Industry News

Asian travellers in 2026 are prioritising accommodation type, dining options, and flexibility when booking their stays, according to Agoda’s latest data. The digital travel platform’s analysis of search filters shows that 19% of all filter activity focused on accommodation type, with Southeast Asian nations like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam leading the charge.

Agoda’s findings highlight a strong preference for hotel, resort, and flat options, with Indonesian travellers filtering 45% of their searches by accommodation type. Additionally, review scores of 8 and above accounted for 9% of filter activity, indicating a demand for high-quality, verified stays, particularly among Indian travellers, who lead this preference at 13%.

Dining options are also a significant factor, with breakfast-included stays being the second most searched filter at 12%. Japanese and Taiwanese travellers show a notable interest in culinary offerings, with searches for breakfast, dinner, and even afternoon tea included in their accommodation options.

Flexibility remains a key concern for Asian travellers, with free cancellation and pay-at-hotel options ranking among the top 10 filters. This trend underscores the desire for refundable and convenient payment choices. Other popular filters include location, bed type, and car parking facilities, reflecting a need for diverse accommodation options.

Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President of Supply at Agoda, stated, “In 2026, travellers across Asia are looking for the stay that feels right, whether this be through convenience, choice, or comfort.” Agoda’s extensive range of search filters and accommodation options aims to meet these varied needs, offering over 6 million holiday properties and more than 130,000 flight routes.

The Asia Pacific Dental Federation (APDF) has unveiled its first evidence-based white paper, “The Power of Prevention: Evidence-Based Guidelines for Self-Oral Care,” advocating for a prevention-first approach to oral health. The report, supported by Kenvue, highlights that whilst most people brush their teeth twice daily, this only cleans 25% of the mouth, leaving areas like gums and tongue vulnerable to bacteria and disease.

The white paper underscores the preventability of oral diseases such as gingivitis and cavities, which remain prevalent across the Asia Pacific region. Dr Arleen Reyes, President of APDF, emphasised, “There is no health without oral health,” urging a shift towards prevention as a primary tool in oral healthcare.

Adding therapeutic mouthwash to daily brushing and flossing routines is recommended, with studies showing it can reduce plaque by up to 50% and gum bleeding by 67.8% within six months. Essential oil and chlorhexidine mouthwashes are identified as particularly effective, with the former suitable for long-term use.

The guidelines identify key groups that would benefit most from this enhanced routine, including children aged six and above, teenagers, adults with chronic conditions, and older adults on long-term medication. Dr Jose Angelo Militante of APDF noted that effective oral hygiene, including antimicrobial rinses, can improve surgical outcomes by reducing postoperative complications.

LISTERINE, a long-standing advocate of mouthwash science, aligns with the APDF’s recommendations. Dr Ashley Barlow of Kenvue highlighted the importance of a consistent oral care routine, stating, “Good oral health happens at home, every day.”

The full white paper is accessible online, urging policymakers to prioritise oral health prevention.

The Future Energy Storage & System Integration Alliance (FESSIA) has released a report emphasising the importance of monetising Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to enhance grid flexibility in Southeast Asia. The report, unveiled during Temasek’s Ecosperity Week 2026, highlights the growing need for system flexibility as variable renewable energy (VRE) deployment accelerates across the region.

Currently, ASEAN’s energy storage market is underdeveloped, with only 1.4 gigawatts in operation. Liming Qiao, CEO and Founder of FESSIA, stated, “The energy transition is entering a new phase where flexibility must become central to power-system planning, operations, and market design.” The report, developed with DNV, explores utility-scale BESS deployment pathways and suggests that clearer policy frameworks and market mechanisms are essential for scaling energy storage.

Key findings indicate that ancillary services in Vietnam and the Philippines offer the strongest economic case for BESS, with potential system cost reductions and revenue increases. In the Philippines, BESS ancillary services could cut system costs by up to US$275m annually and unlock US$2.25b in Solar + BESS revenues by 2030. Vietnam’s annual BESS investment could rise from US$750m in 2026 to US$5.7b by 2030.

Dr. Matthew Rowe from DNV Energy Systems noted the need for evolving electricity markets and regulatory frameworks to fully realise BESS’s system value. The report underscores that ASEAN’s challenge is market readiness rather than technology readiness, with revenue stacking identified as key to improving project bankability.

FESSIA’s launch also introduced inaugural members, including Trinasolar and PHENOGY, aiming to shape the future of energy storage in ASEAN. The full report is undergoing peer review and will be available soon.

British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution, has pledged $30m to the Industrial Transformation Programme (ITP) under the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P). This commitment, structured as a junior tranche, is intended to attract commercial capital by assuming higher risk, positioning BII as the largest catalytic investor after MAS.

The ITP, managed by BlackRock through its infrastructure credit platform, seeks to address South-East Asia’s escalating energy-related CO2 emissions, which could rise by a third by 2050 without intervention. The region requires an estimated $210b annually to bridge its climate investment gap.

BII’s investment aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of high-emitting sectors across South-East Asia by deploying risk-bearing anchor capital. This marks BII’s second commitment under FAST-P, following its investment in the Pentagreen Green Investment Partnership. The initiative aligns with BII’s strategy to allocate at least 40% of new investments to climate finance from 2026 to 2031.

This strategic move underscores BII’s commitment to fostering sustainable development and addressing climate challenges in the region. As South-East Asia grapples with significant environmental concerns, BII’s investment could play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Agoda’s 2026 Sustainable Travel Survey reveals a significant shift in travel preferences, with 35% of Asian travellers prioritising experiences that protect nature and support local communities. This surpasses the 26% who focus on accommodations with sustainability certifications. The survey, conducted across eight Asian markets, indicates a growing trend towards purposeful travel, with 77% of respondents considering sustainability important in their travel choices, up from 68% last year.

Thailand leads the region with 95% of travellers prioritising sustainability, followed by Indonesia at 93%, and India and Malaysia both at 88%. Agoda’s Senior Vice President of Supply, Andrew Smith, noted that travellers are increasingly looking for ways to contribute to local growth and nature preservation. “As travellers explore beyond the usual gateways, the opportunity for communities in secondary destinations to benefit from tourism dollars spreading more widely continues to increase,” Smith stated.

Agoda’s Eco Deals programme, in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), supports this trend by offering travellers savings whilst contributing to conservation efforts. The programme has committed $15m to WWF projects across 10 markets, providing savings of up to 15% for travellers and donating $1 to WWF for every completed booking.

The survey also highlights that 48% of travellers choose to travel during off-peak seasons to reduce overcrowding, indicating a readiness for more sustainable travel options. As the demand for eco-friendly travel grows, Agoda aims to convert these interests into opportunities for partners through its Eco Deals initiative.

A recent study by Oxford Economics, commissioned by Digital Prosperity Asia, highlights the significant impact of digital regulations on startups across Asia. The report, focusing on Malaysia, India, and South Korea, reveals that 74% of startups are experiencing increased costs due to compliance, reshaping the region’s startup ecosystem.

The study found that 88% of startups face operational constraints from digital regulatory compliance, with 42% allocating over 15% of their operating budget to these costs. This has led many startups to reorganise operations and prioritise compliance talent over growth-focused roles. “Digital regulations can strengthen trust in the digital economy, but the benefits are often realised unevenly,” said Henry Worthington, Managing Director at Oxford Economics.

Innovation is also being constrained, with 83% of startups reporting that regulations have impacted their activities. A significant 66% have redirected financial resources from research and development (R&D) to compliance, resulting in slower product development and longer time-to-market, particularly affecting younger startups.

Investment decisions are similarly influenced, with 63% of venture capitalists considering regulatory factors as key drivers. The study warns that restrictive regulations could reduce venture capital funding by over 25% in some markets over the next decade.

The findings underscore the need for well-designed regulatory frameworks that balance trust and growth. As compliance becomes a structural cost, policymakers have the opportunity to empower startups whilst safeguarding trust, according to Koh Liang Wei from the DPA Secretariat. The report calls for a collaborative approach to ensure regulations support innovation and investment in Asia’s burgeoning digital economy.

Real estate investment in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region has risen by 15% year-on-year, reaching US$204b by March 2026, according to Colliers’ latest Global Capital Flows report. This growth aligns with the global rate, indicating a resurgence in capital directed towards standing assets despite geopolitical and economic challenges.

The report identifies Japan as the largest investment market in the region, with transactions totalling US$50.5b, followed by Australia, China, South Korea, and Singapore. Theo Novak, Managing Director of Capital Markets & Investment Services at Colliers, noted, “Asia Pacific is becoming more resilient and investable, attracting capital to markets with strong fundamentals and long-term growth potential.”

Japan and Australia are particularly appealing to offshore investors, with cross-border investments making up about 25% of their total transaction volumes. In contrast, China’s cross-border inflows remain limited at 3.4% of activity. The office sector has been the standout performer in APAC over the past two years, diverging from global trends where multifamily investments dominate.

Colliers’ research also indicates that APAC-focused fundraising in Q1 2026 has returned to 2024 levels, suggesting that investors are prioritising clear and focused regional strategies. Novak added, “Capital is returning to Asia Pacific with greater discipline in 2026, focusing on markets that offer scale, liquidity, and transparency.”

As the region’s investment recovery continues, supported by core market depth and improving capital deployment conditions, cross-border activity is expected to gradually increase, driven by clearer interest rate trends and emerging pricing opportunities.

Organisations across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region are facing significant financial losses due to downtime incidents, with an average annual cost of US$300m, according to new research by Splunk and Oxford Economics. The study reveals that lost revenue alone accounts for US$104m of this impact, as businesses grapple with the challenges posed by AI risks and cloud complexity.

The research comes at a crucial time for Singapore, following the AI Verify Foundation’s initiative to enhance trusted AI deployment. Despite the rapid adoption of AI, many businesses express concerns about operational risks, including outages and unpredictable AI behaviour. Notably, 75.6% of surveyed organisations report that rising customer expectations for uninterrupted digital services have heightened the priority of reducing downtime.

Human error remains a prevalent cause of downtime, even as AI adoption increases. Alarmingly, 41.1% of organisations acknowledge that their AI usage has elevated the risk of downtime. Kamal Hathi, SVP and GM of Splunk, emphasised, “Downtime is inevitable; prolonged disruption is not. The most resilient organisations align technology with business outcomes.”

The study also highlights the broader impact of downtime, with financial and market erosion, customer churn, and escalating ransomware costs being significant concerns. The average cost of downtime has reached US$15,000 per minute, and organisations experience an average 3.4% drop in stock price following such incidents.

As businesses increasingly rely on AI for resilience, the need for robust governance and human oversight becomes paramount. The report underscores the importance of end-to-end visibility and proactive investment strategies to mitigate downtime risks.

The luxury hotel market in Asia Pacific has experienced a significant surge in investment, with transaction volumes increasing by 77% from 2017 to 2025, according to JLL. This growth reflects a robust confidence in luxury hospitality as a valuable and income-generating asset, with 2025 transactions reaching approximately $2.1b.

Luxury hotel transactions in 2025 accounted for nearly 20% of all hotel deals in the region, a substantial increase from the 8% share in 2017. This marks a return to pre-COVID levels, with 2025 volumes among the highest since 2019, when transactions exceeded $2.4b. Xander Nijnens, Head of Advisory and Asset Management, Asia Pacific, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, noted the sector’s resilience and the growing interest from diverse investors seeking prestige and long-term growth.

The luxury hotel segment is evolving, with a narrowing occupancy gap between luxury and mainstream hotels, indicating year-round demand. This shift is attracting both capital and development, with luxury hotel supply growing at a steady 4% annually over the past decade. Global operators are introducing new concepts, such as wellness retreats and culturally immersive experiences, to cater to specific guest preferences.

Despite higher operating costs, luxury hotels maintain competitive profit margins, demonstrating strong pricing power. Markets like Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Seoul have emerged as leaders in the luxury segment. Marina Bracciani, Vice President, Hotels Research Lead, Asia Pacific, JLL, highlighted the segment’s ability to adapt to changing guest preferences whilst maintaining premium positioning, suggesting continued growth and pricing power in the coming years.

Global investor services group IQ-EQ has announced that its subsidiary, Gordian Capital, has received regulatory approval to expand its institutional cross-border fund platform into Dubai. This expansion, facilitated by a new office at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), allows Gordian to offer a comprehensive suite of institutional fund services, including managing collective investment funds and advising on financial products.

The licence, granted by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA), enables Gordian to serve experienced investment professionals with regulated fund infrastructure, allowing clients to focus on investment strategies. This move is part of IQ-EQ and Gordian’s strategic growth plans, aiming to leverage their strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region to tap into the Middle East’s evolving financial ecosystem.

Gordian Capital, acquired by IQ-EQ in July 2025, is the Asia-Pacific region’s first and largest institutional cross-border fund platform. With offices in Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Melbourne, and now Dubai, Gordian manages $22b across various strategies. The expansion into Dubai is seen as a significant milestone, reinforcing IQ-EQ’s position as a leading provider of regulated market entry offerings across APAC and EMEA.

Mark Voumard, Gordian’s founder and Managing Director, highlighted the challenges of cross-border operations, stating, “Leveraging Gordian’s 20 years’ experience in APAC, we can provide a highly regulated market entry pathway.” Richard Surrency, IQ-EQ’s Group Chief Commercial Officer, expressed confidence in the UAE’s market resilience, emphasising its central role in the company’s Middle East growth plans.

Salmaan Jaffery, Chief Business Development Officer at DIFC Authority, welcomed Gordian’s expansion, noting its contribution to DIFC’s asset management ecosystem. This development underscores DIFC’s status as a leading centre for asset management in the region.