Global Travel News

Meliá Chiang Mai Celebrates Slow Travel with Long-Stay Perks

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Meliá Chiang Mai Celebrates Slow Travel with Long-Stay Perks - TOP25HOTELS.comAs an increasing number of travellers embrace ‘slow travel’, Meliá Chiang Mai is offering a host of benefits ranging from discounts on spa and dining to access to its executive lounge.

For stays of seven days or more, the urban hotel’s “Travel Slow in Chiang Mai” package affords guests daily 20% discounts on YHI Spa treatments, minibar items, laundry, and food and beverage at the hotel’s two restaurants, two bars, lobby lounge and in-room dining.

Drawing on Meliá’s Spanish origins and celebrating Spain’s famed gastronomy, Meliá Chiang Mai’s dining landscape features restaurants Mai Restaurant and Bar and Laan Na Kitchen, bars Mai The Sky Bar and Tien Pool Bar, and lounges Ruen Kaew and The Level Lounge; the latter a 21st-floor executive lounge with panoramic views of the city.

Featuring seven treatment rooms designed in an underwater theme and a Thai herbal sauna and steam, YHI Spa uses ancient Asian healing wisdom combined with modern wellness techniques. Its broad spectrum of treatments includes massages, body scrubs and wraps, facials, hydrotherapy, manicures and pedicures.

Guests staying in The Level Room categories, including The Level Premium Room, The Level Premium Corner Room, The Level Suite and The Level Presidential Suite, also enjoy exclusive access to 21st floor The Level Lounge, which offers all-day snacks and beverages accompanied by panoramic vistas of the city and famed Doi Suthep Temple on the mountaintop to the west.

The executive lounge’s amenities and experiences include a private breakfast service from 7-10.30am, afternoon tea from 2.30-4pm, and cocktails and canapes for adults only from 5-7pm.

Tucked under the hotel’s 22nd floor 360-degree rooftop bar Mai The Sky Bar, the highest bar in Chiang Mai, The Level Lounge is a visual marvel. Guests enter the venue under an arch that pays homage to a nearby temple. In a salute to Chiang Mai’s Bo Sang Umbrella Village, large installations of illuminated umbrella ribs cling to the ceiling. Various artworks of umbrella canopies hang on the walls, such as those made from antique Chiang Mai textiles.

Fresh complimentary fruits in the room on arrival and a late check-out until 2pm are also among long-stay benefits.

“If you want to stay in one place for longer on your travels, Chiang Mai is the ultimate slow travel destination due to so much to see and do, ranging from the Old Town and incredible Buddhist temples to bustling markets and then elephant sanctuaries and night safaris,” said Meliá Chiang Mai’s general manager Marc Selinger.

“Our ‘Travel Slow in Chiang Mai’ experience encourages travellers and digital nomads to make the most out of their time in this charming historical city and its reinvigorating mountainous surrounds with all sorts of pampering perks at our hotel.”

Guests staying for two weeks or longer also receive one-time access to Mai The Sky Bar and a cocktail on the house.

Meliá Chiang Mai is located on the lively Charoen Prathet Road by the River Ping and Night Bazaar. With a design that pays homage to contemporary aesthetics and Chiang Mai’s charming history and culture, Meliá Chiang Mai is located six kilometers from the Chiang Mai International Airport, near an array of tourist attractions including the Old Town with its ancient moat and red-brick walls and the city’s oldest temple Wat Chiang Man.

The 20% discount applied to food and beverage excludes alcoholic beverages. Late check-out is subject to availability.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

VGC Clubs Turn Up Heat With Summer Deals

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VGC Clubs Turn Up Heat With Summer Deals - TOP25GOLFCOURSES.comVietnam Golf Coast (VGC) clubs are turning up the heat this summer with a raft of sizzling offers. With championship layouts designed by legends such as Colin Montgomerie (Montgomerie Links), Luke Donald (Ba Na Hills Golf Club), and Sir Nick Faldo (Laguna Golf Lang Co), Central Vietnam has emerged as one of Asia’s top destinations for play.

And the clubs putting the region on the global golf map are pulling out the stops during the hottest period of the year. Enticements range from twilight golf to stay-and-play packages that link world-class play with some of Vietnam’s most luxurious accommodations.

At Montgomerie Links, visitors can combine play on the acclaimed course — a subtle beauty where Montgomerie has fashioned old-world design elements into a challenging layout — with accommodation at its on-site hotel. Its summer Stay & Play package comes in at a highly attractive rate of just VND3,475,000 (USD136) per person.

For those looking to extend their golfing experience, a second round is priced at VND1,000,000 (USD40) for 9 holes and VND1,600,000 (USD63) for 18 holes. Other summer season highlights at the club include discounts on driving range membership, bulk-buy packages of 10 or 30 rounds and special rates for corporate clients.

“Central Vietnam is very much a year-round destination for golf and visitors can look forward to discounted access to immaculately conditioned courses during the summer season,” said Le Vo Hoang Van, club manager at Montgomerie Links.

Stay-and-play possibilities and twilight golf are among the highlights at Laguna Lang Co, where the Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design at Laguna Golf Lang Co is complemented by sumptuous accommodations at Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co hotels.

Indeed, Laguna Golf Lang Co and Ba Na Hills Golf Club were named among the top 100 golf resorts in the world last year by golf.com.

Special rates on golf include green fees of VND1,600,000 (USD63) for tee off after 2pm, a “Golden Hour” rate of VND999,999 (USD39) for tee off from 3 pm, and a sunset rate of VND800,000 (USD32) for tee off from 3.30 pm. Golfers teeing off after 3 pm also get a free ice-cold beer included in the special rate. There’s also a “play 4, pay 3” rate that offers guests flexibility.

“We are proud to be able to offer one of the region’s best stay-and-play combinations here at Laguna Lang Co,” said Stephen Banks, Director of Golf at Laguna Lang Co. “Golfers can take advantage of our fantastic twilight rates and then cool off with their families in the 300m mega pool at Angsana Lang Co or in the private pool at some of the most appealing villas in Vietnam.”

At Ba Na Hills Golf Club, where Donald’s masterpiece winds through undulating terrain, floodlights enable the possibility of night golf. As such, visitors can take advantage of a Twi-night Golf promotion that applies for tee times from 1.48 pm onwards. The rate for 18-holes under this offer is priced at VND2,500,000 (USD100) per person and includes one local beer.

A few long-iron shots from Ba Na Hills Golf Club is Sun World Ba Na Hills, home to the famous Golden Bridge: a 150-metre-long pedestrian bridge that is one of Asia’s most photographed landmarks. The Golf & Sunworld package (VND3,800,00/USD150) includes one round of golf, a round-trip cable car ticket to Sun World Ba Na Hills, a complimentary WOW-PASS ticket, and an E-voucher for F&B benefits at Sunworld Ba Na Hills.

“We know that summer holiday time is precious,” said Gary Dixon, General Manager of Ba Na Hills Golf Club. “Our packages mean that golfers and their families can make the most of the golf and activities in the region.”

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Bangkok’s TOP25 Restaurants 2024 Revealed at Park Hyatt Bangkok

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Bangkok, Thailand, June 10, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / TOP25Restaurants.com, the world’s first organization to use artificial intelligence (AI) to curate and recognize the finest dining establishments across the globe, is thrilled to unveil the much-anticipated list of the top 25 restaurants in Bangkok for 2024. This year marks a new and highly updated edition of the prestigious ranking, a testament to our commitment to celebrating culinary excellence in Bangkok.

The top spot was taken by restaurant POTONG, a Thai-Chinese fine dining restaurant by chef Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij, followed closely by Côte by Mauro Colagreco at Capella hotel and helmed by chef Davide Garavaglia, in third Baan Tepa, the new two-star Michelin restaurant and in fourth came the internationally acclaimed restaurant SORN where Chef Ice serves unmatched Southern Thai food. Seven restaurants were newly awarded and included in the TOP25, among Embassy Room offering the first Catalan Culinary Experience in Bangkok, Chai Jia Chai, a premier modern Cantonese omakase restaurant and restaurant ÎNT surprising guests with progressive Thai, 13-course tasting menu.

Founded by Bernard Metzger, the visionary behind the TOP25 Restaurants Guide series said; “In 2018, when we launched TOP25 Restaurants Bangkok as the world’s first AI-powered restaurant guide our aim was transform how we discover and celebrate exceptional dining experiences. There was no Chat GPT and few people had even heard of AI, artificial intelligence; the goal was to publish a guide that is more dynamic, comprehensive, and objective than any other.”

The TOP25 Restaurants Bangkok Awards 2024 event took place on June 10, 2024, at the luxurious Park Hyatt Bangkok hotel.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the award certificate to each of the top 25 restaurants Bangkok award winners. These elegant certificates featured the restaurant’s name and its 2024 rank and were personally presented by Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia and South Pacific) at the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and Mr. Noor Ahmad Hamid, Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). This added a touch of distinction to the evening, underscoring the significance of this recognition.

THE TOP25 Restaurants Bangkok 2024 –
Ranked by the Restaurant Rating Index ( www.top25restaurants.com/thailand/bangkok/ )

1. Potong
2. Côte by Mauro Colagreco
3. Baan Tepa
4. Sorn
5. Embassy Room
6. Mezzaluna
7. INDDEE
8. Chef’s Table
9. Savelberg
10. Sühring
11. Gaa
12. Chia Jai Chia
13. Maison Dunand
14. Elements, Inspired by Ciel Bleu
15. R-Haan
16. Sushi Masato
17. IGNIV
18. Le Du
19. Juksunchae
20. Khaan
21. Blue by Alain Ducasse
22. Resonance
23. CLARA
24. ÎNT Restaurant
25. Mia

For the first time, Travelindex Group introduced the TOP25 Restaurants Special Awards to honor not only the top 25 winners but also excellence in culinary heritage, groundbreaking innovation in the restaurant industry, and a young rising star chef.

The winners of the special awards are:
• PerfectCheck received the Restaurant Industry Innovation Award
• Chef Goji Kobayashi, Chef-Owner at Sushi Kuuya received the Young Rising Star Chef Award
• North Restaurant, was awarded the Culinary Heritage Excellence Award

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all 25 winners and special award recipients and express our gratitude to the culinary community in Bangkok for their unwavering dedication to the art of gastronomy. Your passion and creativity continue to inspire and delight.

About TOP25 Restaurants by Travelindex:
TOP25 Restaurants is the World’s First AI-Powered restaurant guide. It is the only independent, global rating system based on artificial intelligence enhanced by human expertise and discernment. This dynamic synergy not only ensures unparalleled accuracy but enriches the curation process with a depth of understanding and nuance unparalleled elsewhere. The annual TOP25 Restaurants Awards celebrates the most outstanding restaurants and showcases the ultimate collection of dining venues in each destination. TOP25 Restaurants is owned by Travelindex Group, a content-driven ecosystem for the travel and tourism sectors. The media group operates an open and free digital platform, connecting millions of travelers worldwide and providing inspiration and advice for discerning travelers and tourists. In addition to Bangkok, Travelindex Group also publishes TOP25 Restaurant Guides in the following destinations: Phuket, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macao, Shanghai, Delhi and Dubai. www.top25restaurants.com

Visit us online for more information about Travelindex and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter and YouTube.

About Park Hyatt Bangkok
Park Hyatt Bangkok is a Tranquil Oasis above Bustling Bangkok. Centrally located in the heart of the Thai capital’s central business district. Featuring contemporary architecture matched by luxurious residential interiors, expertly curated art, world-class food and wine, and refined service, all coupled with a promise to offer unique Thai experiences that reflect the country’s rich culture, gracious hospitality, and colorful lifestyles. The hotels interior design brief – to create a sophisticated private residence and sanctuary reflecting Thailand’s rich culture – was eloquently executed by New York- based Yabu Pushelberg, who also served as the designers of the brand’s flagship Park Hyatt New York hotel. This is the award0winning design duo’s first hotel in Bangkok, and they have created a calm and stylish environment unfolding through a series of unique and intimate spaces.

About PerfectCheck
PerfectCheck transforms restaurants revenue and profit optimization. PerfectCheck is a cutting-edge, plug-and-play tool designed to give restaurant professionals a clear view of their business performance. The innovative modules let restaurant owners visualize key metrics, optimize table occupancy, enhance menu offerings, and improve server performance – all without manual data analysis. Seamlessly integrating with the POS and Table Management systems, PerfectCheck provides accurate forecasts and actionable insights. Focus on running your restaurant while PerfectCheck maximizes your profitability. www.perfectcheck.com
Captions of attached images:

For media enquiries please contact:
Nicole Lim
Content Editor & Media Relations
TOP25 Restaurants Bangkok
e: media@top25restaurants.com

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thailand’s First INNSiDE Hotel Named Best Luxury Bleisure Hotel

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Thailand’s First INNSiDE Hotel Named Best Luxury Bleisure Hotel - TOP25HOTELS.comINNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit has been lauded as the leading luxury bleisure hotel in Bangkok in this year’s Luxury Lifestyle Awards.

Based in New York City, the global awards are in their 16th year and assess more than 5,000 goods and services in 400 categories from more than 100 countries. According to the awards’ organising committee: “The objective of these awards is to recognise excellence across the whole range of industry sectors and maintain the highest standards in the industry worldwide”.

After undergoing a selection process by the award’s organizing committee based on selection criteria including reputation, craftsmanship, credibility, uniqueness, brand awareness, sustainability, luxury experience, personalization, and excellence, INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit has been deemed the winner of the ‘Best Luxury Bleisure Hotel in Bangkok’ category. The organising committee applauded the hotel, that debuted in July 2023, for being “one of the best in its sector” and its “impeccable reputation and professional performance”.

INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s general manager Aarron Nelson said he and his team were thrilled the urban lifestyle hotel has been recognised on the world stage for its eclectic mix of remarkable business and leisure facilities and services so soon after its July 2023 debut.

“With integrated co-working spaces, playful meeting rooms and multifunctional areas designed to encourage creativity and productivity, a sky-high transparent infinity pool, incredible rooftop tapas bar LUZ and more, we’re not your typical bleisure hotel,” said Nelson. “Our hotel has a lot of storytelling behind it; each floor tells a story about a certain famous Bangkok landmark. Our compelling design, our vibrant team, and all the exciting possibilities we offer seamlessly combining business and leisure are connecting with a lot of people.”

Situated at 1472 Sukhumvit Road, the new On Nut hotel is a 30-minute ride from Suvarnabhumi Airport and close to an array of services and attractions suited to business and leisure travellers including the On Nut BTS Skytrain station and Bangkok’s largest convention centre, BITEC.

The hotel’s vast 32nd floor co-working space with soaring floor-to-ceiling windows offers a front seat to Bangkok’s sweeping skyline. Five meeting rooms and multifunctional areas, such as the Big Ideas Space, underpin the INNSiDE brand and lend themselves to being mixed and matched for all sorts of bespoke social and corporate events.

Together with the hotel’s jewel in the crown, an awe-inspiring infinity pool, The Giant Swing Pool Bar commands the 34th floor. Nestled between bar and pool, a compelling contemporary interpretation of Bangkok’s Brahman structure The Giant Swing is a dramatic photo backdrop. By night, the pool bar becomes an upper-floor extension of the hotel’s 33rd floor LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar. Offering authentic Spanish tapas, wines, beer on tap, cocktails and signature sangrias, the tapas bar invites diners to embark on a culinary pilgrimage across Spain. A spectacle unlike any other in Bangkok, tapas bar guests peer into the bottom of the infinity pool.

INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit is part of a collection of unique urban and beach hotels in 14 different countries designed for those with curious minds who cultivate a fluid lifestyle when it comes to work and leisure.

About Meliá Hotels International

Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has more than 400 hotels open or in the process of opening in more than 40 countries, and a portfolio of nine brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Company is one of the world’s leading hotel chains in the leisure segment and its experience in this area has allowed it to consolidate itself in the growing market of urban hotels inspired by leisure. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led it to be recognised as the most sustainable European hotel company according to S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2024, as well as being a “Top Employer 2024” brand in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France and Vietnam. Meliá Hotels International is also part of the IBEX 35.

About INNSiDE by Meliá
INNSiDE is a collection of unique urban and beach hotels designed for those with curious minds and fluid lives. Always true to their destination, they give guests the freedom to connect or disconnect among an independent community of like-minded travellers.

INNSiDE provides guests with all the everyday essentials and extra-special details to make their stay all the more unique. From in-room comforts to the inspiring Big Idea Space, Open Living Lounges, and fitness studios, we allow guests to feel more-than-at-home.

Sustainability is also packed into all the little details: every room is equipped with paper and plastic-free collateral and complimentary organic cosmetics. INNSiDE celebrates the culture of each of its locations with an events calendar, handy city guides for guests, and by spotlighting a local artist’s work across the hotel walls and onto merchandise and staff uniforms.

There are currently 38 INNSiDE by Meliá properties worldwide, with the brand continuing to expand its global footprint. All properties are located in the best lifestyle neighbourhood travel destinations. Some of them are Spain (Madrid, Mallorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Zaragoza), United Kingdom (Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester), United States (New York, Lima), Germany (Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt, Munich, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Leipzig, Hamburg) Czech Republic (Prague), France (Paris), Italy (Milano), China (Zhengzhou), Indonesia (Yogyakarta), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and Netherlands (Amsterdam) .

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Niarra Travel Appoints Lindsey Walter as Managing Director

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London-based tour operator Niarra Travel has officially appointed Lindsey Walter as Managing Director, effective immediately. Walter has been serving as Acting Managing Director since October 2023, guiding the company through a crucial phase in its development.

As a co-founder of Niarra, Lindsey has played a pivotal role in shaping the business since its inception during the Covid pandemic. With over 20 years of experience in tourism and hospitality, Lindsey has spent 14 years with Oppenheimer Generations where she managed global hospitality sales and marketing for the award-winning conservation project,  Tswalu Kalahari in South Africa, before moving into a role with its parent company Nianova Advisors as Head of Commercial Development. It was in that capacity that Lindsey co-developed both Niarra Travel and Weeva Limited.

Driven by the UNWTO statistic that only US$5 of every US$100 spent by tourists in developing countries remains in the destination, Lindsey and her colleagues founded Niarra Travel with a mission to promote responsible and sustainable tourism. Niarra aims to shift the narrative, highlighting the significant role of transparency and fair value exchange in the tourism industry.

Lindsey states: “Choosing property partners and service providers committed to sustainability is vital, but equally crucial, if not more so,  is ensuring transparency and fair profit distribution thereby reducing extraction and leakage in tourism dollars and ensuring more funds remain in the destination.”

Niarra Travel’s business model focuses on transparent and equitable contracting with product partners, ensuring a larger share of profits stays in the destination. Since its inception in September 2020 Niarra has left in the region of £400k in Africa, which in a more traditional tour operator model would have left the continent and become part of the chain that sells trips to Africa. This showcases that tour operators can prioritise both purpose and profit and that tangible sustainability is something that both tour operators and hospitality providers can and must do in tandem.

Lindsey says: “The industry needs to think innovatively because donating a percentage of profits annually as a matter of philanthropy or charity is simply not enough on its own to drive sustainable tourism at the rate at which is needed to see real impact and change. While these are still incredibly important economic drivers for tourism and conservation, real sustainability means systemic change and challenging the way we think about doing business so that less money leaves the destination in the first place. This is not our USP, it is simply our way of doing business and is central to our own sustainability philosophy.”

Comments from three of Niarra Travel’s partners

Asilia – “Niarra Travel’s innovative, positive impact focussed, business model, enables us to increase substantially the Asilia Giving donation generated by each booking. With no money wasted on administrative costs, this means more money for conservation and local community projects across East Africa. Whilst enjoying an unforgettable safari, Niarra Travel clients can also be sure their investment is having maximum positive impact.”

andBeyond and Africa Foundation – “Africa Foundation and andBeyond are proud and privileged to be a partner to Niarra Travel. Through their approach, they provide consistent long-term investments, which enable our work with communities and in conservation to continue, and they spread the message that travel, done right, can have a major positive impact on the protection of conservation areas and empowerment of rural communities.”

The Safari Collection – “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Niarra, whose unwavering support goes beyond ‘business as usual’. Together, we embark on a journey of leaving a positive impact on communities and wildlife , intertwined with the ethos of sustainability. Our collaboration signifies a shared commitment to shaping a brighter future for generations to come, acknowledging the profound impact our choices today hold for tomorrow.”

Niarra Travel aims to inspire other tour operators by demonstrating that tourism can be both transformative and responsible when purpose and profit are balanced.

Arnold Meyer, CEO of Nianova Advisors and Chairman of Niarra Travel, says, “Lindsey’s extensive experience and innovative approach, combined with her strong business relationships, position her as a forward-thinking leader. We are confident she will continue to drive Niarra as a disruptive force in the tourism industry, delivering exceptional, life-changing experiences for guests.”09

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thailand Plays Role of Leading Country in GMS Regional Tourism

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Thailand Plays Role of Leading Country in GMS Regional Tourism - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comSenior tourism officials and executives from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar are to be special guests of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus to be held between 5-7 June in the stunning coastal district of Khao Lak, Phang-nga Province.

On 5 June 2024, two days before the official opening of the TTM+, they will be escorted on special tours of Phuket, Thailand’s idyllic island resort and the gateway to Khao Lak. The itinerary will cover Ban Bang Rong Community, Phuket Old Town Community as well as various facilities promoting Sports and Health Tourism, Gastronomy Tourism, Marine Tourism and other recreational tourism products.

TAT Governor Miss Thapanee Kiatphaibool said, “This trip is a very important part of the policy set by Mr. Sermsak Phongpanich, Minister of Tourism and Sports, to further strengthen the relations between Thailand and our neighbours in the Greater Mekong Subregion. We share common borders, shared values and shared culture and heritage. I strongly believe that we can all learn from each other and help each other.”

The guests will include Mr. Seila Hul, Under Secretary of State, the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia; Mr. Khom Douangchantha, Director General of the Tourism Marketing Department, the Lao PDR Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism; Mr. Maung Maung Kyaw, Director General of Directorate of Hotels and Tourism, Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, Myanmar; Miss Suvimol Thanasarakij, Executive Director, the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), and executives of 15 other companies and agencies.

The GMS covers six member countries including Myanmar, Cambodia, Lao PDR, China (Yunnan and Guangxi), Thailand and Vietnam. Joint tourism plans for the entire region project total visitor arrivals of 95 million in 2025.

The Thailand Travel Mart is called “TTM+” because it also includes the GMS countries, giving them the opportunity to participate in Thailand’s leading B2B Travel Trade show. Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar have booths at this year’s TTM+ which will be visited by 425 hosted tour operators (buyers) from 50 countries around the world.

Said Miss Thapanee, “One of the key components of the Royal Thai Government’s IGNITE Thailand Vision is to position Thailand as a Tourism Hub of ASEAN. During the TTM+ 2024 event, we will be discussing ways to improve rail, road, air and sea connectivity between Thailand and the GMS countries to make it easier to design creative packages and facilitate seamless travel to and within the region.

She added, “Ever since the Tourism Authority of Thailand facilitated the first Mekong Tourism Forum in 1996 in cooperation with the Pacific Asia Travel Association, we have been active supporters of tourism and travel in the GMS. We strongly believe that intra-regional tourism has great promise and can play a major role in boosting our economies, promoting culture and heritage and meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”

‘It also meets all the objectives of our various regional and sub-regional forums such as BIMSTEC, BRICS and APEC, and also builds on the bilateral agenda now under way between Thailand-China, Thailand-South Korea and Thailand-Malaysia, etc.” The TAT Governor also thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Transport, National Economic and Social Development Council, Board of Investment for their kind cooperation in promoting Thailand as a Tourism Hub of ASEAN.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Discover the Wedding Deal of the Year at the Carlton Wedding Fair

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Discover the Wedding Deal of the Year at the Carlton Wedding FairDiscover the best offer of the year from Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit and bring your dream wedding to life. Our wedding planning experts and partners are here to guide you through every detail, ensuring your special day is perfect in every way.

Offer 1: Book a wedding package and pay a deposit of THB 100,000.
• Enjoy complimentary bring-in decoration valued at THB 35,000.
• Get a complimentary food tasting for 6 persons.

Offer 2: Receive up to four “Wish List” items when you book a package under certain conditions:
• For a THB 550,000 package, choose 2 “Wish List” items.
• For a THB 600,000 package, choose 3 “Wish List” items.
• For a THB 750,000 package, choose 4 “Wish List” items.

Offer 3: Enter a lucky draw worth over THB 89,000 when booking a package and paying the deposit on the event day. Prizes include an Executive Suite, a Deluxe Room with breakfast for 2 persons, dining vouchers, and more.

Wish List Items:
• Complimentary bring-in band and lighting/sound system.
• Complimentary alcohol corkage fee.
• Complimentary bring-in 2 food stalls.
• One barrel of draft beer (Chang or Singha).
• 100 servings of shrimp dumplings from the Michelin Guide Cantonese Restaurant, Wah Lok.
• F&B voucher valued at THB 3,000.
• 50% discount on Carlton Grand Ballroom rental for an after-party.
• One-night stay in a Deluxe Room with breakfast for 2 persons.

Join us at the Carlton Wedding Fair and let us elevate your wedding dreams to unparalleled heights.

Carlton Wedding Fair
Date: 15-16 June 2024
Time: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit

Contact our Wedding Sales Team for more information at T. 0208907888 or email catering@carltonhotel.co.th.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PATA Announces New Executive Board

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PATA Announces New Executive Board - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, June 9, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is delighted to announce the ratification of the new PATA Executive Board. Peter Semone has been formally endorsed and will serve as the Chair of the Association’s Executive Board for a consecutive second term.

Following his appointment, Mr Semone said, “It is an honour to be elected by members of the PATA Board of Directors to lead the Association for a second term. Thanks to the strong commitment of the Secretariat staff and outgoing Executive Board members, over the past two years significant progress has been made in regard to PATA’s finances and management. Much work remains to be done and I am confident that the new Executive Board will rise to this challenge.”

Mr Semone is a leading tourism development expert specialising in the Asia Pacific region. He has served in leadership roles for international donor funded projects in Timor-Leste, Lao PDR and Vietnam and is frequently called upon as a short-term expert for UN Tourism and the Asian Development Bank. He is the founder of the internationally acclaimed Lao National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality (LANITH) vocational school. After graduating from Ivy League colleges (UPENN and Cornell), he resided in Indonesia in the 1990s where he established several tourism enterprises and served as an expert tourism adviser to the Government of Indonesia. Mr Semone is widely published in peer-reviewed journals on topics related to tourism marketing and destination human capital. He has also authored tourism policies, strategies and action plans for destinations at regional, national and municipal levels. In his free time, Peter enjoys spending time with his family in Bali and California.

During the 73rd PATA Annual General Meeting on Friday, June 7, 2024, PATA also ratified Suman Pandey, President of Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure, as the new Vice Chair, and Luzi Matzig, Chairman of Asian Trails Ltd., as the new Secretary/Treasurer of the Association.

Suman Pandey is a well-known figure in Nepalese Tourism and President of Explore Himalaya Travel and Adventure, a well-known name for diverse and innovative operations. He is also the CEO of Fishtail Air, a Nepalese helicopter company; Director of Summit Air, a fixed wing operator catering to tourists going to the Mt. Everest area; Director of the biggest business complex in Nepal, “Chhaya Centre”, a multi-faceted Mega Complex that includes a five star managed by Starwood under the “Aloft” brand; President of the Himalaya Academy of Travel and Tourism, an academy imparting tourism related vocational trainings, and President of Himalayan Pre- Fab Pvt. Ltd, a company specialising on making eco-friendly prefabricated homes.

His remarkable contributions in the Nepalese Tourism Industry have made him eligible for various titles and decorations including “Suprasidha Gorkha Dakshin Bahu” from the King of Nepal in 2004; “Tourism Icon” by the Nepal Association of Tourism Journalists in 2018; a “Lifetime Achievement Award” by tourism publication Gantabya Nepal in 2017; “Tourism Man of the year” by Gantabya Nepal in 2010; and a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for contributions in tourism by the “American Biographical Institute” (ABI) based in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA in 2008, to name a few.

Luzi Matzig began his career with Swissair ground operations in Zurich, Switzerland, and had subsequent postings in London and Berne. In 1971, he moved to Thailand and worked for Diethelm Travel in Bangkok, rising to General Manager and later Group Managing Director overseeing operations in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Yunnan/China. In September 1999, he founded Asian Trails Ltd. and is currently the Chairman. The Asian Trails Group now operates 33 offices with over 500 staff across Thailand, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Vietnam.

In addition to managing Asian Trails, Mr Matzig is involved in the cruise and hotel industries, with ventures including Cruise Asia Ltd., Paradise Ko Yao Resort, Treehouse Villas, Legend Chiang Rai Boutique Resort and Spa, Paradise Beach Samui Resort, SUNSET HOUSE, and the Royal Sands Koh Kong Resort. He established VIP Jets Ltd. for executive air transport in Asia. Mr Matzig serves on the Board of the Swiss-Thai Chamber of Commerce, where he was President for 2.5 years, and has held leadership roles in the PATA Thailand Chapter.

Members of the Executive Board for this term include Ben Montgomery, Director of Business Relations Management, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand; Henry Oh, Chairman, Global Tour Ltd., Korea (ROK); Noredah Othman, CEO, Sabah Convention Bureau, Malaysia; Mayur Patel, Head of Asia, OAG, Singapore; Gerald Perez, Vice President, Guam Visitors Bureau, Guam; and SanJeet, Director, DDP Publications Private Limited, India.

Additionally, PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid remains on the Executive Board as an Ex-Officio member.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research, and innovative events to its member organisations, which including government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts, and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has an official office in Beijing. Visit www.PATA.org.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management Students Shine at International Events

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PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management Students Shine at International Events - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comStudents of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University have had a successful academic year as they were recognised with top prizes at international conferences and summit including the 2024 Global ESG (Environment, Social and Governance) Conference, APacCHRIE Youth Conference and Young Hospitality Summit (YHS) held across the globe.
At the 2024 Global ESG Conference held in Jeju, Korea on 27-29 May, SHTM students won First and Second Prizes at the Undergraduate Students ESG Idea Competition as part of the ESG Global Student Challenge.
First Prize: “Trash to Trend: Upcycling Hotel Waste into Fashionable Treasure” by Mina Kang, student in the BSc in Hotel Management programme; and Jasmine Poon, student in the BSc in Tourism and Events Management programme. Advisor: Dr Sung In Kim, SHTM Assistant Professor.
Second Prize: “GREENIE, Your One-stop Online Platform for Browsing Hotels’ ESG Commitments and Performance Benchmarking” by Christopher Chen, Venus Chung and Ben Lim, students in the BSc in Hotel and Tourism Management programme. Advisor: Dr Ada Lo, SHTM Associate Professor.
Designed to empower the next generation of leaders in ESG practices, the Competition was successful in fostering creativity, critical thinking and collaboration among undergraduate students, and inspiring them to develop innovative solutions that address the practical application of ESG principles.
At the APacCHRIE Youth Conference held on 24-26 May 2024 in Seoul, Korea, SHTM students were bestowed two Best Paper Awards.
First Place: “Exploring the Asymmetric Impact and Relative Competitiveness of Service Attributes on Customer Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction: Impact Asymmetry Competitor Analysis and Two-factor Theory” by Xenia Wong, student in the BSc in Tourism and Events Management programme. Supervisors: Dr Hailey Shin, SHTM Assistant Professor; Dr Hyekyung Park, Assistant Professor, Florida State University; and Dr Minwoo Lee, Associate Professor, University of Houston.
Second Runner-up: “AI-supportive or Vigilant in the Hospitality Industry: Integrating Employee and Consumer Views to Extend the TAM and AIDUA Models” by Yu Jin Yang, student in the BSc in Hotel Management programme. Supervisor: Dr Ivanka Huang, SHTM Research Assistant Professor.
Since its inception in 2002, APacCHRIE has been playing an essential role in promoting academic and research exchange in the hospitality and tourism field in the Asia Pacific region. An extension of APacCHRIE, the Youth Conference supplements its mission and provides an opportunity for students to meet, exchange research information and to network, whilst at the same time fosters an opportunity for leadership development and encourages presentation of high-quality research by undergraduate students.
Earlier this year in March, SHTM students attending the YHS in Lausanne, Switzerland, stood out from competing teams and scooped two prestigious awards.
First Prize: Mandy Leung, student in the BSc in Tourism and Events Management programme, led her team to win the First Prize by proposing and presenting an idea to achieve food waste prevention, sustainability education and facilitation of a circular ecosystem within NEOM in Saudi Arabia.
Second Prize: Cindy Pang, student in the BSc in Tourism and Events Management programme, led her team to win the Second Prize on the topic of “Bridging Concepts, Beyond Realities” with “The Elevate Project”. The team proposed to build an innovative structure with screen and sound technology, and transform footsteps into energy for sustainability that is regenerative and unique within NEOM.
Hosted annually by the EHL Hospitality Business School, the YHS serves as a platform for industry professionals and student delegates to engage in insightful discussions on the latest topics relevant to the industry. As a student-led hospitality summit, student delegates have a chance to work together on unique hospitality projects to solve real-life business problems.
The SHTM is immensely proud of the achievements made by its talented students, and the efforts they made to contribute to the body of knowledge. The School is committed to providing students with different opportunities to ensure that they excel beyond the walls of the classrooms.
About PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management
For 45 years, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has refined a distinctive vision of hospitality and tourism education and become a world-leading hotel and tourism school. Ranked No. 1 in the world in the “Hospitality and Tourism Management” category in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2023 for the seventh consecutive year; placed No. 1 globally in the “Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services” category in the University Ranking by Academic Performance in 2022/2023 for six years in a row; rated No. 1 in the world in the “Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism” subject area by the CWUR Rankings by Subject 2017; and ranked No. 1 in Asia in the “Hospitality and Leisure Management” subject area in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, the SHTM is a symbol of excellence in the field, exemplifying its motto of Leading Hospitality and Tourism.
The School is driven by the need to serve its industry and academic communities through the advancement of education and dissemination of knowledge. With a strong international team of over 90 faculty members from 20 countries and regions around the world, the SHTM offers programmes at levels ranging from undergraduate to doctoral degrees. Through Hotel ICON, the School’s groundbreaking teaching and research hotel and a vital aspect of its paradigm-shifting approach to hospitality and tourism education, the SHTM is advancing teaching, learning and research, and inspiring a new generation of passionate, pioneering professionals to take their positions as leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Welcomes Spanish Chef de Cuisine

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INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Welcomes Spanish Chef de Cuisine - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comThailand’s first INNSiDE by Meliá hotel has appointed Juan Ignacio García Racionero, who has honed his craft in some of Spain’s finest kitchens, as Spanish chef de cuisine.

The Madrid-born chef joins INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit, that debuted in July 2023 in Bangkok’s On Nut neighborhood, after working at one Michelin-starred Saddle as well as Diverxo, recognized in the top three ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ in 2023, and acclaimed restaurants El Jardin De La Marquina and Montellen.

His decade-long experience as a chef includes stints at restaurants Puerta 57, Café Pino, Restaurante La Chans and Rios De Luz. He has also worked at hotels and in catering, including with Morlans Hotels and Globales Don Pedro in Mallorca, and Curcuma Catering and Events.

As part of his studies with the Pérez Valladolid International Cooking School in Valladolid and Madrid’s hotel management school Le Cordon Bleu, he interned extensively at Montellen and Saddle restaurants respectively.

In his new role, Racionero has taken charge of INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit’s signature LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar, on the hotel’s two uppermost floors, the 34th and 33rd floors, where every seat is an opportunity to embark on a culinary pilgrimage across Spain.

“Since I was on vacation in Thailand with my mother many years ago, I have not stopped thinking about one day working and living here in Bangkok as the culture is fascinating,” he said. “It’s an honor to share my passion for Spanish cuisine, an extraordinary cuisine, at LUZ by giving it a special, differentiating touch that comes from a very personal place.”

“Through his rich and varied experience at remarkable restaurants in his native Spain, as well as with hotels and in catering, Juan is an all-rounder and the obvious choice to take our diners at LUZ on a culinary journey through Spain’s different regions … as they also take a front-row seat to Bangkok’s compelling skyline,” added the hotel’s general manager Aarron Nelson.

In addition to LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar, the hotel’s dining landscape features all-day Thai dining restaurant The Kites Eatery, The Giant Swing Pool Bar on the 34th floor, and café and lobby bar The Open Living Lounge that’s integrated into the hotel’s 32nd floor coworking space. INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit joins a collection of unique urban and beach hotels in 14 different countries designed for those with curious minds who cultivate a fluid lifestyle when it comes to work and leisure.

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has more than 400 hotels open or in the process of opening in more than 40 countries, and a portfolio of nine brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Company is one of the world’s leading hotel chains in the leisure segment and its experience in this area has allowed it to consolidate itself in the growing market of urban hotels inspired by leisure. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led it to be recognised as the most sustainable European hotel company according to S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook 2024, as well as being a “Top Employer 2024” brand in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France and Vietnam. Meliá Hotels International is also part of the IBEX 35.

About INNSiDE by Meliá
INNSiDE is a collection of unique urban and beach hotels designed for those with curious minds and fluid lives. Always true to their destination, they give guests the freedom to connect or disconnect among an independent community of like-minded travellers.

INNSiDE provides guests with all the everyday essentials and extra-special details to make their stay all the more unique. From in-room comforts to the inspiring Big Idea Space, Open Living Lounges, and fitness studios, we allow guests to feel more-than-at-home.

Sustainability is also packed into all the little details: every room is equipped with paper and plastic-free collateral and complimentary organic cosmetics. INNSiDE celebrates the culture of each of its locations with an events calendar, handy city guides for guests, and by spotlighting a local artist’s work across the hotel walls and onto merchandise and staff uniforms.

There are currently 38 INNSiDE by Meliá properties worldwide, with the brand continuing to expand its global footprint. All properties are located in the best lifestyle neighbourhood travel destinations. Some of them are Spain (Madrid, Mallorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Zaragoza), United Kingdom (Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester), United States (New York, Lima), Germany (Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt, Munich, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Leipzig, Hamburg) Czech Republic (Prague), France (Paris), Italy (Milano), China (Zhengzhou), Indonesia (Yogyakarta), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and Netherlands (Amsterdam) .

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News