Travel Trailblazers: Top Global Finalists Shortlisted for Trip.com Group's Tourism Innovation Awards
Final top ten award winners to be announced end July, with a total prize pool of USD $1.4 million
SINGAPORE, July 11, 2025 /CNW/ — Meet the future of travel – Trip.com Group has released the top contenders for its Tourism Innovation Awards, as the selection process enters the final stages to select outstanding projects driving tourism growth globally. Notable international projects in the running include the Afterlife show at the Sphere (Las Vegas), ABBA Voyage (London), Azabudai Hills teamLab Borderless (Tokyo) and the Grand Egyptian Museum (Giza).
First announced at the Group's Envision 2025 Global Partner Conference, the global awards aim to honour and spur outstanding innovation in tourism across fields like sustainability, technology and cultural heritage. Based on Trip.com Group data, the top nominated projects have been a strong catalyst for tourism, driving an average of 51% increase in destination orders and 42% increase in destination search volume, measured year-on-year within the first three months of opening.
Trailblazing the Path of Tourism Innovation
One of the top-voted international projects on the list is the Afterlife show at the Sphere in Las Vegas, widely popular for its immersive audiovisual experience that has redefined the boundaries of live entertainment. Using the Sphere's unique 16K LED dome screen as well as state-of-the-art technology, audiences are immersed in a sensory experience that transcends reality. Likewise, the ABBA Voyage concert in London has earned a spot on the nominated list for blending ABBA's classic music with virtual technology to create an immersive performance for music fans.
Also making the list is the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, which has attracted global visitors since its soft opening last year. The museum's vast collection of over 100,000 ancient artifacts, innovative architectural design and use of holographic technology make it a strong contender for the awards.
Other noteworthy projects on the nominated list are teamLab Borderless, an immersive digital art museum in Tokyo's Azabudai Hills and the Nintendo Museum in Kyoto, which has attracted many gaming enthusiasts to explore its interactive showcase of the evolution of video games.
Innovative, Impactful and Potential for Sustainable Growth
Shortlisted projects are assessed using an evaluation framework consisting of three components, the first being data that demonstrates the project's driving effect on destination popularity. This includes the project's social media influence, as well as bookings made on Trip.com. The second is public voting, which took place from May 26 to June 30. Lastly, the projects will be scored by a panel of judges consisting of industry experts from international tourist organisations and authorities such as the European Travel Commission, Global Sustainable Tourism Council and World Travel & Tourism Council.
Public voting and expert scoring will evaluate the shortlisted projects across these three core criteria, a reflection of the award's objective to support innovation and development in the tourism industry:
Innovation – breakthroughs in technology application, travel experiences, local cultural expression and cross-sector collaboration
Sustainability – positive contribution to environmental impact, employment and community development
Scalability – potential and feasibility of replicating the project's model in other destinations
'Travellers seek authentic, meaningful experiences and are increasingly aware of their environmental footprint. These projects show how innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand to drive growth while preserving culture and the environment. By spotlighting them, we aim to inspire others across the sector to bring forward bold, transformative ideas that will shape the future of Travel & Tourism,' said Virginia Messina, Executive Vice President of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and one of the expert panel judges.
More details on the top nominated projects can be viewed here. Winners will be announced at the end of the month and the final ten outstanding contributors will each receive a USD $60,000 prize.
About Trip.com Group
Trip.com Group is a leading global travel service provider comprising of Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group helps travellers around the world make informed and cost-effective bookings for travel products and services and enables partners to connect their offerings with users through the aggregation of comprehensive travel-related content and resources, and an advanced transaction platform consisting of apps, websites and 24/7 customer service centres. Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003 and HKEX in 2021, Trip.com Group has become one of the best-known travel groups in the world, with the mission 'to pursue the perfect trip for a better world'. Find out more about Trip.com Group here: group.trip.com.
Follow us on: X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
5 days ago
- The Sun
OPPO Celebrates SG60 with Local Communities, Inspiring Singaporeans to Reconnect Through Creativity and Technology
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 8 August 2025 – In celebration of Singapore's 60th birthday, OPPO Singapore has launched its vibrant SG60 campaign, a multi-dimensional initiative designed to honour this milestone through youth creativity, technology, and community engagement. As a flagship component of the campaign and part of the OPPO LUMO Photography Awards 2025, OPPO has proudly invited local photography community to capture the nation's unique spirit under the theme 'Super Every Singapore Moment.' This initiative invites Singaporeans to capture and celebrate the spirit of the nation through the lens of their smartphones. A social video was later created to celebrate SG60, highlighting how camera technology can empower creative expression and bridge connections with local creative communities. Featuring local celebrity Romeo Tan, the video highlights the works of 20 photography enthusiasts whose images reflect everyday beauty, diversity, and spirit of Singapore. More than just a tribute, the video serves as a visual letter to the nation, crafted through the collective lens of local talent. These powerful visuals not only demonstrate the professional-grade imaging capabilities of OPPO smartphones but also show the role of technology in enabling authentic storytelling. The photos document authentic, heartfelt moments that reflect everyday life in Singapore, from bustling coffee shops and quiet HDB corners to national landmarks and cultural celebrations. Singaporeans are still encouraged participate in the OPPO LUMO Photography Awards 2025 and submit their entries from now until October 15, 2025, via the official contest platform. Winners can also stand a chance to win up to USD$5,000, and have their work exhibited globally. Simultaneously, OPPO has partnered with Nanyang Technological University (NTU) veNTUre programme to launch the youth-driven 'OPPO Creative Studio,' jointly organised with NTU's Career & Attachment Office. This initiative equips students with industry insights, strategic marketing guidance, and potential internship opportunities while challenging them with a core question: 'What does SG60 mean to you?' More than just a problem statement, this challenge taps into a deeper campaign focus, inspiring the younger generation to feel more connected to their country using OPPO smartphones. In today's networked world, young people in Singapore are constantly surrounded by global content. While this brings inspiration, it can also dilute local connections and cultural roots. OPPO Singapore leverages SG60 as an opportunity for students to pause and reflect, encouraging the younger generation to reconnect with their roots, reignite a sense of national pride, and rediscover the stories, voices, and visuals that resonate as home. Students are encouraged to explore and express their reflections on nationhood using the newly launched OPPO Reno14 Pro. With OPPO's next-generation AI imaging engine, students capture Singapore's vibrant cityscape and everyday moments, sharing diverse interpretations of the nation's 60th birthday. As part of the creative campaign, students have created a dedicated Instagram account, @FromThenToNowSG60, to foster social interaction and community engagement. All photos have been uploaded to this account, encouraging more Singaporeans to join in by capturing and sharing their own moments to reflect the old and new of Singapore. This collective digital gallery invites the public to reflect, engage, and celebrate SG60 through the eyes of Singapore's next generation. Through both the local photo contest and the OPPO x NTU veNTUre collaboration, the SG60 campaign reflects OPPO's long-standing commitment to empowering local communities through technology, creativity, and culture. This aligns with OPPO's brand mission to inspire people to 'Make your moment' by capturing meaningful experiences with the help of innovative technology. 'SG60 marks a significant milestone in Singapore's history and is one of the nation's most anticipated celebrations. In honour of this occasion, OPPO is proud to collaborate with local photography enthusiasts and emerging young talents to co-create meaningful content that celebrates the spirit of the nation. By encouraging individuals to capture the beauty around them, OPPO reaffirms its commitment to empowering Singaporeans with a platform to express their creativity and commemorate this momentous day.' Said Dylan Yu, Marketing Director of OPPO Singapore. Looking ahead, OPPO will continue to localise marketing efforts, support community-led storytelling, and invest in technological innovation to engage Singaporean consumers more deeply. As Singapore reflects on 60 years of nation-building, OPPO's SG60 campaign marks a new chapter where the stories of tomorrow are written by the voices of today.
Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Malay Mail
World's largest ancient civilisation museum, Tutankhamun's new home, to open near Giza Pyramids Nov 1
CAIRO, Aug 7 — Egypt said on Wednesday that its much-anticipated new US$1-billion archaeological museum near the Pyramids of Giza will officially open on November 1 after several delays. Authorities hope that the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which boasts the treasures of Tutankhamun among its collection of more than 100,000 ancient Egyptian artefacts, will attract visitors from around the world. Official say that at 50 hectares (124 acres), the museum will be the largest in the world dedicated to a single civilisation. Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly told a cabinet meeting that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had approved the new opening date. He said the opening would 'an exceptional event' that would showcase Egypt's cultural heritage and attract visitors from around the world. It had been set for July 3 but was postponed when Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities on June 13 sparking a 12-day war that closed airspace across much of the Middle East. The project has faced a series of setbacks, including political unrest and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Authorities anticipate that the museum will draw five million visitors per year in a major boost to the tourism industry, which is a key foreign exchange earner for Egypt. — AFP
Malaysian Reserve
31-07-2025
- Malaysian Reserve
ICE Launches North America First Multi-Currency Travel Cash Vending Machine at Toronto Pearson Airport (Gate E77, Terminal 1)
TORONTO, July 31, 2025 /CNW/ – ICE Exchange Corporation Canada is proud to unveil a groundbreaking innovation in travel convenience: the country's first Travel Cash vending machine capable of dispensing 24 international currencies, now operational at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Terminal 1 (post-security, near Gate E77). Available 24/7, the self-serve kiosk offers pre-loaded currency bundles in the most commonly used denominations, allowing travelers a no lineups and no hassle way to purchase foreign cash. 'We've spent months listening to travelers' feedback, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive,' says Lisa Powell, Senior ICE Representative. 'Clients call the machine fast, intuitive, and incredibly convenient. It has even become a point of interest near Gate E77.' Whether heading to Europe, Asia, South America, or the Caribbean, travelers can now leave Toronto with local currency in hand and assure to have a stress-free travel. Key Features: Fixed foreign currency bundles from $100 to $900 CAD equivalents Denominations tailored to destination (e.g., EUR 5s, 10s, 20s; USD $1s to $50s) Real-time exchange rates included on detailed e-receipts Multilingual interface (English and French) Secure payment options: Visa, Mastercard, debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay 24/7 customer support and remote monitoring for added peace of mind The ATM has already drawn attention from curious travelers and industry partners alike. 'This machine reflects ICE's ongoing commitment to innovation and traveler convenience,' adds Shamir Desai, President of ICE Currency. 'It's not just a machine, it's a new chapter in the evolution of airport services.' As a leading foreign exchange provider in North American airports, ICE continues to redefine how travelers access cash across borders. Travelers can also order currency online for pick-up at any major Canadian airport through. ICE's convenient Click & Collect service offering the best available rates. For media inquiries or further information, please contact:Louis-Philippe RobergeDirector of
