Luxury Travel Trends in Asia Pacific: HNW Travelers Embrace Gastronomy and Unique Experiences

A new study by Marriott International’s Luxury Group reveals evolving preferences among high-net-worth (HNW) travelers in the Asia Pacific region. The report highlights a surge in travel spending, a preference for gastronomy-driven destinations, and the emergence of three distinct traveler archetypes: the ‘Venture Travelist,’ ‘Experience Connoisseur,’ and ‘Timeless Adventurer.’

Philippines Hosts First UN Gastronomy Tourism Forum for Asia-Pacific, Emphasizing Food Tourism’s Economic and Social Benefits

The Philippines hosted the inaugural UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific, bringing together government officials, industry leaders, and chefs to discuss the growing trend of food tourism in the region. The forum, co-organized by UNWTO and the Basque Culinary Centre, highlighted the importance of developing policies that integrate tourism with agriculture, culture, and rural development to maximize the positive impacts of food tourism.

Diversifying Tourism and Enhancing Education: Key to Resilience in Asia-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing a strong tourism recovery, with tourist arrivals reaching 82% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2024. However, the recent UN Tourism meeting highlighted the importance of diversifying tourism offerings and enhancing education to build a more resilient and sustainable sector. The meeting, attended by over 130 delegates from 25 countries, emphasized the need for investment in education and training, green transformation, and the development of innovative and sustainable tourism solutions. Gastronomy tourism emerged as a key area for diversification, leading to the Cebu Call to Action urging leaders to integrate gastronomy into tourism policies and promote cross-sector collaboration.

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection Sets Sail for Asia-Pacific with New Luxury Voyages

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is expanding its luxury cruising experience to the Asia-Pacific region with the introduction of Luminara, a new superyacht offering 10 unique itineraries exploring 28 ports across 10 countries. Starting in December 2025, guests can embark on these enriching journeys, experiencing the finest in luxury travel and personalized service while discovering ancient treasures, modern marvels, and exotic destinations.

PATA Honors Industry Leaders for Outstanding Contributions

At the PATA Annual Summit 2024, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) recognized the achievements of three tourism professionals and industry leaders. Darren Ng, Elizabeth M. Chin, and Mayur Patel were honored for their significant contributions to the industry and to PATA. Additionally, Soon-Hwa Wong was appointed as the PATA Ambassador for Greater China.

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