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Straits Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Winners Revealed: Trip.com Group's Tourism Innovation Awards Celebrate Immersive, Sustainable & Culture-Rich Travel
From panda celebrities to virtual pop concerts, the awarded experiences span from across the globe including Asia, Middle East and Europe SINGAPORE, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Group today announced the final winners of its Tourism Innovation Awards, recognising trailblazing projects that are driving tourism growth globally. From sustainability-driven design to immersive technology and cultural heritage, the winning projects give a glimpse of the future of travel – reflecting a growing demand for unique experiences that stretch beyond the usual travel checklist. Immersive Technology Captivates Global Audiences Witness a visual and musical spectacle at the ABBA Voyage concert in London. Across the globe, attractions are leveraging technology to push the boundaries of traditional art and entertainment, delivering powerful multi-sensory experiences. Winning the Tourism Innovation Award for their technological innovation are the: Afterlife show at the Sphere in Las Vegas, the ABBA Voyage concert in London and teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM in Tokyo. Experience an art world without boundaries at teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM, Tokyo © teamLab. Popular for its immersive, interactive art installations utilising technology, teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM has become a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts and tech lovers. It is ranked as one of the top night attractions in Tokyo on a data-backed and expert-curated list of travel rankings around the world. The success of these technology-led attractions highlights the growing appeal of immersive experiences as travellers look for destinations that not only provide entertainment, but also a greater sense of exploration and creativity. Social Media Trends Fuel Tourism Jump into the world of Harry Potter at London's King's Cross Station, and check out Seoul's must-visit Starfield Library. Social media trends are taking the world by storm and spurring people to chase the moments they've seen online via travel. From the stunning "forest of book walls" design of Seoul's Starfield Library, to the adorable Giant pandas in Chengdu and the iconic Platform 9¾ at King's Cross Station in London – these viral trends and locations have won the Tourism Innovation Award for drawing tourists worldwide through their massive following on social media, pushing cultural tourism to a new front. For example, fans all over the world have flocked to Chengdu to catch a glimpse of the famous Giant pandas, while also driving consumption for panda-related merchandise. This trend highlights the influence of social media in shaping travel decisions, as tourists seek destinations that offer both memorable experiences and shareable moments, illustrating how digital buzz can fuel real-world popularity and economic impact. Demand for Innovative Sustainable Travel Saudi Arabia's Shebara Resort blends sustainable luxury with premium aesthetics. Responsible travel continues to stay top-of-mind and an important factor in destination choices. Group's latest consumer report shows that global travellers are placing most emphasis on the environmental and cultural aspects of their travel experiences[1], among other concerns such as economic impact and wildlife protection. In Saudi Arabia, two projects – Shebara Resort and DesertxAIUla – have been recognised with the Tourism Innovation Award for their focus on sustainability innovation, offering unique travel experiences with minimal environmental impact. Shebara Resort's suspended spherical villas hover above coral reefs to reduce ecological disruption, achieving both luxury aesthetics and a reduced impact on the natural landscape. DesertxAlUla integrates art with nature in the historic desert region of Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Desert×AlUla, an open-air art exhibition in Saudi Arabia's ancient desert region, invites artists to create works that engage with AIUla's natural landscapes, promoting dialogue on conservation and attracting interest from audiences worldwide. These attractions support the demand for travel experiences with lesser environmental impact and provide a success model for sustainable tourism growth. Search for Deeper Cultural Exchanges A popular tourist destination, Dollywood Park showcases the best of Tennessee. Old is gold – modern travellers are searching for deeper and more authentic experiences of culture and history, fuelling a demand for cultural heritage tourism. A winner of the Tourism Innovation Awards, Dollywood Park in USA allows visitors to explore the charm of Tennessee through traditional performances and local cuisine while enjoying thrilling rides. Its unique blend of entertainment and culture has attracted many visitors, and the park is ranked as one of the top best things to do in Tennessee on List of Global Winners In no particular order, the global winners of Group's Tourism Innovation Awards are: Each winning project will receive a USD $60,000 prize for their contributions to the travel and tourism industry. About Group's Tourism Innovation Awards Announced by Group at its Envision 2025 Global Partner Conference, the Tourism Innovation Awards is part of the Group's larger initiative to drive industry progress through recognising and supporting outstanding ideas that have redefined the way people travel. With a total prize pool of USD $1.4 million, the awards aim to honour breakthroughs in tourism around the world that have displayed exceptional innovation, sustainability and scalability. More details on the global finalists can be found here. About Group Group is a leading global travel service provider comprising of Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, 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, 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 Group here: Follow us on: X, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. [1] Based on Group's 2024 Sustainable Travel Consumer Report polling 9,867 survey samples from 109 countries and territories across four regions.
Tatler Asia
23-07-2025
- General
- Tatler Asia
Page-turners and photo ops: the most stunning public libraries across Asia
2. Tianjin Binhai Library (Tianjin, China) Often nicknamed 'The Eye,' this futuristic space in Tianjin has become something of an internet celebrity. Its central sphere and undulating bookshelves are eye-catching, but not all the books on display are real. Still, the 33,700-square-metre space functions as a public library, complete with reading areas, study rooms and community facilities that locals actively use. 3. Starfield Library (Seoul, South Korea) Located inside the COEX Mall, the Starfield Library isn't your typical municipal library—but it's still open to the public and serves as a cultural reading lounge. Its towering 13-metre-high bookshelves and curated collection of over 50,000 titles make it a visually stunning, if unconventional, example of what public libraries can look like in commercial settings. 4. Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch (Beitou, Taiwan) This award-winning eco-library in Beitou Park is built mostly of wood and steel and integrates solar panels and a rainwater collection system. The building's design respects its surrounding environment and shows how public libraries can play a role in sustainable urban development. Inside, it's airy and light-filled—perfect for an afternoon of quiet reading. 5. Musashino Art University Library (Tokyo, Japan) Designed by Sou Fujimoto, this minimalist architectural marvel lets its books form the structure. The building is constructed almost entirely from bookshelves, and while it primarily serves university students, limited public access is allowed during open events. It reimagines how public libraries can prioritise aesthetics without sacrificing function. 6. Neilson Hays Library (Bangkok, Thailand) One of Bangkok's oldest and most beloved cultural institutions, the Neilson Hays Library was completed in 1922 and designed by Italian architect Mario Tamagno, also responsible for some of the city's grand colonial buildings. The neoclassical structure features a domed rotunda, arched colonnades and teakwood accents that recall an earlier era of civic elegance. Despite its compact size, the library remains active, hosting readings, art exhibitions and community events. Among public libraries in Asia, it stands out not for scale but for historical continuity and architectural charm. 7. Seoul Outdoor Library (Seoul, South Korea) Rather than a building, the Seoul Outdoor Library is a public reading initiative that transforms open urban spaces into accessible libraries. Set up in locations like Seoul Plaza, Gwanghwamun Square and along the Cheonggyecheon Stream, this 'buildingless library' uses mobile kiosks, outdoor bookshelves and shaded seating to bring books directly to the public. Launched by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, it's an experiment in civic design that reframes how public libraries function—less as fixed spaces and more as flexible, participatory environments. 8. Kuala Lumpur Library (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) Steps from Merdeka Square, this public library is housed in a restored colonial-era building and offers a blend of historic charm and modern convenience. The library provides free public access to digital and print resources and often hosts cultural events and author talks. It's part of a broader initiative to reinvigorate civic institutions in the capital. 9. Jinling Library (Nanjing, China) Completed in 2009 and located near Xuanwu Lake, Jinling Library is a striking example of contemporary civic architecture in Nanjing. The building's facade blends jade green glass with pale grey stone cladding, creating a clean, geometric presence that echoes the material tones of nearby civic structures. The use of glass invites natural light deep into the reading rooms, while its angular silhouette conveys modernity without overwhelming the historic context. Adjacent to the main site is the newly opened Jinling Diamond Art Pavilion, a dramatic twisting form clad in over 139,000 ceramic bricks in a gradient of copper-brown tones—a clear nod to the nearby Ming-era city walls. Together, the two structures present a dialogue between tradition and innovation, reaffirming the role of public libraries as both cultural anchors and architectural statements. 10. Urban VAC Library (Hanoi, Vietnam) Set within a villa garden in Hà Đông District, the VAC Library by Farming Architects (completed in 2018) is an open‑air pavilion offering an inventive blend of mini‑ecosystem and reading nook. Its modular wooden grid structure forms a climbable frame that doubles as book cubbies, plant beds and seating—children can literally climb through the space. Above, solar panels power a small-scale aquaponic farm: koi carp in the pond feed the plants, while chickens contribute fertiliser from their coop. The result is part jungle gym, part sustainable classroom and part public library, evangelising hands‑on learning, community and ecological awareness in a truly porous, contextual form. From high-tech icons to green architecture, Asia's public libraries reflect a growing investment in cultural infrastructure. More than places to borrow books, they are living spaces where communities gather, learn and take a breath from the speed of the modern world. Whether you're a designer, researcher or just someone looking for a quiet corner, these public libraries are worth seeking out.
