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STB and Ant International renew partnership

SINGAPORE, 26 February 2026: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Ant International renewed their multi-year strategic partnership to deepen tourism-led economic impact by strengthening Singapore’s position as a world-class destination.

Initially established in 2018, the partnership delivers seamless digital experiences for global travellers through Alipay+, Ant International’s unified wallet gateway, with the following standouts.

Photo credit: STB. Singapore Tourism Board Chief Executive Melissa Ow (left); Ant International CEO Peng Yang (right).

Amplifies the destination’s appeal amongst key markets through joint marketing initiatives leveraging Alipay+’s ecosystem, including a campaign with Chinese actor Dylan Wang for the Chinese New Year season.

Advances Singapore’s position in digital tourism by enabling seamless and secure mobile discovery and payments, ensuring visitors enjoy a frictionless experience.

Strengthens competitiveness by leveraging Ant International’s data and technology capabilities to deepen actionable insights sharing on travellers’ behaviours.

The partnership aims to unlock new growth opportunities for local businesses, in line with STB’s Tourism 2040 roadmap, focusing on cultivating future demand, enhancing Singapore’s appeal as a destination, and developing a future-ready tourism sector.

Singapore Tourism Board Chief Executive Melissa Ow commented: “We are pleased to renew our strategic partnership with Ant International and look forward to unlocking new opportunities across key markets through Alipay+’s extensive digital wallet network. By combining our destination expertise with their payment technology and data capabilities, we can respond to the evolving traveller demand more nimbly and create a more seamless experience for visitors whilst driving meaningful growth in tourism spending.”

Digital connectivity drives success 

Building on a successful year for Singapore tourism, the partnership between STB and Alipay+ in 2025 drove record spending via Alipay+ across Singapore’s tourism sector, from major attractions to services and neighbourhood hawker stalls. 

According to Alipay+ data, Singapore is among the top five most popular global travel destinations, with transactions increasing 36% year-on-year. In line with travellers’ demand for local experiences, spending via SGQR almost tripled from the year before, bringing tangible economic impact to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Via Alipay+, merchants across Singapore can accept 25 international e-wallets and bank apps, enabling travellers from 17 countries and regions to use their familiar home payment apps to make payments locally.

Asian travellers remain key drivers of Singapore’s tourism industry. According to Alipay+ data, the top five inbound markets are Mainland China, Malaysia, Hong Kong SAR, the Philippines, and South Korea. 

Transactions by Chinese travellers — Singapore’s largest pool of visitors — increased 26% year-on-year in 2025, alongside significant growth from new markets like Kazakhstan and Italy.

While retail remains the most popular activity, travellers are spending more on food and beverage, accommodation, and day-to-day services like transportation, as Singapore caters to a more diverse range of visitors.

“Destinations are dynamic digital ecosystems that connect culture and commerce across borders, driving economic impact and inclusion,” said Ant International CEO Peng Yang. “The Singapore Tourism Board has set the benchmark for how innovation, trust and public-private collaboration can power a world-class tourism economy. Together, we will support Singapore’s ambition to inspire not just as a place to visit, but one that shapes the future of travel and its shared value to communities.”

AI shapes tourism’s next chapter. 

The partnership also aims to enhance Singapore’s global leadership in travel innovation. Both parties will leverage Ant International’s data capabilities to forecast trends, build a future-ready tourism sector, and enhance visitors’ experience.

Alipay+ drives  innovation

Alipay+ Voyager: An in-app AI travel agent launched in six of Asia’s largest superapps, that can offer personalised recommendations, deals, essential services like transportation, translation and more, for travellers visiting Singapore.

In-app rewards: Spotlighting Singapore attractions and offering exclusive vouchers directly within leading e-wallets; merchants can leverage Alipay+’s AI-powered marketing services for deeper, more relevant engagements.

Mobile engagement: Collaborating with Fairprice Group to launch the first-of-its-kind Cheers mini-programme directly within Alipay for Chinese travellers.

Enhancing Singapore’s global appeal

In 2025, STB and Alipay+ rolled out high-profile marketing campaigns with global celebrities Dylan Wang and Stefanie Sun to promote Singapore to regional travellers. These campaigns amplified top attractions and digital connectivity in Singapore across multiple channels, including Alipay+’s partner e-wallets to reach travellers directly within the apps they use most, translating inspiration into visits and spending.

The first campaign to roll out for 2026 featured Dylan Wang showcasing shopping, attractions and local food spots, ahead of the Chinese New Year, a peak travel season for Asian travellers.

(Source: STB)

AAV declares THB302.7 million core profit in 2025

BANGKOK, 27 February 2026: Asia Aviation PLC (AAV), the majority shareholder of Thai AirAsia (TAA), reported operating results for 2025, with total revenue from sales and services of THB45,690.9 million, a 8% decrease from the previous year. 

The decline was primarily due to a 9% decrease in average fares amid a tourism environment challenged by the slowdown in Chinese tourist markets. 

However, due to efficient cost management — particularly a 10% reduction in fuel costs following global oil prices — the cost per available seat kilometre (CASK) decreased by 5% to THB1.76. 

Consequently, the company reported Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) of THB7,835.1 million and a net profit of THB2,336.2 million. This was significantly supported by a foreign exchange gain of THB2,541.9 million due to the appreciation of the Thai Baht throughout the year. Excluding this item, the company’s core profit was THB302.7 million.

In 2025, TAA transported 21 million passengers, a 1% increase, with an average load factor of 83% from 25.2 million available seats, a 10% increase. At year-end, the total fleet consisted of 62 aircraft, of which 59 were in operation. 

In the fourth quarter of 2025, TAA recorded total revenue of THB14,259.1 million, a 6% increase from the previous year, and net profit of THB1,609.5 million, a 351% increase. Core profit was THB 1,087.5 million, down 25%. TAA held a record-high domestic market share of 43% in the final quarter, with positive signs from the 

Chinese market stabilising, with load factor for Chinese routes rising to 85%. During the quarter, the airline launched new routes from Suvarnabhumi to Nakhon Si Thammarat and Chiang Rai, as well as a cross-regional route from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani. Routes from Phuket to Khon Kaen and Phuket to Udon Thani were also reopened for the travel season. 

AAV and TAA CEO Phairat Pornpathananangoon stated: “2025 was an extremely challenging year due to external factors, particularly the slowdown in the overall Chinese market. However, the airline adjusted its strategy to focus on domestic market leadership, achieving a record-high market share of 41%. 

“We also continued expanding routes to South Asia, particularly India, which reached a new passenger record of 1.2 million, an increase of 22%. Additionally, we expanded our operations base at Suvarnabhumi Airport to connect quality tourists from Europe and America to our flight network.” 

Regarding the international market, although the airline reduced seat capacity by 5% to match travel demand, routes in the CLMV market (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam) and Fifth Freedom routes — such as Don Mueang-Taipei-Okinawa and Don Mueang-Luang Prabang-Hanoi — still performed well and received positive feedback. 

“For the outlook in 2026, we are confident that the tourism industry will begin to recover. We are targeting high-single-digit revenue growth from sales and services and passenger traffic of 23.5 million, supported by our strategy to expand the fleet by an additional five aircraft in the second half of the year.”

(Source: Asia Aviation PLC (AAV)

S4BT acquires HotelHub to scale global presence

SINGAPORE, 27 February 2026: S4BT — Solutions for Business Travel, the European group comprising CDS, Goelett, CRC, TMS, SIAP, Methodica and Trevium, expands its footprint to become the largest global corporate hotel booking platform with the acquisition of Travel Centric Technology, the London-headquartered parent company of HotelHub, a hotel technology platform serving global travel management companies (TMCs). 

The transaction marks a new phase of scale and ambition for S4BT Group, expanding its geographical reach, deepening engagement across major travel markets, and enhancing its technological capacity. 

Photo credit: S4BT. S4BT Founder and Group CEO Ziad Minkara (left); HotelHub CEO Jay Virdee (right).

With the addition of HotelHub, S4BT now represents: 

  • Eight specialised corporate travel brands
  • More than USD5 billion in annual hotel booking value (HBV) 
  • Over 60,000 hotel bookings per day 
  • Access to more than 2 million properties worldwide 
  • 700 employees globally, with 50% dedicated to technology and product development 

S4BT was conceived to provide TMCs, corporate clients, and the wider business travel ecosystem with a single, trusted technology partner that covers sourcing, booking, customer care, payment, invoicing, and financial control within a coherent framework. 

The acquisition of HotelHub allows the group to deliver a fully integrated corporate hotel offering to TMCs.

Built on interoperable platforms and open APIs, S4BT offers TMCs and corporates a powerful alternative to closed, vertically integrated hotel platforms. Its open architecture enables partners to retain control of distribution, economics and client relationships while accessing global content and advanced transaction capabilities. 

“Our ambition is clear: to build the most integrated and technologically advanced business travel platform,” said S4BT Founder and Group CEO Ziad Minkara. “The acquisition of HotelHub is a decisive step in that direction. It takes S4BT into a new league, strengthens our position and establishes a solid presence in the UK. This is not an endpoint, but a foundation on which we will continue to invest, integrate and execute.” 

HotelHub CEO Jay Virdee added: “Joining S4BT allows HotelHub to accelerate its mission at a new scale. By combining our distribution technology with S4BT’s operational expertise and financial capabilities, we can deliver greater value to TMCs and their corporate clients across the globe.”

The group now delivers a fully integrated corporate hotel offering that enables TMCs to challenge closed platforms while improving efficiency, transparency and performance. It also strengthens S4BT’s distribution reach and ability to manage hotel flows at scale across the US and key European markets, while covering sourcing and financial controls within a single, coherent framework.

(Source: S4BT)

New tented camp in northern Thailand opens

BANGKOK, 27 February 2026: Visama Explorer Nan Tented Camp, located in a scenic hillside setting in northern Thailand, is now open, offering a two-night stay for THB6970, including dinner and breakfast for two.

The new responsible tourism project with eight four-star tents officially opened its doors to its first guests on 23 February, following a grand opening party for travel trade guests from 20 to 22 February.

Photo credit: Visma Explorer Nan.
The new Visama Explorer Nan in northern Thailand: glamping comfort in a serene off-the-beaten-track location.

The new ecolodge, the latest project by VHG Hospitality Asia, has been conceived, developed and inspired by the company’s commitment to the 4Cs of regenerative travel: conservation, community, culture and responsible commerce.

The camp aims to work closely with local staff, artisans and suppliers, embedding community involvement into daily operations. Guests are being invited to participate in experiences beyond the tents, such as tree planting, workshops, hiking, cycling and visits to nearby temples and waterfalls.

“Our aim at Visama Explorer Nan is that every journey leaves a positive impact,” says VHG CEO and co-founder Willem Niemeijer.

Mountain and creek view tents

For accommodation, the new property features eight spacious, air-conditioned tented suites, each with plush bedding, an ensuite bathroom, and a private deck. All safari tents are 36 sqm (388 sq ft) plus an additional 12 sqm (129 sq ft) covered veranda. There are two categories: Mountain View and Creek View.

Tents are fitted with king-sized beds, hot-water rain showers, safe deposit boxes, refrigerators/mini bars, toiletries, French press coffee, kettles, and Wi-Fi.

Outside the tents, teakwood, bamboo, and orchids line the property’s paths. Nearby hiking trails offer mountain and river views juxtaposed by mature indigenous forests. Waterfalls offer refreshing swims after hikes. Further afield, Nan is known for its unique temple aesthetic.

“We want to protect the forests and wildlife of Nan Province,” says Niemeijer. “Beyond the environment, Visama Explorer Nan is committed to respecting local Thai Lue hilltribe traditions and supporting artisans and producers. We believe travel should deliver social and community value for both guests and hosts,” he says.

Visama Explorer Nan is an 80-minute flight from Bangkok, followed by a two-hour road transfer through impressive hill scenery. Guests can choose direct, nonstop transfers from Nan Airport. Or a Transfer Plus option with a guide offering pre-defined stops and alternative routing on the return leg to the airport at Nan. There are two AirAsia flights and one Nok Air flight daily to Nan from Don Muang International Airport (DMK) in the Thai capital.

Opening Promotional Rates

For bookings from 1 March 2026 for stays up to 31 October 2026, there is a “Tent & Taste” two-night-plus offer at THB6970 (USD220/EUR187/UKP161) per night, including dinner and breakfast for two. For travel agents, contracts commence on 10 April.

Further details and bookings for Visama Explorer Nan are available at https://visamatentedcamps.com/en/nan/.  

About Visama Explorer Nan

Visama Explorer Nan is an eco-luxury tented camp nestled in northern Thailand’s Nan province, just 30 minutes north of Bo Kluea district, around two hours from Nan airport. 

About VHG Hospitality Asia

VHG Hospitality Asia is a leading developer and operator of luxury tented camps in Asia. It offers a turnkey solution for investors who want to own a luxury tented camp in some of the region’s most captivating wilderness areas and customised beach destinations. VHG Hospitality Asia’s business and operations model is designed to be capital-efficient and low-risk, while still delivering strong financial returns.

(Source: VHG Hospitality Asia)

Regent Phu Quoc names new GM

SINGAPORE, 27 February 2026: Regent Hotels & Resorts announce the appointment of Juan Losada as general manager of Regent Phu Quoc. 

The resort was recognised in 2025 with various awards, including MICHELIN Key List, Travel+Leisure, Tatler Asia, and Robb Report, as one of Vietnam’s finest hotels and dining destinations.

Photo credit: IHG Hotels & Resorts: Juan Losada, general manager of Regent Phu Quoc.

The appointment is a homecoming of sorts for Losada, who was part of the opening executive team as pre-opening and opening general manager at Regent Phu Quoc from early 2019 to late 2022.

During this former role, he was responsible for developing the hotel strategy, shaping the product, and positioning the resort as an ultra-luxury brand in the Vietnamese and Asian markets.

Returning to Regent Phu Quoc as general manager, he brings extensive international experience in managing luxury hotels across destinations, including Dubai and Barcelona. Properties under his leadership have consistently earned industry accolades, reflecting his commitment to excellence. He has also been personally recognised with multiple awards for his contributions to hotel performance and guest experience.

(Source: IHG Hotels & Resorts)

Thomas Cook and SOTC release Business Travel Report

MUMBAI, 27 February 2026: Thomas Cook (India) Limited,  and its group company, SOTC Travel, have released the inaugural edition of their Business Travel Report 2026, offering insights into­­ the evolving priorities, patterns and pressures shaping business travel across India.

The survey, conducted over two months, is based on responses received from 25 leading enterprises across sectors, including BFSI, manufacturing, hospitality, healthcare, conglomerates and professional services, along with insights from internal booking and transactional data. The report highlights a strong revival in business travel demand, alongside a heightened focus on cost optimisation, policy discipline, traveller experience and compliance.

Key takeaways

Business travel demand remains resilient: Nearly 65% of corporates expect their business travel volumes to increase over the next 12 months, while 30% expect it to remain stable. Only 5% anticipate a decline. This translates to 95% of respondents projecting stable-to-growth spend, underlining travel’s continued role in driving growth, client engagement and business continuity. Client meetings, sales-related travel and internal business-critical movement continue to dominate business travel demand.

Technology and data-led decision-making on the rise: More than 70% of corporates are increasing their reliance on digital tools for booking, approvals, expense management and MIS reporting, enabling improved visibility, policy compliance and data-backed decision-making across business travel programs.

Shift towards value-driven travel management: While cost optimisation remains critical, over 62% of respondents highlighted a move towards value-led travel decisions — balancing cost efficiency with safety, reliability, compliance and traveller well-being. This has elevated the role of managed travel programs and strategic travel partners.

Traveller experience, flexibility and duty of care gain prominence: Alongside business objectives, over 56% of respondents acknowledged the growing importance of these factors — particularly for frequent flyers and senior leadership. The findings point to a clear trade-off between traveller convenience and policy compliance, underscoring the need for smarter, more flexible travel policies supported by technology and data-led controls to reduce friction while maintaining governance.

Policy tightening and supplier renegotiations gain momentum: Close to 60% of corporates have tightened or are revisiting their travel policies. Renegotiation of airline and hotel contracts, rationalisation of preferred suppliers and stricter approval workflows have emerged as key levers to offset rising costs and tax-related pressures.

B-Leisure travel on the rise: 68% of corporates report that employees are increasingly extending business trips to include personal leisure time — blending work and downtime. This growing shift is prompting organisations to reassess travel policies, clarify cost‑sharing norms and offer greater flexibility to support work‑plus‑leisure travel.

Domestic hubs dominate: 72% of corporate travel continues to be domestic, led by key business hubs such as Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Pune. These cities remain critical for client meetings, internal reviews and project-based travel. On the international front, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, the Maldives, Dubai-Abu Dhabi, the UK, Italy, the Netherlands, the US, South Africa, and Australia remain preferred destinations for leadership meetings, supplier engagements, and strategic business expansion — with China and Japan emerging strongly on the radar.

­­Rising airfares and costs driving sharper controls: A sharp 80% of respondents reported an increase in Average Ticket Prices (ATP) over the past year — with over 36% witnessing a significant rise of more than 15%, and 45% reporting a moderate increase of 5–15%, highlighting tighter controls, booking mandates, and closer monitoring of travel spends.

GST and input tax credit challenges add pressure to travel budgets: GST-related complexities continue to weigh on business travel programs. Over 55% of respondents highlighted challenges around GST applicability, compliance and input tax credit (ITC) optimisation — particularly for air travel and hotel stays. This has led corporates to increasingly seek structured invoicing, compliant supplier ecosystems and expert support to minimise leakage and improve tax efficiency.

Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel President & Group Head, Global Business Travel Indiver Rastogi said: “We are pleased to launch the Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel Business Travel Report 2026, which presents a comprehensive view of how leading Indian corporates are recalibrating travel strategies in an increasingly dynamic environment. The findings highlight a clear shift towards value-driven programmes, accelerated technology adoption and tighter governance. 

“At Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel, our sustained engagement with customers and deep market understanding have enabled us to anticipate shifts early and introduce innovations such as Dhruv.ai, our voice-enabled AI advisor, and TravelOne, our integrated booking and management platform — helping create smarter, policy-aligned and technology-enabled travel ecosystems”.

(Source: Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel)

Qantas boosts A380 flights to Singapore

SINGAPORE, 27 February 2026: Qantas will nearly double A380 flights between Singapore and Sydney later this year, increasing premium seats on the route by up to 18%.*

The move will see Qantas operate the Superjumbo on 13 of its 14 weekly Singapore-Sydney services from 7 December, with the 14th service continuing with the airline’s Airbus A330.**

Photo credit: Qantas. A380 flights increase on the Sydney-Singapore route.

The additional premium seats will give customers more opportunities to travel in the aircraft’s First, Business and Premium Economy cabins and enjoy features like the onboard lounge.

The A380 features 14 individual first class suites that convert into a 212-centimetre fully flat bed, 70 business suite seats and 60 premium economy seats. 

Premium passengers also have access to the aircraft’s upper-deck lounge, with booth-style seating for 10, a self-service bar, and the option to order signature drinks and snacks. 

Qantas operates first and business lounges in both Sydney and Singapore.

The 26 February announcement comes as Qantas Frequent Flyers can boost their status or Qantas Points balance with the ‘Twice as Rewarding’ offer returning this week.

Asia is home to one of the largest populations of Qantas Frequent Flyers outside Australia, from Australian expats living in Singapore to locals who travel regularly for work and leisure.

Members who book any Qantas-marketed and operated regional, domestic or international flight can earn either Double Status Credits or Double Qantas Points. Members can also stack double points on Qantas Hotel and Holiday bookings made during the same period.

Qantas Executive Vice President – Asia, Nick McGlynn commented: “We’re seeing demand for premium travel continue to grow and moving to an almost entirely A380 operation between Singapore and Sydney means we can offer significantly more first class, business and premium economy seats for our customers.”

* The increase in premium seat capacity is a comparison between the NW2025 and NW2026 seasons.

**The additional A380 service will operate six days a week (Monday to Saturday), replacing the A330 service and is subject to government and regulatory approval.

(Source: Qantas)

Pulau Tuba ferry service supports local community

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LANGKAWI, 26 February: An air-conditioned mini ferry service from the Kuah Tourist Jetty to Pulau Tuba, launched last October, has been declared a success, boosting tourist visits that have generated valuable revenue for the island’s local community.

Pulau Tuba, a serene “hidden” island just a 15-minute boat ride from the main Langkawi resorts, is famous for being one of the few inhabited islands in the archipelago group that has resisted the heavy commercialisation. It’s Langkawi 30 years ago: Slow-paced, rustic, and full of traditional kampung (village) charm.

Photo credit: Bestuba. New mini ferry service to Pulau Tuba attracts Langkawi visitors.

Bernama reported earlier this week on the progress of the ferry service that has served the Tuba and Straits Islands Community Cooperative since last October, with a 100-passenger capacity per trip.  

Introduced by the Community Cooperative of Tuba Islands and Selat Bhd (Bestuba), the Mini Ferry Service has strengthened Pulau Tuba’s tourism appeal, with passenger numbers reaching around 6,000 per month, especially during school holidays and long weekends, according to the Bernama report.

Pulau Tuba is famous for its traditional fishing-village atmosphere and natural beauty, with potential to be an added-value tourist attraction when combined with visits to Langkawi.

How to Get There

To reach Pulau Tuba, you must take a boat from the main island of Langkawi.

Departure Point: Boats typically depart from the Marble Jetty (near the Kuah Jetty) in Kuah.

Boat Ride: The journey takes approximately 15-20 minutes. Local boats often wait for enough passengers before departing, or you can charter a private boat.

What makes Pulau Tuba special?

The “Time Travel” Vibe: Unlike Pantai Cenang’s bustling bars, Pulau Tuba is a quiet fishing and farming community. You’ll see water buffaloes roaming paddy fields and traditional wooden houses.

Eco-Tourism: It is part of the Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest Park. It features rare geological formations, limestone caves (such as Gua Kelawar, or Bat Cave), and dense mangroves.

The Bridge to Dayang Bunting: A colourful bridge connects Pulau Tuba to the neighbouring Pulau Dayang Bunting, allowing you to explore both islands by motorbike or bicycle easily.

Top things to do

Rent a bicycle: This is the best way to see the island. The roads are winding and quiet, perfect for a leisurely ride through the villages.

Try the “Mee Udang” (Prawn Noodles): The island is famous for this dish, featuring fresh, giant prawns caught by local fishermen.

Hiking: You can trek up to the Bukit Kecik viewpoint or explore the “Valley of the Bees” for incredible panoramic views.

Bird Watching: It’s a haven for hornbills and Brahminy kites (the reddish-brown eagles Langkawi is named after).

Homestays

Tuba Beach Resort: One of the more established spots. It has colourful chalets right by the water and a very relaxed vibe.

Farid Homestay: Great if you want a more authentic, local family-run experience.

Tuba Langkawi (Homestay): Often praised for its hospitality and proximity to the best “Mee Udang” spots.

For more information, visit: Bestuba | Langkawi 

(Source: Bernama and additional background)

Exploria uncovers hidden realms

SINGAPORE, 26 February 2026: Mandai Wildlife Reserve will open Exploria on 3 March 2026, making it one of Southeast Asia’s largest indoor, nature-themed multimedia attractions extending 10,000 sqm in exhibit space. 

The new attraction invites visitors to experience extraordinary environments and phenomena rarely accessible to humans — from prehistoric eras and extreme habitats, to microscopic ecosystems and the depths of ocean darkness. 

Photo credit: Mandai Wildlife Group

Exploria welcomes visitors of all ages, with a focus on engaging teenagers and young adults. The multi-sensory attraction shows how life survives and adapts across Earth’s ecosystems using real-world footage and science-led storytelling. 

Visitors can walk among towering dinosaurs, experience the power of a monsoon storm, and peer into microbial worlds under magnified projections. Interactive elements and layered engagements allow visitors to explore at their own pace, deepening their understanding of how ecosystems function, how species adapt and how human choices can influence the balance of life on the planet.

Mandai Wildlife Group CEO Bennett Neo said: “With Exploria, we are opening a new dimension of nature at the Mandai Wildlife Reserve. Visitors step into immersive worlds where hidden systems of life come alive, from the tiniest insects to the forest canopy above. Through science-guided storytelling and interactive exploration, they witness the delicate balance of ecosystems and experience how everything in nature is connected. Exploria is a bold addition to our wildlife and nature destination, inviting everyone to explore, learn and connect with the natural world in ways they’ve never imagined.”

Visitors begin their journey at ‘Our Interconnected World’, the central hub of Exploria, before venturing into five worlds. At the heart of the hub is the Biopool, anchored by a four-metre LED globe that gently pulses like a living heartbeat, symbolising the interconnectedness of humans and nature. 

As visitors explore, every action sends visible pulses of light to the globe, which responds in real time to collective participation. This interaction expresses Exploria’s central idea that small individual actions combine to create meaningful change. The globe also comes alive during The Planet Awakens, Exploria’s signature light and sound show, igniting the space with synchronised projections, dynamic colours and rhythms that capture the energy and diversity of the five worlds that await.

Each world offers its own unique exploration and surprises. To enhance the experience, a recyclable Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) wristband adds a personalised, interactive element. Visitors can create a digital avatar, activate interactive installations and earn species badges as they engage with the responsive media features. A live scoreboard in Exploria’s exit tunnel tracks each visitor’s progress. 

Each guest’s profile remains active for a year, encouraging friendly competition and repeat visits as they continue to collect badges and build their achievements. The experience also encourages close attention to the surroundings through Hidden Gems — subtle surprises embedded in the physical environment that are revealed by scanning RFID wristbands at specific spots. Additionally, each world features Memory Hooks – unique photo stations that guests can unlock to capture memorable moments from new perspectives.

Explore five worlds

In Realm of the Giants, visitors step into a world where prehistoric life towers overhead. Monumental installations and augmented reality (AR) windows bring ancient landscapes to life, placing guests face-to-face with Mesozoic dinosaurs and colossal sea creatures that once ruled the Earth. A centrepiece of this zone is The Giants Show. This eight-minute, 360-degree standing theatre experience surrounds visitors in visuals, light, sound and motion, sweeping them through 500 million years of life on Earth, from the rise of the earliest giants across land, sea and sky, to their dramatic extinction.

Micro Worlds shifts attention to life at vastly different scales. Interactive glass orbs and projection domes magnify hidden microbial and invertebrate ecosystems, which are usually invisible to the naked eye. Guests peer into the unseen worlds of plankton, insect colonies, fungi and bacteria, discovering how these tiny yet crucial organisms quietly sustain life on Earth.

At Bitdeer AI Extreme Frontiers, visitors are transported to some of the planet’s most challenging environments through virtual expeditions and simulator rooms. From polar bears navigating melting Arctic ice to Namaqua chameleons thermoregulating in arid deserts and demoiselle cranes migrating at high altitudes, the experience offers a visceral glimpse into habitats few humans will ever encounter firsthand.

Infinite Wonderland celebrates the extraordinary biodiversity of rainforests and coral reefs through richly layered multi-sensory details. Wildlife emerges from dense foliage and vibrant reefscapes, revealing species that often remain concealed in these complex ecosystems. 

World of Darkness uncovers the secrets of life without light in caves and the deep ocean, highlighting the remarkable adaptations of species such as the bioluminescent vampire squids, eyeless yeti crabs and blind cave fish.

Exploria will open to visitors on 3 March 2026, with operating hours from 1100 to 2000 on weekdays and until 2100 on weekends and public holidays. Standard admission is priced at SGD38 for adults and SGD28 for children and students. 

Residents with a WildPass digital membership enjoy discounted admission at SGD34.20 for adults, SGD25.20 for children and students, and SGD20 for seniors.

Exploria is located at the eastern cluster of the Mandai Wildlife Reserve.

(Source: Mandai Wildlife Reserve)

PATA teams up with DevelopmentAid

BANGKOK, 26 February 2026: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DevelopmentAid, an international information service provider headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus.

The collaboration will strengthen cross-sector knowledge sharing between the tourism and global development sectors, delivering mutual benefits to members of both organisations.

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said: “Through this new partnership with DevelopmentAid, PATA is expanding access to critical information for our members while encouraging strategic connections between the Asia Pacific travel and tourism and the international development sector and the international development community. By leveraging DevelopmentAid’s global market intelligence, we aim to help our members identify funding opportunities, strengthen partnerships, and ensure knowledge continues to play a central role in sustainable development.”

DevelopmentAid, Head of Department, Strategic Partnerships and Donors Relations, Mariana Uzun added: “Partnering with PATA represents a strategic step in expanding DevelopmentAid’s engagement with tourism stakeholders across the Asia-Pacific. By combining PATA’s extensive regional network with DevelopmentAid’s global market intelligence, we aim to support informed decision-making, partnerships, and sustainable development initiatives that benefit destinations, organisations, and communities alike.” 

The agreement establishes the organisation as an Affiliate Partner. It outlines several areas of collaboration, including jointly developed initiatives such as research projects, the co-creation of resources for PATA members seeking development funding, and capacity-building training and webinars on topics such as fundraising, tendering, and project cycle management. Additionally, the partnership involves mutual advocacy and promotional efforts.

As part of the agreement, DevelopmentAid will offer PATA members one month of complimentary access to its platform, a 10% discount for first-time subscribers, and access to the Call4Partners matchmaking service to identify relevant local and international partners for new or ongoing projects.

About PATA
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association dedicated to advancing a meaningful Pacific Asia tourism economy. PATA brings together governments, industry leaders, academia, and communities to drive positive, lasting change. Founded in 1951 and headquartered in Bangkok, the Association also has an official office in Beijing. Visit www.PATA.org.

About DevelopmentAid
DevelopmentAid is a leading international platform offering access to tenders, grants, calls for proposals, donors, projects, and expert profiles, along with advanced tools for matchmaking, recruitment, and business development. Serving government agencies, NGOs, consulting firms, financial institutions, and private sector organisations worldwide, DevelopmentAid supports partnerships across the development ecosystem. Visit www.developmentaid.org

In addition, TenderWell (https://tenderwell.com/)  provides access to government tenders and procurement opportunities across multiple countries and sectors. Serving government agencies, NGOs, consulting firms, financial institutions, and private sector organisations worldwide.

(Source: PATA)