Cvent Accelerate Singapore 2026 returns for its 5th edition

Cvent Accelerate Singapore 2026, the 5th edition of Cvent's flagship Asia Pacific conference for event planners, marketers and hospitality professionals, will take place this August. 

The conference brings professionals from the events, hospitality and marketing industry to explore how AI, data and event-led growth (ELG) are transforming business events from operational exercises into measurable growth engines. 

"Cvent Accelerate Singapore has been the region's premier forum for event, hospitality and marketing professionals for the past four years," said Will Kataria, Country Head & Senior Director, Asia Pacific, Cvent. 

"The fifth edition is particularly significant as it's the first in Asia Pacific since our global brand transformation, and it arrives at a moment when AI is fundamentally changing what events can do. We're bringing together the industry's most forward-thinking leaders to share what's working, explore what's possible and push the conversation forward." 

The programme will feature keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, breakout sessions, live technology demonstrations and networking opportunities covering topics such as AI innovation and the future of event technology, event ROI and business impact, strategic planning in the AI era, and sustainable & high-impact event experiences. Key sessions include:

- Decoding the Shift: B2B Event Trends & The Path Forward in the AI Age 

- The Future of Event Tech: The Next Act 

- AI-Enhanced RFP to ROI: How Planners, Marketers, and Hoteliers Win Together Event 

- Pipeline Anxiety: Solving the Fears That Keep Marketers Up at Night 

- Relevance Redefined: How AI is Reinventing Venue Discovery for Planners 

Attendees will also have the opportunity to experience CventIQ, Cvent's AI capabilities embedded across its platform, and learn how AI is being applied across the event lifecycle to support planning, attendee engagement, content generation and post-event insights. 

This is the first Cvent Accelerate in the Asia Pacific following the unveiling of Cvent's new global brand identity in mid-July. Cvent's new brand promise is built around the Presence Premium - that a room full of real people has great value in an AI-first world. The company also announced at the brand identity launch that it will invest more than US$1 B in technology, AI, and product innovation, the largest investment of its kind in company history.  

Confidence among APAC accountants is up in Q2

- Confidence in Asia Pacific is now meaningfully above average after a sharp Q2 recovery, but it remains weak in North America and Western Europe.

- Economic pressures returned as the top risk priority among accountants in Q2 (22%), ahead of geopolitical instability (20%) and cybersecurity (14%).

Seven in 10 (72%) respondents expect inflation in their country to increase over the next three months.

Confidence among Asia-Pacific accountants and finance professionals rebounded sharply in Q226, according to the latest ACCA and IMA Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS), reversing a Q1 decline and pushing the region's confidence and New Orders indices above their historical averages. This is a stronger recovery than seen in North America and Western Europe, where confidence remains weak by historical standards.

The fallout from the Middle East conflict continues to impact the results the survey, which was conducted between 3 and 17 June, before the renewed fighting and resumption of the US naval blockade.

While the region is very exposed to developments in the Middle East, hopes of a potential resolution of the conflict and the relative resilience of the global economy have likely been factors boosting sentiment, as well as the global AI boom, of which the region’s exporters are major beneficiaries.

Over three-quarters of accountants globally reported increased operating costs in Q2 – above the previous record set in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – amid soaring commodity prices and supply chain disruptions resulting from the conflict. Over eight in 10 (83%) CFOs globally experienced increased costs, following a record-breaking rise of over 20 percentage points from Q1. This is close to series peaks recorded in 2022 and 2023.

Cost pressures also rose in the Asia-Pacific region, with the proportion of respondents reporting increased costs jumping nine percentage points to 66% in Q2, well above the survey's historical average. However, this remains notably less severe than in Western Europe (83%) and North America (74%), where cost pressures are close to record highs.

Despite soaring costs, there was some recovery in confidence among accountants globally in Q2, from what was close to a record low in Q1. While they remain quite downbeat by historical standards, the improvement likely reflects the relative resilience of the global economy and signs at the time of the survey of movement towards a potential resolution of the conflict, which may have reduced fears of worst-case scenarios.

That said, globally declines in the Global New Orders, Capital Expenditure and Employment indices point to some slowing in global growth, likely reflecting headwinds from increased private sector caution, rising inflation, and tighter-than-expected monetary policy, although they do not appear to be signalling a major economic slowdown.

Economic pressures returned as accountants' top risk priority in Q226 (22%), ahead of geopolitical instability (20%) and cybersecurity (14%). Respondents described how understanding today's risk landscape extends beyond traditional economic cycle management, pointing to the converging effects of prolonged wars, rising cybercrime and policy uncertainty. AI featured prominently, with comments focusing on sustainable value, cyber resilience and accountability.

Survey respondents in Singapore echoed these concerns. A Singapore CFO in professional services said: "The inability of economic analysts to forecast the future, and the reaction time of the government when dealing with unforeseen economic shocks are underestimated economic risks."

Another Singapore respondent added: "Increasing operating costs will result in many small businesses going out of business and demand for professional services will accordingly continue to decline."

Alain Mulder, Senior Director, Europe Operations & Global Special Projects at IMA said: "The AI boom is providing major support to the global economy and financial markets, but developments in the Middle East over coming months will be crucial. If progress can be made in resolving the conflict, that would clearly be supportive for global growth as we progress through the second half of 2026. But downside risks would quickly build if there were a return to major hostilities and surge in energy prices."

Jonathan Ashworth, Chief Economist, ACCA said: "Sharply rising costs were unsurprisingly a major issue for firms in Q2. If they increasingly try to pass these on to the consumer, this would significantly raise the risk of policy tightening by the world’s major central banks. That said, policymakers will be hoping for favourable developments on the diplomatic front, and a return of oil prices to around pre-crisis levels, potentially allowing them to sit on their hands for the rest of 2026."

Ashworth concluded: "Despite some improvement in confidence, accountants globally remain very cautious, likely in part reflecting the uncertain and unpredictable operating environment which has become the 'new normal' in recent years."

Details

Read the GECS Q2 2026 report at https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/professional-insights/global-economics/gecs-q2-2026.html

86% of APAC consumers have penalised brands for poor service: Genesys

Genesys, a global cloud provider in AI-powered experience orchestration, has found that customer experience (CX) has become an increasingly decisive factor in consumer loyalty and spending decisions across the Asia-Pacific region (APAC).

Source: Genesys landing page. Consumers compare businesses against their best experiences.

The 5th edition of Genesys' State of Customer Experience report has revealed that half of APAC consumers say they would rather do anything else than contact customer service, with the sentiment rising sharply in Singapore (63%) – the highest among APAC markets covered in the research.

Poor service is also hitting the bottom line. Across APAC, 86% of consumers say poor service has caused them to spend less or stop doing business with a brand altogether. The impact is especially pronounced in markets such as the Philippines and Thailand, where the figure rises to 91%, while Japan stands out as a lower outlier at 67%.

The research found consumers across APAC are increasingly open to AI when it delivers better outcomes. Eighty-four percent expect AI to improve the quality and speed of customer service, while 82% believe it will improve personalisation - both above the global averages.

Consumers increasingly care more about outcomes than whether AI or a person provides the service, Genesys found. Across APAC, 80% do not particularly care whether their issue is solved by a person or AI, as long as it is solved quickly and completely. At the same time, 93% value efficient customer service as much as being treated empathetically, reinforcing the need to orchestrate AI and human agents to deliver the right support at the right moment. 

As customer expectations rise and patience for poor experiences declines, organisations face growing pressure to use AI to strengthen customer relationships and improve service outcomes at scale. Meeting those expectations remains a challenge for many organisations. 

While 96% of APAC consumers expect information to be remembered across channels, nearly half (46%) of organisations do not automatically pass information between virtual and human agents. At the same time, managing data for AI, AI readiness and keeping pace with AI innovation rank among the top challenges for CX leaders, hindering efforts to connect customer data, channels and interactions - leading to customer frustration and eroded loyalty. 

"Across APAC, consumers are increasingly confident in AI's ability to improve customer experiences. But they also expect organisations to remember context, connect every interaction and resolve issues with minimal effort," said Albert Nel, Senior VP and Regional Sales Leader for Genesys Asia Pacific. 

"As agentic AI becomes part of everyday customer engagement, organisations need to use it to reduce customer effort –not just automate interactions. The businesses that succeed will be those that connect AI, people and customer context to deliver faster resolutions and more seamless experiences." 

Other highlights include: 

Customer expectations have never been higher 

Nine in 10 (91%) of APAC consumers want every organisation to deliver experiences on par with the best experience they have ever had, while an equal percentage (91%) judge a company by the quality of its customer service. 

Consumers are embracing AI – but expect it to deliver

Forty-nine percent of APAC consumers are comfortable with AI making decisions on their behalf if it improves speed and resolution. Comfort is highest in South Korea at 56%, suggesting stronger consumer openness as AI becomes more embedded across the customer experience. 

But patience is limited when AI falls short: 82% of APAC consumers will give a virtual agent three attempts or fewer to resolve an issue. 

Poor experiences have real business consequences

Six in 10 (61%) APAC consumers would switch to a competitor after three or fewer bad experiences with their most favorite companies or brands. For 17%, it only takes one bad experience before they switch. 

Organisations see agentic AI and orchestration as key to closing the experience gap. Eighty-six percent of APAC CX leaders expect autonomous AI agents to orchestrate customer experiences within three years, while they plan to spend an average of 32% of their customer service or experience budget on AI-powered CX technologies over the next 12 months.

The findings suggest the future of customer experience depends not only on agentic AI adoption, but on how effectively organisations connect AI, human interactions, data and systems across the customer journey.

Details

Download the State of Customer Experience report at https://www.genesys.com/resources/state-of-cx

*Genesys worked with an independent research firm to survey 5,811 consumers and 1,560 CX and business leaders in more than 20 countries. The study includes responses from 1,426 (24%) consumers and 508 (14%) CX leader respondents across APAC, including Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. 

The survey was conducted in March and April of 2026. Among the business respondents, the industries represented were airlines, automotive, banking, government, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, media and entertainment,professional services, retail, travel and hospitality, technology, telecommunications and utilities.

Robert Walters: Singapore employees feel less motivated after a performance review

Robert Walters research on professionals in Singapore has found pressure is growing on employers to balance workforce engagement, progression expectations and cost control. 

Source: Robert Walters Salary Survey Singapore 2026 landing page. Key salary and compensation insights for Singapore. In contrast, 100% of businesses in the Philippines are giving pay rises in 2026 vs 84% expecting a raise this year. Filipino professionals are staying an average of 2.3 years with 71% of professionals looking for a new job this year, and 69% are confident about job opportunities. 

Only 10% of professionals say they feel more positive about their roles after their latest performance review, according to new research from global talent solutions partner Robert Walters. The process also left more than one in four (27%) professionals feeling less positive about their roles instead.

The findings are part of a global mid-year survey of professionals, which included close to 200 respondents from Singapore. Conducted in April 2026, they show that businesses are facing growing pressure to maintain workforce confidence and engagement heading into the second half of the year. 

Andrew Powell, Chief Commercial Officer at Robert Walters said: “Performance reviews are becoming increasingly important management moments, particularly as organisations look to balance worker needs while continuing to manage budgets. Employees want to know how their skills are valued, where they can progress and whether the business is investing in their long-term development.”

Among the respondents, 42% of professionals shared that they received a pay increase for 202. One in three of these respondents (15%) saw it as an inflationary increase. 

When asked if their current salary situation is influencing their likelihood of looking for a new job, 79% of the respondents shared that they are either actively looking for a new role or now open to new opportunities. This is an increase compared to the findings of the Robert Walters Salary Survey 2026, where 26% of professionals in Singapore said in late 2025 that they did not have the intention to change or look for jobs for at least the next year or more.

“Most professionals understand the economic pressures businesses are operating under and recognise that significant salary increases may not always be realistic,” Powell said.

“But it can be challenging for organisations to keep employees motivated when they aren’t having regular open conversations around progression, future earning potential or how compensation decisions are made.”

Kirsty Poltock, Country Manager for Robert Walters Singapore said: “Performance reviews are a two-way conversation and an important opportunity for professionals to understand how their individual goals align with the organisation's priorities. Even if salary increases are modest, employees can use these discussions to identify the skills, experiences and responsibilities that will position them for future progression. 

"Over the coming months, professionals who continue to build in-demand capabilities, embrace new technologies including the partnership of AI integration, and demonstrate adaptability will be better placed to seize opportunities as hiring activity picks up.” 

The findings suggest that performance and salary reviews are carrying greater significance in today’s market. “We are seeing many organisations take a more strategic and measured approach to compensation management. Market data can play an important role in helping to understand where they are competitive, where progression gaps might exist and how salary expectations are evolving,” commented Powell.

“As the world of work continues to evolve, professionals are placing greater emphasis on long-term career value and future opportunities. Organisations that understand how workforce expectations are shifting will be better positioned to build engagement, develop critical skills and remain competitive over the longer term.” 

Other highlights from the survey for Singapore include:

Talent snapshot

- Beyond compensation and benefits, talent value having flexible work arrangements, job security and stability, and inspiring colleagues and culture from an employer 

- An expectation gap exists: 27% of employers are likely to give new hires a pay rise of above 10%. However 83% of talent looking to move jobs expect more than a 10% pay rise, with 23% of them likely to request over 20% more in salary

Employer snapshot 

- More than a third (37%) of employers plan to increase their headcount, with most of them looking to increase it by 5-10% 

- Nearly seven in 10 (69%) employers are looking to give a salary increment of at least 3% in 2026 for current employees, and 56% are likely to give a salary increment of at least 6% to new hires 

- Lack of candidates with the right skills/experience, gap in salary and benefit expectations, and talent staying put (job hugging), are among the challenges faced by companies in attracting talent 

- Soft skills: 65% of employers value interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills, and 59% value problem-solving and critical thinking among their employees 

- Contract hiring: 55% of companies will start or continue to hire contractors in 2026 

- Roughly three quarters (74%) of companies hiring contractors do so for project or short-term needs. Other reasons include headcount limitations, and a “wait to try” attitude

AI-driven workplace 

- Almost eight in 10 (78%) businesses expect up to half of their workforce to need reskilling due to AI advancements 

- Employers are looking for talent with skillsets in critical thinking and fact-checking, data analysis, and are highly adaptable

- Top concerns by professionals over AI adoption at the workplace include having their jobs displaced due to automation, bias or unfair treatment due to algorithms, and the lack of relevant training

In Australia, the research found that professionals remain mobile, with career development, fair pay, and strong leadership driving decisions. Salary movement through 2026 is expected to be moderate and targeted rather than broad-based, with increases focused on in-demand roles as employers balance cost control with retention, Robert Walters said. At the same time, AI is reshaping roles and accelerating demand for specialised expertise, while workforce expectations continue to evolve - flexibility, wellbeing, and purpose now sit alongside salary as key drivers of engagement, the company added.

When it comes to Indonesia, the hiring landscape in 2026 will continue to be shaped by disciplined growth, operational efficiency, and heightened risk awareness. As a result, employers are becoming more selective, prioritising roles that deliver clear business impact and support long-term capability building, particularly across digital maturity, governance, and workforce sustainability.

This is reinforcing demand for talent who can translate digital and AI capabilities into tangible productivity gains, especially within finance, supply chain, risk, and operations. In parallel, regulatory and environmental, sustainability and governance (ESG) considerations are increasingly embedded in core business decision-making, sustaining demand for compliance, risk, and ESG-aligned professionals.

From a talent perspective, professionals remain cautious and value-driven. Stability, leadership quality, and meaningful development opportunities are taking precedence over short-term compensation gains. To compete effectively, employers will need to articulate a credible employee value proposition, underpinned by clear career pathways and targeted, market-aligned remuneration.

Malaysia’s hiring landscape will be shaped by its focus on digitalisation, green growth, and energy transition. Key sectors such as data centres, renewable energy, electric vehicles, cybersecurity, AI, and financial technology will see strong demand for adaptable talent with data literacy and digital fluency. Contract hiring will remain prevalent following the 2025 Gig Worker Bill, while AI-driven tools will streamline recruitment processes and enhance workforce planning. Talent attraction and retention will be challenging due to limited hybrid-skilled candidates and rising expectations for flexibility, work-life balance, and purpose-driven workplaces. Employers must offer competitive salaries, career growth opportunities, and flexible arrangements while effectively managing diverse workforce models, Robert Walters advised.

Job mobility remains steady in New Zealand, but professionals are making more considered moves, seeking fair pay, meaningful career progression, flexibility, and strong organisational culture, Robert Walters said. Skills shortages across key sectors continue to shape hiring strategies, placing pressure on employers to compete on more than salary alone. Salary growth in 2026 is expected to be moderate and targeted, focused on in-demand roles as organisations balance retention with budget control.

Thailand’s hiring market in 2026 is likely to continue navigating cautious business sentiment. Employers are expected to maintain careful hiring approaches, prioritising C-suite leaders who can steer organisations through ongoing challenges. Demand for B2B sales & marketing roles will remain high as companies focus on expanding market share and driving revenue growth. Skills-based hiring will gain traction, with reskilling initiatives becoming central to workforce strategies. Salary increases for job movers with in-demand skills are projected at significant levels, while existing employees may see modest adjustments.

Attracting and retaining talent will remain challenging due to supply-demand imbalances, prompting employers to adopt human-centric leadership approaches and invest in continuous learning and development to foster loyalty and resilience within their teams, Robert Walters added.

As for Vietnam, Robert Walters said the hiring market is thriving as the country's economy makes a strong recovery. While the hiring market is gaining momentum, both employers and employees remain cautious and risk-averse. Hiring timelines are expected to be prolonged, and companies are increasingly relying on hiring based on potential rather than experience.

To attract and retain talent, employers in Vietnam are advised to offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, employee appreciation programmes, and growth opportunities. Creating a positive and inclusive company culture that emphasises work-life balance and teamwork is also crucial in building a strong employer brand.

Explore 

Tap on insights into pay levels and hiring trends with the Robert Walters Salary Survey 2026 for: 

- Australia at www.robertwalters.com.au/our-services/salary-survey.html

- Indonesia at https://www.robertwalters.co.id/our-services/salary-survey.html

- Malaysia at https://www.robertwalters.com.my/our-services/salary-survey.html, 

- New Zealand at https://www.robertwalters.co.nz/our-services/salary-survey.html, 

- Philippines at https://www.robertwalters.com.ph/our-services/salary-survey.html, 

- Singapore at https://www.robertwalters.com.sg/our-services/salary-survey.html, 

- Thailand at https://www.robertwalters.co.th/our-services/salary-survey.html, and for 

- Vietnam at https://www.robertwalters.com.vn/our-services/salary-survey.html

The Japanese edition (in Japanese) is available at https://www.robertwalters.co.jp/our-services/salary-survey.html while the Korean edition (in Korean) is at https://www.robertwalters.co.kr/our-services/salary-survey.html

Trust and transparency hold the key to APAC checkout: Visa

Visa, a world leader in digital payments, has released new survey* findings on the state of digital commerce in Asia Pacific, revealing that while consumers are increasingly using AI to shop, concerns over security and transparency are creating hesitation at the crucial moment - checkout.

With Asia Pacific’s rapid shift towards digital commerce and mobile-first shopping, the research shows that consumers are drawing a clear line between using AI to help them browse and trusting the same technology to handle their money and personal data, Visa highlighted. Clearly demonstrating how AI is used to spark discovery and securely handle payments is critical if consumers are to feel confident using the technology to shop and pay. 

“The way people shop is changing quickly, with AI now playing a growing role in how consumers discover and choose products,” said TR Ramachandran, Head of Products & Solutions, Asia Pacific at Visa. 

“But as AI becomes part of the checkout experience, trust and control become even more important. Consumers want to understand how their data is being used and feel confident that every transaction is secure. Building that trust is what will determine whether AI-powered commerce can truly scale.” 

Consumers across Asia Pacific are increasingly relying on AI for the early stages of shopping, with 74% using AI-powered tools to discover, track or learn about products. Yet 26% remain unsure if AI recommendations fully align with their best interests, pointing to a desire for greater transparency and user control in AI-powered shopping. 

The research also reveals that this caution is more pronounced among affluent households**, where 39% express higher expectations around how their data is used, compared to 29% among lower-income groups. Digital-first markets such as Australia (38%), New Zealand (37%) and Singapore (34%) also show above-average caution. 

These findings underscore the need for trusted frameworks in AI-driven commerce, an area where Visa is enabling businesses to connect consumers, AI agents and merchants through a secure, scalable trust layer supported by Visa Intelligent Commerce and the Trusted Agent Protocol.  

While consumers are comfortable using AI to compare prices and better understand product features, this confidence fades as transactions become more personal. The study finds that 32% of consumers remain reluctant to share personal or payment information with AI systems, and nearly half (45%) say they would be more open to AI-powered or agentic commerce if they had stronger assurances around payment security.

These findings highlight that while AI can successfully drive discovery, secure authentication and trusted payment experiences are essential to convert interest into action to unlock the full lifecycle of AI-enabled commerce. 

“Consumers are ready for AI to play a more active role in shopping, and agentic commerce has already started scaling beyond concept and into daily life,” added TR Ramachandran. 

“For this shift to accelerate, trust and secure authentication must be in place. With solutions such as Tokenisation and Visa Payment Passkeys, Visa is delivering the seamless and secure experiences customers need — enabling people to shop with greater confidence as AI becomes a more natural part of everyday commerce.” 

Openness to agentic commerce varies across Asia Pacific, revealing that digital maturity does not automatically translate into trust. India and Vietnam lead the region, with 42% of consumers in each market open to using AI for online purchases, indicating strong appetites to experiment with new ways of shopping.

In contrast, consumers in digitally-mature economies show greater reservation towards AI-enabled online shopping, with 14% in Singapore, 14% in Japan and 16% in New Zealand expressing interest. This hesitancy reflects higher expectations for data protection, security and personal control before embracing agentic commerce. The study also found that improved payment security is the strongest enabler of increased adoption in these markets, reinforcing the need for a secure and trusted agentic ecosystem.

*The State of Digital Commerce in Asia Pacific 2025 study was commissioned by Visa and conducted by YouGov in September 2025. The study surveyed 14,764 consumers aged 18 years and above across 14 Asia-Pacific markets.

**For the purposes of this study, “affluent households” refer to respondents with a monthly household income of US$8,000 or above. 

How public priorities shifted in APAC in 2025

Ipsos has released Ipsos 2025 Year in Review, a roundup of the year that reflects where public attention shifted, what mattered most and how national conversations evolved across technology, governance, economic conditions and social change. 

Gillian Guerin, Regional Director, Marcom APAC, Ipsos, shared that Australia focused on AI regulation and youth exposure to technology. "Sixty-seven percent say AI products and services make them nervous, the highest across 30 countries. The upcoming social media ban for under-16s also influenced national discussion on digital wellbeing," she noted.

New Zealand, on the other hand, remained focused on inflation, with 60% naming it the top issue and government performance in managing national issues falling to 4.2 out of 10, its lowest score since 2017. 

India recorded a rise in attention to mental wellbeing, with 73% thinking about it often. This figure is up from 58% in 2024.  

"In Thailand, corruption was the top concern at 51%, while concern about military conflict remained significant at 41%. Earlier in the year, concern about military conflict rose in response to the border disputes with Cambodia before easing as domestic government issues returned to the forefront," Guerin said. 

"Malaysia focused on immigration pressures, with 90% saying there are too many immigrants, the highest across 38 countries." 

People in Singapore are confident about where the country is headed and in the quality of its public services, Guerin added, sharing that in the What Worries the World survey by Ipsos, 77% of Singaporeans said their country is headed in the right direction. And when comparing today's living conditions against what it was like 50 years ago, people are more likely to feel that healthcare and education (84% and 76% respectively) are better today. 

"Despite this, and high economic growth the city state has experienced in the last five decades, Singaporeans are still more likely to say they would rather have been born in 1975 than 2025 (34% vs 30%)," she added.

Other highlights include:

- Japan’s appointment of its first female prime minister influenced expectations for gender representation. However, just 19% believe gender equality will progress in the next five years. 

- South Koreans continued to support globalisation (77%) and prefer domestic products (76%). 

- Indonesia experienced a 9.2-point decline in consumer confidence and shifts in perceptions of national economy over the year. 

- China accelerated AI integration. Over nine in 10 (91% ) said AI has a positive impact.

Holiday Inn Express introduces the Breakfast Alarm Clock

Source: Holiday Inn Express. The Breakfast Alarm Clock uses scents to wake people.

The Great Asia Pacific Wake-Up, commissioned by Holiday Inn Express, part of IHG Hotels & Resorts' essentials portfolio, found that restless sleep, chronic snoozing, and skipped breakfasts are common themes across the region.

Even with the best intentions, travel can throw well-established routines off track. The research revealed 73% of travellers across Asia Pacific lose part of their morning routine when away from home, with the most commonly-neglected habits being exercise, catching up on emails or news – and eating breakfast.

To help make mornings easier and tastier, Holiday Inn Express is introducing the Breakfast Alarm Clock. Now available for a limited time at participating Holiday Inn Express hotels in the Asia Pacific region, the in-room device is the world's first scent-based alarm clock created and designed by a hotel brand. Instead of waking guests with loud beeps, the aroma of breakfast favourites is used. Guests will be roused each morning by a fragrant reminder of one of the brand's most loved hallmarks – the Express Start Breakfast, included with every stay.

The concept was inspired by insights from the study, which found that 58% of Asia Pacific travellers felt a pleasant smell helps, or would help, them feel better when they wake up. When asked which scents would lift their morning mood, respondents named coffee or tea (56%), baked goods (38%), and fresh fruit (30%). These top picks have now been bottled into three wake-up scents available with the Breakfast Alarm Clock: coffee, blueberry muffin and mango.

Dean Jones, VP of Commercial, East Asia & Pacific at IHG Hotels & Resorts, said the experience was designed to help guests reclaim their mornings and how even small comforts can make a big difference when travelling.

“We know from the research that travellers across the Asia Pacific region are struggling with sleep, and many skip breakfast when they travel – sometimes to save money. We've intentionally designed the Holiday Inn Express experience with the best of both worlds: everything needed for a proper night's sleep, plus a free hot breakfast. We want guests to maximise their stay with us, whether it's for work or leisure, or both – and the research has been a great way to direct our attention to do more of what matters most," he said. 

"Holiday Inn Express is about offering guests more of what matters, so we wanted to take this to new heights with something that we know guests will never forget. Waking up and maintaining a routine while travelling can be harder than it sounds, which is something the research underscored for us. But we also know the power of scent: that first whiff of coffee or smell of fresh pastry can work wonders – especially when it's free.”

The Breakfast Alarm Clock experience is rolling out at in Singapore, Japan and Australia, and participating hotels in Thailand. For a burst of local flavour, guests in Singapore and Thailand will be woken with a buffet of coffee, blueberry muffin or mango scents to choose from, while guests in Japan will have the choice of coffee, nashi pear and blueberry muffin. When in Australia and New Zealand, guests may opt for the scent of bacon, blueberry muffin, or coffee. 

These scents have been inspired by local research that also found fresh fruit and pastry were among the top three favourite buffet items in the region.

The experience adds to the brand's commitment of delivering a sensational sleep experience, including everything from the choice of soft and firm pillows to blackout blinds, power showers and bedside charging ports so guests are sure to receive an Express Recharge, every stay. 

Details 

The Breakfast Alarm Clock experience* is available for a limited time stays from 1 to 22 October 2025 in Singapore and 6 to 27 November 2025 in Thailand. Guests can book their stay, choose their wake-up scent, and experience mornings like never before at: hiexpress.com/freebreakfast

*Participating hotels in Singapore include Holiday Inn Express Singapore Katong, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Singapore Novena, Holiday Inn Express Singapore Clarke Quay, Holiday Inn Express Singapore Orchard Road, and Holiday Inn Express Singapore Serangoon. In Thailand, guests can enjoy the experience at Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bangkok Central Pier, Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sathorn, Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam, Holiday Inn Express Pattaya Central, and Holiday Inn Express Rayong.

Digital remittances are very popular in APAC: Visa

Visa, a world leader in digital payments, has found that digital applications as the most popular method for sending and receiving remittances, and ease of use, safety, privacy, and security as the top four user experience benefits driving this preference. 

The results, from Visa's annual Money Travels: 2025 Digital Remittances Adoption Report, are based on responses from 44,000 senders and receivers across 20 countries and territories. The report tracks remittance trends around the world, including Asia Pacific, a key region in the US$905 B* global remittance landscape. 

“Remittances have long driven growth across Asia Pacific, uplifting many economies in the region,” said Chavi Jafa, Senior VP, Head of Commercial and Money Movement Solutions, Asia Pacific, Visa. 

“The clear shift to app-based remittances reflects the region’s demographics, the growing prominence of digital payment modes, as well as user preferences for easy, safe and quick ways to send and receive money. This shift is an important one for banks, remitters and fintechs to note as it will shape how they engage and serve evolving consumer expectations.” 

Source: Visa. Clear inflection point for migration to digital remittances in the Asia Pacific region.

Key findings for Asia Pacific include:

Digital apps remain the most popular and are perceived as the fastest option

· Digital apps are the most-preferred channel to send/receive remittances in Asia Pacific, with usage rates reaching its highest in India (74% to send/76% to receive), the Philippines (74%/66%), and Singapore (70%/75%). 

· Japan is also seeing steady growth, with digital app usage rising by 10% (58%/56%) in 2025 compared to the previous year. 

· Over half of the respondents in the Philippines (73%/73%), Australia (58%/55%), Singapore (67%/66%), and India (55%/53%) perceive digital payments as fastest way to access funds (73%).

· Most Asia Pacific remittance users surveyed report experiencing no issues with sending/receiving digital remittance transfers across all Asian markets, most positively in Australia (48%/53%), Japan (37%/41%), Singapore (36%/37%), and Mainland China (38%/31%, rising significantly since 2024 at +13%/+8%).

Remittance rationale varies across the region

· Contributing to accounts/investments is a primary reason to send/receive remittances across several markets including Mainland China (45%/36%), Singapore (38%/33%), and Japan (27%/23%).

· Sending for general/specific humanitarian need is a key reason for remittances, cited by respondents in Mainland China (45%/33%), India (40%), Singapore (27%), and Australia (25%).

· Sending remittances for an unexpected need was highest in India (44%), the Philippines (41%), and Australia (31%).

· Receiving regular remittances was cited by approximately a third of respondents in the Philippines (39%), Mainland China (34%), and India (30%).

Security and convenience outweigh pain points such as fees

· Digital apps are viewed as the most secure way to send/receive remittances in Asia Pacific, with top responses from India (50%/53%), Australia (49%/45%), and Singapore (44%/42%). 

· Ease of use to send/receive digital remittances was noted most by respondents in Singapore (51%/51%), the Philippines (48%/54%), Japan (47%/42%), and Australia (42%/40%). 

· Digital app fees for sending/receiving remittances were highlighted as a top pain point across Asia Pacific, led by the Philippines (43%/30%), India (36%/33%), and Singapore (32%/32%). Similarly, high fees were noted as the top pain point for sending physical remittances across all markets, with top responses from the Philippines (45%/29%), India (41%/37%), Singapore (38%/30%), Australia (29%/30%).

· Inconvenience and long travel distances remain key challenges for sending physical remittances, with respondents in India (36%) and Mainland China (27%) citing travel as a barrier. In Australia and Singapore, 29% of respondents each noted the physical remittance process as inconvenient and time-consuming alongside concerns about high fees.

· Across most Asia Pacific countries surveyed, the perceived security of physical remittances was low (3%-6%), with Mainland China reporting slightly higher levels of confidence (10%-12%). 

With one billion people relying every year on remittance services and platforms**, Visa continues to innovate and build solutions to enable payments businesses to enhance operational efficiency in money movement and broaden financial access for their customers. The company works in collaboration with global remitters, such as MOIN, WireBarley, Money Chain World Remittance and EzRemit, to help enable efficient money movement through digitised remittances.

“Remittances have long been a lifeline across Asia Pacific, and they will continue to play a vital role in uplifting communities and livelihoods. At the same time, many small businesses are also beneficiary of remittances driving local growth in local economies,” said Rhidoi Krishnakumar, VP, Head of Visa Direct, Asia Pacific, Visa. 

“At Visa, we recognise the enduring purpose of our role in delivering remittances on behalf of our clients and continue to innovate and build solutions to enable more efficient, reliable and secure ways to move money.” 

*World Bank Blogs: In 2024, remittance flows to low- and middle-income countries were expected to reach US$685 B, larger than foreign direct investment (FDI) and official development assistance (ODA) combined.

**International Fund for Agricultural Development, Remittances

Rediscover culinary roots with the Luxury Group by Marriott International

The Luxury Group by Marriott International is bringing the Luxury Dining Series back to the Asia Pacific in 2025.

Source: The Luxury Group by Marriott International. Key visual for the Luxury Dining Series 2025.

This year’s lineup of luxury hotels includes The Ritz-Carlton, Perth; The St Regis Singapore; The St Regis Jakarta; and The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok. Each property will offer curated culinary experiences prepared by Marriott International’s culinary and mixology team.

“We are thrilled to unveil the latest edition of the Luxury Dining Series, featuring an expansion of stops with a broader lineup of culinary talents across our global portfolio of luxury hotels,” said Oriol Montal, Regional VP, Luxury, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International.

“This year’s exclusive collaborations and experiences will celebrate ancient ingredients reimagined for the modern palate, reflecting a key theme identified in The Future of Food 2025 report – forgotten flavours. Through immersive collaborations and multisensory storytelling, we are offering crafted, unforgettable culinary experiences that seamlessly blend craftsmanship, cultural heritage, and innovation.”

Australia - August 15-17 - The Ritz-Carlton, Perth

Curated by Chef Brian Cole of Hearth and Chef Katsuhito Inoue from Chef’s Table at The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto, the East Meets West dinner will offer a fusion of Australian open-fire cooking and Western Australian produce with Japanese kaiseki in a traditional multicourse dining format. 

The two culinary maestros will also pair up for a second farm-to-table menu, dubbed Farmers’ Bounty. Available for one night only, this menu pays homage to the land, the season, and the hands behind the harvest. Presented by Chef Cole and Pastry Chef Jiu Jiang, Hearth’s reimagined afternoon tea experience will celebrate Western Australia’s diverse landscapes, stories, and flavours, including the creamy delights of Margaret River Dairy and the aromatic nuances of native bush spices. 

An exceptional tasting will be prepared by Marco Barsotti, Beverage & Bars Manager of The Ritz-Carlton, Perth, and award-winning Head Bartender Kentaro Wada from The Bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo. Expect handcrafted tipples, paired with distinctive bites by Executive Sous Chef Stephen Cocks. 

Singapore - August 29-31 - The St Regis Singapore

Staying true to the Forgotten Flavours theme, The St Regis Singapore will feature an authentic four-hands Cantonese menu at Yan Ting by Executive Chinese Chef Chan Chung Shing and Daniel Wong, Michelin-starred Chinese Executive Chef of Jin Xuan Chinese Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong. The menu reintroduces indigenous ingredients in inventive ways to bridge tradition and innovation. 

Guests can also look forward to a six-hands menu at The Astor Grill curated by Chef Vladmir Veiga - Head Chef of one Michelin-starred LAB by Sergi Arola of The Ritz-Carlton, Penha Longa Resort, Executive Chef Fabio Granata of The St Regis Singapore, and Chef de Cuisine Angelo Sergio of The Astor Grill. 

In celebration of the 60th anniversary of Singapore’s independence, Chef Angela Lai, former pastry chef of two-Michelin starred Tairroir Taipei, and winner of Asia’s Best Pastry Chef in 2021 by Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, joins forces with Executive Pastry Chef Ng Chee Leong to reimagine beloved sweet and savoury flavours. 

To spotlight three of Asia’s most compelling cocktail destinations - Singapore, Jakarta, and Bangkok, Marco Dongi, Bar Manager of Bar Sathorn at W Bangkok from last year’s Luxury Dining Series returns to collaborate with Paulo Naranjo, Bar and Beverage Manager of The St Regis Jakarta to shake things up at The St Regis Bar.

Indonesia - September 11-14 - The St Regis Jakarta

Gastronomic adventures in Jakarta will kick off with a tasting of fine confections by celebrated Pastry Chef Janice Wong, featuring the rich flavour profiles of Indonesian cacao beans. Experience the Michelin-starred touch of IGNIV Bangkok as Chef Arne Riehn brings his distinctive interpretation of modern Swiss cuisine to Jakarta. Journey through the Indonesian archipelago with a family-style dinner led by Chef Almatino “Tino” Gabriel Ibrata, where the evening begins with a pre-dinner reception featuring a traditional wayang performance.

The St Regis Afternoon Tea experience will be designed by two pastry visionaries, Chef Janice Wong and Chef Kevin Lee. The menu marks an elevated take on afternoon tea, showcasing their avant-garde and flavour-driven approaches to desserts with a curated selection of sweet and savory bites.

Exceptional evening experiences include a noteworthy bar takeover that will honour the origins of punch in Batavia. During this event, Yasuhiro Kawakubo of Punch Room at The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza, and Giovanni Graziadei of Punch Room at The Singapore EDITION will present signature creations from their respective bars that reflect the rich legacy of mixology.

Thailand - September 25-28 - The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok

This year’s series concludes in Bangkok at the new The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok. At Duet by David Toutain, Toutain himself and Chef Valentin Fouache will join hands with Chef Adam Catterall of Hong Kong’s Michelin-starred Roganic, the acclaimed outpost of three-Michelin-starred Chef Simon Rogan. The trio will present a six-hands European tasting menu rooted in honouring local terroir. 

The Bangkok and Hong Kong collaborations continue with another six-hands meal focused on French tradition and Asian finesse starring Chef Toutain and Chef Fouache and Hong Kong’s Louise with Executive Chef Loïc Portalier.

For a special Friends of Lily’s brunch helmed by Chef Pop, guests can further expect an explosion of Middle Eastern, French and Thai flavors prepared by Chef Tala Bashmi - crowned MENA’s Best Female Chef by The World’s 50 Best, Chef Portalier, and Chef Jai of Charmgang.

Adding to the excitement is an intimate private dining experience at Lily’s, exclusive to 10 guests. Crafted by Chef Bashmi, diners can expect a delectable blend of Bahraini cuisine in each soulful bite. 

Headed by Bar and Beverage Manager Ewen Ledan, Calēo Bar will feature a guest bar takeover by Simone Rossi - celebrated cocktail master from Hong Kong and creator of Ratafia Rossi, a distinctive Italian ratafia cherry liquor, and Angelo Sparvoli, Head Bartender of the legendary American Bar at The Savoy, London.

Featuring beans from some of the most distinctive cacao regions around the world, guests can dive into a multisensory chocolate afternoon tea experience at Calēo, where they can enjoy guided tastings, and live demonstrations into the craftsmanship of Executive Pastry Chef Sylvain Constans behind each bite.

Marriott Bonvoy members will also have the opportunity to bid on exceptional dining events using their Marriott Bonvoy Moments loyalty points. The experiences include exclusive dining collaborations, cocktail masterclasses and more, at each of the seven destinations in this year’s Luxury Dining Series.

To explore Marriott Bonvoy Moments, please visit https://moments.marriottbonvoy.com

Hashtag: #MarriottBonvoyMoments

APAC is excited about AI in travel: Booking.com

Booking.com's first Global AI Sentiment Report, drawing insights from over 37,000 consumers across 33 markets globally to explore how people are using, trusting, and responding to AI in everyday life and travel, has revealed a nuanced picture about Asia-Pacific (APAC) consumers.

According to the research, 95% express excitement about AI, 82% are familiar with the technology, and 93% want to use AI in their future travel plans. Zooming out of APAC, there are significant regional differences–while some embrace AI’s potential, others approach it with caution, underscoring the need for responsible implementation that balances opportunity with consumer trust. These new insights and perspectives will help shape the next chapter of AI in travel and beyond, Booking.com said.

The research identified five clear category clusters among APAC consumers, reflecting diverse AI sentiment: 41% identify as AI Enthusiasts, intrigued by AI’s potential, while 15% are AI Advocates, actively championing its benefits and responsible adoption. This enthusiasm is grounded in the belief that AI will make life easier (78%), save time and effort (57%), enhance productivity (49%), and expand learning opportunities (53%). 

However, this excitement coexists with significant caution. About 8% classify themselves as AI Cautious, wary of AI’s development or use, and 6% as AI Skeptics. Notably, one in four respondents (16%) identify as AI Detractors, signalling a meaningful segment resistant to AI adoption.

Across regions, consumer sentiment toward AI varies widely. LATAM leads in enthusiasm (98%) and understanding (89%), while APAC shows strong adoption in daily life, especially in education and transport (41%). In contrast, NORAM and EME remain more cautious, with distrust in AI-generated information highest in these regions (32% and 29% respectively). LATAM stands for Latin America, EME for Europe and Middle East, and NORAM for North America.

Source: Booking.com. Regional breakdowns for the survey around what respondents think about AI, their familiarity about AI, and what they distrust. 

Despite widespread use—98% use AI-powered search and 83% engage with generative tools—trust remains limited. Only 8% fully trust AI, and just 16% are comfortable with it making decisions independently. Most prefer AI as a supportive tool rather than an autonomous decision-maker.

Travel is a key area of AI adoption. Three quarters of global travellers have used AI in planning or during trips, with APAC consumers particularly open to autonomous trip planning (67%). AI is most often used for researching destinations, translation, and navigating transport systems, with growing trust in AI assistants over influencers or peers. There’s also rising demand for AI to support responsible travel, from avoiding crowds to highlighting community-benefiting experiences.

“Generative AI represents one of the most significant technological shifts of our era, opening up new possibilities across industries, including travel. At Booking.com, we’ve been at the forefront of AI innovation for a decade, integrating machine learning and AI to enhance the customer journey at every touchpoint, simplify complexity, inspire curiosity and empower people to shape journeys that feel truly personal. 

"As travellers across APAC look for deeper meaning and connection in every trip, whilst planning their travels with ease, AI is helping to unlock more intuitive and imaginative travel experiences than ever before,” said Laura Houldsworth, MD for Asia Pacific at Booking.com.

“But as we enter this next phase, our responsibility goes beyond technology. Building trust, ensuring transparency, and prioritising safety are critical as we guide travellers, and our industry, into the future.”

Source: Booking.com. A panel discussion about The Promise of AI in Travel during the APAC Trust Summit 2025 in Singapore involved, from left: Laura Houldsworth, MD of Asia Pacific, Booking.com as moderator; Marnie Wilking, Chief Security Officer, Booking.com, who spoke on embedding safety, security, and transparency in every AI interaction; Cheryl Guzman Ng, Senior VP for Marketing & Strategic Partnerships, Alpha JWC Ventures, sharing how startups can scale responsibly with AI; Mary Li, Founder & CEO, Atlas, who detailed how AI can deliver personalised, discovery-led commerce; Kung Teong Wah, GM, Parkroyal Collection Pickering Singapore, discussing elevating guest experiences through sustainable AI innovation; and Jordan Tan, CTO, Singapore Tourism Board, who touched on fostering responsible AI innovation in travel through public-private collaboration.

The report was launched in the region during Booking.com's APAC Trust Summit 2025 in Singapore, during which Houldsworth shared in her keynote how AI’s role in travel is just as much about trust as it is about transformation. Marnie Wilking, Chief Security Officer at Booking.com, followed on with an address emphasising that trust can’t be assumed — it must be earned and re-earned at every step of the customer journey. She shared how Booking.com is using AI proactively to protect users across the travel journey, ensuring security and transparency in every interaction.

Adrienne Enggist, Senior Director of Product, Marketplace at Booking.com, also shared during the event that AI is embedded into the Booking.com platform — from enhancing search to reducing friction — to deliver more personalised, intuitive experiences for travellers. She said: “We’re not using AI to replace human decision-making, but to remove friction and help travellers get to what they really want, faster.”

As part of a vision to make travel more intuitive and human-centric, the company introduced the AI Trip Planner (AITP), which is live in the region in Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. The tool is designed to help users explore, plan and book their next trip in a natural, conversational way.

● Partially powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT API and Booking.com’s proprietary machine learning models, the AITP delivers destination ideas, curated property suggestions, and tailored itineraries—within seconds. 

● Users can ask general travel questions or specific queries like “Where’s a good beach destination for October that’s kid-friendly?” 

● Results include visual lists of properties, live pricing, and deep-links to book—allowing seamless switching between chat and the app’s booking interface.

Booking.com has also rolled out several new generative AI-powered features to streamline the travel search experience: 

● Smart filters: Travellers can type what they’re looking for in their own words. AI presents them with the most relevant options by automatically applying the most relevant filters. 

● Property Q&A: Instantly answers user’s questions using information pulled from listings, reviews and photos. 

● Review summaries (beta): Condenses hundreds of guest reviews into concise, meaningful takeaways. These features went live on mobile in Singapore in November 2024, with global rollouts planned as Booking.com expands its AI suite. 

AI also powers the backbone of Booking.com’s Connected Trip experience, across stays, flights, attractions, transport and more. Internal systems use machine learning to continually optimise performance—from content translation and fraud detection to customer support and pricing strategies. To safeguard user trust, the company has developed custom moderation layers for its AI tools, designed to:

● Filter out personal data and non-travel-related content, 

● Keep conversations focused, safe and appropriate, redirecting unrelated queries and blocking inappropriate content, and 

● Adhere to GDPR and international AI ethics frameworks 

All interactions with the AI Trip Planner are subject to clear Terms of Use, and users are encouraged not to share personal data. Chat history is limited to 30 days (three conversations) and is never used to personalise other aspects of the Booking.com experience. Any data retained is stored securely and may be used only to improve the product through anonymised insights. 

Booking.com maintains round-the-clock security operations to monitor for suspicious activity and ensure a safe environment for all users. 

The AI Trip Planner is only the beginning. Booking.com’s long-term ambition is to incorporate generative AI into every step of a journey from end-to-end. At its core, Booking.com believes AI should enhance, and not replace the human elements of travel, so that every step feels seamless, simple and inspired.  

Neat: APAC businesses losing over 4.5 hours weekly per employee to outdated meeting tech

Outdated meeting room technologies are causing Asia-Pacific (APAC) organisations to lose an average of 4.5 man hours per employee each week. This inefficiency translates to an estimated USD$8,524,000 annual loss for a 1,000-employee company and accounts for approximately 11% of total man-hours lost per employee annually.

These findings are found in From Lagging to Leading: How Smart Collaboration Redefines Work in Asia/Pacific, an IDC InfoBrief commissioned by Neat. IDC surveyed 1,080 executives across the region and found that key frustrations negatively impacting physical meeting productivity include technical issues when using videoconferencing equipment (63%), using outdated technology (55%), and difficulty in setting up or using meeting equipment (55%).

"The data is pretty stark. What many businesses might consider 'good enough' collaboration technology is, in reality, costing them significantly in both time and money," said Niko Walraven, Area VP for APAC at Neat.

"This isn't just an IT issue; it's a fundamental business productivity issue that affects the bottom line and employee experience across the APAC region."

The evolving nature of work in APAC confirms that flexible models are here to stay, requiring purpose-built technology to support them. One-third of APAC-based organisations have 50% of their team members located remotely. Despite a trend of employees returning to the office (over 65% spend three to four days in-office), the need to connect dispersed teams effectively remains critical. This need for hybrid equity is underscored by the fact that 72% of meetings now involve videoconferencing with remote colleagues, and investments in collaboration technology are increasingly prioritised over other workplace facilities.

Looking ahead, IDC predicts that by 2028, 70% of G1000 (the top 1000 largest organisations globally in terms of revenue) employee content will be enhanced with visual, auditory, and/or tactile modalities that will boost effective collaboration.

Neat said specific market insights further highlight the urgency for smart solutions.

Organisations in India show the strongest belief in the region that working from the office boosts productivity (64%). However, they face the second-highest productivity loss from outdated tech, with an estimated 4.8 hours lost per employee per week and a US$9 M annual cost for a 1,000-employee company.

In Singapore, 29% of organisations expect a shift to 100% in-office work in the next 18 months, increasing the pressure on meeting room efficiency. These diverse scenarios all point to the common requirement for adaptable and intelligent collaboration tools to meet specific market demands, Neat said.

Travel Alliance kicks off cross-border telco rewards programme with Grab, Trip.com

The Travel Alliance, comprising Singtel, AIS, Globe, HKT, Optus, Taiwan Mobile and Telkomsel, announced a strategic partnerships with leading ride-hailing, delivery, and travel brands Grab and Trip.com last month to enable savings for Alliance customers when they travel.

The Travel Alliance was formed in February 2024 with the aim of launching the first-of-its-kind cross-border rewards programme to enable its almost 300 million customers to enjoy a slew of incentives on transport, dining, merchandise, and lifestyle services when they travel to the markets where the operators are based. Trip.com and Grab are the first to join the ecosystem of partners to provide perks that can be seamlessly accessed by Alliance customers.

Anna Yip, CEO, International Digital Services (Designate), Singtel, said: “Digital tools and services have become an integral part of our lives and play a greater role when we travel as we rely so heavily on them to help us navigate new spaces and access experiences like tours, dining and more. We’re proud to have Grab and Trip.com join us as we build the programme to enhance our customers’ experiences and provide more value beyond connectivity.

"The Travel Alliance will continue to establish partnerships with key goods and service providers so we can continue to provide our customers with the best deals that support their evolving travel and lifestyle needs.” 

Source: Singtel. Announcing the Travel Alliance.

 

As part of the regional cross-border rewards programme, Trip.com will provide Travel Alliance customers with best-in-market concessions of 10% and 6% off hotel and flight bookings respectively. Eligible Alliance customers will also enjoy an instant upgrade to Trip.com’s top tier Diamond status and receive exclusive perks such as free access to airport VIP lounges and car model upgrades for airport transfers.

“As a customer-focused company, Trip.com is delighted to partner with the alliance of seven telcos to bring exceptional travel opportunities to their users across the Asia Pacific region. This collaboration reflects our commitment to making travel more accessible and rewarding by leveraging innovative partnerships. By combining the convenience of our platform with exclusive discounts for the telco customers, we aim to inspire more people to plan the perfect trip for a better world,” added Han Feng, Head of Marketing, Trip.com. 

The Travel Alliance and Grab will work together to create exclusive deals and discounts for Alliance customers, including a special Grab Tourist Pack, to be launched in early 2025. 

“With our presence in over 700 cities across 8 countries in Southeast Asia, Grab believes we can be the one app travellers need for hailing rides, ordering food, dining out or getting emergency supplies delivered to their doorstep. We are pleased to partner the Travel Alliance to support the travel needs of their vast combined customer base,” said Chuck Kim, MD, Group Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, Grab. 

Pratthana Leelapanang, Chief Consumer Business Officer at AIS, stated: "We are excited by the successful collaboration between major Asian telecom providers. This partnership allows AIS to offer exceptional travel experiences to its customers abroad. Leveraging familiar and convenient services like Trip.com and Grab, along with the additional benefits from The Travel Alliance, AIS is confident this initiative will significantly enhance customer convenience while travelling, fulfilling its commitment to exceptional service.” 

Monita Leung, CEO of Digital Ventures at HKT, said: "The Club, our loyalty platform within the HKT ecosystem, is committed to enriching the cross-border travel experience for our customers. We're thrilled to join hands with leading telcos of the Alliance and international brands, like Trip.com and Grab, to offer delightful benefits and travel opportunities across the region. 

"Our travel agency, Club Travel, also provides a comprehensive range of travel services, including flights, accommodation, events and ticketing, to offer bespoke unforgettable journeys for our valued travellers." 

“We are always seeking bold, innovative ways to elevate our customers’ experiences, wherever they are. This partnership empowers our customers to travel smarter and more affordably, unlocking exclusive rewards that enhance convenience and connectivity. With Globe, every journey becomes seamless and truly rewarding,” said Darius Delgado, Chief Commercial Officer, Globe Telecom. 

Tony Lin, Chief Business Officer of the Consumer Business at Taiwan Mobile, stated that in this tech-savvy era, travellers seek personalised and convenient travel experiences. "With a user-centric approach, Taiwan Mobile strategically partners with renowned global travel brands to provide seamless services for programme members, encompassing everything from their doorstep and airports to their destinations and attractions, creating rich and diverse travel reward experiences. The Telecom Cross-Border Rewards Programme will continue to expand its partnerships, building a transnational rewards ecosystem that allows both business and leisure travelers to easily accumulate points and flexibly redeem rewards. 

"Looking ahead, Taiwan Mobile will continue to embody its Open Possible brand philosophy, combining its Telco+Tech strategy with global partners to jointly create a smarter and more convenient travel ecosystem," he said. 

Telkomsel’s CMO Derrick Heng said: "As the leading digital telco service provider in Indonesia, Telkomsel is committed to enhance customer journey and experiences through innovative and excellent connectivity, service, and solutions. This collaboration empowers our customers, particularly users of our all-digital telco product by.U, to redeem their loyalty points for services from Trip.com, Grab, and other partners, while travelling to seven participating countries. 

"We also welcome Travel Alliance customers to Indonesia, enabling them to redeem their points to explore the rich cultural heritage and unique beauty that Indonesia has to offer." 

The Travel Alliance programme will be progressively expanded to cover key travel corridors and popular destinations globally. Promotions on accommodations, flights, rides, and food deliveries will be progressively rolled out by the Alliance members in 2025. Details on the offerings from the first partners to join the programme include: 

Trip.com 

Over the next six months, Alliance members will be sharing discount codes that their customers can redeem for hotel and flight bookings on Trip.com. These are applicable for travel up to 30 June 2026. 

Customers can use these codes to enjoy 10% off hotel bookings. Subsequent campaigns will include 6% off flight bookings and other promotions. 

Alliance customers on loyalty programmes, such as Singtel Red and Prestige*, may be eligible for an additional perk of getting upgraded to Trip.com’s Diamond status membership. More details on these campaigns will be shared by the respective telcos. 

Grab 

The Grab Tourist Packs, which offer savings on rides and meals, can be easily accessed via Alliance members’ apps, starting with Singtel’s. The offers can be used when traveling to locations in Southeast Asia where Grab is available. The Alliance will be collaborating with Grab to develop tailored Tourist Packs for their respective markets to ensure added benefits and a more personalised experience for their customers when they travel.

*Singtel Red is an all-in-one rewards membership programme that offers subscribers vouchers, exclusive partner deals, and more data on Singapore's 5G network. Singtel Prestige is an exclusive membership that rewards customers on premium plans.

Asean has two top-30 universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025

Asean has two world top-30 universities for the first time ever in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025. The National University of Singapore (NUS) moved up to 17th place, up from 19th last year, while Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU) is 30th, up two places from last year.

Other highlights include:

- Universiti Teknologi Petronas is Malaysia’s highest ranked institution and joins the top 250 for the 1st time in band 201–250, up from band 301-350 last year.

- Chulalongkorn University and Mahidol University are Thailand’s highest-ranked universities, both in band 601–800 (unchanged from last year). Maejo University debuted this year in band 1201-1500 – ahead of eight Thai universities.

- The University of Indonesia, has remained in band 801-1000 since last year and retained its No. 1 position in Indonesia.

- Ateneo de Manila University is the highest-ranked university in the Philippines in band 1001–1200, and is also the country’s highest-ranked university since joining the rankings in 2023.

- Vietnam’s UEH University debuted in band 501–600 while Universiti Brunei Darussalam in Brunei Darussalam is the country’s highest-ranked institution, in the same band.

- Australia’s top five universities have all slipped down the rankings.

Asean universities in the top 800 of the THE World University Rankings 2025

University	Country	Rank 2025	Rank 2024
National University of Singapore	Singapore	17	19
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore	Singapore	30	32
Universiti Teknologi Petronas	Malaysia	201–250	301–350
University of Malaya	Malaysia	251–300	251–300
Sunway University	Malaysia	401–500	601–800
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia	Malaysia	401–500	401–500
Universiti Sains Malaysia	Malaysia	401–500	401–500
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia	Malaysia	401–500	401–500
Universiti Utara Malaysia	Malaysia	401–500	401–500
UEH University	Vietnam	501–600	NR
Universiti Brunei Darussalam	Brunei Darussalam	501–600	401–500
Chulalongkorn University	Thailand	601–800	601–800
Duy Tan University	Vietnam	601–800	601–800
Mahidol University	Thailand	601–800	601–800
Ton Duc Thang University	Vietnam	601–800	601–800
Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA)	Malaysia	601–800	601–800
Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris	Malaysia	601–800	601–800
Universiti Putra Malaysia	Malaysia	601–800	501–600
Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)	Malaysia	601–800	601–800

Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings. See the full list at https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/latest/world-ranking

Three new countries have joined the top 200, including KSA and the UAE, bringing the total to 30 countries.

A record 93 Asean universities were ranked this year, up from 80 last year. Indonesia boasts the most newcomers with seven new universities ranked; the highest-ranked is Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta in band 1201-1500.

Indonesia also has the most-ranked universities from Asean, with 31 institutions represented. Malaysia has the second-most ranked institutions with 23 in Asean, and Thailand is third with 20.

Of Malaysia’s 23 universities, four rose in the rankings, with Sunway University in Malaysia jumping forward to join the top 500 in band 401-500, up from band 601–800 last year. Meanwhile, newcomer Management & Science University (MSU) joined the rankings in band 801-1000. Elsewhere in Malaysia, three universities had lower rankings, and 15 stayed in the same position.

The number of Thai universities increased from 19 last year to 20 this year, with Maejo University debuting strongly in band 1201-1500 – higher than eight other Thai universities.

The Philippines had six universities ranked this year, up from five last year.

The rankings assess research-intensive universities across 18 performance indicators, which are divided into five pillars, covering the core missions of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and internationalisation. Pillarwise, Malaysia scored well in the research excellence and research influence metrics, and it is particularly successful in the international metrics.

The industry pillar, which measures the exchange between academia and industry, was Thailand’s strongest pillar, however, this has been declining over time relative to the rest of the world. Conversely, its research quality and research environment pillars have been improving since 2019.

While three out of the 31 Indonesian universities fell in the rankings, none improved their position. There were seven new entrants this year, and 21 remained in the same band.

Compared with last year, Indonesian universities, on average, improved by 0.6 points, most of which is driven by research influence and research excellence. Compared with the Asian average, Indonesian universities underperformed in all metrics except two – studying abroad and international staff. Its worst metrics were patents, research strength and research excellence.

Philippine universities underperformed against the Asian average across most metrics except student-staff ratio, studying abroad and international co-authorship. Its worst-performing metric compared with the Asian average was research strength.

The industry pillars have been growing significantly in Singapore, as have research quality and research environment. However, the international pillar has been declining in the last five years relative to the rest of the world.

Across most of Asean a lack of qualified effective academics, who are equipped to lead universities there, has contributed to holding back higher education in those countries. Phil Baty, Times Higher Education Chief Global Affairs Officer, said: 

Singapore

“Singapore’s status as a world-class hub for higher education, research and innovation talent is well and truly established, with Times Higher Education’s data now showing that the dynamic city state has two world top-30 universities for the first time ever. It is a remarkable achievement and testament to strong support for universities and R&D as fundamental to the success of the nation and the centring of human talent as Singapore’s greatest resource.”

Malaysia

“Transformations are taking place in Malaysian higher education, including attracting more international students as part of its efforts to globally promote its universities as well as growing research strength, which is paying dividends as a university breaks into the top 250 of the THE World University Rankings 2025. As Malaysia emerges as a strengthening global education hub, we expect to see further success in the world’s most comprehensive and rigorous university rankings in the years to come.”

Thailand

The Thai government is supporting its universities to deliver maximum social and economic impact, and they are emerging as world leaders on the sustainable development goals, which bodes well for their international partnerships and their global academic standing. However, concerns have been raised about a ‘publish or perish’ mindset in Thai research, with too much focus on the quantity of research outputs over their quality. Our rankings methodology values quality over quantity, so we look forward to supporting the sector with data insights and practical support to strengthen the research base."

Indonesia

"It is fantastic to see the participation of Indonesia who have 31 institutions represented, the most in the Asean region and who boast the most newcomers with seven new universities ranked."

The world’s highest-ranked higher education institution is the UK’s University of Oxford, which has maintained the top spot for a record nine years in a row. Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US is the second highest ranked university in the world and in third place is Harvard University.

The THE World University Rankings started with 200 universities. The 21st edition of the rankings has 2,092 universities ranked – up from 1,907 last year – from 115 countries and regions.

This year 2,860 institutions submitted data, up 6.9% from last year, representing 133 countries and territories. The remaining 768 institutions gained “reporter” status, which means, although they submitted data, they did not meet THE’s eligibility criteria to receive a ranking.

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View the full World University Rankings 2025 results at https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/latest/world-ranking