SINGAPORE, 13 October 2025 – The TravMedia Summit Asia 2025, sponsored by Expedia Group, brought together more than 300 media and PR professionals in Singapore today, delivering key takeaway skills to future-proof both media and PR careers in the travel industry. The premier event delivered actionable insights through sessions on AI innovation, crisis response and strategic storytelling, headlined by a keynote address from industry heavyweight, CNN International anchor Richard Quest.

Opening The Summit at its new venue, Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre, TravMedia Founder & CEO Nick Wayland welcomed delegates to explore strategies shaping travel journalism and communications.

"Today is about more than networking – it's about arming travel media professionals and PR practitioners with the practical skills and knowledge they need to stay ahead," said Wayland. "From navigating crisis communications to harnessing AI, our sessions are built around real-world applications that delegates can implement immediately in their newsrooms and agencies."

The day started with a compelling presentation from James Marshall, Vice President, Account Management, Air, Expedia Group. Marshall shared the 2026 Travel Outlook, exploring emerging travel trends, consumer behaviour, and the technologies shaping how travellers discover and book experiences.

The program featured six dynamic, interactive sessions:

Crisis Response & Responsible Reporting—Led by Gaynor Reid (Catalyst Communications) and Monica Pitrelli (CNBC Travel), this engaging session addressed best practices for confidently navigating travel crises. Attendees gained practical strategies for balancing speed with accuracy, maintaining credibility during challenging situations, and protecting brand reputation and journalistic integrity when news breaks.

Decoding the New Indian Traveller – Moderated by Amin Ali (Senior Journalist), with Aindrila Mitra (Robb Report India), Candice D'Cruz (Hilton Asia Pacific) and Sheema Vohra (Sartha Global Marketing), this forward-looking panel explored the rapidly evolving preferences of Indian travelers, who represent one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets in the world, providing media and PR professionals with essential insights for crafting relevant campaigns and compelling stories to attract this important market.

Keynote Address—Richard Quest, CNN International's news anchor, delivered a captivating keynote, sharing his industry insights on the evolution of global travel, the rise of AI tools reshaping consumer travel booking, and the enduring power of stories that shape how we experience the world. Quest offered inspiration and perspective from one of travel journalism's most recognisable voices.

Redefining Wellness Tourism – Moderated by Paul Foster (Foster the Love), with Dr Tsin Uin Foong (Osler Group), Heather Thomas (Flex Studio), Mark Sands (Six Senses) and Peter Draminsky (Four Seasons), the panel explored wellness tourism's evolution from traditional spa treatments to a more comprehensive approach embracing mental health, breathwork, and holistic experiences. PR professionals gained practical strategies for weaving authentic wellness practices into their travel and tourism offerings, while media attendees learned how to craft compelling narratives that resonate with today's conscious travellers seeking meaningful, transformative journeys.

The Best AI Tools for PR and Media – Led by Chatrine Siswoyo (Vero) and Will Tan (AI Singapore), this highly practical, hands-on session showcased cutting-edge AI tools that are revolutionising how travel communicators research, write, and distribute content. Attendees left with actionable strategies to enhance their workflows, increase productivity, and stay competitive in an AI-driven landscape—essential knowledge for futureproofing their careers.

Slam with Travel Editors – Moderated by Nick Wayland, with Adam White (Cathay magazine), Melody L. Goh (The Star Malaysia), Scott Campbell (Condè Nast Traveller Middle East) and Xinyi Liang-Pholsena (Travel Weekly Asia & M&C Asia). In this candid, no-holds-barred session, top editors revealed exactly what makes a pitch stand out, what stories resonate with today's travel media, and how storytelling continues to evolve across the region—invaluable intelligence for PR professionals seeking to break through the noise.

Rewriting the Rules of Freelancing: Futureproofing for PRs, Content Creators and Writers – Moderated by Gaynor Reid (Catalyst Communications), with Dotz Soh (Content Creator & Photographer), Karen Tee (Freelance Journalist), and Lilit Marcus (CNN Travel), this inspiring and practical session explored how independent professionals are adapting to industry changes, building sustainable careers, leveraging new revenue streams and thriving amid disruption. Panellists shared real strategies for diversifying income, building personal brands, and creating resilient careers in an evolving media landscape.

Networking was central to The TravMedia Summit, with dedicated breaks throughout the day for attendees to forge meaningful connections and exchange ideas. The event concluded with networking drinks sponsored by IHG Hotels & Resorts—a fitting finale celebrating collaboration, community and excellence in communications and travel storytelling.

The TravMedia Summit Asia 2025 was made possible through the generous support of Official Headline Sponsor Expedia Group, Travel Lifestyle Network for the delegate lanyards, Meliā Hotels International for keeping the delegation caffeinated, and IHG Hotels & Resorts for the networking drinks reception. Tomorrow's IMM Asia meetings and the closing cocktail reception at Raffles Singapore will continue to foster valuable connections between media and industry professionals, culminating in the TravMedia Awards Asia, celebrating excellence in travel writing, PR, and content creation.

Reflecting on the event's success, Nick Wayland noted: "For more than 25 years, TravMedia has connected the world's travel media with destinations, hotels, and tourism boards. Today, we brought together some of the most influential voices in Asian travel to share insights, challenge assumptions, and prepare for what's next. The sessions were designed not just to inform, but to equip our community with the practical skills and forward-thinking strategies they need to succeed. Singapore was the perfect host city, and today's Summit showed how powerful it is when leaders gather to shape the future of travel storytelling together."

For more information, visit travmedia.com/immasia or follow @TravMedia on social media.

Media Contact

Lauren Moelk
Chief Communications Officer
TravMedia

About TravMedia

TravMedia is the travel industry's only global media network. Founded in 1999 by Nick Wayland, a former travel editor seeking an easier way to research and report travel news, TravMedia is the one-stop solution trusted by travel PRs and media to network and share press releases, stories, and ideas. The platform hosts thriving online communities and is an essential daily tool for collaborating and developing long-lasting professional relationships. TravMedia connects more than 25,000 travel media and more than 20,000 travel brand PRs worldwide through its online newsroom, press release distribution, events, Journalist Alerts, and daily industry updates. Learn more at www.travmedia.com.

About IMM

TravMedia's IMM is the leading travel industry event for travel brands and destinations to connect with the media. In its 13th year, IMM hosts more than 2,500 media and international travel brands annually in six countries worldwide. Upcoming IMM events include IMM North America in New York City on 21–22 January 2026; IMM Australia in Sydney on 26–27 February 2026; IMM Germany in Berlin on 2 March 2026; IMM UK in London on 9–10 March 2026; IMM France in Paris on 11 March 2026; IMM Brazil in São Paulo on 13 April 2026; and IMM Asia on 19-20 October 2026. For more information and registration for IMM events, visit www.travmedia.com/imm or email imm@travmedia.com.

About Expedia Group

Expedia® is one of the world's leading full-service travel brands, with a mission of helping travellers get the most out of every trip they take by providing everything they need all in one place and feeling supported every step of the way. Expedia's commitment to insights matched with its unprecedented scale allows them to understand their travellers better than anyone else, delivering exactly what they need, when they need it. Expedia's personalised experiences backed by incredible technology enables them to deliver the widest selection of product offerings across accommodation, transportation, activities and experiences, that help travellers get the most out of their journey.

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