The post Marriott International to debut AC Hotels in the Gold Coast appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Marriott International, Inc. has signed an agreement with KS Hotels & Resorts to introduce AC Hotels to the Gold Coast. Following an extensive makeover and bold repositioning, with a full hotel renovation slated to commence later this year, the property is expected to open in mid-2026. It will be the first AC Hotel in Queensland, and the second AC Hotel in Australia alongside AC Hotel Melbourne Southbank.

“Marriott International celebrated a record-breaking year in 2024 with an outstanding number of signings in Asia Pacific excluding China (APEC), underscoring the region’s immense growth potential. We are particularly excited by this latest signing which will enhance our growing our expanding Marriott Bonvoy portfolio and offer an exceptional experience in a globally recognised destination, following a substantial refurbishment and re-opening ahead of the 2026 Summer. We anticipate having 50 hotels open across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific by the end of 2027, three of which will be in the Gold Coast – a major growth location for our portfolio”, said Tristan Cooper, Director Hotel Development, Australia, New Zealand and Pacific at Marriott International.

Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise against the backdrop of the Nerang River, AC Hotel Gold Coast will be an upscale lifestyle hotel for design-savvy travelers looking for a stylish and inviting base for exploring the Gold Coast– known as “Australia’s playground”.

Following a conversion of the current property, Vibe Gold Coast, the hotel is expected to feature 202 guest rooms, all-day dining restaurant, AC Store, a lively AC Lounge^® and bar, swimming pool, gym, plus a 120-person meeting and events space.

With 235 open properties globally and over 170 in the pipeline, AC Hotels’ philosophy is to deliver elegant, purposeful design with flexible spaces and carefully crafted signature moments. The AC Hotel experience enables guests to be more productive, creative and fulfilled, whether they’re traveling for business or leisure.

“We are thrilled to collaborate again with KS Hotels & Resorts following their latest acquisition in Australia, and we are excited to expand our growing footprint on the Gold Coast. It is a market we know exceptionally well, through our long-standing operation of two of the city’s highest-performing resorts. Importantly, AC Hotel Gold Coast will offer our loyal guests, particularly our 228 million Marriott Bonvoy members, a new price point and product offering.  The power of Marriott International’s leading distribution platforms is fueling exciting interest from hotels owners eager to rebrand existing hotels and benefit from Marriott’s unmatched global reach. In fact, close to 40 percent of our global hotel signings in 2024 across APEC were existing hotels seeking to join our portfolio to maximize their competitive advantages and future proof their success.” said Richard Crawford, Marriott International’s Vice President Hotel Development, Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific.

AC Hotel Gold Coast will join Marriott International’s two iconic resort properties on the Gold Coast, JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa and Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast. The company has previously announced signed agreements to debut their world-renowned luxury brands, including The Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, and The Luxury Collection brands to the Gold Coast.

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The post Etihad Guest Raises ‘The Extraordinary Challenge’ Prize Pot to over 20 Million Miles appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Etihad Guest has announced 12.5 million additional miles up for grabs in the second phase of The Extraordinary Challenge, bringing the grand total prize pot to over 20 million Etihad Guest Miles for over 200 potential winners.

Last month, Etihad’s loyalty programme, Etihad Guest, launched the competition with five million Etihad Guest Miles to the first person to visit 15 of the airline’s new destinations. Second place will be awarded three million miles, and Third place will receive one million miles.

Due to overwhelming demand and incredible enthusiasm from participants, Etihad is expanding The Extraordinary Challenge, giving even more members the chance to win big and take home a share of over 20 million miles. With the addition of the new prize category, ‘The Extraordinary Milestones’, Etihad is rewarding the first 100 people to visit five new destinations with 25,000 Etihad Guest Miles, and 100,000 mile to the first 100 people to visit 10 new cities. Members can earn miles as they reach each milestone and compete for multiple prizes, with the First place prize potentially growing to 5,125,000 Etihad Guest Miles.

Mark Potter, Managing Director Etihad Guest at Etihad Airways, said: “We’ve seen an amazing response across the globe since we launched The Extraordinary Challenge, and expect to see over 50K member sign-ups as more destinations come online. Having seen the desire and determination of so many, we wanted to reward Etihad Guest members even more by giving flight to their ambition with more prize miles and potential for 200 additional winners.”

Etihad Guest miles can be redeemed on flights, holidays and a huge range of items from the Etihad Guest Reward Shop, turning miles into unforgettable rewards and experiences. The First place five million miles prize could be redeemed on approximately 40 First class experiences, 70 Business class journeys or over 500 Economy trips, and so much more. In addition to the prize miles, competitors will be earning miles on each Etihad flight they take.

Eligible new destinations include: Addis Ababa, Algiers, Atlanta, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Krabi, Medan, Peshawar, Phnom Penh, Prague, Sochi, Taipei, Tunis and Warsaw.

Creating a community of likeminded passionate dreamers in a race to win the prize of a lifetime, a live dashboard will illustrate to members their position in each category of the race against anonymous competitors. Members will also collect a digital passport stamp for each destination visited – this digital dashboard can be exported and shared on social media for competitors to showcase their progress.

The challenge will run until 25 May 2026 and is open to both new and existing Etihad Guest members, offering everyone a chance to win. Members can register at etihad.com/extraordinary to enter, track their progress and be eligible to win. Members are encouraged to use the hashtag #EYextraordinarymiles when sharing their journey to the finish line on social media channels.

The winners for First, Second and Third place of The Extraordinary Challenge will be determined based on the scheduled time of departure for their final qualifying flight in GMT. In the event of two or more participants completing the challenge and reaching Etihad’s 15^th new destination on the same day, the rankings will be determined based on which participant made their booking the earliest for the last flight, failing which the 14^th qualifying flight of the challenge, and so on, until a tie-break is established.

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The post Arabian Hospitality has always been a defining characteristic of the region – CBRE’s Ali Manzoor appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

He discusses the region’s shift towards strategic investment, authentic experiences, and sustainable profitability.

As the Middle East continues to position itself as a leading global destination for travel and tourism, its hospitality sector is undergoing a dynamic transformation. From large-scale infrastructure investments to the rise of experiential travel and sustainability-focussed developments, the region is redefining its offering to meet shifting global expectations.

Offering his invaluable insights is Ali Manzoor, Head of Hospitality, Hotels & Tourism at CBRE MENA. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, and more than a decade based in the Middle East, Manzoor is a respected specialist in both hotel advisory and operations. He has worked closely with developers, investors, and government entities across the region, advising on feasibility studies, hotel valuations, pricing strategies, asset reviews, and hotel management agreements.

As a judge at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025 – Middle East, Manzoor shares his perspectives on the sector’s ongoing evolution, key strategic priorities, and the future of hospitality in the Middle East.

With your extensive experience, how has the region’s hospitality and tourism sector evolved in its approach to development, investment, and guest experience?

Over the past decade, the approach to hotel development has become increasingly complex as market participants are forced to deal with rapidly changing development costs, more localised performance pockets, and heightened market competition. HMAs, too, have evolved, and whilst they were once quite extreme for both hotel operators and developers alike (i.e. very generous fee structures alongside very favourable development protections), over time, they have become more balanced. Another aspect of the sector that has changed over time is the attitude towards affordability. Where the market once associated upscale or midscale developments with ‘low quality’ and therefore undesirable endeavours, this is no longer the case, with developers now delivering quality mid-market hospitality offerings in substantial volumes.

What strategic steps should companies in the Middle East’s travel industry take today to remain competitive and relevant in the face of evolving global expectations?

To date, the leadership of the UAE has always been quick to innovate within the hospitality sector in response to continuous changes in visitor expectations and demographics. To this end, dozens of demand generators have come to market in recent years, and there are still significant ones yet to come. This, underscored by the various infrastructure enhancements and continuously improving connectivity, will ensure the long-term health of the sector. Saudi Arabia, too, has made leaps and bounds in this regard, but given the scale, timeline, and scope of the leadership’s vision, there is naturally more ground to cover. That said, we are starting to see a few megaprojects come to market, and initial signs are positive.

How can hospitality operators better leverage local culture, heritage, and storytelling to offer authentic experiences that resonate with today’s global travellers?

Arabian Hospitality has always been a defining characteristic of the region, and certainly a source of pride. That said, how ‘local’ culture is being delivered today is somewhat multidimensional. In Al Seef, for example, a more traditional approach is on display, which can be seen from the service, to the decor, through to the subtle nods to the Emirate’s roots in pearl diving. In 25 Hours, by contrast, whilst there are nods to the region’s history, what is more prevalent are visual queues that pay homage to the fact that Dubai’s population has transitioned from traditional to modern nomads.

In your view, how can destinations in the Middle East better integrate sustainability into both luxury and mass tourism models without compromising guest experience?

We are starting to see more developments with core tenants rooted in sustainability in the region whether that be within stand-alone schemes or integrated masterplans. The Red Sea Development is a great example, which, despite being positioned at the ultra-luxury level, has goals which include fully powering destinations with renewable energy, achieving net zero operations, delivering a 30% net conservation benefit, and growing 30 million plants. It will be great to see these goals being delivered and indeed how the notions of sustainability and luxury are reconciled, which to some degree, are somewhat at odds with each other.

As a returning judge at the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025 – Middle East, what key criteria will you use to evaluate this year’s nominees?

As someone who is immersed in the financial aspect of hotel development on a daily basis, I will always have a natural bias towards anything that enhances profitability. At the end of the day, hotel owners are in a quest for a healthy bottom line, and anything that nominees do to both create and capture value represent the gold standard for me.

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The post More Philippine hotels up for accreditation as Muslim-friendly stays appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that more hotels will be accredited as Muslim-friendly accommodations.

In a briefing held on Thursday, 3rd July, tourism undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar announced that Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR) properties are now undergoing inspection to secure the same certification.

The development comes after RHR and the DOT signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance the country’s appeal as a premier Muslim-friendly tourism destination.

The partnership focuses on expanding halal tourism offerings and increasing Muslim-friendly accommodations across the Philippines, in line with the Philippine government’s Halal Tourism and Muslim-friendly Tourism Roadmap.

As Valderrosa-Abubakar put it: “It is very important that we show our Muslim brothers and sisters that the Philippines is actually ready to welcome all of them to come to the Philippines. We’ve noted that the first thing they need are immediately available accommodations that are Muslim-friendly and offer compliant food options.”

She added the DOT is also coming up with a memorandum circular that would certify Muslim-friendly restaurants across the Philippines.

An increasingly popular destination for Muslim tourists

Of the total 5,949,350 international visitors that arrived in the Philippines in 2024, at least 10.3 percent were from Muslim-populated countries, up by 23.7 percent from the previous year.

The Philippines rose by three spots to rank eighth in the 2025 Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI)’s top 20 Muslim-friendly destinations among non-Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) members, receiving a score of 53 this year, up by six points from last year’s 47.

In 2023 and 2024, the Halal in Travel Awards, which also honors countries in the GMTI rankings, recognized the Philippines as the Emerging Muslim-Friendly Destination of the Year (Non-OIC).

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The post Celebrate your achievements at TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025 – Malaysia appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Be amongst the nation’s finest travel and hospitality leaders.

Malaysia’s travel and tourism industry is experiencing strong growth, fuelled by a rich cultural heritage, premier destinations, and a commitment to exceptional guest experiences. At the forefront of this progress are the country’s leading travel and hospitality companies, playing a vital role in shaping a more resilient and dynamic travel industry.

To celebrate the remarkable efforts of these key industry players, the TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2025 – Malaysia returns to honour the most transformative travel and hospitality leaders and companies in the country.

The prestigious awards programme recognises those who have demonstrated exceptional performance through groundbreaking innovations, sustainable practices, and customer service. It showcases industry leadership across hotels, airlines, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, travel agencies, booking platforms, and travel technology.

Be part of Malaysia’s most prestigious travel awards programme. Submit your nominations until 10 October 2025 and be recognised for your contributions to Malaysia’s thriving travel and tourism industry.

The TDM Travel Trade Excellence Awards – Malaysia is presented by Travel Daily Media. To view the full list of last year’s winners, click here. For more information on the awards programme, you may contact Danica Avila at +(65) 3158 1386 or awards@traveldailymedia.com.

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The post Tourism Malaysia successfully holds sales mission in Thailand appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Malaysian Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), in collaboration with Tourism Malaysia, successfully concluded its sales mission to Thailand.

The mission made its way through Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Bangkok from 22nd June to Thursday, 3rd July. 

The mission sought to enhance bilateral tourism cooperation and lay the foundation for stronger ties ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026).

Led by Malaysian tourism, arts, and culture minister Tiong King Sing, the mission brought together Malaysian delegation comprising 24 organisations, including travel agencies, product owners, hotels, Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) agents, and the National Association of Private Educational Institutions (NAPEI).

Tiong declared: “Thailand and Malaysia are more than neighbours – we are partners in progress. This mission is a call to rise together as collaborators, driving shared prosperity and sustainable tourism growth throughout Southeast Asia.”

An important market

Southeast Asia remains a core pillar of Malaysia’s tourism strategy; indeed, ASEAN countries contributed 28.19 million visitor arrivals in the past year.

Travellers from ASEAN nations accounted for 74.3 percent of Malaysia’s international visitors, generating RM54.38 billion in receipts. 

Thailand, in particular, is viewed as a key market to attract higher-spending and longer-staying travellers due to its convenient transport connectivity and cultural familiarity. 

Thailand alone delivered 2.27 million visitors, and while there was a slight 1.4 percent dip in arrivals, Thai travellers spent RM3.99 billion, a 23.3 percent year-on-year increase, indicating a trend toward higher-quality tourism.

In addition, the MM2H programme continues to appeal to Thai families and retirees who seek affordable, comfortable long-stay options in Malaysia.

Pitching Surreal Experiences

The Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign centres on the theme Surreal Experiences, positioning Malaysia as a destination for meaningful, culturally rich, and family-friendly travel. 

Key emphasis was placed on initiatives to expand air with land connectivity, promote twin-destination packages, support sectors including medical tourism, education mobility and Muslim-friendly travel. 

Both Malaysia and Thailand also expressed a shared commitment to simplifying border procedures, strengthening marketing partnerships, and championing sustainable tourism practices.

From January to April 2025, Malaysia welcomed 13.4 million international visitors, a 21 percent increase compared to the same period last year. 

Of this total, arrivals from Thailand reached 833,610, reflecting a healthy year-on-year growth of 3.4 percent and underscoring Thailand’s continued importance as a key source market.

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The post Nguyen Than Son is Vietjet’s new managing director appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Vietjet Aviation Joint Stock Company formally announced the appointment of Nguyen Thanh Son as its new managing director.

He steps into the role previously held by Dinh Viet Phuong, and will lead the new-age carrier into its next phase of development.

Nguyen Thanh Son has been with Vietjet since its inception, playing a key role in shaping the airline’s innovative business and marketing strategies, and contributing significantly to the growth of the aviation industry.

Meet Nguyen Thanh Son 

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Son holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Economics.

With over three decades of experience in the aviation industry, he embodies a new generation of young, intelligent, and visionary leaders with a global mindset, balancing innovation with strategic discipline, and known for his humility and openness to learning. 

That said, Nguyen is set to lead Vietjet on a new journey toward greener, smarter growth, fostering deeper global connectivity, and delivering meaningful value to passengers and communities worldwide.

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The post Hwajing Travel & Tours enters partnership with Astro Ocean Cruise appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Malaysian travel firm Hwajing Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd formally entered a strategic partnership with China’s Astro Ocean Cruise to bring the M/V Piano Land to Malaysia.

The signing ceremony held at the Penang Port Commission was witnessed by Tourism Malaysia deputy chairman Yeoh Soon Hin and signed by Hwajing Travel & Tours managing director Kenny Cheong and Astro Ocean Cruise president Jian-feng Tong.

This partnership is seen as a step towards making Malaysia a leading country in terms of the regional cruise industry.

Aligned with a vision

Yeoh said of the partnership: “In line with transport minister Anthony Loke’s vision to position Malaysia as a premier homeport destination, we are committed to driving the nation’s cruise tourism agenda forward. By encouraging travellers to begin and conclude their cruise itineraries in Malaysia, we aim to boost tourist arrivals, create local employment opportunities, and showcase Malaysia’s vibrant culture, heritage, and cuisine on the global stage. With the right strategy, cruise tourism holds tremendous potential to deliver sustained economic benefits and uplift communities across the country.” 

Cheong added: “Welcoming M/V Piano Land to Malaysia reinforces our commitment to making cruise holidays more accessible and enriching for both Malaysian and Southeast Asian travellers. This milestone comes at a special time for us, as Hwajing celebrates its 36th anniversary this year. We look forward to playing a key role in developing Malaysia into a thriving homeport hub for international cruises.”

This agreement is Hwajing’s second major international cruise collaboration, following last year’s successful homeporting of an Italian cruise ship.

First in Malaysia

The M/V Piano Land is set to sail on its maiden voyage on 30th November of this year, making it the first Chinese cruise ship to be homeported in Malaysia. 

The upcoming itineraries will include a 3-day, 2-night sailing (Penang – Port Klang – Penang) and a 4-day, 3-night voyage covering Penang, Langkawi, and Port Klang.

Passengers will be able to embark from either Penang or Port Klang, offering greater convenience and accessibility for Malaysian travellers, as well as those from neighbouring countries.

The introduction of M/V Piano Land homeport operation is expected to stimulate tourism, boost local economies, and offer Malaysians and neighbouring markets more seamless access to cruise holidays.

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