The post Pan Pacific’s Bellustar Tokyo makes it to Japan’s top 10 city hotels appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Bellustar Tokyo, A Pan Pacific Hotel made it to 10th place among Japan’s Best City Hotels in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2025, making it among the best in the region.

This is the second year in a row that the hotel has been honoured since it opened its doors two years ago.

Hotel general manager Katsushi Nishikawa expressed his gratitude to Travel + Leisure, as well as guests and the hotel staff.

Nishikawa said: “It is truly gratifying and humbling to have been bestowed with this honor, which would not have been possible without the patronage of our guests and the efforts of our associates who show the utmost commitment in their day-to-day responsibilities.”

He reiterated that, as a luxury hotel in the heart of Tokyo, Bellustar Tokyo’s mission is to offer a sophisticated and elegant stay experience that meets the demands of customers from Japan and abroad.

Nishikawa concluded with: “Invigorated by the reception of this award, we will endeavor to fulfill this mission by further improving the quality of service we provide and by presenting our guests with Japanese omotenashi, or hospitality, that they will remember long after their visit has ended.”

A stellar record so far

As it marks its second anniversary this year, Bellustar Tokyo continues to devote itself to enhancing its presence in the industry. 

As a result, it has received numerous prominent awards since its opening, including a slot in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2024 Top 10 City Hotels in Japan; Luxury New Hotel in East Asia – Best Architectural Design in East Asia at last year’s World’s Luxury Awards; and Best New Hotel in the international category of the TTG China Awards earlier this year.

The hotel also achieved a one Michelin Key rating in the Japan edition of the Michelin Guide for Hotels.

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The post How can destinations cater to the needs of the growing Muslim travel market? appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Representative Image

Muslim travel is changing in profound ways. Projections indicate that this market will grow to 245 million arrivals by 2030, with an estimated expenditure of USD 235 billion. This growth is fuelled by a young, digitally native generation whose aspirations we must continue to listen to and understand.

The Mastercard-Crescent Rating’s ‘The Halal Travel trends 2025’ report was officially launched at the PATA Annual Summit 2025 (PAS 2025) during the session “Halal Travel Frontier 2025: What Destinations need to know now,” Fazal Bahardeen, Founder and CEO, CrescentRating presented few trends from the report.

He stated: “We look at the trends from the Muslim traveller’s perspective. Say if a trend is ‘slow travel’ we try and find out how the different destinations can offer ‘slow travel’ for the Muslim travellers. How to attract the Muslim market without taking them as an afterthought.”

The first noticeable trend he talked about was the rise of women travellers. Muslim travellers compared to other travellers move as multi-generational groups.

The Modern Female Traveller

Females play a significant role in travel planning, especially when traveling as families. Recently, there has been a notable rise in female-only group travel and solo female journeys. To cater to this growing trend, destinations globally have increasingly adopted women friendly amenities and services. It is essential for destinations to provide safe, comfortable, and women-friendly environments, ensuring travellers’ peace of mind. Initiatives aimed at this segment also complement efforts towards inclusive travel for Muslim travellers, creating overlapping opportunities to serve diverse traveller needs effectively.

Then of course by popular opinion travelling for sports tourism.

Sports Tourism

The growing trend of people traveling for sports creates a major opportunity. To attract the valuable and expanding Muslim travel market, destinations must adapt. This means ensuring all major sporting events and active lifestyle options are designed to be inclusive, considering the faith-based and family-oriented needs of Muslim tourists.

“Local festivals also remain key trends; people want to go and enjoy those things. Another popular trend that has evolved is ‘slow travel’, he said. There are nuances that you need to investigate to understand how you can cater to specifically for Muslim travellers.

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Solo Travel

Preferences are changing; there is a rise on solo travellers these past years who want freedom, autonomy, and independence during their trip. This trend is particularly prominent among younger generations, with Millennials and Gen Z leading the movement. Highlighting safe neighbourhoods, hospitality with local Muslim families, and women-friendly accommodations helps reassure travelers and supports a sense of empowerment.

He said, “We are also looking at it very closely how can you enable Muslim digital nomads in your destinations.”

Highlighting trends within the dimensions of the RIDA (Responsible, Immersion, Digital, Assurance) framework, the report provides an overview of the evolving travel environment. Responsible tourism emphasizes the conservation of the natural environment and the well-being of local communities, while immersive experiences offer new perspectives and opportunities for travellers to become more engaged.

Regenerative Tourism

Transforms travel by encouraging activities that restore and enhance ecosystems, local communities, and wildlife. This trend goes beyond sustainability, empowering travellers to leave destinations healthier and more vibrant than they found them. By promoting regenerative tourism, destinations can provide purpose-led experiences that resonate with the evolving traveller, positioning themselves as both ethical and faith-conscious tourism leaders

Sustainable Mobility

The shift to sustainable urban mobility has become a necessity due to the need of reducing global CO2 emissions. Cities prioritizing eco-friendly, cost-effective transport are leading the way in combating climate change and achieving environmental goals, paving the way for a more efficient and sustainable urban future. By linking sustainable mobility to core faith traditions, destinations can not only reduce their ecological footprint but also offer Muslim travellers a way to practice their faith during their journey.

Digital Detox Retreat

Provides the space for individuals to temporarily disconnect from electronic devices, enabling rejuvenation, self-reflection, and a re-evaluation of their relationship with technology. Participants engage in a brief but focused disconnection, reducing stress and fully immersing themselves in the physical world. Destinations can attract Muslim travellers by offering unplugged wellness retreats that align with faith values of mindfulness, balance, and spiritual renewal

Through his work, Fazal continues to drive innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in the evolving landscape of Muslim-friendly travel, inspiring industry leaders and travellers alike.

Accessible Tourism

Aims to create inclusive tourism experiences catering to the needs of travellers with disabilities, seniors, and families with young children. The importance of this approach lies in its potential to expand market reach while committing to inclusiveness, quality service, and safety. By combining inclusive design with faith-specific needs, destinations can create a welcoming environment for all.

Humanoid Robotics

Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic due to safety and health concerns, the use of robots and/or humanoids streamlines operations while adding a novel touch. Equipped with artificial intelligence, robotic services can perform a range of tasks, from basic mechanical functions to more complex interactions. Faith-related awareness needs to be integrated into their programs, making them more inclusive and adaptive

Smart Apps for Halal Journeys

Streamlines the process of obtaining information and enhances the journey by offering various services. The integration of technology makes travel planning less of a hassle, makes practicing faith easier on the go, and opens opportunities for new experiences, such as VR for travel. Apps offer not only efficient information retrieval, but also shift the way Muslim tourists engage with their journeys

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The post Field visits boost tourism cooperation between Thailand and Bhutan appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted a high-level delegation from Bhutan’s Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO) from 20th to 23rd June.

This field visit is seen as a significant step toward deepening cooperation in sustainable tourism between the two nations.

The delegation explored Thailand’s sustainability practices at both policy and community levels, marking a key milestone in the Thailand–Bhutan sustainable tourism partnership.

Likewise, the visit reinforces both nations’ commitment to responsible tourism and sets the stage for stronger collaboration under the Two Countries, One Destination framework that is geared towards shared learning, joint product development, and meaningful travel experiences rooted in sustainability.

This latest collaboration builds on earlier engagement at Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) 2025, held from 5th to 7th June in Khao Lak, Phang-nga, where Bhutan participated alongside Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries. 

This event laid important groundwork for continued progress under the shared vision of the two nations.

An insightful opening

The programme opened with a welcome meeting led by TAT deputy governor for international marketing in Asia and the South Pacific Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai.

She was accompanied here by executive director for ASEAN, South Asia, and the South Pacific Patsri Permwongsaenee, executive director of tourism products Eblarp Sripirom, and Santi Sawaengcharoen, deputy executive director from the office of the TAT governor.

TAT presented Thailand’s strategic direction for sustainable tourism in alignment with international benchmarks and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) standards. 

The session included case studies of Thai businesses recognised for environmental and community-based initiatives, including The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, awarded the Green Hotel Standard Plus certification for 2024–2027.

A hands-on experience

From 21st to 23rd June, the delegation visited Nan province to explore practical models of sustainable tourism. 

They met with Wilaiwan Budasa, Vice Governor of Nan, to discuss regional cooperation and inclusive tourism development. 

The programme featured visits to recognised hospitality and tourism businesses, including Nan Boutique Hotel and Resort, Cocoa Valley, Saengthong Resort, and Pupakannapua, each certified under schemes such as the Thailand Tourism Awards, Sustainable Tourism Acceleration Rating (STAR), Tourism Care, Green Restaurant, and Green Hotel. 

These visits facilitated valuable knowledge exchange on eco-friendly operations, cultural preservation, and community-based tourism.

A guided tram tour of Nan Old Town, recipient of the Green Destinations Gold Level award, Thailand’s first recipient of the honour in ASEAN, and the only one in Asia in 2025, highlighted the town’s leadership in creative and sustainable urban development.

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The post More than 1,500 flights cancelled on July 3-4 in France appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Representative Image: People in the terminal of Marseille Airport in Marseille, France.

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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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