Industry News

Hotel loyalty programme Wyndham Rewards has announced a new partnership with KrisFlyer, the rewards programme of the Singapore Airlines Group. This collaboration allows Wyndham’s 120 million members to exchange their points for KrisFlyer miles, providing more options for flights, cabin upgrades, and other travel experiences.

Under this partnership, members can earn KrisFlyer miles instead of Wyndham Rewards points during qualified hotel stays, with a rate of 1 mile per US$1 spent. Additionally, existing Wyndham Rewards points can be converted into KrisFlyer miles, starting from 6,000 points for 1,200 miles.

Eyvonne Lin, Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Performance for APAC at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, stated, “Today’s travellers want more than points—they want a global rewards currency that gives them the freedom to travel where, when and how they choose.”

Wyndham Rewards is celebrated for its simplicity and generosity, offering members a minimum of 1,000 points with every qualified stay and straightforward redemption tiers starting at 7,500 points per night. The programme also provides a fast track to elevated status after just five nights of stays. Earlier this year, Wyndham Rewards introduced an experiential platform, Wyndham Rewards Experiences, allowing members to use points for unique moments, such as VIP access to events.

This partnership with KrisFlyer is part of Wyndham’s ongoing efforts to expand its rewards programme, adding to its roster of over a dozen point transfer partners.

TVM Capital Healthcare has announced the first closing of its $150 million TVM Healthcare Southeast Asia Fund, aimed at addressing critical healthcare needs in the region. The fund, which is the third generation of TVM Capital Healthcare funds, will focus on high-demand but underserved areas such as post-acute care, women’s health, and local pharmaceutical manufacturing.

The fund has attracted commitments from a diverse group of institutional investors, including cornerstone investor Invest International, a Dutch government-backed entity. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare access and quality whilst promoting sustainable economic growth.

TVM Capital Healthcare plans to scale local speciality care clinics into national and regional leaders and invest in healthcare innovations from the US and Europe. The firm has established partnerships with US-based Harvard-affiliated hospitals and leading European medtech companies to accelerate the transfer of advanced medical technologies and best practices to Southeast Asia.

Hoda Abou-Jamra, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Southeast Asia at TVM Capital Healthcare, stated, “This first close marks an important step in supporting Southeast Asia’s healthcare ecosystem and entrepreneurs.”

Partner Jannie Tsuei added, “We see a unique opportunity in Southeast Asia’s healthcare sector, particularly in specialty care and medical manufacturing.”

Eelco Benink, Head of Equity at Invest International, commented on the fund’s alignment with their mission to create sustainable impact, saying, “Together, we will help build healthcare infrastructure that benefits patients and supports long-term development.”

TVM Capital Healthcare’s strategic focus on operational partnerships and robust governance aims to elevate emerging market healthcare systems to new standards of care.

Chipotle Mexican Grill has announced a joint venture with South Korea-based SPC Group to launch its first restaurants in Asia, with openings planned in South Korea and Singapore by 2026. This move marks Chipotle’s initial foray into the Asian market, aiming to capitalise on the region’s growing demand for diverse and convenient dining options.

The collaboration with SPC Group, a prominent food company in South Korea, is seen as a strategic entry into markets where Chipotle already enjoys brand recognition.

Scott Boatwright, Chipotle’s CEO, highlighted the opportunity, stating, “Real food prepared fast is in high demand in these markets and with notable brand awareness among consumers, we see potential for strong adoption out of the gate.”

Heesoo Hur, Executive Vice President of SPC Group, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting, “Given the familiarity of this iconic brand among Koreans and Singaporeans, and their passion for exceptional culinary experiences, these two markets are ideal entry points for Chipotle in Asia.”

The expansion into Asia follows Chipotle’s recent international growth efforts, including agreements to open restaurants in the Middle East and Mexico. Currently, Chipotle operates over 3,800 restaurants worldwide, with a significant presence in North America and Europe.

This venture is part of Chipotle’s broader strategy to increase its global footprint, with plans to open between 315 and 345 new restaurants this year alone. The company aims to leverage its reputation for responsibly sourced, freshly prepared food to attract new customers in Asia, further solidifying its position as a leader in the fast-casual dining sector.

A new lifestyle destination, REVA Social Wellness, has opened inside TRIFECTA, Orchard Road’s renowned surf, ski, and snow hub. Founded by Olympian Leslie Kwok and former national swimmer Russell Ong, REVA introduces Singapore’s first semi-outdoor contrast therapy club, blending athlete-grade recovery with a social atmosphere.

REVA features Singapore’s largest mineralized hot pool and twin cold pools, designed for purity and clarity, set in a semi-outdoor environment that enhances the recovery experience with fresh air and natural light. The soft opening in September 2025 offers guests $28 nett day passes. The experience will be further enriched with the addition of Singapore’s largest Finnish sauna, set to open in October.

The founders aim to create a space that combines wellness with social connection, providing a fuss-free yet stylish experience. Towels, swimwear, and toiletries are included, ensuring convenience for visitors.

This new venture not only enhances the wellness offerings in Singapore but also provides a unique venue for social interaction and relaxation. As REVA continues to develop, it promises to redefine the recovery and wellness landscape in the city.

Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (ThaiBev) has announced the incorporation of a new indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, International Food Holding Co Ltd. This development was disclosed on 10 September 2025 through the company’s investor relations website. The new subsidiary is part of ThaiBev’s strategic expansion in the international food sector, aiming to enhance its global footprint and diversify its business operations.

The incorporation of International Food Holding signifies ThaiBev’s commitment to broadening its portfolio beyond its traditional beverage offerings. By establishing this subsidiary, the company seeks to leverage new opportunities in the food industry, which could potentially lead to increased revenue streams and market presence.

This move aligns with ThaiBev’s long-term growth strategy, focusing on innovation and expansion into new markets. The company has been actively pursuing avenues to strengthen its position in the global market, and the creation of this subsidiary is a step towards achieving that goal.

The announcement did not specify the immediate plans or operations of International Food Holding, but it is expected to play a crucial role in Thai Beverage’s future endeavours. As the company continues to evolve, stakeholders will be keenly observing how this new subsidiary contributes to ThaiBev’s overall business objectives.

Ryde Group Ltd has announced a strategic partnership with MooVita to propose an SAE Level 4 autonomous shuttle service in Punggol, Singapore. This initiative aligns with Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow’s declaration that Punggol will be the first Housing Development Board (HDB) estate to pilot autonomous shuttles by the fourth quarter of 2025. The collaboration aims to integrate Ryde’s mobility platform with MooVita’s expertise in autonomous vehicle operations.

The proposed service will connect Punggol residents to MRT stations and transport hubs, accessible via the Ryde app. Terence Zou, CEO of Ryde Group, emphasised a “methodical, safety-first approach” to build public confidence and advance Singapore’s autonomous mobility adoption. MooVita will provide technical support, leveraging its experience in fixed-route autonomous vehicle operations.

Initially, the service will feature certified onboard safety officers for a year, transitioning to remote supervision and eventually full autonomy, pending Land Transport Authority (LTA) approvals. Ryde plans to set new transparency standards by publicly disclosing performance metrics such as service availability and safety records.

Beyond the pilot, Ryde is developing a comprehensive autonomous vehicle (AV) platform to connect various operators, including robotaxis and other services, through a unified interface. This initiative supports Singapore’s vision for smarter, greener transport and positions the city-state as a leader in autonomous mobility innovation. The phased deployment and regular performance reporting aim to ensure accountability and flexibility for optimisation based on operational learnings.

AI is transforming workplaces in Singapore and globally, according to the Unispace Global Workplace Insights Report 2025. Released on 10 September, the report surveyed over 5,231 full-time employees across 14 countries, including 1,020 from Singapore, to understand AI’s impact on work environments. Whilst 28% of respondents believe AI will boost personal productivity, 19% are eager for task automation, and 17% anticipate faster decision-making through AI’s analytical capabilities.

The report highlights that Singapore workers are particularly sensitive to workplace noise and distractions, ranking second globally. This sensitivity underscores the need for redesigned workspaces that accommodate AI, such as project rooms and hybrid collaboration spaces. Additionally, 67.7% of Singapore respondents lack methods to measure AI benefits, contrasting with 85.7% of US respondents who have such measures.

Unispace’s Principal for Strategy & Change, Asia, Jianhan Qiu, emphasised the need for calm, customised workspaces, stating, “Workers are exhausted by chaos and just want workspaces that are calm, comfortable, and customised to their needs.”

The report also notes a shift towards hybrid working, with Singaporeans spending 64% of their weekly hours in the office, 13% more than the global average. This trend reflects cultural norms valuing in-person presence for visibility and collective performance. As hybrid working gains momentum, organisations must adapt to evolving employee expectations for supportive, flexible work environments.
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Coursera has unveiled Skill Tracks, a new data-backed learning solution designed to bridge skill gaps in the workforce by providing structured, occupation-mapped learning paths. The tracks cover Software and Product, IT, Data, and Generative AI (GenAI), offering verifiable credentials that align with real-world job requirements.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights that 60% of Singaporean employers identify skill gaps as a major barrier to business transformation.

Skill Tracks are tailored to meet the specific needs of organisations, allowing learning leaders to integrate their own content to align with business priorities. The solution is powered by Coursera’s Career Graph, which uses extensive labour market data to map the relationship between jobs, skills, and learning content. This ensures that employees can quickly acquire the skills necessary for their roles, thereby enhancing business performance.

Coursera CEO Greg Hart emphasised the importance of adaptive learning solutions, stating, “Companies are deploying new technology faster than their people can keep pace, and they need learning solutions that are adaptive and personalised.”

Coursera plans to expand Skill Tracks with additional features, including skill diagnostics and performance-based evaluations, to further enhance job-ready expertise. Existing Coursera customers can access Skill Tracks as part of the full catalogue, whilst new customers have the option to purchase them individually.

Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) has wrapped up the third edition of Sentosa Cares Week, marking its most significant event yet with a record 2,800 beneficiaries and caregivers participating. Held from 3 to 11 September, the event was a highlight of the SG60 celebrations, focusing on social inclusivity and community engagement on Sentosa Island.

This year’s Sentosa Cares Week featured over 30 activities, including thrill-seeking adventures and sensory workshops, attracting more than 350 volunteers and 21 businesses. The event also saw increased participation from 18 beneficiary organisations, up from 12 in 2023, with new partners such as Be Kind SG and the Singapore Stroke Association.

SDC’s collaboration with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and SG Enable, formalised in 2023, aims to create fair employment and social opportunities for persons with disabilities and families in public rental housing.

SDC CEO Thien Kwee Eng stated, “Sentosa Cares Week reaffirms our unwavering commitment to social inclusivity and reflects our core belief that joyful experiences should be accessible to all.”

The event also introduced the Sentosa Cares Benefits Programme, launching on 10 October, offering complimentary or discounted access to Sentosa attractions for persons with disabilities and their caregivers. This initiative aims to make Sentosa a more inclusive destination.

As Sentosa continues to enhance accessibility, it has installed facilities like rental beach wheelchairs and accessible tracks at Palawan and Siloso beaches. The island now employs over 60 individuals with disabilities, showcasing its commitment to a diverse workforce. Sentosa Cares Week exemplifies the spirit of SG60, fostering a community of care and support.

SPTel has unveiled AI-Security, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool designed to enhance the cybersecurity capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Announced on 3 September, AI-Security aims to help these organisations quickly and cost-effectively identify and assess cyber risks.

AI-Security provides 24/7 monitoring of cybersecurity advisories and vulnerabilities, cross-referencing them against an SME’s digital infrastructure. When a threat is detected, the system issues an immediate alert, allowing engineers or network service providers like SPTel to respond swiftly. The tool also classifies threats using the SME’s risk matrix, aligning with risk policies to prioritise responses and optimise resource allocation.

Heng Kwee Tong, Head of Engineering and Corporate IT at SPTel, stated, “With AI-Security, we are giving SMEs a powerful AI tool that moves cybersecurity beyond reactive protection to proactive intelligence, enabling faster, more effective responses to emerging cyber threats.”

Developed in collaboration with technology provider 1CloudStar, AI-Security is hosted on SPTel’s edge cloud, ensuring data sovereignty and enhanced physical security within Singapore. This setup minimises latency, allowing for responsive performance.

According to the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore’s Cyber Landscape 2023 report, over 80% of organisations experience at least one cybersecurity incident annually. For SMEs, which often lack specialised expertise, robust cyber defence is crucial for business resilience.