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Special Minds Launches 1-to-1 Special Needs Platform to Empower Families with Five Key Pillars


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – Special Minds is redefining special needs education in Singapore with the launch of its groundbreaking 1:1 matching platform. As a new and innovative solution, the platform is designed to connect families with highly skilled professionals, offering tailored services to meet each child’s unique needs. Built around five key pillars—tuition, early childhood education, early intervention, therapy and counselling, and enrichment—this platform offers a comprehensive, holistic approach to special needs education. By combining these core services, Special Minds ensures that every child receives personalised, expert support in the comfort of their own home, making quality care and education more accessible than ever before.

Navigating special needs services can be overwhelming, with accessibility and affordability being major challenges for many families. Special Minds simplifies this process by offering a streamlined, home-based matching system that helps parents find the right professionals across these five essential areas—making specialised care more convenient, flexible, and effective.

The 5 Key Pillars of Special Minds’ Matching Platform

1. Special Needs Tuition

Many children with learning difficulties, including dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and ASD, require specialised academic support. Special Minds matches families with experienced educators who provide personalised special needs tuition to help children excel in their studies at their own pace.

2. Early Childhood Education

Laying a strong foundation is crucial for children with special needs. Special Minds connects parents with qualified early childhood educators who specialise in working with young learners, fostering essential skills in language, numeracy, communication, and cognitive development.

3. Early Intervention Programs

An early intervention program in Singapore can make a life-changing difference for children with developmental delays or conditions such as Global developmental delay (GDD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and sensory processing difficulties. Special Minds helps parents access certified early intervention specialists who provide customised strategies to support each child’s growth.

4. Therapy and Counselling

Many children require speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioural therapy, or counselling to develop key life skills and manage emotions. Special Minds allows parents to match with qualified therapists, making therapy more convenient and effective.

5. Enrichment Activities

Learning isn’t just about academics—it’s also about exploration and engagement. The platform provides access to specialists who offer enrichment programs such as phonics, yoga, music, art, and swimming for children with special needs, helping them develop confidence and social skills in a fun and supportive environment.

The five key pillars of Special Minds’ matching platform work together to create a comprehensive support system that addresses the diverse needs of children with special needs. From tuition to early childhood education, each pillar is designed to offer specialised care that promotes holistic development. Whether it’s through early intervention programs that help children reach developmental milestones, therapy and counselling that provide emotional and behavioural support, or enrichment activities that nurture creativity, Special Minds ensures that children receive well-rounded care that is both accessible and effective.

By focusing on these five areas, Special Minds not only provides tailored support to children but also empowers parents and caregivers to navigate the complexities of special needs care with ease and confidence. This comprehensive approach helps children build the skills they need to thrive in all areas of life, from academics to emotional well-being and beyond.

Founder of Special Minds, Ms. Azanea Quek, shared, “We built this platform so that parents can easily connect with skilled special needs professionals based on their child’s needs, location, and budget. It’s a game-changer for families who have been struggling to access quality, personalised support.”

Special Minds is committed to empowering families and children by making high-quality special needs education and support more accessible, affordable, and flexible. With a growing network of over 500 professionals, the platform is transforming the special needs landscape in Singapore—ensuring that every child, regardless of their challenges, has the opportunity to thrive.

For more information, please visit https://specialminds.com.sg/.
Hashtag: #SpecialMinds

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

May in Paris: GOSIM AI Paris 2025 Ignites a New Wave of AI Innovation, Building a Global Open-Source Ecosystem

PARIS, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Following the pace of global open-source AI innovation, GOSIM AI Paris 2025, hosted by the GOSIM (Global Open-Source Innovation Meetup) and co-organized by CSDN, will take place in Paris, France, on May 6-7, 2025.

Renowned for its international scope, community-driven approach, and strong interactivity, GOSIM has previously successfully convened multiple international open-source innovation conferences in cities such as Delft, Beijing, and Shanghai. These events have brought together hundreds of technical elites from fields including AI, Rust, and embodied intelligence, offering comprehensive insights and discussions on the latest open-source technologies and in-depth practices.

This year’s conference will spotlight the latest advancements in 6 Conference Tracks: AI Model, AI Infra, AI Apps, Embodied AI, AI for Science, and Global Open-Source AI Collaboration, driving significant progress in global open-source AI collaboration. A highlight of the event is the introduction of GOSIM AI Spotlight, a global initiative to select 10 outstanding open-source AI projects for showcase and technical exchange, further accelerating AI innovation.

The venue, Station F, is a world-class innovation incubator located in Paris, hosting a vibrant ecosystem of “Deep Tech” companies specializing in areas such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, augmented reality, big data analytics, and chip design. GOSIM warmly welcomes developers worldwide to join this hub for innovative exchange.

GOSIM AI Paris 2025
GOSIM AI Paris 2025

AI Experts Gather in Paris to Focus on 6 Conference Tracks

Last year’s GOSIM CHINA 2024 attracted over 160 experts from renowned domestic and international organizations, including BAAI (Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence), Zhipu AI, ByteDance, Moonshot AI, Tsinghua University, Eclipse, OpenCV Community, and Rust Community.

Building on this legacy, GOSIM AI Paris 2025 will focus on 6 Conference Tracks that resonate with developers globally, bringing together influential open-source AI projects and experts from leading organizations such as Hugging Face, BAAI (Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence), Llama, and DeepSeek. Together, they will explore how open-source AI can shape the future.

  • AI Model: Shaping the Future through Open-Source AI

Unleashing world-class performance in Large Language Models (LLMs), multimodal AI, and cutting-edge image and video generation models, while pioneering compact on-device LLMs to push the boundaries of AI efficiency and accessibility.

  • AI Infrastructure: Building Scalable AI through Open-Source Innovation

Advancing frameworks for AI training, inference, fine-tuning, and reinforcement learning, optimizing on-device inference solutions, and enabling seamless large-scale cloud deployments to empower next-generation AI capabilities.

  • AI Apps: Transforming Industries with Open-Source AI

Revolutionizing healthcare, finance, and creative tools with community-driven AI models, integrating frameworks for open-source AI app development, smart tools, retrieval-augmented generation, front-end AI applications, personal AI assistants, future AI operating systems, and intelligent AI hardware.

  • Embodied AI: Advancing Open-Source Robotics

Innovating community-driven robot designs, expanding open datasets, developing advanced visual-language models, and shaping policy frameworks that define the future of automated systems.

  • AI for Science: Pushing Scientific Boundaries with AI

Empowering breakthroughs in mathematics, materials design, drug discovery, astrophysics, and computer systems through open-source AI research.

  • Global Open-Source AI Collaboration: Strengthening the Open-Source AI Ecosystem

Expanding global knowledge sharing, collaborative dataset development, transparent AI governance, and robust open-source infrastructure to drive continuous AI innovation worldwide.

We sincerely invite global technologists, researchers, and open-source enthusiasts to apply to speak, exploring cutting-edge technological advancements and best practices in innovation. Through speeches, interviews, and more, the event aims to spark inspiration, foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, and promote the prosperity of the global open-source ecosystem.

Simultaneous interpretation services will be provided to ensure smooth communication.

Speaker Application: https://cfp.gosim.org/paris

Calling for AI Innovation Projects: GOSIM AI Spotlight Showcases Rising Stars

A flagship segment of the conference, GOSIM AI Spotlight, will select 10 exceptional open-source AI projects from around the world, offering travel subsidies (covering airfare and accommodation) and a platform for exchange and showcase at GOSIM AI Paris 2025.

Participants will gain:

  • Spotlight on Innovation: Present groundbreaking open-source AI projects, highlighting their creativity and potential impact, with professional evaluation and a global stage to attract attention.
  • Increased Exposure: Gain visibility among a wider audience and deeper recognition within the global tech community, opening doors to collaborators and users.
  • Fostering Collaboration: Build a sense of belonging in the AI ecosystem through shared goals and teamwork, connecting with top developers, experts, and enthusiasts.
  • Holistic Growth: Receive comprehensive support from mentors and resources to help your project thrive.

GOSIM AI Spotlight is more than an opportunity—it’s a collision of ideas and a celebration of innovation. Join global AI experts and developers to explore the future of open-source AI models, showcase your projects, and expand your network.

Application: https://spotlight.gosim.org/ai

Sponsor GOSIM AI Paris 2025: Share in Global AI Ecosystem Innovation

To ensure a high-quality conference experience for speakers and attendees, sponsorship opportunities are now open. By sponsoring GOSIM, you can elevate your influence in the most innovative open-source community, unlock collaboration opportunities, discover promising projects, and connect with top talent. 

For more details on sponsorship benefits, contact: sponsor@gosim.org  (mailto:sponsor@gosim.org). 

Join us to focus on emerging open-source technologies, drive industry progress, hear from industry leaders, and grow alongside like-minded developers.

Exploring the Infinite Possibilities of Open-Source AI with Industry Pioneers

Register now to attend!

Beyond hardcore technical talks, the conference offers vibrant activities like live coding labs, interactive AI tool demos, and expert-led workshops, equipping you with practical skills and deep insights. Connect with over 600 leaders, researchers, and practitioners shaping AI’s future, and compete alongside industry pioneers while vying for exciting prizes.

GOSIM AI Paris 2025 will spotlight the latest trends in AI development, serving as both a technical exchange and a catalyst for the global open-source ecosystem’s growth. Witness cutting-edge research and applications, hear insights from top experts, and contribute to the advancement of open-source technology worldwide. Join us in Paris to co-create a new era of AI innovation.

Official Website: https://paris2025.gosim.org/

HKIAAC – At the forefront of the international anti-corruption cause

HONG KONG, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong International Academy Against Corruption (HKIAAC), established by the Hong Kong Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) in February 2024 to spearhead both local and international anti-corruption training initiatives and experience sharing, is stepping into its second year with reaffirmed commitment.

The HKIAAC, with the full support of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, has accomplished a myriad of initiatives over the past year. A total of 23 international anti-corruption training courses were organised, covering 72 jurisdictions worldwide, to promote international anti-corruption collaboration. The courses covered professional areas including financial investigations, assets recovery, forensic investigations, as well as leadership and executive development. Through these courses, an international network of over 2,616 alumni was established, bringing together the strengths of global anti-corruption experts.

Officers from the HKIAAC also travelled worldwide to provide customized trainings on capacity building, reaching out to places far and wide, including Mali, Kazakhstan, Greece, Panama, Mongolia, South Africa, Brunei and Abu Dhabi. 

Locally in Hong Kong, the HKIAAC has organised 11 anti-corruption training courses catered for different professional sectors such as banking, insurance, property management, etc. The HKIAAC also successfully obtained the Qualifications Framework Level 5 accreditation (equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree), which further affirmed its status as an internationally recognized top-tier anti-corruption training institution.

“These achievements demonstrate HKIAAC’s global reach and commitment to impactful anti-corruption training. The ICAC’s 50-year solid graft-fighting experience is our greatest edge. ICAC investigators were able to share with trainees their investigation techniques in real corruption cases, anti-corruption knowledge and best practices. We also seized the opportunity to exchange experiences with worldwide participants during trainings, thereby enhancing the graft-fighting capabilities of all parties and achieving a win-win situation,” ICAC Commissioner Woo Ying-ming said.  

The past year also saw IAACA’s efforts in forging collaborations with international organisations. Apart from partnering with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to co-host various anti-graft initiatives, the IAACA will continue to expand its reach to ACAs around the world to form a powerful graft-fighting network.

Value co-creation in graft fighting

Looking ahead, the HKIAAC will focus on value co-creation in fighting corruption. Collaborations with international academia, including Peking University, Tsinghua University and The University of Hong Kong, the HKIAAC are underway to conduct in-depth studies and research projects on corruption-related topics, from the promulgation of integrity-related public values, social support for fighting corruption, to corruption prevention initiatives. Through interactions and exchanges with different academic stakeholders in these projects, the HKIAAC looks forward to further enhancing its anti-corruption strategies and policies, and sharing significant research results with all graft-fighting counterparts around the world.

“HKIAAC is on a journey to expand global influence, further its reach through targeted initiatives, and amplify its impact in the international anti-corruption arena,” Commissioner Woo said.

Huawei’s Smart String & Grid Forming ESS Triumphs in Extreme Ignition Test

SHENZHEN, China, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Huawei Digital Power’s Smart String & Grid Forming Energy Storage System (ESS) has successfully passed the extreme ignition test, witnessed by customers and DNV, a globally recognized independent organization in assurance and risk management. This groundbreaking test, conducted under real-world scenarios and innovative methodologies, validates the ESS’s capabilities in extreme conditions, marking a significant milestone in advancing safety standards for the energy storage industry.

Huawei's Smart String & Grid Forming ESS Triumphs in Extreme Ignition Test
Huawei’s Smart String & Grid Forming ESS Triumphs in Extreme Ignition Test

Verification in Extreme Conditions: All-Scenario Ignition Test

Aligned with the international standard UL 9540A test method, Huawei Digital Power elevated the rigor of the test by significantly increasing the number of cells subjected to thermal runaway. This approach comprehensively verified the safety protection capabilities of the Smart String & Grid Forming ESS in extreme ignition scenarios, setting a new benchmark for safety testing.

Highlight 1: Real-World Verification with 100% Mass-Produced Products

The test was conducted under conditions that strictly mirrored real-world applications. Four Smart String & Grid Forming ESSs (containers A, B, C, and D) were actual mass-produced products. Charged to 100% state of charge (SOC), they were deployed according to the minimum maintenance and safety clearances required for a plant. The entire test process was spontaneous, with no manual intervention, ensuring a realistic and comprehensive system-level extreme verification environment.

Highlight 2: Triggering 12 Cells into Thermal Runway Causes No Fire or Explosion after Multiple Ignition Attempts

In conventional ESSs, thermal runaway in a single cell often leads to the release of combustible gases into the container, resulting in fire or explosion. However, in Huawei’s Smart String & Grid Forming ESS (container A), thermal runaway occurred in 12 cells without incident. The system’s innovative combined defense mechanism—positive pressure oxygen barrier and directional smoke exhaust duct—effectively vented combustible gases. Manual ignition did not trigger fire or explosion, and the safety issue was automatically resolved. This demonstrates the ESS’s ability to prevent fire and fault spread at the battery pack level.

Highlight 3: Ultimate Fire Resistance Capability Prevents Propagation under Maximum Oxygen Supply Combustion Scenario

To simulate large-scale burning scenarios, the test progressively increased the number of thermal runaway cells until the entire battery pack was affected while providing maximum oxygen supply to create stricter combustion conditions. Despite these challenges, the highest cell temperature in adjacent containers B, C, and D reached only 47°C—far below the thermal runaway threshold. Post-test disassembly confirmed the integrity of the ESS body, fire-resistant layer, and internal battery packs, proving the system’s resilience in extreme scenarios.

Highlight 4: Slow Fault Progression Provides Critical Time for Early Intervention to Avoid Serious Accidents

A conventional ESS risks immediate fire or explosion upon thermal runaway in a single cell, often leading to severe accidents. In contrast, Huawei’s ESS (container A) delayed fire ignition for 7 hours in extreme scenarios, even as the number of thermal runaway cells increased. This slow fault progression allows emergency personnel ample time for early intervention, mitigating risks and ensuring the safety of personnel and property.

Huawei's Smart String & Grid Forming ESS Triumphs in Extreme Ignition Test
Huawei’s Smart String & Grid Forming ESS Triumphs in Extreme Ignition Test

Technical Breakthrough: Redefining ESS Safety Logic

ESS safety is critical to the sustainable and high-quality development of the renewable energy industry. The success of this test underscores Huawei Digital Power’s major breakthrough in system safety, delivering comprehensive protection from the battery cell level to across the entire system. Through architectural innovation, the company has enhanced the safety protection mechanism of the ESS from the container level (industry standard) to the pack level, effectively preventing thermal runaway spread.

 

Women in Asia are on a quest for new destinations and shared adventures, Agoda survey reveals

SINGAPORE, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — To mark International Women’s Day which is celebrated on Saturday 8 March, digital travel platform Agoda unveils the top women’s travel trends in Asia this year. While both women and men in Asia plan to travel more in 2025, Agoda’s findings show how women are shaping the travel landscape.

The survey spotlights how women in Asia are leading the way in exploring new destinations with family and friends, emphasizing a strong desire for adventure and camaraderie during their travels.

Top Women's Travel Trends in Asia - Agoda
Top Women’s Travel Trends in Asia – Agoda

Destination Unknown: Women Seek the Undiscovered

The desire to discover new destinations emerges as a key driver, with 60% of women expressing interest compared to 53% of men. Indian and Indonesian women are particularly eager to discover new places, with 80% and 69% respectively showing a strong desire to explore. This enthusiasm for new experiences reflects a broader trend of curiosity and openness to diverse cultures and landscapes. Women are embracing the thrill of the unknown, chasing novel experiences that promise adventure and discovery at every turn.

Family First: Embracing Shared Adventures

Asian women are more inclined to travel with their loved ones, with 40% of women preferring to travel with family compared to 28% of men. Indonesian women are particularly enthusiastic about family trips, with 68% expressing this preference, underscoring the importance of shared experiences and creating lasting memories with loved ones.

Additionally, women are more likely to travel with a group of friends than men, with Japanese and Indian women leading the way at 29% and 25%, respectively. This trend highlights the value women place on camaraderie and the joy of embarking on exciting new journeys with close companions.

Solo Adventures: The Allure of Independent Exploration

When it comes to solo travel, men show a higher preference at 24% compared to 15% of women. However, among Asian women, Hong Kong SAR and Thai women are the most likely to embark on solo adventures, at 25% and 22%, respectively, reflecting an appetite for personal growth and self-discovery through travel.

The Perfect Getaway: 5-10 Days of Adventure

The survey finds that most Asian travelers, regardless of gender, prefer a 5–10-day trip, with women showing a slightly higher preference at 48% compared to 40% of men. This trend is particularly pronounced among women from India and Hong Kong SAR, where two-thirds of Indian women and 68% of Hong Kong SAR women favor this duration, allowing ample time to immerse themselves in new cultures.

Mai-Linh, Chief Financial Officer at Agoda shared, “At Agoda, we’re thrilled to see how women are shaping the travel landscape in Asia. Their adventurous spirit and desire to explore new destinations with family and friends paints an inspiring picture of the travel landscape in 2025. Whether it’s a family getaway or a solo adventure, Agoda is committed to offer great value deals on accommodation, flights, and activities, ensuring that every journey is filled with memories to last a lifetime.”

As Asian women continue to embrace travel in 2025, Agoda offers a wide range of options to suit their diverse preferences. With over 5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda provides endless possibilities for creating unforgettable travel experiences. Discover the best deals on Agoda’s mobile app or on agoda.com/deals and start planning your next adventure today.

 

Octa broker receives the ‘Best CFD Broker Asia 2025’ award


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – Octa, a global broker since 2011, was recently recognised as the ‘Best CFD Broker Asia 2025’ by the Global Brands Magazine.

Octa

The Global Brands’ ‘Best CFD Broker Asia 2025’ award became another milestone in Octa’s long and successful track record in the financial markets. According to the organisers, Octa was selected from a highly competitive group of entrants by an external research team, which was appointed to evaluate the nominees.

Global Brands Magazine is a leading branding publication providing up-to-date news, reviews, opinions, and polls on leading brands and industries worldwide.

Focusing on contract-for-difference (CFD) instruments, Octa fosters a dynamic trading environment that has gained considerable popularity among ambitious and goal-driven traders worldwide. Octa broker aims to establish transparent and efficient trading practices according to the best industry benchmarks.

Octa’s portfolio encompasses a wide variety of CFDs, including currency pairs, gold, and crypto. In addition to a diverse portfolio, the broker boasts a modern proprietary platform and some of the best trading conditions on the market.

Since its foundation, Octa has won more than 90 awards, including the ‘Most Reliable Broker Global 2024’ award from Global Forex Awards and the ‘Best Mobile Trading Platform 2024’ award from Global Brand Magazine.

According to Octa’s press office, the broker’s proprietary trading platform, OctaTrader, covers the entire traders’ journey across four fundamental areas: payments, education, trading, and decision-making. With its all-in-one architecture, OctaTrader functions as a holistic trading ecosystem designed for clients of various experience levels, trading styles, and asset preferences.

OctaTrader’s key features include:

  • Leverage adjustment

With OctaTrader, you can open new orders with any leverage you choose without affecting the leverage of existing orders. This unique feature allows for greater flexibility and offers additional scope to those using various instruments and timeframes during a single session.

  • AI-powered pattern recognition

Released in December 2024, this tool automatically searches for technical analysis patterns, using a large dataset of expert-curated content and AI-powered models that pick relevant figures from historical data. The AI Pattern Recognition tool is especially useful for those trading on faster timeframes since it empowers fast-paced, efficient decision-making and reduces cognitive load.

  • Space

An expert-curated feed within the platform that allows you to connect and collaborate with like-minded traders while staying up-to-date with the most relevant market trends and developments. By adjusting the feed according to your trading style and preferences, Space provides personalised guidance to keep you in touch with highly volatile markets.

  • Saving/loading charts

This feature allows you to save your chart layouts, chart templates, and drawing templates, and restore them when you get back. On top of that, all your chart actions are automatically synchronised between all your devices so that you can pick up your trading or analysis on your mobile exactly where you left it on your computer and visa-versa.

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Disclaimer: Trading involves risks and may not be suitable for all investors. Use your expertise wisely and evaluate all associated risks before making an investment decision.
Hashtag: #Octa

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

Octa

is an international CFD broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.

The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.

In Southeast Asia, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.

Singapore Residents’ Year End and Lunar New Year Travel Spending Hit New Highs: Visa


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 March 2025 – Leading payments technology company, Visa, shared that Singapore residents continue to prioritise travel, with outbound spending surging in December last year, as well as the recent Lunar New Year holiday week. In fact, travel spend by Singapore consumers for December and January hit record levels. Supported by a strong Singapore dollar, cross-border spending remains robust across key travel corridors, with notable shifts in consumer travel and spending patterns.

Shopping and Dining Remain Top Spend Categories during December Year-End Travel

Visa’s data highlights that shopping and dining remain top priorities for Singapore travellers, accounting for 61 per cent of their travel spend, while lodging and airline bookings saw strong year-on-year growth as consumers plan ahead for travel. Retail spend recorded a 14 per cent year-on-year increase, while spending on restaurants and fast food surged by 27 and 30 per cent, respectively. These figures underscore the enduring appeal of overseas shopping and dining experiences for Singapore travellers.[1]

Malaysia, Japan, and Thailand have emerged as the leading travel corridors for cross-border outbound spending, closely followed by South Korea and Australia during the year-end holidays last year. The implementation of visa-free travel to China has significantly boosted travel demand, resulting in an 86 per cent year-on-year increase in travel spend in China. This reflects a broader trend of increased regional travel, facilitated by relaxed entry requirements and strong economic ties.

Malaysia has always been the top travel destination for Singapore residents all-year round. Based on Visa’s International Travel platform, the top cities that Singaporeans visited include Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Cameron Highlands, Bangkok, Bali and Kota Tinggi (Johor). Last year, Singapore travellers’ card spending in Japan also grew 138 per cent compared to pre-pandemic levels.[2]

Visa’s data also highlighted the evolving destination preferences for Singapore residents. Compared to December 2023, Japan and Thailand have secured their place as key travel destinations, while long-haul markets such as the UK, US, and France continue to attract high-spending travellers. South Korea and Thailand are also emerging as healthcare-driven travel destinations, with increasing numbers of Singapore residents seeking medical services abroad. In fact, South Korea saw a 58 per cent rise in healthcare-related travel spending.

Japan and Thailand experienced the highest travel spend growth, recording 42 and 29 per cent year-on-year increase respectively. Meanwhile, Malaysia saw the strongest growth in food and groceries spending at 75 per cent year-on-year, reinforcing its position as a key travel and consumption hub.

“Travel continues to be a key category of spend for Visa cardholders in Singapore. Based on a Visa study[3], travel is a top priority for Singapore travellers, surpassing other big-ticket spending items such as vehicles, property, healthcare and luxury goods in terms of importance. This finding is aligned with what we’re seeing from our data, where there is strong cross-border spend growth during year-end and festive periods. We continue to see interest in consumers using cards that can earn airline miles for their spend, and other propositions such as zero FX and multi-currency offerings. With the vast data that we see, we can work with our partners to share these key insights and create relevant benefits for our cardholders, making the payment experience seamless and secure when they travel and pay with Visa”, said Adeline Kim, Visa Country Manager for Singapore & Brunei.

As travel planning becomes more strategic, Singapore travellers are making early bookings to manage costs and secure better deals. Spending on alternative airline carriers, including European and Middle Eastern airlines, rose by 15 per cent year-on-year, indicating a growing preference for diverse flight options. In addition, online lodging bookings increased by 16 per cent year-on-year in December last year.

Top travel destinations during Lunar New Year holiday similar to year-end of 2024

The top travel destinations during this year’s Lunar New Year holiday are similar to the year-end break, with the exception of Indonesia taking the fourth spot, replacing South Korea. During the Lunar New Year holiday week, Singapore travellers took the opportunity to spend the week travelling, with a strong spike in cross-border spend at 22 per cent growth compared to the week of Lunar New Year in 2024. eCommerce spend also grew by close to 30 per cent compared to the previous year during the festive period, showing that people were spending more to purchase online, given this year’s Lunar New Year coincides with February 2.

Malaysia continues to be the top travel corridor, with payments volume growing at 57 per cent compared to the previous Lunar New Year week. The top growing category in Malaysia was jewellery stores, showing over 220 per cent growth compared to the previous year. Japan comes in second as a preferred destination for Singaporeans. During this ski season, Visa saw a 36 per cent growth on cross-border spend compared to the same festive period the year before. Thailand’s healthcare spend also grew at over 59 per cent.[4]



[1]
VisaNet data as of December 2024 and December 2023
[2] Visa International Travel Platform- data as of Q2 – 2024
[3] Visa Green Shoots Radar Survey 2024 (June)
[4] VisaNet data as of CNY week in 2025 (27 January – 2 February) compared to CNY week in 2024 (10-16 February).

Hashtag: #Visa

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

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at www.visa.com.sg

Docquity’s AI Platform Enhances Medical Knowledge and Patient Care at RSUD Umar Wirahadikusumah Sumedang

  • Dx, Docquity’s AI platform which is in ongoing development, will enable physicians at the Sumedang hospital to securely access the latest medical research for stronger treatment decisions
  • The collaboration follows Sumedang Regency’s introduction of Docquity’s AI platform for greater public health support last year

JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Docquity, a leading healthtech company in Southeast Asia, and Rumah Sakit Umum Daerah (RSUD) Umar Wirahadikusumah Sumedang, a regional hospital in West Java, Indonesia, announced a partnership to integrate Dx, Docquity’s AI-powered medical resource platform, into the hospital’s medical reference system. Dx, currently in ongoing development, was last year implemented as a learning tool for Sumedang’s public health staff. This marks Docquity’s second partnership aimed at strengthening healthcare knowledge and patient care in the West Java region.

Built upon Docquity’s network insights as the largest healthcare professional (HCP) community in Southeast Asia that connects 3 out of every 4 doctors, Dx securely leverages compliant Generative AI to empower RSUD Umar Wirahadikusumah Sumedang’s medical professionals with the latest healthcare knowledge from credible sources, for stronger treatment decisions. The Dx platform features an integration with PubMed, a globally recognized database of peer-reviewed medical research, enabling HCPs in Sumedang to seamlessly access scientifically-backed solutions to medical cases and ensure that regional patient care aligns with the latest international medical standards.

According to Dr. H. Enceng, SpB. Director of RSUD Umar Wirahadikusumah Sumedang: “The introduction of Docquity’s AI platform, Dx, into our medical reference system is expected to enhance the hospital’s ability to provide high-quality, evidence-based healthcare. Medical science is constantly evolving, and keeping our doctors well-informed with the latest research is crucial. With Dx, our physicians can access trusted medical journals instantly, improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes for the local community of Sumedang.”

Amit Vithal, Co-Founder and Chief of Growth at Docquity, said: “We believe that data is knowledge, and greater learning opportunities and medical expertise create healthier communities. We’ve therefore been developing Dx to provide Southeast Asian doctors with real-time access to credible medical research and global best practices at their fingertips. With the support of Dx, physicians at RSUD Umar Wirahadikusumah Sumedang can make more confident, data-driven treatment decisions that enhance patient care and streamline hospital operations.”

The implementation of AI in healthcare is aligned with Sumedang’s digital transformation agenda for public services, including healthcare. Dr. H. Dony Ahmad Munir, S.T., M.M Mayor of Sumedang, emphasized: “This program ensures that our hospitals and medical professionals remain at the forefront of advanced healthcare practices. By leveraging AI and credible medical resources, we are not just improving hospital efficiency but also contributing to the overall health of the Sumedang people. The integration of Dx into RSUD Umar Wirahadikusumah Sumedang’s medical reference system is expected to set a new benchmark for regional hospitals in Indonesia, enabling doctors to provide better, faster, and more accurate medical care.”

About Docquity, http://docquity.com/

Docquity is Southeast Asia’s largest community of verified healthcare professionals (HCPs). Our platform and services leverage data science to strengthen healthcare knowledge and interactions. 

The Docquity vision is to connect HCPs to build healthier lives around the world at scale. Our platform helps HCPs learn, connect, and grow, while our deep network insights enable healthcare enterprises to understand, engage, and educate HCPs. 

We are trusted by more than 410,000 HCPs across Southeast Asia, with offices in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan region, Thailand, and Vietnam. 

Docquity is available for download on Apple and Android devices.

About Sumedang

Sumedang is a regency in West Java, Indonesia, known for its rich cultural heritage and scenic landscapes. The regency has been making significant strides in improving public health and education, aiming to enhance the quality of life for its residents. The partnership with Docquity marks a significant step forward in leveraging advanced technology to address critical health issues and improve healthcare services. Sumedang is committed to adopting innovative solutions and collaborating with leading organizations to achieve its goals of better health outcomes and sustainable development for its community.

For further information, please contact:

Reisha Nagrani 
Head of Communications, Docquity
reisha@docquity.com 

Therese Panganiban
Virtusio PR
+63 917 8210312
therese@virtusio.com