TORONTO — More than 150 travel advisors joined 27 supplier partners to hear all about unstoppable Asia, at Goway’s Asia Forum yesterday at the Chelsea Hotel, Toronto.

Asia’s momentum as a travel destination just keeps growing, and the 2026 Goway Asia Forum “has been a long time coming,” said Goway’s Moira Smith, VP Asia, adding “and I couldn’t be more excited to finally make it a reality.”

Goway’s supplier partners from across Asia, in attendance at yesterday’s forum, “are a true reflection of the depth, diversity and quality that define Goway’s Asia portfolio,” said Smith.

The free event ran from 11 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. and featured a full day of presentations from dedicated suppliers across Asia, panel discussions with experts on trends within Asian travel and sales tips for travel professionals and of course, plenty of networking opportunities and practical advice on how to grow FIT and custom group travel business.

Smith said the Asia Forum was inspired by Goway’s iconic Africa & Middle East Gathering. Supplier partners came in from China, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam.

INTERVIEW WITH MOIRA SMITH, VP, ASIA

One of the panel discussions – ‘Japan Unfiltered: Trends, challenges, and what travel advisors need to know about selling Japan’ –  highlighted a destination that’s still surging in popularity.

Smith told Travelweek: “Japan has become a true year-round destination for Goway. It remains one of the trendiest places in travel, and because so many of our clients are repeat visitors, the word of mouth just keeps building. They’ve done the Golden Route and now want to go deeper which is why we have developed products across Kyushu, Shizuoka and Hokkaido. There is simply so much of the country to discover.”

Smith added that beyond Japan, China is Goway’s fastest growing destination right now, up roughly 149% year on year. “There is pent up demand, and warmer Canada – China relations have made it easier than ever with 30 day visa free entry now open to Canadian passport holders through Dec. 31, 2026,” she said.

Vietnam is also coming into its own, Smith told Travelweek. “The combination of a rich culture, stunning coastlines and genuine value is what travellers are looking for in their next Asia destination.”

What’s fuelling demand for Asia? “A few things,” said Smith. “With everything going on in the world, travellers are gravitating to a region that feels welcoming, stable and rewarding. Clients feel confident flying west again on carriers such as Air Canada, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines, and access is excellent. Asia also represents outstanding value right now, with a weak yen making tourism travel dollar go a long way in Japan. The experiences themselves are the real draw: cuisine, culture and the chance to explore deeper. This keeps clients coming back.”

Goway has named Dean Moore as CEO, with company founder Bruce Hodge serving as President and Chairman. For more news about Goway’s Asia product, click here.

Lead image caption: Goway’s VP, Asia, Moira Smith at the 2026 Goway Asia Forum at Chelsea Hotel, Toronto (all photos courtesy Goway)