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Drone Food Delivery is Taking Off

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Drone Food Delivery is Taking Off - TRAVELINDEXHong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, September 23, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Food delivery sales are expected to reach a remarkable US$365 billion worldwide by 2030. The growth of food delivery services has been accelerated by technological advances, including the emergence of drone technology. A major potential advantage of drone-based food delivery is that drones are eco-friendly, in line with calls to promote sustainability in the food service industry. To commercialise drone food delivery, companies first need to know who is most likely to use these services, and why. Rising to this challenge, Professor Jin-Soo Lee of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and co-researchers investigated the influence of environmental responsibility and emotions on consumers’ intention to use drone food delivery services. Their novel findings offer guidance for the design of drone delivery marketing strategies to target four major groups: green consumers, activists, advocates and recyclers.

As drone food delivery services have yet to be widely commercialised, strategies for marketing these services currently rely on what we already know about consumer preferences. For example, the business-to-business drone delivery company Manna emphasises zero carbon emissions, a well-established customer preference, as a selling point for its electrically powered drones. As well as reducing the time, effort and cost of food delivery (reportedly halving the unit cost of traditional food delivery services), drone food delivery is indeed eco-friendly. “Drones could play an initiating and central role in the advancement of sustainability in the context of food delivery services”, say the authors. Focusing on sustainability may help companies to target consumers who are most likely to use drone food delivery services.

A potential predictor of whether a consumer will use an eco-friendly service is the degree to which they believe that their individual behaviour directly affects the environment, or their perceived control over environmental outcomes. This is known as the “internal environmental locus of control” (INELOC). Research has shown that people with higher levels of INELOC tend to exhibit more environmentally responsible behaviour, making INELOC a salient indicator of customers’ pro-environmental behavioural intentions. However, this relationship is underexplored – especially for emerging eco-friendly technologies such as drones. “Understanding how INELOC is linked to customer responses in an eco-friendly manner in drone food delivery services is a worthy undertaking”, say the researchers.

Emotions are a major driver of consumer behaviours. The intention to engage in eco-friendly behaviours, for instance, is shaped by one’s emotional state. A key role is played by “anticipated emotions” – the emotions that we expect upcoming decisions to evoke. “People generally predict the emotional consequences of their future decisions prior to making decisions”, say the authors. In general, they make decisions that are likely to make them feel good and avoid decisions that will make them feel bad.

We already know that anticipated emotions influence eco-friendly behaviours and behavioural intentions, such as consumer adoption of pro-environmental products, technology adoption and the intention to work with robots. However, the factors driving anticipated emotions remain unclear. The researchers explored the possibility that consumers’ perceived control over environmental outcomes, captured by INELOC, shapes their positive anticipated emotions (such as delight, happiness and pride) and negative anticipated emotions (such as disappointment, guilt and discomfort).

To more thoroughly explore the relationship between anticipated emotions and decision making, the researchers also examined the influence of anticipated emotions on “intention to use”, which is a strong predictor of actual behaviour in the context of sustainability and technology adoption. They built on previous research demonstrating “that anticipated regret affected customer adoption of innovative technology” and that positive and negative anticipated emotions affected consumers’ behavioural intention regarding green hotels. The researchers hypothesised that anticipated emotions influence consumers’ intention to use eco-friendly drone food delivery services.

The researchers designed and administered an innovative survey to explore the relationships between INELOC, anticipated emotions and intention to use eco-friendly drone food delivery services. They collected survey data from 405 restaurant customers in South Korea who had used food delivery services within the last 6 months. Before completing the online survey, the participants read a short newspaper article explaining the environmental advantages of drone-based food delivery services compared with currently available services.

The survey was composed of three multiple-item scales. The first distinguished between four groups of consumers: green consumers, activists, advocates and recyclers. The second measured anticipated negative and positive emotions in relation to drone food delivery services. The third scale assessed intention to use drone food delivery services. The participants indicated the level of their agreement with each item on a sliding 7-point scale. After the survey had been completed, the authors conducted a series of rigorous statistical analyses to examine the relationships between the three constructs.

As predicted, both positive and negative anticipated emotions shaped the participants’ intention to use drone food delivery services. When the participants expected to experience positive emotions, such as excitement and delight, when using drone food delivery services, they expressed a greater intention to use these services. Anticipated negative emotions, in contrast, reduced their intention to use these services. The authors suggest that drone food service companies could capitalise on these insights by developing strategies to promote customers’ positive anticipated emotions in relation to drone delivery, such as “acquiring certifications to formalise the environmental roles of drones in food delivery services”.

The effects of anticipated emotions on intention to use drone delivery services were also influenced by the INELOC profile of the participants. Among the participants classified as green consumers, the prospect of using drone-based food delivery services increased positive anticipated emotions and decreased negative anticipated emotions. “Using an eco-friendly delivery method, namely drone food delivery services, should be the norm among green consumers”, say the researchers. This offers important insights for marketers. For instance, mobile applications could be designed with a default drone delivery option, with additional charges for using less eco-friendly delivery modes.

The same influence of anticipated emotions on intention to use was found for advocates. To cater to advocates’ desire to inspire environmentally responsible behaviours in others, practitioners could implement “a reward program for advocates who post influential stories or videos on their social networking sites”, propose the researchers.

Activist consumers reported only anticipated positive emotions regarding drone food delivery services; they did not anticipate experiencing negative emotions. This could be because activists are committed to influencing people at large, making them “insensitive to the direct negative consequences of relatively small actions”, speculate the authors. Organising campaigns likely to appeal to activists, such as raising awareness of the environmental advantages of drones as a food delivery service, could be an effective way to increase activists’ intention to use such services.

Similarly, recyclers reported only anticipated positive emotions regarding the use of drone food delivery services, perhaps because such services are not directly linked to recycling behaviours. Nonetheless, drone delivery companies could try to maximise recyclers’ anticipated positive emotions regarding and thus intention to use drone services by informing them that their “routine participation in drone food delivery services is part of the effort to protect the environment”, suggest the authors.

Food delivery services have already changed the landscape of food consumption, and drones may represent the future of food delivery, especially given their potential to reduce CO2 emissions and ultimately alleviate global warming. Based on rigorous theoretical and empirical analysis, this forward-thinking study provides nuanced insights for drone delivery companies into creating strategies to engage consumers with different environment-related beliefs and values, especially by fostering their anticipated positive emotions. “Food service companies should understand the different propensities of consumers”, say the authors, “and establish differentiated marketing strategies depending on various segments”. These findings will help researchers and practitioners to take the next step towards a greener future through the widespread commercialisation of drone food delivery services.

Hwang, Jinsoo, Lee, Jin-Soo, Kim, Jinkyung Jenny, and Sial, Muhammad Safdar (2021). Application of Internal Environmental Locus of Control to the Context of Eco-Friendly Drone Food Delivery Services. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, Vol. 29, Issue 7, pp. 1098-1116.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Croissant Lovers at Tuxedo Espresso Bar, Carlton Hotel Bangkok

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Tuxedo Espresso Bar at Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit invites Croissant Lovers to experience the new Freshly Baked Croissant.

Selections are Scrambled Egg & Ham (THB 190++), House Cured Salmon with Cream Cheese (THB 280++) and Chocolate-Hazelnut (THB 190++).

Tuxedo Croissants are light and flaky with more than 100 fine layers encapsulating a buttery and spongy honeycomb-like centre.

Add only THB 50++ to pair it with your favourite coffee or tea. Great for breakfast and afternoon light bites.

For more information or to place an order, please contact 02 090 7888

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Waterfall Bathes the Heart of a New Resort in Vietnam

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Hanoi, Vietnam, September 23, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / An untouched waterfall, terraces of rice fields and a jungled mountainside setting form the underpinnings of a spectacular new 15-hectare resort in Vietnam’s Mai Chai Province, a 3.5-hour drive from Hanoi.

Opened quietly during the pandemic, the 36-villa property features spacious, indigenous design, a spa built on a stream and one of the most majestic dining opportunities to be found in Southeast Asia.

“It’s one thing to build a resort near the wonders of nature but to build in the midst of all this natural splendor, with a footprint as light and retractable as we have, makes for an immersive experience that can be overwhelming,” said Mr. Vu Huy, founder of Avana Retreat.

With architecture that leverages local Hmong and Thai building techniques and aesthetics, the resort’s 36 villas range in size from 98-square-meters (1,054-square-feet) to 229-square-meters (2,465-square-feet). Some of the villas optimize outdoor opportunities with balconies as large as 35-square-meters (377-square-feet). One villa perches on top of a terrace of rice fields. Three of the villas boast private pools, and the most exclusive villa features an 89-square-meter (958-square-feet) private heated pool that climbs in tiers like a visual echo of the rice terraces.

The roofs of the bungalow villas are thatched, like the local stilt houses and the walls are made of earth as is common with Hmong homes. The rattan ceilings are made using a Thai weaving technique. The warm wood interiors feature local arts and crafts, including hand-drawn beeswax paintings of intricate ethnic patterns.

The lantern-lined pathways and bridges that wind through the jungle of the property highlight the location, without tampering with it. The private waterfall, which inspired the development when discovered by the founders a decade ago, is the backdrop for private dinners and intimate parties with a terraced deck overlooking the cascade.

The resort’s open-air yoga studio pavilion juts over the stream. The property’s eight-treatment-room Orchid Spa is built along the stream, which courses through the site, and immerses guests in nature through both the therapies on offer and the lush landscape that surrounds. Spa treatments look to the landscape with local healing herbs and oils used in therapies that range from facials and body wraps through to comprehensive pampering packages like the Wild Reconnection. This signature 3-3.5 hour transformative experience includes a body exfoliation using local products, a toning and firming wrap, a relaxing facial, and a signature body massage that uses firm pressure and the stimulation of acupressure points, as well as warm Vietnamese herbal packs.

The property features four heated infinity pools with views of the sunset or cloud ceiling. The aptly-called Cloud Pool Bar, is named after this phenomenon, where the fluffy cloud cover settles just below the property for an almost other-worldly view. At this dining destination guests can enjoy a tipple, light snacks or lunch with a menu featuring local specialities, like a banana flower salad, and western-style fare like pizza, pasta, and sandwiches.

Avana’s all-day dining restaurant, Green Chili, offers an impressive selection of dishes from pho and Australian Wagyu Beef to a line-up of vegetarian and vegan options. As much as possible the team uses local herbs, spices and vegetables. They source organic eggs from a chicken farm on property.

Leveraging what’s local is a priority across the board. More than 90% of the staff are from the surrounding area.

“We want as much of the experience of accommodation here to be as singular to this part of Mai Chau as possible, from the sights you see, to the food you eat, to the people you meet,” said Huy.

To stay in harmony with the area, Avana is also a plastic- free retreat. Trash bags are made from corn starch, organic materials are composted, and they have their own Avana bottle plant to produce purified drinking water. They use an electric buggy service, to take guests around the resort, and continue to add to the diversity of the region through their tree-planting program.

Room rates start at USD 432. For more information visit https://avanaretreat.com

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Publishes Report on How Tourism Can Reverse Nature Loss

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WTTC Publishes Report on How Tourism Can Reverse Nature Loss - CONSERVATIONWORLD.com - TRAVELINDEXLondon, United Kingdom, September 23, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / A new report published today by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), shows how Travel & Tourism can play a critical role in halting and reversing the destruction of nature.

The report, which will help businesses understand and manage their impact on biodiversity, is launched ahead of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in December, where global governments will finalise actions to transform society’s relationship with nature, offers new hope for global nature conservation.

‘Nature Positive Travel & Tourism’, created jointly with ANIMONDIAL, a key advisor to global Travel & Tourism on animal and nature protection, and in collaboration with global businesses within the sector, has also been endorsed by Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD).

The report will help businesses act on the very real and urgent need to better protect biodiversity and nature.

Travel & Tourism businesses are uniquely placed to take positive actions to restore nature and, through nature-based solutions and decarbonisation, achieve Net Zero.

With nature tourism representing 20% of global tourism, the report shows just how crucial nature is for destinations around the world.

Wildlife, a primary motivator for nature tourism, contributes U.S.$343 billion to the global economy every year, and supports nearly 22 million jobs around the world.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Human activity has resulted in a devastating loss of natural habitat and biodiversity, with one in four species now facing extinction.

“Travel & Tourism is uniquely placed to make a real difference. 80% of Travel & Tourism is highly dependent on nature so it is crucial we take a proactive role in advancing nature conservation.

“Our report comes ahead of COP15, when governments will be creating targets to protect habitats, species, and the natural environment which in turn reduces carbon. Travel & Tourism is on the front line. We are all custodians of nature.”

Biodiversity is also intricately tied to other critical issues, such as climate change and emerging diseases, with the potential impact of the latter so starkly demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing the loss of biodiversity is not only crucial for the sector and its resilience, but also for the global economy and society.

Daniel Turner, ANIMONDIAL Co-Founder & Director, said: “Most Travel & Tourism businesses we talk to already understand the needs to include the protection of biodiversity and nature in their planning and reporting. But this can be a complicated area, and for many, the first challenge is simply knowing where to start.

“The report will inform, inspire, and empower Travel & Tourism to better manage their impacts and play a leading role in building a global Nature Positive future to help build a better world.

“ANIMONDIAL commends WTTC for this opportunity to help tourism businesses with their first steps, as well as the rest of their Nature Positive Tourism journey.”

Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity Executive Secretary, said: “Much of the Travel & Tourism sector relies on the beauty of nature and the resources it provides. Yet, we are losing biodiversity and natural resources at an unprecedented rate.

“Travel & Tourism is in a unique position to contribute to this reversal by implementing a number of measures such as educating and raising awareness; generating revenue streams that sustain the protection, management, and restoration of ecosystems; and reducing footprint activities, amongst others.”

Although global Travel & Tourism values nature and remains committed to protecting people and planet, WTTC believes more guidance is needed on the importance of biodiversity, the key drivers of biodiversity loss, and the key components to better protect and restore it.

To tackle this, the report offers a roadmap based on a four-phase framework with practical steps to guide the sector in adopting a Nature Positive approach: assessing operational impact, setting out a strategy, identifying essential actions, rolling out and reviewing the programme, and harnessing communication opportunities.

The report also offers four actions businesses can achieve in the short term: reconnecting people and nature, supporting sustainable value chains, protecting animals and their welfare, and investing in nature.

Both the private and public sectors have different roles to play. But meaningful change can and will only be achieved if the two work together to better protect animals and nature.

To read the report in full, please click here.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Supports the Promotion of Tourism in Tenerife

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UNWTO Supports the Promotion of Tourism in Tenerife - TRAVELINDEX - TOURISMSPAINSanta Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, September 22, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO has welcomed a delegation from Turismo de Tenerife (SPET) to draft a roadmap for future collaborations.

One of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is one of Europe’s most popular destinations, welcoming 2.7 million tourists in 2021 alone. The destination has significant touristic potential, and it is aiming to develop its sector in line with the values and priorities of UNWTO.

The official visit of Affiliate Member SPET to the UNWTO headquarters provided an opportunity to clarify the benefits of resources already available to the Affiliate Members, network and discuss institutional cooperation in the preparation of events.

Tenerife is one of Europe’s most popular destinations, welcoming 2.7 million tourists in 2021 alone

Among the topics discussed, Turismo de Tenerife presented its plans for “Global Summit Turismo” scheduled for 2024, while UNWTO presented the initiative “Best Tourism Villages” recognizing outstanding examples of rural tourism destinations with recognized cultural and natural assets, preserving and promoting community-based values, products and lifestyle in order to encourage the participation of Tenerife.

Tenerife offers a wide variety of attractions ranging from sports tourism, including hiking, climbing, biking routes and surfing, to astrotourism and gastrotourism.

About SPET – TURISMO DE TENERIFE

SPET – TURISMO DE TENERIFE dedicates its main activity to the realization of actions for the promotion of tourism on the island of Tenerife. Thus, it works in three areas within the island, which pursue the increase of our quality, competitiveness, and sustainability as a tourist destination. We coordinate improvement works with other entities and institutions, we dynamize areas of strategic interest that have reached periods of maturity, and we work in the creation and dynamization of tourist products in accordance with our potential and with the demand of our clients.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

LISTENING IN: Having fun with The Monks

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If you remember The Monks you’re probably Canadian, which is notable because the short-lived UK pop punk band (not to be confused with an early ‘60s German-based band of the same name) were only a hit in this country.

Comprised of three former members of Strawbs, The Monks were never accepted as a punk band in the UK and publicly derided by Johnny Rotten himself, perhaps because the Sex Pistols frontman was cheekily name-checked in their song “Johnny B. Rotten”:

“I’m something else in the clothes I wear, The papers quote me when I swear, It’s all a lie, but I don’t care… ¬Johnny B. Rotten tonight, You’d better hold that lid on tight…”

But for The Monks it was all in good fun and Canadians seemed to be in on the joke, unlike the audience in Britain, which deemed the band “inauthentic,” or Americans, who didn’t get the cockney lingo.

In 1979, their debut album “Bad Habits” hit it big in Canada, with the song “Drugs in My Pocket” peaking at No. 4 on the CHUM chart (“I’ve got drugs in my pocket and I don’t know what to do with them… I say its really crazy, they say it makes us sick, To me its all the same, cuz I’m just plain and thick.”

Another hit was the infectious, “hilarious” blind-date-gone-wrong ditty “Nice Legs Shame About Her Face,” which has raised the eyebrows of a few modern observers (but listen to the whole song for the redeeming fun twist at the end).

Such was the success of Bad Habits (double platinum in Canada) that The Monks released a follow-up, “Suspended Animation,” which was uniquely released only here in 1981, ultimately going gold. And in 2012, a version of the band even returned for a tribute concert at The Horseshoe club in Toronto.

Lead singer John Ford re-released “Nice Legs” as a solo effort in 2004, but we offer this energetic Top of the Pops performance of the band at its peak in 1979. Shame about their faces.

Lyrics

Met her on a blind date
Helping out an old mate
Waiting at the corner
She’d be dressed in black
There was I expecting a really tasty bird
He said she was good looking
I should I doubt his word
When I saw her there
She was a real disgrace
I thought nice legs shame about the face

I had to take her dancing
I couldn’t let her down
So we caught the bus
To the other side of town
Out upon the dance floor
I wasn’t getting far
So I had a drink with my friends
Up at the bar
I asked them what they thought of her
They fell about the place
And they said nice legs
Shame about her face

She said could we go bowling,
I said that would be fine
But when I bought the tickets
She’d already changed her mind
She was turning out
To be a real hard case
Nice legs shame about the boat race

Downed a gin and soda
Tapped me on the shoulder
Whispered in my ear
It’s getting kind of late
When I took her home
We hardly said a thing
I walked her to the door
Expected to go in
She looked me up and down
And really put me in my place
She said nice legs, shame about your face
Nice legs, shame about your face

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Marriott International Luxury Brands Sweeps the 2022 MUSE Creative Awards With 12 Platinum Honors

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MILUX Muse Awards Hero Image
2022 Hungarian Grand Prix, The Ritz-Carlton Artist Partner Louis-Nicolas Darbon and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team driver Lewis Hamilton in front of a bespoke mural at The Ritz-Carlton, Budapest.

Marriott International’s unmatched portfolio of luxury brands earned 12 Platinum Awards representing 5 dynamic brands, across 10 categories in the 2022 MUSE Creative Awards – an international competition for creative professionals.

The industry leader within the luxury hospitality space, The Ritz-Carlton, W Hotels, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and St. Regis, part of Marriott International’s luxury brand portfolio, were recognized for their work across a plane of creative disciplines and alongside peers in the luxury fashion and automotive sectors.

“It is an incredible honor to have The Ritz-Carlton, W, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and St. Regis recognized by the 2022 MUSE Creative Awards,” said Chris Gabaldon, Senior Vice President, Luxury Brands, Marriott International. “Our luxury brands are committed to pursuing excellence, embracing change and sparking conversation and this recognition is a testament to our brands’ creative strength and passion for innovation.”

In a competition with over 6,000 entries representing countries all over the world, the international MUSE Creative Awards are moderated by a variety of experts, and include creative and art directors from international agencies, architects, fashion designers, interior designers, product designers, educators and business.

The Ritz-Carlton Platinum Awards

  • The Ritz-Carlton: Lewis Hamilton in Budapest in Social Media (Influencer & Celebrity)
  • The Ritz-Carlton: Artist Partner Louis-Nicolas Darbon in Social Media (Arts & Culture)
  • The Ritz-Carlton: Artisans’ Tales with Hearst in Integrated Marketing Campaign
  • The Ritz-Carlton: Artisans’ Tales with Hearst Integrated Marketing (Social Media)
  • The Ritz-Carlton: Redesigning The Journey in Website (Travel)

W Hotels Platinum Awards

  • W Hotels Instagram Video Series // Trip Swap (Social Media Travel Tourism)
  • W Maldives x Cercle: Live-Streamed Private Island Performance (Social Media Travel Tourism)
  • W Maldives x Cercle: Live-Streamed Private Island Performance (Social Media COVID-19 related)

The Luxury Collection Platinum Awards

  • A Letter From Calvin Royal III (Social Media – Storytelling)
  • “A Journey Through” Itineraries Campaign (Media – Travel & Tourism)

JW Marriott Platinum Awards

  • JW Marriott – the JW Garden with Lily Kwong (Social Media – Food & Beverage)

St. Regis Platinum Awards

  • St. Regis – The Best Address (Social Media – Travel & Tourism)

About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,100 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program. Connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contact
Erica Flint
Director, Global Communications & Public Affairs, Luxury Brands
Marriott International
Erica.Flint@marriottluxurybrands.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Marriott Bonvoy® Introduces New Cobrand Credit Cards From American Express® And Chase Designed For People Who Live to Travel And Want To Earn Points Faster

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Marriott Bonvoy Amex Consumer Cards

Marriott Bonvoy®, the award-winning travel program from Marriott International, announces the expansion of its U.S. cobrand credit card portfolio with the introduction of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card from Chase. These new cards are designed for consumers seeking to quickly accumulate points toward free stays at more than 8,100 hotels and resorts participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program and includes an extraordinary portfolio of luxury and lifestyle properties, All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy™, and more than 70,000 premium rentals on Homes & Villas by Marriott International® around the globe.

In addition, Marriott Bonvoy is announcing enhancements to its premium Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, including Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status (which offers late checkout, a welcome gift of choice upon arrival, and more), a $300 annual credit at restaurants worldwide (up to $25/month back) and an annual Free Night Award.

These enhancements follow upgraded benefits introduced earlier this year for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card from Chase and the Marriott Bonvoy Business® Card from American Express.

“We are experiencing a travel renaissance among our Marriott Bonvoy members. The new cards from American Express and Chase will meet the growing desire to earn points as fast as possible – whether members are staying at one of our properties, or making everyday purchases – and redeem their points toward free stays,” said David Flueck, Senior Vice President, Global Loyalty, Marriott International. “Today’s announcement tops off a year of enhancing our cobrand card portfolio to provide members a wider assortment of rich credit card options to meet their needs.”

“From weekend getaways to trips across the world, customers have told us they want to get to that next trip faster – while enhancing their travel experience along the way,” said Jon Gantman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cobrand Product Management at American Express. “With new ways to earn points on everyday purchases, elevated Marriott Bonvoy Elite status and new ways to get to free nights faster, our Marriott Bonvoy American Express Cards can help people get the most out of the Marriott Bonvoy program.”

“No matter where or why we travel, experiencing more of the world provides fresh perspectives and has the power to be transformative,” said Khary Barnes, Managing Director and General Manager of Marriott Co-Brand Cards at Chase. “Building on the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card enhanced benefits announced earlier this year, the addition of the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card to the Chase Card portfolio provides our card members with additional opportunities to unlock meaningful value and elevate their travel experiences with Marriott Bonvoy.”

Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful Card

New Cards for Maximizing Marriott Bonvoy Points
Benefits for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card and the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card from Chase include:

  • 6X Marriott Bonvoy Points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy
  • 4X Marriott Bonvoy Points on up to $15,000 in combined purchases per year at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets
  • 2X Marriott Bonvoy Points on all other eligible purchases
  • 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy Bonus Points with each qualifying stay
  • Complimentary Gold Elite status
  • A Free Night Award (redemption level at or under 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points) after making $15,000 in purchases per year. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • 15 Elite Night Credits each calendar year toward higher Elite status

Terms and conditions apply. The annual fee for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card from Chase is $250. See rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card. See rates and fees for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card from Chase.

In addition to earning points towards free stays, members may also redeem points for exclusive, unrivaled experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments™ to pursue their passions ranging from culinary, to arts and lifestyle and, sports and entertainment.
New eligible Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card Members and Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card from Chase members can earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy points after they spend $4,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in the first three months. The Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express Card offer is available through January 11, 2023. The Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card from Chase offer is available into January 2023. Terms and conditions apply.

Learn more about or apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ Card from American Express. Learn more about or apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Bountiful™ Card from Chase.

Enhancements to Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Setting a new standard for luxury travel cobrand credit cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has been refreshed to offer even more benefits. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® now gives Card Members complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, which provides access to hotel lounges, room upgrades and late checkout when available. Existing Card benefits, such as a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee and a Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), continue to give Card Members a premium travel experience.

Benefits:

  • 6X Marriott Bonvoy points on purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X points on all other eligible purchases
  • Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite Status (New)
  • One Free Night Award each year after Card renewal month that can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy. Certain hotels have resort fees. (New)
  • Up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 back per month) for dining purchases at restaurants worldwide (New)
  • 25 Elite Night Credits each calendar year (New)
  • Up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve or St. Regis brands when you book direct using a special rate for a 2+ night stay
  • New Annual Earned Choice Award: Each calendar year (starting January 2023), after making $60K in purchases, Card Members can select an Earned Choice Award benefit
  • Priority Pass Select Membership (enrollment required)
  • Application fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (which comes with access to TSA PreCheck)

Terms apply. Learn more about the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express Card annual fee will be increasing to $650. For Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® Card Members who opened accounts prior to September 22, 2022, the new annual fee will take effect on those Card Members’ annual renewal dates on or after January 1, 2023. See rates and fees.

To celebrate the enhanced benefits, new Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express Card Members can earn 150,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after they spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on the Card in the first three months. The offer is available through January 11, 2023. Terms and conditions apply.

Card members who have The Ritz-Carlton Rewards™ Card from Chase, which is no longer available to new applicants, will receive the new 85K Anniversary Free Night Award. There is no change to The Ritz-Carlton Rewards™ Card annual fee.

Today’s news follows announcements earlier this year about enhanced benefits for other cards in the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. In February, Marriott Bonvoy and Chase announced updated benefits to the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® credit card enabling greater earning on everyday spending and new ways to achieve Marriott Bonvoy Elite status. In July, Marriott Bonvoy and American Express announced refreshed travel, business, and global dining rewards for new and existing Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express Card Members. The enhanced benefits are also available for the Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, which is no longer available to new applicants.

About Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and marketplace, gives members access to transformative, eye-opening experiences around the corner and across the globe. Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit www.marriottbonvoy.com. Download the Marriott app. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About American Express
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at www.americanexpress.com, and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: personal cards, business cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, Accertify, Kabbage, Resy, corporate card, business travel, diversity and inclusion, corporate responsibility and Environmental, Social, and Governance reports.

About Chase
Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading financial services firm based in the United States with assets of $3.8 trillion and operations worldwide. Chase serves more than 66 million American households and 5 million small businesses with a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing, investment advice, small business loans and payment processing. Customers can choose how and where they want to bank: More than 4,700 branches in 48 states and the District of Columbia, 16,000 ATMs, mobile, online and by phone. For more information, go to www.chase.com.

Media Contact
John Wolf
Vice President, Public Relations
Marriott International
John.Wolf@marriott.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Marriott International Signs Agreement with Bain Capital Credit and Omnam Group to Bring EDITION Hotels Brand to Italy’s Lake Como

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The Lake Como EDITION is expected to open in 2025
The Lake Como EDITION is expected to open in 2025

Marriott International, Inc., today announced it has signed an agreement with Bain Capital Credit and Omnam Group to bring its EDITION Hotels brand to Lake Como. Owned and developed by Bain Capital and Omnam Group through a fund managed by Kryalos SGR, The Lake Como EDITION is slated to open in 2025 with 145 luxurious guest rooms, including two penthouse suites, a lively lobby bar, a floating pool, and multiple restaurants and bars overlooking Lake Como with breath-taking views of the Bellagio mountains. The property is a 19th century building located on the western shore of the prestigious Lake Como, a short drive from Central Milan. It will be converted into a luxury lifestyle destination that brings new life to Lake Como while honoring the intimate history of the building and its rich heritage.

“We are excited to work with Bain Capital Credit and Omnam Group to introduce the EDITION Hotels brand to one of Italy’s most beautiful destinations,” said Josh Fluhr, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, EDITION Hotels, Marriott International. “Today’s signing demonstrates guests continued demand for luxury accommodations and experiences.”

“We are delighted to launch The Lake Como EDITION with Omnam and Marriott International,” said Fabio Longo, Managing Director, Bain Capital Credit. “We seek to invest in under-penetrated real estate markets and the EDITION brand fills a gap in core leisure markets for differentiated luxury lifestyle hotels and enhances our real estate portfolio in Europe.”

“We look forward to bringing the Omnam flair to this unique location and celebrating the natural beauty of Lake Como,” said David Zisser, CEO, Omnam. “This is Omnam’s fourth development in Italy and, as always, our team strives to create new experiences while remaining true to the special heritage of our surroundings. Our goal is to create sophisticated luxury that invites everyone to experience and enjoy. Together with Bain Capital Credit, we are excited to team up once again with Marriott International and to bring this vision to life.”

“There is an incredible opportunity for hotel investments in Italy, not only in large tourist destinations like Rome and Milan, but in specific locations that have a strong appeal for guests that look for high quality services and unique experiences,” said Paolo Bottelli, CEO of Kryalos SGR. “At Kryalos, we are proud to support the entrance of this top brand to Lake Como.”

EDITION Hotels committed to uncompromising quality, true originality and impeccable modern service continue to challenge traditional perceptions of luxury, and entrench EDITION’s position as an industry leader. Every EDITION hotel is unique, reflecting the social and cultural milieu of the time and place of its creation. Each new property is individually developed in collaboration with one of the world’s most eminent designers chosen specifically for that location and introduces original food and beverage concepts from internationally renowned chefs. The end result offers the best of dining and entertainment, modern luxury services and amenities “all under one roof. ”EDITION Hotels redefine the concept of luxury by offering an unexpected collection of one-of-a-kind hotels. The Lake Como EDITION is expected to further enhance Marriott International’s footprint across Europe where it currently has a portfolio of over 719 properties with more than 137,500 rooms across 25 brands. EDITION Hotels currently operates 15 properties in locations around the globe including New York, West Hollywood, London, Reykjavik, Madrid, Tokyo, and Shanghai.

About Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,000 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

About EDITION Hotels
EDITION Hotels is an unexpected and refreshing collection of individualized, customized, one-of-a-kind hotels which redefines the codes of traditional luxury. Displaying the best of dining, entertainment, services, and amenities “all under one roof,” each EDITION property is completely unique, reflecting the best of the cultural and social milieu of its location and of the time.

Each hotel, with its individuality, authenticity, originality, and unique ethos, reflects the current spirit and zeitgeist of its location. Although all the hotels look completely different from each other, the brand’s unifying aesthetic is in its approach and attitude to the modern lifestyle rather than its appearance. EDITION is about an attitude and the way it makes you feel rather than the way it looks. Sophisticated public spaces, finishes, design, and details serve the experience, not drive it. For an underserved market of affluent, culturally savvy, and service-savvy guests, the EDITION experience and lifestyle explores the unprecedented intersection and the perfect balance between taste-making design and innovation and consistent, excellent service on a global scale.

EDITION currently operates 15 hotels globally: New York and Times Square New York; London; Miami Beach; Tampa, Florida; West Hollywood; Barcelona; Bodrum; Shanghai and Sanya, China; Abu Dhabi, Dubai; Tokyo Toranomon; Reykjavik; and Madrid. Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram. Visit www.editionhotels.com.

About Bain Capital Credit
Bain Capital Credit is a leading global credit specialist with approximately $48 billion in assets under management. Bain Capital invests up and down the capital structure and across the spectrum of credit strategies, including leveraged loans, high-yield bonds, distressed debt, private lending, structured products, non-performing loans, and equities. Our team of more than 240 professionals creates value through rigorous, independent analysis of thousands of corporate issuers around the world. In addition to credit, Bain Capital invests across asset classes including private equity, public equity and venture capital, and leverages the firm’s shared platform to capture opportunities in strategic areas of focus. Visit www.baincapitalcredit.com.

About Omnam Group
Omnam (www.omnamgroup.com) is a diverse global real estate investor and developer with an incisive vision to source and develop iconic real estate assets. Omnam’s core expertise lies in medium to large-scale hotels, aparthotels, residential and mixed-use developments in Europe; its portfolio includes projects in The Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Italy. Connect with us on Instagram, and visit www.omnamgroup.com.

About Kryalos SGR
Kryalos SGR, active since 2005, is one of the primary players in the Italian real estate market. With € 11.2 billion of Asset Under Management and a team of 105 professionals with in-depth experience in real estate (offices, logistics, retail, hotel, residential and healthcare), Kryalos SGR offers fund management, transaction management, development, advisory and credit management services and is a partner of Italian and international leaders. Visit www.kryalossgr.com.

Media Contacts
Stevie King
Global – Purple PR
EDITION Hotels
Stevie.King@purplepr.com
+44 2074-399888

Federico Steiner
Italy – Barabino
Bain Capital Credit
F.Steiner@barabino.it
+39 027-2023535

Julia Tilley
UK – Camarco
Bain Capital Credit
baincapital@camarco.co.uk
+44 7815-068387

Noa Diamant
Omnam
noad@omnamgroup.com
+44 7483-136177

Claudio Cosetti
Barabino & Partners
Kryalos SGR
c.cosetti@barabino.it
+39 335-7491683

Raffaella Ciafardini
Kryalos SGR
raffaella.ciafardini@kryalossgr.com
+39 334-9953902

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Asia’s Best Hotel Bars with a Twist

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Hotel bar design has witnessed significant evolution in recent times. Often regarded as an afterthought — a convenient meeting spot or a place to grab one last drink at the end of the night — in-house watering holes are now seen as a key drawcard for any hotel worth its salt.

Cocktails à la Tuk-Tuk
Banyan Tree Samui resort boasts what might be the cutest bar in Thailand — a cocktail caravan remodeled from a classic 1960s tuk-tuk. The MP4 Midget is virtually unseen on the streets of Thailand these days, but once upon a time, the “frogs”, as they were commonly nicknamed, were everywhere. Revived from retirement, and now dubbed the Froggy Sea Breeze Beach Bar, this emerald-green van today serves up cocktails, wines, beers and spirits to Banyan Tree guests and non-guests alike in a quiet beachfront cove in the southeast of the island every day from 11am till 11pm. Highly recommended is the sweet n’ sour Froggy Melon, garnished in mint leaves, or The Botanical, a gin and absinthe-infused cocktail guaranteed to kick-start any engine.

Going Underground in Phnom Penh
Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh has applied a new facet to the destination’s vibrant bar scene with Metropole Underground: the first subterranean bar in Cambodia’s capital. Inspired by the louche, chic vibe of early 20th Century Paris, Metropole Underground is a unique addition to the famously lively bar scene in Phnom Penh. Discreetly located in the basement of the Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh, the city’s newest international branded luxury hotel, the sophisticated space offers premium drinks, light gourmet bites, and nightly live entertainment spanning bands and DJ beats. The bar, which like the rest of the hotel, is designed by award-winning Singapore-based SCDA Architects with interiors by leading Thai firm PIA Interior, is inspired by the glory days of Parisian art-deco. The metro system in the French capital was a major inspiration for the bar, with replicas of cast iron detailing from the original Paris Metro integrated into the space and transformed into sculptural and decorative elements.

‘Karaoke-ing’ Atop a Bar on Cam Ranh Peninsula
It’s no secret liquid courage is often behind a good karaoke session. With that in mind, the 30-hectare Alma Resort in Vietnam has five karaoke rooms perched on its American Bar; a name that references the United States’ past war-time presence in Cam Ranh’s deep-water bay. The karaoke rooms are all sound-proofed, allaying any noise concerns for bar-goers as well as fear of embarrassment among the karaoke singers. Deploying dim lighting to create a mood of privacy and intimacy, the bar serves creative cocktails, fine wines, classic whiskies, ice-cold beers and more paired with light bites. American Bar also offers billiards and large screens that play the latest sports matches.

How Long Is The Long in Saigon?
While long might mean “dragon” in Vietnamese language, in the case of the Long Bar running beneath the Times Square Building in Saigon’s fashionable District 1, the name most certainly applies to the length and narrowness of this charming tavern. The bar’s lithe 40-meter counter provides a panoramic perspective to the barstool-loving patron, and there are no less than five bartenders patrolling its expanse. Overhead, a ceiling of arched glass channels natural light into a setting that’s not quite indoors, not quite outdoors. The Long @ Times Square anchors the ground floor of The Reverie Saigon, the city’s most iconic and extravagant hotel, and is a popular sidewalk spot during the weekend when the street outside transforms into a pedestrianized market, and sports fans gather in the evenings to watch the latest match on the Long Bar’s large flatscreen TVs. For more information, call +84 8 6268 1888

A Legendary Patriarch Remembered in Bali
In 2020, after 15 years in the doldrums, a Balinese building that was once the heart of Hendra Hadiprana’s private estate was reimagined as a new tapas lounge, Panen Padi, at Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana. The noted Indonesian architect, who fashioned the Balinese resort as a family retreat in the late 1980s, used the building as his place of residence when visiting the vast estate. Today his presence still looms large. A passionate art lover, Hendra’s own life story has been created into artwork and adorns the ceiling. The massive mural takes visitors on his journey from youth to his golden years, with imagery of Bali, the property, and from his time in the Netherlands. An al fresco terrace has been added to enjoy the sunset while sipping a cocktail or mocktail, named for the location and inspired by it.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News