Priya Nair
Writes on the business of travel for GlobalTravelPost: hotel and airline earnings, distribution, deals and travel tech, seen from Asia.
Marriott and Spotnana Deepen Corporate Booking Integration
Marriott International deepens its partnership with Spotnana, streamlining corporate hotel bookings, loyalty linking, and real-time inventory for business travellers globally.
Malaysia Airlines Deepens Asia-Pacific Tourism Partnerships
The carrier formalised seven new or expanded agreements with regional tourism boards during MATTA Fair 2026 to boost travel demand across Asia-Pacific destinations.
Hotel Groups Adapt to Wellness Demand and Specialised Management
Loews Hotels has launched a new fitness programme, while Aimbridge Hospitality added three historic Midwest properties to its management portfolio. PM Hotel Group also named a new development SVP.
Accor CEO Bazin to Detail Instinct-Driven Strategy at Skift Global Forum
Sébastien Bazin, who has led Accor since 2013, will elaborate on his decision-making approach for 5,800 hotels, emphasising human intuition over pure data, at the New York event from 22–24 September.
Philippines DOT, Newport World Resorts Boost Entertainment Tourism
The Philippines Department of Tourism and Newport World Resorts have partnered to increase visitor stays and spending through new cultural productions and culinary offerings, with a major resort opening later this year.
Kazakhstan's Astana and Almaty Lead Central Asian Urban Growth
In the 2025 Oxford Economics Global Cities Index, Almaty ranked 258th and Astana 276th, making them Central Asia's highest-placed cities amidst significant investment and rising international visitor numbers.
US Credit Card Bill Could Reshape Travel Rewards, Airline Strategies
Proposed legislation to reduce credit card interchange fees, backed by President Trump, is projected to shift value from consumers to merchants, impacting card benefits and potentially flight availability.
Canadian Travel to U.S. Jumps 8.8% for Fifth Month
Canadian resident return trips to the United States increased 8.8% in August 2026, marking a consistent five-month rise despite ongoing trade tensions between the two nations.
Design Hotels Adds 15 Properties to Asia-Pacific Portfolio
Design Hotels expanded its Asia-Pacific network this year, adding 15 new properties across 12 destinations. The growth, particularly strong in China, demonstrates increasing demand for independent, design-focused accommodation among travellers and developers.
Amadeus Predicts Pet Travel Market to Hit US$3 Billion
A new Amadeus study projects the global pet travel market will reach US$3 billion by 2030, driven by changing lifestyles and new pet-friendly hospitality in Asia.
Club Med Seeks Hong Kong IPO, Shifts to Asset-Light Model
Club Med Lifestyle Group, a Fosun International subsidiary, is pursuing an initial public offering in Hong Kong. This move supports its strategy to expand resorts through management contracts, avoiding direct property ownership.
Four Seasons Appoints Ivan Giles General Manager for Northern Thailand
Four Seasons has named Ivan Giles as General Manager for its two Northern Thailand properties: Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai and Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle. Giles brings over two decades of luxury hospitality leadership, including recent success at Four Seasons Resort Langkawi.
Christian Wildhaber Appointed General Manager at Mandarin Oriental Geneva
Christian Wildhaber assumes leadership of Mandarin Oriental, Geneva, effective September 2026. He transitions from Jakarta, bringing extensive luxury hospitality experience across multiple global regions.
Hong Kong Tourism Board Faces Authenticity Debate
A new Hong Kong Tourism Board campaign, "Only in Hong Kong," focuses on authentic street scenes and local culture, prompting public discussion about the city's commitment to preserving these elements amid ongoing urban development. Commentators suggest travellers increasingly seek a sense of place over traditional landmarks, necessitating a re-evaluation of conservation efforts to align with marketing strategies.
Brunei Targets US$493 Million Tourism Revenue for 2027
Brunei Darussalam aims to attract one million visitors and generate US$493.11 million in tourism revenue during Visit Brunei Year 2027, coinciding with the Sultan's Diamond Jubilee. The nation’s strategy focuses on high-value tourism, encouraging longer stays and greater local spending.
Marriott to Train 500 Indian Youth for Hospitality Careers
Marriott International has initiated Project Prarambh in India, aiming to train 500 young individuals from vulnerable communities over the next two to three years through partnerships with The Job Plus and the Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council.
Amazon Cargo Jet Overruns Miami Runway
An Amazon Prime Air Boeing 767, operated by 21 Air, departed the runway at Miami International Airport on 6 September 2026. The cargo aircraft came to rest on an adjacent road, causing a temporary ground stop.
HKTB Hosts Chengdu Event for Western China
The Hong Kong Tourism Board recently hosted a networking event in Chengdu. It aimed to strengthen commercial ties and increase visitor arrivals from Western China, showcasing Hong Kong's latest campaign and upcoming events.
Singapore Hotels Prioritise Transformation at Annual Exchange
Singapore's hospitality sector convened this week at the Singapore Hotel Association's (SHA) third Hospitality Exchange (HX 2026) to address critical industry transformation. The annual conference gathered over 300 hotel owners, operators, technology partners, and government stakeholders to discuss strategies for adapting to evolving guest expectations and global market pressures.
Macao Tourism Office Launches Southeast Asia Drama Series
Macao's tourism office is expanding its digital marketing reach across Southeast Asia. New multilingual mini-drama series aim to attract visitors from key markets including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. This strategy uses popular streaming and social media platforms.
US Airlines Benefit from Baggage Fee Tax Exemption Under Scrutiny
US carriers, including Frontier Airlines, Allegiant Air, and Breeze Airways, currently benefit from a federal tax code structure that exempts separately charged baggage and ancillary fees from the 7.5% excise tax applied to base airfares. This disparity incentivises airlines to unbundle services, shifting costs into untaxed fees and potentially reducing government revenue by millions annually.
Vietnam Visitor Numbers Rise: Russia, Philippines Lead Growth
Vietnam recorded nearly 16 million international visitors in the first eight months of 2026, marking a significant year-on-year increase. Growth was notably driven by substantial surges in arrivals from Russia and the Philippines.
Airbnb Appoints Pepijn Rijvers Chief Business Officer
Airbnb has named Pepijn Rijvers, previously an executive at Booking.com and Tripadvisor Group, as its new Chief Business Officer. This appointment demonstrates Airbnb's focus on expanding its hotel offerings and broader property portfolio.
Tata Sons, Singapore Airlines Inject Capital into Air India
Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines are providing INR 100 billion (USD 1.1 billion) in new capital to Air India. This funding is contingent on the airline meeting specific performance targets.
Ageel Alshaibani Appointed Saudi Tourism Authority CEO to Drive Vision 2030
Ageel Alshaibani assumes leadership of the Saudi Tourism Authority from September 2. His appointment aims to accelerate the Kingdom's Vision 2030 tourism objectives. This move supports Saudi Arabia's wider economic diversification strategy.
Audley Travel Sale Collapse Raises Private Equity Questions
Audley Travel, a tailor-made tour operator, failed to secure a buyer despite reporting record profits. This outcome follows nearly 14 years under private equity ownership, prompting industry scrutiny of long-term investment models.
Asia-Pacific Airlines Prioritise Long-Haul Routes as Fuel Costs Rise
Asia-Pacific carriers are reducing regional and short-haul flight frequencies. This adjustment protects long-haul networks as jet fuel prices approach US$160 a barrel, eroding profit margins. Alton Aviation Consultancy reported this on 2 September 2026.
JetBlue Launches BlueFirst Class, Adjusts Economy Legroom
JetBlue Airways introduces BlueFirst, a new domestic first-class product, marking a strategic move into premium travel. This development also alters economy cabin space.
United, Delta, American Pilot Strategies Diverge
The three largest US legacy carriers—United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and American Airlines—are implementing distinct pilot recruitment and training models. Each airline operates a unique programme by 2026, tailoring entry requirements and career progression for aspiring aviators. These varied approaches aim to secure future cockpit talent for the commercial aviation sector.
Hyatt Expands Indonesia Footprint: Jakarta, Semarang, Lombok
Hyatt Hotels Corporation plans three new properties in Jakarta, Semarang, and Lombok, including South-east Asia's first Destination by Hyatt, expanding its Indonesian portfolio.