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Chinese services trade fair draws global participation, highlights open markets

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BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 September 2025 – Against the backdrop of repurposed blast furnaces and industrial relics of Shougang Park in western Beijing, the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) opened on Wednesday, striking a tone of open markets and digital innovation.

People visit a booth of Pop Mart during the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

This year marks the first time the entire fair is being held at Shougang Park, a 3-square-kilometer industrial heritage site and a venue for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The theme, “Embrace Intelligent Technologies, Empower Trade in Services,” underscores a focus that resonates far beyond China’s borders.

The scale of this year’s CIFTIS is vast, with 85 countries and international organizations — including Australia, Germany and the World Intellectual Property Organization — taking part. Nearly 2,000 companies are exhibiting on-site, including close to 500 Fortune Global 500 companies and industry-leading enterprises like Walmart, AstraZeneca and KPMG. The fair’s participants, notably, come from 26 of the world’s top 30 countries and regions in terms of services trade.

The transformation of the global economy, where services now form the backbone of growth, took center stage in speeches and discussions at the Global Trade in Services Summit, co-hosted on Wednesday by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), China’s Ministry of Commerce and the Beijing municipal government.

“Services are no longer a supporting actor in global commerce. They are a driver of growth,” said Johanna Hill, deputy director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO). She highlighted that the sector accounts for two-thirds of the global economy, half of worldwide employment and 40 percent of trade flows in value-added terms.

Echoing Hill’s comments, Pedro Manuel Moreno, deputy secretary-general of UNCTAD, called services “the center of global economic transformation.” He shared striking figures — services exports have grown twice as fast as goods exports over the past decade, rising from 22 percent of world exports in 2014 to 27 percent in 2024. They also attract over half of all global foreign direct investment.

Visitors view exhibits at the booth of Iran during the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)
Visitors view exhibits at the booth of Iran during the 2025 China International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi)

China leveraged the platform to reaffirm its commitment to opening up. In his keynote speech, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang noted that the country’s services trade scale “broke new ground in 2024, exceeding 1 trillion U.S. dollars for the first time.” He linked this to China’s institutional opening of its services sector, including the rollout of a nationwide negative list for cross-border services trade, expanded market access in telecoms and healthcare, facilitated services trade and visa-free policies.

Official data showed that the total value of China’s services trade climbed 8 percent year on year to 3.9 trillion yuan (about 548.82 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2025 — hitting a historic record.

China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao emphasized how the host venue, Shougang Park, blends industrial heritage with the Winter Olympics legacy to promote interaction between exhibitions, conferences, business, tourism, culture and sports.

The role of international collaboration proved a recurring topic on the opening day.

Australia is the guest country of honor at the 2025 CIFTIS. “It’s an important platform for us to build links between Australian and Chinese businesses,” said Scott Dewar, Australian ambassador to China. He highlighted the presence of 60 Australian companies at the 2025 edition of this fair — spanning sectors like education, tourism, finance, healthcare, architecture and food and beverages.

This sentiment was shared on the ground. “Australia and China have had a long collaboration in the education sector, which is a key area of the services trade,” said Christopher Hogg, global business development manager at Chisholm Institute of TAFE, a provider of vocational training and higher education in Australia.

Henning Kristoffersen, commercial counselor of the Norwegian Embassy in Beijing, attending this event for a third time, pointed to concrete business opportunities. “Chinese consumers are very health-conscious. And for the products that we have in Norway, this is great,” he said, mentioning Omega-3 supplements and fish oil as examples. “Our companies have a great chance to showcase their products and meet potential Chinese partners.”

More than a diplomatic and business gathering, the fair is also a launchpad for innovation. A total of 113 companies will unveil 198 new products and achievements at the 2025 edition — spanning the fields of artificial intelligence, healthcare and smart logistics, as well as the integrated development of business, tourism, culture, sports and wellness.

Alongside the core agenda of 13 themed forums, 82 special topic forums and 81 promotional business talks — there will be over 40 supportive activities ranging from cultural performances and pop-up markets to sports events, aimed at boosting consumption and enhancing the fair experience.

“I’m encouraged by the content that we’re about to see, including innovative technology and digitalization,” said Crystal Edn, executive director of member services for the World Trade Centers Association, who is attending her first CIFTIS.

The event will run for five days until Sept. 14 — with the first three days set aside for professional visitors and the last two open to the general public.

Hashtag: #2025CIFTIS

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TAT partners with Lalisa ‘LISA’ Manobal, Amazing Thailand Ambassador, to invite Tourists to discover the Multitude of Feelings upon travelling in Thailand, unveiling the New TVC “Feel All The Feelings”

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Reinforcing Thailand’s position as a trusted, high-quality destination through emotion-driven storytelling

BANGKOK, THAILAND –

The film sets to entice tourists to experience and discover the multitude of feelings to be gained from travelling in Thailand, including happiness, serenity, excitement, challenge, and warmth, to establish Thailand as a valuable and unforgettable travel destination.

Ms Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the TAT, revealed, “This year, the TAT remains committed to reinforcing Thailand’s image through the ‘Trusted Thailand’ strategy to warmly welcome tourists, while continuing its push to establish Thailand as a ‘Quality Leisure Destination.’ This is to build confidence among tourists who want to create valuable, unforgettable memories at every step of their journey. Recently, we launched the ‘Feel All The Feelings’ campaign, building widespread communication and awareness across various channels. We are kicking off the year with a new commercial featuring ‘Lalisa LISA Manobal’ as the Amazing Thailand Ambassador, who will showcase Thailand’s tourist attractions and the feelings evoked on each visit. The campaign aims to ‘enhance quality’ while distributing revenue and tourists to new potential areas. TAT cordially invites all Thais to be ‘good hosts’ and share memorable Thai travel experiences.

TVC Feel All The Feelings by TAT portrays unseen attractions and diverse emotions awaiting tourists to discover and experience in Thailand. The story’s inception was inspired by tourists’ desire to seek a range of experiences that fulfil them emotionally and spiritually, helping them ‘Feel Alive’ again. TAT is confident that Thailand can be the answer and add vivid hues to tourists’ lives, as we are a land of diversity, colour, and vitality, ready to offer an exceptional experience for visitors to feel every emotion, from happiness, serenity, excitement, and challenge, to the warmth of smiles and hospitality, the intriguing mystery of new places, and the wonder of unseen locations. We believe that every area and every journey in Thailand will not only create impressive memories but also deliver ‘feelings’ that greatly enrich the travel experience.”

In this ad, Lalisa ‘LISA’ Manobal, in her role as the Amazing Thailand Ambassador, invites everyone to experience the ‘feelings within Thailand’. LISA is often asked, “What does Thailand feel like?” and she reveals the feelings she experiences while resting and recharging in Thailand in the commercial, through every emotion, every feeling, and every rhythm of Thailand’s beauty, which is unlike anywhere else in the world. The production also features renowned stars and actors such as Win Metawin Opasiamkajorn, Gulf Kanawut Traipipattanapong, and Blue Pongtiwat Tangwancharoen, who join the journey and convey these feelings together.

The TVC showcases beautiful locations nationwide, starting with the captivating beauty of the Lanna Candle Ceremony (Phang Prateep) at Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai province, followed by a spectacular view of the ‘floating pagodas’ in Lampang province. Viewers can marvel at the sea of mist at Phu Langka in Phayao province. The ads also features attractions in other regions to show that, wherever you are, there is always something to discover. Examples include experiencing the beauty of the first light of dawn at Wat Arun in Bangkok, the splendour of the Red Lotus Sea in Udon Thani province, or experiencing the sound of the cascading waters of
Thi Lo Su Waterfall in Tak province.

Furthermore, the Feel All the Feelings campaign aims is to shift tourists from popular landmarks to hidden-gem destinations, increasing the quality of their spending and the value per trip, in line with the “Value over Volume” strategy.

Join LISA on her journey as the Amazing Thailand Ambassador and discover feelings awaiting tourists in Thailand with the “Feel All The Feelings campaign. The Feel All The Feelings TVC is currently available at official Amazing Thailand channels:

Youtube: https://youtu.be/wDMv1KujSGc
X (@AmazingThailand) : https://x.com/AmazingThailand/status/2016507144783487483?s=20
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/share/v/14RnwfmwTTW/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUDnoOziPCp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amazingthailand/video/7600405546558131476

Contact Information
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 0246
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.tatnews.org

Media contacts:

  • Khianthong Ngernphum (Thonghom) PR Executive, VERVE Public Relations | E-mail: [email protected] | Tel: +66 80 561 9511
  • Jirachaya Jaiyen (Linda) Senior PR Executive, VERVE Public Relations | E-mail: [email protected] | Tel: +66 94 876 4938

Hashtag: #AmazingThailand #AmazingThailandAmbassador #AmazingThailandxLISA #FeelAllTheFeelings #FeelAllTheFeelings_TVC

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ONYX Hospitality Group named Seventh Best Place to Work in Asia-Pacific for 2025

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The Group was also ranked third in Thailand under the international “Best Place to Work in Thailand 2025” certification, reinforcing ONYX’s commitment to sustainable people management and a strong corporate culture.

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OuReach Newswire – 30 January 2026 – ONYX Hospitality Group has been recognised as the seventh Best Place to Work in the Asia-Pacific region for 2025, awarded by Best Places to Work, an internationally recognised organisation specialising in workplace assessment and employee experience benchmarking. The recognition reflects the Group’s people-centric workplace practices and a culture that places equal emphasis on employee development and service excellence, and is further reinforced by ONYX’s third-place ranking in Thailand under the “Best Place to Work in Thailand 2025” certification, highlighting the Group’s long-standing focus on sustainable people management and a strong, values-driven corporate culture.

With a diverse portfolio spanning hotels, resorts, serviced apartments, and luxury residences under well-established brands including Amari, OZO, Shama, and Oriental Residence, ONYX Hospitality Group continues to strengthen its position across key strategic markets in the region. As the Group approaches its 60th anniversary in 2026, these accolades further highlight ONYX’s long-standing commitment to building a resilient organisation powered by engaged and capable people.

The “Best Places to Work” certification is an internationally recognised programme that benchmarks organisational excellence in human resource practices and employee engagement. Certification is awarded through a comprehensive evaluation covering employee engagement, employee experience, and the effectiveness of HR policies and practices. In this year’s assessment, ONYX Hospitality Group demonstrated strong performance across multiple dimensions, including a supportive work environment, an open and inclusive corporate culture, and a people development strategy closely aligned with the Group’s regional business direction.

One of the key pillars supporting ONYX’s evolution as a trusted workplace is ONYX Academy, the Group’s comprehensive learning and development institute. ONYX Academy delivers structured programmes spanning foundational skills training, advanced role-specific competency development, and clearly defined career pathways for employees at all levels. By prioritising both future-ready capabilities and practical, applicable skills, the Academy equips team members for sustainable personal and professional growth.

The effectiveness of ONYX Academy has also been recognised at an industry level through multiple honours at the EXA: Employee Experience Awards 2025, including awards for the General Manager Development Programme (GM Track), the NextYou Initiative, the HR Leadership Enhancement Programme, and the Group’s ESG initiatives. These accolades further underscore ONYX Hospitality Group’s long-term and focused commitment to meaningful employee development.

Alongside capability building, ONYX Hospitality Group continues to foster a corporate culture rooted in openness and dynamism, encouraging employees to think creatively, experiment, and contribute new ideas. The Group actively supports agility and adaptability by creating space for diverse voices across the organisation. Employee well-being is also prioritised through the ONYX Cares programme, which holistically supports physical and mental health, relationships, and team engagement—contributing to a work environment that nurtures both individual fulfilment and organisational growth.

Saranya Watanasirisuk, Senior Vice President, Corporate Human Resources, commented: “At ONYX Hospitality Group, we believes that our people are the foundation for delivering exceptional experiences and service. Our success in human resource management is driven by strong leadership support at every level, enabling employees to grow across all dimensions. This commitment spans from recruitment and holistic learning systems to cultivating an environment that encourages creativity, experimentation, and the full expression of individual potential. These efforts have positioned ONYX not only as an employer of choice, but also as an organisation trusted by partners and guests alike.”

Receiving the “Best Place to Work” Certification at both national and regional levels marks another significant milestone for ONYX Hospitality Group. The achievement reinforces its commitment not only to being a regional leader in hospitality management, but also to being an organisation that genuinely values its people.

Looking ahead, ONYX remains dedicated to continuously enhancing the workplace environment and delivering meaningful employee experiences that support long-term growth and sustained competitiveness.

For more information about ONYX Hospitality Group, please visit www.onyx-hospitality.com.

Hashtag: #ONYXHospitalityGroup



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About ONYX Hospitality Group:

ONYX Hospitality Group, a reputable force in Southeast Asia’s hospitality industry, operates a collection of comprehensive yet complementary brands – Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence – catering to the distinctive needs of discerning business and leisure travellers in Southeast Asia where their expertise lies. In addition to its brand portfolio, ONYX Hospitality Group also operates additional hospitality services across spa and food and beverage. With over five decades of management experience, the company extends its innovative solutions throughout the region, upholding internationally recognised standards and ensuring optimal operational manoeuvrability. By fostering enduring relationships with like-minded business partners, ONYX Hospitality Group delivers unparalleled experiences in a dynamic and competitive market, meeting the ever-evolving demands of travellers.

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SCOPE’s Ultra-Luxury Residential Performance Underscores Strong Investor Confidence in Thailand’s Prime Market

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BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 January 2026 – Amid heightened volatility across global luxury real estate markets driven by geopolitical tensions, trade policy uncertainty, and persistent inflationary pressures, Thailand’s ultra-luxury residential sector continues to demonstrate notable resilience. Within this context, SCOPE, a Bangkok-based ultra-luxury residential developer, reported total sales exceeding THB 2.6 billion in 2025, underscoring sustained confidence from high-net-worth individuals and international investors.

SCOPE Langsuan

Despite global headwinds including escalating trade disputes, rising commodity prices, and shifting monetary policies, Thailand’s prime residential market remains structurally strong. Bangkok, in particular, continues to attract foreign buyers seeking long-term residential assets that combine lifestyle quality with capital stability. Demand in this segment has been driven less by short-term speculation, and more by purchasers prioritizing quality, identity, and long-term livability.

Value Proposition in a Global Context
One of the defining strengths of Thailand’s ultra-luxury market lies in its compelling value proposition when compared to global gateway cities such as London, New York, Tokyo, or Hong Kong. Prime residences in Bangkok remain significantly more accessible in terms of price, while offering comparable and in some cases superior, standards of design, space, and lifestyle.

Performance-Driven Luxury Development
SCOPE’s 2025 performance provides a clear illustration of how well-executed ultra-luxury developments can outperform broader market trends. Despite a general slowdown in Thailand’s property market, the company achieved over THB 2.6 billion in annual sales, reflecting consistent demand within the ultra-luxury segment.

Commenting on the market outlook, Mr. Yongyutt Chaipromprasith, Chief Executive Officer of SCOPE Company Limited, said: “Thailand offers exceptional value when compared with global cities, not only in pricing but also in quality of life, project standards, and long-term livability. Many international investors view Thai ultra-luxury residences as a safe haven asset, supported by competitive rental yields, lower holding costs, and a lifestyle proposition that few markets can replicate.”

Among its flagship developments, SCOPE Langsuan recorded over 90% sales completion within 2025, reflecting strong demand from discerning buyers. The project’s success highlights a clear shift in buyer behavior: ultra-luxury purchasers are increasingly focused on authenticity, design integrity, and long-term residential value rather than speculative gains.

Central to this appeal is SCOPE’s collaboration with internationally acclaimed designer Thomas Juul-Hansen, whose portfolio includes prominent residential development in New York, notably along the iconic “Millionaire’s Row.” By engaging designers of this caliber, SCOPE reinforces its role as a developer of globally competitive, non-replicable residential projects, rather than locally derivative offerings.

This approach further emphasizes the “value for money” proposition of Thailand’s luxury market. Achieving equivalent design pedigree and spatial quality in global financial capitals would require significantly higher development and acquisition costs.

Beyond Assets: Designing for Real Living
Beyond financial performance, SCOPE’s developments are conceived as long-term homes rather than transactional assets. The company’s development framework is anchored on three core pillars: Product Excellence, Lifestyle Integration, and World-Class Hospitality.

This philosophy guides every stage of development — from spatial planning and material selection to service design and community environments — ensuring that residences are built to support genuine, long-term living.

Elevating Living Through Hospitality
A defining component of SCOPE’s ultra-luxury positioning is its proprietary ACQUA Hospitality Service, designed from the perspective of real homeowners. The concept integrates five-star hotel service principles into everyday residential living, redefining luxury as thoughtful attention to detail that enhances quality of life.

From curated common spaces designed as well-being hubs, to personalized residential services and collaborations with world-class architects and designers, SCOPE aims to establish new benchmarks for service-driven, timeless luxury in Thailand’s residential market. This evolution reflects a broader industry shift from competing on physical specifications alone to competing on holistic living experiences.

Outlook: Thailand’s Luxury Market at a Turning Point
Bangkok continues to rank among the world’s leading lifestyle destinations, recognized for its blend of global connectivity, healthcare standards, infrastructure, and cultural vibrancy. These fundamentals support its growing role as both a primary residence base and an investment within Southeast Asia.

Looking ahead, Thailand’s ultra-luxury real estate market is transitioning from price-based competition toward differentiation driven by design excellence, development standards, service quality, and long-term livability. This shift strengthens the country’s positioning on the global stage and reinforces ultra-luxury residential assets as stable, long-term investments amid ongoing global uncertainty.

Hashtag: #Scope #Scopecollection



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