Bangkok to host major global robotics conference
The 2030 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (IEEE ICRA 2030) will be held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) in Bangkok in June 2030.
The event is expected to draw 10,000 delegates, 8,000 of them international, and deliver a 1.06 billion Thai Baht (AU$45 million) economic injection into Thailand’s economy.
The bid was won through a joint effort between the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Mahidol University, the Thai chapter of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS) and the IEEE Thailand Section.
The university and the two local IEEE organisations will host the conference along with the Thailand Medical Robotics and AI Association.
“Between late 2026 and 2029, prior to IEEE ICRA 2030, the IEEE Thailand Section will host five international conferences related to advanced technologies, all supported by TCEB,” said TCEB’s director of the conventions department, Jittanun Techasarin.
“Winning the bid for IEEE ICRA 2030 reinforces our strategy of attracting world-class events in high-value sectors such as robotics, automation and advanced technologies.”
Singapore posts both increase and decrease in visitor arrivals, moderation expected
International visitors to Singapore were up by three per cent in the first three months of 2026, compared to the same period in 2025, while spend was up by six per cent.
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) released the visitation figures this month – 4.4 million international arrivals spending S$8.1 billion (AU$8.97 billion) – but flagged an expected moderation of visitation in the second half of 2026.
Even before the second half of the year began, international arrivals were down in June by five per cent and overall for the first half of the year by two per cent, to 8.3 million, compared to the first half of 2025.
“We remain clear-eyed about the challenges ahead,” said STB’s chief executive, Melissa Ow.
“As visitor arrivals from some source markets soften and global uncertainty persists, we are working closely with our partners to drive visitor demand.”
Calling business events “an important pillar of Singapore’s tourism strategy”, STB noted some record-breaking meetings and incentives between January and June 2026. These included Singapore Airshow 2026 with 65,000 trade participants from over 130 countries, Asia Pacific Maritime 2026 with 19,400 trade attendees, up more than 20 per cent, MTX (Milipol TechX) with 21,000 attendees from 76 countries and Herbalife Extravaganza 2026, the largest event of its kind ever held in Singapore, with more than 20,000 attendees.
To combat the uncertain conditions, the Singapore Government announced in May that, amongst other broader visitor economy initiatives, it has allocated another S$5 million to the Business Events in Singapore (BEiS) grant program.
Record revenue and hotel upgrades for Grand Hyatt Bali
The 636-room Grand Hyatt Bali in Nusa Dua has broken its revenue record for a second year in a row.
The revenue achievement sits alongside a swathe of refurbishment works for the hotel, which offers event space for up to 1,420 delegates in theatre, alongside its room inventory.
Grand Hyatt Bali has completed works on its two- and three-bedroom Beachfront Villas, “refreshed” its guestrooms and revamped its ballroom. The hotel’s Garden Café has also been reopened, while wellbeing experiences have been expanded at the property.
“We are incredibly proud and deeply grateful for what our team has achieved together,” said Grand Hyatt Bali’s general manager, Gottfried Bogensperger.
“While these milestones are certainly meaningful, what they truly represent is the trust our guests place in us and the unwavering dedication of our colleagues, who bring Grand Hyatt Bali to life every day.
“It is an honour to welcome guests from around the world and to create memorable experiences that reflect the warmth of Balinese hospitality.”
