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Aarron Nelson As GM of Thailand’s first INNSiDE by Meliá Hotel

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Bangkok, Thailand, April 6, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / After two decades in hospitality in Malaysia, New Zealander Aarron Nelson, is relocating to Thailand to become general manager of Meliá Hotels International’s first INNSiDE property in the country.

The new role is Aarron’s first with Meliá Hotels International, a growing Spanish hotel group that has been expanding in Asia over recent years. He joins the team after five years as general manager of citizenM Kuala Lumpur. Prior to that Aarron held leadership roles at Impiana Hotel KLCC, also in Malaysia’s capital, and Casa del Rio, a boutique 5-star property in Melaka.

Aarron started his career in hotel F&B, when an internship led to a job in Millennium Hotel in Rotorua, New Zealand. He then worked his way up, through various F&B roles with Le Meridien Port Vila, Vanuatu, COMO Cocoa Island in the Maldives and HPL Hotels & Resorts in Malaysia before shifting to rooms division management. His first hotel manager position was at The Lakehouse Cameron Highlands in Malaysia in 2012.

“Aarron brings with him a wealth of hands-on experience having both worked in and managed a range of different departments in lifestyle driven hotels,” said Igancio Martin, Meliá Hotels International Managing Director for Southeast Asia. “His local and varied experience in Asia Pacific along with his personality are the perfect match for our innovative INNSiDE brand, as we expand in the region.”

Over the twenty eight years Aarron has worked in the industry in Malaysia, the Maldives, Pacific Islands, Australia and his homeland, but this will be his first position in Thailand – though working in the tropical nation has long been a goal.

“In 1996 while working in Rotorua, New Zealand, I was fortunate enough to be selected to go to Bangkok for a 10-day New Zealand food promotion at Novotel Siam Square,” said Aarron. “I was a young chef then and the experience left a lasting impression and knowing that one day I will see myself working in Thailand.”

The 208-room INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit is located in the city’s trendy On Nut neighborhood. The property will offer the kind of creative work and play spaces that underpin the INNSiDE brand. Guests can take in the vibrant cityscape from the towering windows of the hotel’s expansive co-working space on the 32nd floor. Further up the sky high pool bar and open-air swimming pool occupy the two topmost floors. Dining options at the property highlight local cuisine and also honor the Meliá brand’s Spanish roots. A tapas restaurant will provide a culinary pilgrimage across Spain.

“Our INNSiDE hotels are designed for a new generation of travelers that combine both work and play as they explore the world,” added Ignacio. “With its stellar location and a design and philosophy that inspires creativity and connection, our first Bangkok property is the perfect hub for curious explorers to take in this vibrant city.”

This will be the fourth INNSiDE property in Asia and will follow the opening of INNSiDE by Meliá Kuala Lumpur Cheras on March 25th, 2023. INNSiDE properties are also located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and Zhengzhou, China.

Meliá Hotels International opened its first property in Thailand, Meliá Koh Samui, an oceanfront resort in 2020, followed by another beachfront property, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, the following year. In 2022 the Spanish hotel group opened its first city property in the country, Meliá Chiang Mai. INNSiDE Bangkok is the group’s first hotel in the capital.

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has a portfolio of more than 400 hotels (portfolio and pipeline), throughout more than 40 countries, and 10 brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company worldwide, according to the last S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, and it is also a “Top Employer 2023” brand in Spain, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Italy and Germany. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market.

About INNSiDE by Meliá
INNSiDE is a collection of unique urban and beach hotels designed for those with curious minds and fluid lives. Always true to their destination, they give guests the freedom to connect or disconnect among an independent community of like-minded travellers.

INNSiDE provides guests with all the everyday essentials and extra-special details to make their stay all the more unique. From in-room comforts to the inspiring Big Idea Space, Open Living Lounges, and fitness studios, we allow guests to feel more-than-at-home.

Sustainability is also packed into all the little details: every room is equipped with paper and plastic-free collateral and complimentary organic cosmetics. INNSiDE celebrates the culture of each of its locations with an events calendar, handy city guides for guests, and by spotlighting a local artist’s work across the hotel walls and onto merchandise and staff uniforms.

There are currently 38 INNSiDE by Meliá properties worldwide, with the brand continuing to expand its global footprint. All properties are located in the best lifestyle neighbourhood travel destinations. Some of them are Spain (Madrid, Mallorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Zaragoza), United Kingdom (Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester), United States (New York, Lima), Germany (Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt, Munich, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Leipzig, Hamburg) Czech Republic (Prague), France (Paris), Italy (Milano), China (Zhengzhou), Indonesia (Yogyakarta), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and Netherlands (Amsterdam).

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Alma Resort Appoints Jed Arricivita As Commercial Director

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Cam Ranh, Vietnam, April 6, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Jed Arricivita, a hospitality professional with more than two decades of business development, sales and marketing experience has been named Alma’s commercial director.

Filipino national Arricivita comes to the 30-hectare family resort, overlooking Long Beach on Vietnam’s Cam Ranh peninsula, after working as director of sales at The Peninsula Bangkok for almost 10 years.

Previously, he was director of sales at Shangri-La Bangkok and Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, and director of business development at Makati Shangri-La in Manila.

After studying for a bachelor of science degree in hotel and restaurant administration at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, Arricivita started working for the Makati Shangri-La in 1999 as a front desk agent and rose through the ranks as a sales manager and senior sales manager before his appointment as director of business development in 2005.

In his role at Alma, he will oversee commercial management, sales and marketing management, digital strategy and more, with focuses on leisure, business and MICE travel.

“On the back of his strong leadership and analytical skills, Jed brings to Alma an incredible track record of fostering creativity and motivation among his teams to drive excellent results in business development, business strategy, sales and marketing at hotels,” said Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler.

Bold, spacious and emblematic of Vietnam’s maturation as a destination, the independently owned and operated Alma features 14 food and beverage outlets and a cascade of 12 beachfront swimming pools. Other highlights include a science museum, 6000 square metre waterpark, 13-treatment room spa, cinema, convention centre, amphitheatre, youth centre, kid’s club, water sports centre, gymnasium and yoga room and an 18-hole putting green.

About Alma
Situated on Vietnam’s emerging Cam Ranh peninsula fronting Long Beach, Alma resort commands some 30 hectares of inspiring ground. Emblematic of Vietnam’s maturation as a destination, the bold and spacious integrated resort offers 580 oversized suites and pavilions that all afford sweeping vistas of the ocean, including contemporary three bedroom oceanfront pavilions each totalling 224sqm with a living room, four bathrooms and a private pool. Alma features a broad spectrum of restaurants helmed by top chefs, a food court with an array of local and international cuisine, as well as a sports bar, pool bar and beach bar. Other highlights include 12 swimming pools cascading down to the beach, a waterpark, 13-treatment room spa, 70-seat cinema, convention centre, amphitheater, science museum, gymnasium and yoga room, 18-hole mini golf course, a youth centre with virtual reality games, a kid’s club, water sports centre and even an ‘Alma Mart’ mini supermarket.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Meliá Ho Tram Beach Celebrates Vietnam National Public Holidays

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Ho Tram, Vietnam, April 6, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX /  Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort will usher in three of the most significant national public holidays on the Vietnamese calendar with an exciting program featuring lavish buffet dinners, a “seafood market” dining experience, steak night, high tea, competitions, arts and crafts, and more.

This year, the annual Hung Kings Festival, Reunification Day and International Labour Day fall on Saturday April 29, Sunday April 30 and Monday May 1 respectively. The resort will host an array of activities including kayak racing, a sandcastle competition, conical hat painting, coloring, fingerprint painting and crafting Hung Kings leaf necklaces, the Vietnamese flag, paper flowers and paper kites.

The resort’s Sasa restaurant will bring family and friends together to pay tribute to the Hung Kings, revered as the traditional founders and first kings of Vietnam, with a Hung Kings Buffet on April 29 brimming with fresh seafood, traditional Vietnamese delicacies, a diverse Asian corner and more. On April 30, Vietnam’s vibrant cuisine will take centre stage at Sasa’s Vietnamese BBQ Buffet. Staged from 6.30-9.30pm, both buffets offer a “Fun Kids Corner” replete with painting either the Hung Kings or the Vietnamese landscape, as well as balloon twisting and other fun kids activities.

Breeza Beach Club, dubbed “the place to be in Ho Tram”, will stage its popular weekly Steak Night on April 28, serving a variety of tender cuts such as striploin, rib-eye, tenderloin and Black Angus tomahawk steaks. As the sun goes down on April 29, Breeza will bring the bustling atmosphere of Vietnam’s seafood markets to life on its vast outdoor terrace as part of its weekly “Ho Tram Seafood Market”. An array of large bamboo baskets filled with seafood caught from local waters that day are assembled, with diners choosing if their seafood and meats are grilled, wok-fried or steamed, and selecting from sauces and popular Vietnamese accompaniments.

Making the most of the resort’s picture-perfect 1500sqm main pool overlooking Ho Tram beach, Pool Bar’s exclusive “Ultimate Cabana Experience” is served in a private cabana. Elyxr Café, situated adjacent to compelling reflecting ponds, also offers high tea. Both high teas are held daily from the beginning of April until June 23 from 3-5pm, affording a delectable selection of mini pastries, savory bites, tea, coffee and optional sparkling wine.

The extensively refurbished YHI Spa, with 20 treatment rooms, hair salon and nail care facilities, a dedicated foot massage area and a Japanese-inspired landscape, is offering a sublime 150-minute “Top-To-Toes” journey. Comprising a body scrub, aromatic body massage and facial treatment, the package is designed to completely relax and nourish the whole body.

Adults are encouraged to “reset” on their holiday by boosting their wellbeing and fitness with daily “Energy for Life Activities” such as sunrise yoga, tai chi, meditation, stretching, tabata, body combat, aqua fitness and tennis. Kite flying, hair styling, chess competitions, sack races, water balloons, and mini basketball are among many activities on offer to entertain kids and teenagers. Outdoor movie nights cater to all ages.

“There isn’t a more desirable place to be on the water in Vietnam with family and friends during the upcoming holiday period than right here on Ho Tram beach, within an easy commute from Ho Chi Minh City and yet a world away from the city’s hustle and bustle,” said the resort’s general manager Alvaro Berton.

Live seafood specials of the day at Vietnamese dining restaurant Muoi, an “Asian Style Burger” at Pool Bar and a “Hummus Monthly Special” at Breeza are also among many offerings from the resort’s diverse dining landscape.

The Hung Kings Buffet and Vietnamese BBQ Buffet are each priced at VND 999,000++ per child aged four to 11, VND 1,599,000++ per adult with free-flow soft drink, juice, and water, and VND 1,899,000++ per adult with free-flow soft drink, juice, water, beer and wine. The Ultimate Cabana Experience at the Pool Bar and High Tea at Elyxr are each priced at VND 450,000++ for two guests including tea and coffee, and VND 750,000++ for two guests with tea, coffee and sparkling wine. YHI Spa’s 150-minute Top-To-Toes journey is priced at VND 2,690,000++ per guest.

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the most well-known brand within Meliá Hotels International; it has more than 100 city and resort hotels in the main leisure and business destinations of Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Meliá Hotels & Resorts instinctively understands the guests’ needs and lifestyle expectations and caters to every aspect of guests’ wellbeing. It offers exemplary meetings and events facilities in all key business cities and exotic locations, serving the ever-expanding conference and incentive travel market.

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has a portfolio of more than 400 hotels (portfolio and pipeline), throughout more than 40 countries, and 10 brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company worldwide, according to the last S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, and it is also a “Top Employer 2023” brand in Spain, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Italy and Germany. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Easter Celebrations at Hotels across Asia

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Feast this Easter on the Beach at Koh Samui

The idyllic beachfront resort of Banyan Tree Samui is hosting a plethora of Easter dining specials this year, starting with a “Shorts & Barefoot Beach BBQ” at Sands Restaurant from 7pm – 10pm on 5th April. The price of 2,300 THB nett per person includes local draft beers and drinks, plus a fire show. This will be followed on 7th April with a “Good Friday Fish & Seafood Buffet”, also at Sands from 7pm to 10pm, which will be accompanied by live music from the Mango Bongo Band. Price is 3,200 THB nett per person. Finally, an “Easter Sunday BBQ Buffet Dinner” will be the highlight at Sands from 7pm to 10pm on 9th April, featuring live music and a fire show. Price is 2,950 THB nett per person.

A Mountain Immersion with a Full Board Offer in Mai Chau

The mountainside getaway, Avana Retreat, is offering guests 25% of their new full board packages that allow visitors to take in all the highlights of this secluded location. Over Easter and beyond visitors can book a two-night, three-day stay that includes a round-trip limousine transfer, two nights in Bauhinia Mountain Suite, a full breakfast daily, two 3-course lunches, and two 4-course dinners at Green Chili Restaurant; an afternoon snack each day at the Cloud Pool; a trekking and jeep tour; a 60-minute full body massage at Orchid Spa; and a craft & cultural workshop at the Stilt House Museum. Prices start at VND 13,982,000 ++ (approx $600++) per two people, inclusive of the current 25% off promotion. The property is located in Vietnam’s north, an area that has become famous for stunning terraced rice paddies and the rich culture of local ethnic groups.

High Tea in Krabi

Set in a tranquil corner of Tubkaek Beach in Krabi overlooking the limestone cliffs of the Andaman Sea, Banyan Tree Krabi will host a High Tea Buffet this Easter Sunday, April 9, from 1pm – 4pm at The Naga Kitchen restaurant. Costing 750 THB nett per person, the high tea will consist of savory canapés such as sandwiches, tortilla wraps and quiche lorraine, plus a tantalizing selection of sweet pastries including chocolate truffle tarts, cheesecake, macarons, and a special espresso martini affogato.

Easter Brunch, Egg Hunts and More in Cambodia

At Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, diners will enjoy an extraordinary brunch featuring lamb roast, a premium seafood bar, and an exquisite chocolate and pastry station in the hotel’s iconic lobby (priced at $75++ per person or $105++ with free flow Champagne). In Siem Reap, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor will celebrate Easter with an elegant Sunday brunch in addition to a complimentary Easter egg hunt for kids on the lush grounds of the hotel (priced at $55++ per person; $65++ with free flow house wine and mimosas; $75++ with free flow Champagne Brut).

Celebrate Easter Sunday in Style in the Vietnamese Capital

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is marking Easter with a host of exclusive meals and family-friendly activities, including an Easter egg hunt in the hotel garden with special prizes. A family brunch will be served in Spices Garden from 11:30am to 2:30pm, while an extravagant Sunday Brunch will be available in the award-winning and recently renovated Le Beaulieu. A chocolate buffet from 3pm to 5:30pm in the bright and airy Le Club Bar will serve up an assortment of delectable bonbons, scones, petits four, cakes and more – as well as a chocolate fountain.

Easter Buffet, Spa Pampering and Activities on Ho Tram Beach

Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort will bring family and friends together over a buffet featuring fresh seafood, hand-carved roasted meats, traditional favorites, delectable desserts and more to a backdrop of live music. “Easter Special Buffet” on April 8 from 6.30-9.30pm is priced at VND 999,000++ for kids aged four to 11, and from VND 1,599,000++ per adult. During the buffet, a “Fun Kids Corner” will host easter egg decoration, a kids movie, balloon twisting and other exciting kids activities. From April 7-9, bunny jumping, bunny facial painting, egg decoration and egg hunting will be held at the beach garden and kids club Kidsdom. To mark World Health Day and Easter, from April 3-8 YHI Spa offers a 60-minute body wrap, sugar scrub or sea salt scrub for VND 690,000++ per guest.

Getaway Packed with Easter Fun on Cam Ranh Peninsula

Alma Resort is offering an Easter package replete with an Easter pastry class for the kids, bonfire with roasted marshmallows, movie nights at Alma Cinema and under the stars, egg hunting, egg painting, card making, face painting and more. Anchored by a minimum one-night stay on April 8 and/or April 9 in a one bedroom suite or pavilion for two adults and two kids under 12, the package includes a daily international breakfast, F&B credit for VND 500,000, kids mini golf, kite competitions on the lawn, giant bubbles, fun with Alma’s mascot teddy and clown, a garden discovery tour, use of the outdoor sports courts, and access to Splash Waterpark with a lazy river, wave pool, kids pool and water slides, as well as the kids club and youth club. The American Lounge & Bar will craft Easter-themed cocktails and the French Bakery will offer treats including chocolate rabbits and hot cross buns.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

LISTENING IN: No pressure on Lennox, Bowie on Queen hit

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With the news that Queen – with lead singer Adam Lambert – is set to hit the road this fall for a North American expansion of their Rhapsody Tour, which will include a stop in Toronto, it got us to thinking about some of the band’s frontmen (and women) since the gone-too-soon passing of Freddie Mercury.

After all, the incandescent Mercury’s shoes – more so than almost any other – were deemed impossible to fill.

However, Lambert, a former “American Idol” star, has admirably done so for over a decade now, having joined the newly minted “Sir” Brian May and Roger Taylor (John Deacon retired) in 2011. And before that there was Paul Rodgers, the great Bad Company (and Free) frontman, who was deemed the first worthy successor to fabulous Freddie.

It wouldn’t be fair to call Annie Lennox a replacement for Mercury, but she filled his part with passion and panache in this guest performance of “Under Pressure,” along with David Bowie, who co-wrote and performed the song with Queen in 1981.

This 1992 performance came just months after Mercury’s death from AIDs – two luminaries joining Queen at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium to honour him (and raise money for AIDS research).

Lennox, whose costume is said to have symbolized Mercury’s death, in particular delivered a tour de force performance, even upstaging Bowie, no slouch himself.

We still miss Freddie, but reliving performances like this makes it a little easier to bear.

Lyrics

Mmm num ba de
Dum bum ba be
Doo buh dum ba beh beh

Pressure: pushing down on me
Pressing down on you, no man ask for
Under pressure that burns a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets

Um ba ba be
Um ba ba be
De day da
Ee day da

That’s OK

That’s the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends screaming
“Let me out!”

Tomorrow gets me higher
Pressure on people, people on streets

Day day de mm hm
Da da da ba ba
OK

Chippin’ around, kick my brains ’round the floor
These are the days: it never rains but it pours

Ee do ba be
Ee da ba ba ba
Um bo bo
Be lap

People on streets
Ee da de da de
People on streets
Ee da de da de da de da

It’s the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends screaming
“Let me out!”

Tomorrow gets me higher, higher, high!
Pressure on people, people on streets

Turned away from it all like a blind man
Sat on a fence, but it don’t work
Keep coming up with love, but it’s so slashed and torn

Why, why, why!?

Love, love, love, love, love

Insanity laughs under pressure
We’re breaking

Can’t we give ourselves one more chance?
Why can’t we give love that one more chance?
Why can’t we give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love?

‘Cause love’s such an old-fashioned word
And love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night
And love dares you to change our way of caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is ourselves

Under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PIE IN THE SKY: St Pete-Clearwater Airport is flying high

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The first time I visited Florida was a long long time ago. Disney World was only a couple of years old and I was relatively new to the industry, working for Adventure Tours. I flew into St. Pete-Clearwater Airport (PIE) to fill in for the vacationing Eileen Forrow, who then, at the very beginning of an illustrious career, was our rep at the Fort Harrison Hotel in Clearwater which was still owned by Jack Tar (it is now the Scientology Centre). I was back at PIE last week – what a difference!

On that first trip, the passengers disembarked the Nordair 113 seat Boeing 737 via the air stairs and walked across the tarmac to what I remember as a long low building. We waited there till a baggage truck pulled up and the luggage was placed on a long low table with built in rollers and pushed along. We grabbed our luggage, boarded the waiting coach and headed for the hotel.

That was then.

PIE is now a going – and growing – concern offering 63 non-stop, low cost routes on three scheduled airlines – Allegiant, Sun Country Airlines, and Canada’s own Swoop which currently flies from Hamilton (YHM) to PIE three times a week.

Allegiant is the prime airline partner at PIE. They began flying into St.Pete-Clearwater with 12 destinations in 2006, and currently operate to 58 destinations – the most non-stop routes in the Tampa Bay area. They have been ‘a game changer’ says Michele Routh, PIE’s Public Relations Director, who gave me a tour of the facility.

And not only is the airport now an attractive, busy facility, PIE consistently ranks in the top ten of US airports for domestic average airfare. In Q3 2022, it earned the top spot for the lowest average domestic airfare of the top 100 busiest US airports.

That same year, the PIE set its all-time passenger record with 2.45 million passengers and set individual monthly records eight out of twelve months. With the 63 non-stop destinations served by Allegiant, Sun Country, and Swoop Airlines, PIE serves up an exceptional value and customer service to its passengers.

Bright and beautiful

Not only is PIE thriving from a business aspect, the airport teamed up with the PGA Tours’ Valspar Championship held at Innisbrook Golf and Spa Resort’s Copperhead Course in Palm Harbor, to unveil its latest Be Bright mural.

Ashley Cantero and her murals at PIE

Ashely Cantero’s mural from PIE, joins four Be Bright murals across the country in Clearwater, Nashville, Tampa and Ruston, Louisiana. The Be Bright mural initiative allows Valspar

to use paint to inspire hope and joy through colorful images of the community.

“I am thrilled to share the beauty of our community through colour and creativity in the Be Bright mural,” said artist Ashley Cantero. “When visitors arrive, I hope the kaleidoscope

of color and geometric shapes inspire wonder and generate excitement as they begin their journey.”

In addition to Cantero’s murals, passengers walking to and from their aircraft to the airport building pass walls of bright and beautiful tropical murals.

Art is everywhere – appropriate for St. Pete where numerous art galleries, museums and murals are to be found in abundance.

Also on hand is St Pete’s justly famous Italian restaurant/store Mazzaros, the also local, Three Daughters Brewing, along with Dunkin, and the Sand and Sky Shop, thus offering plenty of choices for shopping, snacking or sipping.

What’s different?

There are several new innovations and upgrades planned for PIE but for me the most striking part of my walk through the facility was the attitude of the airport personnel. With no exceptions they were friendly, gracious and courteous. All had a pleasant greeting, and those who stopped to exchange a few words with Routh included me with a look and a smile. I spent 18 years working at airports, I have never come across such a pleasant congenial atmosphere among airport personnel – from cleaning staff to management.

St. Pete Clearwater is definitely doing something right.

Ed note: PIE IN THE SKY is one of the catch phrases used by PIE.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WHAT’S BREWING IN SEATTLE

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With Air Canada set to boost service to Seattle from eastern Canada on May 1, the time was right this week for tourism types to drop in on the trade in Toronto and Montreal to tout the northwestern US city.

Visit Seattle tourism manager Caitlyn Shearer told Travel Industry Today that the city is putting a greater focus on attracting easterners to the city as a natural extension to its already strong market from the west.

Indeed, Canadians know Seattle well and the city is “overrun” by Blue Jay fans when the team is in town, she jokes.

And with a new hockey team, the Kraken, more hockey fans are making their way to the city as well when Canadian teams play.

But Seattle also has plenty more besides sports to offer, she says, noting the eclectic city has “so many iconic places” to visit, not least the famous Pike Place’s fish market, where vendors still throw fish around.

More fish tales are told in Ballard, home to the local commercial fishing industry, and the international district boasts unique cultures and food.

In early 2019, Seattle began a years-long waterfront revitalization program, beginning with the removal of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the replacement of the Elliott Bay Seawall, a project designed to connect Seattle’s downtown to a new waterfront with eight hectares of improved parks, public spaces, pedestrian walkways, and bike lanes.

Space Needle

At the same time another Seattle icon, the Space Needle, has undergone a 360-degree “spacelift” in recent years with the US$100 million renovation including dramatically enhanced views (photo) and the world’s first revolving glass floor, known as The Loupe, showcasing a never-before-seen downward view of Seattle’s iconic tower from 150 m. in the air.

Another architectural wonder, Amazon’s The Sphere’s, opened in 2018.

The aforementioned Pike Place Market also unveiled a new look a few years ago with the addition of a MarketFront, a massive public terrace and plaza that offers panoramic views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, space for close to 50 new day stall tables for farmers, crafters, and artists, as well as commercial and retail space for artisan purveyor.

Among many museums and galleries, the renowned Chihuly Garden and Glass, located beside the Space Needle, is not to be missed.

On the lighter side, Shearer says food tours and craft breweries abound, and she reminds that Seattle is the home of Starbucks.

The city also serves as a gateway to the scenic Puget Sound area and further out into Washington State, which she observes is the second largest wine producer in the country.

Bradley Sutherland of Air Canada says the passenger profile from Toronto and Montreal fairly equally falls into leisure, business and those hopping a cruise ship to Alaska categories, and people coming from the west coast can easily connect onwards to Europe.

Toronto flights will operate twice daily and Montreal once a day as of May 1.

Oh, and it doesn’t rain every day in Seattle, Shearer assures. “That,” she laughs, “is a really bad rap!”

Air Canada’s Bradley Sutherland and Visit Seattle’s Caitlyn Shearer

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Trisara’s Jara Wellness Elevated by Return of Six-Hands Royal Treatment

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Trisara's Jara Wellness Elevated by Return of Six-Hands Royal Treatment - TRAVELINDEXPhuket, Thailand, April 4, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Jara Wellness, the award-winning spa at Trisara, is reupping its wellness offerings with the reintroduction of its signature Royal Trisara six-hands treatment and unveiling of a new facial therapy and a wellbeing program.

Trisara, an exclusive hideaway in Phuket’s unspoiled northwestern corner, is regarded as one of Thailand’s most desirable addresses. And Jara Wellness, with its serene treatment rooms and expert therapists, is one of the resort’s outstanding features.

The century-old ficus tree that surrounds Jara Wellness provides inspiration for its five pillars. Those are: nourish the roots, engage with the soil, give strength to the core, be tranquil, and take care of one’s inner self. These principles inform the spa’s Root to Wellness philosophy which focuses on mindful, active, natural, restorative, and wholesome healing.

And the Zen appeal of the facility is being enhanced courtesy of its new and reintroduced therapies that provide the ultimate in spa relaxation.

“Thanks to the therapies at Jara Wellness, Trisara is regarded as one of the best spa resorts in Thailand,” says Kittisak “Kitt” Pattamasaevi, the CEO of Montara Hospitality Group, the owners of Trisara. “By adding carefully curated experiences to our wellness offerings, our reputation as a hub for holistic therapies can only be enhanced.”

Royal Trisara, a 90-minute, three-therapist, six-hand massage procedure has just been relaunched as the resort’s signature treatment and is a not-to-be missed experience.

The experience begins with a foot scrub using lemongrass essential oil. A gentle Thai massage to the feet and shoulders is followed by a series of Thai herbal hot compress pouches being applied to specific parts of the body channeling energy and relaxing muscles.

The treatment then evolves into a combination of Thai and Swedish massage using organic jojoba oil which is non-fragrant and highly nutritious to the skin with kneading, acupressure and long strokes from the therapists’ hands, forearms and elbows timed in perfect synchrony across the entire back of the body.

The experience concludes with a simultaneous warm coconut oil, scalp, head and shoulder massage, and Thai oil foot massage.

While the Royal Trisara treatment is making a welcome return following the pandemic, other therapies at Jara Wellness are completely fresh. A new facial therapy uses premium products from The Organic Pharmacy, a leading Thai skincare brand, to achieve perfectly healthy skin and cutaneous wellness.

Also new are a selection of curated wellbeing programs which combine body shape and fitness analysis with expert consultants, spa experiences at Jara Wellness and holistic and active movement sessions with options spanning Muay Thai (Thai boxing), yoga, tai chi and meditation.

Thailand’s tourism leaders are promoting wellness as a priority in the wake of the pandemic. And Kitt is confident that the world-class offerings at Jara Spa will help drive this push.

“Wellness travel is growing, and the quality of the traveller is also higher in this niche,” said Kitt. “Our traditional Thai healing practices take cues from the restorative spirit of nature and address the sensitivities of modern life and I think that is something that resonates with people currently.”

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Paradisus by Meliá Lands in Europe with Opening of Paradisus Gran Canaria

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Paradisus by Meliá Lands in Europe with Opening of Paradisus Gran Canaria - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25HOTELS.comMadrid, Spain, April 4, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The luxury Paradisus by Meliá brand made its debut in Spain this month with the grand opening of Paradisus Gran Canaria Hotel. Located on the idyllic island of Gran Canaria, it offers 297 rooms and suites, avant-garde wellness facilities with the latest technology, and nine dining areas that offer the best of world cuisine and traditional local flavours.

The hotel is the first for the luxury Paradisus by Meliá hotel brand in Europe and offers an innovative experience that reinvents the traditional “all-inclusive” service through the addition of new experiences in tune with the destination, local culture and natural environment. With the architecture, design and interiors led by the ASAH studio of the architect Álvaro Sans, Paradisus Gran Canaria has a range of accommodation options, ranging from Premium Rooms to the superior Nikté and The Reserve, the latter with private hotel areas and areas for adults only. All the rooms have a serene and relaxing ambience thanks to the surrounding natural environment, privileged sea views and a design in harmony with the beauty of its surroundings. There is also a focus on works by local artists, which are prominent in each of the areas in the room.

All bedding and amenities are 100% sustainable, recyclable and made using environmentally friendly materials. The products in the minibar are all produced by local artisans to reduce their impact on the environment.

DESTINATION INCLUSIVE® EXPERIENCES: A NEW WAY TO TRAVEL

With the brand concept of “Embrace Your Nature”, Meliá Hotels International now offers the chance for guests to immerse themselves in the culture of each of the destinations in which the hotels are located. Guests have all the Destination Inclusive experiences® included in the price of their stay

“Every one of our hotels has a strong bond with the place where they are located. That’s why we are convinced that the combination of the new luxury services provided by Paradisus by Meliá and all the attractions of local culture and nature are the perfect way to provide our guests with truly unique experiences,” said André Gerondeau, Chief Operating Officer of Meliá Hotels International.

At Paradisus by Meliá the destination plays a key role in creating a genuine adventure and allowing guests the opportunity to “discover the infinite pleasures of a holiday like nothing they have ever known before. A chance to discover secret corners, enjoy authentic cuisine, meet local artists, explore their towns and understand their people,” explained Susanna Mander, Global Director of Brand Marketing for Paradisus by Meliá.

The entire experience is imbued with local charm, from cooking workshops to excursions to the most secluded or iconic locations on what are known as the “Fortunate Islands.” The experiences on offer appeal to both adventure lovers, such as hiking in the “Sacred Mountains,” and to travellers who want to find out more about local products and the traditions behind them. Paradisus Gran Canaria opens a door to picturesque coffee plantations, distilleries and wineries such as the Finca La Laja, the Arehucas rum distillery or Los Berrazales.

Apart from the fascinating opportunities to learn more about local cuisine and products included in the Destination Inclusive® concept, guests can also enjoy nine different dining experiences in the hotel with the finest and most authentic international and local cuisine. From spaces for a relaxing, informal meal, to elegant signature restaurants serving the finest contemporary cuisine. There are also cocktail bar experiences, tapas and plenty of fun by the pool or alongside the sea available at all times.

“Our dining options are sustainable and also showcase the rich culinary traditions of these unique Atlantic islands. To achieve that we are lucky to have top chefs who can enhance the dining experience, such as Germán Ortega, who takes Canary Islands fine dining to another level in the Spanish restaurant Peseta and in Kanna Night,” said Mander.

To get a better understanding of the amazing dishes available in the Peseta or Kanna Night restaurants, guests can also visit the famous La Acuarela Restaurant in Mogan, in which Germán Ortega has earned considerable fame over many years. Awarded a Michelin star and two Repsol Guide Sols, his restaurant is one of the most famous and revered on the island. Ortega trained at the Vassa Eggen Restaurant in Stockholm, the 2-Michelin-star The Latonnie in England and the Hacienda Benazuza.

These influences and his vast experience are behind his design of the menus for both restaurants and the creation of a three-course tasting menu for Peseta which will change with the seasons of the year.

The Paradisus Salinas Hotel in Lanzarote, designed by the architect Fernando Higueras, will also work with Germán Ortega and pay tribute to the products from La Graciosa.

Gran Canaria, the third largest island in the Canary Islands, is considered a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. The long coastline and endless beaches of white and golden sands, a lunar landscape, and fantastic weather, with an average annual temperature of 24ºC, make the island one of the most popular travel destinations in Spain.

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has a portfolio of more than 400 hotels (portfolio and pipeline), throughout more than 40 countries, and 10 brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company worldwide, according to the last S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, and it is also a “Top Employer 2023” brand in Spain, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Italy and Germany. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market.

About Paradisus by Meliá
Paradisus by Meliá Destination inclusive® Luxury Resorts is a brand operated by Meliá Hotels International, one of the most successful family hotel companies in the world. Paradisus hotels are located in both emerging destinations and some of the most exclusive destinations in the world, offering a superior experience to their guests. The luxury hotel brand currently offers hotels in the Dominican Republic: Paradisus Palma Real Golf & Spa Resort; in Mexico: Paradisus Cancun, Paradisus Playa del Carmen, Paradisus La Perla (adults only) and Paradisus Los Cabos (BCS, Mexico); and in Spain: Paradisus Gran Canaria and opening soon Paradisus Salinas Lanzarote. Each of the properties is set in beautiful gardens with views of the beach and reflect the natural beauty of their locations. Focused on health, wellness and the natural environment, each resort offers a range of personalised life-enriching experiences, which include yoga, YHI Spa treatments, water sports and cooking classes. Paradisus by Meliá offers a selection of exceptional room types and even more luxurious options such as The Reserve (for adults only) and Nikté (for families), which offer premium-quality accommodation, the highest brand service standards, exclusive amenities and VIP services that are ideal for a wide range of guests: couples, family holidays, weddings and business trips. One of the new experiences included in the stay for VIP guests are Destination Inclusive®, activities that take place outside the hotel and invite our guests to delve deeper into the local culture and experience it in person in every Paradisus destination.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Coral Reef Penthouse Suite at Outrigger Reef Sets New Standard

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Coral Reef Penthouse Suite at Outrigger Reef Sets New Standard - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25HOTELS.comWaikiki, Hawaii, United States, April 4, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The beachfront accommodation has Waikiki’s largest oceanfront balcony with 4,000 square feet of living space. Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, the flagship of Outrigger’s global beachfront portfolio, recently completed the latest phase of its US$80 million transformation with an unveiling of the Coral Reef Penthouse Suite in the all-new Diamond Head Tower.

Emulating a quintessential beach house, the Coral Reef Penthouse Suite is a two-bedroom pied-à-terre within the resort which is rooted in Hawaiian culture and encapsulates the elegance of oceanfront living. Designed with calming coastal hues and premium finishes, the penthouse suite epitomises barefoot luxury through a sleek and functional indoor/outdoor design – providing nearly 4,000 square feet (372 sqm) of living space, inclusive of the largest oceanfront patio in Waikiki.

Accessed via private elevator, the suite sleeps up to eight adults, with three artfully appointed primary bedrooms and three oversized bathrooms, plus a sleeper sofa. The third bedroom and bath is located on the suite’s first floor and is ideal for multi-generational travellers and families seeking additional space.

The light-filled kitchen and living room are chic and comfortable with a full-sized refrigerator to hold beverages and bites alongside a white-washed wooden dining table for memorable meals. The outdoor lanai — patio — is furnished with plush chaise lounges, day beds and dining table – offering impeccable views of Diamond Head and the world-famous Waikiki surf and its surfers.

“The Coral Reef Penthouse name is a tribute to Outrigger’s long-standing commitment to preserving, protecting and planting coral reefs through our global conservation programme – The Outrigger Zone (OZONE); for each direct booking at this premium penthouse, a portion of the proceeds will go toward coral reef conservation,” said Sean Dee, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer.

The privacy and splendour of the Coral Reef Penthouse Suite make the venue ideal for travellers seeking spacious accommodation on the water in Waikiki that’s both set apart from other rooms while still being connected to the resort amenities and offerings. Some of the first to enjoy a preview stay at the penthouse include celebrity chefs such as Marcel Vigneron to professional athletes, like surf star Billy Kemper and Japanese tennis sensation, Kei Nishikori.

“With the transformation of Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort, our intention is to continually elevate and enhance the Waikīkī experience for each guest – whether they hail from Austin or Zurich,” said Markus Krebs, the resort General Manager. “The Coral Reef Penthouse Suite is the crown jewel of this resort and part of the all-new Wellness Wing, which has 23 additional deluxe rooms as well as a fitness centre and Coral Kids Club.”

A stay at the Coral Reef Penthouse Suite includes entry to the resort’s exclusive Voyager 47 Club Lounge; the name honours the navigators who voyaged the unknown oceans via sailing canoe and 47 is a reference to Outrigger Hospitality Group’s founding in 1947 – 75 years ago. Club access offers complimentary breakfast and evening appetisers, alongside chilled craft beers and cocktails, all with special local twists and endless ocean views.

Every guest to the transformed Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort can enjoy a chic poolside experience with complimentary reef-safe sunscreen as well as original artwork from Herb Kāne, Kamea Hadar, Marques Marzan, Ethan Estess and Kari Noe – as well as treasures from Bishop Museum and the new A‘o Cultural Center.

Live Hawaiian music is heard nightly at the fully reimagined Kani Ka Pila Grille, which is now celebrating its 15th anniversary. Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman, led by culinary pioneer Peter Merriman will be the resort’s signature beachfront dining experience starting this summer. The chef-driven concept has a commitment to high-quality local fare highlighting Hawaii’s bounty with socially conscious ingredients and distinctive pairings of upmarket items with upcountry favourites.

Double D$ for the Coral Reef Penthouse Suite
To celebrate the introduction of the most premium penthouse suite in Waikiki, GHA DISCOVERY/Outrigger DISCOVERY members can earn double DISCOVERY Dollars (D$) for stays from 1 April through 30 June, 2023. Membership is free and D$ can be used at over 800 hotels, spread over 100 countries with the Global Hotel Alliance (GHA). Additionally, Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort is now certified by Green Seal and part of the newly launched GHA Green Collection, featuring only properties that are mindful of the environment and their respective ecosystems and take action through initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News