The Destination Asia Corporate Profile provides our clients with an overview of the company structure and information on the visionary executives who lead Destination Asia, who deliver the absolute pinnacle of service to our international clientele. Here you will find background information on the Destination Asia Group, including its history and current day services. We also introduce our International Sales Offices and those who are responsible for delivering the services on the ground.
You can download a copy of our Corporate Profile here.
Matthew Smith - Chief Executive Officer
Matthew has been part of Destination Asia since his appointment in 2018 as general manager of Singapore, helping develop the key sectors of meetings and events, tailormade travel and cruise. His forward-thinking approach has helped strengthen Destination Asia’s footprint and been pivotal in driving innovation and growth within the company. Backed by over 20 years of experience in the travel industry and a developed network in meeting & events and DMC activities, Matthew is a well known and respected figure within the travel industry. Born in Australia, Matthew then spent much of his life in New Zealand before moving to Singapore in 2006.
“I am proud to lead a pioneering company like Destination Asia - collaborating with our talented teams to shape the future and continue exceeding our clients' expectations.”
Jirawan Chinjenpradit - Chief Financial Officer
Jirawan (Aey), has been a key member of Destination Asia Group since joining the company in 2015 as Chief Financial Officer. Graduating with an MBA from Loyola University in Chicago, Aey has business acumen in the fields of banking, hospitality and the travel sector. With over 15 years of experience in finance and accounting and 7 years of practice in a regional finance role, Aey has been instrumental in driving forward our finance team from the head office in Bangkok.
“Working in travel has enabled me to not only see more of the world but also meet many talented people from different cultures and backgrounds – which can provide a nice break from focusing on numbers!”
Alison Loftin - Group HR Director
Alison grew up in Hong Kong where her love for Southeast Asian travel and learning about different cultures began. In April 2017 she transferred from GTA in London to Bangkok where she held a regional head of HR role. In 2020 Ali relocated to Penang in Malaysia to lead talent acquisition at Teleperformance Malaysia, before returning to Bangkok in 2022. Ali has over 20 years of extensive strategic and operational HR experience from multiple industries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in modern languages, a master's degree in HR management, and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.
“Travel has always been an important part of my life. At Destination Asia I am so fortunate to combine my love for travel with my HR profession in a very exciting region with so many rich cultures and diverse ways of working.”
Stephen Hooper - Group Operations & Business Support Director
Stephen started his lifelong career in tourism working on the frontline as an International Rep with the UK’s largest tour operator, often working the summers in beach destinations and the winters skiing in the mountains. His travels and work have since taken him to six continents. In 2007 Stephen moved to Thailand to join Hotelbeds and went on to hold the position of Country Manager at Destination Services, before joining Destination Asia in 2018. Stephen now leads the Project Team from the head office in Bangkok.
“I consider myself very fortunate working in the tourism sector, helping make peoples’ dreams come true. The greatest thing about working in tourism is that no two days are the same, and you never know what will happen when you wake up in the morning.”
Katie Buxton - Global Director of Sales
Katie Buxton worked with Destination Asia Group for more than seven years in the position of General Manager (Hong Kong) before assuming the role of Global Director of Sales. An Australian national, Katie provides leadership and strategic direction for Destination Asia’s worldwide sales network. In addition to her management and customer service capability, Katie possesses excellent communication skills and an extensive track record of developing initiatives to increase market share.
“Every day is different and poses a new challenge to relish. I am fortunate to work with all our valued clients and partners in our overseas markets – and have had the opportunity to travel extensively through the stunning continent of Asia.”
Juan Paredes - Group Product & Strategic Projects Director
Colombian-born Juan is an accomplished and growth-focused leader with over 15 years of experience working with DMCs, Tour Operators, Hotels, and Event Management companies. After leaving his native Colombia at 18 with a goal to travel the world, Juan has travelled to more than 50 countries. He has lived and worked in Cambodia, South Africa, the U.S.A, Colombia, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, UAE, and Qatar. In 2019 Juan added Thailand to the list to join Destination Asia at the headquarters in Bangkok as Group Product Director.
“I am all about the people and my mission in life is to make a difference any way I can. Creating meaningful and life-changing travel experiences is what I enjoy the most, and if these can change people’s lives, then jackpot.”
David Andrews - Group Marketing & Communications Director
David has an extensive background in journalism and spent a number of years working for Archant Media in the UK. After graduating from Leeds Metropolitan, he then assumed the position of editorial assistant at a magazine in London before moving into a web editor role for several publications. Since then David has worked on three continents, finally falling in love with Asia and Thailand. Joining Destination Asia in 2014, David now leads the marketing and communications team from the head office in Bangkok.
“I’m proud to be part of a creative team that loves generating awareness, interest, and action through the ever-growing types of media available to us. It’s a challenge we rise to every day!”
Alvin Materi - Regional Director, Cruise Asia
Alvin has more than 25 years of personal involvement in the cruise industry, during which time he has held the position of Shore Excursion Manager for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, as well as various senior management roles in Vietnam, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the United States. A Canadian national, Alvin works with key markets to identify new business opportunities and directs the Cruise Asia global sales and operational departments. Alvin also heads product development, port consulting and itinerary planning, and directs the ongoing long-term relationships for Cruise Asia by Destination Asia.
“I have been fortunate to work and live in the most vibrant part of the world for more than half of my life, creating unique travel experiences and sharing them with my clients, friends and family.”
