Global Travel News

Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia / TRAVELINDEX / YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, visited the World National & World Asia Tapas Competition, Exhibition, Festival and Seminar 2026 (WATCEFS 2026) during its four-day run at Meritz Hotel Miri, meeting personally with competing chefs from across Asia and Malaysia and declaring the event a tremendous success.

The Minister engaged with the 55 competitors from 13 countries, the 12 international jurors, and witnessed an event that brought together over 100 exhibitors and food vendors, 15 speakers and masterclass presenters, and more than 3,000 attendees. He called for Miri to host more international events of this calibre.

“Miri should have more international events such as WATCEFS,” YB Dato Sri Abdul Karim said. “Events like this are investments. And the returns are measured not just in ringgit, but in relationships that compound over years and decades.”

WATCEFS 2026 was more than a culinary competition. It was a bridge between Sarawak and the kitchens of thirteen nations, between our rich multicultural heritage and the global markets, between aspiration and achievement.

Delegations from Spain, China, Vietnam, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Jordan, and Abu Dhabi filled the Meritz Hotel from 18 to 21 June. Every handshake was a potential trade agreement. Every exhibitor on that trade floor was building a commercial relationship that will outlast this week. The 30 Malaysian chefs who competed in the World National Tapas Competition and the 25 Asia chefs who battled in the World Asia Tapas Competition will carry Sarawak’s flag to the World Tapas Championship in Valladolid, Spain, in November 2026.

Beyond the competitions, the programme featured the Borneo Barista Art & Coffee Blending Challenge, sustainability seminars on eco-conscious gastronomy and digital tourism, masterclasses led by award-winning practitioners from six countries, the “Asia on a Plate” culinary showcase at Jinhold Hotel & Serviced Apartment, and the WATCEFS Food Festival at The Santai Terrace featuring 11 community associations celebrating Miri’s 34 ethnic communities.

Sarawak is not waiting for the world to discover it. It is going out to meet the world, and it is inviting the world to come. WATCEFS 2026 is proof that when government vision, private sector commitment, and community passion come together, the world listens.

About WATCEFS 2026
Now in its third consecutive year, WATCEFS is organised by Ethos Connect International Consulting Sdn Bhd and the Sarawak International Technical & Vocational Education Association under the leadership of Organising Chair Ms Sim Ling Ling. Supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia, and Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak). Sponsors: Malaysian Pepper Board (Platinum), Carlsberg and Jinhold Hotel & Serviced Apartment (Gold), BonCafe Malaysia (Silver).

Media Contact:
Ms Sim Ling Ling | Tel: 012-873 9900
Ethos Connect International Consulting Sdn Bhd | support@sustainableborneo.my | www.sustainableborneo.my

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Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, June 23, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / At The Hari Hong Kong this summer, choosing where to brunch may be the hardest decision of the weekend.

In a dining room defined by warm amber and green tones, timber-lined walls and abundant natural light, Lucciola serves a weekend brunch centred on seasonal ingredients and classic Italian flavours.

Guests begin with a selection of antipasti before moving on to dishes such as sauteed black mussels with parsley and garlic, roasted lamb T-bone, and Lucciola’s signature tiramisu. The brunch is priced from HKD 628 per person and includes 90 minutes of free-flow red, white and sparkling wine. Guests can also opt for a newly extended two-hour free-flow Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne package for an additional HKD 368 per person.

A floor above, Zoku and adjacent outdoor venue The Terrace offer a contrasting take on the weekend ritual. Meaning “clan” in Japanese, Zoku is characterised by leather fluted booths and crimson velvet banquettes under an origami-inspired ceiling of angled timber slats. The Terrace overlooking Wan Chai provides an open-air setting framed by lush greenery and a striking triple-height living wall.

The brunch begins with “Otoshi: The Izakaya Way” – a selection of Japanese snacks – followed by an assorted sashimi platter showcasing seasonal seafood before a choice of mains and desserts. Highlights include truffle Yaki soba and A-4 Miyazaki Wagyu steak. Priced from HKD 628 per person, brunch at Zoku & The Terrace includes free-flow drinks. Guests can also upgrade to a newly extended two-hour free-flow package featuring Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne and premium sake for an additional HKD 368 per person.

“One of the things we love about our weekend brunches is that they offer two completely different experiences under the one roof,” said Francesco Gava, the hotel’s Director of Food & Beverage. “Some guests are drawn to the warmth and conviviality of our Italian brunch, yet others prefer contemporary Japanese flavours with sake at Zoku & The Terrace.”

Weekend Brunch is available at Lucciola every Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays, and at Zoku & The Terrace on Saturdays and public holidays. Both brunch experiences are served between 12:00pm and 4:30pm (with last orders at 2:30pm). Food items are subject to seasonal rotation, ensuring a fresh experience with every visit. Prices are subject to a 10% service charge.

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Bangkok, Thailand, June 23, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / STEM Racing Thailand successfully delivered its Professional Class Teacher Training Programme on 16–17 May 2026 at the Grand Richmond Stylish Convention Hotel, bringing together educators, coaches, and STEM learning leaders from across the country to strengthen teaching capabilities and prepare students for the upcoming STEM Racing Thailand National Finals 2026, scheduled for 29 October – 1 November 2026.

The programme represents a key milestone in STEM Racing Thailand’s mission to equip educators with industry-relevant knowledge and practical skills that support the development of future-ready talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Designed for teachers and mentors working with students in the Professional Class category, the training covered advanced engineering design processes, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), aerodynamics, manufacturing and prototyping, project management, team development, competition regulations, and international competition preparation.

“STEM Racing Thailand is committed to creating meaningful learning experiences that connect classroom education with real-world engineering and innovation,” said Mr. Robert ‘Bobby’ Ortiz, STEM Racing Thailand Coordinator. “By investing in teacher development, we are strengthening the foundation that enables young people to develop the technical expertise, creativity, leadership, and problem-solving skills required to succeed in an increasingly technology-driven world.”

Inspired by the world of Formula 1 and motorsport engineering, STEM Racing is an internationally recognised STEM education programme that combines engineering, innovation, and project-based learning. Students design, manufacture, test, and race miniature Formula 1-style cars while developing essential technical and professional skills that are highly valued by universities and employers worldwide.

A distinctive feature of STEM Racing is its international competition pathway, providing students with opportunities to represent Thailand at global championships and engage with peers, educators, and industry professionals from around the world. These experiences help participants build internationally recognised portfolios, expand global networks, and explore future careers in engineering, technology, innovation, and motorsport.

The Teacher Training Programme also reflects the growing collaboration between STEM Racing Thailand and the Grand Richmond Stylish Convention Hotel, the official venue partner for major STEM Racing activities in Thailand.

“Richmond Hotel Group is proud to support initiatives that inspire learning, innovation, and youth development,” said Mrs. Laksawan Wongworakarn, Chief Executive Officer of Richmond Hotel Group. “Through our partnership with STEM Racing Thailand, we are pleased to contribute to opportunities that empower young people and help prepare the next generation of innovators and future leaders.”

Following the successful completion of the training programme, preparations are now underway for the STEM Racing Thailand National Finals 2026, where students from across the country will compete in engineering, innovation, teamwork, and business challenges. The event is expected to attract participation from schools, universities, industry leaders, government agencies, and media representatives, further reinforcing Thailand’s growing role as a regional hub for STEM education and innovation.

As Thailand continues to advance towards a knowledge-based and innovation-driven economy, STEM Racing Thailand remains committed to empowering educators and inspiring young people to pursue pathways in science, technology, engineering, and innovation—helping shape a more competitive and sustainable future for the nation.

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Miri, Sarawak, June 22, 2026 / VISITSARAWAK / The successful staging of the World National & World Asia Tapas Competition, Exhibition, Festival and Seminar (WATCEFS) 2026 has firmly established Miri as one of Asia’s emerging culinary and business events destinations, reinforcing Sarawak’s growing reputation as a powerhouse for gastronomy tourism.

Held from 18 to 21 June 2026 across Meritz Hotel, the four-day event attracted more than 3,000 visitors and delegates, over 100 exhibitors, and 55 elite chefs from 13 countries, transforming the northern Sarawak city into a vibrant hub for culinary excellence, trade exchange and international networking.

Now in its third edition, WATCEFS has evolved from a niche culinary competition into a significant regional platform that combines gastronomy, tourism, trade and cultural diplomacy. The event brought together participants from Malaysia, Spain, China, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Jordan and Abu Dhabi, showcasing the growing international appeal of Sarawak as a host destination for global events.

A Showcase of Culinary Tourism and Business Events Excellence
Far more than a competition, WATCEFS 2026 demonstrated how food can serve as a catalyst for destination marketing, economic development and international collaboration.

The programme featured the World National Tapas Competition, World Asia Tapas Competition, Borneo Barista Championship, WATCEFS Food Festival, industry seminars, masterclasses, trade exhibitions and structured business-matching sessions. Together, these elements created a comprehensive ecosystem that connected chefs, producers, hospitality operators, tourism stakeholders, buyers and investors under one roof.

Thirty Malaysian chefs competed in the World National Tapas Competition, while 25 culinary professionals from 12 countries contested the World Asia Tapas Championship. Alongside them, 11 multicultural community associations participated in the food festival, highlighting Sarawak’s rich ethnic diversity and reinforcing the state’s multicultural identity through cuisine.

International exhibitors ranging from artisanal food producers and premium beverage brands to hospitality technology providers and culinary innovators used the event as a gateway to engage with Asian markets, creating new opportunities for trade partnerships and market expansion.

Positioning Sarawak as Asia’s Capital of Tapas
The event’s growing stature reflects Sarawak’s broader ambition to position itself as a leading gastronomy destination in Asia.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Sarawak Deputy Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Sebastian Ting, described WATCEFS as a strategic platform that extends well beyond culinary competition.

“Every connection made during this event represents future opportunities for trade, investment and cultural exchange,” he noted, highlighting the role of business events in driving tourism growth and economic development.

Ting further emphasised Sarawak’s emergence as the “Asia Capital of Tapas”, a title that reflects the state’s unique blend of cultures, traditions and culinary influences. The successful hosting of WATCEFS aligns closely with Sarawak’s efforts to diversify its tourism offering beyond nature and adventure travel by developing a strong gastronomy tourism proposition.

As one of the flagship events within the WAK Miri Satellite Festival, WATCEFS also contributed to strengthening Miri’s profile as a creative and cultural hub. The wider festival featured 45 events spanning arts, culture, lifestyle and community engagement, further enhancing the destination’s attractiveness to both domestic and international visitors.

International Exposure for Miri
For Miri, hosting WATCEFS marked another milestone in its evolution as an international meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) destination.

The city’s strategic location in northern Sarawak, modern hospitality infrastructure and proximity to world-renowned attractions such as Gunung Mulu National Park and Niah National Park provide a compelling backdrop for international events. By welcoming delegates, chefs and industry leaders from across Asia, Europe and the Middle East, Miri demonstrated its capacity to host world-class gatherings while showcasing its cultural diversity and tourism assets.

The event also generated significant international media exposure, positioning both Miri and Sarawak before global audiences and strengthening awareness of the destination among travel professionals, culinary enthusiasts and potential investors.

Local Talent Takes Centre Stage
One of the event’s most celebrated moments came when Miri-born Chef Kenny Gan of Hatchi by Kenny’s captured the World National Tapas Competition title.

His victory earned him the honour of representing Malaysia at the prestigious World Tapas Championship in Valladolid, Spain, later this year, providing a powerful example of how international culinary platforms can elevate local talent onto the global stage.

The achievement was particularly meaningful for the host city, underscoring the depth of culinary expertise emerging from Sarawak and highlighting the opportunities that events such as WATCEFS create for professional development, international recognition and cross-border collaboration.

A Model for Future Gastronomy Tourism Growth
The success of WATCEFS 2026 highlights the growing role of gastronomy as a driver of destination competitiveness and economic impact. By combining culinary excellence with trade engagement, cultural exchange and business networking, the event delivered benefits that extended far beyond the competition kitchen.

For Sarawak, the success of WATCEFS 2026 marks another significant milestone in its journey towards becoming one of Asia’s leading culinary destinations. The momentum continues with the upcoming TOP25 Restaurants Sarawak Awards in August in Kuching, an initiative that further strengthens the state’s reputation for culinary excellence and reinforces its positioning as a premier gastronomy tourism destination. These global, high-profile events are helping to elevate Sarawak’s profile among food travellers, industry professionals and international media, showcasing the state’s rich culinary diversity on a global stage.

For Miri, it reinforces the city’s position as a gateway for international events and cultural tourism. And for the wider travel industry, WATCEFS offers a compelling example of how food-focused events can create meaningful economic opportunities while celebrating local identity and global connectivity.

As the final plates were cleared and international delegates departed Borneo, one thing was evident: the World Tapas movement has found a thriving home in Sarawak, and its influence on the region’s tourism and hospitality landscape is only just beginning.

To all restaurants in Sarawak submit your restaurant to get a complimentary nomination and page at the global gastronomy tourism platform: TOP25 Restaurants Sarawak: submit here.

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BWH Hotels, the global hospitality enterprise comprised of WorldHotels, Best Western^® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay^® Hotels, is excited to announce the launch of its “Mid-Season Savvy Sale,” with amazing savings of up to 35% in dream destinations all across Asia!

For eight days this June, travelers can save up to 35% when they book an escape at a choice of 35 hotels & resorts across five captivating countries: Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan and the Philippines.

The booking window is open from June 22-29, 2026 (Monday to Monday), and every guest will enjoy up to 20% discount. Best Western Rewards® members will also receive an additional 15% discount – for total savings of up to 35%! Stays are available from June 22 to September 30, 2026.

Members of Best Western Rewards® (BWR), the award-winning loyalty program, also enjoy exclusive benefits and points that never expire. These points can be redeemed for attractive rewards like free room nights, airline miles and gift cards. Not a member yet? Click here to join for free!

So, whether guests are seeking an upbeat city break in Bangkok or Jakarta, an idyllic island retreat in Bali, Phuket or Okinawa, a vibrant weekend getaway to Pattaya or Angeles City, an inspiring cultural sojourn in Lahore or Ubud – or any other style of stay – BWH Hotels and BWR are the perfect partners for every occasion.

Life’s a Trip, so don’t miss the “Mid-Season Savvy Sale” and create unforgettable adventures in Asia with BWH Hotels and BWR!

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Bangkok, Thailand, June 22, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Zeroage.life, the longevity division of Borderless Healthcare Group, today announced the launch of its AI-enabled Longevity 5.0 Cloud platform and the development of a first-of-its-kind “Longevity Clinic-of-the-Future” in Thailand.

The platform enables medical experts across Asia and around the world to collaborate through specialist-led longevity protocols supported by cloud-based and agentic AI technologies. Zeroage.life aims to redefine longevity care by integrating preventive, precision, and specialist medicine into a seamless “Longevity Continuum” ecosystem that inspires confidence in groundbreaking healthcare solutions.

“We are expecting many longevity clinics today to evolve from a lifestyle medicine model into a deeper multi-specialty playbook supported by cloud-based longevity experts and agentic AI,” said Dr. Wei Siang Yu, Founder and Chairman of Borderless Healthcare Group. He added, “This evolution will enable clinics to deliver deeper, more personalized care through tailored services, bio-intelligent content, and precision-driven products for every individual.”

Zeroage.life believes the future of longevity care extends beyond standalone wellness assessments, machine-based screening or peptide discovery. The company is pioneering a “Longevity Continuum” framework in which primary care physicians, specialists, scientists, and allied healthcare professionals can operate within a unified longevity framework across preventive, therapeutic, and regenerative care pathways.

The platform also seeks to bridge the gap between “wellcare” and “sickcare” by enabling disease-specific and organ-specific specialists to participate in a patient’s longevity journey. Through integrated data intelligence and interoperability, longevity strategies become integral to a broader, multi-specialty framework that ensures secure, seamless data sharing and comprehensive patient management.

Within the Borderless Healthcare Group ecosystem, Zeroage.life has already participated in several specialist-focused longevity initiatives through collaborations with a global network of experts, including:

• Longevity.men – focused on men’s longevity
• SheSpan.life – focused on women’s longevity
• HeartSpan.ai – focused on cardiovascular longevity
• BoneDeep.ai – focused on musculoskeletal longevity

Zeroage.life is committed to helping healthcare practitioners and specialists become future-ready as longevity science gains wider adoption among healthspan-conscious consumers and patients worldwide, inspiring ongoing exploration and innovation.

Beyond clinics, the company’s broader vision is to enable a unified longevity operating system spanning resorts, gyms, homes, and wellness destinations. This approach aims to provide individuals with continuous, ubiquitous longevity care, fostering trust in a sustainable and forward-looking healthcare ecosystem.

As Asia emerges as one of the fastest-growing regions for innovation in preventive health, medical wellness, and healthy aging, Zeroage.life is positioning Thailand as a strategic launchpad for a scalable, cloud-enabled longevity ecosystem across the region.

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Ha Noi, Vietnam, June 21, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Fusion Hotel Group (FHG) and Hotel Management Japan (HMJ) have entered into a strategic partnership aimed at shaping the next chapter of hospitality excellence in Asia. By bringing together Fusion’s innovative, wellness‑driven approach and strong presence in Vietnam and Southeast Asia with HMJ’s proven operational expertise in Japan, the collaboration lays the groundwork for greater scale, stronger brand impact, and accelerated regional growth.

The partnership will focus on three core areas: Sales and Marketing, Brand and Design, and Human Resources. By aligning resources and expertise, both groups aim to expand market reach, elevate guest experience, and strengthen operational consistency across their combined portfolio. Key initiatives include sharing customer insights, harmonizing sales and marketing systems, integrating Fusion’s signature wellness‑driven brand elements into selected HMJ properties, and developing cross‑border training programs for employees in Vietnam, Thailand, and Japan.

Junichi Araki, Chief Operating Officer of Hotel Management Japan, commented: “We are delighted to partner with Fusion Hotel Group. As a leading operator in Japan, HMJ sees tremendous potential in combining our operational strengths with Fusion’s growing influence in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. This collaboration enhances our collective scale and positions both organizations to pursue new opportunities across the region.”

Christopher Hur, Chief Executive Officer of Fusion Hotel Group, added: “Japan is one of the most important markets in our regional vision, and HMJ has long been a benchmark for operational excellence in the country. By pairing HMJ’s scale and expertise with Fusion’s strong presence in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, we are creating a more robust regional platform with greater reach and capability. This partnership marks an important step in our long‑term strategy to expand our footprint and elevate hospitality standards across Asia.”

About Fusion Hotel Group
Fusion Hotel Group is a pioneering hospitality company known for its wellness‑inspired resorts, hotels, and serviced residences across Vietnam and Asia. With a focus on creativity, wellbeing, and exceptional guest experiences, Fusion continues to redefine modern hospitality through its diverse portfolio of brands. The group currently manages 19 hotels and resorts across Vietnam and Thailand, with a growing pipeline that reflects its commitment to innovative, guest‑centric hospitality.

About Hotel Management Japan (HMJ)
Hotel Management Japan is one of the country’s leading hotel operators, overseeing a diverse portfolio of properties across major cities and destinations. The group currently manages 27 hotels throughout Japan under its two core brands, Oriental and Oriental Express, as well as several internationally recognized franchise brands including Hilton, Marriott, and Nikko. HMJ is known for its strong operational expertise and commitment to service excellence.

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Singapore, June 20, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Chameleon Strategies and CrescentRating, both UN Tourism Affiliate Members, launched the Asia Pacific Outbound Traveler Handbook 2026, a market-by-market intelligence resource covering 26 Asian outbound source markets. The report was unveiled at the Halal In Travel Global Summit in Singapore and the condensed version of the handbook is available as a free digital download, while the full comprehensive version is available at 66% discount for a limited time, along individual market reports.

The publication is written for destination marketers, national tourism organizations, airlines, tour operators, and travel trade professionals who need practical, source-specific intelligence on how Asian consumer travel behavior is changing and what that change means for their planning decisions.

The launch comes at a moment of significant pressure on Asian outbound travel. Airspace disruptions across the Middle East in 2025 and early 2026 strained routing on corridors carrying some of the largest volumes of Asian outbound passenger traffic. A border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia in the second half of 2025 produced a direct and measurable collapse in regional tourism demand, demonstrating how quickly a geographically limited event can disable bookings far beyond the conflict zone. Against that backdrop, the report’s 26 market chapters are designed to give practitioners the specific, source-market-level understanding they need to plan with greater precision, not just track aggregate trends.

“Tourism posted a post-pandemic record in 2025. In the same season, the corridors, costs, and politics that produced that record were being rewritten underneath it. I call the space between those two realities the Next Tourism Order. In that world, generic aspirational travel fills hotels in good years. Passion-tourism fills them in difficult ones. The question destinations should be asking is not how many travelers are coming, but what they are genuinely coming for. The Asia Pacific Outbound Traveler Handbook 2026 is the demand-side guide to that question, written for the destination leaders, who understand that the operators who get this right now will be the ones still standing when conditions shift.” — Dr. Jens Thraenhart, CEO, Chameleon Strategies and Co-Editor, Asia Pacific Outbound Traveler Report 2026

The report covers 26 source markets: Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, UAE, and Taiwan. Each chapter is structured around a single core argument about what a given market is actually doing and why destinations consistently misread it.

The Saudi Arabia chapter, written by Dr. Thraenhart drawing on his experience in the Kingdom and his recent time as advisor at the Saudi Tourism Authority, makes the case that Saudi outbound represents one of the most consistently underestimated high-yield opportunities in global tourism. Saudi travelers stay an average of 19 nights internationally and have shifted decisively from goods-led to experience-led travel over the past five years. The same motivational shift observed in Chinese outbound travel a decade ago is now building in the Gulf.

“The shared values, faith-based needs, and core behaviors of Muslim travelers form an incredibly powerful, unifying bond across borders. This collective identity is the absolute foundation of Muslim-friendly travel. However, we must remember that these travelers are not a monolith. While united by deep universal values, a Muslim traveler from Indonesia still possesses distinct cultural nuances compared to one from Saudi Arabia or Kazakhstan. To succeed, destinations must treat these shared Muslim values as their non-negotiable bedrock, while layering source-market-specific execution on top. The Asia Pacific Outbound Traveler Handbook 2026 bridges this gap.” — Fazal Bahardeen, CEO, CrescentRating and Co-Editor, Asia Pacific Outbound Traveler Report 2026

Tourism has rarely looked stronger on paper. UN Tourism recorded 1.52 billion international arrivals in 2025, a post-pandemic record and a figure that sits close to the sector’s pre-pandemic trajectory. The problem is that aggregate arrival figures are the most lagging indicator the industry has. They tell us what travelers already did, not what the system underneath them can absorb. In the same season that arrivals hit their 2025 record, the World Economic Forum ranked geoeconomic confrontation as the most likely trigger of a global crisis.

The report launches alongside a platform dedicated to Asian outbound travel intelligence and consumer behavior. In addition to hosting the annual report and future editions, the platform will aggregate relevant articles and research on Asian consumer travel markets, publish contributions from regional experts and practitioners, and enable customization of the personal profile for registered users to track relevant Asian outbound source markets. Asia Travel Trends plans to collaborate with trade associations and conferences to organize dedicated events and seminars to stay current about the key and emerging Asian outbound travel markets.

The Asia Pacific Outbound Traveler Report 2026 is an initiative by PATA and UN Tourism Affiliate Members Chameleon Strategies and CrescentRating. Free registration enables digital downloads of the handbooks and specific source market reports.

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Manila, Philippines, June 19, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), in coordination with the ASEAN Secretariat and relevant ASEAN education-sectoral bodies, invites members of the media to a Press Conference to present and amplify the key outcomes, policy recommendations, and regional commitments emerging from the ASEAN High-Level Policy Dialogue on Access to Quality Higher Education: Digital Transformation and Sustainability and the Ministers’ Roundtable on Access and Sustainable Development in Higher Education.

The press conference will serve as a platform to communicate to the public, policymakers, higher education institutions, and other stakeholders the significant agreements and outcome documents endorsed by ASEAN higher education leaders and ministers. These include policy directions on digital transformation, artificial intelligence in education, sustainable development, teacher education, student mobility, and regional cooperation in higher education.

Among the highlights to be presented are the proposed ASEAN Higher Education Ministerial Statement on Access and Sustainable Development, the Terms of Reference of the ASEAN Center of Excellence for Teacher Education and Development (ACTED), and the ASEAN GEMS Plus Project Proposal, which collectively seek to strengthen regional collaboration and expand access to quality higher education across Southeast Asia.

As part of the Philippine ASEAN Chairship, the press conference underscores the country’s commitment to advancing a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable higher education ecosystem in the region and ensuring that the outcomes of these high-level discussions are effectively communicated to a broader audience.

WHEN: 26 June 2026 (MM) | 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM (PH Time)

WHERE: The press conference will be conducted virtually via the Cisco WebEx platform.

WHY: The back-to-back High-Level Policy Dialogue and Ministers’ Roundtable will strengthen ASEAN policy coherence on access, digital transformation, sustainability, and regional harmonisation in higher education. These engagements will contribute directly to the implementation of the ASEAN Higher Education Common Space Roadmap and the ASEAN Work Plan on Education 2026–2030, leaving a lasting legacy of stronger regional cooperation, shared policy directions, and expanded opportunities for learners and institutions across Southeast Asia.

OUTCOME DOCUMENTS FOR CONSIDERATION OF THE ASEAN EDUCATION MINISTERS MEETING (ASED)

• ADOPTION of the ASEAN Higher Education Ministerial Statement on Access and Sustainable Development, in relation to:
  • AI-Enabled Teaching and Learning Environments
  • Digital Transformation in Higher Education
    (For notation at the 49th ASEAN Summit)
• ADOPTION of the Terms of Reference of the ASEAN Center of Excellence for Teacher Education and Development (ACTED)
• ADOPTION of the ASEAN GEMS Plus Project Proposal

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Venice, Italy, June 19, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / The Toyota Mobility Foundation (TMF) and City of Venice today announced BetterPoints and OpenMove, in partnership with Factual Consulting, as the winners of Toyota Mobility Foundation’s Sustainable Cities Challenge (SCC) in Venice. The announcement marks the conclusion of the Venice section of TMF’s three-year global competition to support sustainable urban mobility solutions. In addition to Venice, Challenges were held simultaneously in Detroit, US and Varanasi, India.

While Venice is globally renowned for its historic canals, it is also a major transportation hub powered by a vast network of roads, rail links, and an international airport. The city has invested heavily in sustainable infrastructure, establishing almost 200 km of bike lanes and launching Italy’s first integrated hybrid car, bike, and e-scooter-sharing services. Venice is also rapidly improving the sustainability of its public transit system, deploying 30 new electric buses (with 44 more on the way), planning 90 fuel-cell buses by the end of 2026, and a fleet of hybrid-powered motorboats and offshore motorboats currently being rebuilt.

Yet, these low- and zero-carbon options remain underutilized as residents habitually rely on car-based, long-standing transit routines. To bridge this gap, the Challenge called on innovators to create solutions tailored to the mainland and motorized islands, where the vast majority of citizens live and work. Ultimately, the goal was to inspire a shift toward sustainable travel, whether through public transit, active mobility–particularly through cycling and walking–or shared transit.

The Challenge winners are working to move local residents towards more sustainable mobility alternatives through smart, intuitive innovations that make travel more accessible and rewarding. Alongside helping riders plan and book seamless journeys on their phones, these innovators are using games, quizzes, incentives, and rewards to nudge users towards long-term use of the city’s sustainable mobility network. They also attended in-person community events to understand Venice residents’ needs, allowing those to be reflected in their solutions.

By facilitating residents’ and visitors’ access to Venice’s historic and modern transit links, ranging from waterbuses to land-based buses to scooter-sharing tools, the Challenge’s winning innovators are helping to build a less congested, sustainable city where transit systems are used to their full potential. The Toyota Mobility Foundation and the City of Venice are proud to announce this year’s winners:

BetterPoints Ltd, based in Surrey, England, works with businesses, public organizations, and universities to change the way people think about how they move. The team is using their app, Bella Mossa, to reward citizens for switching to more active and sustainable modes of travel. Over 40 techniques, ranging from gamification to local rewards programs, are built into the app and program to support successful behavioral change. From October 2025 to February 2026, Bella Mossa replaced 45,000 car journeys and resulted in 1,570 kilometers traveled by bicycle by non-typical bicyclists.

Jack Windle, Chief Sustainable Transport Officer at BetterPoints, said: “We are delighted to be named as a winner of the Sustainable Cities Challenge. With support from the Toyota Mobility Foundation and the Comune di Venezia, we have developed our Bella Mossa platform to offer tools including automatic trip recording, local rewards partnerships, and an ‘Adopt a Folding Bike’ scheme to Venetians. We are excited to build on our success, fostering a culture of sustainable mobility in Venice and helping people to access and enjoy the great infrastructure the Commune is delivering.”

In partnership with OpenMove, Factual Consulting SL is an innovation and strategy consulting firm based in Barcelona, Spain committed to transforming mobility. The company’s winning digital platform, Andemo, promotes sustainable mobility habits through innovative approaches, such as micro-incentives, which use small rewards or tokens to drive behavioral change. Andemo achieved 1,750 downloads during its pilot period, with 87 percent of users accessing the app an average of three times per day. In-app surveys found that 77 percent of users felt Andemo improved their overall travel experience in Venice, and 56 percent reported an increased awareness of sustainable mobility topics.

Josep Bordella, CEO of Factual Consulting SL, said: “Factual Consulting is honored to be named a winner of the Sustainable Cities Challenge in Venice. Our solution, Andemo, aims to be more than just an app; it aspires to be a central tool for making transport more inclusive and accessible, connecting people to the best transport options their city has to offer. By lowering the barrier to try new transport modes, we hope to help create a sustainable future for tomorrow.”

The Sustainable Cities Challenge has funded and enabled the trialing of both winners’ solutions. Each winner previously received a total of $180,000 in implementation funding and will now utilize an additional $500,000 to scale their solutions in Venice. This implementation funding holds potential benefits not just for the winning innovators, but also for the city as a whole: as riders gain new tools to facilitate their use of public transit links, they could find themselves taking easier journeys leading to lower environmental impacts, with the potential to ease congestion on roads and highways.

Roberto Di Bussolo, Head of the Sustainable Mobility Sector, City of Venice said, “The Toyota Mobility Foundation recognized the significant growth potential that our city already possesses in the field of sustainable mobility. It was precisely this strength that led to our selection as one of only three cities worldwide where substantial resources will be invested in testing innovative mobility solutions. The challenge carried forward through the Sustainable Cities Challenge has provided the city with a unique opportunity to research and pilot new solutions capable of supporting residents, workers, students and visitors over time in adopting more sustainable mobility habits.”

The only European city selected to participate in the Challenge, Venice is one of three global cities participating in the Sustainable Cities Challenge, alongside U.S. host city, Detroit, Michigan, and Varanasi, India.

All three locations share common goals: to catalyze solutions that advance equitable, sustainable, and inclusive systems of movement.

Monica Perez Lobo, Program Director at Toyota Mobility Foundation Europe, commented: “At the Toyota Mobility Foundation, we believe the future of urban mobility lies in inclusive, human‑centred solutions that are both sustainable and scalable. Through the Sustainable Cities Challenge, we work with cities like Venice to turn ambition into action. Both winners demonstrate how innovation can motivate people to adopt more sustainable ways of moving, improving the quality of life while reducing emissions. Ultimately, our goal is to build a lasting legacy of sustainable and resilient cities.”

Kathy Nothstine, Director of Cities and Societies at Challenge Works, said: “It has been inspiring to see how the collaborative ecosystem we’ve built through this Challenge has empowered innovators to unlock Venice’s low-carbon mobility potential. At Challenge Works, we believe that city-led competitions are vital for surfacing localized solutions that have global potential. We are thrilled to see these innovators become winners, proving that smart, sustainable mobility is achievable when we prioritize human-centric design.”

Benjamin Welle, Director of Integrated Transport and Innovation at World Resources Institute, said: “We congratulate Venice, one of the world’s historic cities, as it moves its people more sustainably through the solutions of the Sustainable Cities Challenge. The impact will extend lessons to cities everywhere seeking innovative solutions to shape sustainable urban mobility.”

The Sustainable Cities Challenge is funded by the Toyota Mobility Foundation and conducted in collaboration with Challenge Works and World Resources Institute. Venice’s winners illustrate how supporting local innovators can create meaningful impact in communities, with the potential to scale solutions across cities and beyond.

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