Global Travel News

Bangkok, Thailand, September 14, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / As TOP25 Restaurants expands its international presence across Asia, Thailand is set to benefit from the growing regional platform promoting gastronomy as a driver of tourism and destination development. Following the inaugural TOP25 Restaurants Sarawak Awards 2026, presented by the Premier of Sarawak, and the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with a number of Asian partners, the TOP25 Restaurants Thailand Awards 2026 will further extend the international visibility of Thailand’s exceptional culinary scene. Taking place on 26th October 2026 at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, the awards will recognize outstanding restaurants and culinary talent while helping strengthen Thailand’s position as a premier gastronomy destination in Asia.

Launched in Bangkok in 2017 as the world’s first AI-powered restaurant guide, enhanced by human expertise, TOP25 Restaurants has continued to evolve its approach to recognising culinary excellence. What began with a pioneering restaurant guide has developed into an international gastronomy tourism platform, with the TOP25 Restaurants Thailand Awards 2026 continuing this journey by celebrating the breadth, diversity and excellence of Thailand’s culinary scene. Over the years, TOP25 Restaurants has recognized the diversity and excellence of Thailand’s restaurant scene across different destinations and culinary communities.

The TOP25 Restaurants Thailand Awards 2026 continues this evolution, bringing the spotlight to Thailand’s dynamic gastronomy scene and recognizing restaurants and culinary talents whose excellence, creativity, authenticity and commitment are helping shape the country’s culinary identity.

Hosted at the iconic Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, the 2026 awards will bring together leading chefs, restaurateurs, hospitality professionals, tourism representatives, food personalities and distinguished guests for an evening celebrating the people and establishments that make Thailand one of the world’s most compelling gastronomy destinations.

Years of recognizing Thailand’s culinary excellence

Since the first TOP25 Restaurants awards in Thailand, the program has sought to provide a dedicated platform for recognizing restaurants that contribute to the richness, diversity and evolution of the country’s gastronomy landscape.

From Bangkok’s internationally recognized dining scene to the distinctive culinary traditions of Phuket and Southern Thailand, the program has highlighted the extraordinary range of experiences available to diners and travellers throughout the country.

The development of the awards reflects the growing importance of gastronomy within Thailand’s tourism landscape. Food is increasingly one of the principal reasons travellers choose destinations, while restaurants, chefs and local culinary traditions have become important ambassadors for Thai culture and identity.

The 2026 edition builds on this established foundation while looking towards the future of Thai gastronomy tourism.

Bernard Metzger, Founder of TOP25 Restaurants International, said:
“Through TOP25 Restaurants, we aim to amplify Thailand’s culinary excellence on the global stage and connect outstanding restaurants and chefs with the growing opportunities in gastronomy tourism. The TOP25 Restaurants Thailand Awards 2026 will celebrate the people and establishments shaping Thailand’s culinary future, while inspiring more travellers to discover the remarkable flavours, stories and hospitality that make Thailand truly exceptional.”

Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok to host the 2026 celebration

The prestigious Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok will provide the setting for this year’s awards, bringing Thailand’s gastronomy and hospitality communities together in one of Bangkok’s most iconic venues.

Sascha Lenz, General Manager, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, said:

“We are delighted to welcome the TOP25 Restaurants Thailand Awards 2026 to Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok. Thailand has an extraordinary culinary heritage and a vibrant restaurant scene that continues to evolve and inspire. Hosting an evening dedicated to recognizing the people and restaurants behind this remarkable gastronomy culture is a great honor for our hotel. We look forward to being part of this special celebration of culinary excellence in Thailand.”

The Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok’s central location, established reputation for hospitality and extensive event facilities provide a fitting setting for an evening dedicated to Thailand’s culinary community.

Where gastronomy meets tourism

The TOP25 Restaurants Thailand Awards 2026 comes at a time when gastronomy is increasingly recognized as a powerful driver of tourism and destination development.

For today’s travellers, discovering a destination often means discovering its food — its ingredients, traditions, markets, restaurants, chefs and the stories behind them.

Thailand is uniquely positioned to benefit from this trend. Its culinary culture connects food, heritage, local communities, agriculture, creativity, hospitality and tourism, creating experiences that resonate with both domestic and international visitors.

By recognizing restaurants across Thailand, TOP25 Restaurants aims to contribute to the continued development of the country’s gastronomy ecosystem and to give greater, global visibility to the people and establishments shaping its future.

A new chapter in the TOP25 Restaurants Thailand story

The 2026 awards represent the next chapter in the TOP25 Restaurants journey in Thailand — building on years of recognition while creating an increasingly visible platform to promote the country’s rich culinary heritage and as a prime gastronomy tourism destination.

The award recipients will be revealed during the ceremony on 26 October 2026, with further announcements regarding the award categories, participating restaurants, distinguished guests and program to follow in the lead-up to the event.

For Thailand’s restaurant industry, the evening will be an opportunity to celebrate achievement and recognize the people behind some of the country’s most memorable dining experiences.

For the wider tourism community, it will be a celebration of one of Thailand’s greatest international assets: its extraordinary culinary culture.

One culinary journey. A celebration of Thailand’s extraordinary gastronomy.

About TOP25 Restaurants International

TOP25 Restaurants is an international gastronomy recognition and gastronomy tourism development platform dedicated to discovering, recognizing and promoting outstanding restaurants and local culinary experiences.

With a growing presence across Asia, TOP25 Restaurants provides a platform that connects culinary excellence, gastronomy, tourism, culture and destination development, while celebrating the distinctive culinary identity of each destination.

The program has a regional presence and is expanding internationally through new destination-focused awards and gastronomy tourism development initiatives.

In 2026, TOP25 Restaurants held its inaugural TOP25 Restaurants Sarawak Awards in Kuching, Malaysia, where the awards were presented by the Premier of Sarawak, the Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Abang Haji Openg, marking an important milestone in the organisation’s international expansion.

Through its growing international network, TOP25 Restaurants seeks to give greater recognition and visibility to outstanding restaurants and culinary talent while highlighting the increasingly important role of gastronomy in tourism and destination development.

About Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok

Located in the heart of Bangkok, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok is a landmark luxury hotel renowned for its exceptional hospitality, sophisticated dining experiences and distinctive location in the city’s vibrant Ratchaprasong district.

The hotel combines contemporary luxury with warm Thai hospitality and offers an extensive range of accommodation, restaurants, bars, meeting spaces and event facilities. Its culinary portfolio reflects the diversity and sophistication of Bangkok’s dining culture, while its extensive venues make it an established destination for prestigious celebrations, conferences and social events.

As part of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok reflects the Grand Hyatt brand’s commitment to creating memorable experiences through distinctive destinations, thoughtful service and world-class hospitality.

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Nicole Lim
Media Relations
TOP25 Restaurants International
E: media@top25restaurants.com

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Rome, Italy, September 14, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Vox Group, a guiding technology company operating in more than 150 countries, today launched a significantly expanded version of Vox Aura. First introduced at WTM London in 2025 as a live translation device, Aura is now an AI-powered smart transmitter.

Aura was built to solve one problem: language. One guide, speaking once, understood by every guest on the tour. Over the past year, working alongside the operators and guides who use it, Vox found that was only the starting point.

“Operators have called Aura “a game changer”, and the reason is simple. One guide speaks once, and every guest receives a tour made for them in their own language, run from a single app. There is no extra kit to hand out and collect, and nobody is left out of the story. It gives guides more to work with and operators more to sell.” Fabio Primerano, Chief Executive Officer, Vox Group

What they asked for changed the product. Guides wanted the unexpected question covered, the obscure detail they could not be expected to carry. Hosts, who are not always trained guides, wanted the same support throughout the tour. Operators wanted one tour that could hold a mixed group together.

Aura now supports live simultaneous translation in up to four languages at once, drawn from a library that has grown from 50 languages to 200. Guests need nothing at all to take part: no smartphone, no download, no roaming fees and no separate interpreter. The audio reaches them over the same Vox radio link operators have relied on for 25 years, in more than 150 countries, while the guide runs everything from a single device.

One tour, built for every guest

Aura also lets one tour work for everyone on it. Multiple channels run at the same time, each tailored to the listener, whether that is the standard commentary, a historical deep-dive, a children’s version or a translated feed. The same departure now suits a family, a specialist and a first-time visitor without the guide repeating themselves.

Accessibility is part of the same principle. For guests who are deaf or hard of hearing, live subtitles can be sent to their own phone as the guide speaks, so they follow the tour with the group rather than reading a summary afterwards. There is no extra equipment to hand out or manage, and nothing that marks a guest out as needing it.

At the heart of it is Aura’s AI companion, built to support the guide rather than speak for them. Verified information is there the moment a guest asks something off the beaten track, and local context, from place names to local sayings, is on hand for commentary that feels natural. When there is a gap to fill on a long transfer, the guide can call up a story or a quiz to keep the group with them.

Crucially, Aura draws on operator-approved content and verified sources rather than the open internet, so operators decide what their guests hear.

For operators, the update addresses a long-standing operational challenge: a single departure can now carry visitors who would previously have needed splitting into separate language groups, with the tour adapting to each guest as it runs.

“Twenty-five years ago, we put a radio into a guide’s hand so that every guest could hear them. That principle has not changed. Aura begins with the guide and stays with the guide. What has changed is how much it can carry for them: two hundred languages, a personal channel for every listener, and answers on hand the moment a guest asks something nobody saw coming.” Elio Epifani, Founder, Vox Group

Vox customers are vast and include tour operators, cruise lines, shore excursion providers, sightseeing providers and destination marketing organisations.

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Brussels, Belgium, September 10, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / At the IIPT Global Leadership Summit today, SUNx Malta President Geoffrey Lipman announced CanadaStrong.travel, a new initiative linking travel, peace, climate action, and the next generation.

Speaking as the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) celebrates its 40th anniversary, Lipman argues that: “The world is facing four major wars: the existential war against the climate crisis; the hidden war around humanising super artificial intelligence; the real-world wars in Ukraine and the Middle East; and, in his view, an assault on the established global rule of law and our intelligence coming from Donald Trump.”

SUNx Malta has focused primarily on the climate war, building a worldwide Climate Friendly Travel (CFT) network, supporting companies with CFT Action Plans and putting young people at its heart through Dodo4Kids. We have also launched a global initiative to send our Dodo4Kids Books to the long-suffering children in Ukraine.

CanadaStrong.travel will take this ambition further through a new collaboration with IIPT to bring Dodo4Kids to Peace Parks around the world, alongside Global Himalayan Expeditions, which will support young people’s ‘adventure for good’ journeys, and Canada-based Tripian, helping travellers create meaningful, community-connected journeys. The initiative reflects the evolving vision of a new world order articulated by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

It will also be a continuing tribute to Lipman’s late friend, mentor and fellow Canadian Maurice Strong, with Strong’s Earth Charter centrally featured as a roadmap for peace, decency between people, and respect for the planet.

CanadaStrong.travel will formally launch on 21 September 2026 – the UN International Day of Peace.

About SUNx Malta
SUNx Malta is a legacy program of the late Maurice Strong, built to support Climate Friendly Travel – low carbon, SDG-linked, and Paris 1.5-aligned. It is supported by the Malta Tourism Authority and its Tourism Observatory. Working with partners like the Institute of Tourism Studies Malta, SUNx develops climate resilience through education2action and a focus on Small Island and Developing States

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Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, September 12, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Weddings need not necessarily unfold beneath chandeliers in a traditional hotel ballroom. The Hari Hong Kong is setting the scene for the occasion of a lifetime with an intimate new wedding experience at contemporary Japanese restaurant Zoku and lush alfresco space The Terrace overlooking Wan Chai.

‘The Hari Ever After’ package, priced at HK$50,000 (USD 6378) for 50 guests, affords couples exclusive use of Zoku and The Terrace for four hours, replete with eight varieties of handcrafted Japanese canapés, three hours of free-flow drinks, a whimsical The Hari Candy Trolley and a complimentary night in a luxurious Corner Room for the newlyweds.

For couples marking proposals, anniversaries and other special occasions, the hotel offers the ‘Romance in Style’ stay in one of the hotel’s three elegant suites with their own balconies and sweeping vistas of Wan Chai, Causeway Bay, The Peak and Victoria Harbour, as well as bespoke floral arrangements, and The Hari Gift Cards.

The wedding ceremony and cocktail reception party move between Zoku, meaning “clan” in Japanese and characterised by leather fluted booths and crimson velvet banquets under a dramatic origami-inspired ceiling of angled timber slats, and open-air The Terrace, framed by greenery and a striking triple-height living wall.

Couples select eight of Zoku’s signature Japanese canapés, with choices including deep-fried beef brisket maki, mini octopus skewer with sesame, Atlantic salmon kushiyaki, pork belly taco, shrimp and avocado tart, shrimp tamagoyaki with karasumi, mini sesame crab cake and wasabi prawns.

In addition to unlimited red and white wine, Asahi beer and non-alcoholic refreshments for three hours and The Hari Candy Trolly brimming with the likes of macarons and marshmallows, elegant venue decorations and complimentary value parking for up to two vehicles, subject to availability, are also included. After the wedding, the newlyweds head upstairs for their complimentary room night in a Corner Room, with a 10% privilege to upgrade to a luxurious suite featuring a private terrace, a rarity in Hong Kong.

“The greatest luxury for a wedding, in my humble opinion, is forgetting about the stress of orchestrating such an occasion yourself and leaving that to our team so you can focus on the person you are marrying and the people you have chosen to celebrate with,” said The Hari Hong Kong’s general manager Edward E. Snoeks.

“Zoku and The Terrace offer something remarkably different to the traditional hotel ballroom: two singular venues entirely for the wedding, with atmospheric Zoku seamlessly flowing into the open air and greenery of The Terrace. Our team takes care of every detail behind the scenes, right down to the little touches people remember, leaving the bride and groom-to-be free to forget the logistics and lose themselves in a day nothing short of extraordinary.”

The Hari Hong Kong’s Romance in Style package couples a one-night stay in a suite with breakfast for two, a chocolate strawberry bouquet and a romantic turndown with rose petals, a bubble bath and a choice of Champagne, red wine or white wine. Couples also receive 15% off food and beverages at Lucciola, The Lounge, Zoku & The Terrace, as well as early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability.

The Hari Ever After package is priced at HK$50,000 (USD 6378) for 50 guests and subject to a 10% service charge. Each additional guest costs HK$800 (USD 102) + 10% service charge.

About The Hari Hong Kong

Opened in December 2020, The Hari Hong Kong is the vision of Dr. Aron Harilela, Chairman and CEO of Harilela Hotels Ltd, and the second hotel to open under the ‘The Hari’ brand. The first hotel, The Hari London opened in August 2016. The Harilela Group was established in 1959 and is still wholly owned by the Harilela family. The Harilela Group is the parent company of Harilela Hotels which owns 15 properties across Hong Kong, China, Asia, Europe, and the US.

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Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana, September 12, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / At Mashatu Game Reserve, the 42,000 hectare privately owned game reserve in eastern Botswana, younger travellers are encouraged to experience the African bush by following tracks, discovering wildlife, learning from experienced rangers and exploring the wilderness through hands-on activities.

From tracking spoor and identifying animal calls to discovering insects, bush skills and the smaller wonders of the wilderness, the Kids@ Mashatu Programme gives young travellers their own way into the African bush.

Designed for children aged 4–12, the Kids@ Mashatu Programme combines exploration, learning and play through a range of age-appropriate experiences. Activities are tailored according to each child’s age, interests and confidence, and vary according to the season, camp schedule, group size and length of stay.

For families, there is also reassurance in the depth of experience within the Mashatu team. Staff have an average tenure of 14 years, with some members of the team guiding at Mashatu for an impressive 45 years. This experience provides families with a knowledgeable and familiar team to introduce younger travellers to the African bush.

For children, a safari can be found in the details: a footprint in the sand becomes a mystery to solve, a bird call becomes a challenge to identify, and a beetle is worth stopping to investigate.

Through Bush Discovery Walks and Micro Safaris, children explore the areas around camp and lodge paths with a ranger, learning to identify trees, birds, nests, insects and reptiles, while practising basic tracking and recognising animal prints, spoor and other signs of wildlife.

Ranger Games and Animal Trivia bring wildlife learning to life through interactive activities including animal-call challenges, “Who Am I?”, dung detective and survival-skill quizzes.

For budding trackers, Spoor Tracks and Bush Crafts introduce children to animal footprints and other signs in the sand, with the opportunity to create plaster casts of selected tracks to take home. Children can also learn outdoor survival tips and plant use, as well as take part in target practice using safe, handmade slingshot tools.

Bush Bumble Drives offer younger children who may not yet be ready for a full game drive the opportunity to experience the reserve at a gentler pace. These shorter drives focus on birds, insects, tracks, plants and nearby animal behaviour.

Creative experiences also introduce elements of Botswana’s culture and early bush skills, with activities including making clay figures, stone-inspired tools and nature-based crafts using seeds, leaves and feathers.

The Kids@ Mashatu Programme is available at Kolokolo Safari Home, Mashatu Lodge and Tuli Safari Lodge Mashatu, subject to availability and must be pre-booked before arrival. Families are encouraged to let their Kaelo Destinations reservationist know in advance if their children would like to participate, allowing the team to plan suitable activities wherever possible.

With the December and January school holidays approaching, families looking to experience Botswana together can begin planning their safari now. Mashatu’s Pay Stay and Extended Stay offers provide an opportunity for guests to extend their stay and spend more time exploring the reserve.

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Koh Samui, Thailand, September 12, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary is marking its 21st anniversary with the launch of Sacred Renewal, a new immersive programme inspired by ancient wisdom and the rhythms of the lunar cycle.

The programme draws on the full lunar cycle, encompassing Śukla Pakṣa, the waxing moon associated with clarity and expansion, and Kṛṣṇa Pakṣa, the waning moon associated with release, purification and inward reflection.

In classical yogic and Vedic philosophy, these phases form a complete sacred rhythm, balancing activation with integration and emergence with surrender. Sacred Renewal brings together spiritual practices, therapies and contemplative experiences aligned with the moon’s shifting qualities, with the aim of supporting greater inner balance and connection with the natural world.

At the heart of the programme is a return to spiritual foundations. Cleansing rituals, ancient healing practices, intuitive guidance and elemental work are designed to help restore harmony across body, mind and subtle energy.

One-on-one sessions include mindful movement, breath awareness, mantra, reflection and meditation, complemented by therapeutic modalities intended to clear stagnation, nourish vitality and cultivate inner balance.

“At Kamalaya, our journey has never been shaped by passing influences, but by a deep reverence for ancient wisdom and the natural intelligence within each individual,” says Gopal Kumar, General Manager and Group Director of Wellness.

“Sacred Renewal reflects this philosophy. It is not about striving for change, but about returning to fundamental rhythms of life, simple, sacred practices lived with awareness. Through alignment with the lunar cycle, guests are invited to rediscover a way of being that is grounded, conscious, and spiritually attuned, where wellbeing arises naturally from inner coherence.”

Sacred Renewal also draws on the philosophy of the Pancha Mahābhūtas, the five elemental forces believed to govern the natural world and human experience. Guests are guided through:

• Earth – grounding, structure and stability
• Water – emotional flow, receptivity and softness
• Fire – purification, discipline and inner strength
• Air – inspiration, movement and lightness
• Ether – space, stillness and expanded awareness

The methodology behind Sacred Renewal is inspired by the Gurukula tradition, an ancient residential approach to spiritual learning in which seekers were prepared through purification, disciplined practice and energetic alignment for deeper states of awareness.

Kamalaya combines this tradition with contemporary insights from psychology and neuroscience, exploring how elemental harmony can support emotional balance, mental clarity and overall wellbeing.

Through these integrated practices, the programme is designed to encourage greater emotional coherence, clarity and presence, while reconnecting guests with the ancient wisdom that has informed Kamalaya’s approach to wellness for more than two decades.

The Sacred Renewal programme will be available from 1 October and can be booked and experienced during any phase of the lunar cycle. It is offered as an 8, 11 or 15-night programme, with the 8-night programme starting from THB120,633, excluding accommodation.

About Kamalaya
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary is a multi-award-winning haven nestled on the tranquil southern coast of Koh Samui, Thailand. Since 2005, Kamalaya has provided a nurturing environment for guests to reconnect with balance, vitality and inner harmony. Integrating the wisdom of Eastern healing traditions with the science of Western medicine, Kamalaya offers personalised wellness programs that support a path to lifelong wellbeing. Programs include Detoxification, Gut Health, Sleep Enhancement, Movement & Strength, Emotional Resilience and Longevity.

Awards
Kamalaya continues to be celebrated as one of the world’s leading wellness sanctuaries. Having received over 100 international awards to date, Kamalaya remains a destination of choice for those seeking meaningful transformation, inner balance and lifelong wellbeing.

Recent accolades include being recognised as one of Oprah Daily’s 58 Best Global Retreats Resetting Your Mind, Body and Spirit, being named #1 in The World’s 50 Best Wellness Resorts by Health Travel Magazine, and receiving Best Global Holistic Haven at The Luxury Spa Edit Awards 2026. Kamalaya features in the TOP25 Longevity Retreats and TOP25 Hotels Thailand, and was also honoured as Best Solo Getaway by the Organic Spa Media Wellness Travel Awards 2026, recognised as Best Integrative Wellness Sanctuary in Koh Samui at the Luxuri Awards 2026, and ranked among Thailand’s Top 10 Hotel Spas in the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2026. These recognitions reflect Kamalaya’s continued leadership in holistic wellbeing and its unwavering commitment to an integrative approach that nurtures body, mind and spirit.

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Bangkok, Thailand, September 11, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Cooling Tower at Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit presents “Beef Tortilla Kebabs” as this month’s featured dish, bringing together layers of seasoned ground beef and tortilla for a delicious twist on a classic skewer.

Grilled to perfection, the kebabs offer a satisfying combination of smoky, savoury flavours, complemented by a refreshing yoghurt and cucumber sauce that adds a cool and creamy finish.

Perfect for sharing and pairing with your favourite beverages, the Beef Tortilla Kebabs make a flavourful addition to a relaxed evening at Cooling Tower.

Beef Tortilla Kebabs
THB 360++ per dish (2 skewers)

Available from 1 September until 31 October 2026

Enjoy 20% off when paired with the Beverages of the Month

Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar
Level 34, Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit
Open: 5:00 pm – midnight
Happy Hour: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

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Ke Ga Bay, Vietnam, September 10, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Azerai Ke Ga Bay and Azerai La Residence, Hue have earned places among Asia’s elite for service excellence, ranking No. 9 and No. 10 respectively in the “Top 10 Hotels for Service” category in Smart Travel Asia’s Best in Travel Poll 2026.

The results, drawn from votes by international frequent travelers, appear in the September edition of the 23-year-old online magazine, long regarded as an important bellwether of travel trends across the region. Among the other top winners in the category were Raffles Sentosa Singapore, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok and The Peninsula Hong Kong.

Both Azerai hotels are celebrated for delivering the attentive, personalized service that defines the boutique collection founded by legendary hotelier Adrian Zecha. Guests experience warm Vietnamese hospitality through discreet service, anticipatory care and thoughtful touches that create meaningful stays – whether in the peaceful coastal setting of Ke Ga Bay or amid the cultural heritage of the former imperial capital.

Azerai Ke Ga Bay, an all-suites-and-villas resort, is located a comfortable 2.5-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City on a new highway. It sits on 4.5 hectares of lush gardens, framed to the east by Hon Ba Island with its historic lighthouse and to the west by soaring sand dunes.

Azerai La Residence, Hue is centered around a 1930 colonial mansion originally built for the French Resident Superieur. Its distinctive streamline moderne art deco architecture features long horizontal lines and nautical details.

“This ranking is a direct reflection of our team’s genuine care and commitment to every guest,” said Julian Moore, General Manager of Azerai Ke Ga Bay. “At Azerai Ke Ga Bay we strive to offer gentle luxury and personalized service that feels both effortless and heartfelt, allowing visitors to truly connect with the beauty and tranquility of our coastal home.”

“We are deeply honored by this recognition from Smart Travel Asia readers,” added Minh Phan Trong, General Manager of Azerai La Residence, Hue. “Exceptional service is at the heart of everything we do. Our team’s passion for sharing Hue’s rich heritage through warm, attentive hospitality continues to define the guest experience at our historic property.”

This latest recognition follows earlier honors this year from Travel + Leisure, in which both Azerai properties were named among Vietnam’s finest upcountry hotels (Azerai Ke Ga Bay at No. 5 and Azerai La Residence, Hue at No. 6), with Minh also recognized as one of Vietnam’s top General Managers.

Azerai Ke Ga Bay has also been selected as a finalist nominee in the “Best Beach Resort of the Year” in the Gourmet VIetnam Awards 2026.

The Azerai brand is known for simple elegance, refined design and discreet, attentive service in places of unique beauty and cultural interest.

ABOUT AZERAI

Azerai is a distinctive story and brand of resorts offering guests elegance, refined design, and discreet and attentive service in places of unique beauty and cultural interest. The brand was formed by hotelier Adrian Zecha, and the name is derived from Zecha’s initials and the latter part of a Persian word, caravanserai, which references the storied old inns of the Middle East.

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Bangkok, Thailand, September 08, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Colette Bangkok celebrates its first anniversary with a special edition of Les Amis de Colette: La Série, bringing together acclaimed chefs, guest bartenders, and new menu creations for a one-night-only celebration on 25 September 2026.

From 6 PM to 10:30 PM, guests can enjoy exclusive collaborative dishes, guest cocktails, and a first taste of new additions to Colette’s evolving dinner menu.

From the kitchen, Chef Chris Beverley welcomes Chef Chet Adkins of JUA Bangkok for a collaboration that combines the spirit of a French bistro with the energy of a modern izakaya. Highlights include JUA favourites such as the Chicken Katsu Sando and Uni Pasta, alongside new Colette dishes including the Salmon & Lobster Ravioli and Bouillabaisse.

Behind the bar, Colette’s Stan Andruskevic is joined by John Robert Villanueva of Moonshine Phuket, Diogo Da Silva of Fat Chili Restaurants & Bars, and Est and Jonus of Consul Club. Guests can discover a range of signature cocktails, from the tropical The Manila Galleon and dessert-inspired Moonshine Strawberry Cheesecake to the coffee-laced Obsidian Negroni and Consul Club’s inventive Hop(E)s. Together, the line-up showcases the creativity and craftsmanship of Thailand’s vibrant cocktail community.

About Chef Chet Adkins, JUA Bangkok

Chet Lewis Adkins is an award-winning Executive Chef with over 20 years of international experience in luxury hospitality and fine dining. Known for founding JUA Izakaya – featured in The New York Times and Condé Nast Traveler – Chet has excelled in multi-outlet operations and menu innovation across Mediterranean, Thai, Japanese, and Western cuisines. Having worked in Bangkok, Sydney, and Mexico City, Chet is renowned for his disciplined, guest-focused approach. His innovative culinary concepts have earned recognition, including accolades from Thailand Tatler’s Best Restaurants and BK Magazine’s Top Tables.

About Chef Chris Beverley, Colette Bangkok

With more than 20 years of international culinary experience, Chef Chris Beverley leads Colette Bangkok with a philosophy rooted in classical French technique, exceptional ingredients, and relaxed hospitality. His menus celebrate seasonality, craftsmanship, and the joy of sharing good food.

About Chef Chet Adkins, JUA Bangkok

Chef Chet Adkins is an award-winning chef and founder of JUA Bangkok, bringing more than 20 years of international experience across fine dining and luxury hospitality. Known for his innovative approach to Japanese cuisine, his work has been featured by The New York Times and Condé Nast Traveler.

About Stan Andruskevic, Colette Bangkok

With over a decade of international bartending experience, Stan Andruskevic is Head of Drinks at KROMO Bangkok and leads the beverage programme at Colette Bistro & Bar. Known for his creative approach to modern cocktails, he crafts flavour-driven drinks inspired by global influences, craftsmanship, and discovery.

About Les Amis de Colette: La Série

Les Amis de Colette: La Série is Colette’s ongoing monthly collaborative series that brings together inspiring chefs and bartenders from Bangkok and beyond. Each edition celebrates creativity, and the spirit of hospitality through unique dining experiences, guest shifts, chef collaborations, and one-night-only menus that invite guests to discover something new with every visit.

Event Details

• Date: 25 September 2026
• Time: 6 pm – 10:30 pm
• Venue: Colette Bangkok

SAVE YOUR SEAT!

About Colette Bangkok

A French inspired Bistro & Bar where timeless elegance meets the vibrant energy of Bangkok. Located at the entrance of Sukhumvit Soi 29, in the heart of Bangkok, Colette is within easy walking distance of BTS Phrom Phong and Asok stations, as well as MRT Sukhumvit. Drawing inspiration from Colette, our muse of Thai-French heritage and a symbol of the art de vivre, reimagines classic French cuisine with modern flair, crafted from premium and locally sourced ingredients. Our dining zone offers a full spectrum of French culinary tradition. The bar area set the evening scene with curated cocktails, orange wines, and bar bites. For those who love to dine al fresco, our terrace offers a breezy setting to soak in the city’s pulse.

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Oxford, United Kingdom, September 08, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / What if the most powerful diplomacy of our time happens not in embassies or at summit tables, but over a shared meal? That was the question Ambassador Dr. Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles put to delegates today as he delivered the keynote address at the Oxford Global Diplomat Summit & Dialogue at the Lord Mayor’s Cabinet Office, in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Oxford.

Speaking on the theme “Tourism as a Bridge Between Nations,” St.Ange made the case that tourism deserves to be understood as far more than an economic sector. It is, he argued, a daily act of human connection that can challenge prejudice, strengthen peace, and reshape how nations see one another.

“At its best, tourism allows us to meet each other as people,” St.Ange told the gathering. “And at a time when the world is more connected than ever, but also deeply divided in many ways, that matters.”

The numbers are enormous — but they are not the whole story.

St.Ange opened with figures that few in the room could ignore. The World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts that in 2026, travel and tourism will contribute around $12 trillion to the global economy — almost 10 percent of global GDP. The sector is expected to support roughly 376 million jobs, or about one in every nine jobs worldwide.

Yet he was quick to push past the statistics. Why, he asked, do we so often reduce tourism to a scoreboard of arrivals?

“Behind every international arrival is a person crossing a border, a culture being encountered, and a community being seen. And sometimes, a prejudice being challenged,” he said.

The difference between knowing about a country and actually knowing its people, he argued, is the difference tourism can make. A nation becomes the home of the taxi driver who spoke about his children, and an unfamiliar culture becomes the family who welcomed a visitor to their table.

“That is cultural diplomacy,” St.Ange said. “Not governments telling people to understand one another. But people discovering one another for themselves.”

Connectivity that outlasts the holiday.

St.Ange linked tourism to a broader argument about connectivity, noting that improved air links, maritime routes, roads and digital infrastructure do far more than move visitors. They connect businesses to markets, families to one another, and students to universities.

A new air route, he observed, is not simply a tourism statistic. It can become an economic corridor. “The person who visits as a tourist today may return as an investor tomorrow. A student may return as a researcher.”

For small island states, the stakes are especially high. St.Ange cited World Bank figures showing that around 21 percent of Seychelles’ GDP and 27 percent of its employment are concentrated in tourism-related industries. The relationship between tourism and national prosperity, he said, is not theoretical — it is visible every day in the hotel worker, the taxi driver, the fisherman supplying a restaurant, the farmer, the musician, and the family running a guesthouse.

How much value actually stays home?

Here St.Ange turned reflective, and pressed his audience to rethink what success looks like. Visitor numbers matter, he acknowledged, but they cannot be the only measure.

“We also need to ask: How much of the value created by tourism stays in the country? How many local businesses benefit? How many young people find good careers? How much of our culture is protected and celebrated?” he said.

The truth, he added, is that tourism depends on the very things it can destroy if poorly managed — beaches, oceans, forests, wildlife, heritage and communities.

“A hotel can be built in a few years. A coral reef takes generations to develop. A tourist can leave tomorrow. The community remains.”

Sustainability as the condition for growth, not its enemy.

St.Ange rejected the familiar framing that pits environmental protection against economic ambition. Citing the World Bank’s warning that Seychelles’ GDP could be more than 6 percent lower by 2050 without sufficient action on environmental and climate-related risks, he argued that sustainability is precisely what allows growth to continue. The choice is not tourism or the environment. We need both,” he said.

The real question, he suggested, is how destinations can create more value from tourism while placing less pressure on the resources tourism relies upon — through cleaner energy and transport, reduced waste, protected biodiversity, and development that fits within a destination’s environmental limits.

But sustainability is not only ecological. Communities, he stressed, cannot be spectators in their own tourism industry. They must be participants, decision-makers, business owners and beneficiaries. The same applies to culture, which “belongs first to the people who live it” and should never be reduced to a product packaged for visitors.

Why difference is worth protecting.

In one of the address’s sharpest observations, St.Ange warned against the quiet cost of global sameness. The more connected the world becomes, he argued, the more valuable its differences become.

“People do not usually cross oceans to experience exactly what they have at home,” he said. “The future of tourism should not be about making every destination look the same. It should be about allowing every destination to remain unmistakably itself.”

Diplomacy without a negotiating table.

Closing his address, St.Ange returned to his central claim: that tourism moves more than money. It moves ideas, traditions, knowledge and stories — and, sometimes without our noticing, it changes attitudes.

“At a time when much of the world is being encouraged to retreat into camps, tourism asks us to cross a border. When we are told to fear difference, tourism gives us the opportunity to experience it,” he said.

His ambition, he told delegates, should be shared widely: a tourism sector that creates prosperity without sacrificing the future, connects economies without erasing cultures, and opens nations to the world while protecting what makes them unique.

“If we can do that, tourism becomes much more than travel. It becomes diplomacy without a negotiating table. Education without a classroom. Trade with a human face. And ultimately, a bridge between nations — carrying not only travellers, but understanding, opportunity and hope.”

About Alain St.Ange

Ambassador Dr. Alain St.Ange is a Seychelles-born tourism leader whose career spans hotel operations, national tourism marketing, regional destination-building, government leadership, and international advocacy. A former Minister of Tourism and Culture and CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, he is a recognised figure on the international speakers circuit and the subject of the biography A Life in Tourism. He is also a published author whose books — including Alain St.Ange My Journey — An Autobiography, Alain St.Ange My Journey — Life & Times in Politics, Seychelles What Next?, Seychelles The Cry of A People, Alain & Ginette St Ange — Family Ties, and Seychelles Remembers Karl St.Ange — chronicle Seychelles’ history, political evolution, tourism development, and family legacy, driven by his belief that understanding where we come from deepens our appreciation of who we are.

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