News
Chinese become world’s biggest travel spenders

The second annual Chinese International Travel Monitor reveals significant insights into the changing behaviours of Chinese travellers and how the global hotel industry is adapting.
Surveying more than 3,000 Chinese international travelers and more than 1,500 hoteliers around the world, the Hotels.com report found 75 per cent of hoteliers globally say Chinese travellers now account for up to five per cent of their business and 45 per cent say they have experienced an increase in Chinese guests over last year, with the greatest increases coming in APAC (61 per cent). Hoteliers see China as a positive growth market over the next three years with one in 10 expecting to see an increase of more than 50 per cent and almost half (47 per cent) anticipating an 11-50 per cent rise.
According to the Hotels.com report the majority of overseas Chinese travel (96 per cent) has been for leisure purposes, while just over half (52 per cent) have also visited other countries for business or education.
In a growing trend, nearly two thirds (62 per cent) of Chinese travellers say they prefer to travel independently and not as part of a group. This development has been confirmed by the hoteliers surveyed, who say 70 per cent of Chinese guests now travel independently, compared with a much more even split in 2012.
United Nations World Travel Organisation reflected that Chinese travellers spending US$102 billion on international travel in 2012, an increase of over 40% on 2011*
Johan Svanstrom, Managing Director of Hotels.com Asia Pacific, said, “The 2013 Chinese International Travel Monitor (CITM) shows the move to independent travel identified in the CITM last year is now preferred by the majority of Chinese travellers. While in-roads have been made in this area, governments will have to take this into account when organising their visa application infrastructure and processes.
In addition, the CITM highlights areas for continued improvement for accommodation providers. The ability to accept Chinese payment methods is seen as the single most important offering from hotels and over a quarter (26 per cent) of Chinese travellers feel this is a key area for improvement.
Three quarters (75 per cent) of Chinese travellers say hoteliers need to improve the provision of translated items, such as welcome literature, websites, TV programmes and newspapers, while almost half (42 per cent) say that they would like more Mandarin speaking staff in hotels.
Highlighting a disconnect between the desires of Chinese travellers and provisions made by hoteliers, a quarter (25 per cent) of hoteliers say they offer cultural awareness training to staff but only one in ten (11 per cent) offer welcome materials in Mandarin. Additionally, globally, just over half (56 per cent) of hotels have invested less than $10,000** in developing programmes and products specifically catering to Chinese guests over the past 12 months.
When it comes to researching and booking travel, personal recommendation plays an increasingly vital role, with almost a third (30 per cent) of Chinese travellers saying they rely on advice from family and friends, followed by online travel booking and review sites.
More than a quarter of Chinese travellers (27 per cent) use social media to help them make decisions on holiday destinations, with this figure rising to 33 per cent among younger travellers under 35.
“These insights highlight the need for hoteliers to adapt their marketing strategies, with a particular focus on online and social media channels, to attract Chinese travellers. While the CITM shows hoteliers are making positive steps towards catering to an increasingly mobile and savvy Chinese travel market, it also shows the need for the global hotel industry to adapt facilities and services to more extensively cater to the world’s largest market of travellers.
“In addition, programmes being implemented by many governments and tourism authorities to attract and facilitate for Chinese travellers are a positive step in the right direction, but the pace of growth in the volume of Chinese travellers appears to be outstripping the pace of change in the hotel industry,” Svanstrom concluded.
News
Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa welcomes Dr Jyoti Kodwani for festive wellness programme

This festive season, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa unveils a unique wellness collaboration designed to inspire deep renewal and inner alignment. From 15 December 2025 to 15 January 2026, the resort’s Vidhun Spa will host Dr. Jyoti Kodwani, known as “Jazz”, the visionary founder of The Sacred Chakras, for an exclusive residency offering transformative therapies rooted in ancient wisdom and modern wellness science.
Nestled in the untouched Huvadhu Atoll, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is renowned for its immersive natural beauty, sustainability ethos, and mindful luxury. Dr. Kodwani’s approach seamlessly aligns with the island’s spirit—offering guests the chance to reconnect, release, and restore through personalized healing experiences.
With over a decade of yogic immersion, Dr. Kodwani specializes in emotional and mental well-being, biohacking for longevity, and energy healing. Her diverse background includes training in sound therapy, breathwork, trauma release, chakra healing, Pilates, and neuroscience-based modalities, allowing for a deeply integrated healing experience.
During her residency, guests will have access to a thoughtfully curated range of therapeutic sessions, including:
- Cupping Therapy – A traditional healing technique that stimulates circulation, eases tension, and supports detoxification.
- Mukha Vedha Reflexology & Sensory Activation – A multisensory experience using facial reflexology, Ayurvedic rituals, and acupressure to restore energetic balance.
- Sacred Immersion: In-Water Sound Ritual – A deeply calming floatation experience using vibrational sound healing in warm water for cellular-level relaxation.
- Quantum Alignment Brainwave & Chakra Synchronization – A fusion of brainwave entrainment and chakra work for inner clarity and conscious reset.
- Shoonya Flow Yin & Sound Healing – A meditative session combining Yin yoga and therapeutic sound to release stored tension and elevate emotional well-being.
- Golden Energy Activation & Manifestation Ritual – A sacred energy cleansing ceremony designed to awaken clarity, intuition, and intention.
Guests are invited to begin their journey with a complimentary consultation, allowing Dr. Kodwani to recommend a personalized pathway to healing based on each individual’s emotional and energetic needs.
“Our collaboration with Dr. Jyoti Kodwani brings a rare depth of healing and presence to the island,” says Anshul Sharma, General Manager of Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa. “Her work beautifully complements our vision of Hadahaa as a sanctuary for conscious living—where guests reconnect with themselves and nature in its purest form.”
This limited-time wellness residency is available exclusively during the festive season and is by appointment only.
Tucked within one of the most untouched and biodiverse atolls in the Maldives, Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is a refined escape rooted in nature and authenticity. With just 51 luxurious villas and an award-winning 360° house reef, the resort invites travelers to experience the beauty of simplicity and the richness of mindful connection. A proud recipient of the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Rating, Hadahaa stands as a beacon of eco-luxury and heartfelt service.
Discover the resort’s full calendar of seasonal celebrations, special events, and exclusive experiences in its Festive Brochure. To learn more or to make a reservation, please contact reservations.parkhadahaa@hyatt.com or visit www.experienceparkhyattmaldives.com.
Honeymoon
Honeymoon in style: Exclusive romantic benefits at Ayada Maldives

Set amidst a postcard-perfect setting of powdery sands and turquoise seas, Ayada Maldives is a sanctuary made for love. A favourite among newlyweds and couples alike, the resort offers a seamless blend of privacy, indulgence, and romance, making it an ideal escape for honeymooners seeking something extraordinary.
To make each celebration even more special, Ayada Maldives now offers exclusive honeymoon benefits for couples staying four nights or more. The experience begins with a warm welcome: a bottle of sparkling wine in the villa, setting the tone for what will be a truly memorable getaway.

Guests can indulge in a beautifully curated in-villa breakfast, served once during the stay, a private moment to savour the island’s calm beauty together. And to elevate the experience further, honeymooners enjoy a romantic dinner for two at one of Ayada’s signature restaurants: either the Asian Kai Restaurant or the breezy, oceanfront Ocean Breeze. The set menu features dishes that celebrate global flavours and local inspirations, crafted for an intimate evening under the stars.

Known for its expansive villas, lush gardens, and personalised service, Ayada is designed for moments that matter. Couples can choose from overwater suites, beach villas with private pools, or even a secluded sunset-facing haven, all with the added benefit of thoughtful experiences tailored for two.
For couples beginning a new chapter, Ayada Maldives is more than a destination, it is the perfect setting to fall in love all over again.
Featured
JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll marks Golden Week with special activities for all ages

JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort, located in the largest lagoon of Kaafu Atoll, is set to celebrate Chinese Golden Week with a curated programme designed for multi-generational families. Taking place from 1 to 8 October 2025, the week will feature a range of culinary experiences, family activities, ocean adventures, and wellness rituals.
Dining will take centre stage with Veyo presenting a series of experiences that pay tribute to both Asian and Maldivian traditions. Highlights include an Imperial Flavours buffet dinner and the restaurant’s signature Indian Ocean Night, inspired by the coastal culture of the region. Interactive sessions such as Mini Spring Roll Making and a Dim Sum Dumpling Class for children add a participatory element. At sunset, Wahoo Beach will host a cocktail event featuring Cantonese-inspired canapés, crafted cocktails, and celebratory toasts against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean.
Golden Week activities will extend beyond dining with a variety of family-oriented experiences. At the Family by JW™ Kids Club, children will take part in Golden Coin Treasure Hunts, chopstick-inspired crafts, mask and fan decoration, and panda sand art on the beach. The Teens Club will organise a table tennis tournament, while families will gather on the shoreline for beach games. The Watersports and Dive Centre will arrange kayak races, guided snorkelling excursions to Emboodhoo Island, and half-day tours of Malé City. Winners of the kayak races will be awarded a complimentary Sea Bob experience.
Wellness will also form a significant part of the programme. Spa by JW will introduce seasonal treatments, including the Golden Citrus Renewal, which combines a 60-minute massage with a mandarin-infused scrub, and the Golden Couple Escape, which features a massage, jade stone facial, and bath ritual paired with tea or sparkling wine. A Seven Days of Well-Being programme will complement the spa offerings, with activities such as sunrise Golden Flow Yoga, Moonlit Meditation, Mat Pilates, and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) Burner sessions. Guests will also be invited to sample a seasonal herbal tea selection as part of the holistic experience.
“Our Associates are deeply passionate about creating meaningful experiences that resonate across generations,” said Srikanth Devarapalli, General Manager of JW Marriott Maldives Kaafu Atoll Island Resort. “Golden Week is a time of reunion and shared moments, and we look forward to welcoming families and travellers from around the world.”
The resort comprises 80 villas, each featuring a private pool and direct access to the Indian Ocean. Guests can choose between overwater villas with lagoon access or beach pool villas surrounded by tropical greenery. Designed to accommodate couples, families, and larger gatherings, the villas provide both space and privacy.
A Full Board Package is available, inclusive of complimentary speedboat transfers. Guests may book until 10 December 2025 for stays up to 15 December 2025.
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