SINGAPORE, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --
Recognising a Shared Commitment to Employee Experience
NLCS (Singapore), an international school in Singapore, has been awarded Bronze in the Best HR Digital Transformation Strategy category at the Employee Experience Awards (EXA) 2026, one of Asia's most prestigious pan-regional HR accolades.
Held at Shangri-La Singapore, the awards brought together leading organisations from across a range of industries to celebrate progress and recognise initiatives that support people in the workplace. Guided by an esteemed panel of judges, the Employee Experience Awards focus on four key areas - leadership, learning, engagement and talent acquisition.
What the EXA 2026 Award Recognises
NLCS (Singapore)'s bronze win in the Best HR Digital Transformation Strategy category reflects the school's ongoing work in modernising its HR processes through digitisation and digitalisation, with the goal of streamlining operations, improving the employee experience, and better supporting the needs of the wider school community.
This recognition speaks to the work taking place behind the scenes to improve the staff experience, ensuring colleagues are supported by systems and processes that free them to focus on what matters most - supporting students and delivering an outstanding education.
Elvin Goh, Senior HR Manager at NLCS (Singapore), shared that receiving this recognition is meaningful for the team, not because of the award itself, but because of what it reflects.
"This is a shared achievement, and one that speaks to the consistent work that has gone into ensuring our people feel supported. Our vision has always been to put staff experience first, and this is an encouraging sign that we are heading in the right direction."
A Better Staff Experience Across the School
Danielle Lim, Personal Assistant to the Senior School Principal added, "Having clearer systems and easier access to support has freed us up to focus on what we are here to do. It is encouraging to see continued efforts to simplify processes and make it easier for staff to access the support and information they need."
Experiences like these reflect the broader impact of the work on employee experience. When the right systems and processes are in place, the difference is felt across the whole school community.
A Reflection of Collective Effort
While the award was received by the Human Resources team, it reflects the contributions of many colleagues across the school who have embraced new ways of working and supported ongoing improvements.
For NLCS (Singapore), this recognition represents a continued commitment to putting people first, fostering a workplace where staff feel supported and where the conditions are in place for great teaching and learning to thrive.
About North London Collegiate School (Singapore)
Founded in August 2020, North London Collegiate School (Singapore) is a British international school in Singapore offering the academically ambitious NLCS curriculum, followed by the International Baccalaureate's Middle Years Programme and culminating in the IB Diploma Programme.
Drawing upon 175 years of educational heritage from its founding school in the UK, NLCS (Singapore) nurtures individuals to be intellectually curious, socially confident, and grounded in compassion. Every student is known, challenged, and celebrated through a rigorous academic framework, rich co-curricular opportunities, and exceptional pastoral care.
Situated on Depot Road, the school is part of a global family of schools committed to educational excellence and developing global citizens.
To learn more about NLCS (Singapore), please visit our website and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.
For media queries, please contact the NLCS (Singapore) Marketing Team
Email: marketing@nlcssingapore.sg
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
NLCS (Singapore) Honoured at the Employee Experience Awards 2026 for its HR Digital Transformation Strategy
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Visa's 2026 Global Travel Intentions study shows how Asia Pacific travellers seek trusted destinations, plan with greater intent, and seek flexibility to navigate global uncertainties
SINGAPORE, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Visa, a global leader in payments, unveils key findings from the 2026 Global Travel Intentions (GTI) study, the latest edition of its flagship global study that has captured global travel patterns and preferences for over 20 years.
The study was conducted among over 47,000 respondents worldwide, including more than 17,000 in Asia Pacific markets. This year's edition reveals an important finding: Travellers in the region are responding to global shifts not by travelling less but with greater intentionality – focusing on familiarity, practicality, and flexibility.
Asia Pacific travellers seek familiar favourites, but passions guide them
In a global environment shaped by rising costs and uncertainty, Asia Pacific travellers are reconfiguring their travel footprints – choosing to visit destinations closer to home that offer familiarity, ease of access, and confidence in planning.
According to the GTI study:
- 63 percent of respondents surveyed travelled to destinations within Asia Pacific, dwarfing planned travel to Central Europe, Middle East, and Africa (16%), Europe (13%), and North America (6%).
- Japan was the top destination for nearly one in five respondents (19%), followed by Australia (7%). Thailand, South Korea, and Hong Kong SAR round out the top five at about 5 percent each.
- When asked about planned travel destinations in the coming 12 months, more than one in four (28%) still cite Japan as a destination, followed by 16% for Australia, and 13% for Hong Kong SAR and South Korea.
While Asia Pacific travellers turn to familiar destinations, many are still lining up travel plans to discover unique experiences and pursue their passions:
- 37 percent of Asia Pacific respondents plan their trips around unique local experiences, especially those related to food and culture – exceeding the global average of 29 percent.
- One in four respondents said they would travel for major live entertainment and sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Formula 1™*, and K-Pop.
AI enables practical planning, due diligence
Travellers in Asia Pacific are also becoming methodical when planning for their trips, at a time when conditions at their travel destinations are fluid. According to the GTI study, travellers in Asia Pacific actively "sense-check" various aspects before their trips, from core needs like accommodations to blind spots like insurance, visa requirements, to monitoring local current events.
AI simplifies pre-trip preparations and complements travel websites and social media as key research channels. Nearly half (49%) of respondents use AI tools to discover destinations and ideas – making it the most frequent use case. Other top uses include:
- Gather and curate travel reviews and recommendations (41%)
- Discover local tours and experiences (35%)
Payments are an essential part of pre-trip due diligence. Payment security is top of mind for respondents (33%), followed by card acceptance at 27 percent. These echo how digital payments are a staple for Asia Pacific travellers, with 73 percent bringing along cards or mobile wallets on their trips.
Travellers lock in essentials early, but leave space for flexibility
While travel planning has become more strategic and deliberate, travel experiences do not become rigid and predictable. Instead, travellers lock in essential bookings early and value spontaneity and are open to changing their plans once they arrive:
- Almost four in five (79%) booked accommodations in advance of the trip
- But only half of respondents (51%) booked experiences in advance, suggesting that travellers keep their options open until they reach their travel destinations
- 72 percent of dining decisions are made after reaching their destinations, while 65 percent of transport choices are made during this stage
Danielle Jin, Chief Marketing Officer at Visa Asia Pacific said: "The latest Global Travel Intentions study affirms the importance of travel to Asia Pacific. Travel is not slowing – it is becoming more planned, purposeful, and intentional. As digital-first travellers seek familiar sights and plan more practically, what matters is how destinations, businesses, and issuers enable every traveller to explore the places they love in their own way, from using AI to help travellers pursue their passions, values, and aspirations to delivering secure and seamless payment experiences at every stage of their journeys."
To access the full Global Travel Intentions study or learn how to work with Visa, speak to your Visa representative or contact Visa's Asia Pacific Strategy, Insights, and Analytics team at APInsights&Analytics@visa.com.
*Formula 1 is a registered trademark owned by Formula One Licensing B.V., a subsidiary of the Formula One Group
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.
Visa supports global events that inspire people worldwide, from sports and music to fashion and entertainment. As the official payment technology partner of the FIFA World Cup™ since 2007 and through partnerships with the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Formula 1, and Shanghai Fashion Week, Visa enables effortless participation for fans of all ages through seamless and secure transaction experiences, shaping cultural conversations, and driving cross-border commerce.
Visa's 2026 Global Travel Intentions study shows how Asia Pacific travellers seek trusted destinations, plan with greater intent, and seek flexibility to navigate global uncertainties
SINGAPORE, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Visa, a global leader in payments, unveils key findings from the 2026 Global Travel Intentions (GTI) study, the latest edition of its flagship global study that has captured global travel patterns and preferences for over 20 years.
The study was conducted among over 47,000 respondents worldwide, including more than 17,000 in Asia Pacific markets. This year's edition reveals an important finding: Travellers in the region are responding to global shifts not by travelling less but with greater intentionality – focusing on familiarity, practicality, and flexibility.
Asia Pacific travellers seek familiar favourites, but passions guide them
In a global environment shaped by rising costs and uncertainty, Asia Pacific travellers are reconfiguring their travel footprints – choosing to visit destinations closer to home that offer familiarity, ease of access, and confidence in planning.
According to the GTI study:
- 63 percent of respondents surveyed travelled to destinations within Asia Pacific, dwarfing planned travel to Central Europe, Middle East, and Africa (16%), Europe (13%), and North America (6%).
- Japan was the top destination for nearly one in five respondents (19%), followed by Australia (7%). Thailand, South Korea, and Hong Kong SAR round out the top five at about 5 percent each.
- When asked about planned travel destinations in the coming 12 months, more than one in four (28%) still cite Japan as a destination, followed by 16% for Australia, and 13% for Hong Kong SAR and South Korea.
While Asia Pacific travellers turn to familiar destinations, many are still lining up travel plans to discover unique experiences and pursue their passions:
- 37 percent of Asia Pacific respondents plan their trips around unique local experiences, especially those related to food and culture – exceeding the global average of 29 percent.
- One in four respondents said they would travel for major live entertainment and sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Formula 1™*, and K-Pop.
AI enables practical planning, due diligence
Travellers in Asia Pacific are also becoming methodical when planning for their trips, at a time when conditions at their travel destinations are fluid. According to the GTI study, travellers in Asia Pacific actively "sense-check" various aspects before their trips, from core needs like accommodations to blind spots like insurance, visa requirements, to monitoring local current events.
AI simplifies pre-trip preparations and complements travel websites and social media as key research channels. Nearly half (49%) of respondents use AI tools to discover destinations and ideas – making it the most frequent use case. Other top uses include:
- Gather and curate travel reviews and recommendations (41%)
- Discover local tours and experiences (35%)
Payments are an essential part of pre-trip due diligence. Payment security is top of mind for respondents (33%), followed by card acceptance at 27 percent. These echo how digital payments are a staple for Asia Pacific travellers, with 73 percent bringing along cards or mobile wallets on their trips.
Travellers lock in essentials early, but leave space for flexibility
While travel planning has become more strategic and deliberate, travel experiences do not become rigid and predictable. Instead, travellers lock in essential bookings early and value spontaneity and are open to changing their plans once they arrive:
- Almost four in five (79%) booked accommodations in advance of the trip
- But only half of respondents (51%) booked experiences in advance, suggesting that travellers keep their options open until they reach their travel destinations
- 72 percent of dining decisions are made after reaching their destinations, while 65 percent of transport choices are made during this stage
Danielle Jin, Chief Marketing Officer at Visa Asia Pacific said: "The latest Global Travel Intentions study affirms the importance of travel to Asia Pacific. Travel is not slowing – it is becoming more planned, purposeful, and intentional. As digital-first travellers seek familiar sights and plan more practically, what matters is how destinations, businesses, and issuers enable every traveller to explore the places they love in their own way, from using AI to help travellers pursue their passions, values, and aspirations to delivering secure and seamless payment experiences at every stage of their journeys."
To access the full Global Travel Intentions study or learn how to work with Visa, speak to your Visa representative or contact Visa's Asia Pacific Strategy, Insights, and Analytics team at APInsights&Analytics@visa.com.
*Formula 1 is a registered trademark owned by Formula One Licensing B.V., a subsidiary of the Formula One Group
About Visa
Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.com.
Visa supports global events that inspire people worldwide, from sports and music to fashion and entertainment. As the official payment technology partner of the FIFA World Cup™ since 2007 and through partnerships with the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Formula 1, and Shanghai Fashion Week, Visa enables effortless participation for fans of all ages through seamless and secure transaction experiences, shaping cultural conversations, and driving cross-border commerce.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Asia Pacific Travellers Seek Familiarity, Practicality, Flexibility Amid Shifting Global Dynamics: Visa Report