Why Bangkok Is the Right Place to Talk About Travel’s Future

The “Asia is rising” narrative has circulated across the industry for years. What feels different today is the speed and scale of change on the ground.

Airlines, hotel groups, and travel platforms are building and testing new models across the region. Regional brands are expanding across borders. Asian travelers are redefining booking behavior, payments, and loyalty ecosystems.

In the Skift Travel Health Index for January 2026, Asia-Pacific led all regions with11% year-over-year growth, more than double the global average of 5%.

Bangkok sits at the center of that momentum.

The city connects Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing markets with global travel companies shaping their next phase of growth. Regional headquarters operate here. Founders, operators, and global brands move through the same ecosystem.

When the industry gathers in Bangkok for Skift Asia Forum, the conversation becomes immediate and practical.

Asia Is Where Travel Is Being Reinvented

Asia Pacific remains the fastest-growing travel region globally. The experimentation happening across the region is influencing how travel evolves everywhere.

You see it in:

• Superapps reshaping mobility and trip planning
• Hotel groups scaling portfolios across Southeast Asia
• Regional OTAs building powerful partner ecosystems
• New traveler segments emerging across India and Southeast Asia

China and Hong Kong rank among the top-performing travel markets globally, fueled by expanded visa-free policies and strong international demand.

Understanding these shifts requires hearing directly from the leaders building them.

Leaders Joining the Conversation

The first round of speakers joining the stage in Bangkok this June includes:

• Amit Saberwal, CEO and Founder, RedDoorz
• Ian Di Tullio, Chief Commercial Officer, Minor Hotels
• Jihong He, Chief Strategy Officer, H World Group & Executive Chair, H World International
• Laura Houldsworth, Managing Director & VP APAC, Booking.com
• Alan Watts, President Asia Pacific, Hilton
• Philipp Kandal, Chief Product Officer, Grab
• Tejveer Singh Bedi, VP, Traveloka Partners Network

Skift brings these perspectives together to examine the strategic decisions shaping travel across the region.

Conversations That Stay Strategic

Skift Asia Forum brings together senior leaders responsible for shaping growth across airlines, hospitality groups, OTAs, tourism organizations, and travel technology platforms.

Expect conversations around:

• Expansion strategies across Asia-Pacific
• Distribution partnerships and platform ecosystems
• Product innovation for Asian travelers
• Hospitality growth across Southeast Asia

The discussions stay focused on leadership decisions, market strategy, and the forces shaping the next phase of travel in Asia.

Why Being in the Room Matters

Insights travel quickly. Context travels best in person.

When founders, operators, and senior executives gather in the same room, conversations extend beyond the stage. Ideas sharpen. Partnerships begin. Regional perspectives come into focus.

Thailand itself reflects the industry’s current momentum. The country recorded a Skift Travel Health Index score of 108 in January 2026, highlighting its continued tourism resurgence and strong international demand.

Skift Asia Forum in Bangkok provides that setting.

For anyone shaping travel strategy in Asia, the most valuable conversations are happening where the industry’s momentum is strongest.

Attendance is limited, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.