Global Travel News

Hanoi, Vietnam, April 16, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia has signed a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) with Binh Minh Urban Construction Investment, JSC for SONO Belle Hanoi Old Quarter, marking the brand’s first city hotel in Vietnam’s capital and reinforcing its growing presence in the country.

Scheduled to open in Q4 2026, the nature-led urban lifestyle hotel will introduce the SONO Belle brand to the heart of Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter, a district shaped by more than 1,000 years of culture and commerce. The hotel will be located within walking distance of the iconic Hanoi Opera House, luxury boutiques, heritage landmarks, and the capital’s vibrant dining and café scene.

The hotel will feature 56 guestrooms and suites, offering a refined stay experience designed to complement the character of one of Southeast Asia’s most historic urban districts.

“Hanoi’s Old Quarter represents the cultural heart of Vietnam’s capital, where history and contemporary lifestyle meet. Partnering with SONO Hotels & Resorts allows us to introduce a distinctive hotel that reflects the spirit of the neighborhood while delivering the quality and hospitality standards of the SONO brand. We believe SONO Belle Hanoi Old Quarter will become a compelling new destination for travellers exploring this remarkable city,” said the property owner.

Jihong An, Senior Vice President – Asia, SONO Hotels & Resorts Asia, added: “We are honored to collaborate with Binh Minh Urban Construction Investment, JSC to bring SONO Belle Hanoi Old Quarter to life in such an iconic location. Hanoi is one of Asia’s most culturally rich capitals and an increasingly important destination for international travellers. This project reflects the trust our partners place in the SONO brand and supports our strategy to expand our hospitality footprint across key destinations in Asia.”

Located approximately 40 minutes from Noi Bai International Airport, SONO Belle Hanoi Old Quarter will offer convenient access for both international and regional travellers while providing an intimate gateway to the city’s heritage, culture, and evolving lifestyle scene.

With its nature-led urban lifestyle concept and prime address, the hotel is positioned to become a distinctive addition to Hanoi’s hospitality landscape and a new flagship destination for the SONO Belle brand in Vietnam.

Source

Bangkok, Thailand, April 16, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / As part of its 75th anniversary year, Jim Thompson, the iconic global lifestyle brand from Thailand, hosted an exclusive appreciation dinner at Moonlight Hall, Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter, bringing together a group of 75 invited guests, including key partners, valued customers, and long-standing supporters who have contributed to its transformation.

The evening began with an exclusive cocktail reception at the Jim Thompson House, offering guests a private experience within the brand’s historic home before proceeding to dinner. It marked a milestone for the company and served as a gesture of recognition to those who have played a role in its evolution from a Thai silk house into a global lifestyle brand spanning fashion, fabrics, hospitality, and cultural experiences.

Set within the Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter, a cultural and creative destination that reflects the brand’s shift towards experience-led engagement, the gathering also comes at a time when the company continues to expand its presence across lifestyle, hospitality, and collaborations.

The guest list reflected the breadth of the brand’s relationships, spanning diplomatic, hospitality, travel, design, and retail sector communities. Attendees included ambassadors from France, Italy, South Korea, Japan, Canada, Germany, and the United States, alongside long-standing partners such as Thai Airways, leading hotel groups, and key retail and property partners including King Power, Siam Piwat, and One Bangkok, as well as design firms and some of the brand’s most loyal customers. The presence of partners across these sectors reflects the brand’s expanding role within a broader lifestyle and cultural network.

The evening also welcomed key government representatives who have supported the brand’s direction, including Eurblarp Sriphiromya (Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand) and Sanon Wangsrangboon (Deputy Governor of Bangkok).

A key moment of the evening was the exclusive preview of Jim and I: The Weaver’s Stories, presented to guests ahead of its official launch. The community-driven storytelling project explores Jim Thompson through the voices of 12 individuals who have shaped its journey, offering a collective perspective on craft, creativity, and continuity, and reflecting the idea of Jim Thompson as a legacy shaped by many hands over time. The event also introduced the first group of individuals, including Kittiphong Sansomboon, Niphon Manuthas, and Bill Bensley, whose personal stories contribute to the series.

“Jim Thompson has always evolved through the strength of its relationships,” said Frank Cancelloni, Group CEO of Jim Thompson. “This evening was an opportunity to recognize the partners and supporters who have contributed to the transformation journey. As we mark 75 years, we look ahead with the same spirit, building on a shared foundation of creativity and trust, and a continued commitment to bringing Thai design and craftsmanship to a global stage.”

The appreciation dinner forms part of Jim Thompson’s year-long 75th anniversary program, which continues to unfold through a series of cultural, creative, and storytelling initiatives across 2026.

Source

Bangkok, Thailand, April 16, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / City Dynamic presents A House in the Making, a film that brings together the creative teams behind Upper House Residences Bangkok and The Wireless Residences by Upper House.

The film offers a considered look at the thinking, craft, and collaboration behind the first Upper House branded residences globally, situated on a rare freehold site on Bangkok’s prestigious Wireless Road.

Featuring Foster + Partners, BAR Studio, PIA Interior and P Landscape, the film explores how architecture, interiors, landscape and service come together to shape two distinct Houses — designed for living, not spectacle.

Bringing Upper House Home

The film opens with the Upper House philosophy: Houses, not Hotels. Known for an approach to hospitality that feels personal, unforced and quietly attentive, Upper House is extending this philosophy into residential living for the first time.

“This has been a truly creative collaboration,” says Toby Smith, Chief Commercial Officer, Swire Hotels. “Upper House has never been about making statements. It’s about creating places that feel honest and personal. True Houses. And, of course, there is the service — intuitive, unscripted, and grounded in genuine human connection.”

Architecture: Hospitality in Every Detail

Led by Foster + Partners through its local entity F&P (Thailand) Ltd., the architecture draws from the proportions and spatial calm of traditional Thai villas, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. The buildings are shaped around comfort, light and openness, with panoramic views of Lumphini Park and Benjakitti Park.

“What we wanted was to bring the idea of hospitality into ultra-luxury residential living,” explains Roland Schnizer, Lead Architect, Foster + Partners. “It’s about coming home to a sense of calm — a garden presence on Wireless Road that feels both unexpected and deeply considered.”

Interiors: Two Ways of Living Well

At Upper House Residences Bangkok, interiors by BAR Studio focus on holistic living. Spaces are designed to flow effortlessly between private retreat and shared living, with natural light, wellness and understated materiality at the core.

At The Wireless Residences by Upper House, PIA Interior brings a perspective shaped by multi-generational living. Homes are thoughtfully planned to accommodate families of different sizes and stages, with layouts that allow residents to have their own space while shared areas naturally bring the family together.

Landscape: Living with the Garden

Landscape design by P Landscape centres on the idea of a home in a garden. Pathways, planting and open spaces are composed to feel intimate and personal, gently connecting the site to Bangkok’s Green Mile and the surrounding parks.

Your Upper House

The design inspiration film reflects a shared objective among the design partners: to create two Houses that feel anchored to place, shaped by people, and made to last.

“A site like this comes along once in a generation,” says Casey Au, Co-Managing Director, City Dynamic. “These are not products. They are homes — crafted with care and designed to be lived in for years to come.”

“When we first walked the site,” adds Thomas Woolsey, Co-Managing Director, City Dynamic, “we recognised immediately how rare this opportunity was. It allowed us to create not one, but two distinct residential expressions — each with its own character, yet united by the Upper House’s way of thinking.”

Upper House Residences Bangkok and The Wireless Residences by Upper House are situated in the heart of Bangkok’s central business district, steps away from the city’s premier shopping destinations, five-star hotels, international schools, and embassies.

Currently under development, Upper House Residences Bangkok comprises 156 residences within a 52-storey building, while The Wireless Residences by Upper House comprises 239 residences within a 71-storey tower.

Both towers are scheduled for phased completion from 2029 and will be managed by Upper House.

Source

Malta, April 16, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Malta is one of the smallest and most densely populated states in the European Union. As of 2024, its estimated population is 563,443, resulting in a density of approximately 1.7 inhabitants per-km².

Malta’s tourism revenue growth is one of the highest among southern Mediterranean destinations. In 2024, it received 3.56 million visitors, up 20% over the previous year.

One of the current issues Malta faces is the lack of natural shade in its urban and tourist areas. As temperatures continue to rise across the Mediterranean region and globally, this shortage not only exacerbates the effects of high temperatures and heatwaves but also directly impacts the quality of life for residents and the experience of visitors.

This situation is due to several factors:

• Climate and soil: Malta has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers. Combined with its limestone-based soil and limited availability of freshwater, this makes it difficult for trees and dense vegetation to thrive.
• History of deforestation: Human activity has led to widespread deforestation for various purposes, resulting in the near-total absence of natural forests today.
• High population density and urbanization: Intense urban development and high population density have limited the available space for green areas and tree planting.

This lack of shade contributes to the urban heat island effect, affecting residents’ quality of life and the experience of tourists, especially during the hottest months, and increasing the need for climate-resilient urban solutions.

To address this issue, innovative green technology (green tech) solutions are being considered, such as the implementation of green infrastructure, living roofs, and green corridors that can provide shade and improve thermal comfort and support local efforts to adapt urban spaces to increasing heat in urban areas.

The limitations of soil fertility hinder the planting of traditional trees and vegetation, demanding new solutions adapted to the local context.

Innovation Opportunity

In this environment, green innovation emerges as a key tool to help cities adapt to rising temperatures while enhancing the liveability of public spaces. This challenge aims to identify sustainable technological solutions that provide shade through green infrastructure, innovative materials, smart urban design, or bioinspired technologies. The goal is to enhance the liability of public spaces, promote high-quality tourism, and strengthen community well-being.

Challenge Objectives

• Mitigate urban heat and strengthen climate resilience: Promote innovative solutions that improve thermal comfort through green structures, living roofs, green corridors, or smart shading technologies.
• Improve the Tourist Experience: Increase the time spent and enjoyment of tourists in open spaces by creating more comfortable, cooler, and visually appealing environments.
• Enhance Residents’ Quality of Life: Reduce the impact of extreme heat in urban and recreational areas, improving public health and community interaction.
• Promote the Green Economy: Stimulate entrepreneurship in green technologies, sustainable architecture, urban agriculture, and climate-adapted infrastructure solutions.

Collaboration Activities

• Challenge Launch: National and international announcement of an open call for innovative companies, scaleups and startups (with an existing product or a pilot project) with proposals for Malta.
• Bootcamp (Optional: online or physical) Selected participants will take part in an intensive training process (bootcamp) with experts in sustainable architecture, urban design, climate technology, and regenerative tourism.
• Final Presentation Event: Presentation of solutions before a panel composed of Maltese government representatives, tourism agencies, investors, and strategic partners.
• Awards and Implementation: Winning projects will receive national visibility, and institutional support to scale up their solutions.
• Pilot Project: Implementation of pilot initiatives in key areas (squares, bus stops, tourist zones) with technical and community monitoring.

Impact

• Positioning Malta as an innovative reference in urban heat reduction.
• Reduction of the urban heat island effect.
• Increased thermal and visual comfort in urban spaces.
• Higher satisfaction among tourists and residents.
• Promotion of local and international green innovation.
• Strengthened climate resilience of urban spaces to rising temperatures and heatwaves.

Timeline

• March 2026 (Launch of Call for Applications)
• March 2026 -April 2026 (Promotion and Outreach)
• 17th April 2026 (Application Submission Deadline)
• End of April 2026 (Initial Screening)
• End of April 2026 (Announcement of Shortlisted Startups)

Target stakeholders, startups, scaleups y MSMEs and innovators

Stakeholders, startups, scaleups y MSMEs and innovators from all over the world and all economic sectors are invited to participate if meeting the following criteria:

• Be innovative in nature providing value-added solutions
• Be sustainability-driven
• Be scalable: to have potential for international growth and potential to be applied in corporations and destinations (countries, regions)
• Be an Early Stage or Series A startup
• Introduction or adoption of digital and technological elements
• Have a tested pilot and business plan
• Have been accelerated before
• Have a full-time team. Gender balance will be also considered.

All ways of innovation are welcome: technology, social impact and sustainability solutions.

Participant Benefits

• Present their solution at Tourism Tech Adventures
• Participate in the Bootcamp
• Global visibility for their project and connection with investors
• Support in launching a pilot project in collaboration with local authorities
• Become part of the UN Tourism Innovation Network
• Access scholarships from the UN Tourism Online Academy

Source

Bangkok, Thailand, April 16, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Minor Hotels has unveiled plans to build a new global data and AI platform from the ground up in partnership with Google Cloud, Salesforce, OneTrust and Deloitte, marking a major acceleration of the group’s long-term digital transformation strategy.

Global partnership with Google Cloud, Salesforce, OneTrust and Deloitte will unify guest data and enable AI-driven personalisation, leapfrogging legacy systems.

The initiative represents one of the most significant technology investments in Minor Hotels’ history. It also marks a deliberate move to lead the hospitality sector in using data and AI to personalise experiences and strengthen direct relationships with guests across its more than 640 properties in operation and committed development worldwide.

At its core is the creation of a single digital platform connecting global guest data, marketing and service operations. This will allow the group to recognise guests more consistently across brands and destinations, personalise communications and offers based on preferences and past stays, while ensuring guest data is managed responsibly, with privacy and governance embedded into the platform from the outset.

The new platform, set for full deployment within 2026, is being developed independently of any legacy systems. This enables Minor Hotels to leapfrog traditional technology by building directly on the latest enterprise-grade AI capabilities from its technology partners, ensuring it is designed from day one to take advantage of advances in generative AI, intelligent agents and automation.

This clean-sheet approach is expected to significantly compress development timelines compared to traditional transformation programmes and positions the group to evolve its commercial and service capabilities more quickly as AI technologies continue to mature.

“AI is becoming the front door to travel – and with it, control over demand is shifting,” said Ian Di Tullio, Chief Commercial Officer of Minor Hotels. “The brands that win will not be the most visible, but the most intelligent: those able to respond in real time, own their data and shape the guest relationship directly. At Minor Hotels, we are building that capability at scale, ensuring we don’t just participate in this new landscape, but define our position within it.”

Designing a future-native platform for AI-driven hospitality

The platform will be built on Google Cloud’s AI-optimised technology stack, with BigQuery and Vertex AI serving as the interoperable data and intelligence layer. This will enable Minor Hotels to unify guest data across brands, regions and digital touchpoints. It provides the foundation for a stay defined by ‘continuity’, where a guest’s unique preferences are understood and honoured whether checking into an Anantara in Thailand or a Tivoli in Portugal.

Minor Hotels then aims to move beyond simple AI-driven questions and answers to agentic orchestration. The platform will enable the future deployment of Google-made, third-party or custom AI agents grounded in Minor Hotels’ unified data. By tethering the agents to this single source of truth, they will, for instance, be capable of reliably managing bookings, curating itineraries and resolving complex guest requests in real time.

“The future belongs to context-aware AI agents that anticipate needs and execute tasks throughout the travel journey,” said Mark Micallef, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, Google Cloud. “By anchoring its transformation on Google Cloud’s open and secure full-stack architecture, our native integrations with Salesforce and the solution engineering expertise of our partners like Deloitte, Minor Hotels is bypassing the integration hurdles of fragmented traditional clouds and establishing the blueprint for more personalised, proactive and responsive guest experiences.”

Salesforce, a global leader in AI Customer Relationship Management, will power marketing automation and guest communications across the travel journey with Agentforce Marketing. Data 360 will integrate guest preferences from the unified data and help drive precise, real-time segmentation, enabling Minor Hotels to unlock new commercial opportunities while strengthening guest satisfaction and loyalty.

“In the AI era, the margin for error in customer experience has disappeared. Guests expect interactions to be instant, intuitive and deeply personal,” said Apisit Kuparatana, Country Leader and Managing Director, Salesforce Thailand. “Automation grounded in relevant guest insights can help turn distinct guest touchpoints into a meaningful, connected journey.”

OneTrust, a leading platform for AI-Ready Governance, will play a central role in ensuring guest data is managed responsibly and in compliance with global privacy regulations. Privacy and consent management are being embedded directly into the platform architecture, enabling Minor Hotels to scale personalisation while maintaining trust and transparency with guests.

“Consent is the foundation of lasting customer relationships and durable data strategies,” said Arran Mulvaney, Regional Director, ASEAN, OneTrust. “With privacy and governance embedded in its platform from the outset, Minor Hotels demonstrates a clear commitment to its guests by making responsible data use a priority, not an afterthought.”

The new platform will support the development of new AI-enabled capabilities designed to enhance both guest engagement and operational efficiency. Intelligent service agents will help contact centre and hotel teams respond more quickly to guest requests, while AI-powered engagement tools will support personalised interactions and smarter recommendations for experiences and upgrades across stays and destinations. As AI continues to reshape how travellers search, discover and book travel, the platform will support Minor Hotels in adapting to emerging AI-led discovery environments, where digital assistants increasingly influence decision-making and conversion.

Bringing the digital ecosystem together

Deloitte, one of the world’s biggest consulting and transformation firms, is the strategy and implementation partner to Minor Hotels and leading the co-design and integration of this future-native technology stack into a coherent enterprise operating model. Deloitte is working with all parties to ensure that the latest AI capabilities are not deployed in isolation, but firmly embedded into core processes, decision-making and ways of working so that they are fit for purpose for Minor Hotels and its customers in over 63 countries.

“Transformations of this scale not only require powerful technology, but they also require alignment across the organisation and working with each of the country operations to ensure that utilisation is seamless and effective,” said Dr Metinee Jongsaliswang, Country Managing Partner, Deloitte Thailand. “It is a great privilege for us to work together with Minor Hotels and the other partners to bring together the right technology ecosystem and integration strategy to create a platform that can evolve with the business, unlock new opportunities for growth and guest engagement and be the forefront of the future for the hospitality sector.”

With further developments planned across digital experience, experiential commerce and AI-enabled services, Minor Hotels is building a platform that will underpin the next generation of personalised hospitality across its global portfolio.

Source

London, United Kingdom, April 13, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Lalique Beauty, part of the Lalique Group, rooted in the heritage of the iconic Lalique crystal house, has enlisted the expertise of DS Smith, an International Paper Company, and leading global provider of fibre-based and sustainable packaging solutions, to design and manufacture folding boxes and inserts in support of the launch of its new home fragrance collection, Tales of Light.

Packaging Design for Historic Craftsmanship

The Lalique Beauty, Tales of Light collection is the first to feature Lalique Beauty’s new visual identity. It is comprised of a set of six scented candles, including L’Escapade, L’Atelier, La Comédie, La Demeure, La Muse, and La Verrerie, alongside three exquisite diffusers.

The collection is uniquely inspired by the shape of the furnace at Lalique’s historic crystal works in Winger-sur-Moder, Alsace, and crafted at Lalique’s production site in Ury, France, a centre of excellence combining traditional savoir-faire and advanced technologies.

Lalique Beauty’s collaboration with DS Smith has enabled the historic house of artistry to incorporate sustainability at the core of a bespoke approach to packaging design for the new collection, and the packaging company’s expert design and implementation team have used FSC certified cardboard materials that are fully recyclable.

The corrugated inserts are coated with an anti-abrasion varnish to protect the delicately crafted glass candle jars. The cases are made from graphic board for high-quality illustration print with off-set printing, and carefully selected varnish. In addition, a graining process has been applied to provide a textured aesthetic that is reminiscent and emblematic of satin finished crystal, a type of crystal that has a soft, velvety texture, and translucent appearance.

The packaging design displays the new logo for the Tales of Light home fragrance collection, and it depicts swallows belonging to René Lalique, the founder of Lalique being let loose and freed from a symbolic historical circle, with the suggestion of the beginning of a new journey.

Sustainable packaging solution for the Lalique Beauty, Tales of Light collection:

• Protection – corrugated cardboard inserts to protect the delicate glass jars and anti-abrasion scratch varnish.
• Haute Couture Finish – the cases feature off-set printing, selective varnish, and a subtle graining that recalls emblematic and satin crystal from the House of Lalique.
• Embossed Logo – renewed and revitalised historical references within the illustration.

A spokesperson from Lalique Beauty comments: “With Tales of Light, we wanted to create a collection that reflects Lalique’s unique dialogue between light, material and craftsmanship, while embracing a more sustainable approach to packaging.”

Marie Labouret, Sales and Marketing Director, DS Smith Consumer France, concludes,
“We were thrilled and honoured for this opportunity to collaborate with Lalique Beauty on this new and very carefully crafted packaging for their Tales of Light home fragrance collection. The packaging solution is beautiful, and the exterior design is intended to evoke the elegance of the Art Deco era. We used our fully sustainable corrugated cardboard materials, and approached as we always do, with dedicated attention to detail”.

The new Tales of Light home fragrance collection from Lalique Beauty is anticipated to be available for purchase by consumers online, and in Lalique Beauty boutiques worldwide, from May 2026.

Through its purpose of and its company-wide and target-led sustainability strategy, DS Smith is committed to leading a transition to the circular economy, and to delivering innovative sustainable packaging solutions for customers worldwide.

Source

Bangkok, Thailand, April 13, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Set along the banks of the River of Kings, Baan Phraya begins a new chapter in its distinguished culinary story. Once the residence of Phraya Mahai Savan and Khunying Luean Mahai Savan, the century-old house was known for its gracious gatherings, where Thai nobility and visiting dignitaries were welcomed with thoughtful hospitality and refined home-cooked feasts. Their warmth, generosity and deep appreciation of Thai cuisine shaped the character of the residence, a spirit that continues to define Baan Phraya today.

In 1986, several rooms of the residence were transformed by Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok into Thailand’s first Thai Cooking School, preserving original recipes and techniques while ushering in a new era of cultural exchange. Since then, the house has been thoughtfully restored, with its architectural charm from the reign of King Rama V carefully maintained. Today, Baan Phraya stands as a living testament to Thai heritage, its original teakwood and intricate fretwork reflecting the stories and traditions that have guided it through generations.

At the heart of its revival is Chef Phatchara ‘Pom’ Pirapak, whose culinary philosophy mirrors the legacy of the residence itself. Like Khunying Luean before her, Chef Pom is known for her precise craftsmanship and intuitive understanding of Thai flavours. As cultural custodian, she revives long-forgotten regional recipes through a contemporary lens. Her cooking honours traditional methods, from charcoal grilling and mortar pounding to the delicate craftsmanship of dok jok, while presenting each dish with a sense of modernity.

Every plate is crafted with balance in mind, guided by appearance, aroma, taste, and emotion. The menu reflects the enduring identity of Thai cuisine, celebrating aromatic herbs, distinctive cooking techniques, and the subtle interplay of sour, salty, and sweet. Chef Pom’s commitment to authenticity is matched by her mindful approach to sustainability.

Ingredients are sourced from trusted local producers across Thailand, from the northern highlands of Chiang Mai to small community farms. A small organic garden beside the house offers fresh herbs and young shoots, some of which she incorporates into her dishes.

Among her signature dishes is a refined take on Tom Kha, with Prachuap Khiri Khan squid stuffed with young coconut and lightly grilled over charcoal. The galangal-infused broth, enriched with herbs from the house’s organic garden, is aromatic, creamy and comforting. Another highlight is the Grilled Surat Thani River Prawn, halved and grilled to reveal its natural sweetness, served with a tangy tamarind-chilli sauce and a rich tomalley reduction. Pickled watermelon rind, coloured with turmeric and roselle adds brightness.

Drawing inspiration from the residence’s past as Thailand’s first cooking school, the restaurant has been reimagined as an intimate setting for Chef Pom’s craft, where the connection between kitchen and table is central to the experience. Intricate fretwork, original architectural details and subtle references to the Vanda orchid, a symbol found in Phraya Mahai Savan’s writings on Thai plant decoration, honour the house’s heritage with a contemporary touch and set the tone for the guest journey.

The experience begins on the terrace, where guests are welcomed with Mha Hor, Thai Honeycomb Biscuits (Khanom Dok Jok). Mha Hor brings together tangy pineapple with caramelised pickled radish and roasted peanuts for a perfectly balanced bite. The Thai Honeycomb Biscuit, lightly scented with somsa, is paired with a tamarind and chilli paste for savoury depth, while the kombucha provides a refreshing counterpoint. A small palate refresher of savoury ice vine leaves with roasted rice and coriander and a glass of kombucha follow in the open kitchen before guests are guided to their seats for dinner.

Guests may experience Baan Phraya through two tasting journeys, available as a six-course menu at THB 3,400++ and an eight-course menu at THB 3,800++. Both menus begin with delicate opening bites such as Mha Hor and the house signature Thai Honeycomb Biscuit, before progressing through dishes that celebrate regional ingredients and time-honoured techniques. Highlights include Prachuap Khiri Khan squid in a galangal-infused coconut broth, marinated goby fish grilled in a coconut shell, and charred Khao Yai duck in green curry with sour grape and heart of palm. The extended eight-course experience further includes pressed watermelon with Nakhon Pathom bitter orange and grilled Surat Thani river prawn served with rich tomalley and young tamarind chilli paste, offering a deeper expression of Chef Pom’s ingredient-led approach to Thai cuisine.

Baan Phraya welcomes a new generation of guests with the same spirit that once defined the home: heartfelt service, refined Thai home cooking, and deep respect for tradition. Here, heritage is preserved through craft, and every meal offers a quiet appreciation of Thailand’s culinary culture.

Opening Hours:
Dinner: 6 – 11pm (9pm last order)
Fridays to Tuesdays

Source

Bangkok, Thailand, April 10, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Banyan Tree Krabi, a beautiful beachfront resort located on tranquil Tubkaek Beach, some 35 minutes’ drive from the town of Krabi, introduces their Songkran International BBQ Dinner from 6:30pm on 13 April featuring authentic Thai cuisine, sizzling barbecue bites and spectacular live entertainment to welcome in the Thai New Year. Highlights include a live carving station with slow-roasted Angus spare ribs and a live barbecue station with fresh local lobster, tiger prawns, mussels, veal sausage, BBQ beef skewers and grilled turmeric chicken. Daytime activities for guests at Banyan Tree Krabi include a traditional Buddhist alms-giving ceremony and for kids there will be free coconut ice cream in the afternoon. The evening peaks with live entertainment on the beachfront lawn. For reservations or more information, contact +66 075 811 888

Skykran for Songkran

On Meliá Chiang Mai’s 21st floor, signature MAI Restaurant & Bar marks the Thai New Year with a ‘Songkran Special Edition’ menu from April 11-17, 2026. Dishes range from spicy grilled scallop salad and baked black pork with Thai oregano to grilled Australian beef ribeye with fermented shrimp paste curry sauce. One level above, MAI The Sky Bar, will host “Skykran Festival” from April 13-15 with free entry. Perched on the 22nd floor, the 360-degree rooftop bar, with a glass bridge connecting its highest vantage points, will concoct Songkran-inspired cocktails accompanied by live music.

The Barbequed Streets of Samui

Tiered into a lush hillside and hosting its own secluded beachfront, Banyan Tree Samui’s 88 pool villas – each with a private infinity pool – provide a haven of calm and quietness during this carnavalesque week. Every evening from April 11 to 15, award-winning restaurant Saffron, which was listed in last year’s MICHELIN Guide, will feature a Songkran set menu. On April 13, the resort will host a Streets of Samui BBQ Buffet Food Market from 7pm, which will also include a traditional Thai dance performance. And every evening from April 13 – 15, The Edge restaurant will offer a special Floating Breakfast buffet.

Make Ice Cream, Not War

At INNSIDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, festivities this Songkran range from a traditional water-pouring ceremony and a long-drum parade to mango bites and temple-style ice-cream. The hotel will offer a complimentary ‘Songkran Fun Flow’ corner for in-house guests with mango bites and local dips such as sweet fish sauce dip and sweet shrimp paste dip, from April 13-15 at The Kites Eatery. The hotel will host the ceremony and parade and offer ice-cream, made by shaking metal tubes filled with flavoured drinks in a container of ice and salt, on April 15 from 1-4pm. Employees will also don creative Songkran styles as part of a contest.

Pool Parties and Beats in Pattaya

Meliá Pattaya Hotel’s LAY Beach Club will usher in the Thai New Year with pool parties, live DJs, a foam cannon, dancers, fire shows and more. The Songkran Pool Party will be held from April 13-15 from 3-9pm. The Lay Beach Club Foam Pool Party on April 16 and 19 from 2-11pm will feature a foam cannon, dancers, and a fire dance show. Day bed and cabana deals on April 13, 14, 15 and 19 and table drinks packages ranging from cocktail towers to beer buckets on April 16 will be on offer.  Entry to all of these events is free except for April 16, with online tickets priced at 250 THB or 500 THB per person at the door inclusive of one drink. The parties will be held in collaboration with sponsors Chang and Mekhong, with Dreamland’s DJs spinning the decks on April 16 and 19.

Source

Bangkok, Thailand, April 9, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / AirAsia MOVE proudly welcomes Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya as Country Representative for AirAsia MOVE in Thailand. Mr. Chattan previously served as Deputy Governor at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), where he played a pivotal role in shaping Thailand’s tourism strategies across key global markets.

Widely recognized as one of Thailand’s most respected tourism leaders, he brings deep policy-level experience, strategic market insight, and a strong international network that will further strengthen AirAsia MOVE’s leadership and partnerships in Thailand and the region.

Welcome aboard, Mr. Chattan

About AirAsia MOVE
AirAsia MOVE is the ultimate travel app for flights, hotels, and more, designed to take you everywhere you want to go. It envisions travel complemented by a community-led experience through features such as airasia chat, games, gifting, and a strong loyalty program that rewards users across its expansive ecosystem.

AirAsia MOVE’s ecosystem includes OTA services such as flight bookings from over 700 airlines, including the World’s Best Low-Cost Carrier AirAsia and 900,000 hotels world-wide plus ride-hailing, dining experiences, insurance, duty-free shopping and more, underpinned by integrated financial services by BigPay. It has been recognised by World Travel Awards as ‘Asia’s Leading Online Travel Agency 2023’ in its first nomination in the OTA category.

Both AirAsia MOVE and BigPay are part of MOVE Digital, the digital arm of Capital A Berhad.

Source

Bangkok, Thailand, April 07, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce that the PATA Annual Summit 2027 will be hosted by the Sanya Tourism Board (STB) in Sanya, China, from May 17–19, 2027.

PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid said, “The Sanya Tourism Board has been an active and valued PATA member, and we have had the privilege of working closely together to successfully deliver a number of regional initiatives. Building on this strong track record, combined with world-class facilities and a diverse destination offering spanning culture, wellness, community-based tourism, and year-round sunshine, Sanya is exceptionally well-positioned to host the PATA Annual Summit. We look forward to collaborating closely with Sanya to bring the 2027 Summit to life.”

“Hosting the PATA Annual Summit 2027 in Sanya is a great honour and a significant opportunity to showcase our city’s unique tropical coastal charm to the global travel community,” said a spokesperson from the Sanya Tourism Board. “As a premier destination offering pristine beaches, rich cultural heritage, and world-class facilities, we are committed to promoting sustainable tourism development. We look forward to welcoming delegates from around the world to experience Sanya’s warm hospitality and to fostering meaningful collaborations that will drive the future of travel in the Asia Pacific region.”

Located in the southern part of China’s Hainan Province, Sanya is a tropical coastal destination covering approximately 1,921 square kilometres and offering diverse attractions. The city is recognised as a major modern tourism destination, known for its tropical climate and luxury resorts with world-class amenities. Sanya’s natural landscapes range from the white-sand beaches of Haitang and Yalong bays to the Yalong Bay Tropical Paradise Forest Park and the Wuzhizhou Island. Moreover, Sanya boasts a culturally rich and charming urban scene, where visitors can experience its delightful gastronomy and rich cultural heritage.

In recent years, STB has observed growing travel demand from visitors from Central Asia, alongside continued efforts to expand air connectivity and strengthen partnerships. In November 2025 alone, Sanya recorded over 2.24 million overnight domestic and international visitors, underscoring its strong potential to contribute to the sustained growth of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry.

Brief Overview of PAS 2027

The PATA Annual Summit 2027 is structured as a three-day programme, centred around a one-and-a-half-day conference addressing key issues impacting the Asia Pacific travel and tourism ecosystem. The main programme comprises the Association’s Executive Board and Board meetings, a PATA Chapter meeting, a PATA Youth Symposium, and technical tours.

Further details on the PATA Annual Summit 2027—including event theme, session topics, and speakers—will soon be announced.

Source