JW Marriott Singapore South Beach has debuted a Stay & Explore room package, a curated offering designed to streamline the arrival and sightseeing experience for travellers in the Marina Bay precinct.
Valid for stays through August 31, 2026, the promotion targets leisure and first-time visitors seeking a seamless transition into the city.
JW Marriott Singapore South Beach Premier Room
The package requires a minimum three-night booking and includes complimentary two-way airport transfers and a pair of “Discover Tickets” for either the Singapore Big Bus Tour or the DUCKtours.
Situated at the intersection of the civic district and Marina Bay, the 634-room hotel positions guests within walking distance of major cultural landmarks and Singapore’s CBD.
On-site, the property features specialised F&B outlets including modern Cantonese at Madame Fan and Korean-Japanese fusion at Akira Back. Guests also have access to the Flow18 Sky Garden, which offers panoramic views of the city skyline.
Rates for the package fluctuate based on room category and seasonal demand, and all inclusions must be utilised during the booked stay period.
AI-powered travel marketing platform, Sojern, has appointed Sylvia Weiler as president and general manager of its global destinations business.
Weiler returns to the company after previously helping build its destinations segment. She most recently served as chief revenue officer at Zartico and has held senior roles at Tripadvisor and Airbnb.
Global business travel is facing a dual challenge as soaring fuel costs and Middle East airspace closures force a rapid recalculation of corporate travel strategies.
While the industry remains resilient, travel management companies (TMCs) are seeing a shift in how companies prioritise routing and risk management to ensure business continuity.
The closure of Middle Eastern airspace – critical transit points for travel between Asia and Europe – has forced travel managers to rethink their routing strategies due to limited inventory
“Beyond safety considerations, there is limited inventory available on Middle Eastern carriers, as much of the region’s airspace remains closed,” noted Sharifah Alhabshi, BCD Travel’s senior director for programme management in Asia-Pacific. “As a result, travellers are routing via other carriers.”
Vicki Parris, managing director of FCM Travel, South-east Asia & Japan, shared that the TMC is “seeing travellers opt for direct flights on carriers” that can provide better connectivity.
Meanwhile, Eugene Tan, general manager for South-east Asia at Trip.Biz, noted that travel managers are increasingly requesting platforms that offer “full itinerary visibility” to allow for quick changes or cancellations in response to evolving risks.
“In this environment, travel managers are also comparing a wider range of routing and airline options… to maintain policy compliance, cost control and traveller safety,” he added.
Industry leaders also suggest that traveller safety has moved from a secondary priority to an absolute requirement, and is where Asia-Pacific’s stability will prove to be an advantage.
Parris highlighted that the region’s reputation is a significant factor right now, as companies have always prioritised “destinations with robust health, safety, and geopolitical stability measures”.
Alhabshi echoed this, describing safety not as a currency, but as an “essential baseline requirement that companies and destinations must meet to sustain trust”. She pointed out that the perception of stability in Asia-Pacific has made the region significantly more attractive for business travel.
Despite fuel prices hitting record highs, the expected downgrade in travel classes or widespread cancellation of events has yet to materialise.
“We have seen in the past that corporates tend to take a wait-and-see approach to events and conferences – with them more likely to switch location than simply cancel,” said Parris. She also noted that while clients are more prudent with spending, they are not necessarily making class changes – such as dropping from Business to Premium Economy – because companies continue to value traveller well-being.
When asked about fuel price impact on business travel spend, Tan explained that it varies according to the negotiated rates that companies have with airlines based on minimum volumes. He noted that because fuel surcharge exposure varies, multi-source access to airlines ensures full visibility into available inventory and pricing.
According to Tan, this is a benchmark for TMC effectiveness. Trip.Biz connects to multiple GDS platforms, allowing it to offer direct airline connections, more than 34 NDC connections, more than 150 Trip.Biz exclusive fares and extensive OTA inventory, reaching sources that traditional players cannot access with single-GDS reliance.
Tan concluded: “Business travel continues to thrive – companies travel where there is a clear business need, but they are paying closer attention to routing, class of travel, and overall trip cost.”
Organisers envision the initiative evolving into a permanent platform for sustainability dialogue within the business events sector
Meet Taiwan, Japan Convention Management Association, and Asia Venue Alliance (AVA) have successfully executed their joint CSR Day initiative, marking a milestone in greening the regional events industry.
Announced earlier in March, the partnership sought to synchronise sustainability efforts across Asian convention and exhibition centers, transforming high-level net-zero commitments into tangible community actions.
Organisers envision the initiative evolving into a permanent platform for sustainability dialogue within the business events sector
The initiative culminated on May 15, 2026, as venues across the continent carried out a variety of sustainability and engagement activities. These actions ranged from practical visitor incentives – such as rewards for using reusable cups – to the hosting of local community performances within venue spaces.
The objective was to move beyond high-level policy, creating visible, impact-driven results that resonated with both event attendees and local residents.
The rollout followed a Sustainability Venue Collaboration Meeting, where stakeholders from Taiwan and Japan shared practical strategies for energy efficiency and waste management.
Notable participating venues from Taiwan included ICC Tainan, Taipei International Convention Center, and Kaohsiung Exhibition Center; alongside Japan’s Pacifico Yokohama, and Osaka International Convention Center.
The dialogue was further bolstered by virtual participation from the Joint Meetings Industry Council, and several AVA members, including Setia SPICE Convention Centre (Malaysia), Ariyana Convention Centre Danang (Vietnam), Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (Malaysia), and Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center (Indonesia).
Health-related risks and transportation incidents rank as top concerns for business travellers worldwide
Transportation incidents and health-related risks rank as top concerns for business travellers worldwide, according to BCD Travel’s Research & Intelligence’s survey of 1,284 business travellers conducted last November.
Crime and natural disasters followed as other top worries, each cited by roughly one-third of respondents. The results are part of BCD’s latest report on changing attitudes toward travel risk management (TRM).
Health-related risks and transportation incidents rank as top concerns for business travellers worldwide
Transportation and health risks dominate concerns
Transportation accidents are the leading fear, cited by 37% of travellers, followed closely by health emergencies at 35%. Over the past year, 8% of those surveyed experienced an incident that required company support, with weather-related events accounting for almost a quarter of those cases.
Hotels and ground transport perceived as safe options
Regardless of these concerns, travellers still express confidence using managed travel options.
Most travellers (86%) feel safe when staying at hotels included in their corporate travel programme. Ground transportation, including ride-hailing services and traditional taxis are viewed favourably and considered safe by over 70% of respondents.
Persistent gaps in traveller awareness still remain
Despite trust in managed travel options, the survey reveals persistent gaps in traveller awareness and preparedness. Even though many organisations offer access to safety information through booking and risk management apps, travellers remain unsure where to find safety resources.
Nearly one-third of travellers do not know where to locate company safety information, and over a quarter turn to alternative sources during an incident. About 30% are unsure whom to contact in an emergency, and 18% hesitate to seek help because they are uncertain whether their situation was serious enough.
Employer engagement is key when mitigating risks
To close these gaps, employer engagement plays a critical role in mitigating risk. According to BCD’s 2026 Travel Outlook report, a broad range of heightened risks persist for business travellers including extreme weather, regional tensions, disease risk and more.
These concerns are already influencing behavioir: 11% of travellers responded that safety concerns prompted them to cancel their trip. Of those surveyed, 66% rate company support during risk incidents as high or very high; only seven per cent report minimal or no support. Common employer resources include flexible travel options, 24/7 emergency support, risk alerts and company phones with roaming. The most desired resource is pre-trip destination information (30%), which 38% says is currently available to them.
Over half of respondents believe their company’s safety measures are evolving to address new risks, while 9% disagree, and 35% are uncertain. While 27% of travellers are satisfied with their employers’ travel safety policies and do not believe improvements are needed, an equal share of travellers have voiced they want better communication.
FCM Consulting has launched the Travel Impact Index, a sophisticated assessment framework designed to help travel managers articulate the strategic value of managed travel programmes beyond simple cost-savings.
While professional confidence remains high – with recent Institute of Travel Management research noting that 84 per cent of travel professionals feel their roles are secure – practitioners are facing unprecedented pressure to justify travel spend in the face of AI-driven automation and global geopolitical volatility.
Screenshot of FCM’s website
The structured framework evaluates programme strength across five key pillars Governance and Risk Management; Data Visibility; Supplier Strategy; Stakeholder Engagement; and Behavioural Influence.
“Automation and accessible data can give the impression that managed travel is straightforward and easily reduced to price,” said Jo Lloyd, global head of customer management and consulting at FCM. “The real value lies in the oversight, risk management, and judgments that sit behind the transactions.”
Rather than focusing strictly on procurement savings, the Index encourages senior leadership to quantify often-overlooked metrics, such as avoided corporate liabilities, reduced traveller friction, and the specific business outcomes enabled by face-to-face connectivity.
Lloyd added: “If the business understands the value of the travel programme, it will invest in it. The Travel Impact Index helps travel leaders present their programme in terms that senior decision-makers recognise.”
The upgraded AV and staging systems in Taipei Marriott Hotel
Taipei Marriott Hotel has unveiled Taiwan’s first built-in sliding LED display system, part of a multi-million-dollar upgrade to its Grand Ballroom.
The 1,260m2 pillar-free venue now features two centrally installed sliding screens capable of near-4K resolution, allowing for flexible stage configurations and seamless content segmentation.
The upgraded AV and staging systems in Taipei Marriott Hotel
This visual overhaul is paired with a Bose progressive directivity array speaker system to ensure consistent audio coverage across the 9.9m-high space.
By integrating in-house staging, lighting, and sound expertise, the hotel has transitioned into a one-stop production partner for the more than 1,000 corporate events it hosts annually.
The global events industry is entering a high-growth phase with the arrival of several new convention centres in Asia-Pacific designed for a new era of connectivity.
From the New Zealand International Convention Centre to the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre, these landmarks aim to set new benchmarks in spatial versatility, technological infrastructure, and ESG-led design. We profile seven latest openings poised to reshape the international exhibition market.
Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center is set within a landscaped urban park
Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center
As the industrial heart of Taiwan, Taichung serves as the primary base for clusters in machine tools, optoelectronics, aerospace, bicycles, and hand tools. To capitalise on this concentration of “Made in Taiwan” manufacturing, the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) chose Taichung as the location for its first major convention and exhibition hub outside of Taipei. The result is the Taichung International Convention and Exhibition Center (TICEC), which officially entered trial operations in late 2025.
In addition, TICEC was designed to bridge the gap between tradeshows and production, by allowing international buyers to visit an exhibition, and tour a nearby factory within the same day.
The complex is divided into two primary structures – Exhibition Hall and Convention Center – spanning a total usable area of nearly 39,000m². This scale allows for up to 1,633 standard booths, with the flexibility to host gatherings ranging from 30 to 10,000 participants. Key spaces include the C101 Conference Room, which seats 3,000 people and can be subdivided into six independent meeting rooms.
To support the modern requirement for hybrid programming, the centre is equipped with high-speed fibre optic networks and venue-wide Wi-Fi. The infrastructure is built to ensure virtual participants can engage seamlessly with on-site attendees through high-specification audiovisual systems, including simultaneous interpretation and LED video walls.
This operation is led by a veteran management team from TAITRA’s Taipei venues, ensuring that international operational standards are applied to every facet of the venue, from security to catering.
Sustainability was a core component of the venue’s development. TICEC holds the Diamond-level Certificate for Green Building, and Diamond-level Candidate Certification for Building Carbon Footprint. Its environmental features include a rooftop solar array of 4,945 panels that powers the equivalent of 600 households annually, and a condensate recycling system that recovers 480 cubic metres of water monthly for irrigation. Additionally, the complex incorporates 200,000 plants that absorb approximately 140 tons of carbon dioxide every year.
Following its 2025 debut, the centre’s 2026 calendar is already heavily booked.TICEC’s director, Kevin Wu, confirmed that over 50 exhibitions – such as the Taiwan International Machine Tool Show, and Taichung Industrial Automation Exhibition 2026 – have been secured. Altogether, an estimated 350 events, including conferences and corporate functions, and three million visitors are expected in the first full 12 months of operation. – Rachel AJ Lee
Mactan Expo hosted the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2026 in January
Mactan Expo
Mactan Expo officially opened in January 2026 and is the largest purpose-built convention facility in Mactan, Cebu.
Located at the heart of Megaworld’s 30-hectare Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, the two-storey venue anchors business events within a fully master-planned township that integrates business, hospitality, lifestyle and beachfront components.
According to a spokesperson from Mactan Expo, the venue was conceived to place meetings and conventions at the intersection of accessibility and resort-style appeal.
“Just 15 minutes from Mactan-Cebu International Airport, delegates can arrive with ease and move seamlessly into the township, where the 550-room Mercure Mactan Cebu and the 546-room Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown offer accommodation within walking distance of the venue.
“A wide range of dining and leisure options at Mactan Newtown Beach further adds an island dimension to the business events experience,” the spokesperson said.
The venue features a 2,600m² main hall that can host up to 1,850 guests in a banquet setup, complemented by a 1,426m² pre-function area, three VIP rooms, high-speed connectivity, a dedicated service kitchen, and in-house catering with local, international, and halal selections. The mezzanine level adds two breakout rooms, a pre-function space, and an open-air balcony ideal for networking and socials.
Built in compliance with the Philippine Green Building Code, Mactan Expo incorporates rainwater harvesting, energy-efficient lighting and a materials recovery facility designed to support on-site waste segregation, ensuring proper handling and preparation of municipal solid waste for collection and recycling.
Major events that have already been held at Mactan include the ASEAN Tourism Forum and Megaworld Hotels & Resorts Sales & Marketing Conference, with the former marking the venue’s first regional event. Upcoming events include ASEAN Summit in May, and Ironman 70.3 in August. – S Puvaneswary
Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok has appointed Thaddaeus Weiss as general manager, overseeing both the hotel and The Residences at Sindhorn Kempinski.
Weiss returns to the property after previously serving as hotel manager from 2021 to 2024 and being part of the pre-opening team. He most recently held the role of hotel manager at The Apurva Kempinski Bali, where he oversaw multiple divisions and operations.
The Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE) has debuted a new short-form podcast designed to elevate discourse and practice across the association community.
The initiative, led by Octavio Peralta, founder and volunteer CEO of the PCAAE, and produced in partnership with Membes, an Australian association management system solutions provider, is named Association Matters: Conversations on Governance, Leadership and Impact. It will serve as a platform for practical conversations with association leaders, executives, and practitioners who are shaping how associations operate and evolve in the Philippines and beyond.
Octavio Peralta, founder and volunteer CEO of the PCAAE, has created a podcast to bring practical content to association leaders, executives, and practitioners
Peralta said: “The rationale for launching the podcast is both timely and strategic. Association leaders today are navigating a rapidly changing environment, shifting member expectations, digital transformation, volunteer engagement challenges, sustainability concerns, and increasing scrutiny of governance practices. At the same time, learning preferences are evolving. Leaders seek concise, relevant, and on-demand content that fits into busy professional lives. With a focused 10-minute format, Association Matters responds directly to this need by distilling insights that are immediately applicable and grounded in real experience.”
Each episode will explore practical themes central to association excellence, including governance frameworks, the board-secretariat partnership, strategic planning, volunteer leadership, financial stewardship, collaboration, and the future of associations.
The podcast has so far featured conversations with Rizchelle Sampang-Manaog, executive director of the CFA Society Philippines, and Enrique I Florencio, secretary general of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific.
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Weiler returns to the company after previously helping build its destinations segment. She most recently served as chief revenue officer at Zartico and has held senior roles at Tripadvisor and Airbnb.
Weiss returns to the property after previously serving as hotel manager from 2021 to 2024 and being part of the pre-opening team. He most recently held the role of hotel manager at The Apurva Kempinski Bali, where he oversaw multiple divisions and operations.
