MH content heads for APG’s NDC platform

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April 23, 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, 23 April 2025: APG, a worldwide airline representation network with over 100 offices, is partnering with Malaysia Airlines, Malaysia’s national carrier and Oneworld alliance, to display Malaysia Airlines’ full content via the APG NDC platform.

“Malaysia Airlines is a respected global brand with a rich legacy, and we are honoured to welcome them soon to the APG Platform,”

*Photo credit: APG. Malaysia Airlines’ content will be displayed on the APG platform.*

APG NDC Executive Product Director Emilie Biggerstaff commented at the MoU signing ceremony with Malaysia Airlines, which was held on the sidelines of the MATTA Travel Fair on 18 April 2025.

She added: “This partnership is a testament to our shared vision of reshaping airline distribution by unlocking the full potential of the NDC — New Distribution Capability introduced by IATA. Together, we aim to offer unprecedented reach, commercial flexibility, and value to the global travel trade, from traditional agents to e-commerce players.”

APG Network APAC Regional Vice President Tunku Iskandar also witnessed the signing.

APG’s office in Malaysia posted on its Facebook page: “The signing of the agreement today marks a significant step in enhancing airline distribution across the travel trade. This partnership will give travel agents access to Malaysia Airlines’ full NDC content through the APG global portal.”

With 36 carriers available and offering the best fares, the APG Platform is a ticketing platform that can assist travel agents in generating additional revenue by enlarging their catalogue and selling air and non-air ancillaries combined. The APG Network promotes and supports the APG Platform in over 150 countries using the newest XML technology and follows all IATA standards.

Trip.com unveils 2025 Trip.Best Global Rankings

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TTR WEEKLY

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April 23, 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, 17 April 2025: Malaysians planning their next great getaway can now look to Trip.com’s newly-released 2025 Trip.Best Global Rankings showcases the most-loved travel experiences based on verified traveller reviews and booking data.

From luxury stays and family hotels to unforgettable attractions and dining hotspots, the annual Trip.Best rankings offer travellers a curated guide to the region’s best — and Malaysia has scored big.

Trip.Best is Trip.com’s signature collection of curated travel rankings, updated annually and powered by an AI-driven analysis of verified user ratings, reviews, and booking trends. Covering categories such as stays, attractions, restaurants, and nightlife, Trip.Best helps travellers discover the top destinations and experiences globally and regionally. It presents a trusted, data-backed guide to help travellers plan meaningful and memorable trips.

Trip.Best 2025 features Malaysian establishments across multiple Asia-focused categories, highlighting how Malaysia continues to impress travellers with its vibrant hospitality, cultural richness and diverse culinary offerings.

Top-recognised Malaysian hotels in Trip.Best 2025

Trip.com Malaysia’s general Manager, Stephane Thong, said: “It’s truly exciting to see Malaysian establishments being recognised across so many categories in this year’s 2025 Trip.Best Global Rankings. From family-friendly hotels and scenic resorts to local culinary gems and iconic attractions, this recognition reflects the richness and diversity of our travel offerings.”

Trip.Best Global Highlights

While Malaysian establishments dominate Asia-focused categories, the 2025 Trip.Best Global Rankings spotlight broader trends and key highlights from across the world:

Luxury and experiential stays dominate, with Paris, Tokyo and New York leading the Global 100 Luxury Hotels list. Paris’ Hôtel de Crillon tops the chart, joined by other icons like Raffles Singapore and Aman Tokyo.
Family travel is thriving, with world-class resorts like Atlantis Sanya (China), Tokyo Disneyland Hotel (Japan), and Atlantis, The Palm (Dubai) ranked among the best global family-friendly destinations.
Theme parks are top global attractions, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Japan, and Shanghai Disney Resort. These destinations continue to dominate the Global Best Things to Do list.
Seasonal experiences such as autumn foliage viewing and water-themed fun are now featured in new categories like Fall Views and Water Fun, responding to travellers’ growing interest in nature and seasonal trips.
Dining becomes part of the journey, as global food capitals Paris, New York, Bangkok and Singapore top fine dining lists. Meanwhile, new experiences like sky-high dining in Dubai or riverside feasts in Seoul lead the Restaurants for Views & Experiences category.
The “Destinations for the Months” feature helps travellers plan the best seasonal itineraries, suggesting top spots to visit based on the time of year — like Kyoto in winter or Seoul in cherry blossom season.

Visa card data showcases Thailand

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April 23, 2025

BANGKOK, 23 April 2025: Visa, a leader in digital payments, has shared cross-border data on consumer spending travel trends for both inbound and outbound travel during the first two months of this year.

Inbound travel to Thailand remains robust, driven by increased spending from travellers who are residents of the US, UK, France, and Australia. Visa observes the largest spending contribution in the top corridors, which include the US, UK, mainland China, France, and Japan.

*Photo credit: Visa Card. Visa Thailand, Country Manager Punnamas Vichitkulwongsa.*

Inbound travel

Tourists travelling to Thailand spend most on accommodation, restaurants, retail goods, health care, and food and groceries. The top provinces that recorded the highest spending in Thailand include Bangkok, Phuket, Chonburi (where Pattaya is located), Samut Prakan (driven by spending at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport), and Surat Thani (where Koh Samui and Koh Phanghan are located).

Across the provinces, spending at quick-service restaurants increased consistently year over year. Chonburi and Chiang Mai saw the strongest growth in this category. During the week of the Lunar New Year, these two provinces also showed the most significant year-over-year growth in spending.

Visa Thailand, Country Manager Punnamas Vichitkulwongsa stated: “Thailand remains one of the world’s top travel destinations, and we are pleased to see continued growth in tourist visits. In the first two months of this year, we observed a 26% year-on-year increase in spending from tourists in our leading inbound markets – United Kingdom and France, highlighting Thailand’s ongoing appeal as a travel destination. However, we see softness in spending among Chinese and South Korean travellers.

When we look at outbound travel, Japan continues to be the preferred destination for Thai consumers. We are also witnessing strong triple-digit year-on-year growth in travel spending in Mainland China as its appeal as a travel destination rises. Our data insights enable us to collaborate with our partners to offer relevant benefits to our cardholders, ensuring a seamless and secure experience when they travel and pay with Visa.”

Outbound travel

Visa’s findings showed that Thai consumers travel to Japan, Hong Kong, the UK, South Korea, and France during the first two months of the year.

The top categories Thai consumers spend most when travelling this year included department stores, apparel & accessories, retail goods, restaurants and accommodation. In Japan, Thai cardholders spent almost 30% of their travel dollars at department stores, one of the highest compared to other top destination corridors. Travel spend at discount stores, restaurants and food & groceries also saw 20% and 18% year-on-year growth respectively.

Over 30% of Thai cardholders’ travel spend in France and Hong Kong was on apparel & accessories, while more than half of their travel spend in China was at department stores and on retail goods. China also saw the strongest year-on-year triple-digit growth in spend across all key categories compared to other travel corridors, especially at department stores, apparel and accessories, discount stores and entertainment. This showcases China’s increased appeal as a travel destination for Thai consumers.

*Visa shares cross-border data on consumer spending, showcasing Thailand’s inbound and outbound travel trends for January and February 2025.*

Affluent Segments Driving Growth in Domestic spend

The emerging affluent and affluent segments in Thailand are driving the growth in face-to-face spending domestically. These customer segments spend most on healthcare, retail goods, restaurants, home improvement & supplies, fuel, food and groceries.

In addition, there are some growth categories where cardholders are spending more, including professional services, which doubled in spending, and education and government services, which grew by close to 30% year-on-year.

Dusit Hospitality Services manages luxury condos

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April 22, 2025

BANGKOK, 22 April 2025: Dusit Hospitality Services, a subsidiary of Dusit International, has been appointed by Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC) to provide building management services at the super-luxury Mulberry Grove The Forestias Condominiums.

The flagship residential component of the pioneering The Forestias mixed-use development in Bangkok is set across six acres of space by a newly planted 12-acre private forest in the city’s Bang Na district.

Mulberry Grove The Forestias Condominiums comprises six low-rise buildings offering 269 residences — from one-bedroom units (63.33–69.15 sqm) to expansive penthouses exceeding 1,000 sqm.

Designed around Nurturing Multi-Generational Living and Connecting with Nature concepts, the project combines sustainable architecture, wellness-focused innovations, and elegant communal areas to foster meaningful connections and a sense of belonging across generations.

Onsite facilities include a welcoming event space and coffee bar, a family dining area, a meeting room and co-working space, and a fully equipped fitness room. Outdoor highlights include, among others, a lap pool, children’s pool, putting green, climbing wall, waterfall zone, and onsen – all thoughtfully designed to enrich the living experience for residents of all ages.

As part of its appointment, DHS will manage the buildings and common areas of Mulberry Grove The Forestias Condominiums following Dusit’s internationally recognised standards. This will bring the company’s five-star hotel expertise and signature brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the residential sphere.

“We are honoured to be selected by MQDC to manage Mulberry Grove The Forestias Condominiums — a project that thoughtfully reimagines how families can live, connect, and thrive together,” said Dusit Hospitality Services Managing Director Supakit Tiyawatchalapong.

“At DHS, we believe true luxury lies in the details – and our approach to ‘hotel-inspired living’ ensures every resident enjoys personalised service, exceptional care, and a warm sense of community that endures.”

MQDC Senior Vice President Chakrit Hassarangsee said the collaboration with DHS reflects MQDC’s ongoing commitment to delivering the highest standards of residential living.

“Dusit Hospitality Services brings Dusit’s decades of hospitality experience and international recognition to property management,” he said. “Their expertise, combined with dedicated services such as a professional concierge and access to wellness specialists, will elevate every aspect of the living experience – reaffirming our goal to make Mulberry Grove The Forestias Condominiums a truly exceptional place to call home.”

For more information about Dusit Hospitality Services, visit dusit-international.com.
Or visit Mulberry Grove and The Forestias, mqdc.com.

Exploring Indigenous Tourism in Sarawak

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TTR WEEKLY

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April 22, 2025

KUCHING, 22 April 2025: Sarawak is a land of breathtaking natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and vibrant Indigenous traditions, which can be experienced by staying in a traditional longhouse.

Indigenous tourism in Sarawak involves far more than staying in traditional longhouses. Visitors can engage with the village community and participate in cultural festivals depending on the season.

Beyond the village, expert guides help you explore the pristine landscapes that Indigenous people have cared for over generations. Come and connect with the local people and their age-old traditions. Learn from the diverse ethnic groups their history, beliefs, and way of life. They celebrate and preserve their cultural identity by sharing their heritage with visitors.

Here is an introduction to Sarawak’s indigenous tourism experiences through its longhouse stays.

Traditional Longhouse Visits

Stay with indigenous families in traditional longhouses to experience their daily routines, food and hospitality. Visitors can engage in time-honoured activities such as weaving and cooking. Learn how they navigate and survive in the rainforest. Try your hand at traditional methods of fishing or farming. You can check their homestay programmes, join a tour or engage a guide.

*A treat for visitors to watch a Bidayuh traditional dance at Annah Rais Longhouse Source: gokayu.com*

Annah Rais Longhouse is a large traditional Bidayuh longhouse, accommodating more than 80 families. It is over 150 years old and offers a unique insight into their lives, showcasing their customs, rituals and communal living. Visitors can enjoy their traditional cuisine and culture, including music, dance and handicrafts. You can also visit the hot springs and nearby waterfalls, go rafting and do jungle walks. The drive from Kuching city takes about 1 hour. You’ll see the beautiful rainforest and Padawan Mountain along the way.

The warm smiles and hospitality of the Ibans at Batang Ai longhouse awaits you. Source: Sarawak Tourism Board.

The longhouses at Batang Ai, Sri Aman division, are considered the oldest Iban settlements in Sarawak. Dive deep into the lively Iban culture through music, dancing and traditional dishes. Situated in the thick rainforest near Batang Ai National Park, these longhouses are accessible via a scenic four-hour drive from Kuching, where travellers pass through the charming countryside and small towns. When you arrive at Batang Ai Dam, you can board a native boat for an upriver expedition to the longhouses. This journey is an adventure, and you get to appreciate breathtaking natural landscapes.

Bawang Assan longhouses near Sibu town comprise a captivating group of nine Iban longhouses that date back to the 18th century. This collection showcases a unique mix of traditional and contemporary features, allowing visitors to experience the rich cultural heritage of the Iban community. The drive from Sibu to Bawang Assan takes about 40 minutes.

For the full story visit Sarawak Tourism Board

MTF convenes in Luang Prabang this June

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April 22, 2025

LUANG PRABANG, Laos, 22 April 2025: The Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF), an annual signature event of the Greater Mekong Subregion’s seven country members, will convene in Luang Prabang from 25 to 27 June.

MTF is organised by the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), representing the tourism interests of seven countries: Cambodia, China (two provinces, Yunnan and Guang Xi), Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Last year, MTF2024 was hosted in Lijiang, China, Yunnan, from 22 to 26 April, with approximately 200 delegates.

What to Expect at MTF 2025

The Mekong Tourism Forum 2025, hosted in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, will adopt the conference theme of “United Journey – Stronger Together.”

This theme underscores the critical importance of collaboration in tourism planning and development. It highlights the collective responsibility of stakeholders to implement the GMS Tourism Strategy 2030 as a roadmap for inclusive and sustainable growth.

Standout presentations

The GMS Tourism Strategy 2030 launch, a roadmap for tourism development that emphasises sustainability, digitalisation, resilience, and regional cooperation to drive regional tourism growth, will be presented to the forum.

A keynote speech will highlight collaboration’s transformative power and explore how working hand-in-hand across borders, sectors, and societal levels fosters a more resilient and thriving GMS tourism landscape.

A technical tour showcasing Luang Prabang through themed tracks, offering insights into cultural heritage, sustainability, and local craftsmanship.

Sessions are packed with 17 speakers.

Deniz Kucukusta, Assistant Dean and Associate Professor Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Chuwit Mitrchob Deputy Director General Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA.)

Mason Florence Author Louis Vuitton City Guide.

Sanchai Kiatsongchai Director of Research and Development Institute

Loei Rajabhat University.

Toune Sisouphanthavong Founder & Owner Manda de Laos Restaurant.

Steven Schipani Principal Tourism Sector Specialist Asian Development Bank.

Hanh Nguyen General Manager Intrepid Travel.

Premruethai Tosermkit Owner/CEO Harmony At Huai Lan.

Choub Rathana Director of Tourism Planning and Development.

Masaru Takayama Founding Chair Asian Ecotourism Network.

Inthy Danesavanh, President and Founder of Lao Tourism Association, Inthira Group.

Lee Choon Loong Owner Discovery MICE.

Jessica Mauer Programme Coordinator Wildlife Conversation Society (WCS), Lao PDR.

Jason Rolan Senior Partner / Editor in Chief

RDK Group / Champa Meuanglao Magazine.

Tara Gujadhur Co-Director Traditional Arts & Ethnology Centre.

Soudaphone Khomthavong Director Luang Prabang’s Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism.

Veomanee Douangdala Co-Founder Ock Pop Tok.

Dates and Venue

25 to 27 June 2025
Pullman Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang, Lao PDR
(Pre-MTF sessions, including the GMS Tourism Associations Workshop, will occur on 25 June.)

Registration

Admission is free, as the event is hosted by the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism (MICT) Lao PDR.
Registration will close at 2359 (GMT+7) on 8 June 2025, or once all available spots are filled, whichever comes first.
For more information visit: MEKONG Tourism FORUM 2025

MATTA backs Pickleball Grand Slam in Kuching

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April 22, 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 April 2025: The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA) is shining the spotlight on MATTA Malaysia Pickleball Grand Slam 2025 (MPG 2025), due to take place in Kuching Sarawak this October.

The registration of players for the MPG2025 will officially open on 1 May 2025 at 1201 through its website www.mattampg.com.

*Photo credit: MATTA. From left:* *Ruslan Bujang President Kuching Pickleball Association;* *Harmeet Singh Vice President Malaysia Pickleball Association;* *Nigel Wong President MATTA;* *Oscar Choo Organising Chairman MATTA Pickleball Grand Slam;* *Amelia Roziman Chief Executive Officer Business Events Sarawak;* *Delima Ibrahim President Sarawak Pickleball Association.*

MATTA is supporting the inaugural pickleball tournament with the largest cash prize pool. The sporting event will held in Kuching, Sarawak, from 7 to 20 October 2025.

Malaysia’s fastest-growing sport is making waves; the numbers speak for themselves. Since surpassing 30 registered pickleball associations and clubs under the Sports Commissioner of Malaysia in July 2024, the sport has recently seen an incredible participation surge. What quickly evolved from a niche pastime has now transitioned into a national sporting sensation, firmly placing itself in the country’s sporting landscape.

“At MPG, Pickleball meets tourism, and at MATTA, the Association sees its great potential and strength in promoting and developing sports tourism and connecting communities across borders through shared passion and healthy competition. Tournaments like MPG2025 are designed to encourage both inbound and outbound travel, global friendships and cultural exchange through Pickleball,” said MATTA president Nigel Wong.

With a cash prize pool of MYR100,000, MPG2025 is set to attract over 1,350 players and more than 2,600 spectators, contributing an estimated MYR31.6 million in tourism revenue. The tournament aims to position Malaysia as Southeast Asia’s leading sports tourism destination.

MATTA calls out to all pickleball enthusiasts to register for both local and international participants in the following categories:

Team Event (Adult Open): October 7–13, 2025

Individual Event (Adult & Junior Open): October 15–20, 2025

Endorsed by the Malaysia Pickleball Association, Sarawak Pickleball Association, and Kuching Pickleball Association, and supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Entrepreneur Development Sarawak and the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, the MPG2025 is set to kick start the further development of Pickleball as a competitive and recreational sport for the people and developing domestic and inbound tourism.

With MATTA spearheading the organisation and promotion, this event aligns with Malaysia’s vision of strengthening its tourism sector through innovative, high-impact programmes and activities.

Malaysia’s MATTA Fair hits the jackpot

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April 22, 2025

KUALA LUMPUR, 22 April 2025: The 56^th edition of the Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents’ National MATTA Fair, held from 18 to 20 April 2025 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) Kuala Lumpur, delivered impressive performance data for the three-day travel show.

The MATTA Fair is recognised as the country’s largest International Travel Fair. The April edition drew over 210,000 visitors and generated a projected MYR270 million in sales, outperforming the previous fair, which had 190,000 visitors and MYR250 million in sales.

Encompassing over 37,000 sqm of exhibition space across eight halls, the MATTA Fair featured 1755 booths from 327 participating member organisations. The count surpassed the 1,590 booths recorded in the 55th edition in September 2024.

The breakdown included 204 tour and travel agencies, 10 National Tourism Offices, 11 State Tourism Offices, 58 participating Hotels and resorts, 11 theme parks, three airlines, and 31 other travel-related services.

Recognised as the largest consumer travel fair in Southeast Asia, the April edition attracted over 210,000 visitors. It generated a projected MYR270 million in sales, outperforming the previous fair (September 2024), which had 190,000 visitors and MYR250 million in sales.

Even the sponsor count for the 56th edition of the MATTA Fair reflected the show’s scope and reach. It is probably the largest consumer travel show in Southeast Asia.

Sponsors list

1. Experience Kedah – Malaysia’s Favourite Destination

2. Macao – International Favourite Destination

3. RHB Bank Berhad – Exclusive Platinum Sponsor

4. Malaysia Aviation Group – Official Airline Partner & Premier Sponsor

5. High Commission of India – Sponsor

6. AmLeisure Media – Media Partner

7. Visit Malaysia 2026 – Strategic Partner

Additionally, MATTA continued to advocate for sustainability. Through its rebranded sustainable initiative, the MATTA Eco & Sustainable Tourism Initiative (MESTI), and its sustainable criteria, exhibitors participated in the MATTA Fair Booths Excellence Award 2025, judged on their contribution to a greener travel experience.

Award categories winners

BEST NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANISATION (NTO) BOOTH AWARD – MACAO GOVERNMENT TOURISM OFFICE (received by Sammie Tam, Senior Marketing Executive, MGTO)

BEST STATE TOURISM ORGANISATION (STO) BOOTH AWARD – TOURISM SELANGOR (received by Puan Khuzaimah Jamaluddin, Promotion Manager at Tourism Selangor)

BEST TRAVEL AGENT BOOTH AWARD – STELLAR ECO VENTURE SDN BHD (received by Wendy Lai Wen Yin from Stellar Eco Venture Sdn Bhd)

BEST SUSTAINABLE BOOTH AWARD – ICE HOLIDAYS SDN BHD (received by ⁠Mr Mita Lim, Managing Director of ICE Holidays Sdn Bhd)

B2B sales on the sidelines

MATTA also staged the inaugural international B2B event, MATTA Connect, on 17 April 2025 at MITEC, a day before the National MATTA Fair opened. The event allowed international sellers from many different countries to connect with local Malaysian travel agents as buyers to explore new international destinations and establish new business partnerships.

Pickleball in the Spotlight

In addition the MATTA Fair ventured into sports tourism, by introducing interactive Pickleball Court to coincide with the promotion of Malaysia’s first-ever international pickleball competition, the MATTA Malaysia Pickleball Grand Slam 2025.

For more information on the show, visit MATTA Fair KL on Facebook.

SOTC Travel teams up with Shoppers Stop

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TTR WEEKLY

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April 22, 2025

MUMBAI, 22 April 2025: SOTC Travel has announced its partnership with Shoppers Stop, India’s premier fashion, beauty, and gifting omnichannel destination, as the Travel partner for their summer campaign ‘Travel Edit’.

The partnership aims to bring the best of travel and lifestyle by inspiring customers and accelerating brand visibility by tapping into heightened travel intent during the summer holiday season.

The partnership enables the brand to appeal to the consumer’s appetite for holidays and lifestyle upgrades, which is at an all-time high. Both brands aim to synergise their offerings to deliver an unmatched customer experience.

Leveraging Shoppers Stop’s pan-India retail network across metros and tier 1 cities, the campaign partnership will offer various benefits.

● SOTC Travel customers booking holidays worth INR100,000 or more will receive Shopper’s Stop Platinum Membership and benefits worth INR10,000+, including complimentary makeup services, skin consultations, hair styling and sessions with a personal styling service and exclusive offers on select brands.

● Shoppers Stop customers spending above INR10,000 will receive SOTC Travel vouchers offering substantial discounts across all holiday packages: INR5,000 off on Long-Haul Holidays, INR3,000 off on Short-Haul Holidays, and INR2,500 off on India & Indian subcontinent holidays (per family). Vouchers can be redeemed at SOTC outlets or by calling their toll-free number.

● Top three spenders at Shoppers Stop will win a free holiday from SOTC to Switzerland and Phuket for their family (2 adults + 1 child)

The campaign will run until 11 May 2025, across 110 Shoppers Stop stores in 68 cities across India and digital platforms. It will offer curated fashion capsules and travel offerings to help Indian consumers pack and plan their perfect summer vacation. Customers will benefit from a SOTC Travel dedicated kiosk at all Shoppers Stop outlets, where holiday experts will co-curate their holidays.

The campaign launched with an exclusive fashion show unveiling the collection at the Shoppers Stop marquee store in R-City Mall, Mumbai.

SOTC Travel Limited President & Country Head – Holidays and Corporate Tours SD Nandakumar said, “With a legacy of over 75 years in pioneering holidays, we believe that nobody understands Indian travellers better than SOTC Travel.

We’re witnessing a growing trend — today’s Indian traveller are the protagonist in their travel story and are keen to showcase their travel experiences over social media platforms. Travellers are curating fresh wardrobe styles inspired by the destination, whether it’s a concert, a beach getaway, poolside party or even airport transit looks.

With summer being the peak holiday season, we seized this strategic opportunity to connect with this new-age, style-conscious traveller. Hence, our partnership with Shoppers Stop strategically tapped into their consumer reach and expansive pan-India retail network across metros and tier 1 cities. By integrating destination-inspired style with personalised holiday experiences, we’re not just enhancing the travel journey — we’re unlocking a high-potential segment of fashion-forward travellers.”

E&O Belmond hire train GM

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April 22, 2025

SINGAPORE, 22 April 2025: Eastern & Oriental Express Belmond Train, Southeast Asia, has named Win Min its General Manager, effective immediately.

Win Min joins E&O from Residence Phou Vao as the interim General Manager. He began his career with Belmond in 2013 in Myanmar, where he served as Hotel Manager on Orcaella, a former Belmond river cruise.

In 2017, he took on the role of Hotel Manager, overseeing The Governor’s Residence hotel and Road to Mandalay river cruise, also previous Belmond properties.

Belmond Senior Vice President of Trains and Cruises Gary Franklin shared: “We welcome Win to his next step with Belmond. Win has had a long-standing career at Belmond, and we look forward to him bringing his expertise and leadership to the Eastern & Oriental Express.”

Eastern & Oriental Express Trains offer two itineraries on board the iconic 16 dark green carriages: The Essence of Malaysia (November to February) and Wild Malaysia (March to October).

Departing from Singapore (Woodlands), the luxury train trip visits destinations like Penang, Langkawi, and the Taman Negara National Park before returning to Singapore.

The Eastern & Oriental Express runs three-night itineraries year-round, with the “Wild Malaysia” itinerary from March to October and the “Essence of Malaysia” from November to February.

Accommodation prices start from USD5,800 per person in a Pullman cabin, including all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, onboard entertainment and onboard and offboard activities.

MH content heads for APG’s NDC platform

Trip.com unveils 2025 Trip.Best Global Rankings

Visa card data showcases Thailand

Dusit Hospitality Services manages luxury condos

Exploring Indigenous Tourism in Sarawak

MTF convenes in Luang Prabang this June

MATTA backs Pickleball Grand Slam in Kuching

Malaysia’s MATTA Fair hits the jackpot

SOTC Travel teams up with Shoppers Stop

E&O Belmond hire train GM

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latest travel news
on Southeast Asia.