Wellness & Well-Being in Travel

Siew Hoon is a travel trade journalist, author, entrepreneur and podcaster who established WiT in 2005 to address the evolving landscape of travel technology and customer behaviour.

Over the years, WiT has grown into a prominent events and media platform in the Asia Pacific region, expanding its coverage to include markets such as Japan, South Korea, and the Middle East. Recognised as “Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Singapore Tourism Board, Siew Hoon’s efforts led to the acquisition of WiT by Northstar Travel Group in 2014.

Siew Hoon is happiest when platforming the future movers and shakers of the industry, lending a voice to those who are out to change, disrupt, and build back better. She thrives on launching unique, people-centric events by blending global insights with local knowledge, while exploring new markets and staying informed about industry developments.

Siew Hoon’s published titles include “Around Asia In One Hour: Tales of Condoms, Chillies & Curries,” and children’s books such as “Adventures of Habibie The Turtle” and “The Story of Baitong and Boon.” Siew Hoon also hosts the “A Life In Travel” podcast.

Based in Kuala Lumpur since 2013, So Iizuka is a Japanese serial entrepreneur focused on democratizing medical tourism. He is a four-time intestinal volvulus surgery survivor, which fuels his passion for transforming healthcare access and wellness through innovation.

Simon Wong is a British-born, Hong Kong-raised entrepreneur and wellness practitioner based in Singapore for over 20 years. He co-founded Singapore Sidecars, a social enterprise offering vintage Vespa sidecar tours that raise funds for various causes. The company has expanded internationally, including a partnership with Singapore Airlines and the Singapore Tourism Board to showcase Singapore in Spain with sidecar tours and food experiences.

In 2009, Simon founded Tienji Academy, an interdisciplinary studio for wellness and heritage arts. The academy offers programs that combine classical intuitive wisdom with contemporary insights, focusing on practices such as Taiji, Qigong, tea ceremonies, and calligraphy.

Simon also developed the Tienji Awareness Method, a self-healing and recuperative modality that integrates principles from Feldenkrais, Meditation, Taiji, Qigong, Yoga, and Physical Therapy. This system guides students through movement with awareness, complementing the body's ability to self-heal physically and emotionally.

Ng Ping Ho is the founder of Kindness of Strangers, a Kuala Lumpur–based hospitality company behind creative, community-driven spaces such as KLoé Hotel, BackHome Hostel, and LOKL Café.

A television writer and director turned hotelier, Ping Ho began his career telling stories on screen before turning his focus to shaping real-life spaces that bring people together. His first project, BackHome Hostel, redefined the backpacking experience in Malaysia with a focus on design and connection. This spirit of thoughtful hospitality continued with LOKL Café and later culminated in his most personal project yet — KLoé Hotel, a boutique stay built around the idea of slow living, creativity, and kindness.

At KLoé, Ping Ho collaborated with a collective of independent makers, artists, and designers to create five Artist Lofts — immersive spaces that celebrate the creative process. His approach to hospitality is grounded in empathy and intentionality — a belief that kindness should extend beyond guests to the people who make each space come alive.

Through Kindness of Strangers, Ping Ho continues to champion a new kind of urban hospitality in Malaysia — one that’s calm, creative, and deeply human.