SINGAPORE and DUBLIN, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, Grab, has partnered with Nuitée, an AI-first travel technology company, to launch GrabStays, a new travel accommodation booking service within the Grab app.

Powered by Nuitée’s global travel infrastructure, GrabStays is especially convenient for Grab users to make last-minute travel accommodation booking as it is integrated into the Grab superapp, thus making travel accommodation booking – both last-minute and planned – as easy as requesting a Grab ride.

Benefits of GrabStays

Under this exclusive partnership, Nuitée provides the underlying infrastructure supporting GrabStays, including the API-based integration that gives users access to Nuitée’s global hotel inventory. With GrabStays, users are offered competitive same-day rates from Nuitee’s global hotel inventory, and also benefit from earning loyalty points (GrabCoins) in the Grab’s ecosystem.

When using GrabStays, users can:

• Discover and book travel accommodation easily within the Grab app. They do not need new accounts or payment setups, and can instead book directly through their existing Grab account. Users also earn GrabCoins and receive personalized Grab’s promotions across mobility, food, and travel services.
• Access GrabStays AI chatbot, to which they can ask questions about hotel features, location, as well as input their preferences. The chatbot provides detailed responses and helps users book the stay that best meet their needs.
• Once a stay is booked, the Grab app will proactively surface other services that users need, such as ride bookings to and from the hotel, in just one tap away. 

GrabStays is one the services launched under Grab’s Partner Apps programme, which makes products, services, and content from third-party partner brands directly available within the Grab app, complementing Grab’s core suite of on-demand offerings. Through Partner Apps, Grab is expanding the number and types of services available to users, while giving businesses the opportunity to reach Grab’s millions of monthly transacting users region-wide.

GrabStays will launch first in Singapore later this month, followed by other markets in 2026.

Paul-Eric Licari, Regional Head, Group Business Development at Grab, said: “Grab’s promise to be an intelligent everyday guide for millions in Southeast Asia doesn’t stop at one’s borders. With 200 million passengers moving through Southeast Asian airports annually, GrabStays is how we make the regional travel experience more frictionless. By bridging the gap between mobility, payments, and accommodation, we are creating a more rewarding journey for consumers and a powerful engine for our partners to scale their reach within our ecosystem.”

Med Benmansour, Founder and CEO of Nuitée, said: “This partnership demonstrates how travel can be delivered as infrastructure rather than a standalone product. By enabling embedded, programmable distribution, we support partners like Grab in integrating travel seamlessly into their existing ecosystems.”

About Grab

Grab is a leading superapp in Southeast Asia, operating across the deliveries, mobility and digital financial services sectors. Serving over 900 cities in eight Southeast Asian countries – Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – Grab enables millions of people everyday to order food or groceries, send packages, hail a ride or taxi, pay for online purchases or access services such as lending and insurance, all through a single app. We operate supermarkets in Malaysia under Jaya Grocer and Everrise, which enables us to bring the convenience of on-demand grocery delivery to more consumers in the country. As part of our financial services offerings, we also provide digital banking services through GXS Bank in Singapore and GXBank in Malaysia. Grab was founded in 2012 with the mission to drive Southeast Asia forward by creating economic empowerment for everyone. Grab strives to serve a triple bottom line – we aim to simultaneously deliver financial performance for our shareholders and have a positive social impact, which includes economic empowerment for millions of people in the region, while mitigating our environmental footprint.

About Nuitée

Nuitée is a travel technology company providing infrastructure APIs tailored for the travel sector, transforming how hotel connectivity and distribution are built and scaled. Its platform acts as a critical link between accommodation providers and demand partners, enabling seamless access to global inventory, real-time pricing, and booking capabilities.

As a multi-product ecosystem, Nuitée empowers businesses to build their own booking experiences, monetize their audience, and create recurring revenue streams while retaining full control over their brand, pricing, and customer relationship. Founded in 2017, Nuitée operates with a globally distributed team supporting partners worldwide.

Contact:
press@nuitee.com

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BEIJING, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A news report from China Daily: 

From advanced manufacturing to cultural heritage preservation, Central China’s Henan is showcasing a new model of high-quality development driven by innovation, openness and cultural confidence.

In Luoyang city, Luoyang Bearing Group or LYC, has become a symbol of the province’s industrial transformation. Its high-end bearings are now widely used in offshore wind power, new energy vehicles, aerospace and shield tunneling machines, replacing products once dominated by foreign manufacturers.

One of the company’s major breakthroughs came with the development of 16-megawatt offshore wind turbine main shaft bearings, which have been installed on the world’s first mass-produced 16-MW offshore wind turbine platform. LYC has also expanded rapidly in the new energy vehicle sector, supplying wheel hub bearings to leading Chinese automakers including BYD.

Inside LYC’s intelligent workshops, automated production lines and digital inspection systems reflect Henan’s broader push toward smart manufacturing, green production and industrial upgrading.

More than 100 kilometers away from Luoyang, the Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone has emerged as another engine of growth. BYD vehicles produced there are exported via China-Europe freight trains and other international logistics channels, highlighting Henan’s growing role in global supply chains and advanced manufacturing clusters.

At the same time, the province is turning its profound historical legacy into a new driver of tourism and cultural revitalization.

At the Longmen Grottoes, conservation workers are using geological radar, infrared detectors and 3D modeling technology to protect one of China’s greatest cultural treasures. The UNESCO World Heritage Site contains more than 2,300 caves and niches and over 100,000 Buddhist statues.

Digital innovation is also reshaping public access to heritage. High-precision 3D mapping, virtual reality tours and online exhibitions are allowing global audiences to experience Longmen remotely while helping younger generations better understand Chinese civilization.

Across Henan, former ancient capitals and archaeological sites are being revitalized through museum upgrades, immersive cultural experiences and heritage conservation projects. Tourism and cultural industries have become important sources of economic growth, employment and rural revitalization.

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– Seasonal local specialties drive increase in domestic accommodation searches to
Changwon, Seocheon, Gwangyang, Jindo, and Nonsan

SEOUL, May 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Food is increasingly taking center stage as a primary reason for travel, with more Asian travelers eager to explore destinations that offer unforgettable culinary experiences. Reflecting this shift, digital travel platform Agoda unveiled its ranking of Asian travelers that are most passionate about culinary experiences during their travels.

The findings, derived from a survey of Asian travelers as part of Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report, reveal that South Korea ranks third among eight markets, with 34% of respondents identifying food as a key reason for travel, surpassing the regional average of 31%.

Topping the list are travelers from Taiwan region, where 47% cite gastronomy as a major travel driver. They are followed by Vietnam (35%), South Korea (34%), Malaysia (33%), Japan (32%), Indonesia (31%), Thailand (20%), and India (8%), rounding out the top eight most flavor-forward markets.

South Korea, in particular, is renowned for its rich variety of seasonal ingredients, each tied to specific regions and harvest periods. This has fueled a growing trend among travelers of all ages to explore springtime delicacies across the country.

Based on accommodation searches made by South Korean travelers on Agoda between January and March 2026, Changwon recorded a 34% year-on-year increase in searches. The city is widely known for its styela clava, which is at its peak between March and May, and accounts for approximately 70% of domestic production. A staple of spring ingredients, it is commonly enjoyed raw, steamed, or served in stews.

Agoda reports that Seocheon, renowned for its webfood octopus, also saw a 30% rise in search volume. Prized for its chewy yet tender texture, it is frequently featured in hot pots and spicy stir-fried dishes. At its best taste in March and April, the city recently hosted “Seocheon Camellia & Webfoot Octopus Festival,” from March 21 to April 5. The event featured various programs, including an octopus culinary market, children’s octopus fishing, etc.

Gwangyang, known for corbicula, a local specialty often prepared as sashimi or in hearty soups, also experienced a 28% increase in searches. Additionally, Jindo saw a 23% rise in travel interest, likely fueled by its spring crab, which is enjoyed in diverse preparations such as steaming, soy sauce marination, and salads. Anticipation for the upcoming “Jindo Crab Festival,” taking place from May 1 to May 3, could play a role in further boosting travel demand, with domestic searches increasing by 357%.

Nonsan, the country’s largest strawberry-producing region, recorded an 18% increase in search volume. The “Nonsan Strawberry Festival,” held from March 26 to 29, drew approximately 670,000 visitors and generated sales of 150 tons of strawberries, according to the city government during its April monthly meeting.

Jay Lee, Regional Director, North Asia at Agoda, said “Today’s travelers are increasingly eager to engage with the local food culture of the destinations they visit. From Changwon’s styela clava dishes to Nonsan’s strawberry-based desserts, South Korea offers a wide range of seasonal culinary experiences. We remain committed to helping travelers discover authentic regional flavors around the world, supported by competitive value across flights, accommodations, and activities.”

For those seeking out their next culinary adventure, Agoda offers over 300,000 activities, more than 6 million holiday properties, and over 130,000 flight routes, all of which can be combined in the same booking. Discover the best deals on Agoda’s mobile app and start planning your next foodie getaway today.

— ENDS —

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BEIJING, May 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Forty-five years has been identified as the critical age threshold at which elevated sperm DNA fragmentation significantly reduces fertility potential in men.

High levels of DNA fragmentation, defined as a breakdown of genetic material inside sperm cells, make it harder for sperm to fertilise an egg with other potential adverse outcomes including impaired embryo development and higher miscarriage rates.

Advanced age is an established risk factor for elevated sperm DNA fragmentation with existing studies suggesting a gradual rise as men get older, but the specific age at which it exceeds the clinical brink has been poorly defined.

However, new research presented at the 2026 Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) in Beijing has revealed the age group in which the high-risk threshold is crossed.

Clinical embryologist Ms Yixin Seow said 45 to 49-year-old men had been identified as the age group when a significant rise in sperm DNA fragmentation occurs compared to all younger cohorts.

Her research team conducted a retrospective analysis of sperm DNA fragmentation records at a major Malaysian fertility centre with 249 subjects stratified into five age groups from 30 years to 50-plus years.

“The outcome confirmed gradual increases in DNA fragmentation across the age groups, but most noticeably from age 45, after which it plateaus with minimal further increase in men over the age of 50,” Ms Seow said.

“While larger prospective studies are warranted, our research has clearly shown the age group where there is marked downturn in fertility potential.

“We recommend counselling of patients participating in assisted reproductive technology about the potential impact of advancing male age on likely success of conception and ongoing pregnancy

“Additionally, men aged 45-plus should consider sperm DNA fragmentation testing.”

Infertility affects one in every six couples around the world. It is defined as the failure to conceive after a year of unprotected intercourse, or the inability to carry pregnancies to a live birth. The causes of infertility are equally shared between male and female partners.

The ASPIRE Congress at the China National Convention Centre in Beijing has attracted almost 3,000 scientists, clinicians, nurses and counsellors specialising in assisted reproduction.

It has cast a global spotlight on fertility health in the Asia Pacific region which, like other parts of the world, is experiencing a disturbing downturn in fertility rates.

ASPIRE is a unique Asia Pacific taskforce of specialists in the management of fertility and assisted reproductive technology, and it is dedicated to advancing access to quality treatment for those experiencing infertility across the region.

For further information on the ASPIRE 2026 Congress, go to https://www.aspire2026.com

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BEIJING, May 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The emotional burden of infertility actively undermines the capacity of many women to make sustained lifestyle changes, including weight loss and physical activity, that can improve their chances of becoming pregnant.

A global conference on assisted reproduction in Beijing heard today that the gap between lifestyle recommendations and action among women suffering the emotional stress of infertility was not a matter of willpower, rather a matter of psychology.

Infertility affects one in every six couples worldwide with the causes equally shared between men and women. Professor Anuja Dokras, an internationally renowned researcher and patient advocate in fertility health, said up to 60 per cent of affected women experience mental health challenges including anger, sadness, isolation, shame and guilt.

“Yet only about 20 per cent of them seek professional psychological support,” she told the 2026 Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE).

“Most of these women internalise blame for their inability to conceive and shame predicts emotional eating and health care avoidance.

“Women seeking fertility treatment show significantly higher levels of anxiety, depression and psychiatric disorders than men, and the severity of these conditions is influenced by the cause and duration of infertility, the treatment type and number of failed IVF cycles.”

Professor Dokras is the Executive Director of the Women’s Health Centre for Clinical Innovation and the Founder’s Professor of Women’s Health in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. She is also the Director of the PENN Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Centre and specialises in understanding cardiometabolic risk and mental health co-morbidities associated with PCOS.

Professor Dokras said women who were obese or living with metabolic disorders associated with PCOS had significantly lower chances of conceiving than their healthy counterparts.

“In women with PCOS visible symptoms, including hirsutism and weight gain, intensify the dynamics of weight stigma with increased prevalence of disordered eating, anxiety and depression.

“Critically, the clinical encounter itself can reinforce barriers when lifestyle advice is delivered through a weight-centric lens without psychological scaffolding.

“A weight-centric consultation approach is perceived as stigmatising and counterproductive. Clinicians should speak the language of self-care, not weight targets.”

Professor Dokras said evidence-based, integrated lifestyle and psychological support was vital in helping women to overcome barriers to better outcomes in fertility treatment.

“Evidence from randomised controlled trials supports the integration of cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness-based interventions alongside lifestyle programs,” she explained.

“They demonstrate significant reductions in depression, anxiety and infertility-specific distress as well as improved quality of life.

“Effective support requires reframing lifestyle change as self-care, screening routinely for psychological distress throughout the treatment cycle, avoiding stigmatising language, and embedding mental health provision within fertility services as standard practice.”

Around 3,000 specialists in fertility health – including scientists, clinicians, nurses and counsellors – are attending the ASPIRE Congress at the China National Convention Centre in Beijing.

For further information, go to https://www.aspire2026.com

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