Goway’s Toronto Asia Forum 2026 showcased diverse tourism opportunities across Asian nations
The national account manager with Goway says there is an enduring bond between his 56-year-old company and the travel agent community.
Ian Smyth told those attending the company’s recent Asia Forum 2026 in Toronto that the tour operator “very much believes” in agents, crediting them for much of the company’s success. “You’re the reason we are here today,” he told the gathering.
Smyth said agents can be confident that family owned Goway will step up to the plate if problems surface. “We fix it. We take responsibility.”
Among those who spoke during the forum was Marjorie Aquino of the Philippines’ Blue Horizons Travel & Tours, who said interest in the Philippines is on the upswing and noted that Air Canada links Toronto with Manila.
Aquino said Swiss-owned Blue Horizons Travel & Tours is “very hands-on” and covers all of the Philippines’ top destinations, including Cebu, known for its beaches.
She said the Philippines is a “destination for everyone,” offering nature, culture and adventure.
Aquino said the Philippines “is the best diving destination in the world.”
The country sometimes has to cope with natural disasters but an earthquake on an island in a country composed of over 7,000 islands “doesn’t mean that the whole Philippines is shaking,” she added.
Leslie Machado of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said that the country has a flourishing wellness trade: “It’s a place to heal.”
Over 260,000 Canadians visited Thailand last year, with Bangkok the most visited city, Machato continued, adding that Thailand’s capital “has a lot of green spaces these days.”
Thailand is benefitting from Air Canada Vancouver-Bangkok service.
Machado said the entertainment industry is serving Thailand well, with the country having appeared in the likes of White Lotus and Jurassic World.
He suggested that tourists consider visiting northeastern Thailand, a part of the country he said is a particularly good showcase for Thai culture.
Kwang Sujinno of southern Thailand’s Elephant Hills labelled her retreat the “first luxury jungle camp.”
Elephant camps in Asia often come under attack by animal rights groups but Sujinno said elephants at Elephant Hills would never be chained.
“Our elephants just roam around freely,” she said, adding that animal rights groups are supportive of Elephant Hills, which doesn’t allow visitors to ride the large mammals, a common practice in parts of Asia and one that is frequently criticized by animal rights activists.
Lukman Tassakka of Indonesia specialist ICS Travel Group said Indonesia is “one of the most diverse countries culturally,” with over 300 ethnic groups.
Java is the “cultural heartland” of Indonesia, while Bali is a cornerstone of Indonesian tourism and its predominantly Hindu population makes it stand out, he noted.
But Tassakka said Indonesia is “so much more than Bali,” noting the island of Komodo is home to the “legendary Komodo dragons,” massive carnivorous reptiles, while those who go diving off Komodo’s shores can share the ocean with manta rays.
Indeed, Tassakka said Indonesia has some of the “finest diving destinations on the planet.”
Kenji Tamai of Japan specialist JTB Global Marketing & Travel reported that that company has been in business for over 100 years and can provide high-end tours that use a private jet.
Tours can visit the likes of a sake brewery or visit a temple, with company clients able to dine on “exquisite Zen Buddhism vegetarian cuisine.”
Tamai said JTB Global Marketing & Travel clearly reaches out to clients: “We build long-term relationships with you.”
Xingang Wang of China Delight said that the company delivers people to different Chinese locales, including Beijing, where attractions include the Forbidden City.
Another option is Xian, home to the famed Terra Cotta Warriors and once China’s capital.
“Xian is the face of ancient China,” Wang said.
Shanghai in turn is a showcase for modern China with its many office towers, Wang continued.
Wang also noted that Chengdu has panda centers that enable tourists to see those beloved bruins.
Malayanil Singh of Trail Blazer Tours India said India’s large size and varying cultures mean, “India is a journey through many countries in one nation.”
The country has dozens of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, he noted. He reported that the city of Jaipur is home to many palaces while southern India’s Kerala is described as “God’s own country” because of its attractive landscapes and lifestyles. Mumbai is at the center of the Bollywood industry, he continued.
Trail Blazer Tours can showcase the likes of Indian music, food and nature. Singh noted Indian wildlife includes lions, tigers, elephants and leopards, including snow leopards, which live in high altitudes. Singh also noted his homeland can easily accommodate yoga enthusiasts, and has the home of the “yoga capital of the world.”
Crystal Lyn of Taiwan’s Edison Travel Service Company said Taiwan is a particularly scenic part of the world, with 70% of it being mountainous. Mountain hikes are available for outdoorsy sorts.
Taiwan — called Isla Formosa or Beautiful Island by early Portuguese explorers — is also home to stunning Taroko Gorge, the largest marble gorge in the world. Lyn also said her country is ethnically diverse, having 16 Indigenous peoples.
Jennifer Aguiar of the Adaaran Resorts & Heritance Aarah in the Maldives said each of its resorts is a private island and clients will have “good food, drinks and experiences.”
Over-water villas are available, she reported. The Maldives are famed for their watersports opportunities. Aguiar said her company has “resorts for all types of travellers.”
She also noted that those vacationing in the Maldives can expect great weather.v“We have summer, summer, summer,” she stated.
