A top 2019 hospitality and travel company must demonstrate visible contribution to travel connectivity, guest experience, hospitality capacity, destination appeal, digital travel commerce, operating reliability, brand trust and long-term sector relevance under the conditions visible in 2019.
InfluenceAsia 50: Asia's Top Hospitality & Travel Companies 2019 recognizes the companies that shaped how people moved, booked, stayed, experienced and returned to Asia in 2019. The ranking spans full-service airlines, low-cost carriers, airport companies, hotel owners and operators, online travel agencies, travel-experience platforms, integrated resorts, airport hospitality specialists and diversified travel-services groups.
This ranking is an original InfluenceAsia research and editorial list. It is not a revenue table, passenger-volume league, hotel-room count, market-cap ranking, brand award, tourism-board list, investment screen or imported industry index. Placement reflects a composite view of 2019 contribution, network significance, hospitality quality, digital reach, destination impact, operating discipline, regional influence and long-term travel relevance.
In 2019, Asia's travel economy was defined by hub competition, low-cost aviation growth, airport-as-destination design, Chinese and Indian digital travel scale, Southeast Asian mobile travel adoption, Gulf long-haul connectivity, Japanese inbound demand, integrated-resort tourism and the move from simple accommodation booking toward full-journey experience commerce.
InfluenceAsia reads the 2019 travel economy through networks, guest trust, digital booking behavior, hospitality capacity and destination infrastructure.
The 2019 edition is built around The Networked Experience Economy: the year when Asia's strongest hospitality and travel companies were no longer defined only by aircraft, rooms or resorts, but by their ability to connect routes, airports, hotels, payments, mobile booking, loyalty, entertainment, food, retail and destination experiences into one integrated guest journey.
InfluenceAsia gives exceptional weight to companies that shaped the architecture of travel in 2019: premium long-haul hubs, disciplined full-service carriers, large domestic aviation networks, digital travel marketplaces, hotel operating systems, airport retail environments, integrated resorts and experience platforms that converted travel demand into repeatable commercial infrastructure.
The strongest companies combined scale with trust. InfluenceAsia prioritized operators that could move large numbers of travelers safely, keep brands desirable, build useful digital channels, manage complex service operations, support destination economies and create durable hospitality value beyond short-term promotional volume.
The top tier spans premium aviation, global hub connectivity, digital travel commerce and airport-as-destination design.
InfluenceAsia ranks SIA first because it represented service excellence, network credibility and airline group sophistication at the center of Asian travel in 2019.
InfluenceAsia ranks Emirates highly because it made Dubai one of the world's most important travel transfer points while sustaining a powerful long-haul service brand.
InfluenceAsia includes Trip.com Group because its 2019 rebrand expressed the globalization of Chinese online travel and the convergence of multiple booking channels under one platform.
InfluenceAsia ranks Changi Airport Group in the top tier because it redefined the airport as a destination and experience platform in 2019.
InfluenceAsia includes Qatar Airways Group because its route reach and premium positioning kept Doha central to global travel flows in 2019.
InfluenceAsia ranks ANA because it combined Japanese service quality with international growth at a decisive moment for Japan's travel economy.
All 50 ranked companies are shown below with their platform, market base, travel lane, annual signal and index score.
| Rank | Company | 2019 Platform | Market / Lane | 2019 Signal | Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore Airlines GroupSingapore Airlines Group operates a premium full-service carrier, regional operations and low-cost connectivity through a disciplined multi-brand aviation structure. | Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot | Singapore and globalPremium aviation, regional connectivity and airline group management | SIA remained Asia's benchmark for premium service, network quality and disciplined airline group architecture in 2019. | 99 |
| 2 | Emirates GroupEmirates Group combines Emirates airline with aviation services, ground handling, travel support and Dubai-centered global connectivity. | Emirates airline and dnata | United Arab Emirates and globalLong-haul aviation, aviation services and Dubai hub connectivity | Emirates kept Dubai central to global travel flows while maintaining one of Asia's most powerful aviation and service platforms. | 98.5 |
| 3 | Trip.com GroupTrip.com Group operates major travel brands across accommodation reservation, transport ticketing, packaged tours and corporate travel. | Ctrip, Trip.com, Qunar and Skyscanner-related travel platforms | China and globalOnline travel, accommodation, transport ticketing and packaged travel | The 2019 corporate rebrand signaled a broader international travel platform connecting Chinese scale with global booking ambition. | 98 |
| 4 | Changi Airport GroupChangi Airport Group operates Singapore Changi Airport and developed Jewel Changi Airport as a major hospitality, retail and leisure environment. | Singapore Changi Airport and Jewel Changi Airport | SingaporeAirport operations, passenger experience and airport-as-destination design | Jewel Changi's 2019 opening made Changi a global reference point for airports as hospitality, retail and destination environments. | 97.5 |
| 5 | Qatar Airways GroupQatar Airways Group operates a Doha-centered international airline platform with passenger, cargo and aviation service relevance. | Qatar Airways and associated aviation businesses | Qatar and globalPremium long-haul aviation, cargo and hub connectivity | Qatar Airways sustained network relevance and premium international reach from Doha despite a complex regional operating environment. | 97 |
| 6 | ANA HoldingsANA Holdings operates All Nippon Airways and related airline businesses across Japan's domestic and international aviation markets. | All Nippon Airways and airline subsidiaries | Japan and globalFull-service aviation, domestic connectivity and international expansion | ANA combined domestic strength with international growth and service discipline ahead of Japan's major inbound travel cycle. | 96.5 |
| 7 | China Southern AirlinesChina Southern Airlines is a major Chinese carrier with extensive domestic and international passenger and cargo operations. | China Southern passenger and cargo airline network | China and international marketsLarge-scale aviation, domestic mobility and international routes | China Southern's fleet scale and network breadth made it one of Asia's most consequential air-travel companies in 2019. | 96 |
| 8 | AirAsia GroupAirAsia Group operates a Southeast Asian low-cost carrier network with ancillary services and travel-adjacent digital ambitions. | AirAsia airline network and travel-adjacent digital businesses | Malaysia and Southeast AsiaLow-cost aviation, regional mobility and ancillary travel commerce | AirAsia remained the defining low-cost carrier platform for Southeast Asian mobility, affordability and point-to-point travel access. | 95.5 |
| 9 | Jin Jiang International HotelsJin Jiang International Hotels operates a large multi-brand lodging platform with Chinese and international hospitality assets. | Jin Jiang hotel brands and global hospitality interests | China and international marketsHotel ownership, hotel management and multi-brand lodging | Jin Jiang's scale and international hotel portfolio made it China's most important hospitality group in 2019. | 95 |
| 10 | Galaxy Entertainment GroupGalaxy Entertainment Group operates major Macau integrated resort assets combining hotels, gaming, dining, retail and entertainment. | Galaxy Macau and related integrated resort assets | Macau and Greater ChinaIntegrated resorts, hotels, dining, retail and destination entertainment | Galaxy remained one of Macau's leading destination resort companies, combining hotels, entertainment, retail and leisure demand. | 94.5 |
| 11 | Cathay Pacific AirwaysCathay Pacific Airways operates a Hong Kong-centered full-service passenger and cargo airline network. | Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon | Hong Kong and globalFull-service aviation, cargo and international hub connectivity | Cathay Pacific remained central to Hong Kong's long-haul travel role despite a difficult 2019 operating environment. | 94 |
| 12 | Japan Airlines GroupJapan Airlines Group operates domestic and international airline services supported by a broad Japanese service and loyalty ecosystem. | Japan Airlines and group subsidiaries | Japan and globalFull-service aviation, domestic travel and international connectivity | JAL's service quality, domestic network and international positioning kept it among Asia's most trusted travel companies. | 93.5 |
| 13 | InterGlobe AviationInterGlobe Aviation operates IndiGo, India's leading low-cost carrier by domestic relevance and operating discipline. | IndiGo | India and international marketsLow-cost aviation, domestic mobility and short-haul international routes | IndiGo's disciplined low-cost model made it the defining company in India's air-travel expansion in 2019. | 93 |
| 14 | China Eastern AirlinesChina Eastern Airlines operates a major Chinese airline network centered on Shanghai and domestic-international connectivity. | China Eastern passenger and cargo airline network | China and international marketsAviation, Shanghai hub connectivity and domestic scale | China Eastern's Shanghai-centered network made it a core carrier for China's business travel and international gateway demand. | 92.5 |
| 15 | Air ChinaAir China operates China's capital-city flag-carrier aviation network with domestic, regional and long-haul routes. | Air China passenger and cargo airline network | China and globalFlag-carrier aviation, Beijing hub connectivity and premium routes | Air China remained a key carrier for China's international travel identity and capital-city hub connectivity. | 92 |
| 16 | Huazhu GroupHuazhu Group operates a multi-brand Chinese hotel platform across economy, midscale and upscale lodging categories. | HanTing, JI Hotel and multi-brand hotel portfolio | China and selected international marketsEconomy, midscale and upscale hotels with technology-enabled operations | Huazhu's hotel network and operating technology made it one of China's most important lodging platforms. | 91.5 |
| 17 | OYO Hotels & HomesOYO Hotels & Homes operates a technology-led accommodation platform spanning budget hotels, homes and managed living spaces. | OYO hotel, home and living-space network | India and international marketsBudget accommodation, hotel franchising, managed rooms and technology-led lodging | OYO's 2019 expansion made it one of Asia's most visible attempts to convert fragmented budget lodging into a technology platform. | 91 |
| 18 | MakeMyTripMakeMyTrip operates Indian online travel brands across flights, hotels, holiday packages, buses and related travel services. | MakeMyTrip, Goibibo and redBus | India and international marketsOnline travel, hotels, flights, buses and packaged travel | MakeMyTrip remained India's most important online travel company, spanning air, hotel, bus and holiday demand. | 90.5 |
| 19 | TravelokaTraveloka operates a Southeast Asian travel platform across flights, hotels, transportation, attractions and lifestyle services. | Traveloka mobile travel platform | Indonesia and Southeast AsiaOnline travel, flights, hotels, local services and lifestyle booking | Traveloka represented Southeast Asia's mobile-first travel economy and the region's shift toward app-based trip planning. | 90 |
| 20 | KlookKlook operates a marketplace for attractions, activities, local transport, tours and in-destination services. | Klook travel activities and services marketplace | Hong Kong and international marketsExperiences, attractions, tours, mobility and in-destination services | Klook's major 2019 financing and regional expansion underscored the rise of experience booking as a core travel category. | 89.5 |
| 21 | Genting SingaporeGenting Singapore owns and operates Resorts World Sentosa, combining hotels, attractions, entertainment, dining and MICE facilities. | Resorts World Sentosa | Singapore and regional marketsIntegrated resorts, hotels, attractions, MICE and leisure entertainment | Resorts World Sentosa kept Genting Singapore central to destination tourism, family entertainment and integrated resort economics. | 89 |
| 22 | Sands ChinaSands China operates a major Macau integrated resort portfolio with hotels, conventions, entertainment, retail and dining. | Macau integrated resort portfolio | Macau and Greater ChinaIntegrated resorts, hotels, conventions, retail and entertainment | Sands China's scale in Macau made it one of Asia's most consequential hospitality and convention resort operators. | 88.5 |
| 23 | Melco Resorts & EntertainmentMelco operates integrated resort assets across Macau and regional markets, including hotels, entertainment, dining and premium resort experiences. | City of Dreams, Studio City and related resort assets | Macau, Philippines and regional marketsIntegrated resorts, hotels, entertainment and premium destination hospitality | Melco's resort portfolio and design-led hospitality positioning made it a major destination company in 2019. | 88 |
| 24 | Shangri-La AsiaShangri-La Asia owns and operates luxury hotels, resorts and related mixed-use hospitality assets across Asia and other international markets. | Shangri-La, Kerry, Hotel Jen and related hotel assets | Hong Kong, China and AsiaLuxury hotels, urban hospitality, resorts and mixed-use hotel ownership | Shangri-La remained one of Asia's clearest luxury hospitality signatures, with deep roots in business and leisure travel. | 87.5 |
| 25 | The Indian Hotels CompanyIHCL operates Taj, Vivanta, SeleQtions, Ginger and related hospitality brands across luxury, upscale and midscale segments. | Taj, Vivanta, SeleQtions, Ginger and related hospitality brands | India and globalLuxury, upscale, midscale and heritage hospitality | IHCL's brand renewal and portfolio development made it India's most important hospitality company in 2019. | 87 |
| 26 | Minor InternationalMinor International operates hotels, resorts, restaurants and hospitality brands across Thailand, Asia, Europe and other international markets. | Minor Hotels, Anantara, Avani, Tivoli and NH-related hospitality interests | Thailand and globalHotels, resorts, restaurants and international hospitality ownership | Minor's expanded international hotel footprint made it Southeast Asia's most globally diversified hospitality group. | 86.5 |
| 27 | Korean AirKorean Air operates passenger and cargo services connecting South Korea with Asia, the Americas, Europe and other global markets. | Korean Air passenger and cargo network | South Korea and globalFull-service aviation, cargo and transpacific connectivity | Korean Air remained a major connector for Northeast Asian, transpacific and cargo travel flows in 2019. | 86 |
| 28 | EVA AirwaysEVA Airways operates Taiwan-based passenger and cargo services with strong long-haul and regional connectivity. | EVA Air passenger and cargo network | Taiwan and globalFull-service aviation, cargo and premium transpacific routes | EVA Air's service reputation, 30th anniversary year and long-haul network kept it among Asia's leading airline companies. | 85.5 |
| 29 | Qantas AirwaysQantas operates a full-service Australian airline platform with Jetstar low-cost operations and long-haul network ambitions. | Qantas and Jetstar | Australia and globalFull-service aviation, low-cost aviation and ultra-long-haul development | Qantas combined domestic strength, Jetstar reach and Project Sunrise experimentation to shape the future of long-haul travel. | 85 |
| 30 | Turkish AirlinesTurkish Airlines operates an Istanbul-centered network connecting Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas through a broad long-haul and regional platform. | Turkish Airlines and associated aviation businesses | Turkey and globalLong-haul aviation, Istanbul hub connectivity and global route breadth | Turkish Airlines used Istanbul's hub position to connect Asia, Europe, Africa and the Americas through one of the world's broadest networks. | 84.5 |
| 31 | Vietjet AviationVietjet Aviation operates a Vietnamese low-cost airline network across domestic and regional markets. | Vietjet Air | Vietnam and regional marketsLow-cost aviation, domestic growth and regional air access | Vietjet's passenger milestone and ancillary model made it one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic low-cost travel companies. | 84 |
| 32 | Vietnam AirlinesVietnam Airlines operates Vietnam's national full-service carrier network across domestic, regional and long-haul routes. | Vietnam Airlines Group | Vietnam and international marketsFull-service aviation, national connectivity and inbound tourism support | Vietnam Airlines supported Vietnam's rising tourism profile through domestic, regional and long-haul connectivity. | 83.5 |
| 33 | Cebu AirCebu Air operates Cebu Pacific, a Philippine low-cost carrier serving domestic island routes and regional international destinations. | Cebu Pacific | Philippines and regional marketsLow-cost aviation, domestic island connectivity and regional routes | Cebu Pacific remained essential to Philippine domestic mobility and affordable regional air travel in 2019. | 83 |
| 34 | Airports of ThailandAirports of Thailand operates major Thai airports, including Bangkok and Phuket gateways central to business and leisure travel. | Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket and other Thai airport assets | ThailandAirport operations, tourism infrastructure and national gateways | AOT's airport network made it one of Asia's most important tourism infrastructure companies. | 82.5 |
| 35 | Dubai AirportsDubai Airports operates Dubai International and related airport infrastructure serving one of the world's busiest international passenger hubs. | Dubai International and Dubai World Central operations | United Arab EmiratesAirport operations, global hub management and passenger experience | Dubai Airports kept DXB among the world's most important international passenger gateways in 2019. | 82 |
| 36 | Malaysia Airports HoldingsMalaysia Airports Holdings operates KLIA and a national airport network supporting Malaysian domestic, regional and international travel. | KLIA and Malaysian airport network | Malaysia and selected international marketsAirport operations, national connectivity and tourism gateways | Malaysia Airports supported regional travel flows through KLIA and a national airport network serving business and leisure demand. | 81.5 |
| 37 | Tongcheng-Elong HoldingsTongcheng-Elong operates a China online travel platform with strength in transport ticketing, accommodation and mass-market mobile distribution. | Tongcheng-Elong online travel platform | ChinaOnline travel, transport ticketing, accommodation and lower-tier-city travel demand | Tongcheng-Elong's mobile distribution and China mass-market reach made it a distinctive online travel company in 2019. | 81 |
| 38 | YanoljaYanolja operates a South Korean travel and accommodation platform with hospitality technology and regional expansion ambitions. | Yanolja travel and accommodation platform | South Korea and international marketsAccommodation booking, hospitality technology and travel platform expansion | Yanolja's 2019 regional move into Southeast Asian budget lodging marked South Korea's arrival in platform-led travel technology. | 80.5 |
| 39 | JTB CorporationJTB operates travel agency, packaged travel, corporate travel and destination service businesses in Japan and international markets. | JTB travel agency and destination services network | Japan and globalPackaged travel, corporate travel, inbound support and destination services | JTB remained one of Japan's most important travel-service companies as inbound and outbound demand evolved. | 80 |
| 40 | H.I.S. Co.H.I.S. operates travel agency, packaged tour and destination-service businesses tied to Japanese outbound and leisure travel. | H.I.S. travel agency, tours and travel-related businesses | Japan and international marketsTravel agency, packaged travel, outbound tourism and destination services | H.I.S. remained a major Japanese travel company with strong relevance to outbound leisure and packaged tour demand. | 79.5 |
| 41 | China AirlinesChina Airlines operates Taiwan-based passenger and cargo aviation services across regional and long-haul markets. | China Airlines passenger and cargo network | Taiwan and globalFull-service aviation, cargo and regional connectivity | China Airlines' passenger and cargo platform kept it important to Taiwan's travel and trade connectivity in 2019. | 79 |
| 42 | KKdayKKday operates an Asia-focused travel experiences marketplace and supplier technology platform for activities and destination services. | KKday travel-experience marketplace | Taiwan and international marketsActivities, local experiences, destination services and travel SaaS | KKday represented the emerging Asian shift from ticket booking toward in-destination experience commerce. | 78.5 |
| 43 | Banyan Tree HoldingsBanyan Tree Holdings operates resort, spa and hospitality brands known for leisure, wellness and destination-led design. | Banyan Tree, Angsana and related hospitality brands | Singapore and international resortsLuxury resorts, destination wellness and asset-right hospitality | Banyan Tree's resort heritage and asset-right direction kept it relevant in Asia's premium leisure hospitality sector. | 78 |
| 44 | Dusit InternationalDusit International operates Thai-rooted hotels, resorts and hospitality management businesses in Thailand and international markets. | Dusit Hotels and Resorts | Thailand and international marketsThai hospitality, hotels, resorts and management expansion | Dusit's brand heritage and regional hotel management footprint made it a key Thai hospitality company in 2019. | 77.5 |
| 45 | Hoshino ResortsHoshino Resorts operates resort, ryokan-inspired and urban hospitality brands across Japan with a strong emphasis on local character. | Hoshino Resorts hospitality brands | JapanRyokan-inspired hospitality, resorts, urban hotels and destination renewal | Hoshino Resorts gave Japanese hospitality a contemporary operating model rooted in regional character and guest experience. | 77 |
| 46 | Emaar Hospitality GroupEmaar Hospitality Group operates luxury and lifestyle hotel brands connected to Dubai destination development and mixed-use hospitality assets. | Address Hotels, Vida Hotels and Dubai-linked hospitality assets | United Arab Emirates and international marketsLuxury and lifestyle hotels, serviced residences and destination hospitality | Emaar Hospitality translated Dubai's real estate and destination appeal into hotel and lifestyle hospitality products. | 76.5 |
| 47 | Genting MalaysiaGenting Malaysia operates Resorts World Genting and related hospitality, gaming, hotel and leisure assets. | Resorts World Genting and related resort assets | Malaysia and regional marketsIntegrated resorts, hotels, entertainment and mountain destination tourism | Genting Malaysia remained a defining Southeast Asian resort operator through Resorts World Genting and leisure-destination assets. | 76 |
| 48 | Plaza Premium GroupPlaza Premium Group operates airport lounges, transit hospitality, passenger services and airport dining concepts across global airports. | Plaza Premium Lounge and airport hospitality services | Hong Kong and global airportsAirport lounges, transit hospitality and passenger services | Plaza Premium Group helped make independent airport hospitality a scalable travel service category. | 75.5 |
| 49 | Seera GroupSeera Group operates Saudi and regional travel-service businesses across online booking, corporate travel, destination services and religious travel support. | Almosafer and diversified travel-services businesses | Saudi Arabia and regional marketsTravel services, online booking, religious travel and destination support | Seera represented West Asia's shift toward more integrated, digitally enabled travel-services platforms. | 75 |
| 50 | Thomas Cook IndiaThomas Cook India operates travel services, holidays, foreign exchange and destination management across Indian and international travel markets. | Thomas Cook India and travel-services subsidiaries | India and international marketsTravel services, foreign exchange, holidays and destination management | Thomas Cook India remained a major Indian travel-services company with relevance across outbound, inbound and corporate travel. | 74.5 |
The edition is an InfluenceAsia editorial and research assessment of company consequence during the 2019 annual hospitality and travel window.
Ranking model
InfluenceAsia applied a 100-point editorial research model across seven dimensions: 2019 Sector Contribution, Platform Scale and Connectivity, Guest Experience and Brand Trust, Digital and Commercial Innovation, Destination and Economic Influence, Operating Discipline, and Regional and Global Reach.
Evaluation period
The editorial record was assessed through 31 December 2019. Later travel restrictions, public-health shocks, post-2019 bankruptcies, restructurings, mergers, brand collapses, traffic recoveries, government rescues, litigation outcomes or reputation changes are not used as ranking evidence in this edition.
Contribution screen
High placement requires a clear 2019 hospitality or travel contribution: airline network relevance, airport passenger experience, hotel expansion, destination resort impact, online travel adoption, experience-commerce growth, packaged-travel strength, travel-services infrastructure or guest-experience leadership.
Evidence type
Review considered public operating records, company platforms, 2019 business activity, travel-network importance, hotel and resort footprint, airport role, digital distribution reach, market reputation, customer relevance, geographic breadth, operating discipline and sector contribution.
Comparability rule
Companies were normalized first within sector and jurisdiction, then compared across the Asian hospitality and travel ecosystem. A full-service airline, online travel platform, airport company, hotel group, integrated resort, low-cost carrier and experience marketplace are not measured by identical indicators.
Company-equivalence rule
The list includes operating groups, listed companies, private companies and group-level travel platforms when the company held visible hospitality or travel influence in 2019. Subsidiary-level platforms are eligible when they had distinct commercial identity and sector relevance.
Transition rule
A company remains eligible when a 2019 rebrand, transaction, leadership transition, restructuring or ownership change did not erase the company's material contribution to that year's market.
Integrity rule
InfluenceAsia excludes government tourism departments, purely political organizations, media brands, passive holding entities without operating travel relevance, companies with unverifiable activity and companies selected only for valuation, publicity or celebrity association.
Independence rule
InfluenceAsia does not copy, import or mechanically average external rankings, awards lists, airline tables, hotel-room counts, airport awards, brand surveys, funding tables, valuation lists, media rosters or tourism-board inventories.
Editorial judgment
Final placement reflects InfluenceAsia's independent editorial judgment after research normalization. The index is not a revenue ranking, passenger ranking, room-count ranking, market-cap table, valuation table, investment recommendation, credit opinion, travel endorsement, safety certification or professional accreditation.
InfluenceAsia 50: Asia's Top Hospitality & Travel Companies 2019 is an original editorial and research ranking prepared under the InfluenceAsia name. The ranking structure, annual thesis, research dimensions, written summaries, ordering logic and presentation language are original to this edition.
Inclusion does not imply endorsement, sponsorship, partnership, employment relationship, investment recommendation, legal certification, safety certification, travel recommendation, booking advice or commercial affiliation between InfluenceAsia and any listed company, shareholder, airline, airport, hotel, resort, platform, supplier, government body, project or rights holder.
The order is not copied from any external awards body, airline league, hotel-room count, airport ranking, brand survey, travel-media list, valuation table, funding list, market-cap table, conference roster or institutional scorecard.
The ranking is business analysis and editorial opinion. It is not legal advice, investment advice, credit advice, safety advice, travel advice, booking advice, aviation certification, hospitality certification or a definitive measure of company performance.