Minor Hotels has appointed Sasha Tyas as general manager of Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas.
Tyas has more than 25 years of international experience in luxury hospitality, with leadership roles in Portugal, Brazil, the Caribbean, the Seychelles and the Maldives.
She was previously general manager of the 224-suite Ilma yacht with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, sailing in Europe and the Caribbean.
Kuching has been named as the host city for the 23rd World Veterinary Poultry Association Congress (WVPAC 2025), marking the first time the global event will be held in Malaysia.
The congress, with the theme Sustainable Healthy Poultry for a Healthier World, is scheduled to take place from October 6 to 10, 2025, at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
The event will bring together over 1,500 delegates from more than 50 countries, including 19 leading international speakers, and generate a total economic impact of over RM9.8 million (US$2.3 million) for Sarawak.
WVPAC 2025 will serve as a key platform for sharing cutting-edge research and best practices to strengthen the resilience of global poultry production. In addition to the conference, an exhibition will showcase the latest innovations and services in poultry health and production.
However, officials emphasised that the true legacy of the congress will be the knowledge exchange and partnerships it fosters.
“Sarawak is determined to become more self-reliant and competitive in food supply,” said Stephen Rundi Anak Utom, minister for food industry, commodity and regional development Sarawak. “WVPAC 2025 will facilitate the exchange of ideas and the advancement of a more resilient food system for future generations.”
“WVPAC 2025 is an opportunity to build local capacity in veterinary poultry medicine and contribute towards sustainable food systems and improved poultry health management,” added Adrian Susin Ambud, director general, Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak. “Animal health plays a key role in a robust system, so we gladly extend our support to WVPA Malaysia’s mission in making a positive contribution.”
The congress is a collaborative effort organised by the World Veterinary Poultry Association Malaysia, with support from partners including the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak, the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak, and Business Events Sarawak.
Marlborough has been selected to host the Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand 2027 Conference, a move that is expected to bring more than 400 delegates and an economic boost of over NZ$900,000 (US$534,339) to the region.
his will mark the third time Marlborough has hosted the conference, with previous events held in 2016 and 2019.
The successful bid was a collaboration between Wine Marlborough, Business Events Marlborough, and Tourism New Zealand Business Events. The announcement coincides with the 50th anniversary of the first Sauvignon Blanc planting in the region in 1975.
Natalie Christensen, chair of the Sauvignon 2027 organising committee, noted that the decision to return to Marlborough was unanimous, citing the region’s strong support.
With Marlborough producing around 82 per cent of New Zealand’s wine volume, local officials see the conference as a key opportunity to showcase the region’s impact on the global wine industry.
Nadine Taylor, mayor of Marlborough, highlighted the event as a chance to demonstrate the innovation and sustainability of the local wine sector, while Tracey Green, general manager of Destination Marlborough, emphasised the unique experience awaiting delegates.
The wine industry is a cornerstone of the Marlborough economy, contributing 20 per cent of the region’s GDP and supporting one in five jobs. It accounts for more than NZ$1.8 billion of New Zealand’s total NZ$2.1 billion in wine export earnings.
Yotel has named Phil Andreopoulos as its CEO. He joins Yotel from Marriott International, where he held senior leadership positions across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Andreopoulos was most recently chief commercial officer for EMEA at Marriott International, responsible for brand management, marketing, e-commerce, sales, reservations, revenue management, loyalty, communications and consumer insights across 78 countries and all Marriott brands.
BCD Travel’s latest survey of business travellers worldwide to understand their accommodation preferences, booking behaviour and experiences during business trips has found gaps in hotel loyalty, hesitation in mixing business trips with leisure and involving companions as well as sustainability blind spots in Asia-Pacific.
In this episode of TTG Conversations: Five Questions video news series, Amitava Lahiri, director, programme management – Asia-Pacific at BCD Travel explains the reasons behind these travel behaviours and what it means for corporate travel managers and suppliers.
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is stepping up efforts to attract more Malaysian corporate groups, with a target of five per cent annual growth over the next three to five years.
In Kuala Lumpur on September 3, during the Thailand MICE Roadshow in Malaysia 2025, TCEB’s senior vice president, Puripan Bunnag, shared this goal with TTGmice.
Puripan elaborated: “We are positioning Thailand as a destination where MICE travellers can maximise return on investment and return on experience. This is possible due to our constant development of new products and services, not only in Bangkok but also in other MICE cities and potential MICE cities across the country.”
Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai remain the most popular choices for Malaysian groups, but TCEB is also promoting secondary destinations such as Hat Yai, Songkhla, Krabi, Hua Hin, Khao Yai and Ayutthaya.
Puripan revealed that TCEB has been working closely with these destinations to help them develop and craft localised experiences. For instance, Hat Yai and Songkhla are being promoted as a complementary pair, combining modern amenities with cultural and historical richness.
The bureau is also targeting high-value sectors in Malaysia, including banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals, automotive, electronics and multi-level marketing companies.
Based on information from TCEB, Malaysian companies are now choosing a wider variety of destinations in Thailand for their corporate events. While popular spots like Bangkok, Pattaya, and Hat Yai were the main choices five years ago, their preferences have since expanded to include cities such as Krabi, Hua Hin, Khao Yai, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
“Our enriched product choices and dual-city programmes deliver a genuine return on investment and experience, with meaningful rewards that go beyond expectations,” Puripan stated.
Malaysia is currently Thailand’s third-largest source of overseas business events travellers after China and India. Within South-east Asia, Malaysia ranks as Thailand’s top source market, ahead of Singapore and Vietnam. From October 2024 to June 2025, Malaysia contributed 125,189 business events delegates to Thailand, or 14.4 per cent of total international business event arrivals to the Kingdom.
Golden Palm Tree Malaysia has made three new appointments to its management team, covering operations, sales and marketing, and communications.
Azmil Kessler is the new resort manager, overseeing daily operations. He was previously executive assistant manager at Thistle Port Dickson.
Amigo Law is the director of sales and marketing, responsible for sales strategies and market development. He was most recently director of sales at Lexis Hotels and Resorts.
Kattie Hoo now leads the marketing and communications division, handling branding and communications. She was previously with Dorsett Hospitality International.
Marriott International has promoted Kiran Andicot to senior vice president, South Asia. In his new role, he will oversee operations and development across the region, align growth with operating performance, strengthen owner partnerships, accelerate conversions and openings, and build the leadership bench.
Kiran joined Marriott in 2006 and has since played a key role in driving growth across India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh, signing more than 220 hotels. He previously worked in real estate and hospitality consultancy with EY and HVS, and in hotel operations with IHCL and the Oberoi Group.
American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT) has completed its acquisition of CWT, combining two major players in the business events sector.
The deal, which was first announced in March 2024 and valued at approximately US$540 million, is expected to create significant value for shareholders, with Amex GBT targeting approximately US$155 million in run-rate identified synergies within three years.
The acquisition will allow Amex GBT to invest more in its technology and services, offering CWT’s customers access to an expanded suite of tools and resources.
This includes proprietary travel and expense software like Neo and Egencia, as well as the Select platform, which integrates with leading technology partners. CWT customers will also benefit from Amex GBT’s comprehensive professional services, including consulting, sustainability solutions, and its extensive marketplace of competitive travel content.
Amex GBT, which is operated by Global Business Travel Group, said it will provide updated financial guidance for the full year on its next earnings call in November.
New Delhi will host the 23rd edition of Routes Asia, the only air service development event dedicated to advancing aviation across the Asia-Pacific region.
The Airports Authority of India will host the 2027 gathering, with the official announcement made on September 2.
Driven by record-breaking aircraft orders and major infrastructure investment, India’s aviation market is expanding rapidly. Rising demand from a growing middle class is reshaping both domestic and international travel, altering market dynamics. Supported by strategic investment, progressive policies and a robust regulatory framework, India is on track to become one of the world’s largest aviation markets.
Currently served by more than 60 international and domestic carriers, India has established itself as a major aviation hub in South Asia. A World Travel and Tourism Council study found the country welcomed 20 million international visitors in 2024 – 2.3 million more than in 2019 – reaffirming its position as a leading global tourism destination.
India has seen the number of operational airports double over the past decade, growing from 74 in 2014 to more than 160, with plans to build 350 airports by 2047, including 34 mega airports.
Routes director Steven Small said: “As one of the fastest-growing aviation markets, India presents an exciting opportunity for the route development community. This growth will further accelerate, as a result of Routes Asia, with independent analysis showing that previous host airports in record network growth outpacing comparable airports by around 6.9 per cent within three years.”
Vipin Kumar, chairman of the Airports Authority of India, added: “As we welcome the world to Routes Asia 2027 in India, we embark on a journey to unlock the limitless potential of our skies. Let’s forge new pathways, strengthen partnerships and ignite the passion of our youth to shape the future of civil aviation.
“Together, we will accelerate air connectivity, drive economic growth and showcase the wonders of Incredible India.”
