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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 08, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group, has taken up duties as Chair of the IATA Board of Directors. His one-year term began at the conclusion of the 82nd IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 8 June 2026.

Alvo is the 84th Chair of the IATA Board of Directors on which he has served since 2020. Alvo succeeds Luis Gallego, CEO of International Airlines Group (IAG). Gallego will continue to serve on the Board.

“Aviation is at a defining moment, with an increasingly important role in connecting people, enabling trade, and supporting economic development around the world. Chairing the IATA Board of Directors at this time is a responsibility I take with great commitment. As we navigate a more complex environment, our industry must continue working together to strengthen safety, improve efficiency, advance sustainability, and unlock the benefits of connectivity for more people and communities. I look forward to working with IATA’s members, governments, and industry partners to help ensure aviation remains a force for opportunity, resilience, and growth,” said Roberto Alvo, CEO of LATAM Airlines Group.

Alvo has over 25 years of experience in the aviation industry. He joined LAN Airlines (now LATAM Airlines Group) in 2001 and held several leadership positions across finance, commercial, and strategic functions before being appointed CEO in 2020. Shortly after becoming CEO, Alvo led LATAM through its Chapter 11 restructuring process and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing the group’s successful transformation and emergence in 2022.

Under Alvo’s leadership, LATAM has strengthened its position as the leading airline group in Latin America, expanding connectivity across the region and to international markets, advancing its sustainability agenda, and delivering strong operational and financial performance. Today, LATAM serves more than 161 destinations in 27 countries and plays a key role in connecting South America within the region and with the world.

“Luis Gallego has been a diligent and tireless Chair of the IATA Board of Directors, particularly as we worked through the complex issues of modernizing IATA’s governance. I thank him personally for his great support. The Board will be in very safe hands as its leadership passes to Roberto Alvo. Having guided LATAM Airlines Group through significant challenges to record profits, he has the experience we need to help IATA meet members’ needs during challenging times. We have already seen an example of his support for IATA’s work in generously hosting and presiding over a successful AGM in Rio de Janeiro,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Chair Elect and Board Appointments

IATA announced Mehmet Tevfik Nane, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Pegasus Airlines, to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors from June 2027, following Alvo’s term. IATA also published the full list of its 32 Board members.

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Da Nang, Vietnam, June 7, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / From self-care to social-connection, TIA Wellness Resort in Vietnam is launching new social wellness experiences that bring guests together for healing and support. From a ‘Release and Renewal Fire Ceremony’ to ‘Sound and Stillness – A Collective Resonance Ritual’, TIA is creating spaces for connection that move beyond group classes.

A 2025 report from the World Health Organization’s Commission on Social Connection highlighted how widespread and serious social isolation and loneliness is within society. The landmark report calls on all sectors to treat social health with the same level of importance as we do mental and physical health.

“Our social wellness activities provide a container for people to gather, reflect and release,” explained Ramon Imper, general manager of TIA Wellness Resort. “The experiences may be rooted in inner reflection, but going through the process with others, and under the guidance of a facilitator provides a higher level of support and a feeling of community.”

Held each week on Friday at 6pm, the 30-minute Release and Renewal Fire Ceremony invites guests to pause, reflect, and take part in a symbolic ritual of release. Guests think about what they are ready to release — any thoughts, emotions, or patterns that feel heavy or no longer serve them. They write them down and then place the paper into the fire, symbolically letting go. After that guests are invited to set a personal intention — something they wish to welcome, cultivate, or create in their lives. This intention is written down and also put in the fire, as guests engage in a ritual of transformation.

“The fire serves as a visual and energetic focal point, supporting a sense of closure, clarity, and forward movement,” said Ramon. “This shared yet deeply personal experience fosters emotional release, intention setting, and a renewed sense of lightness, allowing guests to move through their TIA journey with greater awareness and presence.”

Sound and Stillness – A Collective Resonance Ritual is a sensory-based experience that takes place in the garden of the Wellness Center. Fragrant rosewood, dense mangroves, towering ferns, taro, and vibrant parakeet flowers grow in abundance within the tropical garden. Nature is the backdrop for an immersive soundscape where wind chimes, singing bowls, and simple instruments are arranged to create sound stations. In the 30-minute session, held each Wednesday at 5pm, guests are first guided to pause, breathe, and settle into the moment, before choosing an intention or feeling that they wish to cultivate. They are then invited to play an instrument, allowing the sound and vibration to carry their intention into the shared space.

“The key is minimal structure, no performance, no group timing — just a flowing, meditative soundscape created by guests,” added Ramon. “Studies have shown that sound healing helps reduce stress, tension and anxiety while improving spiritual wellbeing.”

“We created these rituals in response to a growing need from our guests for acts of self-care that brought them together with others,” said Ramon.

Eschewing quick fixes for long term change, over the last few years TIA has added more services that support guests once they leave the resort. In 2025 they launched WELL with TIA, a wellbeing YouTube channel with yoga, breathwork, and HIIT classes for use at home.

The team have now also launched ‘Letters to Your Future Self,’ where guests come together to reflect and write a personal letter to themselves during their stay at TIA. The practice encourages guests to capture how they feel, what they are releasing, and what they wish to carry forward. During the half hour session, held each Sunday at 5pm, guests can come and go as they finish their reflection. Each letter is then collected and mailed to the guest after departure.

“This serves as a meaningful reminder of their time at TIA and the intentions they set for themselves,” said Ramon. “This act creates a lasting emotional connection that extends the wellness journey beyond the stay.”

The Release and Renewal Fire Ceremony, Sound and Stillness – A Collective Resonance Ritual, and Letters to Your Future Self are complimentary activities that have been added to the resort’s comprehensive activity schedule which includes creativity classes, HITT, yoga, and breathwork sessions.

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Tunis, Tunisia, June 06, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Tunisia has taken a significant step forward in its journey towards a more sustainable, competitive and internationally visible tourism model with the successful launch of Sustainable Tunisia | Human First, a national initiative designed to align the country’s tourism sector with internationally recognised standards of sustainability, quality and certification.

Held in Tunis under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism and Handicrafts, with the participation of the Tunisian National Tourist Office (ONTT), the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), professional federations – FTH, FTAV, FI2T and FTRT – and leading tourism stakeholders, the event marked a first successful milestone in a broader process aimed at moving Tunisia from ambition to structured action.

More than a workshop, Sustainable Tunisia | Human First opened a new national conversation around the future of Tunisian tourism – one that places people, territories, heritage, hospitality, quality and measurable sustainability at the heart of the destination’s development strategy.

The presence of Mr Randy Durband, CEO of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, gave the initiative a strong international dimension. In his keynote address, dedicated to standards, measurement and verification, Mr Durband underlined the importance of credible frameworks, transparent progress and internationally recognised pathways for destinations seeking to strengthen their sustainable tourism performance.

His intervention came at a strategic moment for Tunisia, as the country seeks to build on its long-standing tourism assets while preparing for a more diversified, resilient and future-oriented model. From its Mediterranean coastline to its oases, medinas, rural regions, craft traditions, gastronomy and hospitality culture, Tunisia has the foundations to become a leading destination for meaningful and responsible travel in the Mediterranean region.

The initiative also reflected the strong will of the Tunisian Ministry of Tourism to support a transition that is both realistic and ambitious. By encouraging dialogue between public institutions, private operators, professional federations, training bodies, destinations and international partners, the workshop helped lay the groundwork for a coordinated national roadmap.

A key moment of the process was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between GSTC and Tunisian tourism authorities, confirming a shared commitment to cooperation, capacity building, awareness, stakeholder mobilisation and progressive alignment with international sustainability standards. This institutional step is expected to support Tunisia in structuring its future work around training, pilot destinations, self-assessment, gap analysis and preparation for certification pathways through GSTC-accredited certification bodies.

The workshop also highlighted the role of market expectations and international visibility. A conversation with Danielle D’Silva, Director of Sustainability at Booking[dot]com, brought a global market perspective to the discussion, showing how traveller expectations are evolving towards greater transparency, credible sustainability information and recognised third-party certification.

For Tunisia, this represents a clear opportunity. Sustainable tourism is no longer only a matter of environmental responsibility. It is increasingly linked to competitiveness, market access, visitor trust, regional development, employability and the ability of destinations to communicate with evidence rather than slogans.

Initiated and accompanied by TOURISMAG[dot]com, the initiative reflects a long-term commitment to positioning Tunisia as a destination capable of combining authenticity with international credibility. Since its creation, TOURISMAG has worked to promote destinations, tourism professionals and emerging travel trends across Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Through Sustainable Tunisia | Human First, the platform is now contributing to a structured national effort to connect local initiatives with global standards.

Donia Hamouda, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Tourismag, Founder of KYNTIS Training & Incentive Solutions, and Initiator and Coordinator of the Sustainable Tunisia | Human First process, GSTC Liaison for Tunisia, stated:

“Tunisia does not start from scratch. Across the country, many initiatives already exist – led by institutions, professionals, technical and cooperation partners, women entrepreneurs, young people, local communities, guesthouse owners, hoteliers, guides, artisans and regional actors. What we need now is to connect these efforts, structure them, measure progress and give them stronger international visibility. Sustainable Tunisia | Human First is the beginning of that process.”

The first phase of the initiative aims to build momentum around a practical and progressive pathway. The expected next steps include the identification of pilot destinations, the mobilisation of public and private stakeholders, capacity building for tourism professionals, baseline diagnostics, gap analysis and the development of territorial roadmaps adapted to Tunisia’s realities.

Tunisia’s strength lies in the diversity of its territories. Tunis, Djerba and Dahar offer a powerful starting point for this new chapter: the capital with its historic medina and creative energy; Djerba, recognised by UNESCO for its unique island settlement model; and Dahar, recently included in the UNESCO Global Geoparks network, where geology, memory, ksour, troglodyte heritage and local communities come together in a remarkable landscape.

These destinations can become living laboratories for a model that may later be adapted and replicated across other regions of Tunisia. With nine UNESCO World Heritage properties, a rich intangible heritage and a culinary culture shaped by ancestral recipes, women’s know-how, local products and the emotion of shared hospitality, Tunisia has the ability to tell a different story — one where sustainability is not imported, but rooted in the land, the people and the memory of the country.

As Tunis prepares to shine as Capital of Arab Tourism 2027, Sustainable Tunisia | Human First sends a strong signal: Tunisia is ready to enter a new chapter of tourism development, one that values its people, protects its heritage, strengthens its regions and speaks to international markets with confidence and proof.

The event confirmed that sustainability and quality are no longer separate agendas. They are part of the same future. A destination that supports its communities, preserves its culture, manages its resources and measures its progress is a destination that becomes stronger, more attractive and more resilient.

Sustainable Tunisia | Human First is not an end point. It is a beginning. A first successful step towards a more structured, inclusive and internationally aligned tourism future for Tunisia.

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Paris, France, June 06, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Professor Geoffrey Lipman delivers keynote address to Caribbean Chamber of Commerce in Europe, warning that global sustainability frameworks are failing – urging a generational reset.

Speaking on World Environment Day at a UNESCO seminar hosted by the Caribbean Chamber of Commerce in Europe (CCCE), Professor Geoffrey Lipman, President of SUNx Malta and former President of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), and Assistant Secretary General, UNWTO, delivered a stark warning to the global tourism community: the sustainability frameworks underpinning the sector are failing, and a radical shift in thinking is urgently needed.

Drawing on six decades of experience in sustainable tourism, including senior roles at IATA, UNWTO and WTTC, Professor Lipman told delegates that the three pillars of the global green order are in crisis. SDG targets are forecast to be missed by 80%, the Montreal-Kunming Biodiversity framework faces equivalent gaps in funding and legal architecture, and the existential Paris 1.5°C climate pathway is “dying” as greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise year on year.

He called on the sector to rethink hollow declarations and embrace what he termed “Carney-world new realism” – a reference to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s call at Davos for a pragmatic reassessment of the post-war international order.

“Our global sustainability model is becoming unsustainable,” Professor Lipman said. “We are re-arranging the policy deckchairs on the Titanic, summit after summit, while falling short on 80% of our own self-declared targets.”

Against this backdrop, SUNx Malta announced two significant programme expansions. The organisation’s flagship ‘Education to Action – A Plan For Our Kids‘ initiative – encompassing a postgraduate Climate Friendly Travel Diploma with over 150 graduates, 40 grassroots CFT Chapters across Small Island and Developing States, and a CFT Registry of more than 1,000 enrolled companies – will be complemented next month by a second foundation, SxBGI (SUNx BestStar Global Institute), established at the Hub for Humanity in The Hague in partnership with BestStar Holding Group, a major multi-sector development platform focussed on practical humanitarian solutions, led by Dr Arthur Eilers.

SxBGI will support climate-focused start-ups, new technologies and community projects, and will anchor a CFT Humanitarian Study Group taking families to visit Climate Friendly Travel destinations across the Global South. The programme will also expand the Dodo4Kids campaign – which uses books, cartoons and games to teach children about climate and environmental threats – following a recent launch in Malta that sent 1,000 books to children in Ukraine with the backing of the Deputy Prime Minister of Malta and the Secretary General of UN Tourism.

Professor Lipman closed with a challenge to his own generation: “Maybe we can recognise the New Reality – but it will be our kids and grandkids who master it. Our job is to start right now and genuinely help them on the path.”

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Dili, Timor-Leste, June 06, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / The Ministry of Tourism has launched the Timor-Leste Tourism Ambassador Programme, a certified training initiative aimed at strengthening customer service, professionalism, and destination knowledge across the tourism and hospitality sectors. The programme supports frontline workers in the public and private sectors to better represent Timor-Leste and deliver quality visitor experiences.

The programme responds to the need for stronger hospitality skills and a wider understanding of tourism’s growing importance to Timor-Leste’s economy. It provides practical training in customer care, communication, professionalism, teamwork, and knowledge of Timor-Leste’s heritage, culture, and attractions.

This one-day training programme commenced on June 1st and 2nd at the Dili Convention Centre, with 59 participants taking part. Additional training sessions are planned from July to September 2026, with around 300 participants targeted for training during the next phase.

The programme was developed by the Ministry of Tourism and is delivered by experienced trainers from Pro-Ema Restaurant School in Dili under the Ministry’s guidance and oversight. Registration for the programme is free of charge, and all direct participation costs, including training materials, are covered by the Ministry.

“The Tourism Service Ambassador Programme forms part of the Ministry of Tourism’s broader training plan to strengthen technical skills and customer service capability across the tourism sector,” commented Antonio da Silva, Director General of Tourism. “By investing in people who represent Timor-Leste every day, the Ministry aims to elevate service quality, enhance the visitor experience, and support the sustainable growth of tourism as a national priority.”

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Bangkok, Thailand, June 06, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / As Thailand’s specialty coffee scene and café culture continue to thrive, MILKLAB, Australia’s leading barista-crafted plant-based milk brand, is redefining the coffee experience through a uniquely Thai cultural lens.

In an exclusive lifestyle-led activation, MILKLAB invited media and content creators to experience Bangkok’s evolving café culture aboard a floating coffee journey through the charming canals of Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market in Thonburi.

Located on the outskirts of Bangkok, Khlong Lat Mayom Floating Market stands out for its authentic local charm and vibrant community spirit, offering visitors a genuine glimpse into Thailand’s traditional riverside way of life.

Thailand’s floating markets have long reflected the country’s historic way of life, where canals once served as the heart of transportation, trade, and community connection. Wooden boats drifting along the waterways, local delicacies, and the relaxed rhythm of canal-side living continue to captivate both international visitors and urban locals alike.

Set against the backdrop of riverside communities and traditional canal-side living, two signature barista-crafted specialty coffees — Honey Oat Lychee and Coconut Pistachio Latte — blended with MILKLAB by Mikael Jasin, 2024 World Barista Champion and MILKLAB Global Brand Ambassador, are served amid a unique convergence of heritage, lifestyle, and modern café culture.

Thailand remains one of MILKLAB’s key strategic markets, particularly Bangkok — a city celebrated for its dynamic blend of culture, creativity, and vibrant café communities. Driven by the rapid growth of specialty coffee, plant-based beverages, and health-conscious lifestyles among younger consumers, the brand continues to invest in experiences that authentically connect with modern café culture while strengthening its ambition to become Thailand’s leading premium plant-based milk brand.

Under the philosophy “Made with Baristas. Made for You.”, MILKLAB is crafted specifically for baristas to elevate the taste and texture of coffee and contemporary beverages. Known for its creamy mouthfeel and superior steaming performance, the brand has become a favorite among baristas and specialty cafés in more than 20 countries worldwide. Its premium range includes almond, oat, soy, macadamia, and coconut milk — all designed to complement and enhance modern coffee experiences.

MILKLAB believes that today’s consumers are seeking far more than just a favorite cup of coffee, Thai tea, or matcha. They are searching for lifestyle spaces — places to work, unwind, connect, community and experience culture. The floating coffee experience embodies this perspective: cafés are no longer simply beverage destinations, but cultural spaces that bring people together while shaping the identity of modern urban lifestyles.

As café culture continues to evolve in Thailand, MILKLAB aims to become part of the country’s broader coffee movement — not only by building brand awareness, but by creating meaningful experiences, fostering communities, and supporting barista networks that connect people through coffee culture.

MILKLAB products are available in Thailand via the Aroma Shop and Coffee 2U LINE Official Accounts, the Coffee 2U application, Gourmet Market, and Villa Market.

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Gyeongju, Korea, June 4, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / The strategic partnership between the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and TOP25 Restaurants, was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding during the PATA Annual Summit 2026 in Gyeongju, Korea. Signed by Noor Ahmad Hamid, CEO of PATA, and Bernard Metzger, Founder and Chairman of TOP25 Restaurants, the agreement was witnessed by the newly elected Chairman of PATA, Mr. Henry Oh, and over 550 travel and tourism professionals at the PATA Annual Summit 2026.

This collaboration represents far more than an agreement between two organisations. It creates a powerful platform for destinations, tourism boards, DMOs, and PATA members to strengthen their positioning as premier gastronomy tourism destinations while leveraging the latest advances in artificial intelligence and destination marketing.

For PATA and its members, the partnership provides access to an innovative, globally scalable platform that identifies, recognises, and promotes restaurant excellence and culinary experiences. As food increasingly influences travel decisions, destinations can use gastronomy as a strategic differentiator to attract higher-value visitors, enhance destination branding, and generate greater international visibility.

Through TOP25 Restaurants’ AI-powered ranking and destination intelligence technology, destinations will be able to showcase their culinary ecosystems more effectively, strengthen their tourism competitiveness, and create new opportunities for local restaurants, chefs, producers, and hospitality stakeholders.

For TOP25 Restaurants, the collaboration with PATA significantly accelerates the expansion of its platform across the Asia Pacific region and beyond. By working closely with one of the world’s most influential travel and tourism associations, TOP25 Restaurants can deploy its groundbreaking AI technology to more destinations faster, helping build comprehensive gastronomy tourism ecosystems that benefit visitors, destinations, and local communities alike.

Together, PATA and TOP25 Restaurants aim to create a new benchmark for gastronomy tourism development by combining PATA’s extensive destination network and industry leadership with TOP25 Restaurants’ advanced AI capabilities, global visibility platforms, and internationally recognised restaurant rankings and awards.

The result is a win-win partnership: destinations gain powerful tools to enhance their culinary tourism positioning, PATA members gain greater visibility and engagement opportunities, and TOP25 Restaurants can scale its innovative technology and impact across a growing number of destinations.

We look forward to working together to help destinations tell their culinary stories, celebrate excellence, and strengthen their position on the global tourism stage.

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Bangkok, Thailand, June 04, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / The Extraordinary Travel Festival (ETF), the leading gathering of the world’s most adventurous and accomplished travelers, is excited to announce Michelle Cabrera, known online as @michellegoesthere, as a featured speaker for ETF III, scheduled for October 22–25, 2026 in Bangkok.

Michelle is a solo adventure traveler and travel content creator whose unflinching, honest storytelling has resonated with hundreds of thousands of followers across Instagram and TikTok. Her journey began not with a bucket list or a plan, but with a one-way ticket to a small village in Nepal — a leap of faith that set off a chain of transformative experiences across countries she never expected to visit. Along the way, she has been injured, stranded, and pushed to her limits, and has kept going anyway. Her brand, Raw Adventure Travel, reflects a philosophy that travel is not curated or comfortable — it is messy, human, and deeply real.

Michelle’s authenticity has struck a powerful chord online. A recent viral post in which she reflects on leaving her former life — describing how she rebuilt herself more than once across unfamiliar borders and found herself through strangers who became family — accumulated 27.4 million views, 3.5 million likes and over 18,300 comments on Instagram alone. The post went viral not because of production polish, but because of raw emotional honesty: “I stopped trying to go back to who I was before.” The response confirmed what her growing community already knew — Michelle speaks to a generation of travelers who want more than highlights; they want truth.

“Michelle represents a new wave of travel storytelling,” said ETF co-founder Ric Gazarian. “She doesn’t sell you a fantasy. She takes you into the chaos, the beauty, and the uncertainty that define real adventure. Her voice is one the ETF community will deeply connect with.”

At ETF III, Michelle will share insights drawn from her life on the road, including:
– Solo travel in off-the-beaten-path destinations
– Building authentic connection across diverse cultures and communities
– Raw, unfiltered storytelling that resonates at scale on social media
– Mental and emotional resilience required for long-term adventure travel
– Leaving a former life behind — and what it takes to not look back

The festival will bring together hundreds of elite travelers — country collectors, adventurers, explorers, and storytellers from around the globe. Among its 20+ speakers, ETF III will spotlight individuals pushing the boundaries of what travel means in a deeply connected world.

“Our vision for ETF is to inspire a community rooted in curiosity, creativity, and purpose,” Gazarian adds. “Michelle’s willingness to be vulnerable, to document the struggle alongside the wonder, is exactly the spirit ETF III is built around.”

ETF III will feature keynote talks, breakout sessions, film screenings, cultural events, and social gatherings, culminating in a gala dinner. Previous editions of the festival have drawn front-page attention from major media outlets including the Wall Street Journal and the Australian Financial Review.

Ticket Information:
Tickets for ETF III are on sale now:
https://extraordinarytravelfest.com/tickets/
Use code BANGKOK for a special discounted rate.

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Bangkok, Thailand, June 04, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Following the success of Anne-Sophie Pic at Le Normandie, including its recent Two Michelin Star recognition and Tatler Best New Restaurant 2026 accolade, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok is honoured to welcome Chef Anne-Sophie Pic back to the city for a limited engagement from 11 to 14 June 2026.

Recognised as the world’s most Michelin-starred female chef, Chef Pic returns to the dining room overlooking the Chao Phraya River for four days only, presenting a new chapter of the restaurant’s culinary dialogue.

Created exclusively for Bangkok, the experience introduces new dishes and seasonal expressions inspired by the rhythm of the river, the spirit of the city and Chef Pic’s philosophy of ‘Suffusion’ – an approach shaped through aroma, depth and balance.

Chef Pic’s new creations for Bangkok include La Daurade d’Akashi, where cured sea bream is paired with sake ice cream infused with pink peppercorn and jabara citrus, and La Crevette d’Amakusa, featuring lightly grilled prawns with sago pearls and a consommé of tonka and passion marigold. Seafood continues through La Sole de Bretagne, roasted Brittany sole infused with cedar leaves and accompanied by Thai green vegetables, peppercorn and curry leaf beurre blanc. Other highlights include Les Asperges blanches de la Loire, pairing roasted white asparagus with Madras curry and coffee sabayon, and L’Agneau de l’Aveyron, a roasted rack of lamb complemented by rooibos, kororima, masterwort root and chickpea socca with lamb sweetbreads. Together, the dishes continue the conversation between French craftsmanship and the cultural sensibility of Bangkok that has defined Le Normandie since 1958.

“The energy of Bangkok, the rhythm of the river and the warmth of the team at Mandarin Oriental continue to inspire me deeply,” said Chef Anne-Sophie Pic. “Returning to the restaurant feels like continuing a conversation that has only just begun.”

Since unveiling its new chapter in September 2025, Anne-Sophie Pic at Le Normandie has established itself as one of Bangkok’s leading dining destinations, earning international recognition for its interpretation of contemporary French gastronomy while honouring the legacy of Thailand’s first French fine dining restaurant.

With limited seating available throughout the four-day engagement, the experience offers guests the opportunity to encounter one of the world’s most celebrated chefs while discovering the next chapter of Anne-Sophie Pic at Le Normandie.

Opening hours
Wednesday to Sunday
Lunch from 12pm to 3:30pm
Dinner from 6:30pm to 11:30pm

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London, UK, June 04, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Climate Friendly Travel Services (CFTS), part of the SUNx Group, has launched an initiative that now makes it possible for small and medium-sized tourism businesses to take meaningful and affordable action to tackle climate change.

The new initiative will highlight how their breakthrough technology platform now enables businesses to build practical Climate Action Plans (CAPs) starting from as little as €500 – removing two of the biggest barriers faced by the sector: cost and complexity.

While the tourism sector is widely recognised as contributing a significant share of global emissions, adoption of formal Climate Action Plans among smaller businesses remains low. Many want to act but lack the expertise, resources or budget to begin. CFTS aims to change that.

The organisation’s technology platform combines artificial intelligence with innovative satellite monitoring to provide practical, data-driven climate planning. The platform enables businesses and destinations to assess their environmental impact and develop structured climate strategies.

Importantly, the resulting CAPs are aligned with globally recognised benchmarks including the Paris Climate Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring businesses can demonstrate credible and measurable progress.

Olly Wheatcroft, Managing Director of Climate Friendly Travel Services, said: “Many businesses genuinely want to reduce their environmental impact but are held back by the perception that climate planning is expensive, complex or only designed for large corporations. Our technology removes those barriers and makes it accessible. In cutting emissions, they also reduce costs, so it’s a win-win.”

“With CFTS, tourism businesses can now create practical Climate Action Plans for under €1,000. That means thousands of businesses in the ecosystem can now take meaningful climate action. The impact of many small and medium-sized players combined will undoubtedly have a big impact.”

The initiative forms part of the wider mission of the SUNx Group, an organisation led by renowned tourism sustainability advocate Geoffrey Lipman, to accelerate climate resilience and responsible growth across the global tourism industry. As a not-for-profit organisation, SUNx reinvests its resources into developing accessible tools, education and partnerships that support the sector’s transition toward climate friendly travel.

Wheatcroft added: “Tourism businesses are both highly exposed to climate change but capable of being a powerful force for positive environmental action. By equipping them with affordable tools and credible frameworks, we can enable the entire sector to move faster towards Paris 1.5 and SDG goals. It’s worth adding that it is what guests expect to see.”

Through the new initiative, CFTS will support businesses in the UK, Europe and globally through industry media, thought leadership, webinars and partnerships with tourism associations, highlighting practical ways businesses can start their climate journey.

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