The fourth annual TravMedia Summit Asia, sponsored by Expedia, brought together 275 of Asia's best travel editors, writers, influencers and international travel and tourism brands from hotel groups, destinations, airlines, cruise lines, travel operators and attractions to network and discuss the challenges and opportunities defining the industry today.
The Summit is part of TravMedia's International Media Marketplace (IMM), the leading media networking event for the travel industry, now in its eleventh year.
The stellar line-up of media and industry panellists included presentations by Expedia on Asia aviation trends and Keynote Speaker Liz Ortiguera, the new Managing Director Asia Pacific and Senior Advisor to the CEO of the World Travel Tourism Commission (WTTC). Confidence in the room was high, attesting to Asia's strong tourism growth for the next three years.
“Each year, we delve into the biggest issues facing our industry and spark conversations to keep up with the fast pace of change and the constant challenges thrown our way,” said Nick Wayland, CEO and Founder of TravMedia. “The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. We were honoured to have had so many travel industry thought leaders join us.”
The TravMedia Summit presenters dove into top-of-mind issues, including the rise of AI in travel and media, developing a more sustainable and inclusive future, and the changing media landscape. Expedia Group's James Marshall, Vice President, Global Air Account Management, showed strong growth in Asia, with flight demand approaching pre-pandemic levels and prices normalising. The top five destinations for end-of-the-year holidays in Asia are Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul and Taiwan.
“Expedia is proud to support the travel industry, brands, writers and editors who are important in inspiring people to travel,” said Lavinia Rajaram, Director, Global Brand Communications & Asia Head of Expedia Group Brands PR. “Expedia is your one-stop travel site for dream vacations, and delegates at The TravMedia Summit play an important role in sharing this dream.”
Liz Ortiguera shared some of the latest travel statistics in her Keynote presentation, including how APAC will outperform the world in the future growth in tourism, creating 74 million of the 110 million new jobs expected in the next ten years. Tourism is predicted to account for $6.1 Trillion in total GDP by 2033, up from $2.7 trillion year on year in 2023, proving our love for travel continues to grow.
“Asia Pacific will be the engine of global tourism growth, with 69% of new jobs created in travel over the next decade being in Asia Pacific. This mega-region is leading the way, and we have a responsibility to ensure we travel more responsibly and more sustainably,” Liz said. “The desire for conscious and more sustainable tourism is higher in Asia Pacific than in any other region."
The Broadcast Media: Cracking the Code Panel examined earned, owned and paid coverage and how to place your destination and travel products in front of millions. James Wilkinson, Host of Wayfarer Travel and Lifestyle TV show and On-Air Travel Expert for Seven News Australia moderated the panel, which included Andrew Clark, Partner at AsiaWorks; Television Presenter Anita Kapoor; and Rowena Ryan, Digital Editor of Escape.
The Destination Marketing Panel highlighted best-in-class marketing campaigns from some of this year's hottest destinations. Alison Roberts-Brown from the Kyoto City Tourism Association; Franka Gulin from the Croatian National Tourism Board; Michael Ma, Assistant Chief Executive of Sentosa Development Corporation; and Todd Davidson, CEO of Travel Oregon, discussed their approach to Destination Stewardship, including sustainability, over-tourism, and diversity, equity and inclusion.
Atlas Founder & CEO Mary Li, one of Singapore's Top 100 Women in Tech, led a fascinating panel, The Future of Travel: AI, NFTs and New Technology. Panellists Ben-Jie Lim, Head of Global Markets & Partnerships for airasia Superapp; Josh Speight, Head of Innovation & Partnerships for Mash; and Martha Waslen, Founder & CEO of DayAway, discussed the rise of AI, how these new technologies are being applied in travel and tourism, and what's next for our industry.
The Slam with Travel Editors panel brought together Anthony Dennis, Editor of Traveller; Coco Marett, Travel and Lifestyle Editor of Tatler Asia; Jeninne Lee-St. John, Editor-in-Chief of Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia, Hong Kong & Macau; and Vincent Zhuang, Senior Editor of Robb Report China, to share trends, pitches piquing their interest and the changing face of travel in Asia.
The final panel of the day, Your Sustainability Story? Prove it focused on proven sustainability initiatives and who is leading the way. Moderated by Paul Hicks, Founding Partner & CEO of GHC Asia, panellists Jayne MacDougall, Executive Director of Phuket Hotels Association; Khang Nguyen Trieu, Group Chief Technology Architect for Accor; Nicole Robinson, CMO of andBeyond; Rhea Vitto Tabora, Founding Editor-in-Chief of Travel Asia Now & Asia Sustainable Travel Briefing; and Valerie Loy, Vice-President Marketing - East, South Asia and Pacific for Club Med shared best practices for measuring and reporting sustainable practices and how Asia is faring against the rest of the world.
The day concluded with a cocktail function sponsored by COMO Metropolitan Singapore on their newly opened Sky Bar and poolside rooftop.
The TravMedia Summit is the forum for the travel industry to connect and learn from our most influential leaders. The one-day conference brings together travel and tourism PR, editors, writers and influencers to inspire ideas, share insights and discuss the trends, opportunities and challenges affecting our industry. Presented the day before IMM, The TravMedia Summit Asia attracts A-list media from across Southeast Asia, Greater China, India, Japan, South Korea and Australia.
Fourth Annual TravMedia Summit
Asia
Sponsors for the day included Headline Sponsor Expedia; Cocktail Function Sponsor COMO Metropolitan Singapore; Coffee Cart Sponsor The Ascott Limited; Airline Partner AirAsia; and Hotel Partners The Robertson House by The Crest Collection, Pullman Singapore Hill Street, COMO Metropolitan Singapore, InterContinental Singapore, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Hotel Faber Park Singapore – Handwritten Collection, Conrad Centennial Singapore, Grand Park City Hall, Pan Pacific Orchard, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Pullman Singapore Orchard and voco Orchard Singapore.