The post First Aiden Hotel in Thailand to Debut with 77 keys in Central Bangkok appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

BWH® Hotels is set to illuminate Bangkok’s hospitality scene with the signing of Aiden Surawong Bangkok, an avant-garde boutique hotel that will mark the debut of the edgy Aiden brand in Thailand. Surawong is the cultural heart and soul of Bangkok, where exquisite architecture, a vibrant art scene and dynamic street life fuse together seamlessly in one of the city’s oldest districts. Located near the Chao Phraya River and inspired by asterism, Aiden Surawong Bangkok is an elegant sanctuary where global travelers can meet kindred spirits and feel connected to the soul of the city.

The Aiden experience brings together three pillars of connection: social hangouts, remote working spaces and wellness offerings. In Bangkok, these elements are woven together with a striking design concept that blends the luminosity of the celestial stars and the glamor of the Earth’s precious gemstones.

Seventy-seven guest rooms are havens of refined design, with organic textures and in-room amenities that reflect the essence of the local community. After an immersive day of exploration, like-minded explorers can share stories at the rooftop, with its effortlessly chic seating, stylish urban pool and skyline views. The lobby lounge offers a vibrant setting for cool cocktails and social interaction.

“Aiden is a new generation of hotels for smart, savvy, and well-informed travelers who crave complete convenience without sacrificing their sense of style. From a social hangout to moments of relaxation and Instragram-worthy spaces, this impressive hotel will give our guests the inspiration they need to continue their journey of discovery in Bangkok,” said Olivier Berrivin, Vice President – APAC, BWH Hotels.

Aiden Surawong Bangkok is set to open its doors in December 2025, becoming the 14^th property for BWH Hotels in Bangkok, under eight of the group’s innovative, industry-leading brands. With more hotels in the pipeline, BWH Hotels will continue to welcome guests from all around the world to this captivating capital city.

 

 

 

 

The post First Aiden Hotel in Thailand to Debut with 77 keys in Central Bangkok appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post Primal introduces brand visibility solution ElevateSEO appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Primal has officially launched ElevateSEO, a new solution designed to help brands increase their visibility.

ElevateSEO ensures visibility across a number of online tools, including ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Google’s AI Overviews, and AI Mode.

Primal chief executive Mark McDowell said: “We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how people make decisions online. Consumers are turning to AI search not just to find information, but to receive recommendations and complete purchase journeys. The key for brands is to be present during those moments”

A timely solution

The release comes in response to growing industry shifts.

Gartner forecasts a 25 percent decline in traditional search volume by 2026, driven by the increasing adoption of AI-driven search.

Despite this shift, 90 percent of brands are currently absent from product and service recommendations generated by AI platforms.

Rather than focusing on traditional click-through rates, ElevateSEO is built around tracking brand mentions, recommendation frequency, and sentiment across AI environments, acknowledging that many AI interactions now take place without a user ever visiting a website.

According to IDC, global spending on AI is projected to reach US$632 billion by 2028, with AI search advertising alone expected to grow to USD 25.9 billion by 2029.

ChatGPT currently processes over 1 billion messages daily, while Perplexity handled 780 million queries in May 2025.

Over USD 100 million in venture capital has been invested in AI search optimisation tools this year alone, reflecting the urgency with which businesses are adapting to this changing landscape.

The ElevateSEO difference

The ElevateSEO solution includes four key modules.

• Content Authority Engine: Builds information structures that AI models recognise as credible.
• Natural Language Optimisation: Adapts content to reflect how users interact with AI through conversational queries.
• Multi-Platform Integration: Ensures consistent brand presence across key AI systems.
• AI Visibility Analytics: Offers new tools for tracking brand exposure and sentiment across AI platforms, addressing attribution blind spots.

Learn more about ElevateSEO here

The post Primal introduces brand visibility solution ElevateSEO appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post MEET TAIWAN reveals new brand identity at Asian MICE Forum appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Taiwan MICE Promotion Programme (MEET TAIWAN) officially revealed its new brand identity earlier today, 19th September, at the Asian MICE Forum in Taipei.

The organisation’s new logo has evolved from a stylised windmill to a more streamlined glider soaring into the future.

The brand launch is aligned with the Forum theme Beyond 20+: Embracing Tomorrow, as the new identity reflects the organisation’s thrust towards innovation, sustainability, as well as proving value to all stakeholders in the MICE sector.

The launch was presided over by Susan Hu, deputy secretary-general of the International Trade Administration of Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs; and Simon Wang, president and CEO of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).

 

 

The post MEET TAIWAN reveals new brand identity at Asian MICE Forum appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post Asian MICE Forum embraces the future as it marks its 20th year appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Marking its 20th edition this year, the Asian MICE Forum kicked off today, 19th September, on the 14th floor of the Taipei New Horizon Event Space in the Taiwanese capital.

Revolving around the theme Beyond 20+: Embracing Tomorrow, speakers and participants are looking to a future that weaves together technological innovation and sustainable practices to stage highly engaging meetings, conferences, and exhibitions in Asia and elsewhere in the world.

Likewise, as Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) president and chief executive Simon Wang put it, the event also celebrates the human component of the MICE industry and the importance of connection and shared experiences.

Wang said: “The true value of MICE lies in the stories shared when people meet.”

Celebrating growth and maturity

Speaking to open the event, deputy secretary-general Susan Hu of the Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs pointed out that the Forum’s 20th run heralds a period of growth and maturity for the event and the MICE sector in general.

Hu recalled: “20 years ago, the Ministry started investing in Taiwan’s MICE industry. At first, everything happened at the Taipei World Trade Centre and, later, the International Convention Centre. As demand grew, we built a new exhibition centre; a little later, Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Taoyuan joined the party. You could say that Taiwan created a full MICE corridor from north to south.”

But Hu also pointed out that the growth went beyond infrastructure, delving deeper into Taiwan’s soft power.

More than an IT hub

Taiwan is known throughout the world as a key player in the global IT sector thanks to its position as a leader in the semiconductor and consumer electronics industries.

Hu declared that MICE and related industries have played a major role in the country’s industrial success.

She said: “Events like Computex and Semicon Taiwan bring tens of thousands of international buyers, investors, and innovators to Taiwan. At these events, they don’t just see our products, but they can also connect with our industry professionals and create opportunities for them. In short: no MICE, no market.”

Hu also explained how MICE doesn’t just benefit the sectors hosting events and the companies who stage these for them.

MICE also benefits the greater population: hospitality providers, restaurateurs, retailers, as well as service providers.

Celebrating the past, embracing the future

For TAITRA’s Wang, the 20th Asian MICE Forum not only honours a storied past, but it also opens discussions regarding the future of MICE in Asia and beyond.

He said: “20 years ago, the total output of MICE in Taiwan was about US$68 million; today, this has jumped to US$63 billion. Also, the role of TAITRA moving forward is to build platforms, connect industries, and introduce digital and sustainability solutions.”

Wang opined that every encounter should be seen as an opportunity.

In which case, every conference and exhibition opens a chapter, a door into collaboration later on.

Wang concluded his remarks by saying: “Let’s keep planting these seeds of opportunity; let’s keep nurturing them to see if we can work towards another 20 years of Taiwan MICE stories.”

The post Asian MICE Forum embraces the future as it marks its 20th year appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post Air New Zealand unveils Hangar 4 appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Air New Zealand has unveiled Hangar 4, a state-of-the-art aircraft maintenance facility that represents one of the airline’s most significant infrastructure investments. Forming part of the airline’s Auckland maintenance base in Māngere, Hangar 4 marks a bold step forward in operational capability and long-term growth strategy. Designed to serve the next 50 years of aviation, the new facility positions Air New Zealand at the forefront of modern fleet maintenance as it prepares for the arrival of next-generation aircraft.

At 10,000 square metres, 35 metres high and 98 metres wide, Hangar 4’s scale allows Air New Zealand engineers to service a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and two Airbus A320/A321s simultaneously, supported by an additional 5000 square metres of specialist workshops and engineering spaces. Cutting a striking figure on the South Auckland skyline, the hangar has already become a landmark of note for arriving travellers.

Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Greg Foran said the opening of Hangar 4 was a proud moment for the airline.

“This is a state-of-the-art facility that will enable us to maintain our fleet to the highest standards of safety and performance, while giving us the flexibility to adapt as aircraft technology evolves.

“This investment ensures we have fit for purpose, modern infrastructure for our engineers to service our fleet.  The investment also signals our confidence in our future – in our people, our country, and in the proud role we play in connecting New Zealanders to each other and New Zealand to the world.”

An official opening event was attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who was chief executive officer of Air New Zealand when Hangar 4 was first announced in 2019.

“It’s great to see this project delivered and ready to help Air New Zealand in its role of driving tourism and trade,” Luxon said.

“Infrastructure like this is critical for New Zealand, and Air New Zealand’s future. It supports highly skilled jobs and is future-fit for new innovation and growth.”

Innovation and sustainability at the heart of Hangar 4

Hangar 4, which is targeting a 6 Green Star Rating from the New Zealand Green Building Council, is the largest single-span timber arch aircraft hangar in the southern hemisphere.

Timber was chosen for its lighter weight, ability to be sourced sustainably – from plantations in Nelson and Wodonga – and for its performance in a coastal environment.

An ETFE roof delivers natural light and retains heat without the need for a heating system, aided by ceiling fans that circulate warm air in winter and providing cooling in summer.

Prefabricated trusses, each weighing 38 tonnes, were built in 25-metre sections, assembled on site and lifted into place using New Zealand’s largest crawler crane – a unique construction method at this scale.

Underground service pits eliminate the need for surface cabling, offering both flexibility and efficiency for maintenance teams. The structure also connects with the adjacent Hangar 3 via shared workshops and tool stores, boosting efficiency across maintenance programmes.

 

 

The post Air New Zealand unveils Hangar 4 appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post Imaginative escapes for the family across Asia with Sofitel appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 

Families have always been at the heart of Sofitel, and this commitment shines through today more than ever. From the world’s first Le Petit Prince Kids Club in Krabi and a whimsical afternoon tea in Singapore, to wellness-rich escapes in Phnom Penh, creative play in Bali and pet-friendly retreats at Sentosa, Sofitel turns every journey into a shared story across generations

Sofitel is reaffirming its commitment to families with a collection of imaginative offers across Asia. Anchored by its long-standing partnership with the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation, Sofitel’s family pillar blends French art de vivre with cultural discovery, creativity and shared indulgence.

The Little Prince lives on

Since 2013, Sofitel has brought the values of Le Petit Prince — curiosity, kindness, and imagination — to life for young travellers. With more than 500 translations worldwide, Le Petit Prince is one of the most beloved books across cultures, and Sofitel is uniquely placed to translate its universal ideals into modern hospitality.

Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort will introduce the very first Sofitel Le Petit Prince Kids Club. Opening in Q4 2025, the dedicated universe will invite children to step into the story as protagonists, exploring zones for creativity, calm play, movement and cultural immersion. Full details will be revealed in November.

In the meantime, families can also enjoy the Family Escapade by Le Petit Prince offer at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, or Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara. Each stay includes half-price adjoining rooms, daily breakfast, late checkout, and a donation to the Foundation for every night booked — a meaningful way for families to make memories while supporting children’s futures.

 

 

At Sofitel Singapore City Centre, the whimsical world of Saint-Exupéry comes to life in the new Le Petit Prince Afternoon Tea. Designed for parents, grandparents and children alike, the menu features French-inspired patisserie and playful creations such as mousse-filled stars and petits gâteaux adorned with the Rose and the Fox, transforming afternoon tea into a journey of storytelling and connection.

Play and discovery across Asia

Beyond Le Petit Prince, Sofitel hotels are curating imaginative ways for families to connect. At Sofitel Bali Nusa Dua Beach Resort, the Kids Villa offers a reading room, outdoor pool and a full programme of daily workshops — from kite decoration and T-shirt painting to Balinese cosplay — capped off by open-air movie nights under the stars.

In Cambodia, Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra has created the Blissful Family Escapade, designed with every generation in mind. Parents enjoy daily breakfast, rejuvenating 60-minute massages and cocktails by the pool, while children enjoy complimentary Kids Club access for up to two kids, a balance of relaxation and play that allows families to reconnect in the heart of Phnom Penh.

FurKid-friendly luxury

 

At Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa, pets are welcomed as part of the family through the FurKid Retreat. With bespoke amenity boxes, pet-friendly dining options across al fresco venues, and professional photography services, the experience ensures that every family member, including four-legged ones, is part of the story.

All these initiatives also reflect Sofitel’s commitment to responsible luxury, from supporting children’s creativity through the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Foundation to embracing sustainable design principles at the new Kids Club in Krabi. With more experiences planned throughout 2025, Sofitel will continue to expand its family pillar — ensuring that every stay offers not just elegance and comfort, but also the chance to create stories across generations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The post Imaginative escapes for the family across Asia with Sofitel appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post TAT showcases Thailand and its culture at the ‘Guangzhou Music Festival’ in China appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) reinforced Thailand’s cultural presence in China at the third “Very Thai Dien Feng Music Festival,” held in Guangzhou on 13–14 September 2025. The international festival, initiated by Thailand’s TCP Group, producer of Red Bull, drew an estimated 60,000 visitors and underscored the growing role of creative industries in strengthening cultural ties between Thailand and China.

The festival featured two main stages and more than 19 leading artists from both countries, with performances under the theme “Very Thai. Very Viral. Red Bull Goes Big, Bringing Viral Thai Artists to the Chinese Stage.” Alongside live music, the event offered drone shows, food and lifestyle zones, and cultural showcases that celebrated diversity and modern creativity.

 “5 Must Do in Thailand” for the Chinese Travellers

TAT Guangzhou Office curated a Thai pavilion to showcase the “5 Must Do in Thailand” campaign, inspiring Chinese and international visitors with authentic experiences. The five themes highlighted Thailand’s diversity: Must Taste regional cuisine, Must Try unique activities, Must Buy traditional crafts and souvenirs, Must Seek hidden destinations, and Must See cultural performances and landmarks.

The pavilion also engaged audiences through creative workshops, including recycled bag making and Thai herbal inhalers, emphasising sustainability and wellbeing. All activities were presented under the globally recognised Amazing Thailand brand, building awareness and encouraging future travel to Thailand.

The music connects

Nithee Seeprae, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications, who attended the festival in Guangzhou, said “This event shows how music and culture can bring people together across borders. By presenting Thailand’s ‘5 Must Do’ experiences here, we are honouring 50 years of Thai–Chinese friendship while inspiring travellers to discover Thailand through authentic, diverse and sustainable journeys.”

The festival forms part of TAT’s year-long programme commemorating five decades of diplomatic relations between Thailand and China. Other activities in 2025 include Thai Fest in Beijing, which brought Thai culture to the heart of the Chinese capital, and the Red Bull Challenge in Inner Mongolia, which promoted Thai sport and adventure travel to more than 4,000 students. These initiatives reflect shifting travel trends in China, with younger travellers seeking immersive experiences such as cultural festivals, outdoor activities, and city walks.

By aligning cultural diplomacy with tourism promotion, TAT is strengthening Thailand’s global image as a destination of creativity, sustainability, and meaningful travel.

 

 

The post TAT showcases Thailand and its culture at the ‘Guangzhou Music Festival’ in China appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post Adani Airports Focusses on Cutting-Edge Digitisation Initiatives for Smarter, Seamless Air Travel appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 

Adani Airports Holdings Ltd (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, the flagship company of the globally diversified Adani Group announced a suite of forward-looking initiatives aimed at redefining passenger journeys across its airports. With a strong emphasis on convenience, comfort, and innovation, these efforts reinforce AAHL’s vision of transforming airports into holistic lifestyle destinations while setting global benchmarks in operational excellence. The digital strategy rests on three key pillars – AAHL’s inhouse developed smart airport operations platform – aviio, Adani OneApp, and Airport in a Box – each designed to serve stakeholders and passengers alike.

Key Initiatives Driving the Transformation

aviio – Airports in Your Pocket

Developed by AAHL, aviio supports a wide range of airport stakeholders including airport operators, airlines, security agencies, ground handlers, and service providers in streamlining operations. It delivers timely information, streamlines processes, and enhances collaboration to ensure smoother operations. The platform bridges the biggest silos that exist in the aviation industry today by democratising data and making it accessible across partner ecosystems, including airlines, regulatory bodies, and concessionaires. The platform is designed to alleviate travel anxiety, empowering passengers to plan and enjoy their journey with confidence.

Adani OneApp – Your Travel Companion

Adani OneApp integrates all airport services into a single, user-friendly digital platform. Passengers can:

• Access Adani Rewards, India’s first airport-specific loyalty programme covering F&B, retail, duty-free, parking, and meet & greet services.
• Pre-book lounges, check card eligibility, and enjoy queue-free access with the digital lounge experience.
• Browse and shop from an extensive catalogue of F&B and retail, with services such as Delivery at Gate, Multi-cart Orders, and Duty-Free group orders.
• Navigate the airport with live flight tracking, instant updates, and seamless Wi-Fi connectivity.
• Use Park & Fly for a hassle-free parking experience.

Since its launch, the platform has added over 1,200 key performance indicators and 60 features, making data available to passengers across airports. An extensive adoption drive has been initiated, including staff onboarding and data exchange agreements with external partners to ensure widespread utilisation and impact. The app transforms the airport journey from transactional to experiential, making every interaction rewarding and intuitive.

Airport in a Box: Infrastructure for Future-Ready Airports

Airport in a Box is a comprehensive solution that supports the development of airports with advanced infrastructure and technology integration. It focuses on creating a robust framework that supports operations today and scales for future requirements. This initiative is aimed at future-proofing infrastructure – focuses on investments that ensure scalability and readiness for onboarding new airports. By enabling plug-and-play systems and delivering digital twins, capacity expansions are no longer treated as disjointed projects but are seamlessly integrated into digital-native operations.

AAHL’s passenger-first strategy is complemented by its emphasis on sustainable infrastructure and multimodal connectivity. From integrating green design principles to offering seamless road, rail, and metro transfers, AAHL is building gateways that drive both global connectivity and regional economic growth.

By deploying aviio, Adani OneApp, Airport in a Box, across its airports, AAHL is setting a new benchmark for India’s aviation sector – transforming airports into lifestyle destinations, economic ecosystems, and digital-first gateways that reflect India’s rising stature on the world stage.

 

 

The post Adani Airports Focusses on Cutting-Edge Digitisation Initiatives for Smarter, Seamless Air Travel appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post Trip.com partners with Traveloka appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 

Trip.com announced a strategic partnership with Traveloka to broaden access to attraction and tour (A&T) products across the region. 

Under this collaboration, both companies will share inventory for attractions and tours, enhancing product availability and user choice. Traveloka will provide Trip.com users with access to its extensive portfolio of experiences in Southeast Asia, where it has a wide array of partnerships. In return, Trip.com will open up its strong network of attractions and tours across Asia and the world to Traveloka, thus enabling South East Asian travellers to enjoy a richer selection of A&T products on their travels around the world, while also providing Trip.com users access to more offerings when they visit Southeast Asia, in particular Indonesia.

The partnership brings together the complementary strengths of both companies. With its deep market penetration and strong local expertise in Southeast Asia, Traveloka offers Trip.com users a wide array of authentic experiences in a diverse region booked through a convenient platform. At the same time, Trip.com’s expansive footprint in China and beyond allows Traveloka users to tap into one of the world’s largest and most diverse A&T networks.

Jim Ji, Chief Executive Officer of Attractions & Tours and Vice President, Trip.com Group, said: “This partnership reflects Trip.com’s commitment to provide travellers with greater choice and convenience, enriching the travel experience for millions of users in Asia and around the world. Users of Trip.com and Traveloka will benefit from an expanded selection of high-quality travel experiences across diverse destinations, demonstrating our ethos of continuously innovating to help our customers pursue the perfect trip.”

Baidi Li, Vice President Commercial, Traveloka, added: “Through our partnership with Trip.com, we’re putting travellers first – offering them seamless access to a curated selection of exciting attractions, authentic local experiences, best-in-class services, and the confidence that comes with trusted recommendations. Our collaboration means travellers can discover more, book easier, and create unforgettable memories with experiences tailored to their interests and budget.”

The agreement marks another step in Trip.com’s commitment to strengthening partnerships across Asia, providing travellers with seamless access to bookable experiences that make every journey more memorable.

 

The post Trip.com partners with Traveloka appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia

The post Ant International Recognized as an Inaugural Foreign Institution Partner by China’s Cross-Border Interconnection Payment Gateway appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 

Ant International is appointed as an inaugural foreign Institution Partner (FIP) of China’s Cross-border Interconnection Payment Gateway (CPG), under the guidance of the People’s Bank of China and the Payment & Clearing Association of China (PCAC). 

Ant International and Alipay are the largest players in the CPG scheme with the largest number of card network and wallet partners, the broadest use cases and largest business volume.

The new CPG scheme is designed to raise connection efficiency and improve system stability for overseas payment partners. Its timely launch opens a safe and smoother highway for these partners to access the Chinese market.

Alipay+, the cross-border payment and digitization services under Ant International, will leverage this new direct connection setup to accelerate growth of its partner eco-system to expand global coverage. This will enable an even more convenient and secure travel experience for international consumers while helping international wallets connect their digital growth networks to 80 million Alipay merchants across China.

As a unified wallet gateway, Alipay+ now partners with 36 e-wallets and eight national QR payment schemes and payment systems worldwide, connecting over 100 million merchants to 1.8 billion consumers accounts.

 

As the FIP with the broadest fintech coverage in the new CPG scheme, Alipay+ now enables seven major international bank card brands and users from twelve countries and regions to scan-and-pay transactions in the Chinese Mainland. On top of that, Alipay+ also has various technology partnerships with over twenty e-wallets and payment networks across Asia, Europe and other regions.

 

Alipay+ has built extensive partnerships with government-sponsored mobile payment schemes in emerging markets, to support national agendas for digitization and inclusive growth. Eight national QR schemes and payment systems are developing active international presence via Alipay+, including SGQR (Singapore), PayNet DuitNow (Malaysia), ZeroPay (South Korea), Bakong (Cambodia), NCHL/FonePay (Nepal), LankaPay (Sri Lanka), QRIS (Indonesia), and HUMO (Uzbekistan).

Asia-Pacific region reported USD 9.8 trillion in e-wallet transaction volume in 2023, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the global total, and maintains the world’s highest e-wallet penetration rate.

 

 

 

The post Ant International Recognized as an Inaugural Foreign Institution Partner by China’s Cross-Border Interconnection Payment Gateway appeared first on Travel Daily Media.

Source: traveldailymedia