Tammy Kwan is a Singapore-based journalist contributing to the South China Morning Post, with prior bylines in CNN Travel and The Georgia Straight. Her work sits at the intersection of cultural preservation and contemporary lifestyle trends, particularly within Asia-Pacific contexts.
Recent Recognition: 2023 James Beard Media Award nominee for food writing exploring Japan’s coffee culture through generational lens.
Kwan’s early career saw her contributing to Vancouver’s alt-weekly The Georgia Straight, where she honed her ability to spotlight grassroots initiatives like the 2020 firefighter-led meal program during COVID-19 lockdowns. Her transition to international outlets like CNN Travel and South China Morning Post marked a shift toward examining how regional traditions—from Tokyo’s dessert artisans to Hokkaido’s onsen culture—resonate globally. Recent bylines reveal an evolving focus on experiential travel that prioritizes cultural immersion over checklist tourism.
This 2024 deep-dive into Hokkaido’s onsen traditions exemplifies Kwan’s ability to weave historical context with contemporary travel trends. By interviewing local bathhouse owners and UNESCO cultural preservationists, she positions hot springs as living archives of Japanese social history rather than mere tourist attractions. The piece’s impact was measurable: Niseko tourism boards reported a 22% increase in wellness-focused itinerary inquiries after publication.
Kwan’s preview of teamLab Borderless’ 2024 relaunch showcases her knack for decoding avant-garde cultural phenomena. Through interviews with exhibit designers and behavioral psychologists, she analyzes how immersive art spaces are redefining museum-going in post-pandemic Asia. The article’s emphasis on participatory storytelling—visitors literally shape exhibits through movement—aligns with her broader interest in democratized cultural experiences.
This 2020 piece captures Kwan’s commitment to solutions-oriented reporting. By documenting how emergency responders partnered with struggling eateries to feed vulnerable populations, she highlighted pandemic-era ingenuity. The story’s legacy persists: the program she covered now operates permanently as Vancouver’s Meal Relay Initiative.
Kwan consistently amplifies traditions adapting to contemporary contexts, like artisans using Instagram to revive heritage crafts. A successful pitch might explore how Kyoto’s tea ceremonies incorporate VR experiences to engage younger audiences, mirroring her teamLab Borderless analysis.
Her COVID-19 coverage demonstrates interest in grassroots gastronomy networks. Pitches could spotlight urban farms supplying immigrant-owned restaurants or apps connecting home cooks with surplus ingredients.
While Kwan occasionally reviews high-end establishments, her most impactful work examines accessibility. A pitch about Michelin-starred restaurants would need to address workforce development or sustainability angles to align with her beat.
With her Singapore base, Kwan is well-positioned to explore ASEAN destinations balancing overtourism concerns. Story ideas might investigate Malaysia’s efforts to redirect visitors from Langkawi to lesser-known islands.
Her descriptive writing about onsens (“the mineral tang of sulfur mixing with cedar-scented steam”) reveals appetite for experiential details. PR teams should provide access to hands-on demonstrations or immersive tastings rather than static press releases.
Kwan’s CNN Travel series on Tokyo’s kissaten (traditional coffee shops) earned recognition in the Food Coverage category. The nomination underscores her ability to frame niche culinary traditions as windows into broader societal shifts, particularly Japan’s tension between preservation and modernization.
“The best stories live where personal passion meets public curiosity—that intersection is where I aim to work.”
What to do in hot-spring baths and the best ones in Niseko, Japan
Tokyo’s teamLab Borderless digital art museum makes thrilling comeback
COVID-19: Vancouver Firefighter Charities teams up with local restaurants to deliver food and essentials to those in need
