The post Hong Kong Hosts World’s Largest ISSCR Stem Cell Gathering with 2,400+ attendees appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Reputed to be a leading research and development (R&D) hub for medical sciences, Hong Kong hosts the world’s largest and most significant gathering of stem cell research and regenerative medicine, the International Society of Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) 2025 Annual Meeting. The event is brought to Hong Kong for the first time, thanks to the joint effort of three local universities – The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, which are appointed organisations under the Hong Kong Convention Ambassador (HKCA) programme of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

The four-day meeting held from 11-14 June  gathers more than 2,400 local and international experts in stem cell research and regenerative medicine from 58 countries and regions, from Asia to North America, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and Mainland China. Pioneers share the latest advances in the field, with topics spanning the field of regenerative medicine including topics such as advances in cell therapies, fundamental discoveries, understanding disease processes and more.

Dr Peter Lam, HKTB Chairman, said: “The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is a globally leading organisation in medical sciences and research, and its annual meeting is one of the world’s most significant international academic conventions in medical science. Hong Kong is the first city chosen to host this annual event in Asia after a 13-year hiatus, underscoring the city’s status as the ‘World’s Meeting Place’. I am grateful for the active participation of the Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors from the three local universities, who leveraged their influence and network during the bidding for the host of the event to make the event come true. We are also delighted to see that more professionals from a wider range of expertise are joining HKTB’s league of Convention Ambassadors, and we believe their participation can help identify and contribute to the staging of more significant international events in Hong Kong.”

Valentina Greco, ISSCR President, remarked: “Hosting ISSCR 2025 in Hong Kong marks a defining moment for global stem cell science. As a vibrant research hub at the crossroads of Asia and the world, Hong Kong offers an ideal setting to connect diverse scientific communities, spark new collaborations, and accelerate innovation. The ISSCR is deeply grateful to the city of Hong Kong and to our generous co-sponsors – the University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology – for their support and commitment to bringing The Global Stem Cell Event to this beautiful city. With the unwavering support of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, these three leading universities, and inspired leadership from our 2025 Annual Meeting Program Committee, this meeting exemplifies the power of partnership and shared vision. We are proud to return to Asia for the first time in more than a decade at a time when our collective progress in stem cell research and regenerative medicine and to advancing therapies that have life altering impact on patients depends on the exchange of bold ideas across borders.”

The extensive programme features plenary sessions, concurrent tracks, poster presentations, and networking opportunities. Contributing to the success of the event, the HKTB has provided comprehensive support, from arranging reconnaissance to venue sourcing, bid proposal, network support and more.

HKCAs have been instrumental in winning the ISSCR 2025 Annual Meeting for Hong Kong. Launched in 2020 by the HKTB as a strategic initiative, the HKCA programme recruits high-level representatives of Hong Kong’s eight universities, chambers of commerce, professional organisations, public bodies, industrial entities and professional societies to act as ambassadors for Hong Kong’s convention sector. With their professional influence and networks, HKCAs have led efforts to bring in events ranging from medical sciences to innovation and technology (I&T), financial services, aviation, transportation and more. The close collaboration between HKCAs and the HKTB has proven effective in promoting Hong Kong as a premier hub for world-class conventions.

As an alliance of distinguished local and Mainland leaders in business, medicine, professional services, I&T and other fields, the HKCA programme has been growing from strength to strength, with 72 new members in the latest record-sized cohort for the 2025-2026 term, taking the total to about 180, some 30% more than the previous cohort.

Among the 76 international events for 2025 to 2027 lined up by the HKTB, with an estimated attendance of over 180,000 MICE visitor arrivals and 27 resulted from HKCAs’ efforts. The events cover diverse fields ranging from I&T to aviation and medical sciences. Some are held in Hong Kong for the first time, including IEEE Electron Devices Technology and Manufacturing Conference held in March 2025, Routes World in September 2025 and World Cancer Congress 2026.

The HKTB is committed to working closely with HKCAs to welcome more world-class events to Hong Kong, attracting high-yield overnight business visitors to the city and reinforcing the city’s status as the world’s meeting place.

Large-scale conventions facilitated by Hong Kong Convention Ambassadors: 

Date	Events (*first-ever in Hong Kong)	Theme/Sector
March 2025	IEEE Electron Devices Technology and Manufacturing Conference *	Innovation & Technology
May 2025	IEEE International Conference on Data Engineering	Innovation & Technology
Jun 2025	International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) Annual Meeting*	Medical sciences
Sep 2025	Routes World*	Aviation
Dec 2025	The International Society of Sport Psychology 16th World Congress	Sports & Medical sciences
2026	Asia-Pacific Association for International Education 2026 Conference and Exhibition	Education
2026	17th Asian Congress of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery	Medical sciences
2026	Asian Venture Philanthropy Network Conference	Philanthropy
2026	International Federation of Landscape Architects World Congress	Architecture
2026	Lions International Convention	Social Services
2026	The Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly	Sports
2026	The Council Meeting of the Asian Patent Attorneys Association	Intellectual property
2026	World Cancer Congress*	Medical sciences
2027	International Association for Energy Economics Annual International Conference	Economics
2027	Lions Clubs International Orient and Southeast Asian Lions Forum	Social Services
2027	World Organization of Family Doctors Asia Pacific Regional Conference	Medical sciences

 

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The post Sofitel reinvents the ‘hotel uniform’ appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

This new collection, embodying the highest standards of French savoir-faire, will be rolled out across Sofitel hotels throughout 2026. Comprising 45 pieces, the Vestiaire has been thoughtfully designed to suit all professions and destinations, while expressing an elegant, fluid, and boldly contemporary style — a reflection of the renaissance of Accor’s most quintessentially French luxury brand.

Celebrated designer Cordelia de Castellane has artfully designed 45 pieces of uniform for Sofitel, with flowing Parisian cuts and original accessories that represent the height of French luxury and elegance

Empowering 25,000 employees to embody the French Zest

Sofitel and Cordelia de Castellane have teamed up to create a new closet for all employees at the brand’s 120-plus hotels worldwide. With her experience of the most prestigious French luxury houses, Cordelia brings a touch of modernity and sophistication to this collection, while preserving the finest standards of French craftsmanship.

Conceived as a celebration of the brand’s hotel teams – 25,000 employees worldwide – and the culture of personalized service inherited from the French art of hospitality, this collaboration embodies the very essence of French elegance. With its flowing, resolutely Parisian cuts, accessories and unostentatious elegance, it breaks with the monotony often associated with traditional uniforms, offering instead a bold and authentic expression of French chic.

The partnership marks a key milestone in Sofitel’s ongoing renaissance, as the brand continues its global expansion with 32 new openings planned over the next three years. All of these properties embody the Sofitel spirit, blending French zest with local cultural richness, a commitment symbolized by the “Cultural Link”, the iconic logo creating a bridge between world’s cultures.

The new Vestiaire features the graphic Sofitel logo in a collection of exclusive prints, transforming Sofitel’s visual signature into a luxurious monogram.

A high-end, modular and evolving Vestiaire

Designed with flexibility in mind, the Sofitel wardrobe introduces a fresh fashion-forward approach tailored to every role and destination. Under the artistic direction of Cordelia de Castellane, the collection seamlessly blends timeless silhouettes with practical needs, offering a variety of noble fabrics, textures, and color palettes suitable for both city hotels and resorts.

Each piece has been crafted using flexible and durable materials — internationally tested across pilot hotels — to meet the everyday needs of hotel staff. The wardrobe adapts to all body types, roles, and climates, ensuring both comfort and elegance.

In line with Sofitel’s CSR commitments, each uniform is made from high-quality materials built to withstand daily demands while remaining effortlessly elegant, thanks to refined details and impeccable finishes. This wardrobe also reflects Sofitel’s dedication to responsible luxury. Developed in partnership with Paris Good Fashion, the initiative ensures every step of production respects principles of sustainability, repairability, and recyclability — reducing environmental impact and contributing to more responsible resource management.

Cordelia de Castellane, shaping the creative universe of Sofitel Vestiaire

The inspiration underpinning this new collection draws directly from the unique creative world of Cordelia de Castellane, a designer whose work is marked by a fusion of tradition and modernity. Her vision of luxury combines timeless elegance with creative audacity, subtly blending classic and contemporary elements.

“The Sofitel Vestiaire is much more than a uniform: it’s a manifesto. It’s a tribute to our teams, who are the first to embody the renaissance of Sofitel. It reflects the joy of embracing a brand, the pride of being its ambassador, and the desire to wear our values in silk, knit, or cotton. We want this wardrobe to be emotionally resonant, exacting and refined, but also effortlessly chic. That’s why we needed a visionary. This partnership with Cordelia de Castellane is the meeting of two visions of luxury, united by a shared passion for exceptional design,” says Maud Bailly, CEO of Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems.

“For me, Sofitel is a madeleine de Proust. It brings back childhood memories, iconic hotels, and a very specific vision of French luxury. Sofitel is more than a hotel brand — it’s a way of life, a natural elegance paired with a deep openness to the world. Paris was a major inspiration for this collection — because Paris means effortless chic, cultural richness, precision tailoring, and that uniquely bold creativity. I wanted to imagine a wardrobe that expresses this Parisian sophistication, but also the warmth of hospitality and the pride of representing a house. These are garments designed to last, to move with the body, and to make every team member feel beautiful, free, and proud,” adds Cordelia de Castellane.

 

 

 

 

 

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The post TNS opens new office in Malaysia appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Transaction Network Services (TNS) has opened a new office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, signalling its investment in the APAC region and continued commitment to supporting local and global customers.

The new hub is a strategic milestone in TNS’ global growth journey, positioning Malaysia as a central point for delivering expanded services under its Complete Commerce offering, which enables enterprises to accept any transaction at terminals and online, connect POS terminals and retail stores with its managed network service solutions, and orchestrate payment transactions via its cloud-native platform to any payment processor.

Located in Kuala Lumpur’s City Center (KLCC), TNS was honoured to be joined at its new office by many valued customers and staff, in celebrating the milestone achievement on June 11th.  Hosted by John Tait, Global Managing Director, TNS Payments Market, the grand opening was marked by a ribbon cutting ceremony, tour of TNS’ product display, new state of the art Network Operations Centre (NOC) and reception.

“We were thrilled to have so many customers join us for the grand opening of our new major hub for the APAC region. Over the past 12 years, TNS has consistently achieved remarkable growth in Malaysia and beyond, a testament to our expanding workforce and our ever-evolving suite of services. As we look ahead, we are excited about our future opportunities and confident that our Malaysian hub will be instrumental in driving our continued success and growth in the region,” said Ganesh Satkunalingam, TNS’ Vice President for Southeast Asia, for its Payments Market business.

As the digital payments ecosystem rapidly evolves, TNS continues to invest in infrastructure that brings it closer to its customers. The Kuala Lumpur hub will initially house over 50 employees across functions such as Sales, Engineering, Network Operations, Finance, Solutions Consulting, and Project Management—with further growth anticipated. The site includes a 24x7x365 Network Operations Center (NOC), enabling real-time, round-the-clock service delivery to customers globally.

TNS has been operating in Malaysia since 2013, initially serving a single global payments customer. Over the past decade, the company has experienced double-digit growth and expanded its services to include various sectors, such as acquirers, financial institutions, Independent ATM Deployers (IADs), retailers, and fuel retailers, both locally and internationally. The move to a larger, centrally located facility in Kuala Lumpur is a clear signal of the company’s long-term investment in the region.

“By investing and building its Operations and Shared Services Center in Malaysia, TNS is reinforcing its support structure in APAC for customers in both the country and region. We want our customers to have the confidence that we’re closer to them in the market. With a long history in the region, we’re delighted that Malaysia will play a central role in our long-term global strategy with a 24×7 Network Operations Center,” said John Tait, Global Managing Director, TNS Payments Market.

With the number of personnel at the previous office increasing by twenty times in the last decade, the new office will support continued growth and further expansion. This growth in headcount predominantly includes local hires, the majority of which have joined TNS via recommendations, highlighting the growth culture that the company has created.

 

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The post Stay22 partners with the League of Legends Championship of the Americas  appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Stay22, the travel tech company that offers affiliate revenue generation opportunities for travel bloggers and media, has integrated its software solution with Riot Games to provide a seamless accommodation booking experience to Riot’s global community of esports fans. 

Thanks to the integration, esports fans will be able to book their accommodation at the same time they buy their tickets for the LTA playoffs, which will take place on September 27^th and 28^th in Texas, without leaving the content. The ticket sales for the 2025 LTA season finale will start on June 14^th (pre-sale) and June 15^th (genera on-sale).

The integration is powered by Stay22’s MAP, designed to convert high-intent audiences within event, media, and ticketing ecosystems. By surfacing location-relevant booking options within Riot’s content, fans can act on travel decisions in the moment of engagement.

 “Stay22’s origin is rooted in esports:  Hamed A. one of the co-founders of the company, decided to build the first version of our Map after struggling to book a hotel for a Counter-Strike tournament, so we are thrilled to work with an industry leader like Riot Games and to offer a seamless and complete booking experience for video game players and fans”- said Malcolm Archer, Head of Sales and Partnerships at Stay22. “This partnership is a perfect example of how Stay22 helps event organizers provide a better experience for their community while unlocking incremental revenue, too.”

“Eventgoers, especially in gaming and esports, are planning fast and often on mobile. Frictionless booking matters,” added Jeff Goodman, Enterprise Partnerships at Stay22. “We’ve built tech that meets fans where they are, at the right moment, and Riot Games shares that user-first mindset.”

This partnership is just the beginning of the Stay22 and Riot Games collaboration, with more performance-based insights and enhancements to come.

 

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The post Aqua Expeditions honoured at 2025 LATA Excellence Awards appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Aqua Expeditions was hailed as The Best Cruise Operator Award at this year’s LATA Excellence Awards, recognising its commitments to operating responsibly. 

Among the points considered was the way the cruise line reduced single-use plastics by 90 percent and the method by which it purifies wastewater so that they only return clean water to the rivers and seas. 

Aqua also partnered with 4Ocean to remove over 11 tonnes of plastic annually, and support conservation in the Galapagos via the Charles Darwin Foundation.

The award also recognises Aqua Expeditions’ strong growth in passenger numbers and commercial results in 2024, when it also relaunched the website to offer a more immersive platform, giving prospective guests a richer insight into the experiences aboard their fleet.

Leading the way 

A recognised global leader in luxury small-ship expeditions, Aqua Expeditions explores the world’s most biodiverse and culturally significant destinations aboard best-in-class vessels of stylish contemporary design. 

Guests may expect tailored five-star itineraries, a highly exclusive 1:1 crew- to-guest ratio with personalized service, and world-class dining.

Passengers are also able to enjoy the line’s various destinations through small group expert-guided activities and excursions with a maximum of 16 to 40 guests per ship.

Sailing the globe

Aqua Expeditions operates river explorations on the Amazon (Peru), the Mekong (Cambodia and Vietnam), and coastal yacht voyages to Komodo National Park, Ambon and the Spice Islands, as well as Raja Ampat (East Indonesia), and a superyacht sailing the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador). 

Throughout its operations, the cruise line has raised the bar for responsible travel in the destinations it operates. 

Going beyond the ordinary, Aqua assumes a comprehensive responsibility for every facet of its luxury small ship expeditions, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and socio-economic impact. 

From meticulously designed vessels to the use of eco-friendly products and cutting-edge waste management technology, Aqua employs a 360-degree strategy.

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The post Intrepid’s Natalie Kidd makes top ten of Australia’s Women in Leadership for 2025 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Natalie Kidd, Intrepid Travel’s managing director in Asia and head of its global operations, was recently ranked fourth in this year’s Women in Leadership List by the Australian Financial Review.

This recognition in the Retail, Hospitality, and Property category casts the spotlight on Kidd’s career which has been shaped by leading with purpose, long-term vision, and a deep passion for empowering people to thrive.

Kidd said of the accolade: “It’s an honour to be named alongside so many inspiring, purpose-driven women who are reshaping the future of business in Australia.”

Intrepid Travel chief executive James Thornton remarked: “Natalie has helped shape Intrepid into the purpose-driven business it is today. She’s an exceptional leader with the rare ability to navigate complexity, lift others, scale teams, and stay true to our values no matter the challenge. This recognition reflects the impact she’s had across our people, our business, and the travel industry at large.”

Proven leadership

Based in Sydney, Kidd oversees all operations across Asia, as well as global operations.

She joined Intrepid in 2005 as general manager of Vietnam and has since helped grow the company’s footprint into a global network of 29 inbound tour operators. 

Her leadership has been tested through moments of immense change: from guiding teams through the Arab Spring and Nepal’s 2015 earthquake, to helping shape Intrepid’s pandemic response as Chief People and Purpose Officer. 

In each challenge, Kidd’s approach has remained consistent: build trust, be transparent, and put people first; that said, she also played a central role in identifying and championing talent at Intrepid, including Zina Bencheikh, now Intrepid’s managing director of EMEA, and chief technology officer Anu Karunatilaka.

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The post Investigations ongoing for the Air India Flight 171 crash appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Just minutes after it took off from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat, India, Air India Flight 171 (AI171) came crashing down yesterday, 12th June.

Per the latest Reuters update, the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was on its way to London’s Gatwick Airport when it plummeted into a students’ residence for a nearby medical college; 241 of the 242 aboard the flight have been confirmed dead with one survivor, British national of Indian descent Vishwash Kumar Ramesh.

Per an update via CNN at around 5:30am (BKK), the former chief minister of Gujarat is believed to be among the fatalities; the Indian government said that former minister Vijay Rupani was heading to the UK aboard the ill-fated flight, but this has yet to be confirmed by the airline as of press time.

The Indian Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has already begun a formal investigation into the crash.

Union minister of civil aviation Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said that aviation experts from the United States and the United Kingdom are coming in to help authorities.

Current developments

The Indian Directorate-General of Civil Aviation declared that, prior to the actual crash, pilots on AI171 made a mayday call to air traffic control shortly after takeoff.

Several CCTV cameras on the route between the airport and the crash site captured footage of the plane taking off over a residential area and then disappearing from the screen before a huge fireball could be seen rising into the sky from beyond the houses.

Based on airport records, ground control lost contact with the plane within mere seconds of takeoff, and the aircraft itself only managed to gain altitude of about 625 feet.

Following the crash, Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg has cancelled his attendance at next week’s Paris Air Show; Ortberg also assured investigators that his company will fully support ongoing investigations.

He said: ““A Boeing team stands ready to support the investigation led by India’s AAIB.”

Recovery efforts are likewise ongoing for ground casualties at the medical college where the plane crashed.

This is an ongoing story; updates will be posted on confirmation.

 

 

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The post Air India flight crashes near the Ahmedabad airport appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Air India passenger plane from Ahmedabad to London carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed just moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday (June 12, 2025) afternoon, a statement by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said. The pilot of the aircraft gave a mayday call to the Ahmedabad air traffic controller.

Air India said the Boeing 787-8 aircraft was carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members on board. The passengers included 169 Indians, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. The London-bound Air India flight involved in an accident minutes after takeoff from Ahmedabad o crashed into the UG hostel mess of BJ Medical College in Meghaninagar area.

According to FAIMA Doctors Association, at least 30 persons were reported injured as students were having lunch at the hostel mess when the plane crashed into the building.

Experts quoted by several media outlets said the aircraft’s take-off seemed smooth but multiple bird hits may have caused both engines of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner to lose power. They also pointed to the residential area nearby and said the presence of birds could have hampered the aircraft’s operations.

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The post SilverDoor presents the winners of the 2025 APAC Property Partner Awards appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Global serviced apartment agent SilverDoor announced the winners of its annual APAC Property Partner Awards on 29th May.

The awards were given out during its hosted insights event for the APAC region which was held in Singapore.

The event was hosted by SilverDoor’s CEO Stuart Winstone, executive vice-president for APAC Sophie Brinsley, and chief supply officer Alex Neale.

Following the awards, Winstone remarked: “Our winners this year have all demonstrated their unfailing commitment to working with us and our global client base to ensure we are continuing to support them, their teams and their wider operations with exceptional service. I would like to personally thank each of our property partners for their continued support and congratulate the winners on their well-earned success.”  

Meet the winners’ circle

• Exemplary Service: Frasers Hospitality. Winning for the second time, the team were praised for their diligent attention to detail and excellent standard of guest care 
• Best Property Collaboration: Le Grove Serviced Residences. The team at Le Grove Serviced Residences were awarded in recognition of their continued commitment to engage with and support the SilverDoor team 
• Outstanding Individual: Edmund Yeoh – The Ascott Limited. Edmund Yeoh consistently displays exceptional professionalism to support the SilverDoor team and clients  

Diversification is key

As stated earlier, the event also featured discussions on key insights on current corporate travel and relocation trends across the region, key growth markets, booking behaviours and sustainability before the awards presentation.  

In her talk at the event, Brinsley cast the spotlight on the growing level of diversification across the region as demand for more tertiary locations, as reported in the latest SilverDoor Market Update, is seeing strong growth alongside more established cities.

She said: “Tokyo and Sydney continue to be strongholds for corporate stays, with steady demand and long average lengths of stay. Particularly interesting is the rising activity we’re seeing in Taiwan, especially tertiary cities like Tainan and Hsinchu, which speaks to a diversification of demand across APAC. Likewise, from a relocation perspective, India and Southeast Asia are also seeing strong demand.”

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