Asia Pacific YMCA Hotel Network Conference 2025

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APAY Hotel Network Conference 2025

Date: 23–25 July 2025

Venue: YMCA Kuala Lumpur

Programme ICs: Metropolitan YMCA Singapore & YMCA of Singapore Team


1. Overview

After a 26-year hiatus, the APAY Hotel Network Conference was joyfully reconvened from 23 to 25 July 2025 at YMCA Kuala Lumpur. The last gathering was held in 1999. This year’s conference, themed “Building a Legacy of Impact,” brought together YMCA hospitality leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region to reignite the mission of Christian hospitality.

Key highlights included a powerful keynote titled "The Sacred Calling of Hospitality," interactive Pro-action Cafés structured around YMCA’s Vision 2030 pillars—Social Impact, Systems & AI, Safe Space, and Sustainability—as well as a meaningful Triad Discussion segment where participants offered peer-to-peer insights and counsel.

The conference concluded with a shared call to action, inspiring unity and innovation to strengthen the APAY hotel network for the next generation.

2. Objectives 

Ms. Grace Chan, Conference 2025 Chairperson and Group CEO & General Secretary of Metropolitan YMCA Singapore, shared the key objectives of the APAY Hotel Conference 2025. She emphasised the importance of strengthening the network of YMCA hotels and hostels across the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs (APAY), fostering deeper connections and shared learning. A central goal was to reaffirm Jesus as the foundation of hospitality, grounding the work in Biblical principles that call for love, service, and welcome to all. Additionally, the conference aimed to explore new avenues for collaboration, sustainability, and synergy among member YMCAs, paving the way for a united and impactful future for faith-based hospitality in the region.

3. Program Details 

A total of 34 participants representing 11 YMCAs across the Asia-Pacific region attended the APAY Hotel Conference 2025. The event was graced by several distinguished guests, including Very Reverend Philip Thomas, President of APAY; Dr. Ramona Morales, Vice-President of APAY; and Mr. Nam Boo Won, General Secretary of APAY. Participating YMCAs came from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Penang, Chiang Mai, Hong Kong, Taipei, Makati, Manila, and Bangladesh, reflecting the rich diversity and regional representation within the APAY Hotel Network.

4. Key Outcomes and Action Points

  • Shared Resource Drive: A digital platform will be developed to share best practices and resources among member YMCAs
  • Sustainability Commitment: All member hotels to remove plastic bottled water from rooms
  • Unified Branding: Adoption of a shared tagline — “Home Away From Home”
  • Christian Identity: Encouragement to include Bible verses and Christian posters in guest rooms
  • Integrated Booking Platform: A common reservation system with microsites for each YMCA hotel will be initiated to boost visibility and streamline booking

5. Insights and Learnings

The conference proved highly beneficial, especially for smaller YMCA hotels. Participants gained fresh perspectives on:

  • Rate management and strategic pricing
  • Marketing strategies tailored to faith-based hospitality
  • Sustainable operations with an emphasis on environmental responsibility

Larger YMCAs shared successful models that served as roadmaps for others, signalling a shift toward collective learning, mutual support, and cross-border collaboration.

6. Quotes and Reflections

“A YMCA Hotel is a Home Away from Home, that provides Opportunities for Transformation of body, mind, and spirit through Excellent services and Servant Leadership.”

— Ms Grace Chan, Group CEO & General Secretary, Metropolitan YMCA Singapore

— Ms Wu Mei Ling, CEO & General Secretary, YMCA of Singapore

“In the Y, we feed both spiritually and physically.”

— Mr Vincent Foo, Senior Secretary, YMCA Kuala Lumpur

“Hospitality is a sacred command and a self-less expression of love.”

— Pastor Jeffrey Aw, Keynote Speaker on the topic of “The Sacred Calling of Hospitality”

7. Participants’ Voices

“The Triad discussions were incredibly helpful—we could support each other and learn from shared experiences.”

“Networking was a key takeaway. It was refreshing to meet more Y-hoteliers and explore future collaborations.”

“I appreciated the Pro-action Café sessions; they were thought-provoking and practical.”

“We are truly a family. I felt connected to more brothers and sisters in the YMCA movement.”

The next conference in 2026 will be hosted by Chiang Mai YMCA.