Business of Travel.
News and analysis for the people who run travel, from hotel boardrooms to airline route desks.
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.
Malaysia Airlines Seals Seven Asia-Pacific Tourism Deals
The carrier formalised seven new or expanded agreements with regional tourism boards during MATTA Fair 2026 to boost travel demand across Asia-Pacific destinations.
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.
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.
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 Travel CEOs Urge Trump: 100 Million Visitors by 2030
Leading US hotel and travel chief executives met President Donald Trump this week, advocating for a national strategy to attract 100 million international visitors annually by 2030. The industry aims to build on recent travel growth following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Singapore Tourism Board Deepens India Focus After H1 Growth
Singapore recorded substantial Indian visitor numbers and increased tourism receipts in the first half of 2026. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is expanding its long-term strategy for the Indian market, introducing new partnerships, attractions, and targeted campaigns to sustain this growth.
Mass Tourism Invades Local Homes. Repeat Visits Offer Solution
Growing disquiet over mass tourism's impact on local communities prompts a re-evaluation of travel patterns. While "Tiny Tourism" risks pushing visitors into private local spaces, data from Priceline and Hilton suggests returning to familiar destinations may provide a sustainable path forward.
Hainan Tourism Department Launches Global Social Media Drive
Hainan Province's tourism department initiated a global social media campaign this year. The "Cool Hainan" initiative targets international markets, promoting the island as a resort destination and free trade port. By late August 2026, the campaign achieved over 16 million exposures, engaging travellers with diverse content and practical travel information.
Japan Government Initiates Kyushu Travel Discount Campaign
The Japanese government will launch a travel fee discount campaign for Kyushu by late August 2026. This initiative addresses significant tourism losses following a magnitude-7.1 earthquake in Kumamoto Prefecture, which caused extensive cancellations and infrastructure damage across the region.
Kazakhstan Partners ATTA, Hosts Events for Tourism Growth
Kazakhstan aims to develop a Central Asian tourism hub by integrating adventure travel with international events. Recent cooperation with the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and a series of major sporting and industry gatherings in Astana and Almaty underscore this strategy. The country seeks to attract international expertise and strengthen its tourism offerings.
Cathay Pacific, Leo Singapore Launch Hong Kong 'Fun Per km²' Campaign
Cathay Pacific and Leo Singapore have introduced a new social media campaign, "Hong Kong: The Most Fun Per km²," targeting travellers in Southeast Asia and Oceania. The initiative promotes Hong Kong's concentrated appeal, encouraging visitors to explore the city's diverse offerings within compact neighbourhoods, building on a prior successful campaign iteration.
Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam Tourism Ministers Formalise Cooperation
Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Viet Nam adopted a Joint Action Plan on CLV Tourism Cooperation for 2026-2028 on 26 August 2026, establishing a ministerial-level mechanism to promote the "One Journey, Three Destinations" vision.
Singapore Tourism Board Strengthens India Focus Amid Visitor Rise
Singapore welcomed over 600,000 Indian visitors in the first half of 2026, with tourism receipts from India reaching S$374 million in the first quarter. The Singapore Tourism Board is expanding its long-term strategy in India, targeting leisure, MICE, and cruise segments through new partnerships and campaigns.
Malaysia Pursues Muslim Travellers as Gulf Routes Shift
Malaysia actively promotes itself as a destination for Muslim travellers. This strategy responds to ongoing travel disruptions in the Gulf region. Analysts suggest potential gains may be limited by long-haul flight route impacts. Dubai International Airport reported significant declines in passenger traffic and aircraft movements this year.
Chinese Agencies Struggle with Inbound Tourism Booking Conversion
Chinese travel agencies face significant hurdles converting international interest into confirmed inbound tourism bookings. Industry observations reveal complex planning processes and a misalignment with how foreign travellers seek information and make decisions are key factors. This challenge persists despite growing numbers of international visitors to China.
Singapore Tourism Board Targets Higher-Value Indian Visitors
Singapore's tourism strategy for India is evolving, moving beyond visitor volume to focus on higher-value segments. The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) aims to attract leisure, MICE, cruise, and repeat travellers, encouraging longer stays and increased spending from this key market. This shift follows significant Indian arrivals in the first half of 2026.
Macao, Thailand, Sarawak Show Positive Impact of Responsible Tourism
Destination leaders from Macao, Thailand, and Sarawak presented concrete outcomes of responsible tourism development at the PATA Travel Mart 2026 Knowledge Forum, demonstrating tangible benefits for local communities and environmental conservation efforts across Asia.
Switzerland Tourism Redirects India Strategy to Quiet Luxury
Switzerland Tourism is reorienting its marketing for India's affluent travellers, prioritising authenticity and privacy over mass appeal, according to Simon Bosshart. This move, updated on 19 August 2026, reflects a broader industry shift towards sustainable, value-driven visitor engagement and personalised activities.
Huế Leverages Cultural Heritage to Build Innovation Hub
Huế, Việt Nam, is establishing itself as an innovation and startup centre by integrating its extensive cultural heritage with educational strengths and local quality of life. The city aims to attract young talent and foster new businesses that convert historical assets into modern products and services for global reach.
Asian Operators Stress Community Decision-Making for Tourism Gains
Tourism leaders in Asia are advocating for local communities to act as primary decision-makers in developing tourism projects, rather than merely being consulted. This approach, they argue, creates more genuine visitor interactions and ensures lasting local advantages.
Azerbaijan Tourism Board Focuses on Asian Markets Amid Connectivity Issues
Azerbaijan's tourism sector is directing its attention towards key Asian markets, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and China, to diversify its visitor base. While growth from China and Malaysia showed strong increases in 2025, the lack of direct air links presents a challenge for full market penetration in Southeast Asia.
Langkawi's 200k Tourist Drop Prompts LADA to Target New Europe, Asia Air Routes
Langkawi recorded a 200,000-visitor decline in 1H2026 following international flight reductions. The Langkawi Development Authority is now working to establish new air connections with Europe and Asia.