Media OutReach
Ascott Accelerates Oakwood Signings To Capture Rising Demand For Bleisure Travel, Launches Heartfelt Culinary Campaign To Celebrate The Brand’s Commitment To Comfort And Connection

- Secures 16 Oakwood signings in 2024, reflecting a 30% year-on-year growth
- Adds four new Oakwood Premier properties in Adelaide, Bali, Shenzhen and Singapore
- Adds Bali to Oakwood’s growing portfolio of resort destinations, which includes Batam, Chongli and Ha Long
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 January 2025 – The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the lodging business unit wholly owned by CapitaLand Investment (CLI), has accelerated the expansion of its Oakwood brand, signing 16 new properties in 2024 – a 30% increase over the previous year. This includes a bumper crop of four Oakwood Premier signings since the brand refresh of Oakwood in early 2024. Riding the growing demand for bleisure travel, the brand refresh initiative enhanced Oakwood’s appeal to guests blending business and leisure in their travels by offering the comforts of home and beyond.
The rapid growth of the Oakwood brand is anchored in Ascott’s flex-hybrid hotel-in-residence model, which seamlessly combines the comforts of a fully serviced apartment with the luxuries of a hotel stay. Offering a variety of room configurations to accommodate diverse travel needs and lengths of stay, Oakwood properties also provide a wide range of ancillary services, including dining options and meeting facilities. The Oakwood portfolio now comprises nearly 100 properties – both operational and in the pipeline – solidifying its appeal to bleisure travellers. Oakwood’s global footprint spans 14 countries and 50 cities, with a strong presence in key gateway cities such as Tokyo, Jakarta, Beijing and Manila, as well as popular resort locations. New openings in 2024 include Oakwood Suites Chongli, a ski resort in the winter sports hub of Chongli in Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, China; the all-villa Oakwood Ha Long, located in the heart of Ha Long City, a gateway to Vietnam’s UNESCO World Heritage site, Ha Long Bay; and Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Grand Batam, offering tranquil water views on Indonesia’s Batam island. These openings mark the brand’s debut in these prime resort destinations.
Ms Serena Lim, Chief Growth Officer, Ascott, said, “Oakwood remains one of the fastest-growing brands in Ascott’s portfolio, driven by its strong positioning to capitalise on the increasing popularity of bleisure travel. With a 30% increase in signings in 2024 compared to 2023, Oakwood is well-placed to meet the needs of guests seeking a seamless balance between work and leisure. These new signings continue to drive Oakwood’s expansion into the resort sector, including the introduction of Oakwood Jimbaran Villas & Residences in Bali, one of the region’s most sought-after resort destinations. Beyond the volume of signings, we are seeing greater interest from property owners in the higher-tier Oakwood Premier brand following its recent refresh, with one in every four Oakwood signings in 2024 being an Oakwood Premier property. Notably, the signings will mark the entry of Oakwood Premier into new cities such as Adelaide, Bali and Shenzhen.”
The newly signed Oakwood Premier properties include Oakwood Premier Adelaide, Oakwood Premier Luohu Shenzhen and a new property in Bali. In Singapore, the Oakwood Premier brand makes its return with Oakwood Premier Draycott Singapore, located in the Orchard Road precinct. This addition will expand Oakwood’s presence in Singapore to two properties, joining Oakwood Studios Singapore.
Capitalising on the Rise of Bleisure Travel with Elevated Guest Offerings
According to research by Forbes[1], bleisure travel is currently a global market valued at nearly US$600 billion, with projections for a five-fold increase or more over the next decade. Based on American Express Travel’s 2023 Global Travel Trends Report[2], food plays a pivotal role in travel experiences. With travellers often organising vacations around culinary activities – ranging from trying local favourites to participating in cooking classes – 46% of respondents say they would sign up for cooking classes to engage with the culture of the destination, while 34% shop for groceries while travelling.
As this market continues to expand, Oakwood is strategically positioned to meet rising demand by leveraging its brand signatures to elevate the bleisure guest experience, catering to the evolving needs of travellers seeking the perfect blend of business and pleasure. Following last year’s brand refresh, all new Oakwood properties will feature on-site dining options. To date, more than half of Oakwood properties offer the convenience of dining on-property, featuring a variety of culinary options that focus on comfort food.

Ms Tan Bee Leng, Chief Commercial Officer, Ascott, said: “As bleisure travel continues to grow, our guests are increasingly seeking distinctive culinary experiences. This reflects a broader shift towards experiential travel, where food acts as a gateway to understanding and appreciating the culture and heritage of each destination. Oakwood is well-positioned to ride this trend and distinguish itself with its multi-faceted approach to culinary tourism. With Home on a Plate as one of our brand signatures, Oakwood apartments are equipped with kitchens, allowing guests to prepare local dishes using ingredients sourced from the region. This hands-on approach not only fosters a deeper cultural connection but also offers flexibility in dining choices. Additionally, our food & beverage programme, All You Knead is Comfort, goes beyond the physical dining spaces by offering guests interactive culinary events like cooking classes, food tastings and seasonal offerings. These activities enable guests to engage directly with local chefs and food traditions, enriching their stay and creating lasting memories.”
All You Knead is Comfort Brand Campaign 2025
Oakwood’s All You Knead is Comfort brand campaign this year taps into the universal power of comfort food to soothe the soul and satisfy the palate. Celebrating comfort food as a language that resonates with everyone, the campaign invites guests to experience the comforts of home through food-inspired activations, including cooking classes, celebrity chef collaborations and limited-time offerings at on-property restaurants, available through 31 March 2025.
As part of this campaign, Oakwood is also showcasing its culinary capabilities with the launch of its first digital cookbook, Comfort, Curated. Featuring recipes by Oakwood chefs from all 12 countries that Oakwood currently operates in, the cookbook presents a collection of comfort food dishes from various regions, and is available for free download on the brand campaign webpage. Through this initiative, Oakwood invites guests to recreate a taste of home no matter where they are, and when they return home, a taste of the destinations they have visited.
Among the featured recipes in Comfort, Curated, Chef Nixon Low, representing Oakwood Studios Singapore, reimagines the beloved Singapore dish Hainanese Chicken Rice, giving it a creative twist by turning it into Hainanese Chicken Rice Nigiri with a Japanese flair. In India, Executive Chef Reagan Fernandes from Oakwood Residence Kapil Hyderabad presents his favourite local delicacy, Haleem – a hearty stew of meat and lentils, enjoyed both as street food and as a fine dining speciality. Other highlights from the cookbook include King Fish Tacos by Head Chef Jean-Pierre (JP) Sauterelle of Oakwood Premier Melbourne, Khmer Margherita Pizza by Chef Pok Phearum from Oakwood Premier Phnom Penh, and Steamed Pork Buns by Chef Andy Huang from Oakwood Premier Guangzhou.

Alongside the digital cookbook, Oakwood properties have teamed up with local culinary experts to offer exclusive, limited-time menus and masterclasses for guests. At Oakwood Apartments PIK Jakarta, local celebrity Chef Devina Hermawan will debut a special menu featuring authentic Indonesian cuisine in February 2025. In Thailand, Guest Chef Pawat Kritsaruenon (Tong), a finalist from Season 2 of the competitive reality TV series, MasterChef Thailand, will host a culinary masterclass at Oakwood Suites Bangkok, sharing simple and authentic Thai recipes that guests can recreate in their apartments. In China, Oakwood properties will host cooking classes in celebration of Lunar New Year, where guests can learn to make traditional Chinese comfort food like dumplings and sweet glutinous rice balls also known as Tang Yuan.
For more information on the full list of culinary activations across Oakwood properties, please visit: https://www.discoverasr.com/en/all-you-knead-is-comfort.
Hashtag: #ascott
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About The Ascott Limited
Since pioneering Asia Pacific’s first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984, Ascott has grown to be a trusted hospitality company with 980 properties globally. Headquartered in Singapore, Ascott’s presence extends across about 230 cities in over 40 countries in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the USA.
Ascott’s diversified accommodation offerings span serviced residences, coliving properties, hotels and independent senior living apartments, as well as student accommodation and rental housing. Its award-winning hospitality brands include Ascott,
Citadines,
lyf,
Oakwood,
Somerset,
The Crest Collection,
The Unlimited Collection,
Fox,
Harris,
POP!,
Preference,
Quest,
Vertu and
Yello. Through Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), Ascott’s loyalty programme, members enjoy exclusive privileges and offers at participating properties.
A wholly owned business unit of CapitaLand Investment Limited, Ascott is a leading vertically-integrated lodging operator. Harnessing its extensive network of third-party owners and in-market expertise, Ascott grows fee-related earnings through its hospitality management and investment management capabilities. Ascott also expands its funds under management by growing its sponsored CapitaLand Ascott Trust and private funds.
For more information on Ascott and its sustainability programme, please visit www.discoverasr.com/the-ascott-limited. Alternatively, connect with us on
Facebook,
Instagram,
TikTok and
LinkedIn.
About CapitaLand Investment Limited (www.capitalandinvest.com)
Headquartered and listed in Singapore, CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) is a leading global real asset manager with a strong Asia foothold. As at 30 September 2024, CLI had S$134 billion of assets under management, as well as S$102 billion of funds under management held via six listed real estate investment trusts and business trusts and a suite of private real asset vehicles that invest in thematic and tactical strategies. Its diversified real estate asset classes include retail, office, lodging, industrial, logistics, business parks, wellness, self-storage, data centres, private credit and special opportunities.
CLI aims to scale its fund management, lodging management and commercial management businesses globally and maintain effective capital management. As the investment management arm of CapitaLand Group, CLI has access to the development capabilities of and pipeline investment opportunities from CapitaLand’s development arm.
As a responsible company, CLI places sustainability at the core of what it does and has committed to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 2050. CLI contributes to the environmental and social well-being of the communities where it operates, as it delivers long-term economic value to its stakeholders.
Media OutReach
The Educational Foundation of William Louey is to launch a video series to support younger people facing mental health challenges due to education pressures.

The initiative features five key opinion leaders (‘KOLs’) and comes at a critical time when youth mental health issues are on the rise. Students are particularly vulnerable to poor mental health due to academic and parental pressure. Studies show that younger people report academic pressure as one of the biggest influences on their well-being.
Suicide claims nearly 1,000 lives annually in Hong Kong, with the number of students considering suicide increasing by 50% since the 2018-2019 academic year. Despite being one of the most developed regions globally, Hong Kong’s psychiatrist-to-population ratio lags significantly behind other developed communities.
The collaboration between the William SD Louey Educational Foundation and SPS aims to speak directly to young men with relatable, expert-backed advice on overcoming mental health challenges, with a particular focus on academic and parental pressure.
Topics will include how to overcome exam stress, bullying and how to navigate feelings of failure. The video series, delivered in Cantonese and English, will feature KOLs including Stephanie Ng, Founder and Executive Director of Body Banter; Michael Chan, Founder of Companion HK; leading psychologist, Dr Adrian Low; D&I Advocate, Charlton Shiu; and Vivek Mahbubani, a comedian and mental health campaigner.
William SD Louey Educational Foundation Founder William Louey, who is well known as the fourth-generation heir of the founder of the Kowloon Motor Bus Company, said:
“Young people need and deserve a system that prioritises mental health, eases academic pressures, and encourages self-confidence and acceptance of individuals’ many strengths. I believe this collaboration will be a valuable step forward to protecting and improving young people’s mental health in Hong Kong.”
Mr. Vincent Ng Chi-kwan, Executive Director of SPS, said:
“SPS receives an average of nearly 10,000 calls per month. Students consistently express feelings of guilt and a sense that they cannot escape their predicaments, leading them to view suicide as their only way out – reflecting a lack of mental health support in the current system and highlighting an urgent need for increased attention to adolescent mental health.”
The full video series will launch on Suicide Prevention Services and William SD Louey Educational Foundation YouTube channels in April 2025.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About William Louey and the William S.D Louey Educational Foundation
William Louey established the William S. D. Louey Educational Foundation in 1995 to provide scholarships and bursaries for academically outstanding students from Hong Kong and Greater China to pursue studies abroad. To date, William Louey has contributed over HKD $60 million to support 60 scholars. Beyond financial assistance, William Louey has also invested time and expertise to mentor and guide students.
For more information about The William SD Louey Educational Foundation, visit https://williamlouey.foundation/
About Suicide Prevention Services (SPS)
Founded in 1995, SPS is a registered charitable organization committed to serving people who are suicidal, despairing or distressed by means of befriending and other services supporting them to regain control of their emotions and the will to live on. SPS has been helped more than 1,100,000 people, providing services including: 24-hour Suicide Prevention Hotline Service, Suicide Prevention Service for the Elderly, Services for Family with Elderly, Services for Survivors of Sudden Death and Suicide Loss, Community Education and Life Education for Youth.
For more information or to access Suicide Prevention Services, visit https://www.sps.org.hk/?lang=en
Media OutReach
Diginex Signs MOU for Strategic Partnership, ADX Dual Listing and up to USD$250 Million capital injection with His Highness, Shaikh Mohammed Bin Sultan Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi’s Royal family, for Acquisitions and Regional UAE and GCC Expansion via Nomas Global Investments LLC S.P.C, a solely owned SPV of His Highness

The MOUs mark a significant milestone for Diginex as it seeks to tap into the vibrant Middle Eastern capital markets while enhancing its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing financial hubs. The dual listing on ADX, alongside its existing Nasdaq listing and recent cross listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and Tradegate, will provide Diginex with access to a broader investor base and increased liquidity to support its ambitious growth plans.
On February 25, 2025, ADX and Nasdaq announced further integration in their tie-up with one another. The integration of trading platform infrastructure opens up a pathway for desirable Nasdaq listed companies to dual-list in Abu Dhabi, and Diginex is proud to be included in the first cohort of companies to go through such process. Upon completion of the listing process Diginex will be the first technology company listed on the ADX, and with a sustainability focus it stands to benefit from the regions commitment to sustainable finance, which stands at publicly committed funds for sustainable lending of more than USD$135bn.
Shaikh Mohammed Bin Sultan Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, said “This strategic partnership and planned capital raise reflects our long-standing commitment to both technology and sustainability in the UAE. We must address sustainability challenges, develop strategic frameworks, and craft innovative solutions to ensure a prosperous future for all. Sustainability is a cornerstone of the nation’s strategies, as the UAE continues its unwavering efforts to harness resources and capabilities to drive global sustainable economic and social development.”
The anticipated capital raise pursuant to the MOUs will fuel Diginex’s acquisition strategy, targeting innovative firms in the AI, sustainability, and supply chain sectors by leveraging access to a new regional investor base and opportunities in the UAE, broader GCC region, and support Diginex’s global growth goals.
“We are honoured and excited to welcome a member of Royal Family of Abu Dhabi as a strategic partner,” said Miles Pelham, Chairman of Diginex. “We believe this partnership will support Diginex in establishing key relationships with regional and global financial institutions, banks, and strategic partners aligned with their business objectives. Our objective is to make Diginex a leader in ESG sustainable RegTech, utilizing gold-standard industry partnerships, blockchain, and AI technology within the UAE and GCC region”
The dual listing process will adhere to ADX’s rigorous listing standards, ensuring transparency and investor protection. Diginex anticipates completing the necessary regulatory steps and capital-raising activities in the next two quarters, with further details to be announced as the partnership progresses. However, a dual listing comes with its normal regulatory processes and there can be no assurance that Diginex’s planned dual listing of its ordinary shares on the ADX and capital raise will be successful.
Disclaimer
Not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in the United States, or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful or would require registration or other measures.
This press release is issued pursuant to Rule 135(e) under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”). This press release and the information it contains do not, and will not, constitute an offer to sell, nor the solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities of Diginex in the United States (or to or from any U.S. person) or any other jurisdiction where restrictions may apply. Diginex’s securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States (or to any U.S. person) absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities law. Any public offering of Diginex’s securities to be made in the United States will be made by means of a prospectus that may be obtained from Diginex and such prospectus will contain detailed information about Diginex, its management, and its financial statements.
Hashtag: #Diginex
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Diginex
Diginex Limited (Nasdaq: DGNX; ISIN KYG286871044) is an impact technology business that empowers businesses and governments to streamline ESG, climate, and supply chain data collection and reporting. The Company utilizes blockchain, AI, machine learning and data analysis technology to lead change and increase transparency in corporate social responsibility and climate action. Diginex’s products and services solutions enable companies to collect, evaluate and share sustainability data through easy-to-use software.
The award-winning Diginex ESG platform supports 17 global frameworks, including GRI (the “Global Reporting Initiative”), SASB (the “Sustainability Accounting Standards Board”), and TCFD (the “Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures”). Clients benefit from end-to-end support, ranging from materiality assessments and data management to stakeholder engagement, report generation and an ESG Ratings Support Service.
For more information, please visit the Company’s website: https://www.diginex.com/
Media OutReach
HKSTP European Innovation Mixer Tour Bridging Hong Kong with 1,000+ Global Tech Talents

As part of its European tour, HKSTP together with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), led 24 I&T companies to the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona, achieving remarkable results. The Hong Kong Pavilion welcomed over 7,500 visitors, attracting representatives from global brands such as AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, Orange, T-Mobile, Verizon and Vodafone, and securing 1,000+ business collaboration opportunities. HKSTP also signed a cooperation agreement with 22@Network Barcelona to bolster cross-regional exchanges and jointly promote the sustainable development of innovative technologies.
The delegation also visited multiple universities ranked among the world’s top 10 in the UK, including Imperial College London, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and the University College London. They met with representatives from academic departments, research institutes, and innovation and entrepreneurship centres to explore various collaboration opportunities in talent development and startup incubation. The delegation hosted multiple sharing sessions on campuses, engaging with over 300 local students face-to-face and introducing internship and career opportunities at Hong Kong Science Park. They actively encouraged Hong Kong students pursuing studies in the UK to return to Hong Kong for work or entrepreneurship, collectively contributing to the thriving growth of Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem.
HKSTP works closely with the government, industry, academia, and research sectors. In London, HKSTP co-hosted a seminar with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London (HKETO-London), Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES). The event attracted interest from the local business community, academia, and I&T sector, with nearly 100 attendees focusing on Hong Kong’s potential investment and collaboration opportunities. The seminar featured guest speakers delivering keynote speeches on Hong Kong’s I&T development prospects, highlighting the city’s dynamic I&T ecosystem.
During his speech at the seminar, Mr Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said: “As a growing engine situated at an international I&T hub in Asia, the HKSTP understands that nurturing next-generation I&T talent is as important as any R&D project, if not more. We’re currently an ecosystem that over 2,200 tech companies from 26 countries and regions call home, offering comprehensive support to more than 15,000 research and development professionals – a network we’re looking overseas to extend, and a number we’re eager to invest in for a sustainable future.”
While continuing to support park companies in recruiting overseas talent, HKSTP will soon launch a new talent programme designed to attract Hong Kong students and research professionals abroad to pursue careers in the city. The programme will provide eligible park companies with targeted salary subsidies and accommodation support for returning professionals, incentivising them to leverage the immense opportunities within Hong Kong’s thriving I&T ecosystem. Together, these efforts will advance Hong Kong’s rise as a leading global I&T hub.
Hashtag: #HKSTP
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.
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