SINGAPORE, 27 May 2026: LOT Polish Airlines launched direct flights to Porto in northern Portugal effective 25 May.
The Warsaw-Porto route will operate year-round: five times a week during the summer season and four times a week in winter, and is the second city in Portugal served by LOT after Lisbon (daily flights using a Boeing 737 MAX 8 with 186 seats
During the summer season, flights on the WAW–OPO route will operate five times a week — Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
Photo credit: LOT Polish Airlines.
Flights will depart Warsaw Chopin Airport at 1020, while the return flight will depart at 1425. Flight time to Porto will be approximately four hours and five minutes, while the return leg to Warsaw will take around three hours and 45 minutes.
Portugal has long remained one of Europe’s most attractive travel destinations. In 2025, the passenger seat factor on flights to Lisbon exceeded 86%, reflecting very strong performance. The new route will also contribute to the further development of tourism and business relations between Poland and Portugal.
“As LOT Polish Airlines continues to expand its route network, the airline remains committed to providing passengers with comfortable and convenient travel options to Europe’s key destinations. I do not doubt that Porto will soon become one of the most popular destinations in the national carrier’s network,” said LOT Polish Airlines Chief Commercial Officer Robert Ludera.
HONG KONG, 27 May 2026: Hong Kong International Airport celebrated the opening of Terminal 2 last week with more than 1,500 guests from various business sectors attending the event.
Fifteen airlines relocated their check-in services to T2 on Wednesday, 27 May 2026, when T2’s departure facilities were activated.
Photo credit: HKIA. Fred Lam, Chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), at the opening ceremony for the new terminal.
AAHK Chairman Fred Lam remarked at the event: “The opening of T2 is another milestone of HKIA’s development. Positioned as a terminal for leisure travel, T2’s design prioritises efficiency and passenger comfort. We attend to every detail, leveraging technology extensively to enable efficient self-check-in, self-bag drop and smooth immigration clearance. We believe T2 would be popular among passengers, in particular young travellers.”
Spanning 300,000 sqm, T2 is designed to serve both departing and arriving passengers. On 27 May, the departure facilities will be commissioned, with the arrival facilities expected to commence operations next year, in line with traffic demand.
The departures hall of T2 features eight check-in aisles, P to W, with 68 express self-bag-drop counters, 58 smart check-in kiosks, and 108 hybrid check-in counters. All self-bag-drop counters and hybrid counters feature an ultra-low platform design, allowing passengers to place their bags on the conveyor belt with ease. The 20 e-Security Gates at the entrances to the restricted area are all embedded with facial recognition technology. In tandem with T2 opening on 27 May, the minimum age for using facial recognition at e-Security Gates will be lowered from 11 to 7 in both Terminal 1 and T2.
Inside the restricted area, all 15 smart security screening channels at T2 allow passengers to keep their laptops and bottled liquids under 100ml in their carry-on luggage while undergoing screening. The Immigration Department has set up 35 e-Channels and 60 counters for departing passengers.
Large LED displays of different shapes and sizes are installed at different levels of T2, with 3D contents and ocean-themed videos creating a vibrant atmosphere. The food court at the departures hall serves passengers with eight catering outlets, four of which operate around the clock. At the same time, 12 shops offer a variety of products, including travel necessities and souvenirs.
The opening ceremony at T2 was held alongside the HKIA Reception 2026, where AAHK and 40 business partners, including airlines, cargo terminals, and ground handling agents, showcased their latest developments and innovations across various experience zones and booths. After the opening ceremony and reception on 23 and 24 May, the experience zones and booths will be transformed into the HKIA Expo & Career Fair 2026, featuring more than 4,400 job vacancies at the airport.
SINGAPORE, 27 May 2026: Bakuun has launched B-Portal, a white-label direct booking portal that gives hotels a self-service channel for their contracted offline travel agencies.
B-Portal provides contracted offline travel agencies with a branded portal to check rates and availability, and to complete bookings directly. Payment is processed via Bakuun’s embedded bank-to-bank payment network and tied to contracted terms. The platform integrates with 250+ channel managers and 100+ currencies.
Until now, contracted rates between hotels and their offline travel agencies have often been distributed via spreadsheets and PDFs, with bookings confirmed by email. Payments from travel agencies arrive post-checkout without a booking reference attached, leaving hotels exposed to credit risk. Finance teams match each transfer manually. According to the State of Distribution Report 2025 (HEDNA), 80% of hotels spend up to two days a week on manual reporting and reconciliation. Bakuun resolves these issues.
“We started Bakuun to empower any travel business of any size with technology, to simplify distribution and remove blockers in cross-border operations, payments, and contracting”, said Bakuun Founder & CEO Marco Bacchilega.
About Bakuun Bakuun is a global travel technology company transforming the way businesses manage connectivity, distribution, and payments. The platform replaces fragmented, outdated systems with seamless, scalable solutions designed to enhance operational efficiency and unlock new growth opportunities.
SINGAPORE, 27 May 2026: Singapore performs strongly in luxury travel and thrill-seeking prompts, but remains less prominent in broader holiday and honeymoon-related queries, according to a new study examining how Singapore performs across AI-generated travel search results, released this week by public relations consultancy firm Grayling.
The study was conducted as part of the launch of GEO Radar, Grayling’s new AI search insights platform designed to help organisations understand how brands and organisations surface across AI-powered search environments.
Photo credit: Geo Radar Grayling.
Conducted in April 2026, the analysis examined over 1,600 AI-generated responses across six AI models (1), spanning inbound travel queries from Australia, the UK and the US, as well as outbound travel prompts from Singapore.
The findings come amid growing adoption of AI tools for travel planning. According to recent industry research, more than one-third of US travellers already use AI tools to plan or experience
trips, while 37% say they trust AI-generated recommendations enough to act on them.
“Travel is one of the sectors being reshaped most quickly by AI search,” said Grayling Singapore Managing Director Danny Tan. “Consumers are no longer simply typing a few keywords into Google and browsing links. They are asking AI models for recommendations, itineraries and comparisons, and increasingly trusting the answers they receive.
“This makes it critical for brands and destinations to understand how they are being surfaced, why they are being recommended, and which sources are shaping those responses.”
While Singapore surfaced strongly in AI-generated responses linked to stopovers, iconic skylines, and shopping, it appeared less prominently in honeymoon-related queries, where destinations such as Bali, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives dominated recommendations.
Visibility also varied across AI models, with Gemini Flash and ChatGPT 5.3 surfacing Singapore most consistently, while ChatGPT and Perplexity Sonar Pro recommended it less frequently.
By market, Singapore surfaced more often in responses linked to Australian travellers than those tied to the UK and the US.
Study highlights
Top airlines inbound queries
National carriers dominated inbound AI-generated airline recommendations, with Singapore Airlines surfacing most frequently across the models analysed
Top online travel agencies inbound queries
AI – generated booking recommendations were led by major online travel platforms with strong regional presence
For outbound travel queries from Singapore, the analysis showed which airline and booking platform brands were most frequently surfaced in AI-generated responses.
Top airlines outbound queries
Singapore-based carriers dominated outbound AI-generated travel recommendations, with Scoot and Singapore Airlines surfacing most frequently across the models analysed.
Top OTA outbound queries
Trip.com had the strongest presence among OTAs in outbound AI- generated travel responses, appearing in 71% of responses analysed
The report also found that AI consistently described Singapore using descriptors such as food, greenery, modern architecture, shopping, and safety. In contrast, descriptors such as ‘expensive’, ‘clean’ and well-organised’ appeared less frequently. When Singapore was recommended, AI-generated responses often paired it with destinations such as Bangkok, Bali, Tokyo and Los Angeles, rather than presenting it as a standalone destination. Singapore appeared more frequently as the first or middle stop on longer travel routes.
From June, Grayling will roll out GEO Radar across its network of offices and affiliates in Asia-Pacific.
About Grayling Grayling is an award-winning global public relations consultancy with 30 offices worldwide.
BANGKOK, 27 May 262026: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) honoured its long-standing member organisations celebrating over 50, 60, and 70 years of membership during its recent PATA Executive Board & Board Member and PATA Awards ceremony, part of the PATA Annual Summit 2026 held in Pohang, South Korea.
PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said, “As we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Pacific Asia Travel Association, we are honoured to recognise our long-standing members whose continued support, trust, and collective voice have been instrumental in the growth, strength, and relevance of the Association. Their commitment continues to shape a more responsible and sustainable future for tourism across the Asia Pacific region.”
Organisations: 70 Years of Membership
Guam Visitors Bureau (since 1951), represented by Régine Lee, President & CEO.
Hawaii Tourism Authority (since 1951), represented by Jadie Goo, Acting Chief Brand Officer and Jennifer Chun, Director of Tourism Research.
Kinki Nippon Tourist Co Ltd (since 1956), represented by Hiroshi Tanimura, Executive Director of the International Affairs Department, JATA, and Secretary General, PATA Japan Chapter, on behalf of Katsuo Aso, Senior Manager, Global Business Department, Kinki Nippon Tourist Co., Ltd.
Philippine Department of Tourism (since 1951), represented by Dr Erwin Balane, Tourism Attaché.
Other organisations with over 70 years of membership that were unable to attend included Destination NSW, Marianas Visitors Authority, Tahiti Tourisme, and Tourism Fiji.
Photo (L/R): Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA; Dr. Erwin Balane, Tourism Attaché, Philippines Department of Tourism – Korea Office; Hiroshi Tanimura, Executive Director of International Affairs Department at JATA, Secretary General of PATA Japan Chapter, representing Katsuo Aso, Senior Manager – Global Business Department, Kinki Nippon Tourist Co., Ltd.; Jennifer Chun, Director of Tourism Research, Hawaii Tourism Authority; Jadie Goo, Acting Chief Brand Officer, Hawaii Tourism Authority; Régine Lee, President & CEO, Guam Visitors Bureau; and Peter Semone, former Chair, PATA.
Organisations: 60 Years of Membership
Global Tour Ltd (since 1962), represented by Henry Oh, Chairman.
Hong Kong Tourism Board (since 1957), represented by Yoon-Ho Kim, Director – Korea.
Japan Association of Travel Agents (since 1963), represented by Hiroshi Tanimura, Executive Director of the International Affairs Department at JATA, Secretary General of PATA Japan Chapter.
Korea Tourism Organisation (since 1963), represented by Kyungsoo Yang, Executive Vice President.
Macao Government Tourism Office (since 1958), represented by Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director.
Smith’s Motor Boat Service Inc (since 1965), represented by Jennifer Chun, Director of Tourism Research, Hawaii Tourism Authority, on behalf of Kamika Smith, General Manager, Smith’s Motor Boat Service, Inc.
Other organisations with over 60 years of membership that were unable to attend included DTH Destination (Thailand) Limited, Hecny Transportation Ltd, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Okinawa Tourist Service Inc, Orient Express Private Ltd, Soaltee Hotel Limited, and Tobu Top Tours Co Ltd.
Organisations: 50 Years of Membership
All Nippon Airways Co Ltd (since 1973), represented by Yasuyuki Suzuki, Senior Director, Tourism and Regional Revitalisation,
Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (since 1967), represented by Yeonhee Cho, Director of Sales — GSO Korea, and Simon Lloyd, Dean, Hospitality Management and Business Administration, Dusit Thani College.
PACTO DMC INDONESIA (since 1972), represented by Raty Ning, President Director.
Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (since 1967), represented by Lesley Timothy, Executive Officer.
Other organisations with over 50 years of membership that were unable to attend included India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd. (ITDC), Messe Berlin / ITB Berlin, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Pakistan, and PanTravel.
Photo (L/R): Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO, PATA; Dagnal Dereveke, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Solomons; Raty Ning, President Director, PACTO DMC INDONESIA; Lesley Timothy, Executive Officer, Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority; Simon Lloyd, Dean, Hospitality Management and Business Administration, Dusit Thani College; Yeonhee Cho, Director of Sales – GSO Korea, Dusit Thani Public Company Limited; Yasuyuki Suzuki, Senior Director, Tourism and Regional Revitalization, All Nippon Airways Co Ltd; and Peter Semone, former Chair, PATA.
BANGKOK, 27 May 2026: Thai Airways International Public Company Limited celebrates the 33rd anniversary of its Royal Orchid Plus (ROP) frequent flyer programme through the launch of new privileges, special activities, and exclusive experiences throughout 2026.
“On the occasion of Thai Airways’ 66th anniversary, the 33rd anniversary of Royal Orchid Plus, and the 55th anniversary of Royal Orchid Holidays, we have prepared special activities and privileges to thank Royal Orchid Plus members for their continued trust and support of Thai Airways,” said Thai Airways International Chief Executive Officer Chai Eamsiri. “We are committed to developing Royal Orchid Plus to serve better changing travel and lifestyle needs. The Rise to GOLD campaign and the various activities taking place this year reflect our commitment to delivering enhanced experiences and greater value to all members.”
Highlights include the “Rise to GOLD” campaign, which provides Royal Orchid Plus Silver status members with greater opportunities to attain Gold Member status, allowing them to enjoy premium travel privileges, including lounge access, additional baggage allowance, and benefits across the Star Alliance network.
In addition, Thai Airways introduced a wide range of benefits and special activities for Royal Orchid Plus members throughout the year. These include a co-promotion with Mastercard offering additional Bonus Miles to participating members, privileges from financial partners, activities at the “Rak Khun Tao Fah” event, and a fuel surcharge discount of up to 30% when redeeming Economy Class award tickets on Thai Airways international routes.
Royal Orchid Plus is also expanding the member experience beyond a traditional frequent flyer programme into an ecosystem that connects travel, lifestyle, and meaningful experiences. This will be achieved through special activities and collaborations, such as the GDH Concert, where members can earn Bonus Miles and enjoy exclusive privileges, as well as additional activities celebrating the 33rd anniversary of Royal Orchid Plus to be held later this year.
Furthermore, Thai Airways is enhancing travel-related privileges through Royal Orchid Holidays (ROH), allowing members to redeem their accumulated miles for a wider range of travel packages and services.
MANILA, Philippines, 27 May 2026: The Philippines continues to strengthen its position as a rising Muslim-friendly destination in Asia, welcoming travellers from the Middle East and the wider Muslim world through a growing ecosystem of halal- and Muslim-friendly tourism experiences.
This momentum is further complemented by the country’s strong tourism and cultural ties with neighbouring Muslim-majority countries, such as Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia, within the Brunei Darussalam–Indonesia–Malaysia–Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).
Photo credit: DOT.
Recently recognised by Mastercard-CrescentRating as a rising Muslim-friendly destination and ranked 8th among non-OIC destinations in the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI), the Philippines continues to gain international recognition for its efforts in advancing halal- and Muslim-friendly tourism.
Across the archipelago, travellers can now experience a growing range of accommodations, halal-certified dining establishments, cultural attractions, and tourism services designed to support the faith-based needs of Muslim travellers while offering authentic cultural and heritage experiences.
Beyond tourism infrastructure, the Philippines is also investing in workforce development, destination preparedness, and cultural awareness initiatives to strengthen the delivery of halal and Muslim-friendly tourism services nationwide.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) continues to support this growth by implementing its Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishment (MFAE) Recognition Program across hotels and tourism establishments, while also encouraging halal certification among restaurants, accommodations, and tourism service providers nationwide.
Growing Halal travel experiences
Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure continues to expand across the Philippines, supported by the DOT’s nationwide halal tourism development initiatives. To date, the DOT has officially recognised 67 Muslim-Friendly Accommodation Establishments (MFAEs) across the country, reflecting the Philippines’ continuing commitment to strengthening its halal and Muslim-friendly tourism ecosystem. Leading this effort is Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, the first hotel chain in the Philippines to achieve 100% MFAE recognition across all of its properties, further reinforcing the country’s growing portfolio of Muslim-friendly accommodations.
Through various training and capacity-building initiatives conducted by the DOT, an estimated 3,000 tourism frontliners and stakeholders nationwide have received specialised training on the fundamentals of halal, understanding Muslim travellers and guests, and the importance of culturally sensitive and respectful service.
Boracay continues to strengthen its position as a Muslim-friendly island destination through initiatives such as Marhaba Boracay, which features an 800-sqm beach cove dedicated to Muslim families. Boracay, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, and Metro Manila continue to feature a growing number of halal-certified dining establishments, prayer facilities, and tourism services designed to support the needs and comfort of Muslim travellers.
Beyond accommodations and dining, the Philippines offers Muslim travellers opportunities to experience the country’s rich cultural diversity through heritage tours, island and nature experiences, vibrant local communities, and visits to Islamic heritage sites across Mindanao. From pristine beaches and tropical islands to dynamic urban centres and cultural destinations, the country continues to position itself as a welcoming destination where Muslim travellers can enjoy meaningful journeys grounded in hospitality, inclusivity, and cultural understanding.
Engagement with Muslim travel markets
The Department of Tourism continues to strengthen its engagement with key Muslim travel markets, including the Middle East and neighbouring Muslim-majority countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Through international promotions, tourism collaborations, targeted destination campaigns, and the Muslim-Friendly Travelogue of the Philippines, the country continues to highlight its expanding tourism offerings, accessibility, and commitment to inclusive travel experiences. The three-volume travelogue series showcases the Philippines through curated features on halal and local cuisine, diverse tourism destinations, and the country’s growing Muslim-friendly tourism initiatives and experiences.
Direct connectivity from key international gateways to destinations such as Manila, Cebu, and Clark allows access to the country’s tourism destinations. In contrast, domestic connectivity supports multi-destination travel across the archipelago.
BORACAY, Philippines, 26 May 2026: Independent Filipino hospitality brands are beginning to reshape lifestyle travel in the Philippines — and The Lind Hotels is helping lead the shift.
Long overshadowed by larger regional markets dominated by international operators, the Philippines is increasingly gaining recognition for a new generation of homegrown hospitality brands focused on design, wellness, personalised service, and experience-led stays.
Among the companies helping to drive momentum is The Lind Hotels, an independently developed Filipino hospitality group that has steadily built a reputation through lifestyle-led destinations, strong culinary programming, wellness, and a distinctly Filipino approach to hospitality.
“Our philosophy is that Philippine hospitality can resonate globally while remaining proudly Filipino,” said Lind Hotels COO Pierre Henrichs. “Authenticity, warmth, creativity, and emotional connection are what travellers increasingly remember most.”
At the centre of the group’s success is The Lind Boracay, located on White Beach Station 1, widely regarded as Boracay’s most exclusive stretch of shoreline. The property is distinguished not only by its rare direct beachfront access, but also by an evolving guest experience that places intuitive hospitality and meaningful guest connection at the heart of the stay.
A defining milestone came in 2025 when the MICHELIN Guide made its Philippine debut. In a landmark moment for both the company and the wider industry, The Lind Boracay became the first and only hotel in Boracay to be featured by the guide, positioning the independent Filipino brand alongside internationally recognised hospitality names.
A key part of the resort’s evolution is its long-standing collaboration with The Spa Wellness, one of the Philippines’ pioneering wellness operators and the country’s first spa brand to receive Superbrand status. An accredited member of the International Spa Association (ISPA), The Spa Wellness brings an established wellness philosophy to the resort environment, helping to shape a more holistic guest experience centred on restoration, balance, and meaningful care.
Over the past decade, the group has continued refining every aspect of the guest journey, from food and beverage and wellness to lifestyle programming and personalised service.
The company’s recent evolution forms part of a broader reassessment undertaken during its 10th anniversary year, when The Lind Hotels also introduced a refreshed brand identity centred around human connection, meaningful hospitality, and more experience-driven travel.
The rebrand marked a return to the company’s core philosophy: fostering stronger people-to-people relationships across teams, travel partners, suppliers, and guests, while placing greater emphasis on the guest journey from the very first stage of trip planning through to the stay itself.
“As part of our 10-year milestone, we went back to the drawing board and asked ourselves where we were ten years ago and where we are today,” Henrichs said. “The entire brand has been refreshed. More than anything, we wanted to return to the human side of hospitality and focus on genuine connection at every touchpoint of the guest experience.”
Looking ahead, the company’s future developments in Coron and Siargao reflect both confidence in Philippine tourism and growing international demand for more meaningful, nature-driven, and experience-led travel.
At a time when travellers are increasingly prioritising authenticity over standardisation, brands like The Lind Hotels are helping demonstrate that world-class hospitality experiences can be created in the Philippines while remaining closely connected to local culture, people, and place.
“We believe the Philippines has the potential to become one of the world’s great hospitality destinations,” Henrichs said. “There is incredible warmth here, extraordinary natural beauty, and a growing confidence among Filipino brands to create experiences that feel globally relevant while remaining distinctly local.”
SINGAPORE, 26 May 2026: Demand for luxury hotels in the Asia Pacific has grown dramatically, with investors increasingly viewing the asset class as both resilient and enduringly appealing to travellers regionally and globally.
According to JLL, the volume of luxury hotel transactions in the Asia-Pacific region rose significantly by 77% between 2017 and 2025, reaching approximately USD 2.1 billion in 2025.
Photo credit: JLL. JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group Head of Advisory and Asset Management, Asia Pacific, Xander Nijnens.
Significantly, 2025 volumes represent one of the highest annual investment deployments into luxury hotels since pre-COVID times, where transactions reached over USD2.4 billion in 2019.
Following the pandemic, luxury hotel transactions rebounded strongly, particularly in 2023, returning to levels comparable with 2019. In 2025, luxury hotel transactions accounted for almost 20% of all hotel deals, more than double the 8% share recorded in 2017 and surpassing even the 16% achieved during the pre-pandemic high, reinforcing investor confidence in the long-term value and performance characteristics of luxury hospitality assets.
“The luxury hotel segment in Asia Pacific is experiencing a defining moment measured by both its remarkable resilience throughout the pandemic cycle and beyond, and increasingly via a convergence of wealth accumulation and evolving consumer. As a result, we’re seeing sustained appetite from an increasingly diverse investor base, including private wealth and cross-border capital, all seeking exposure to assets that combine prestige, capital preservation, and long-term growth fundamentals,” says JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group Head of Advisory and Asset Management, Asia Pacific, Xander Nijnens.
A fundamental shift is underway in how luxury hotels capture market share. While these properties have always commanded premium rates, the occupancy gap between luxury and mainstream hotels is now narrowing, signalling that luxury hotels are year-round performers with strong, sustainable demand.
This performance evolution is attracting both capital and development activity. Luxury hotel supply has grown at a steady 4% annually over the past decade, maintaining approximately 8% of the total market, with moderate growth expected through 2030. This disciplined expansion has avoided the oversupply traps that historically challenged the sector, creating favourable supply-demand dynamics for investors.
Global and regional operators are launching differentiated concepts to capture specific guest preferences, from wellness-focused retreats to culturally immersive experiences. In particular, the ultra-luxury segment has become increasingly fragmented and brand-driven. For investors, this brand proliferation offers opportunities to position assets within distinct market niches and capture premiums through strategic partnerships.
“The luxury hospitality landscape has fundamentally evolved. We’re seeing properties adapt to changing guest preferences while maintaining the premium positioning that makes them attractive investment assets. The combination of strong rate power, strategic repositioning, and heightened demand from affluent travellers positions the segment favourably for continued growth. We also see moderating supply growth in the coming years, providing owners with more pricing power,” says Marina Bracciani, Vice President, Hotels Research Lead, Asia Pacific.
Despite significantly higher operating costs — almost double those of the overall hotel market in the region — due to elevated staff ratios, premium F&B offerings, and personalised services, luxury hotels achieve gross operating profit margins comparable to the overall market. The ability to command substantial rate premiums while maintaining competitive margins demonstrates the segment’s pricing power and operational sophistication.
However, performance varies considerably across markets, with luxury hotels in Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Seoul emerging as clear winners. The ultra-luxury segment has demonstrated even more pronounced outperformance than the broader luxury category.
BANGKOK, 26 May 2026: IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) has announced a management agreement with Phuket HA 2 Co Ltd for voco Phuket Patong, marking the rapid expansion of the brand in Thailand following the voco brand debut in Bangkok last year, with four more properties in the pipeline signed in quick succession.
Opening in 2028, the newly built 307-room voco Phuket Patong will be situated within the mixed-use development Abov Patong, a landmark comprising hotels, branded residences, and comprehensive facilities, including a clubhouse, a theatre, multi-zone swimming pools, and a Kids Club, on the hillside of Patong in Phuket.
From left to right: Nada Anerutteva, Strategic Marketing & Communication Consultant, ABOV Patong, Wuthikrai Kulsirisawad, Chief Executive Officer, ABOV Patong, Pathana Jitsaereetham, Director, Development, Thailand, IHG, Kate Gerits, Director of Operations, Thailand, IHG
Voco Phuket Patong joins IHG’s fastest-growing premium brand and a global portfolio of 137 voco hotels open and operating, including voco Bangkok Surawong, voco Bandung Setiabudi, voco Scenia Bay Nha Trang, with an additional 113 hotels in the development pipeline*, promising travellers a dependable yet approachable premium stay experience.
IHG Director Development Thailand, Pathana Jitsaereetham, said: “Voco Phuket Patong will strengthen IHG’s diverse portfolio in Phuket, which features seven hotels across five brands — InterContinental, Vignette Collection, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, and Holiday Inn Express. With voco Phuket Patong, we’re excited to offer our guests even more choice and exceptional experiences, ensuring there’s a stay for everyone.”
Voco Phuket Patong is located just 150 metres from Patong Beach and close to entertainment areas, shopping malls, and dining options. Hotel facilities include a restaurant, two bars, a spa, a swimming pool, and a fitness centre.
The signing strengthens IHG’s scale in Thailand, where the company now has more than 80 open and signed hotels nationwide, and further builds on voco hotels’ momentum with four additional properties set to open in Bangkok and Phuket.
