Global Travel News

PATA Gold Awards 2024 Open for Submissions

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PATA Gold Awards 2024 Open for Submissions - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, March 12, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has officially opened submissions for the prestigious PATA Gold Awards 2024. Travel industry professionals are invited to submit outstanding projects and initiatives for consideration until April 30, 2024.

The PATA Gold Awards, now celebrating its 40th edition and graciously hosted by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) for the 29th consecutive year, seeks to honour exceptional achievements across various sectors within the Asia Pacific travel industry and motivate continued excellence in the future of tourism worldwide.

This year’s award ceremony, which will take place during PATA Travel Mart (PTM 2024) in Bangkok, Thailand, will name Two Grand Title Winners in two main categories: Marketing, and Sustainability and Social Responsibility. A total of 25 Gold Awards will be presented to outstanding projects making remarkable contributions to the industry.

Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, said, “We are looking forward to seeing the latest great initiatives of tourism stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific, in marketing as well as sustainable and social responsibility, which are so important to keep on rejuvenating our industry. As Macao moves towards more tourism diversification, it is an honor to support the PATA Gold Awards and contribute to showcase how the tourism industry can be a positive engine to build a better future.”

“PATA extends its sincere gratitude to the Macao Government Tourism Office for their unwavering support and partnership. Their continued dedication to fostering excellence in the travel industry is truly commendable,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “As another exciting season of the PATA Gold Awards begins, all travel industry professionals are encouraged to seize this opportunity to showcase their remarkable projects and initiatives. Let’s continue to drive innovations, promote sustainable development, and establish a new height for Asia Pacific tourism industry standards.

Benefits of Participating:

  • Exposure to PATA’s panel of experts curated globally.
  • Brand and project exposure to PATA’s extensive and diverse members across all public and private players in the Asia Pacific travel ecosystem.
  • International media exposure through press releases and other promotional channels.
  • Coverage on PATA’s marketing, social, and electronic direct mail (eDM) channels reaching key players in the public and private travel sector across Asia Pacific and beyond.
  • Complimentary access to PATA Travel Mart 2024 hosted in Bangkok, Thailand.

For further information, please visit www.pata.org/pata-gold-awards-2024 or contact goldawards@PATA.org.

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

Let’s Go to the South of Thailand Together with TAT’s Amazing Thailand Beyond Experience

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Lets go to the south of Thailand together with TAT. & AIS and enjoy countless discounts from Amazing Thailand Beyond Experience - Tourism Authority of Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) joins hands with Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS) to cooperate with business owners in the southern region of Thailand, for the purpose of launching a campaign named “Amazing Thailand Beyond Experience” which aims to provide exclusive special deals and discounts for expats and foreign tourists; in order to encourage connected traveling from main cities to less-visited cities and creating a meaningful experience (The right moment can be created without waiting), ultimately leading to sustainability. Make traveling become “Spontaneous Happiness”.

Nowadays, Thailand has gained popularity from foreigners as a destination for living and working abroad. Based on a statistic by the Expat Insider in 2023 (data from July 2023), Thailand is ranked 6th out of 53 countries across the globe as the Best Destination for Living and Working Abroad. The ranking has continuously improved over the years, from the 12nd place in 2021 to the 8th place in 2022. Thailand possesses factors that enable working abroad, for example, satisfactory salary, good quality of living, rich culture, delectable cuisine, and other factors concerning tourism such as a variety of tourist destination and interesting activities; all of which perfectly meets expat tourist’s demands for traveling, be it workation, wellness tourism, or leisure shopping.

Therefore, TAT. cooperates with Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS) and tourism businesses in the southern region of Thailand (e.g. accommodation, restaurant, health & wellness, activity, and community-based tourism) to launch a campaign named “Amazing Thailand Beyond Experience”, in order to stimulate southern Thailand tourism market and facilitate a continuous growth. The campaign provides exclusive discounts for the expat group and foreign tourists on the website: thailandbeyondexperience.com.

Enjoy a trip to the south of Thailand at a special price by registering on the website and redeeming any desired special deals. After that, show the promotional code at the participating establishment to use the special deals or discounts. The promotion’s conditions are as the establishment designated.

Redeem special deals from today to 30 April 2024 on the website: thailandbeyondexperience.com

Lets go to the south of Thailand together with TAT. & AIS and enjoy countless discounts from Amazing Thailand Beyond Experience - Tourism Authority of Thailand

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Data, Sustainability and Collaboration Focus as UN Tourism Returns to ITB Berlin

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Berlin, Germany, March 10, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / UN Tourism returned to ITB Berlin, bringing its new name and look to the leading travel trade fair and uniting the sector around its focus on sustainability, investments and collaboration.

Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili joined the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wenger, and other public and private sector leaders in officially opening the 2024 event. He said: “Tourism’s return means so much to so many people. Tourism is a great uniting force. Together, we are growing new areas of our sector, to build greater resilience and spread the benefits of tourism even wider.” At the opening, the event’s host, Messe Berlin was recognized for its 40 years as a UN Tourism Affiliate Member and for its key role in advancing international meetings and events tourism and fostering partnerships in the German capital.

Together, we are growing new areas of our sector, to build greater resilience and spread the benefits of tourism even wider

Under its new look and name, UN Tourism once again made ITB Berlin a top platform for high-level collaboration and for advancing several of its key priorities for the sector:

Better data for deeper transformation

UN Tourism and the World Tourism Cities Federation (WCTF) launched a joint report highlighting the need to measure the social and environmental impacts of tourism in urban destinations in a more effective and harmonized way. The report stresses the importance of embracing big data and other forms of technology and looks ahead to the creation of a first global urban tourism database.

The launch of the publication comes in the same week that all 193 UN members adopted the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST).

Accelerating Climate Action

Continuing its leading role in the One Planet Tourism Network and the Glasgow Declaration, UN Tourism launched Policy Guidance to Support Climate Action by National Tourism Administrations (NTAs). The guide will assist NTAs everywhere to develop policies and create initiatives designed to accelerate the shift towards a low-carbon sector The guide, which also contains examples of best practice, was developed after consultations with Ministries of Tourism of Member States. The guidance is complemented by a Glasgow Declaration Engagement Pack, with practical recommendations on how to get started on climate action in tourism. Also at ITB Berlin, UN Tourism officials participated in a roundtable event on Reconciling Safety and Sustainability.

Additionally, bringing together its focus on rural development, gender equality and sustainability, UN Tourism also participated in a special side event, Sustainable Rural Tourism: A Foundation for Biodiversity Preservation and Gender Equality – Potentials and Interactions, providing insights and best practice recommendations.

Working closely with Member States

Within the framework of ITB 2024, UN Tourism Secretary-General Pololikashvili held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with Ministers of Tourism and other high-level representatives from Member States from across the world. The meetings served to advance plans for joint projects and for key upcoming UN tourism events.

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thailand’s Soft Powers Successfully Presented Through World-class Tennis Tournament, Thailand Open 2024

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Thailand’s Soft Powers Successfully Presented Through World-class Tennis Tournament, Thailand Open 2024 – TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News and Updates


















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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UN Adopts New Global Standard to Measure Sustainability of Tourism

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UN Adopts New Global Standard to Measure Sustainability of Tourism - TRAVELINDEX.comNew York, NY, United States, March 9, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / A groundbreaking statistical framework, developed under the leadership of UN Tourism, has been adopted by all 193 UN member states.

The Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST) thus becomes the internationally agreed reference framework for measuring the economic, social and environmental aspects of tourism.

The adoption by the UN Statistical Commission at its 55th session (27 February – 1 March 2024) marks a historical milestone towards harnessing the full potential of the sector, providing a solution to the pressing need for a harmonized methodology to effectively assess the sustainability of tourism.

“Tourism is a powerful force for positive change when managed responsibly and sustainably,” says Zurab Pololikashvili, UN Tourism Secretary General. “The adoption of the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism marks a paradigm shift, going beyond GDP by enabling the measurement of what matters most to people and planet.”

The adoption of the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism marks a paradigm shift, going beyond GDP by enabling the measurement of what matters most to people and planet

Collaborative effort

This achievement is the fruit of a seven-year UN process led by Austria and Spain as co-chairs of the UN Tourism Committee on Statistics, with Saudi Arabia and Seychelles as co-vice chairs.  Under auspices of the Committee, the Framework was developed thanks to the extraordinary work of the multistakeholder Expert Group on Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism composed of 40+ countries and 30+ international and regional organizations including the UN Statistics Division, the International Labour Organization (ILO), subnational authorities and observatories, academia and others.

The work involved technical guidance from an Editorial Board chaired first by the Philippines and then by Canada, as well as extensive engagement and consultation with input from numerous pilots in countries.

The Statistical Commission expressed an overwhelmingly enthusiastic support with 34 countries, 3 world regions and international organizations taking active part in the deliberations: Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Benin on behalf of the African Group, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland on behalf of the European Statistical System, Greece, Jamaica, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, the Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities and ILO.

Looking ahead, the Commission also welcomed the future development of an implementation programme, including a compilation guide, and called on the international donor community to support the financing for measuring the sustainability of tourism.

Established in 1947, the UN Statistical Commission gathers Chief Statisticians from Member States and international organizations, and is the highest decision-making body for international statistical activities. The last time that the Commission adopted a statistical standard for tourism was in 2008, when the International Recommendations for Tourism Statistics and the Tourism Satellite Account framework were presented.

Closing the gap between policy and statistics

In the margins of the United Nations Statistical Commission, Austria, Spain and UN Tourism co-organized the high-level side event “Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism: Closing the gap between policy and statistics”, in collaboration with the UN Committee for Economic-Environmental Accounting. Austria and Spain shared their vision on the importance of the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism for evidence-based policy and decisions, while acknowledging its significance in upholding the relevance of statistical systems worldwide and the links to key topics like data governance and stewardship.

Mexico, the Philippines and Canada reflected on their pioneering experiences with implementing the framework, showcasing the power of integrating data from different domains and sources to distil more holistic and meaningful information on tourism.

The event raised awareness of the Statistical Framework for MST and functioned as an informative preamble to the UN Statistical Commission’s formal deliberations.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Launches Afternoon Tea for International Women’s Month

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Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Launches Afternoon Tea for International Women’s Month - TOP25HOTELS.comRaffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, the iconic luxury heritage hotel on the doorstep of ancient Khmer archeological sites, has introduced an exclusive new ‘Khmer Afternoon Tea’ to celebrate the female artisans of Angkor.

The tea service, served throughout March for International Women’s Month, features traditional delicacies and local favourites in classic combinations of sweet and savoury, and pays homage to Cambodia’s rich culinary heritage and the contributions of female artisans in Siem Reap.

The Khmer Afternoon Tea is being offered in partnership with MANAVA, a local social enterprise that produces beautiful accessories and homeware made from locally harvested rattan. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of the Khmer Afternoon Tea will be donated to families living in Krobey Riel Village in Siem Reap.

The menu includes bites categorized as ‘Street Stalls’, such as local baguette with chicken, pork terrine and pickled vegetables; coconut and spring onion rice pancakes with coconut sauce; and fresh vegetable spring rolls with lime and chili dressing. ‘Sweets’ include taro and sago coconut pudding; palm sugar and coconut dumplings; and yellow bean cake. ‘Ancient Traditions’ include glutinous roasted rice cake and slow-cooked local banana with palm sugar caramel. And ‘Local Produce’ features seasonal Siem Reap fresh fruit and a fresh juice of the day.

The bite-sized treats are served alongside a selection of premium-quality teas and coffees.

For more information on Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, or to make a booking, please call +855 23 982 598

ABOUT RAFFLES
Raffles Hotels & Resorts boasts an illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide. In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service. Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting travellers with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Connoisseurs of life choose Raffles, not merely for its aura of culture, beauty and gentility, but for the extraordinary way they feel when in residence with Raffles. Each Raffles, be it Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Warsaw, Jakarta or the Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family. Raffles is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,100 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit to Accelerate Innovative Start-Ups in Travel

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Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit to Accelerate Innovative Start-Up And Travel - TOURISMAFRICA.orgIn collaboration with UN Tourism, AfCFTA, MEFT (Namibia), Namibia Tourism Board, NIPDB, NEPAD and BDO, the 2024 Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit has been curated to accelerate innovative travel industry and start-up linkages among all participants.

The 6th and 2024 edition of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge (https://youthtourismsummit.com) is poised to accelerate business growth. Key among this year’s programme is Entrepreneurship Masterclass and Intra-Africa Trading Day. These are targeted at youth and women in tourism, businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs and all Namibian Tourism stakeholders to guide and assist them on how to improve their businesses or to source funding for start-ups across Africa’s tourism and related industries.

Also, this well-thought capacity building program aims to provide insights and guidance on how participants can connect to angel investors, innovative start-ups, travel tech innovators, and youth-run tourism businesses making waves in Africa.
The Entrepreneurship Masterclass & Intra-Africa Trading Day will be characterized by Market Access Expo set-up, 1- on -1 Business Exchange and Africa Tourism Innovation Challenge Boot Camp/Demo Lab.

Among renowned international experts speaking at the Summit are Dino Ballotti – Executive Director: MSME Development, Innovation & Acceleration, Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB), Waseem Carrim – Chairperson, National Youth Development Agency, South Africa, Dan D’souza – Senior Programme Manager, Intrapreneurship L Marks, United Kingdom, Akwasi Obeng-Adjei – Director of Audit: Wealth, Investment Management and Insurance, ABSA Bank, South Africa, Joram Mwinamo – CEO & Founder, Wylde International, Kenya, Prof. Matshediso ‘Tshidi’ Mohapeloa – Acting Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator, Rhodes University, South Africa, Nombulelo Guliwe – CEO, South African Tourism, Khaya Mbanga – Head Of Digital Advisory, BDO.

This year’s Summit is set to host more than 650 physical delegates and over 2000 online participants from across the world. As the norm, the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Forestry and Tourism Namibia will avail exhibition space to allow tourism stakeholders to sell their products and services to a wide range of participants.

Namibia is distinctive tourist destination and, we encourage all delegates to stay a day or two longer to indulge in some of Namibia’s famous delights including the dunes, wildlife, culinary aqua tourism and nightlife (mention some of the famous destinations to visit).
Register at www.youthtourismsummit.com to attend physically as there is limited space. Please also use SAA discount code on the website to qualify for a discounted air fares and watch the space for discounted accommodation codes from Hilton Garden Inn, NUST Hotel School and Marriott soon.

For more information about the Summit, exhibition, partnerships, sponsorships, registration, please contact Ms. Rejoice Chishamba at: rejoice@africatourismpartners.com / +27 (0) 11 318 1741 / +27 (0) 81 303 7030.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UN Tourism Applauds Saudi Arabia’s Historic Milestone of 100 Million Tourists

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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 5, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / In a testament to its strategic vision and robust sector growth, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has welcomed over 100 million tourists, marking a significant milestone in its journey to become a global tourism powerhouse.

In an exceptional achievement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has welcomed over 100 million tourists, a milestone celebrated by the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). This remarkable accomplishment achieved seven years ahead of its original schedule, not only underscores Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global tourism powerhouse but also highlights its leading role in the economic diversification and sustainable development of the tourism sector worldwide. This milestone, marked by the arrival of over 27 million international tourists and over 79 million domestic tourists with a combined total spend of over USD 67 billion, not only showcases the Kingdom’s robust tourism sector but also underscores the Saudi Ministry of Tourism’s commitment to advanced data gathering and statistical analysis, a priority echoed by UN Tourism.

The Kingdom’s success story is built on a foundation of strategic initiatives and reforms that have propelled its tourism sector to new heights. With a staggering 390% increase in demand for tourism activity licenses in 2023 and the contribution of tourism to the non-oil GVA estimated to exceed 7%, Saudi Arabia’s vision for the future is clear. With the tourism sector’s direct contribution to the GDP estimated to exceed  4 %, the country has showcased its resilience, innovation, and commitment to excellence.

Strategic Partnerships and Global Leadership

UN Tourism has closely collaborated with Saudi Arabia, recognizing its efforts in developing a robust tourism infrastructure and statistical analysis capabilities. The inauguration of UN Tourism’s Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh in 2021 marked a significant step towards fostering tourism innovation, education, and rural development. This partnership has been instrumental in positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in sustainable tourism practices and statistical excellence.

Elevating its global position in the tourism sector, Saudi Arabia has distinguished itself by leading the G20 in international tourist growth rate in 2023 compared to 2019. This recognition underlines the Kingdom’s pivotal role in the global tourism sector’s recovery following the pandemic. Moreover, the Middle East has emerged as the sole region not only to rebound but also to outpace pre-pandemic tourism levels, with a 122 percent recovery in international tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019. At the forefront of this remarkable growth, Saudi Arabia witnessed a staggering 156 percent recovery in international tourist arrivals compared to 2019, underscoring its central role in the region’s tourism boom.

A Testament to Resilience and Innovation

The Kingdom’s tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience, with inbound spending reaching over USD 37 billion in 2023 and a significant increase in hotel keys across the kingdom. These achievements are a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to creating a prosperous and sustainable tourism sector.

Empowering the Workforce

The employment opportunities created by the tourism sector are a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s success. As of 2023, with 925.5 thousand jobs in the tourism sector and significant investments in training, the Kingdom is on track to make tourism the second-largest employer by 2030. This focus on workforce development ensures that the benefits of tourism growth are shared widely and sustainably.

Gratitude and Future Vision

UN Tourism extends its congratulations to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this historic achievement. We commend the leadership, the Ministry of Tourism, and all partners for their unwavering support and dedication. As Saudi Arabia continues to drive towards its goal of 150 million tourists by 2030, UN Tourism looks forward to supporting its journey, celebrating its successes, and promoting a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future for global tourism.

Saudi Arabia’s achievement of welcoming over 100 million tourists in 2023 is a beacon of what is possible through collaboration, innovation, and a clear vision for the future. The Kingdom not only promises a diverse and rich tourism experience but delivers on that promise, paving the way for a brighter future for the global tourism industry.

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Dine in the Dark, Bangkok’s Most Surprising Culinary Experience

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dine-in-the-dark-bangkoks-most-surprising-culinary-experience.jpgBangkok, Thailand, March 4, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / DID – Dine in the Dark, the multi-sensory, thought-provoking and socially responsible dining experience, has been surprising and delighting guests in the heart of Bangkok since 2014. Now, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this pitch-black culinary evening at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok, three delectable new menus have been launched that will transport diners on an adventure through taste, smell, touch and sound.

At DID, diners embark on a journey into the world of the blind and partially sighted. Having been warmly greeted at BARSU, the legendary lounge on Sukhumvit Road, guests are plunged into darkness and guided to their table by a team of visually-impaired guides. Without the power of sight, they are presented with a four-course menu and have to use their remaining senses to work out what’s on their plate – a fun, interactive gastronomic guessing game that also raises awareness about blindness.

New Western, Asian and Vegetarian menus have now been added to the DID experience, alongside the existing Surprise (East meets West fusion) options. Each of these four-course set dinners has been expertly crafted by a team of talented chefs, who carefully blend different textures, flavors and aromas to stimulate the senses and tantalize the taste buds. Every meal can be accompanied by a choice of beverages, including fine premium beverages and cool cocktails.

While the evening is designed to be lively and entertaining, it also serves a more important purpose. As a socially responsible venture, DID is presented by a team of sightless servers who guide their guests through the entire meal. The aim is to raise awareness about the lives of blind and partially sighted people in Thailand and to provide a valuable source of employment and income for talented individuals who may otherwise find it difficult to find work.

By reversing the usual roles of society and letting the visually-impaired service team help their full-sighted guests, this revealing evening offers a valuable insight into how the world is perceived by people without the power of sight. For every customer hosted at DID, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a Luxury Collection Hotel will donate THB 50 to the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand, a non-profit organization based in Bangkok.

DID is available six days a week (Tuesday to Sunday), from 18.00 – 22.00 hrs. Staged at BARSU, the stylish social venue at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit and with a direct connection from Asok BTS skytrain station, this is an unmissable culinary experience that will bring families, friends and groups closer together.

For reservation, please visit https://sheratongrandesukhumvit.info/dineinthedark.

Alternatively, to contact Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit please call +66 (0)2 649 8888

About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection, part of Marriott International, Inc., is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA® brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of nearly 120 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 35 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information and new openings, visit theluxurycollection.com or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Hospitality Industry Builds Strong and Competent Professionals

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Mahé, Seychelles, March 3, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / It is hard to believe, that some 30 years have already elapsed since I first met Paul van Frank, at the time, when he was the General Manager of “The Plantation Club Resort & Casino” ( later rebranded as the “Kempinski Seychelles Resort” located on the island of Mahe). Paul can best be described, as an “Old School Hotelier”, who values principles such as “honesty, integrity, fairness and loyalty”. He is a seasoned, multi-lingual & undoubtedly, accomplished Hotelier, with a proven track record in Operations as well as an in-depth expertise in all aspects of Sales Marketing.

Paul is very “guest centric” with an extraordinary eye for detail, who will go to great length to achieve optimal guest satisfaction. Having many times watched Paul in action so to speak, he adopts a “hands-on approach” and is clearly an inspirational leader, who believes in working closely with his team, to deliver the highest standards and achieve the desired financial results. Paul has a sound business acumen with a deep understanding of the need to be very “bottom-line driven”. What I have always admired in Paul being his passion for developing young talent leading to be baled to create a bond with his team.

I start this way to speak about a Team Member of the Hospitality Fraternity because too often it is forgotten that behind every successful Hotel & Resort sits a dedicated hospitality professional amassing a wealth of experience and knowledge. Who benefits from these years of knowledge at the end? Is the question many continue to ask?.

Paul van Frank, the hotelier, is a typical Belgian with an infectious sense of humour and a true love for the Culinary Art. By the same token Paul has equally demonstrated time and time over his competence & proficiency with “pre-openings “, as well as the “rebranding” and “repositioning” of 5-star Hotels.

Paul is a passionate and truly committed professional, who has acquired a reputation for “getting the job done” even when facing challenging & complex situations demanding a high level of diplomacy, flexibility & sensitivity.

In all honesty, over the course of the past 3 decades, I must applaud Paul for his tenacity & unwavering determination to persevere in the adversity, having survived the ‘tsunami” in Thailand, the bombing in Bali, serious earth quakes in Istanbul, multiple hurricanes and cyclones in the Indian ocean, yet somehow always able to remain calm, collect and still able to maintain a positive attitude, whilst overcoming such unexpected serious incidents.

Paul can only be qualified as an expert in having successfully run a series of 5 star ‘luxury” Resorts in a variety of tropical destinations, such as “Como Shambhala Estate” (formerly known as “Begawan Giri Estate” in Bali), the highly acclaimed “Fregate Island Private” in the Seychelles, the no 1 Destination Spa in the World, being the multi-award winning “Ananda in the Himalayas” in India, as well as “Le Jadis Beach Resort & Wellness Mauritius” (part of the portfolio of “Banyan Tree Hotels & Resots”).

As Paul and I keep sporadically meeting at different “ International Travel Trade Fairs”, in all sincerity, I hope that Paul van Frank will continue his pursuit of excellence around the world for many years to come.

Hospitality and Tourism as and Industry needs many more years of the likes of Paul van Frank

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News