The Travel Daily Media Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2026 – Asia, held on 10 November 2026 at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore, celebrated a wide spectrum of travel and hospitality businesses that are reshaping the industry. From digital tools that streamline trip planning to hotel concepts that deliver more meaningful stays, the honorees demonstrated how innovation and service create tangible value for travellers and the trade alike.
Recognising regional leadership
The awards programme covered achievements across hotels, airlines, airports, cruise lines, tour operators, travel agencies, booking platforms, and travel technology. An independent panel of industry experts—Florian Kittler, Managing Partner and Global Practice Leader for Hospitality, Travel & Leisure at Cornerstone International Group; Eric Levy, Managing Director of Tourism Solutions International; and Matt Gebbie, Managing Director for Pacific Asia at Horwath HTL—evaluated the entries.
Among the standout winners, Dao by Dorsett AMTD Singapore took home Lifestyle Hotel of the Year – Singapore, a property that has quickly become a benchmark for design-led urban hospitality. The hotel’s success reflects a broader trend of lifestyle brands pushing beyond conventional offerings to attract experience-driven travellers.
In the cruise sector, AmaWaterways was named River Cruise Line of the Year – Singapore, while Pandaw Cruises earned the same accolade for Vietnam. Century Cruises won New Cruise Ship of the Year – China, underscoring the continued expansion of river cruising in Asia.
Technology and innovation take centre stage
Technology was a recurring theme. DidaTravel Technology Singapore Pte Ltd received Technology Innovation of the Year – Singapore, while Sunrate was honoured for AI Initiative of the Year – Singapore. SympleHost.ai claimed Property Management System of the Year – Singapore, and Cocotel International Inc. was named Hotel Tech Provider of the Year – Philippines. These wins highlight how data-driven solutions are addressing operational challenges and enhancing guest experiences.
Loyalty programmes also featured prominently. ALL Accor took Loyalty Programme of the Year – Singapore, and Artotel Group won the same category for Indonesia, alongside Hospitality Group of the Year – Indonesia. The recognition reflects the growing importance of member engagement in building long-term customer relationships.
Hospitality excellence across the region
Luxury and MICE properties were well represented. Conrad Manila was named Luxury Hotel of the Year – Philippines, InterContinental Osaka took the honour for Japan, and Premier Village Phu Quoc Resort for Vietnam. In the MICE segment, Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams Sri Lanka won MICE Hotel of the Year – Sri Lanka, while InterContinental Bali Resort and InterContinental Phu Quoc Long Beach Resort claimed the titles for Indonesia and Vietnam, respectively. PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore earned Business Hotel of the Year – Singapore and MICE Hotel of the Year – Singapore, cementing its position as a versatile venue.
Sustainability was another key focus. PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay also won Sustainable Hotel of the Year – Singapore, while Bay Forest Boutique Hotel took the honour for Taiwan, Maia Resort Quy Nhon for Vietnam, and Pico Sands Hotel for the Philippines. Pullman Singapore Hill Street was recognised for Green Building Design of the Year – Singapore, reflecting the industry’s push toward eco-conscious construction and operations.
Airports and travel services
Airport experiences were also celebrated. Jewel Changi Airport won Marketing Initiative of the Year – Singapore and Tourist Attraction of the Year – Singapore, while Plaza Premium Lounge took Airport Experience of the Year – Taiwan and Airport Lounge of the Year – Taiwan. In the Philippines, Aboitiz InfraCapital subsidiaries were honoured for airport experience, sustainability, and health and safety initiatives.
Travel management and booking platforms were not overlooked. Direct Travel Singapore was named Global Travel Management Company of the Year – Singapore, and FCM Travel won Hybrid Online Travel Agency of the Year – Singapore. RezLive.com was recognised as Emerging Booking Website of the Year – India, and Japan Ski Experience took Hotel Booking Website of the Year – Japan.
The awards also highlighted community and inclusion efforts. BUFFALO TRAILS CAMBODIA won Community Initiative of the Year – Cambodia, while SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation was honoured for Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year – Philippines. These initiatives demonstrate that travel businesses are increasingly aligning their operations with broader social and environmental goals.
As the industry continues to evolve, the achievements recognised at the Travel Trade Excellence Awards 2026 – Asia offer a clear signal: innovation, service, and creativity are not just buzzwords but essential drivers of growth and differentiation. For travel professionals, these winners provide a roadmap for meeting the expectations of today’s travellers while building resilient, future-ready businesses.
