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WTTC Welcomes Removal of Travel Health Notice for Cruises

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WTTC Welcomes Removal of Travel Health Notice for Cruises - TRAVELINDEXLondon, United Kingdom, April 19, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said: “The decision by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to remove the Travel Health Notice for cruising is well-deserved recognition that the industry has been sailing millions of travelers for many months with highly effective protocols that make cruising among the world’s safest forms of socializing and travel.

“The cruise industry has gained strong momentum in recent months, with many travelers anxious to again begin enjoying holidays with family and friends, and the CDC’s decision begins to help level the playing field between cruise and land-based vacation options.

“This is also welcome news to the extensive network of suppliers, many of whom are small businesses, that depend on cruise for their success, which will continue to help provide significant positive impacts for economies and employment in countries and regions around the world.”

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Leading The Transformation Summit Looks to More Sustainable Tourism

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UNWTO - Leading The Transformation Summit Looks to More Sustainable Tourism - TRAVELINDEXPalma de Mallorca, Spain, April 19, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Palacio de Congresos de Palma hosted the Summit of Sustainable Destinations organised by UNWTO in partnership with the Mallorca Tourism Foundation. The conference has shared the best practices of environmental, social and economic sustainability developed around the world by leading organisations and companies in these initiatives.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Catalina Cladera, the President of Consell de Majorca, Isabel Oliver from the Office of the UNWTO Secretary-General and José Hila, Mayor of Palma, opened the event of which was followed by more than 300 attendees in-person and online. Closing the summit were Closed the summit the vice president of the Spanish Government and Minister for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño; and the president of the Balearic Islands, Francina Armengol

Cladera expressed her pride that Majorca is “the world capital of sustainable tourism during the celebration of this international summit” and assured delegates that “we want it to continue beyond this summit”. During her speech, the president highlighted the potential of the island as a benchmark of sustainability within the tourism sector. The president added, “Majorca is a leading, quality destination around the world, year-round, with pioneering laws in waste management and tourism.

Representing UNWTO, Isabel Oliver highlighted the importance of “promoting sustainable tourism that respects human rights” and highlighted the weight of Majorca as a benchmark in terms of sustainability for “its ability to innovate, the professionalism of its entrepreneurs and the management of its governments”. The Mayor of Palma, who announced the recent approval of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for the city, highlighted the “need to bet on sustainability to improve the experiences of tourists and the quality of life of its residents, being a shared work between public administrations, the private sector and citizens”.

Calviño stressed the importance of making public investments now, as well as the need to work collaboratively with the private sector to modernise a sector as important for Spain as the tourism sector and to continue to place the country in a position of leadership. She further emphasised that Spain will be able to recover 80% of international tourists of 2019 this summer under the leadership of the Balearic Islands, which this Easter has already exceeded the figures for 2019 in some segments.

President Armengol ended the closing ceremony by highlighting the importance of the new tourism law that is being processed by the Parliament focused on sustainability from the triple perspective of business competitiveness, environmental sustainability and care for workers.

Discussion of international experts

On the first day, the Minister of Transition, Tourism and Sports, Andreu Serra, commenced the conference with the presentation “Majorca, leading the transition towards regenerative tourism”. This was followed by the first round table of the summit on institutional experiences in water management. Speakers included such as Miquel Mir, the Balearic Islands Minister of Environment and Territory, Jaume Mata, the Head of Sustainable Tourism for Visit Valencia, and Asad Riza, the Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Maldives Islands. Aniol Esteban, Director of the Marilles Foundation, and Stefan Gössling, professor of Linnaeus University School of Business and Economics, also participated. The moderator was the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Tourism of the University of the Balearic Islands, Tolo Deyà.

Representatives of the private sector also discussed solid waste management, including Sandra Benbeniste, Director of Sustainability of EMEA -Iberostar Hotels, Miguel González San Roman, the Director of Business Development at Minsait/Indra, and Antonio Pérez, the Mayor of Benidorm.

In addition, the experiences of civil society in the United States have been heard, with Nina Bellucci Butler, CEO of Stina, and Andy Schroeder, co-founder of an ocean plastics recovery project. The round table was moderated by Toni Munar of Turismoconsulting.

In the afternoon, the forum began with presentations on circular economy, moderated by José María de Juan, from Koan Consulting. The panel involved the views of Enrique Martínez, President of Segittur, Antoni Riera, Director of the Impulsa Foundation, Jaume Ordinas, the auditor of Hotels Garden, and Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu, the deputy director of the Tourism Promotion and Development Agency of Turkey.

The day ended with the block of analysis of data for the decision making in initiatives of touristic sustainability. The debate was moderated by Dolores Ordóñez, Director General at AnySolution, and was attended by Dirk Glaesser, Director of the UNWTO Sustainable Development Programme, Luis Javier Gadea, Director of Tourism Research, Development and Innovation at Segittur, José Javier Ramasco, CSIC Researcher at IFISC (CSIC-UIB), Sergio Guerreiro, Director of Knowledge Management and Innovation of Tourism of Portugal, and Carlos Cendra, partner at Mabrian Technologies.

The second day of the forum was attended by the Minister of Economic Model, Tourism and Labour of the Balearic Government, Iago Negueruela, who participated with the presentation “Social Circularity and other axes of the Balearic tourism model”. This was followed by a round table on Human Development, with the participation of Catalina Alemany, CSR manager of Riu Hotels, Lola Herrero, professor and director of the Jean-Baptiste Say Institute, ESCP Europe, José Mañas, founder of Wireless DNA, Estelle Antognelli, director of Tourism and Congresses, Tourism and Convention Authority of Monaco, Manuel Butler, director of OTS in London and Juanma Martínez, director of projects and culture of sustainability at Green&Huma.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Finally, the island councillor for Transition, Tourism and Sports, Andreu Serra, the president of FEHM, María Frontera, Mark Tanzer, executive director of ABTA, Miguel Sanz, director general of Turespaña, and Norbert Fiebig, president of DRV, presented the conclusions of the conference in a debate moderated by Michael Collins, director of TravelMedia.ie.

Hackathon

Parallel to the second day of the summit, a hackathon was held at the same Palacio de Congresos. The event was aimed at professionals, researchers, and students with an interest in and commitment to sustainability. They worked in groups on problems linked to three major challenges: water, food, and mobility. Each challenge will have a winning group, which will receive €5,000, to be divided equally among the members of each team.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Environmental Challenge Aims to Rewild Globally Significant Island Ecosystems

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Environmental Challenge Aims to Rewild Globally Significant Island Ecosystems - TOP25ISLANDS.com - TRAVELINDEXKoror City, Palau, April 16,2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Island Conservation, Re:wild, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, the Government of Panama, and the Government of Palau Launched the 2030 Island-Ocean Connection Challenge at the Ocean Conference with $50 Million Secured.

As island communities around the world suffer some of the worst effects of biodiversity loss and climate change, Island Conservation, Re:wild, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, the government of Panama, and the government of Palau have identified the critical need for conservation efforts that strategically benefit both islands and their interconnected ocean ecosystems.

The partners together launch the 2030 Island-Ocean Connection Challenge at the Our Ocean Conference in Palau. The challenge calls on NGOs, governments, philanthropists and foundations to support the ambitious but achievable goal of restoring at least 40 globally significant island ecosystems from ridge-to-reef by 2030 to benefit biodiversity, climate, and communities. To date, the founding partners and their supporters have secured USD $50 million of the USD $160 million needed to achieve this vision.

By focusing on the links between land and sea ecosystems, the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge will maximize the co-benefits of island conservation for their surrounding marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangroves, and others. It will also help the livelihoods of island communities and ensure that they are more resilient to climate change. In addition, by restoring 40 globally significant island ecosystems, the challenge aims to protect an estimated 600 populations of 250 threatened wildlife species.

“The Island-Ocean Connection Challenge is a direct response to the triple threats of the climate change, ocean health, and extinction crises—all of which disproportionately impact island ecosystems and island people,” said Penny Becker, vice president for conservation at Island Conservation.

Growing scientific evidence demonstrates that many pristine or restored terrestrial island systems can result in dramatic benefits to surrounding marine ecosystems and species. For example, many native wildlife species living at the land-sea interface are ‘champion species’—critical architects and engineers of healthy ecosystems. Seabirds are one of the best examples of a champion species, as they bring important nutrients from the sea to islands, fertilizing native plants. Nutrients from seabirds and plants then flow into the ocean and nourish the marine ecosystem, bolstering fish populations and coral reef growth and resiliency.

“With Panama leading the way by hosting the next Our Ocean Conference in 2023, we are energized by the launch of the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge and ready to start taking action immediately as a founding partner,” said Milciades Concepcion, the minister of environment of Panama.

Wildlife that lives on islands is particularly susceptible to non-native introduced species, especially predators, that can spread quickly and cause the extinction of native species that have not evolved any defenses. Although islands represent only 5% of terrestrial land area, since 1500, 75% of amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal extinctions have been on islands and nearly 40% of globally threatened vertebrates are island species.

“We are launching a new era of island restorations and rewilding focused on scaling and deploying collaborative whole-systems conservation plans for optimal impact,” said Wes Sechrest, Re:wild’s chief executive officer and chief scientist. “We can no longer look at these islands as separate from the ocean that surrounds them but must instead look at the ecosystems as a whole if we are to effectively rewild them for the benefit of local communities and the planet as a whole.”

The challenge aims to align Indigenous peoples and local communities, governments, conservation organizations, funders, and researchers to scale this work globally by partnering with island nations to address their most urgent environmental crises and sustainability needs.

“Indigenous peoples and local communities have long understood and managed natural resources in the context of land-to-sea connections,” said Stuart Sandin, director of the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. “Modern conservation science and restoration projects have only recently begun to elucidate, prioritize, and capitalize on these connections to maximize the returns on such investments.”

Restoring and rewilding islands also provide much-needed resiliency for island communities as climate change brings an increase in storms and extreme weather. Overwash can be the most damaging effect of storms, resulting in landslides, loss of property, and loss of life. Native plants are critical to soil stabilization and bolster an island’s ability to withstand sea-level rise during these events.

“Today, we are seeking and urging additional members to join this collaborative and advance this novel restoration and resiliency effort,” Becker said. “Join this movement by adding your commitments, resources, projects, programs, or islands to this 2030 challenge.”

This call to action for reef-to-ridge rewilding includes commitments and resources, projects and/or programs that will benefit island champion species while linking island-ocean ecosystems to optimize benefits for nearshore environments (e.g. coral ecosystems), communities, and climate resilience.

“Our Ocean’s 2022 conference is an opportunity to highlight that land and sea connections are more direct and intimate on small islands. We are proud to announce this call-to-action to support our world’s island communities and their increasing leadership to demonstrate holistic management approaches that meet our unique needs and vulnerabilities,” said Steven Victor, Palau’s minister of agriculture, fisheries, & the environment. “Only together can we bridge traditional knowledge with academic science for island-ocean restoration to maximize ocean and climate benefits for our communities and ecosystems.”

The Island-Ocean Connection Challenge is made possible thanks to a diverse group of partners and funders, including Cookson Adventures, Leo Model Foundation, North Equity Foundation, Sheth Sangreal Foundation, and an anonymous donor. This challenge received a generous seed grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

Parties interested in joining the challenge, including philanthropists, foundations, island nations, regional organizations, research institutions, and local, regional and global non-governmental organizations (NGOs), can submit draft membership commitments at www.iochallenge.org.

Re:wild
Re:wild protects and restores the wild. We have a singular and powerful focus: the wild as the most effective solution to the interconnected climate, biodiversity and human health crises. Founded by a group of renowned conservation scientists together with Leonardo DiCaprio, Re:wild is a force multiplier that brings together Indigenous peoples, local communities, influential leaders, nongovernmental organizations, governments, companies and the public to protect and rewild at the scale and speed we need. Learn more at rewild.org.

Island Conservation
Island Conservation is our world’s only international nonprofit conservation organization dedicated solely to preventing extinctions on islands. Our collaborations with local island communities aim to improve livelihoods, manage invasive species, and reintroduce native animals and plant life. Island Conservation is a United States-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization working through diverse local and international partnerships to foster sustainable development, climate resilience, and healthy island-marine ecosystems across the globe. Visit us at www.islandconservation.org.

Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego is one of the world’s most important centers for global earth science research and education. In its second century of discovery, Scripps scientists work to understand and protect the planet, and investigate our oceans, Earth, and atmosphere to find solutions to our greatest environmental challenges. Scripps offers unparalleled education and training for the next generation of scientific and environmental leaders through its undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs. The institution also operates a fleet of four oceanographic research vessels, and is home to Birch Aquarium at Scripps, the public exploration center that welcomes 500,000 visitors each year.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Salamander Hotels to Manage Aurora Anguilla Resort and Club

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Salamander Hotels to Manage Aurora Anguilla Resort and Club - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25HOTELS.comRendezvous Bay, Anguilla, British West Indies, April 18, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Renowned Businessman Richard M. Schulze, the founder of Best Buy, today selected Salamander Hotels & Resorts to manage Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club. Set on the idyllic white beaches of Rendezvous Bay, the 300-acre property (formerly Cuisinart Resort) was purchased by Schulze in 2020 and has since undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation which has created a Caribbean paradise that is elegant, refined and playful.

The 178-suite resort offers a collection of world-class amenities, including seven restaurants and lounges, a 27,000-square-foot spa, and Aurora International Golf Club – the stunning 18-hole Championship Golf Course recently re-designed by Greg Norman. A nine-hole short course, also a Greg Norman Signature design, will also be introduced this summer.

“We are dedicated to making Aurora Anguilla the finest resort in the Caribbean and I’m very proud of the enhancements that we have made to date,” said Schulze. “With a new hands-on, collaborative partner, we will provide guests the thoughtful, anticipatory service and experiences for which Salamander Hotels & Resorts is renowned.”

Schulze’s goal is to make Aurora Anguilla appealing to a broad range of luxury travelers, inclusive of families. And, through his Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, Schulze is also supporting a variety of causes on the island, including food insecurity, educational technology and health care. He is also instrumental in developing a local school lunch program and a neighborhood health clinic.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my ownership of Aurora Anguilla is the rare opportunity to give back to this wonderful community and to continuously improve the lives of Anguillans,” said Schulze.

With an extensive knowledge of resort repositioning, Salamander will assume management of Aurora Anguilla on April 26. The company was founded by noted businesswoman and entrepreneur Sheila Johnson, who, like Schulze, has a deep commitment to the island of Anguilla where she owned a home for over a decade.

“Anguilla is such a special place for me, and I have a deep love for the island, its people and their authentic passion for hospitality,” said Johnson. “The improvements that have already been made are incredible and Salamander is committed to helping realize Richard’s vision of excellence. We look forward to introducing Aurora Anguilla and the beauty of its people to our Salamander loyalists.”

With a reputation built upon thoughtful, unexpected amenities, impeccable service and a truly creative approach to the guest experience, Salamander provides innovative and luxurious hospitality that is equal parts comfortable, kind, respectful and welcoming. Aurora Anguilla is in good company as it joins a Salamander Collection that features the Forbes Five-Star Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, VA; the legendary Half Moon resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica – the only Forbes Four-Star rated property on the island; Innisbrook Resort in Tampa Bay, which hosts the annual PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship; and Hotel Bennett in Charleston, SC, recently ranked as the top luxury hotel in America by USA TODAY. Next month, the company will assume management of the iconic Aspen Meadows Resort in Aspen, CO, providing another world-class destination for Salamander’s guests.

The Aurora Anguilla Experience

Surrounded by turquoise waters and the shimmering sunsets of the island, there are a variety of accommodation options at Aurora Anguilla, including ocean view Island Suites with wraparound terraces and private Jacuzzis. For larger groups or families, the resort also has stunning three and five-bedroom villas, as well as private 6,300-square-feet Estate Homes which include a dedicated butler and private pool.

The varied culinary offerings honor the gastronomic heritage of Anguilla by utilizing the ingredients grown, caught, and raised around the island and marrying them with culinary techniques from around the globe. A defining element of the resort’s food and beverage offerings also comes from its Hydroponic Farm and Orchard. Of the seven restaurants and lounges, D. Richard’s is the newest and the island’s only steak house serving freshly caught seafood and hand-crafted cocktails. This complements the other unique outlets which feature authentic Caribbean flavors and seafood-centric dishes, a casual menu offering sizzling items straight from a wood-burning oven, and Italian fare with Anguillan twists to handmade pasta. A newly designed version of the resort’s former storied Japanese restaurant is currently under development and will be reintroduced this summer.

Aurora International Golf Club, which features spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea and shoreline, has undergone a comprehensive remastering overseen by Greg Norman Golf Course Design. Schulze engaged Norman directly to work with him on the new chapter of the 18-hole Signature Design championship course, the only golf course on the island, which was created with the goal of being among the best in the world. A nine-hole Short Signature golf course, also designed by Norman and unique to The Caribbean, will be introduced this summer. The first hole opens with panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and the course unfolds with a rich variety of shot angles, distances, and carefully integrated design elements to make it playable and fun for accomplished and novice golfers alike.

Committed to both wellness and sustainability, the 16-treatment-room spa, one of the largest in the Caribbean, is a serene sanctuary of wellness and revitalization. Set in an idyllic locale, the spa offers treatments that refresh and revitalize, using natural elements from the island paired with refined and traditional techniques.

Schulze further plans to improve the Aurora Anguilla experience, including adding a one-of-a-kind entertainment center with waterpark which includes a 500-seat amphitheater for live entertainment, and courts for sand volleyball, pickleball, tennis, basketball and bocce ball.

Traveling to Anguilla has never been more accessible. Commercial flights to the US mainland are now available, in addition to Aurora Anguilla’s own fleet of private jets. Aurora Anguilla is also easily accessible via a 30-minute ferry ride from Saint Martin.

About Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club
Owned by Richard M. Schulze, Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club is a Caribbean paradise created for the most discerning travelers in search of an authentic island getaway that is elegant, refined and playful. Set on the idyllic Rendezvous Bay, Aurora Anguilla spans over 300 acres, features 178 suites and is home to a collection of world-class amenities. The resort includes seven restaurants and lounges, a 27,000-square-foot spa, and Aurora International Golf Course, an 18-hole Championship Golf Course envisioned by Greg Norman Golf Course Design.

About Salamander Hotels & Resorts
Salamander Hotels & Resorts delivers comfortable and immersive experiences which enrich the lives of its guests. The company is privately owned and operated, and based in Middleburg, VA, just outside Washington, D.C. Founded by entrepreneur Sheila Johnson in 2005, it has a luxury portfolio featuring the Forbes Five-Star Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, a 340-acre equestrian-inspired property near Washington, D.C.; Half Moon, the storied resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, which features three distinct experiences including the newly opened Eclipse; Aspen Meadows Resort, a 98-room sweeping destination property located on 40 beautiful acres in Aspen, CO; Hotel Bennett, a spectacular 179-room hotel in Charleston, SC, overlooking the city’s historic Marion Square; Innisbrook Resort in Tampa Bay, which hosts the PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship each year on its famed Copperhead Course.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Accor Hotels Adds Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie to its Portfolio in Malaysia

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Accor Hotels Adds Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie to its Portfolio in Malaysia - TRAVELINDEXKuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 18, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Located in the Selangor state of Malaysia, Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie launches in Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur, under one of Accor group’s most celebrated midscale brands.

Accor has teamed up with Paramount Corporation to bring this newly built property to life. Conveniently located in the new integrated development of Utropolis Glenmarie, the hotel is just walking distance from the international university and surrounding F&B outlets, within a residential and industrial enclave where top international companies have their corporate offices. Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie is only minutes away by car to Sunway Lagoon, Sunway Pyramid shopping complex and Shah Alam Stadium. It is also easily accessible within a 40-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport via Elite Highway and 15 minutes away from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport Subang via Federal Highway.

Garth Simmons, Chief Executive Officer, Accor Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea said, “We are thrilled to introduce Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie, a significant addition to our midscale brand portfolio in Malaysia, joining the global Mercure network with more than 810 hotels in over 60 countries. This property is a perfect setting for residents and visitors to explore the local scene and enjoy business, leisure, and gourmet activities thanks to the authentic experiences that the property will contribute to the city.”

The 229 modern and contemporary rooms come in various categories, including superior, deluxe, privilege, and executive suite. All rooms are equipped with 55’ Smart LED TV, bathroom with rain shower and high speed Wifi. Paintings by a local artist adorn the walls in each room, conveying a story of local residents’ daily lives.

When it comes to convenience, Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie has guests covered with its hotel facilities. Unwind and relax after a busy day at Pool Bar Urban@13, organise exciting private events at the rooftop, which caters up to 30 guests, take a dip in the pool or work out in the fitness centre. Five pillarless and well-equipped function rooms with natural lighting, high-speed wifi and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment can host up to 140 persons for meetings, weddings and various events.

Enjoy fresh and locally sourced cuisine at Warna, the all-day dining restaurant, where scrumptious a la carte dishes are served, featuring local delicacies and full American buffet breakfast. Local desserts such as kuih-muih (local cakes) uniquely served in a food truck can also be enjoyed in this colourful restaurant.

“We are enthusiastic to welcome guests to experience Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie, the first international business hotel within Glenmarie that offers locally inspired experiences to business and leisure travellers alike,” said Ramesh Singh, General Manager of Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie.

Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie lives up to the group’s commitment to eliminate all single-use plastics from every touchpoint of the guest experience in all areas of the hotel, strengthening efforts to reducing environmental impact and to combat plastic pollution.

Guests can also benefit from Accor’s loyalty programme ALL – Accor Live Limitless, a daily lifestyle companion. ALL harnesses and enhances the brands, services and partnerships offered within Accor’s ecosystem, delivering meaningful experiences and rewards to its most engaged customers while enabling them to work live, and play, far beyond their stay, at home and around the world.

To celebrate the opening of the hotel, guests can enjoy special opening rates from RM 220+ per night, including breakfast for one and complimentary car park.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Sakura Quality Announced as GSTC-Recognized Standard

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Sakura Quality Announced as GSTC-Recognized Standard - DISCOVERJAPAN.org - TRAVELINDEXKyoto, Japan, April 15, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Global Sustainable Tourism Council is pleased to announce that ‘Sakura Quality An ESG Practice Standard’ for hotels and ryokans in Japan has achieved ‘GSTC-Recognized Standard’ status.

In Japan, particular qualities are associated with different flowers, and the quality associated with Sakura, the cherry blossom, is “spiritual beauty.” Sakura Quality began research in April 2011 and is currently working with 26 DMOs across Japan as a quality certification system that certifies quality together with DMOs across Japan (as of April 2022) and has adopted over 2,000 criteria for lodging facilities.

The ‘Sakura Quality An ESG Practice Standard’ for hotels and ryokans in Japan consists of 172 items: 117 environment-related items, 17 social-related items, and 38 business-related items.

The GSTC-Recognized status refers to the standard itself, indicating that a sustainable tourism standard or system has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Assurance Panel and deemed the standard or system equivalent to the GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism. It shows that the set of standards is based on the four pillars of the GSTC Criteria: Sustainable Management, Socioeconomic, Cultural, and Environmental principles. GSTC Recognition does not relate to the process of certification or accreditation.

“Sakura Quality has been conducting quality inspections of lodging facilities based on the Sakura Quality Standards that consist of items related to providing safe, secure, and honest services. In addition to providing safe, secure, and honest services, the ‘ESG Practice Standard’ consists of 172 criteria, including measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. This is an attempt to certify and disseminate information on SDG initiatives in Japan,” said Mr. Takeshi Kitamura, Sakura Quality CEO.

“The use of the GSTC Criteria and framework is increasing in Japan, and we are pleased to see that Sakura Quality is joining and supporting those efforts with a GSTC-compliant approach and gaining GSTC Recognition of their standard,” said Randy Durband, GSTC CEO.

Currently, 11 destination standards, 34 hotel standards, and 15 tour operator standards have achieved GSTC-Recognized status. The status offers the market proof that these standards adhere to international norms. GSTC Recognition does not ensure that a certification process is reliable, only that the set of standards used to certify are equivalent to the GSTC Criteria. GSTC-Recognized standard owners are encouraged to follow and complete the accreditation process, which assures that the certification process used to apply the standard meets international best practice, transparency, and rigor. A list of GSTC-Accredited certification bodies is available here.

About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.

The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for Accreditation of Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services; GSTC provides an accreditation program through its partner Assurance Services International to accredit Certification Bodies. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGO’s, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.

About Sakura Quality
Sakura Quality is a joint quality certification system between Tourism Quality Assurance Association (TQAA), tourism regions, and DMOs in partnership with TQAA. It is a quality certification system that defines “safety, security, and sincerity” as “quality” that is required of accommodation facilities and reflects customer needs. TQAA manages the standards, manages the logo mark, conducts surveys and research on customer needs, trains surveyors, is the certification body, and operates “third-party committees” consisting of members who are neutral, objective, and highly knowledgeable, to support quality certification systems by DMOs and other organizations.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Italian Golf Property Rebranded as Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort

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Italian Golf Property Rebranded as Argentario Golf and Wellness Resort - TOP25GOLFCOURSES.com - TRAVELINDEXTuscany, Italy, April 15, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / One of Italy’s most luxurious golf properties has been rebranded the Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort to reflect more accurately the importance the Resort places on the wellbeing, both mental and physical, of its guests.

Whilst the Resort, formerly known as the Argentario Golf Resort & Spa, is well known for the quality of its championship golf course, the property now wants to highlight its wide range of on-site services and amenities that help promote a healthy body and mind through good diet and regular exercise whilst at the same time relaxing in the stylish, well-appointed hotel that is set in the midst of 77 hectares of natural Mediterranean terrain.

The Resort’s extensive, well-equipped 2,700 m² spa boasts a fitness centre with Technogym equipment, bio-sauna with chromotherapy, Kneipp circuit, heated indoor swimming pool with saline water, six massage cabins and tanning showers in which to tone and indulge whilst the Espace Wellness Centre focuses on relaxation and pampering with its many massage and treatment rooms.

At the heart of the Espace Wellness Centre is the MediSpa where a team of professionals that specialize in nutrition and naturopathy, coordinated by respected Italian nutritionist and biologist, Dr Luca Naitana, to offer guests the opportunity to regenerate and rejuvenate both body and soul. Here The Wellbeing Method, a new concept of wellness centres on reaching a balanced and healthy physical and mental state. It involves food re-education and exclusive treatments designed to achieve desired weight, shape and physical-mental wellness, and to maintain these long term.

For those who like to combine wellbeing with exercise, fitness sessions can be undertaken with the in-house Personal Trainer in the gym or at the outdoor fitness station, complemented by further activity on the tennis and padel courts, mini football pitch and jogging paths around the property.

Alongside its wellness proposition, Argentario is home to one of Italy’s finest golf layouts that was inaugurated in 2006 and designed by architect, David Mezzacane, and professional golfer, Baldovino Dassù. Awarded PGA National Italy status by The PGA (UK) in 2019, the golf course overlooks the picturesque Orbetello Lagoon and the Tyrrenhian Sea. The 6,218 metre, par 71 track meanders through ancient cork-oak woods on the front nine and amongst established olive groves coming home with stunning views over the landscape from almost every hole.

The Argentario Golf Academy features complimentary practice areas for chipping and putting, a host of driving bays as well as TrackMan IIIe simulator, a state-of-the-art platform for analyzing the golf swing, whether you are a high handicapper or beginner.

And thanks to the microclimate enjoyed by the course’s location on the Monte Argentario promontory in the Maremma region of south west Tuscany, golf can be played all year round.

Off the course, guests can treat themselves to the gastronomic delights of local chef, Emiliano Lombardelli, in the stylish Dama Dama Restaurant, named after the fallow deer that occasionally roam the Resort, whilst for a more informal experience, there is healthy Mediterranean fare with Tuscan influences available in the Club House Restaurant overlooking the 18th green. Both restaurants focus on the flavours and colours of the Maremma with healthy dishes using organic produce from small, carefully-selected local farms and, at certain times of the year, directly from the hotel’s vegetable garden and orchard.

The hotel itself offers a mesmerizing combination of old-world, retro glamour and seductive Tuscan charm set against a backdrop of modern design, state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional service.

Its majestic, high-ceilinged entrance, a dramatic central spiral stairway and gigantic windows are in stunning contrast to the intense blue Tuscan sky and Mediterranean landscapes whilst the 73 rooms and suites, all with private decked terraces, offer sleek, contemporary interiors that are beautifully curated by Milan-based Andrea Fogli.

Argentario is just 90 minutes by car from Rome Fiumicino Airport whilst Siena is just an hour and 15 minutes away and Florence a two-hour drive.

Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort
The five star Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort, located in the Maremma region of Tuscany, is an ideal destination for those looking for relaxing holiday that combines golf, wellness and gastronomy.

Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the Monte Argentario promontory, the resort is home to an eco-friendly golf course that meanders through cork-oak woods and olive groves. In 2019 it was awarded the status of PGA National Italy by The PGA, the only course in Italy to achieve the accolade.

The five-star hotel is a triumph of design and comfort throughout; a majestic entrance, a dramatic central stairway and huge windows are in stunning contrast to the intense blue Tuscan sky and Mediterranean landscapes whilst the 73 rooms and suites offer sleek, modern interiors that are beautifully appointed, all with private decked terraces.

The Resort also offers a comprehensive spa and wellness centre and a range of sporting activities whilst the Dama Dama Restaurant and Club House Restaurant serve delicious, healthy local cuisine prepared from locally-sourced produce.

Nearby the Argentario Golf Villas, exclusive bespoke luxury villas, boast ground-breaking design and views of the lagoon, sea and golf course that blend seamlessly into the landscape. Owners benefit from a range of amenities and services offered by Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort, including 24-hour security, property management and a rental programme.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

La Vie Hotels Announces Opening of Quality Resort and Spa Patong Beach

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La Vie Hotels Announces Opening of Quality Resort and Spa Patong Beach - HOTELWORLDS.com - TRAVELINDEXPhuket, Thailand, April 15, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / La Vie Hotels and Resorts is thrilled to be officially opening Quality Resort and Spa Patong Beach, alongside key franchise partners, Choice Hotels. The hotel opened to a crowd of almost 250 dignitaries, industry partners, celebrities, media alongside the CEO of La Vie Hotels & Resorts, Jerry Xu, Managing Director, Craig Bond, hotel owner Mr Amardeep Singh Khanijow and Anthony Stanley, Director of Performance & Revenue Management from Choice Hotels.

The opening of Quality Resort and Spa Patong Beach is the third property for La Vie in Phuket and represents the group’s commitment to growing in the region and investment in talent. The group recently expanded its Bangkok regional head office and continues to build its pipeline of hotels in South East Asia.

Located in the heart of Patong Beach, Phuket, Quality Resort and Spa has undergone a complete refurbishment of all its guestrooms, facilities and public areas, and is guaranteed to be a leading hotel of choice for international travellers heading back to the famed tourist island.

Boasting a prime beach-side location, Quality Resort and Spa Patong Beach features 88 rooms, 12 of which are poolside, surrounded by lush tropical gardens. It is an ideal destination for those wishing to enjoy in Patong’s vibrant atmosphere while also relaxing in a tranquil haven. Guests can also explore Patong Beach and its myriad of activities just steps from their room. The resort offers several dining options for guests, including Saffron, a Thai – Indian themed all day dining Restaurant, a Pool Bar, and James & Joyce – a lively Irish Pub.

Mr Amardeep Singh Khanijow, owner of Quality Resort and Spa Patong Beach said he is thrilled to be welcoming guests to the new property, and back to Phuket. “I remember as a child fighting my way through the jungles of Patong Hill to get to Patong Beach. I travelled early in my career and, having started one of my earliest businesses in Patong, this area has always held my imagination.”

“I have taken the time during the pandemic to consider what guests coming back to Phuket will want in a post-COVID era and partnering with an international hotel chain like Choice Hotels will position us perfectly to serve our guests as tourism returns. I can’t wait to share my pride and vision as Phuket welcomes visitors.”

Mr Jerry Xu, CEO of La Vie Hotels & Resorts said: “As a master franchisor for Choice Hotels in the region, La Vie Hotels & Resorts plans to grow the Choice Hotels portfolio in select markets throughout Asia-Pacific over the next several years, and Quality Resort and Spa Patong Beach Phuket will set the standard for many more to come.”

Mr Jerry Xu continued “We are thrilled to be opening this hotel, right in the heart of Patong Beach and we’re confident that, as international tourism returns, travellers will be drawn to the property, not only for its location and its facilities, but because they have the peace of mind, knowing they have an internationally recognised hotel chain ensuring safety and hygiene protocols are held to the highest standard.”

“La Vie Hotels & Resorts pipeline of hotels in South East Asia is very strong and we have some very exciting announcements which we will soon be making and we look forward to a big year of growth ahead”.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

FLOWER POWER: Once-a-decade Floriade in bloom again

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Heralding the advent of spring, thousands of tulips are in bloom this week in the Netherlands to welcome visitors to the opening of the once-a-decade horticultural exhibition “Floriade.”

This year’s edition aims to showcase horticultural innovations that can make urban areas more sustainable and healthier as people around the world increasingly shift to cities.

A new university building on the 60-hectare site on the edge of Almere, a modern city close to Amsterdam, has plants growing from one of its walls, while an apartment block is decked out in huge prints of flowers. It towers over a newly built cable car and a Corten steel sculpture of two human figures made up of tens of thousands of bees.

Sculptor Florentijn Hofman says he is sending a message about protecting biodiversity. “The work is about the relationship between bees and humanity, about connection. It’s about equilibrium and a respectful relationship between humans and animals and our complex interrelationship with nature,” he said.

Even the site itself highlights Dutch technical knowhow – it is built on land reclaimed from the sea decades ago. And amid a Dutch affordable housing crisis, the Floriade terrain is envisaged to become a new urban area of 3,000 homes after the expo ends on Oct. 9.

Dutch King Willem-Alexander opened the event Wednesday. It expects to welcome 2 million visitors as the displays shift through the seasons, from springtime to summer and autumn.

The legacy will be “a very, very green living area, a living arboretum,” said Annemarie Jorritsma, a senior Dutch representative at the show. “People are going to live within the nature. And I think it will be a wonderful experience to be able to live here.”

Previous Floriades have been about building parks, while this edition is about building a city, says architect Winy Maas, who designed the layout.

“For the first time, this is a Floriade that can become a neighbourhood,” he said.

More than 25 nations are presenting sustainable ideas during this year’s show under the theme “Growing Green Cities.” The Netherlands, a world leader in horticulture, has a one-hectare greenhouse where farmers are showing off their newest innovations.

Other countries are blending old and new in their national pavilions – from Qatar’s 3D-printed buildings shaped like age-old pigeon towers to China showcasing new uses for bamboo, a traditional building material.

“What I like very much is that China has taken the trouble to do not something traditional, but to use a traditional material – bamboo – for a very modern developments,” said Jorritsma.

“So, you also can see that… in China, people are now thinking about what are we doing? How can we change our use of the materials we already have and use them in a very modern way?” she added.

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Easter Festivities in Southeast Asia

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Songkran Special Dim Sum at Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant - TRAVELINDEXWhile Easter is a traditional holiday and poignant Christian occasion around the world, it’s not so well known in Southeast Asia. But that hasn’t hindered a couple of innovative hotels from throwing on some fun-filled activities to remind guests about this most egg-citing of festivals.

Create Your Own Chocolate Egg in Phnom Penh

Specially for younger guests and locals, Raffles Hotel Le Royal is rolling out a chocolate egg-making class on Saturday, 16 April, at Le Phnom 1929 restaurant from 3pm – 5pm. It’s US$25 per child, and $30 for adults who will also be served free-flow wines and signature cocktails. Yum yum! And on Easter Sunday, 17 April, everyone is invited to the hotel’s iconic Swim n’ Brunch event by the poolside. From $55 per head, this 11am – 3pm day of fun and festivity includes BBQ, seafood towers, cocktails, Champagne, and an Easter Egg Hunt for kids. Best to book either day’s event in advance: call +855 23 981 888

A Lavish Easter Sunday Brunch in Hanoi

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi will set out a lavish spread for their Easter Sunday Brunch on April 17 served at A Wonderland by Le Beaulieu (the temporary home for Le Beaulieu in the hotel’s Spice’s Garden while the famed French fine dining restaurant undergoes renovations). The brunch will include a range of starters, cold fish, seafood, salads, cold cuts, soups, carving station, live cooking station, cheese selection, Vietnamese corner, desserts and more. The Easter Brunch is priced at VND 2,300,000++ per person (around $100), and there will also be a special egg hunt for children. For more information or to make a reservation, please contact the hotel’s food and beverage department at Tel: 024 3826 6919 ext. 8200

 

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News