The TravMedia Summit Asia 2026 in Singapore

TravMedia hosted The TravMedia Summit Asia 2026 at Suntec Singapore, bringing together over 300 travel media and PR professionals with senior leaders from hospitality, loyalty and destination marketing. The event offered thought leadership, strategic networking and practical insights ahead of IMM Asia’s one-to-one media appointments.

TravMedia CEO and Founder Nick Wayland opened the Summit by welcoming delegates back to Singapore for the region’s premier media networking event.

“What stood out was how clearly the conversation has shifted from where people travel to why they travel,” Nick said. “We had leaders from AccorPlus, Traveloka, Sofitel, Marriott and Headline Sponsor YOTEL sitting alongside the editors who shape how Asia reads about travel, and every session came back to the same idea: a reason to travel matters more than just a room.”

The Summit opened with ‘A Reason, Not a Room: How Southeast Asia is Choosing to Travel,’ presented by Tejveer Singh Bedi, VP of Commercial, Accommodation, Traveloka. He shared Traveloka’s latest data, highlighting that Southeast Asian travellers now prioritise value, benefits, access and experiences over accommodation alone, and discussed the implications for brands and storytellers.

‘Food is the New Destination’ was moderated by Tony Chisholm, Global SVP Food, Beverage & Entertainment, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems, with panellists Fontaine Cheng, Regional Dining Editor, Tatler Asia; Nicola Lee, Academy Chair Southeast Asia (South), The 50 Best Restaurants Asia; and Petr Raba, Vice President Food & Beverage APEC, Marriott International. The panel explored how dining has become a primary travel motivator in Asia. Hotels are investing in chef-led concepts, experiential dining and local immersion. They also examined how rankings, guides and editorial coverage influence food-focused travellers’ decisions.

‘Winning the Modern Traveller: How Loyalty Is Being Redefined,’ sponsored by Accor Plus and moderated by Aaron Wong, Founder, The MileLion. Panellists included Emilie Couton, CEO, Accor Plus; Olivia Donnan, Senior Vice President, Brand, Culture & Growth, YOTEL; and Tony Gothard, VP Commercial Partnerships & International Marketing, Travel + Leisure Co. The panel discussed the new travel value exchange and the shift in loyalty from points and status to dining benefits, experiences and emotional loyalty. They addressed strategies for earning repeat business from increasingly discerning travellers.

Keynote: ‘Think Like an Adventurer: Thriving in a Changing World’ – National Geographic TV adventurer Rob Lilwall shared lessons from his expeditions, illustrating how resilience, adaptability and curiosity can help travel professionals succeed in a rapidly changing environment.

‘Calm As a Competitive Advantage: Lessons in Communications Through Conflict and Uncertainty’ – Phillipa Harrison, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, highlighted composure as a strategic asset. She drew on lessons from leading destinations through conflict and uncertainty to demonstrate how clear, steady and honest communication protects trust with travellers, partners and media when it matters most.

‘Slam with Travel Editors’ was moderated by TravMedia CEO & Founder Nick Wayland, with panellists Audrey Phoon, Editorial Director, Eastside; Christian Barker, Editorial Director, Consumer Publications, Signature Media; Clara Lock, Assistant Life Editor, The Straits Times; and Nana Kinno, Editor-in-Chief & Co-founder, TARO. Editors shared current trends in Asia, how AI is changing editorial direction and the value of first-person experiences, providing delegates with direct insight into editorial priorities across the region.

‘Australian Traveller Market in Focus’ moderated by Carolyn Beasley, Freelance Travel Writer, with panellists Alison Roberts-Brown, Founder, Tourism Garden; Kelli Armstrong, Managing Editor, Escape; and Tom McMenemie, General Manager, Commercial, Luxury Escapes. The session examined booking trends, research and purchasing behaviours of Australian travellers, and discussed strategies for Asian destinations and brands to engage this market through media and commercial partnerships.

Headline Sponsor, YOTEL enhanced the networking area with a photo wall, inviting delegates to showcase their best sleeping pose. Participants who tagged @yotel could win a complimentary night at any of YOTEL’s 24 hotels worldwide.

Networking was a key focus, with three hours of catered open networking during the Summit. The event concluded with a cocktail reception at PLUME, hosted by Pan Pacific Singapore, featuring a signature cocktail and refreshments to encourage continued conversation and connections.

The TravMedia Summit Asia 2026 was made possible by the support of Official Headline Sponsor YOTEL; session sponsors AccorPlus and Traveloka; Pan Pacific Singapore for the networking drinks reception; Meliã Hotels International for the coffee cart; Travel Lifestyle Network for the lanyards; and hotel partners: APT.; COMO Metropolitan Singapore; Conrad Singapore Marina Bay; Conrad Singapore Orchard; Fairmont Singapore; Four Seasons Hotel Singapore; Frasers House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Singapore; Hilton Singapore Orchard; JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach; Mandarin Oriental, Singapore; Pan Pacific Singapore; PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay; Swissôtel The Stamford Singapore; The Capitol Kempinski Hotel Singapore; The Fullerton Bay Hotel Singapore; The Fullerton Hotel Singapore; The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore; The Singapore EDITION; The St. Regis Singapore; The Westin Singapore and YOTEL Singapore.

Reflecting on the event, Nick Wayland stated: “Asia is where so much of travel’s next chapter is being written, and the people writing it were in this room today. When the region’s leading brands and the editors covering them share ideas this openly, the result is better stories, smarter campaigns and a stronger industry.”

The TravMedia Summit opened IMM Asia 2026 and the TravMedia Awards Asia, recognising the best of the best in the region.

For more information, visit travmedia.com/immasia