Halong Bay Resort, a five-star beachside resort, has announced the appointment of Grant Thompson as its new General Manager.
A hospitality expert with more than 35 years of experience across Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, Thompson brings a global perspective and an exceptional track record to the hotel.
Photo credit: IHG. InterContinental Halong Bay Resort
Previous managerial roles with luxury brands such as Sofitel, The Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), and Wanda Hotels & Resorts have shaped his leadership style, which is defined by clarity, operational strength, and a deep commitment to creating memorable moments. During his five-and-a-half-year spell with Wanda, he successfully opened six five-star hotels.
Having joined IHG Hotels & Resorts in 2018, he guided InterContinental Changsha to multiple awards before being appointed GM of InterContinental Beijing Beichen in 2023, where he achieved the highest guest-satisfaction ranking in the Greater China region and led the hotel to its highest KPI performance in 17 years.
SINGAPORE, 20 May 2026: Lufthansa will introduce its Allegris experience on flights between Singapore and Munich effective this October, ushering in a new era of premium long-haul travel to Southeast Asia.
The deployment of Allegris underscores Lufthansa’s continued investment in the Singapore market and strengthens connectivity between Asia and Europe through its Munich hub.
Customers travelling on the route will experience Lufthansa’s next-generation cabins across all travel classes, featuring enhanced comfort, greater privacy and a more personalised onboard experience.
First class presents spacious suites with floor-to-ceiling privacy walls and elevated dining experiences.
Business class introduces a new suite concept with direct aisle access from every seat, customisable seating options and advanced technology features.
Premium economy and economy class have also been redesigned with improved ergonomics, larger entertainment screens and increased convenience for long-haul travel.
“Singapore is one of Lufthansa’s most important gateways in Asia Pacific, and we are delighted to bring our award-winning Allegris experience to this important market,” said Lufthansa Senior Director of Sales Southeast Asia and Pacific, Brendan Shashoua. “The introduction of Allegris reflects our commitment to delivering a world-class premium travel experience while strengthening connectivity between Singapore and Europe.”
Complementing Allegris, guests will also enjoy Lufthansa’s Future Onboard Experience (FOX) — a major new service concept and one of the airline’s largest-ever investments in the onboard customer experience. Backed by an investment of more than EUR70 million in 2026, FOX introduces a new premium service standard across all travel classes, with a strong focus on personalisation, comfort and signature moments that redefine premium travel.
The A350 equipped with Allegris will operate between Singapore and Munich starting 26 October 2026. Tickets are already on sale at the airline’s website or via local travel agencies.
KUALA LUMPUR, 19 May 2026: Sarawak’s growing influence within the regional tourism industry received further affirmation after Sarawak received the “Excellence in State Tourism Board Leadership 2025” recognition at the Asian Tourism & Hospitality Awards 2025–2026 held at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, last week.
The Award reflected the sterling excellence behind Sarawak’s tourism growth and international positioning as one of Malaysia’s leading destinations and the “Gateway to Borneo” during Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
YB Dato Dennis Ngau, Chairman of Sarawak Tourism Board, represented STB in accepting the Excellence in State Tourism Board Leadership 2025 award at the Asian Tourism & Hospitality Awards 2025–2026, held on 14 May 2026 at Berjaya Times Square Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
Presented during the regional gala ceremony attended by tourism and hospitality leaders from across Asia, the award was received by Sarawak Tourism Board Chairman, YB Dato Dennis Ngau on behalf of the STB.
The Asian Tourism & Hospitality Awards 2025–2026 celebrate excellence, innovation, leadership, and service across Asia’s tourism and hospitality industry. This year’s edition featured more than 250 nominees across Asia and garnered over 100,000 public votes, reflecting the platform’s growing regional credibility and industry significance.
Speaking following the award presentation, YB Dato’ Dennis Ngau described the recognition as a reflection of the collective efforts behind Sarawak’s tourism development and global visibility.
“This award is not only for Sarawak Tourism Board, but for the entire tourism ecosystem in Sarawak — including the State Government, industry players, local communities, tourism stakeholders, media partners and all Sarawakians who continue to contribute to strengthening our tourism industry and to sharing Sarawak with the world.
“Sarawak’s tourism journey has always been guided by authenticity, sustainability, cultural preservation, and meaningful visitor experiences. We are proud that our direction and efforts are being recognised at a regional level. This progress is the result of meticulous planning under the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy 2030, which continues to shape the state’s tourism direction and long-term aspirations,” he said.
He added that the recognition further strengthens Sarawak’s commitment towards supporting Malaysia’s tourism aspirations throughout Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
“As Malaysia welcomes the world through Visit Malaysia Year 2026, Sarawak remains committed to strengthening our tourism offerings, expanding international collaborations, improving connectivity, and creating experiences that continue to position Sarawak as a destination rich in culture, nature, adventure, food, and festivals.
Beyond destination promotion, we also aspire for Sarawak to be recognised as a place for meaningful tourism, where culture, sustainability, communities, and global engagement come together,” he added.
Sarawak continues to gain international recognition through its diverse tourism offerings and globally recognised signature events, including the Rainforest World Music Festival and Rainforest Youth Summit, which have helped position the state as a leading platform for cultural exchange, sustainability conversations, youth engagement, and experiential tourism in the region.
As Visit Malaysia Year 2026 continues, Sarawak remains focused on strengthening destination marketing efforts, strategic partnerships, event development, and sustainable tourism initiatives to attract both domestic and international visitors while reinforcing the state’s growing reputation on the global tourism stage.
The Asian Tourism & Hospitality Award was organised by TIN Media, one of Malaysia’s leading independent digital media platforms dedicated to the tourism and hospitality industries. Now in its second edition, the awards were held in conjunction with MAH Hospitality Week 2026 and the Hospitality Suppliers Expo 2026.
HO CHI MINH CITY, 19 May 2025: Auko Eco-Wellness Lodges, a new hospitality and wellness resort in Vietnam, is set to open in Q3 2026 in the sUNESCO-listed landscape of Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park.
Positioned along the Son River and surrounded by the dramatic limestone peaks and ancient cave systems of Phong Nha, including the legendary Son Doong caves, Auko will become Vietnam’s first EDGE Advanced-certified eco-wellness lodge experience, offering a new benchmark for regenerative luxury hospitality in Southeast Asia.
Photo credit: Auko.
Developed for the modern “Wayfinder”, the all-inclusive retreat will feature 30 elevated tented eco-lodges, thoughtfully designed in harmony with the surrounding environment, using reclaimed timber, resilient architecture, indigenous planting, and flood-adaptive structures aligned with IFC’s Building Resilience Index (BRI).
Beyond its design credentials, Auko introduces a wellness philosophy shaped by the natural rhythms and ancient traditions of Central Vietnam. In partnership with Lumina Wellbeing, guests will experience nature-led healing journeys that incorporate Rhassoul clay rituals, hydrotherapy, forest rainfall showers, sound healing, primal movement, meditation caves, and seasonal ceremonies inspired by local Cham wisdom.
The guest experience is centred around three distinct pathways:
• The Open Way – gentle restoration, movement and reconnection
• The Still Way – introspective wellness and transformation
• The Wild Way – active adventure and dynamic wellness experiences
The property will also offer forest-to-table dining at Origin Restaurant, featuring locally sourced ingredients, wild-foraged herbs and regional Vietnamese flavours, alongside curated jungle, river and cave adventures unique to Phong Nha.
Getting to the Auko experience
● Flight from Ho Chi Minh City or Ha Noi to Dong Hoi Airport, one-hour private transfer to Auko
● Flight from Ho Chi Minh City or Ha Noi to Hue Airport, three-hour private transfer to Auko
● Train journey from Da Nang or Ha Noi to Dong Hoi Railway Station, one-hour private transfer to Auko
● Private car drive for five hours from Da Nang to Auko
● Motorbike adventure tours from Ha Noi with a halfway stop in Vinh or Cua Lo Beach
With wellness tourism continuing to evolve toward more meaningful, nature-connected, and regenerative experiences, Auko is poised to become one of Vietnam’s most anticipated new luxury openings in 2026.
Rates start from USD300++ for two guests per night, all inclusive.
Van Phu Real Estate Development JSC owns the project (https://vanphu.vn/) and its wellness-hospitality operator is Lumina Wellbeing.
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.”
