Digital travel platform Agoda’s latest data unveils which Asian travellers have shopping top-of-mind when planning trips. Topping the ranking are travellers from Taiwan and South Korea, with nearly one in four (23%) respondents from each market saying shopping motivated their trips. Travelers from the Philippines (22%), Malaysia (20%) and Japan (15%) round out the top five, with Thailand (14%), Indonesia (12%), India (8%) and Vietnam (7%) completing the ranking. The findings come from a survey of Asian travellers as part of Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report, which highlights the prominence of shopping as a travel motivator. The data reveals that retail experiences remain a major draw across Asia, with options…

Running from Friday 22 May to Saturday 13 June, the 23‑day program brings together the full breadth of the city’s creative identity across Vivid Light, Vivid Music, Vivid Minds and Vivid Food. More than 80 per cent of the festival remains free, including the entire Vivid Light Walk, an unbroken 6.5‑kilometre journey featuring over 43 installations and projections created by acclaimed local and international artists. Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper, said Vivid Sydney will be bigger and better than ever before. “No other city in the world can host Vivid, because no other city in the world has what Sydney has to offer. Vivid Sydney 2026 will redefine how…

Klook, a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, unveils its Spring Readiness Index. This index serves as a seasonal pulse-check, an extension to Klook’s broader Travel Pulseannual research that offers a real-time view of how travellers are preparing for the upcoming peak travel period. Based on insights drawn from 900 travellers across nine Asia markets — Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and India — Japan (78%) continues to hold the crown as the top spring travel destination, followed by South Korea (52%) and Mainland China (42%). The primary reason travellers choose to visit these destinations during the March–April window is clear: to experience seasonal attractions.…

Digital travel platform Agoda has unveiled its ranking of Asian travellers that are the most passionate about culinary experiences during their travels. The findings, derived from a survey of Asian travellers as part of Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report, reveal that Malaysians travellers rank fourth among the top foodie travellers in Asia, with one in three Malaysians citing the discovery of new culinary experiences as a primary reason for travel. Food is increasingly taking centre stage as a primary reason for travel, with more Asian travellers eager to explore destinations that offer unforgettable culinary experiences. This shift reflects a broader trend where gastronomy is becoming a significant motivator in choosing where…

Melia Chiang Mai in northern Thailand will host a vibrant ‘TGIF! (Thank God It’s Friday) Dinner Buffet’ in February and March, offering Malaysian and international travellers an indulgent way to usher in the weekend. The themed buffet will be held at the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, Laan Na Kitchen, on Feb 27, 2026 and March 27, 2026, from 6 pm to 10 pm. Among the key highlights are slow-roasted Picanha steak and pesto-crusted whole salmon at live carving stations, as well as grilled buttered scallops served on the shell. Guests can also savour made-to-order spicy Ramyeon noodle soup prepared with ingredients such as tofu, ham, sausage and cheese. The extensive…