News

Tourists are flocking to Hong Kong’s 300-year-old Kuk Po village for sustainable tourism

Hong Kong's Kuk Po village is seeing a rise in tourists drawn to its serene environment and historical significance.Tourists in Hong Kong are flocking to the 300-year-old village of Kuk Po, whose decaying mansions and reed fields offer a respite from the city's famously frenetic pace. The seaside village was once home to Hakka people from southern China but was mostly abandoned in recent decades, even as gleaming high-rises sprang up in nearby Shenzhen across the Chinese border. But Hong Kong's government is encouraging visitors to go off the beaten path and has loosened entry restrictions to the city's northernmost neighbourhood of Sha Tau Kok -- making it easier to visit Kuk Po via speedboat. On a recent January weekend, tourists thronged to the village's picturesque sights, surrounded on three sides by gentle valleys.

Read more

Singapore celebrates 60 years with India, unveils new experiences

Unveils FRIENDS OF SINGAPORE – a platform launched to offer Indian content creators with Singapore’s unique perspective through the destination’s hidden gem experiences. With 2025 marking 60 years of bilateral relations between India and Singapore, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announces a calendar of experiences, entertainment, and offers for Indian consumers, celebrating this enduring friendship. Travel enthusiasts can expect a year-long surge of wanderlust with FRIENDS OF SINGAPORE, a platform launched to offer Indian content creators with Singapore’s unique perspective through the destination’s hidden gem experiences. Later in the year, one can indulge in Singapore programming at Subko – Specialty Coffee Roasters, Bakehouse and Fine Cacao, celebrating the rich resonances between India and Singapore through the medium of food and design.

Read more

Goa partners with OYO to add 500+ hotels in a year

Rohan A. Khaunte launches OYO’s Accelerator Program to help small and first-generation hoteliers expand their business. More than 300 properties are expected to be onboarded under this program in north, central and south Goa. Tourism Minister of Goa, Rohan A. Khaunte launched OYO’s Accelerator Program in the state to help small first-generation hoteliers expand their operations across Goa and achieve long-term profitability. He presented cheques amounting to INR 25 lakhs to the five beneficiaries of OYO’s Accelerator Program that include Roshan Oscar Abraam Lorena of Panjim, Ajay Singhal and Akhil Gupta of Calangute, and Mohammad Bakir Ali of Madgoan at a special ceremony held in Panaji. OYO is planning to add over 500 hotels and generate more than 5000 new jobs in the state over the next one year through this joint initiative with the department. These properties will be located across all key regions – north, central and south Goa.

Read more

Australia Boosts Business Travel Sector with GBTA’s New Advisory Initiative

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), a leading organization in the business travel and meetings sector, has announced a new initiative to enhance its global engagement by establishing a GBTA Advisory Board in Australia. This move aims to bolster GBTA’s influence and drive growth through local expertise and insights, thereby improving support for members, partners, and the broader industry within the country. “Australia is a vital market for business travel, and the new Board brings together diverse expertise from across the region,” said Catherine Logan, GBTA Regional Senior Vice President for EMEA and APAC. “Their insights will help GBTA deliver tailored programs and offerings in our mission to shape the future together for business travel and across the industry community.”

Read more

Asia Sees Remarkable Surge in Business Class Travel in 2024, with Malaysia, Hong Kong, and India Leading the Way

Asia leads global business class travel growth in 2024, with Malaysia, Hong Kong, and India driving premium travel demand year-on-year across key markets.Asia solidified its position as the epicenter of premium travel growth in 2024, with Malaysia, Hong Kong, and India spearheading a significant surge in business class demand. Data from Flight Centre Travel Group, FCM Travel, and Corporate Traveller revealed impressive year-on-year increases: Malaysia (31%), Hong Kong (19%), and India (18%). Other notable contributors included the Philippines (9%) and China (8.8%), underscoring Asia’s growing importance for corporate travelers worldwide.

Read more

Iconic Marjorie Hotel Sets the Pace for M.I.C.E Industry Growth in Penang

Iconic Marjorie Hotel in Penang targets the booming M.I.C.E sector, aiming to boost occupancy and set new sustainability standards.Iconic Worldwide Bhd has recently unveiled the Iconic Marjorie Hotel in Bayan Lepas, Penang, positioned perfectly to leverage the vibrant M.I.C.E sector and the burgeoning trend of business-cum-leisure travel. Kevin Cheah, the Group General Manager, stated that the hotel, a member of the Tribute Portfolio under Marriott International, is set to boost its current 20% occupancy rate to 60% by the year’s end and aims for over 80% in the following year. The growth forecasts are supported by Marriott Bonvoy, a leading hotel loyalty program that offers rewards across more than 7,000 hotels globally.Cheah highlighted the promising growth in the Asia-Pacific travel sector, with Malaysia, especially Penang, showing considerable progress. The region benefits from increasing direct flights, notably from China and India, enhancing its tourist appeal.

Read more