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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/ — Trip.com 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.
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.
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 Trip.Best, 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.
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.
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. Trip.com 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.
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.
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 Trip.Best.

List of Global Winners

In no particular order, the global winners of Trip.com Group’s Tourism Innovation Awards are:

  1. Afterlife Show at the Sphere, Las Vegas, United States
  2. Starfield Library, Seoul, South Korea
  3. Dollywood, Pigeon Forge, United States
  4. Shebara Resort, Umluj, Saudi Arabia
  5. teamLab Borderless: MORI Building DIGITAL ART MUSEUM, Tokyo, Japan
  6. King’s Cross Station, London, United Kingdom
  7. Desert x AIUIa, al-Ula, Saudi Arabia
  8. Grand Egyptian Museum, Giza, Egypt
  9. Panda Family Wins Hearts Worldwide, Chengdu, China
  10. ABBA Voyage, London, United Kingdom

Each winning project will receive a USD $60,000 prize for their contributions to the travel and tourism industry.

About Trip.com Group’s Tourism Innovation Awards 

Announced by Trip.com 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 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.

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[1] Based on Trip.com Group’s 2024 Sustainable Travel Consumer Report polling 9,867 survey samples from 109 countries and territories across four regions. 

2025 SEPHORiA: The iconic beauty celebration, now on tour with its first stop in Shanghai

  • The global prestige beauty retailer is back in 2025 with a global tour of its iconic celebration and biggest beauty experience.
  • The first and only stop in Asia, Sephora’s highly anticipated beauty festival, SEPHORiA will begin its tour in China’s cosmopolitan city, Shanghai, coupled with the creation of the country’s very own “Sephora Squad”.

SHANGHAI, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sephora announces the return of its largest and most highly-anticipated beauty event. Starting with Shanghai in September, SEPHORiA is coming back with its unique experience, marked by creativity, celebration, and exploration. Each stop of this global journey will bring its own local flavors, allowing attendees to discover the best of beauty and the very latest trends from Sephora’s uniquely curated assortment.

SEPHORiA 2025 unveils a new level of immersive beauty dimensions and experiences. Dream, crave, create, indulge and connect – discover the latest trends, find inspiration, create memories and express yourself through multi-sensorial brand activations, beauty experts’ masterclasses, and all things beauty: makeup, skincare, fragrance, hair care and Sephora Collection.

We’re elevating SEPHORiA to new heights with this global tour, redefining beauty by offering an even more immersive and buzzworthy experience,” said Deborah Yeh, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Sephora. “We can’t wait to surprise and delight our global community of 74 million beauty enthusiasts with our signature playful and social approach.”

SEPHORiA 2025 Kicks Off in Shanghai

Mark your calendars! SEPHORiA, the iconic beauty event Shanghai eagerly anticipates every autumn, returns September 12-14, 2025. This year, Shanghai takes the global stage as the premiere venue and sole Asian stop.

As Xia Ding, Managing Director of Sephora Greater China explains, “SEPHORiA has always been a celebration for global beauty enthusiasts, brand partners, influencers and consumers. This year, we’re transforming it into a vibrant ‘Makeup Land’, where diverse brands, cross-border styles and cultural fashion inspirations collide with endless creativity, embodying the spirit of innovation, authenticity and unity in beauty.

 “We will spare no effort to create an unprecedented multi-dimensional immersive experience, welcoming thousands to explore the fun of makeup. Sephora not only brings the latest global beauty experiences to China but equally provides a playground for the next generation to unleash their unique styles at a time when the market craves novelty and freshness. For this reason, SEPHORiA 2025 has many ingenious surprises and interactive activities in store, and we look forward to creating new and wonderful memories with everyone together,she adds.

With nearly 50 brand activations, SEPHORiA Shanghai invites attendees to dream and discover the buzziest products and trends, plus a collective debut of exclusive brands, including many exciting C-beauty innovations. This year’s robust brand line-up includes:

ATKINSONS

Aveda

BOBBI BROWN

BON PARFUMEUR

BURBERRY

CAUDALÍE

CHA LING

CHLOE

CLARINS

CLINIQUE

color studio by marie dalgar

Documents

DRUNK ELEPHANT

ELEMIS

ESTÉE LAUDER

Face Symbol

FENTY BEAUTY BY RIHANNA

ghd

GIVENCHY

GUCCI

GUERLAIN

HOURGLASS

HERBEAST

KOMFYMED

KÉRASTASE

LANCÔME

LittleONDINE

MAC

MAOGEPING LIGHT

MAKE UP FOR EVER

Marc Jacobs

MAISON de SIT.E

MONCLER

Murad

NATASHA DENONA

RENE FURTERER

SEPHORA COLLECTION

SHISEIDO

SK-II

TATCHA

TAKAMI

UNISKIN

The Ordinary

TIFFANY & Co

Van Cleef & Arpels

Early bird tickets will go on sale in mid-August. Stay tuned!

Sephora Squad” China Launch

Following the success of Sephora North America’s Squad, Sephora China is launching its own content creator program. Selected beauty enthusiasts will collaborate with Sephora on multiple activations and campaigns.

Invitations are already out! Follow Sephora’s official RED account for details on how to become part of SEPHORiA Shanghai, unlock exclusive benefits, and co-create beauty trends with Sephora.

About Sephora

Sephora is the world’s leading global prestige beauty retail brand. With 56,000 passionate employees operating in 35 markets, Sephora connects customers and beauty brands within the world’s most trusted and dynamic beauty community. We serve a highly engaged community of hundreds of millions of beauty followers across our global omnichannel network of more than 3,200 stores and iconic flagships, and our e-commerce and digital platforms, offering personalized and immersive seamless experiences across every touchpoint. With our curation of more than 500 brands and our own label, Sephora Collection, we offer the most unique and diverse range of prestige beauty products, tailored to our customers’ needs from fragrance to make-up, haircare, skincare and beyond, as we constantly reimagine the world of prestige beauty.

Since our inception in 1969 in Limoges, France, and as part of the LVMH Group since 1997, we have been disrupting the prestige beauty retail industry. Today, we continue to break with convention to drive our mission: champion a world of inspiration and inclusion where everyone can celebrate their beauty.

Sephora now operates in 104 cities in Greater China, offering a full range of prestige beauty services across a network of 333 stores and online channels, including Sephora APP, Mini Program, Douyin Shop, TMall, JD, Meituan and JD to Home.

HashMicro Business Software Is Set to Redefine Global Operations for The Modern Enterprise

SINGAPORE, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In today’s hyper-competitive and fast-evolving business environment, agility, accuracy, and real-time insights are no longer optional; they’re mission-critical. Enterprises are under constant pressure to adapt, scale, and innovate, while managing thousands of transactions, multiple departments, and global subsidiaries. At the center of this transformation is HashMicro, an enterprise-grade cloud Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution that has rapidly become a driving force behind digital evolution in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Founded in Singapore, HashMicro set out with a clear vision to simplify complex business operations through automation, making enterprise processes more efficient, streamlined, and scalable from the ground up. The company fulfills that vision by delivering an Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven ERP platform tailored for the scale and complexity of medium to large enterprises. While its core strength lies in serving the needs of large enterprises, HashMicro also provides adaptable solutions for growing businesses that aim to scale with confidence.

Industry-Specific Solutions Built to Scale

HashMicro delivers an ecosystem of 50+ cloud-based, seamlessly integrated modules, each purpose-built to meet the operational needs of various industries. From core sectors like distribution, manufacturing, and retail to complex environments such as food and beverage (F&B), mining, agriculture, logistics, and professional services, the platform offers deep vertical solutions tailored to industry-specific realities. Unlike generic software, HashMicro’s modules are tailored to the localized workflows and regulatory requirements of each country and industry vertical, enabling faster implementation with minimal configuration.

With built-in analytics and intelligent automation woven throughout the platform, enterprises benefit from a system that not only streamlines operations but also enhances them. By aligning with the best industry practices, HashMicro eliminates the need for complex customization, enabling companies to achieve operational efficiency, compliance, and scalability from day one.

Artificial Intelligence That Powers Smart Enterprises

HashMicro’s ERP platform is built on an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) foundation designed to keep modern enterprises efficient, agile, and future-ready. Across its ecosystem, AI drives predictive analytics, demand forecasting, sales projections, and inventory optimization, delivering real-time insights and proactive suggestions based on live and historical data. With every module deeply integrated, the system enables businesses to anticipate challenges, seize opportunities quickly, and operate with greater precision at scale.

At the core of this capability is Hashy AI, an embedded smart AI assistant that serves as both an automation engine and a smart advisor. Accessible directly through popular messaging apps, Hashy AI brings intelligent support into daily workflows, making critical data and decision tools available on the go.

Hashy AI simplifies daily operations by automating routine tasks, managing approvals, coordinating vendor and client communications, and ensuring process flows stay on track. It minimizes delays across departments, sending intuitive reminders and contextual notifications that adapt to each role. Just as importantly, it generates real-time reports and insightful analysis that help teams respond more quickly and make data-driven decisions with confidence.

By embedding automation and intelligence into every layer of the platform, HashMicro ensures that enterprises not only keep up with change but also stay ahead of it.

Why Enterprises Choose HashMicro

In today’s fast-paced global economy, enterprises demand more than just software; they need a system that scales with their ambitions, adapts to complexity, and delivers real-time clarity across every function. HashMicro answers this call with an intelligent, cloud-based ERP that supports high transaction volumes, multiple geographies, and complete global financial consolidation. From manufacturing and construction to retail, logistics, and professional services, enterprises across industries trust HashMicro to streamline their most critical operations.

Every business has unique processes, and HashMicro is built to support best practices. Its solutions are configurable enough to align with each company’s operating model while preserving the efficiency of a standardized, enterprise-ready system. This approach ensures seamless implementation, greater visibility, and faster results, without the pitfalls of over-customization.

Beyond operational excellence, HashMicro ensures compliance across markets. The platform is engineered to comply with the local tax laws, labor regulations, and industry-specific standards, making it a trusted partner for enterprises navigating cross-border operations. Whether scaling across regions or industries, HashMicro delivers the infrastructure, intelligence, and adaptability that modern enterprises need to lead with confidence.

The future Is Intelligent Enterprise Resource Planning

As the demand for agile, intelligent, and scalable ERP systems continues to grow, HashMicro is already ahead of the curve. With a strong presence across Southeast Asia and a growing client base that includes some of the region’s leading enterprises, the company is cementing its position as a trusted partner for digital transformation.

In an era where staying competitive means being connected, automated, and insight-driven, HashMicro ERP is set to become the backbone of the modern enterprise.

ICH Group Anchors Key SGX Group IPOs; Bullish on Singapore’s Small-Mid-Cap Market

  • Capital Deployed to Date: Over US$1 Billion
  • Companies Supported: Advised and invested in 200+ SGX-listed companies

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 August 2025 – ICH Group is the key anchor investor in the recent Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) of Lum Chang Creations, Info-Tech and Goodwill Entertainment on multi-asset platform Singapore Exchange (SGX Group), a decisive move that signals renewed investor confidence following a notable drought in local listings from 2023-2024. This direct investment is part of the broader strategy to inject vital capital into Singapore’s high-growth small- and mid-cap companies.

Since its inception in 2000, backed by initial investments from EDB Singapore, among others, ICH has been a committed investor of local small-to-mid cap companies. Over the past 25 years, it has advised and invested in more than 200 SGX-listed companies.

Today, the ICH Group’s integrated platform – comprising ICH Asset Management, ADDX, and ICAPITAL – spans asset management, private market access, and capital advisory, serving as a one-stop solution for businesses at every stage of their capital needs journey.

With a focus on high-growth sectors such as technology, healthcare, sustainability, and consumer services, ICH and its partners have deployed over US$1 billion into Singapore and other international markets.

This has been invaluable in helping bridge local capital gaps while also attracting global investors that are committed to the long-term vision of a thriving Singapore equity market.

ICH’s distinct advantage lies in its ability to mobilise and match capital from a broad spectrum of investors, including institutional and aggregated private wealth, to early- and growth-stage enterprises that often find themselves underserved by larger financial institutions.

Track Record of Supporting Singapore’s Small- and Mid-Cap Space

ICH Group’s model is unique in its ability to combine advisory, capital raising and long-term partnership across the growth journey of a company.

This includes structuring early-stage rounds, preparing companies for IPO, and supporting post-listing strategies to sustain investor confidence and drive long-term value.

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, now one of the most recognisable names on SGX, was one of ICH’s earliest success stories as the Group provided equity and strategic advice while also helping the firm navigate the niche financing channels of the shipbuilding industry.

ICH Group played a pivotal role in othe strategic spinoff of Yangzijiang Financial, a move that has unleashed significant shareholder value and positioned both entities for accelerated growth in their respective markets.

The company not only brought significant companies of size to SGX, but also attracted institutional and retail investor attention to the broader industrial and manufacturing sectors in Asia.

“In an increasingly multipolar financial landscape, Singapore stands out as a trusted hub for global capital flows, especially in the ASEAN region,” Vincent Toe, Cofounder of ICH Group and MD of ICHAM, explained.

“Our partnerships with foreign companies, coupled with our local market expertise, allow us to be an effective bridge for this inbound capital. It’s a win-win for both sides.”

Gateway for Chinese Capital and Issuers

In parallel with supporting homegrown enterprises, ICH Group has also built out its cross-border capital capabilities.

One of its strategic pillars is acting as a gateway for Chinese institutional capital into Southeast Asia, particularly through the Qualified Domestic Limited Partner (QDLP) programme.

As one of the early adopters of QDLP, ICH has cultivated long-term partnerships with Chinese asset owners, fund managers and wealth platforms. This has enabled the Group to channel “sticky” capital into Singapore’s equity markets; capital that is long-term in nature and strategic.

This unique access to a differentiated investor base is becoming increasingly valuable, especially as global capital flows continue to diversify away from traditional Western centres toward Asia.

Singapore, as a politically stable, transparent and internationally recognised financial hub, is uniquely placed to benefit.

“While global markets face uncertainty, our QDLP partners see a generational growth opportunity in ASEAN’s digital and sustainable economies,”; said Vincent Toe, Co-founder of ICH Group. “They are not just deploying short-term capital; they are making strategic, long-term commitments to participate in the region’s future, and Singapore is their trusted gateway. Our unique role is to bridge their vision with high-potential local companies ready for growth.”

“Our role is to help them find the right partners, ensure regulatory alignment, and create long-term, win-win outcomes for everyone involved,” said Toe.

Beyond mobilising capital, ICH is also focused on introducing high-quality foreign companies to Singapore’s public markets.

With growing geopolitical and regulatory headwinds in other listing destinations, SGX has become an increasingly attractive platform for deep tech companies from China looking to list abroad.

The Group sees strong potential in sectors such as new energy, biotechnology, smart manufacturing, and digital services. All these are industries that are not only expanding rapidly in China but also have meaningful relevance to ASEAN’s development priorities.

“Listing in Singapore offers international issuers access to global investors, a reputable legal framework, and strong secondary market support,” said Toe.

“Our objective is to work with these companies early, prepare them for international listing requirements, and ensure their long-term success as public companies.”

Hashtag: #ICHGroup

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About ICH Group

Founded in 2000, ICH Group is a Singapore-headquartered financial services firm with over 120 professionals across its integrated asset management (ICH Asset Management), private market (ADDX), and capital advisory (ICAPITAL) platforms. The Group specializes in supporting small- and mid-cap companies throughout their entire growth journey, from early-stage funding to IPO. It has a proven track record in facilitating cross-border investment, notably as a key partner in the Qualified Domestic Limited Partner (QDLP) program.

A Decade of Wonder: Wonderfruit Announces Programming through a Guide to Wonder

Artist line-ups, dining, artwork and more revealed in the second release


BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 August 2025 – Wonderfruit, Thailand’s annual celebration of culture, art, music and nature, returns for a milestone 10th edition from 11–15 December 2025 at The Fields of Siam Country Club. Renowned international artists, diverse regional and Thai acts, chefs’ table experiences, Thai Molam legends, as well as rituals, workshops and talks are brought together at highly conceptualized venues, each built and designed with circularity and sustainability in mind.

Solar Village at Wonderfruit
Solar Village at Wonderfruit

This milestone edition continues Wonderfruit’s decade-long exploration of Mind, Nature and Sound through human expressions, acting as a platform for audiences and artists alike to discover culture and new ways of thinking.

Get a deeper look at the second official release of a Guide to Wonder, with much more to come.

  • Music designed for well-being. Through an initiative called Sonic Minds, Wonderfruit collaborates with MSCTY_Studio for year-round research, culminating in soundscapes that aim to improve how we feel. This initiative unravels through live performances (Shook, Elsa Hewitt, Scanner and more) and via sound installations appearing in unexpected places, like in the forest, restrooms or bridges.
  • Molam World takes Isaan root music to the global stage. Home for Northeastern Thai music, food and art, Molam World extends its curation across local and international artists, from fan favorites Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band to legendary Rungfa Kulachai and international artists like Giles Peterson and Ustad Noor Bakhsh. A new multipurpose space, Molam Theatre, designed by PO-D Architects, joins the iconic Molam Bus.
  • From natural amphitheaters to secret forest dancefloors, 40+ venues come alive: Beloved venues like The Quarry, Forbidden Fruit, Solar Village, Enfold and an expanded Living Village fill The Fields with a range of music, including a hybrid set from FKJ, Kerala Dust, Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy, Hatis Noit & Orly Anan, múm, Shubostar, A Guy Called Gerald, Pearson Sound, Tristan Perich & ensemble 0, Vanishing Twin, Dawn of Midi, DOTT, JPBS x DuckUnit, Red-i, Minyo Crusaders and much more. Appearing for the first time, Baan Bardo, a brand new venue designed by Wit Pimkanchanapong, features a kinetic maze and multi-dimensional curation from ROVR, Dhyana and Erased Tapes. Featuring artists eucamedix, Theo Parrish, Britta Arnold, yubass, Daniel Brandt, and Open Reel Ensemble, with an art performance from Lucky Vakharia, a Nepali Charya Nritya dance workshop with Punyasagara, a guided meditation experience with Black Turtle and more.
  • Thoughtful, interactive art fills The Fields: With over 20 installations, Wonderfruit aims to involve art that encourages human connection. From new Social Interventions by Ab Rogers Design to finding shelter in the dome of ‘Singing In My Mind’ by Satit Raksasri, to artist Pinaree Sanpitak’s crafted steel and stone tables that invite communal gatherings and Microtopia by TeaRoom offering introspection through tea smoking and ceremonies.
  • An expansive world of wellness rooted deeply in global traditions: Wonderness offers 100+ unique workshops, rituals and ceremonies with a variety of ways to feel and live better. Including frequency-based healing with Zen monks in Quantum Deep Healing Sound Bath & Light Breathing Meditation Workshop, exploring ancient wisdom of Tantra with Viv Kan The Art of Intimacy: A Tantric Approach to Connection and practices rooted in the indigenous Amazonian tradition in the Sacred Hapé Ceremony by Maxwell Honey & David Björkström.
  • Chefs’ tables return with matriarch-led kitchens, multi-sensory feasts and Michelin-star dining: Devoted to culinary experiences, Wonder Kitchen returns with 120+ person seating, featuring concepts from one Michelin-star and Green Star chef Deepanker Khosla from Haoma, a Mediterranean-Thai fusion feast and a sensory dining experience by Modern Biology x Electric Sheep that combines sound frequencies with Thai comfort food. Lady GooGoo hosts Ma’s Kitchen for the first time at Open Kitchen, with Burmese home cooking from one of the best views in The Fields. On the ground floor, Pa Chan’s Life’s Market features food, crafts and culinary workshops from the five regions of Thailand, inspired by how agriculture and culture impact recipes.

Reflecting on the 10th anniversary of Wonderfruit, Founder ‘Pete’ Pranitan Phornprapha, shared: “Reaching ten years of Wonderfruit is a moment of real gratitude and celebration for us. It’s thanks to the shared energy, creativity and care of our community—our Wonderers that we’ve come this far.”

He continued, “As we look to the future, we’re entering a new chapter—one that moves beyond the idea of a once-a-year gathering. Wonderfruit is becoming a year-round cultural platform rooted in creativity and collaboration. We’re evolving The Fields into a living, working space for learning, experimentation and circular systems—from growing our own food, rewilding the land and hosting various cultural expressions that connect people to mind, sound and nature.”

Wonderfruit opens its next ticket sale for 48 hours from 2–4 September 2025 at 6pm BKK (GMT+7). Tickets will be first-come, first-served, with limited capacity. There will also be new, more accessible ways to join Wonderfruit 2025, especially for families, Thai youths under 25 and newcomers through various ticket types and accessibility points.

For more information, visit www.wonderfruit.co.
Hashtag: #wonderfruit #wonderfruit2025 #decadeofwonder

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Wonderfruit

Punctuated by an annual event every December, Wonderfruit is a five-day celebration of art, music, food and ideas in The Fields at Siam Country Club. Produced by Thailand-based Scratch First, Wonderfruit is a continuous, curious exploration of Mind, Sound and Nature through human expression, seeking greater connection to communities, cultures and the world around us. Through immersive experiences, including performances, workshops, installations and dining, Wonderfruit creates spaces for all to gather, interact and share knowledge. Living in The Fields year-round, Wonderfruit unites designers, architects and craftspeople to build and design in harmony with nature, committing to circularity and zero waste.

Silicon Motion Showcases MonTitan™ SM8366 in Core to Edge AI Server Applications at FMS 2025

Company Also Demonstrates Full Spectrum of AI Storage Solutions for PCs, Gaming, Edge, Robotics, and Automotive

TAIPEI and MILPITAS, Calif., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Silicon Motion Technology Corporation (NasdaqGS: SIMO) (“Silicon Motion”), a global leader in designing and marketing NAND flash controllers for solid-state storage devices, today announced it will showcase its MonTitan™ SM8366 PCIe Gen5 SSD controller solutions, demonstrated using the VAST Data Ceres V2 AI Storage platform and Aetina NVIDIA MGX™ server, at FMS (the Future of Memory and Storage) 2025 in Santa Clara, California, taking place August 5–7 in at booth #315. MonTitan™, together with other advanced storage solutions optimized for AI applications, underscores Silicon Motion’s commitment to delivering next-generation scalability and performance for data-intensive workloads

Silicon Motion showcases MonTitan™ SM8366 controller based Unigen Cheetah SSDs on the VAST Data Ceres V2 platform
Silicon Motion showcases MonTitan™ SM8366 controller based Unigen Cheetah SSDs on the VAST Data Ceres V2 platform

Silicon Motion is collaborating with Unigen to demonstrate its Cheetah High Capacity 128TB QLC E1.L SSD and Cheetah 3.2TB SLC U.2 SSD powered by Silicon Motion’s SM8366 to showcase an efficient and cost-effective storage solution by using VAST Data Ceres V2 Dbox platform. By leveraging NVIDIA BlueField-3 DPUs to accelerate networking and compute combined with its compact 1U form factor, CERES V2 delivers exceptional density for mission-critical AI deployments that demand scalability and throughput. 

“We are pleased to work with Silicon Motion’s MonTitan™ based SSDs that support the Ceres V2 architecture to meet the performance and density demands of AI and data-intensive workloads,” said Avery Pham, VP of Strategic Operations, at VAST Data. “VAST is a Software Data platform utilizing bleeding edge hardware to enable software solutions. This demo illustrates how integrating powerful SSD technology with a disaggregated storage architecture like Ceres2 can help enterprises scale AI infrastructure more efficiently and intelligently.”

Silicon Motion has also teamed up with Innodisk 5TS-P on an 8TB E1.S MonTitan™ based SSD by using Aetina’s AEX-2UAI, high performance, short-depth edge server built on NVIDIA’s MGX™ module design. This edge server brings powerful AI computing capabilities to edge environments and is particularly suitable for use cases demanding high performance in space-constrained settings.  

“The integration of MonTitan™ based 5TS-P SSDs into our AEX-2UAI edge server reflects a shared vision to support powerful AI computing in compact, real-world deployments,” said CC Wu, GM of Embedded Flash Division at Innodisk. “By combining high-density flash storage with MGX-based computing, we’re expediting edge AI systems to perform faster and smarter in space optimized environments.”

“Our MonTitan™ platform is purpose-built to address the extreme demands of AI server storage,” said Alex Chou, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Storage and Display Interface Solutions Business at Silicon Motion. “Our collaborations with customers and module maker partners highlight our ability to deliver leading AI SSD solutions.  We are thrilled to be part of the Core to Edge AI Ecosystems with VAST Data, Aetina and our other partners to deliver storage solutions that meet the ultra-high capacity and performance requirements of the next generation of AI applications for data centers and enterprise storage.”

In addition to the AI server storage demo, Silicon Motion will highlight its broad portfolio of storage solutions designed for a wide range of AI-driven applications—from all-in-one Edge AI and AI PCs to gaming consoles, smartphones, robotics, and automotive systems. This includes PCIe Gen5 SSD, USB4, SD Express, UFS, and eMMC controllers, along with Ferri embedded storage, underscoring the company’s expertise in delivering scalable, high-efficiency storage across diverse AI platforms.

Silicon Motion representatives will also be presenting at FMS keynotes and forums. For further information, please visit: https://www.siliconmotion.com/events/2025FMS/

About Silicon Motion:

We are the global leader in supplying NAND flash controllers for solid state storage devices. We supply more SSD controllers than any other company in the world for servers, PCs and other client devices and are the leading merchant supplier of eMMC and UFS embedded storage controllers used in smartphones, IoT devices and other applications. We also supply customized high-performance hyperscale data center and specialized industrial and automotive SSD solutions. Our customers include most of the NAND flash vendors, storage device module makers and leading OEMs. For further information on Silicon Motion, visit us at www.siliconmotion.com.

Silicon Motion showcases MonTitan™ SM8366 controller based Innodisk 5TS-P SSDs with Aetina’s MGX-based AEX-2UAI edge server
Silicon Motion showcases MonTitan™ SM8366 controller based Innodisk 5TS-P SSDs with Aetina’s MGX-based AEX-2UAI edge server

Calm Stores, Clear Sites: New Research Highlights How Seniors are Redefining Retail Expectations

SYDNEY, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — While many Australians are adjusting their spending in response to rising cost-of-living, new research from Manhattan Associates Inc. (NASDAQ: MANH) reveals that older Australians continue to play a significant role in discretionary retail. Backed by financial stability and a clear preference for personalised, supportive in-store experiences, over-55s represent a key growth opportunity for retailers who are willing to meet them on their terms.

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

Shoppers aged 55+ are spending, but their expectations are high

According to the research, 68% of mature-aged shoppers reported either no impact or improved confidence in their personal finances, despite ongoing interest rate pressures. Notably, 64% also said that special offers and promotions influence their spending decisions in-store, demonstrating a willingness to engage, provided the experience is worthwhile.

“These shoppers are among the most financially secure and active in the retail space,” said Raghav Sibal, Vice President of APAC at Manhattan Associates. “But they’re also more discerning. They’re not shopping just for products, they’re shopping for a comfortable, helpful and human experience.”

The research revealed that older Australians value a quieter, calmer in-store environment. Two-thirds (66%) of shoppers aged 55 and over said they would prefer retailers to turn down in-store music or avoid it altogether, with one in four (24%) reporting they have actively avoided stores that feel too loud or chaotic.

In addition to creating the right environment, staffing also plays a critical role in shaping the in-store experience for senior shoppers. Only 26% of over-55s said they like to shop entirely independently. Most prefer some level of support, particularly when engaging with new technologies or unfamiliar products. Encouragingly for retailers, 41% of mature-aged consumers said they would shop in-store more often if there were more staff available to assist.

“Retailers sometimes assume that mature-age shoppers want to be left alone, but the data tells a different story. This group values human connection, reassurance, and calm environments. Creating in-store experiences that reduce sensory overload and provide access to well-informed, available staff will go a long way in driving loyalty and repeat visits,” said Sibal.

Technology should support, not replace, human interaction

Senior shoppers are not averse to using technology instore with 73% of shoppers being comfortable using self-checkouts and similar solutions. However, of those surveyed 40% of shoppers said that they usually prefer or require some assistance when using these tools.

“Mature-aged Australian shoppers are often willing to try and use instore technologies to speed up their retail experience, however they often need to be supported by knowledgeable staff in-store,” said Sibal. “It’s that personal interaction that makes the difference, someone who can answer questions or offer guidance.”

Older Australians are increasingly confident online, but want reassurance and clarity

Contrary to common assumptions, senior shoppers are far from digital holdouts. In fact, 65% of Australians aged 55 and over now say they are more likely to shop online due to factors like convenience, better access to deals and broader product selection available through digital channels.

This growing digital fluency is also reflected in user experience, with 57% of mature-age shoppers reporting they rarely or never encounter issues when shopping online. Only 10% say they frequently run into problems, highlighting a general comfort with digital retail.

However, attracting and retaining these shoppers requires retailers to understand the needs of older shoppers. A third (32%) say they would be encouraged to shop online more often if retailers provided clear reassurance around website security. Meanwhile, 28% want more detailed product descriptions and customer reviews to support informed decision-making and 20% said easier-to-navigate websites would increase their likelihood to purchase.

“We’re seeing a generational shift in how older Australians interact with digital commerce. This group is highly pragmatic. They’re not just looking for tech-savvy interfaces, rather they want clarity, trust and a sense of control. Retailers that invest in intuitive website design, transparent product information and strong cybersecurity messaging are more likely to win their confidence and their business,” concluded Sibal.

For more information, please visit www.manh.com.au

Methodology:

Manhattan Associates surveyed 500 Australian consumers over the age of 55.

ABOUT MANHATTAN ASSOCIATES
Manhattan Associates is a global technology leader in supply chain and omnichannel commerce. We unite information across the enterprise, converging front-end sales with back-end supply chain execution. Our software, platform technology and unmatched experience help drive both top-line growth and bottom-line profitability for our customers.

Manhattan Associates designs, builds, and delivers leading edge cloud and on-premises solutions so that across the store, through your network or from your fulfillment centre, you are ready to reap the rewards of the omnichannel marketplace. For more information, please visit www.manh.com 

WuXi AppTec Named Constituent of the FTSE4Good Index Series for Third Consecutive Year

SHANGHAI, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — WuXi AppTec, a global company that provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services to enable companies in the pharmaceutical and life science industries, today announced its inclusion in the FTSE4Good Index Series for the third consecutive year. This recognition underscores the Company’s ongoing commitment to sustainable development and its efforts to build a healthier, more sustainable world.

Created by the global index and data provider FTSE Russell, the FTSE4Good Index Series is designed to measure the performance of companies demonstrating specific Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices. Inclusion in the index is based on meeting specific ESG criteria. In the most-recent assessment cycle, WuXi AppTec achieved the highest score of 5 points in Corporate Governance, Anti-Corruption, and Labor Standards, reflecting the Company’s exemplary performance in sustainable management.

“We are honored to be recognized once again by FTSE Russell as a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index Series. This acknowledgement affirms the capital markets’ confidence in WuXi AppTec’s sustainable management practices,” said Dr. Steve Yang, Co-CEO of WuXi AppTec and Chairman of WuXi AppTec’s ESG Committee. “We remain committed to advancing our ESG initiatives while supporting our customers in bringing innovative new therapies to patients worldwide.”

As an enabler of innovation, a trusted partner, and a contributor to the global pharmaceutical and life sciences industry, WuXi AppTec strategically integrates sustainability like most of the customers into its global operations. The company’s ESG leadership has been recognized by several prestigious organizations: WuXi AppTec has received the MSCI ESG Leadership Rating for five consecutive years, has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) for four consecutive years, and has earned an A- Leadership rating in the CDP Climate Change assessment for three consecutive years. Additionally, the Company has been recognized as an Industry and Regional ESG Top-Rated Company by Morningstar Sustainalytics, received its first MSCI ESG AAA rating, achieved an A Leadership rating in the CDP Water Security assessment, and was awarded a Gold Medal in the EcoVadis sustainability rating.

Furthering its sustainability commitments, WuXi AppTec has received Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validation for its near-term emissions reduction targets. The Company is also a participant in the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), supporting its ten principles, and serves as a supplier partner to the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Initiative (PSCI).

About WuXi AppTec

WuXi AppTec is a trusted partner and contributor to the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, providing R&D and manufacturing services that help advance healthcare innovation. With operations across Asia, Europe, and North America, we offer integrated, end-to-end services through our unique CRDMO (Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization) platform. We are privileged to work alongside nearly 6,000 partners across 30+ countries, supporting their efforts to bring breakthrough treatments to patients. Guided by our vision that every drug can be made and every disease can be treated, we are committed to advancing breakthroughs for patients—one collaboration at a time. Learn more at www.wuxiapptec.com.