An independent InfluenceAsia editorial and research ranking recognizing the travel, aviation, hospitality, destination, online travel and tourism infrastructure leaders whose 2022 decisions most shaped Asia's recovery, resilience and reinvention of travel.
InfluenceAsia 50: Asia's Travel & Tourism Leaders 2022 identifies executives, founders and destination leaders whose work during the 2022 annual window materially influenced aviation recovery, hotel reopening, destination confidence, online travel demand, sustainable tourism, airport readiness, regional mobility and guest experience. The ranking evaluates leadership through recovery execution, industry consequence, brand trust, operating discipline, market activation and the ability to restore confidence in travel.
The 2022 edition is shaped by border reopening, airline capacity rebuilding, hotel occupancy recovery, destination marketing, digital travel booking, luxury resort demand, events-led tourism, airport preparedness and the return of international mobility. The most influential leaders were those who treated recovery not as a passive rebound but as a managed operating challenge.
The edition considers Asia-based and Asia-centered leaders in airlines, airport operators, online travel platforms, hotels, resorts, integrated destinations, tourism authorities, travel technology, cruise recovery, destination development and sustainable hospitality. Pure investors, celebrities, commentators, government officials without direct destination execution responsibility and individual properties without broader market influence are excluded.
The 2022 edition is shaped by border reopening, airline capacity rebuilding, hotel occupancy recovery, destination marketing, digital travel booking, luxury resort demand, events-led tourism, airport preparedness and the return of international mobility. The most influential leaders were those who treated recovery not as a passive rebound but as a managed operating challenge.
Sun ranks first because 2022 travel recovery required digital distribution at scale. Her leadership carried significance for suppliers, destinations and travelers that needed confidence, inventory access and demand visibility after prolonged disruption.
Fernandes remained a central figure because affordable mobility is essential to Southeast Asian tourism. His 2022 leadership linked air travel recovery with a broader consumer travel and services ecosystem.
Goh is ranked for turning preparation into execution. Singapore Airlines entered recovery with operational credibility, balance-sheet discipline and service consistency that strengthened confidence in Asian premium aviation.
Al Baker ranks highly because Qatar's 2022 travel moment required aviation precision. His leadership positioned the airline as both transport infrastructure and a national tourism instrument.
Clark is ranked for strategic steadiness. In 2022, Emirates' recovery mattered far beyond one airline because Dubai's hub role connected Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas.
Agarwal is ranked because affordable accommodation supply became essential to domestic tourism recovery. His leadership represented the shift from hypergrowth to operating discipline in travel technology.
All 50 ranked leaders are shown below with role, organization, market, leadership domain and score.
| Rank | Leader | Role / Organization | Market / Region | Leadership Domain | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jane SunA defining executive for Asian online travel recovery and cross-border demand readiness. | Chief Executive Officer, Trip.com GroupTrip.com Group | ChinaEast Asia / Global | Online travel, global distribution and travel technologyonline travel, hotel booking, air ticketing, corporate travel, destination demand, cross-border travel and Chinese outbound readiness | 99 |
| 2 | Tony FernandesOne of Southeast Asia's most visible travel recovery entrepreneurs. | Chief Executive Officer, Capital ACapital A / AirAsia ecosystem | MalaysiaSoutheast Asia | Low-cost aviation, travel super-app strategy and regional mobilitylow-cost aviation, regional travel access, aviation recovery, digital travel services, loyalty, food delivery adjacency and Southeast Asian mobility | 98.3 |
| 3 | Goh Choon PhongA leading Asian airline recovery executive during the reopening cycle. | Chief Executive Officer, Singapore AirlinesSingapore Airlines | SingaporeSoutheast Asia / Global | Premium aviation, hub recovery and network disciplinepremium aviation, Changi connectivity, long-haul networks, cargo resilience, service trust and Singapore tourism recovery | 97.5 |
| 4 | Akbar Al BakerA decisive aviation leader during Qatar's largest tourism visibility moment. | Group Chief Executive, Qatar Airways GroupQatar Airways Group | QatarWest Asia / Global | Global aviation, hub strategy and event-linked tourismlong-haul aviation, Doha hub connectivity, premium travel, event tourism, cargo networks and Gulf tourism visibility | 96.8 |
| 5 | Tim ClarkA central strategist in the return of long-haul international travel through Dubai. | President, Emirates AirlineEmirates Airline | United Arab EmiratesWest Asia / Global | Long-haul aviation, global connectivity and premium recoverylong-haul travel, Dubai hub connectivity, premium cabins, global tourism flows, airline network restoration and service standards | 96 |
| 6 | Ritesh AgarwalA prominent founder repositioning asset-light hospitality after the crisis cycle. | Founder, OYOOYO | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Budget hospitality, travel technology and hotel supply aggregationbudget hotels, asset-light hospitality, small hotel digitization, domestic travel, alternative accommodation and Indian travel technology | 95.3 |
| 7 | Rajesh MagowA leading executive in India's return to digital travel demand. | Co-Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer, MakeMyTripMakeMyTrip | IndiaSouth Asia | Online travel, domestic tourism recovery and multi-brand distributiononline travel, domestic tourism, hotels, bus travel, air booking, holiday packages and Indian travel distribution | 94.6 |
| 8 | Ferry UnardiA major Southeast Asian travel technology founder in the reopening cycle. | Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, TravelokaTraveloka | IndonesiaSoutheast Asia | Online travel, payments adjacency and Southeast Asian booking infrastructureonline travel, flights, hotels, experiences, financial services adjacency, Indonesian tourism and Southeast Asian travel technology | 93.8 |
| 9 | Ethan LinA central figure in the recovery of experiences-led travel commerce. | Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, KlookKlook | Hong KongEast Asia / Global | Travel experiences, attractions, activities and digital travel commercetravel experiences, attractions, activities, tours, local discovery, digital ticketing and Asia travel commerce | 93.1 |
| 10 | John PaganoA leading executive behind Saudi Arabia's premium regenerative tourism build-out. | Chief Executive Officer, The Red Sea Development Company and AMAALAThe Red Sea Development Company / AMAALA | Saudi ArabiaWest Asia / Global | Regenerative destination development and luxury tourism infrastructureregenerative tourism, luxury resorts, destination development, Saudi tourism investment, marine conservation and hospitality infrastructure | 92.3 |
| 11 | Fahd HamidaddinA key destination executive behind Saudi Arabia's global tourism positioning. | Chief Executive Officer, Saudi Tourism AuthoritySaudi Tourism Authority | Saudi ArabiaWest Asia / Global | Destination branding, tourism activation and market developmentdestination marketing, Saudi tourism, international leisure demand, cultural tourism, travel trade and brand perception | 91.6 |
| 12 | Issam KazimA central executive in Dubai's fast-moving tourism recovery. | Chief Executive Officer, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce MarketingDubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing | United Arab EmiratesWest Asia / Global | Destination marketing, event tourism and city-brand recoverydestination marketing, Dubai tourism, events, luxury hospitality, business travel, city branding and visitor confidence | 90.9 |
| 13 | Ho Kwon PingA foundational Asian luxury hospitality figure with enduring regional influence. | Founder and Executive Chairman, Banyan Tree HoldingsBanyan Tree Holdings | SingaporeSoutheast Asia / Global | Resort hospitality, wellness, branded residences and Asian luxuryluxury resorts, wellness travel, branded residences, Asian hospitality brands, destination design and experiential tourism | 90.1 |
| 14 | Sonia ChengA leading Asian executive in the new generation of luxury hospitality. | Chief Executive Officer, Rosewood Hotel GroupRosewood Hotel Group | Hong KongEast Asia / Global | Ultra-luxury hospitality, lifestyle branding and global hotel developmentluxury hotels, lifestyle hospitality, brand development, wellness, cultural programming and Hong Kong hospitality leadership | 89.4 |
| 15 | Puneet ChhatwalA leading executive in India's hotel demand revival. | Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, The Indian Hotels CompanyThe Indian Hotels Company | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Hospitality recovery, brand expansion and Indian tourism infrastructureIndian hotels, Taj brand, domestic tourism, leisure demand, premium hospitality, asset-light growth and service culture | 88.6 |
| 16 | Dillip RajakarierA key hospitality recovery executive with a broad regional and global footprint. | Group Chief Executive Officer, Minor International; Chief Executive Officer, Minor HotelsMinor International / Minor Hotels | ThailandSoutheast Asia / Global | Hotel group recovery, resort operations and global expansionresort hospitality, hotel ownership, global brands, Thailand tourism, lifestyle assets and operational turnaround | 87.9 |
| 17 | Suphajee SuthumpunA prominent Thai hospitality executive balancing recovery and diversification. | Group Chief Executive Officer, Dusit InternationalDusit International | ThailandSoutheast Asia / Global | Thai hospitality, education-linked services and regional hotel expansionThai hospitality, resort operations, hotel education, wellness, service culture and regional expansion | 87.2 |
| 18 | Sonu ShivdasaniA defining voice in barefoot luxury and sustainability-led resort hospitality. | Founder, SonevaSoneva | Maldives / ThailandSouth Asia / Southeast Asia / Global | Sustainable luxury, resort design and low-impact hospitalitysustainable luxury, Maldives resorts, wellness travel, low-impact hospitality, guest experience and responsible tourism | 86.4 |
| 19 | Keith TanA major destination executive in Southeast Asia's reopening cycle. | Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism BoardSingapore Tourism Board | SingaporeSoutheast Asia | Destination recovery, visitor experience and tourism sector coordinationSingapore tourism, destination marketing, events, cruise, attractions, hospitality recovery and visitor confidence | 85.7 |
| 20 | Yuthasak SupasornA central executive in restoring Thailand's international tourism demand. | Governor, Tourism Authority of ThailandTourism Authority of Thailand | ThailandSoutheast Asia | Destination marketing, leisure demand and Thailand tourism reopeningThailand tourism, leisure travel, destination marketing, international arrivals, wellness travel and hospitality demand | 84.9 |
| 21 | Walter ChoA prominent airline leader recognized for strategic resilience through the aviation crisis. | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Korean AirKorean Air | South KoreaEast Asia / Global | Airline recovery, cargo strategy and network leadershipKorean aviation, air cargo, passenger recovery, long-haul networks, alliance leadership and airline resilience | 84.2 |
| 22 | Nguyen Thi Phuong ThaoA leading Southeast Asian aviation entrepreneur in Vietnam's tourism rebound. | Chairwoman, VietJet AirVietJet Air | VietnamSoutheast Asia | Low-cost aviation, domestic tourism and Vietnam travel accesslow-cost aviation, Vietnam tourism, domestic routes, regional connectivity, aircraft utilization and travel access | 83.5 |
| 23 | Yuji AkasakaA key airline executive in Japan's cautious travel reopening. | President, Japan AirlinesJapan Airlines | JapanEast Asia / Global | Airline recovery, safety culture and Japanese tourism connectivityJapanese aviation, international reopening, domestic networks, service quality, safety culture and premium travel | 82.7 |
| 24 | Shinichi InoueA newly appointed airline leader taking charge during Japan's recovery transition. | President and Chief Executive Officer, All Nippon AirwaysAll Nippon Airways | JapanEast Asia / Global | Airline restart, premium service and Japan hub connectivityJapanese aviation, international routes, domestic mobility, premium service, hub connectivity and airline workforce recovery | 82 |
| 25 | Pieter ElbersA major incoming airline leader for India's largest passenger carrier. | Chief Executive Officer, IndiGoIndiGo | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Low-cost aviation, network scale and Indian air travel growthIndian aviation, low-cost networks, domestic travel, international expansion, fleet planning and operational scale | 81.2 |
| 26 | Campbell WilsonA major turnaround appointment in Asian aviation. | Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Air IndiaAir India | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Airline transformation, national carrier renewal and long-haul strategyIndian aviation, national carrier renewal, long-haul networks, service transformation, fleet planning and global connectivity | 80.5 |
| 27 | Lee Seow HiangA leading airport executive during the return of Asian hub traffic. | Chief Executive Officer, Changi Airport GroupChangi Airport Group | SingaporeSoutheast Asia / Global | Airport recovery, passenger experience and hub infrastructureairport operations, passenger experience, hub connectivity, retail recovery, airline coordination and Singapore tourism infrastructure | 79.8 |
| 28 | Fred LamA central aviation infrastructure executive in Hong Kong's recovery window. | Chief Executive Officer, Airport Authority Hong KongAirport Authority Hong Kong | Hong KongEast Asia / Global | Airport infrastructure, hub resilience and connectivity restorationairport infrastructure, air cargo, hub connectivity, terminal readiness, Greater Bay Area aviation and Hong Kong tourism recovery | 79 |
| 29 | Omri MorgenshternA new chief executive for one of Asia's largest accommodation booking platforms. | Chief Executive Officer, AgodaAgoda | Singapore / ThailandSoutheast Asia / Global | Online accommodation, platform operations and travel technologyonline accommodation, hotel distribution, travel technology, pricing systems, mobile booking and Asia-Pacific lodging demand | 78.3 |
| 30 | Lee Su-jinA leading Korean travel technology founder with platform and SaaS ambition. | Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer, YanoljaYanolja | South KoreaEast Asia / Global | Travel super-apps, hospitality technology and travel datatravel apps, hotel booking, property technology, leisure platforms, hospitality SaaS and Korean travel technology | 77.5 |
| 31 | Aloke BajpaiA founder serving India's high-frequency rail and budget travel market. | Co-Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer, ixigoixigo | IndiaSouth Asia | Rail travel, online booking and Indian mobility technologyrail booking, bus travel, budget flights, travel search, mobility apps and Indian mass-market travel | 76.8 |
| 32 | Dhruv ShringiA veteran Indian online travel executive in the recovery of corporate and leisure demand. | Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Yatra OnlineYatra Online | IndiaSouth Asia | Online travel, corporate travel and Indian travel distributiononline travel, corporate travel, air booking, hotels, holiday packages and Indian travel management | 76.1 |
| 33 | Bhanu ChopraA leading travel technology entrepreneur in hospitality revenue and distribution systems. | Founder and Chairman, RateGain Travel TechnologiesRateGain Travel Technologies | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | Travel SaaS, revenue technology and hospitality distribution intelligencetravel SaaS, hotel revenue management, distribution technology, demand intelligence, pricing tools and hospitality data | 75.3 |
| 34 | Mohamed AlabbarA major city-making figure behind Dubai's hospitality and retail tourism appeal. | Founder, Emaar PropertiesEmaar Properties | United Arab EmiratesWest Asia / Global | Integrated destination development, retail tourism and hospitality placemakingDubai tourism, hospitality development, retail tourism, lifestyle districts, destination real estate and visitor experiences | 74.6 |
| 35 | Lawrence HoA key integrated resort leader in Macau's high-pressure recovery environment. | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Melco Resorts & EntertainmentMelco Resorts & Entertainment | Macau / Hong KongEast Asia | Integrated resorts, premium hospitality and Macau tourism recoveryintegrated resorts, premium hotels, entertainment, Macau tourism, leisure assets and luxury guest experience | 73.8 |
| 36 | Pansy HoA leading Macau and Hong Kong tourism investor-operator with multi-sector influence. | Co-Chairperson, MGM China; Executive Chairperson, Shun Tak HoldingsMGM China / Shun Tak Holdings | Macau / Hong KongEast Asia / Global | Integrated resorts, tourism investment and transport-linked hospitalityMacau tourism, integrated resorts, hotels, cultural tourism, ferry-linked travel, property and visitor economy investment | 73.1 |
| 37 | Francis LuiA major leader in Macau's integrated resort and leisure development sector. | Vice Chairman, Galaxy Entertainment GroupGalaxy Entertainment Group | Macau / Hong KongEast Asia | Integrated resorts, leisure development and Macau hospitalityintegrated resorts, Macau hospitality, luxury retail, entertainment, resort development and regional leisure demand | 72.4 |
| 38 | Tan Sri Lim Kok ThayA long-standing Southeast Asian tourism and integrated resort leader. | Chairman and Chief Executive, Genting GroupGenting Group | Malaysia / SingaporeSoutheast Asia / Global | Integrated resorts, cruise recovery, entertainment and regional tourism assetsintegrated resorts, Singapore tourism, Malaysian hospitality, entertainment, cruise-linked leisure and destination assets | 71.6 |
| 39 | Raki PhillipsA prominent destination leader building an alternative UAE tourism proposition. | Chief Executive Officer, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development AuthorityRas Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority | United Arab EmiratesWest Asia | Destination development, sustainable tourism and adventure-led positioningdestination development, Ras Al Khaimah tourism, adventure travel, sustainable tourism, hotel investment and nature-led leisure | 70.9 |
| 40 | Berthold TrenkelA key executive in Qatar's destination activation during the World Cup year. | Chief Operating Officer, Qatar TourismQatar Tourism | QatarWest Asia / Global | Destination operations, event tourism and visitor economy coordinationQatar tourism, event tourism, destination operations, visitor experience, hospitality readiness and global destination perception | 70.1 |
| 41 | Jerry InzerilloA leading figure in Saudi Arabia's heritage-led tourism development. | Group Chief Executive Officer, Diriyah Gate Development AuthorityDiriyah Gate Development Authority | Saudi ArabiaWest Asia / Global | Heritage destination development, cultural tourism and luxury hospitality planningheritage tourism, cultural districts, Saudi destination development, luxury hospitality, urban tourism and place-making | 69.4 |
| 42 | Michael GohA key executive in Southeast Asia's cruise recovery and rebuilding phase. | President, Resorts World CruisesResorts World Cruises | SingaporeSoutheast Asia / Global | Cruise restart, Asian leisure cruising and shipboard tourismcruise tourism, Singapore homeporting, regional leisure routes, shipboard hospitality, family travel and cruise recovery | 68.7 |
| 43 | Le Hong HaA key executive in Vietnam's flag-carrier recovery. | President and Chief Executive Officer, Vietnam AirlinesVietnam Airlines | VietnamSoutheast Asia | National carrier recovery, network rebuilding and Vietnam tourism connectivityVietnam aviation, national connectivity, tourism recovery, long-haul routes, domestic travel and service rebuilding | 67.9 |
| 44 | Irfan SetiaputraA restructuring leader in one of Southeast Asia's most complex airline recoveries. | President Director, Garuda IndonesiaGaruda Indonesia | IndonesiaSoutheast Asia | Airline restructuring, national connectivity and Indonesian tourism recoveryIndonesian aviation, national carrier restructuring, domestic connectivity, international routes, tourism access and airline governance | 67.2 |
| 45 | Lance GokongweiA major Philippine business leader behind affordable air travel recovery. | Chairman, Cebu Pacific; President and Chief Executive Officer, JG Summit HoldingsCebu Pacific / JG Summit Holdings | PhilippinesSoutheast Asia | Low-cost aviation, domestic mobility and Philippine tourism accessPhilippine aviation, low-cost travel, island connectivity, domestic tourism, regional routes and affordable mobility | 66.4 |
| 46 | Adel AliA leading low-cost airline executive across the Middle East and nearby growth markets. | Group Chief Executive Officer, Air ArabiaAir Arabia | United Arab EmiratesWest Asia / North Africa / South Asia | Low-cost aviation, regional connectivity and cost-disciplined recoverylow-cost aviation, Sharjah hub, regional routes, leisure travel, labor mobility, cost discipline and emerging market connectivity | 65.7 |
| 47 | Gaurav BhatnagarA leading travel distribution entrepreneur serving agents and suppliers. | Co-Founder, TBOTBO | IndiaSouth Asia / Global | B2B travel distribution, agent technology and global travel supplyB2B travel, travel agents, hotel distribution, supplier connectivity, global inventory and Indian travel technology | 65 |
| 48 | Deepak OhriA hospitality entrepreneur associated with high-impact experiential luxury in Bangkok. | Founder and Chief Executive Officer, lebua Hotels & Resortslebua Hotels & Resorts | ThailandSoutheast Asia / Global | Luxury hospitality, destination dining and experiential hotel brandingluxury hotels, Bangkok tourism, destination dining, rooftop experiences, experiential hospitality and service theatre | 64.2 |
| 49 | Jose DominicA respected Indian pioneer of responsible and community-rooted tourism. | Co-Founder, CGH EarthCGH Earth | IndiaSouth Asia | Responsible tourism, local culture and sustainable hospitalityresponsible tourism, Kerala hospitality, sustainable resorts, cultural authenticity, community value and experiential travel | 63.5 |
| 50 | Clement KwokA custodian of one of Asia's most storied luxury hospitality platforms. | Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, The Hongkong and Shanghai HotelsThe Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels | Hong KongEast Asia / Global | Heritage luxury hotels, premium service and institutional hospitalityluxury hotels, heritage hospitality, Peninsula brand, Hong Kong tourism, premium service culture and long-cycle hotel ownership | 62.7 |
The edition is an InfluenceAsia editorial and research assessment of travel and tourism leadership consequence during the 2022 annual window.
InfluenceAsia formed a 2022 leadership universe across airlines, airports, online travel, hospitality, integrated resorts, tourism authorities, destination development, cruise recovery, travel SaaS and sustainable tourism.
Leaders were reviewed for operating responsibility, Asia relevance, 2022 travel-sector contribution, market consequence and direct influence on recovery, demand, infrastructure, brand trust or destination development.
Each leader was assessed across seven weighted dimensions: 2022 recovery leadership, market consequence, operating execution, digital and product innovation, destination and brand trust, responsible tourism and regional influence.
The final list balances aviation, hospitality, online travel, destination management, airports, sustainable tourism, integrated resorts, cruise recovery and travel technology.
Entries are written from a 2022 publication perspective and use leader-level language suitable for direct editorial presentation under the InfluenceAsia ranking identity.
Copyright 2022 InfluenceAsia. All rights reserved. The ranking structure, editorial wording, scoring presentation, research dimensions and leader profiles are prepared as an InfluenceAsia independent editorial work.
Inclusion in InfluenceAsia 50: Asia's Travel & Tourism Leaders 2022 does not imply sponsorship, endorsement, partnership, nomination, payment, approval or participation by any listed leader, employer, shareholder, destination organization or affiliated entity.
The ranking is an editorial and research product. It is not investment advice, employment advice, legal opinion, tourism certification, commercial due diligence or a recommendation to buy, sell, finance, visit or partner with any company or destination.