Global Travel News

Alma Resort Launches Wellness Retreats

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Alma Resort Launches Wellness Retreats - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comAlma, situated on Vietnam’s scenic Cam Ranh peninsula, has unveiled a series of wellness retreats featuring the likes of singing bowl meditation, hot stone therapy, yoga and detox and slimming treatments.

The resort’s Le Spa, which has 13 treatment rooms sprinkled onto the beachfront, has this month rolled out its ‘Le Spa Wellness Journey’, ‘Le Spa Half Day Retreat’ and ‘Detox and Slimming Program’ designed to inspire participants to kick-start a healthier lifestyle and lay the foundations for a longer life.

A three-day program, the Le Spa Wellness Journey’s first day starts out with a 60-minute power yoga session, followed by a 30-minute body exfoliation and a 60-minute back-stone treatment.

The second day comprises 60 minutes of singing bowl meditation or yoga, a 90-minute ‘Detox and Slimming Treatment’ and 30 minutes of foot stone therapy. The Detox and Slimming Treatment is underpinned by a massage technique using a wooden Gua Sha instrument designed to improve microcirculation and lipolytic action, release the storage of toxins and tackle cellulite to help transform the upper and lower body.

The final day of the three-day retreat begins with 60 minutes of Hatha yoga before a 90-minute energizing intensive facial treatment and 30 minutes of ‘Healing Hands’ therapy that focuses on acupressure points to release blockages and prompt healing.

The Le Spa Half Day Retreat and Detox and Slimming Program each start with a private 60-minute yoga and meditation class followed by a steam and sauna with fresh herbal aroma.

The half day retreat also features a 30-minute body exfoliation and a 90-minute ‘Le Spa Signature Treatment’ underscored by Hawaiian Lomi-Lomi, Shiatsu, and Thai stretching techniques that target pressure points and mirror the calming motion of gentle sea waves.

Meanwhile, the Detox and Slimming Program is rounded out with the 90-minute Detox and Slimming Treatment and the 60-minute ‘Fundamental Treatment’; a facial treatment that is customized to the skin’s individual needs.

All three retreats are complemented with healthy drinks and post-treatment snacks.

Le Spa’s manager Hoang Nguyen Minh Anh said although the retreats only ranged from half a day to three days, they were designed to inspire guests to appreciate the importance of learning how to relax and calm the body and mind, as well as learn of ways to release muscle tension and ease toxin blockages, in the hope “we can influence their everyday life once they’re back to reality”.

“Each retreat makes for a unique wellness journey that starts out with yoga, that emphasises the importance of breathing and stretching, before deploying restorative treatments and ending with a healthy drink and snack,” she said. “We think of each wellness retreat as a potent reminder of the need to learn how to relax, which can be very hard amid all sorts of demands including work, family, and life generally,” she said.

Bold, spacious and emblematic of Vietnam’s maturation as a destination, the independently owned and operated Alma features an array of food and beverage outlets and a cascade of 12 beachfront swimming pools. Other highlights include a 6000 sqm water park, a science museum, 18-hole putting green, kids club, youth club, sports courts, cinema, amphitheater, convention centre, gymnasium and yoga room. The resort also runs complimentary guided garden tours of its nursery garden, herb garden and chicken farm to equip guests with handy tips on how to nurture their own veggie patch and look after chickens.

About Alma
Situated on Vietnam’s emerging Cam Ranh peninsula fronting Long Beach, Alma resort commands some 30 hectares of inspiring ground. Emblematic of Vietnam’s maturation as a destination, the bold and spacious integrated resort offers 580 oversized suites and pavilions that all afford sweeping vistas of the ocean, including contemporary three bedroom oceanfront pavilions each totalling 224sqm with a living room, four bathrooms and a private pool. Alma features a broad spectrum of restaurants helmed by top chefs, a food court with an array of local and international cuisine, as well as a sports bar, pool bar and beach bar. Other highlights include 12 swimming pools cascading down to the beach and a waterpark with a lazy river, slides, wave pool and kids pool. Other highlights include a 13-treatment room spa, 75-seat cinema, convention centre, amphitheater, science museum, gymnasium and yoga room, 18-hole mini golf course, a youth centre with virtual reality games, a kid’s club, water sports centre and even an ‘Alma Mart’ mini supermarket.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Sustainable Tourism and AI – Weeva heads for ITB Berlin 2024

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Multiple award winning sustainability platform Weeva will be exhibiting at ITB Berlin  from 5th – 7th March 2024. ITB is the world’s largest travel show, gathering key decision makers across the global travel industry as well as showcasing trends and providing unrivalled opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing.

Weeva will be exhibiting in Hall 6.1, on stand 505 near the eTravel stage-  the hottest spot for conversations around all things travel tech.

 

Weeva’s Chief Technology Officer, James Lever, will be speaking on the eTravel Stage on 5th March at 16h40, sharing some exciting announcements including the highly-anticipated integration of generative AI into the award-winning sustainability data management tool – leading the charge for hotel tech in this niche.

Also joining James in Berlin will be Weeva’s Head of Sales, Gulam Sawant, Trade Ambassador, Melony van der Merwe and on the media side, Claire Roadley, representing the PR & Marketing team.

Harnessing the power of tech and AI to manage sustainability doesn’t just save hotels manpower and resources – but helps ensure that tourism ultimately has a more positive impact on people, planet and profit.

About Weeva
Weeva is a pioneering Software-as-a-Service platform designed to democratise access to cutting-edge sustainability management tools for the travel and tourism industry. A ‘GSTC-Recognized system’, the platform helps hotels of all sizes access best-practice, science-based, and data-driven sustainability solutions. Weeva has developed partnerships with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, Design Hotels, Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s Considerate Collection, and ATTA. In 2023, Weeva received the global Responsible Tourism Award for ‘Best for Addressing Climate Change’.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Bangkok’s 8 Most Treasured Chinese Restaurants

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For those with Chinese upbringing, there are few things better than having friends and family over to share an abundance of food spread across a turning Lazy Susan. This Dragon Year, as a tribute to the the undeniable influence of longstanding Chinese heritage that echoes through the streets of Bangkok, TOP25 Restaurants aims to shine a light on some of the city’s most treasured Chinese restaurants, jointly selected by our team of experts and members of Bangkok’s affluent Thai-Chinese/Chinese community.

❁ Restaurants With Private Dining Rooms ❁

Chef Man

A name that’s become synonymous with quality dim sum, Chef Man is every Bangkokian’s go-to for consistently reliable “home-style” Cantonese. Some crowd favorites include the molten lava buns, crispy prawn wrapped in rice noodle (cheung fun), roast pork belly, and baked snow buns with barbecue pork. Foodies will appreciate the egg noodle–slightly firm and deliciously sticky–with perfectly braised fish maw in flavorful abalone sauce.

Do not make the rookie mistake of showing up without a reservation. From “the Man” himself: Apart from the offerings, what are my plans for Chinese New Year? Work! There is no other secret to good food. Work hard and always, always put yourself in the shoes of your guests. How would you feel if you were served this dish? – Chef Man Wai Yin → more

Bangkok’s 8 Most Treasured Chinese Restaurants: Chef Man (left) - POTONG (right)

POTONG

TOP25 Restaurants’ “Rising Stars of 2022” and #35 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, POTONG needs little introduction. Within her 120-year-old heritage home, Chef Pam sets out to delight and form lasting memories for her guests while revealing bits and pieces of her own through a combination of the “5 Elements”–her culinary philosophy–and the “5 Senses” it takes to bring a memory to life.

“I believe our secret lies in our heritage and our beliefs. To recreate traditional dishes using other, modern methods requires understanding of the traditional ways.” – Chef Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij

We caught up with Chef Pam and POTONG’s maître d’ Sacha to find out what surprises are in store for us in 2024. Expect an assortment of food and snacks on the Opium Bar’s new casual dining menu, starting this Chinese New Year. Exciting new dishes are also in development, this time as part of POTONG’s latest menu “Revolution”, something we all can look forward to in April 2024. We heard through the grapevine that regulars can start enjoying these new creations as early as mid-February. For those new to the experience, we offer a glimpse into Chef Pam’s tasting menu: the signature duck main.

POTONG works with a local farm in Cha Choeng Sao for the best possible duck with a precise weight of 2-2.1kg for the right marble percentage. The duck is marinated with 5 spices, the skin then partially cooked with a vinegar mix and dry-aged for 14 days before it is roasted at extremely high temperature for exactly 13 minutes. The result is tender meat with balanced, complex flavors and what is likely the most crispy and fragrant duck skin you will ever have.

I believe our secret lies in our heritage and our beliefs. To recreate traditional dishes using other, modern methods requires understanding of the traditional ways. Our “Progressive Thai-Chinese” respects the traditional “Thai-Chinese” cuisine, embraces it, and gives it a spin-off, innovating and improving as time goes by. – Chef Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij  → more

Yu Ting Yuan

Since its opening, Yu Ting Yuan at the Four Seasons Hotel has been one of the top destinations in Bangkok for refined Cantonese flavors. Among regulars are connoisseurs who have educated themselves on the fine nuances of Cantonese cuisine, returning for the authenticity of the food, and of course, the overall experience. From Chef Tommy’s signature tasting menu, the wok-fried Australian Mayura Platinum Wagyu Striploin with black bean and dried tangerine peel brings a slice of authentic Hong Kong flavors to Bangkok.

Bangkok’s 8 Most Treasured Chinese Restaurants: Yu Ting Yuan at the Four Seasons Hotel

It’s like taking a culinary journey straight from the streets of Hong Kong with bustling food stalls where you can smell the sizzle of stir-fried beef with that unmistakable black bean sauce. Yu Ting Yuan works directly with trusted overseas and local producers to guarantee freshness, quality, and authenticity in ingredients brought to every table.

For abalone, guests have the option between Yoshihama abalone which is prized for its tenderness and delicate flavor, or the South African abalone which for its larger size and versatility, can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. The trend for Chinese food and Asian ingredients is on the rise. I think it’s fantastic.

For chefs, having access to a wide range of Asian ingredients is like having a palette of vibrant flavors and textures to play with, allowing us to craft dishes that are truly unique and exquisite. And for diners, with more diverse ingredients being incorporated into menus, there’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether you’re a seasoned foodie or just looking to try something new. – Chef Tommy Cheung   → more

Man Tables

Chef Man’s bougie sister, Man Tables at Baan Turtle, houses 3 spacious private dining rooms where top bank executives often gather to wine and dine clients. Most loved among the venue’s high-profile regulars are the signature braised (fresh) fish maw and braised sun-dried South African abalone.

The secret to Man Tables’ rich, silky sauce? Top quality traditional Chinese ingredients and chicken broth gently simmered to an 80% reduction. This Chinese New Year, for a limited time, guests can also indulge in Iberico char siu (or Cantonese roast pork) and braised oyster. Trusted sources say that Chef Man Wai Yin is also available for at-home private catering, but only upon special request. → tel. 095 454 8978

Bangkok’s 8 Most Treasured Chinese Restaurants: Man's Table (left) - Chai Jia Chai (right)

Chai Jia Chai

Bangkok’s first Cantonese omakase restaurant where guests are served Chef Tsai’s selection of elaborate, seasonal dishes. The New Year Lao Qi Scampi, a refreshing shrimp scampi salad with celery, onions, dried radish, chili, and sweet basil, bean garlic sauce, and lotus roots snacks in a lucky Ang Bao (red envelope), is not only delicious but also conveys heartfelt wishes—lao qi meaning “picking up the happiness,” a cultural expression of good luck. → tel. 093 117 1909

Ah Yat Abalone

Nestled in the heart of Charoenkrung’s bustling food scene stands a beacon of heritage and tradition. Named after Chef Yeung Koon Yat, this iconic institution is known among Thai-Chinese and Hong Kong-Chinese expats with sophisticated palates for masterfully prepared abalone dishes, peking duck, top-notch dim sum, and live seafood. → tel. 02 291 7781

❁ Private Dining Only ❁

99 Chicken Pot

Favored by politicians and the business community for his creative takes on delicacies once served to emperors, Chef Parn’s at-home private catering might be one of Bangkok’s best kept secrets. Most requested dishes behind closed doors include his silky, crispy fish fin steak in abalone sauce (bright, citrusy notes) and smoked wagyu short ribs with surprisingly delicate, mala-infused sauce.

For fans of London’s contemporary art scene, Shanghainese pop art icon Jacky Tsai regularly enjoys Chef Parn’s crunchy, sticky sea cucumber in 20-Hour Emperor’s Chicken Soup. In the spirit of giving and sharing, the soup sans sea cucumber is also available for delivery. → tel. 096 687 9596

Bangkok’s 8 Most Treasured Chinese Restaurants: 99 Chicken Pot (left) - Cross BKK (right)

Cross BKK

Cross offers a unique, intimate dining experience in Bangkok, where a Chinese-French chef’s table takes center stage. Starting off as a passion project shared between two siblings, the table has since then become a well sought after experience. To try their fish maw in Chinese herbal chicken soup or Dutch oven abalone baked rice with egg yolk, truffle paste, and shiitake mushroom, you can (try) to secure a table on the 10th of each month, at 11am. With limited seatings–only 2 groups per day–Cross is often booked out within the day (for good reason).  → tel. 097 245 9899

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Women in Hospitality to Celebrate International Women’s Day 2024

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Bangkok, Thailand, February 22, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Banyan Tree Bangkok is pleased to present Women in Hospitality 2024 (WIH), an exciting global food and beverage forum set to captivate guests in Bangkok from Thursday, February 29th, to Friday, March 8th, 2024. The event promises an unparalleled experience with a charitable spirit to support women and inspire inclusion, donating 30% of the event’s revenue to the Halfway Home for Women Foundation.

Prepare to embark on an enticing journey featuring a unique mastery series, including engaging masterclasses, bartender takeovers, and an exclusive chef’s table collaboration. The event will bring together an array of acclaimed female food and beverage personalities from Thailand and beyond, dedicated to promoting and empowering women in food, beverage, and hospitality. Highlighting the WIH2024 experience is a remarkable eight-hand dinner aboard the river cruise.

On March 7th, guests will indulge in a culinary spectacle with “8-Hand Women in Gastronomy,” crafted by acclaimed chefs, including Michelin-starred Chef Saki Hoshino of Nawa, Chef Som of Som’s Table, Chef Sasha from Hybrid Restaurant, and Chef Renu from our very own Saffron Signature Thai Restaurant. The eight-course dinner will be expertly paired with an exceptional sake selection by sake expert Naoko from BB&B, ensuring an elevated dining experience. The two-storey cruise offers an alfresco floating bar ‘Moon Deck’ on the upper level and a secluded air-conditioned dining saloon on the lower level, where guests revel in the exclusively crafted tasting menu revolving around seasonal and local Thai ingredients.

In addition to the culinary delights, WIH2024 presents an extraordinary lineup of Women in Mixology takeovers. Kicking off on March 1st is Shatabi Basu, India’s first female bartender, showcasing her innovative cocktail creations, while on March 2nd, the renowned wine produce Penfolds will take centre stage, featuring a vibrant wine tasting experience accompanied by upbeat entertainment from a female DJ. The lineup continues until March 8th, with Monkey Shoulder taking over the night and closing up the forum with exciting notes.

Be a part of one of the most anticipated events of the year, filled with excitement, exquisite mastery, and heartfelt giving. Join us to celebrate the skills and compassion of Women in Hospitality, and make a meaningful impact to our community.

For more information and reservations, please call 02 679 1200 or email: hostesses-bangkok@banyantree.com

The event lineup:
• February 29th — Spirit of Asia Masterclass by Shatabi Basu
• March 1st — Inspirador Takeover with Shatabi Basu at Moon Bar
• March 2nd — Penfolds Takeover at Saffron Sky Garden
• March 3rd —Jameson Takeover with Moa Chadcha at Moon Bar
• March 4th — EcoSpirits Takeover with Nam Saowanee at Moon Bar
• March 5th — Giffard Takeover with Pei Liu and Green Liu at Moon Bar
• March 6th — Tanqueray Takeover with at Aly Lorenzo at Moon Bar
• March 7th — The 8-Hand Women in Gastronomy offering eight-course tasting menu aboard Saffron
Cruise at THB 5,200 net per person inclusive of sake pairing. Exclusive aperitivo at Vertigo TOO from
4.30 – 5.30 pm. The Saffron Cruise will embark from River City Pier at 6.30 pm.
• March 8th — Monkey Shoulder Takeover with Melody Joy Lim at Moon Bar

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Art Basel Reveals Galleries and Program for 2024 Basel Edition

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Basel, Switzerland, February 21, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Art Basel reveals 287 leading galleries and expanded city-wide program for its 2024 edition in Basel, the first led by the show’s new Director Maike Cruse

For its 2024 edition in Basel, Art Basel will bring together 287 leading international galleries to present artworks of the highest quality across all media – from painting and sculpture to photography and digital works – by artists ranging from early-twentieth-century Modern pioneers to emerging contemporary practitioners. Art Basel in Basel will once again reaffirm its unparallelled position as a platform for discovery and encounters that drive the art world.

The outstanding diversity of artistic perspectives on view at the fair will be complemented by lively events and activities spanning the entire city and its prominent cultural institutions, highlighting Basel’s unique appeal, and underscoring the significant impact of Art Basel on its hometown.

Maike Cruse, Director of Art Basel in Basel, said: ‘I am looking forward to welcoming the global art community to Basel come June for the upcoming edition of our show. With the addition of 22 new participants, it promises to be exceptionally dynamic and filled with exciting discoveries. I am thrilled about the expansion of the city-wide program, which now includes the public art sector Parcours on Clarastrasse newly curated by Stefanie Hessler. Additionally, I eagerly anticipate our project at Hotel Merian, which will contribute to the continued growth of Art Basel’s presence in the city through a fresh approach.’

22 galleries will join Art Basel in Basel for the first time, including five galleries entering directly into the main sector of the show. They are:

• Karma (Los Angeles, New York)
• Tina Keng Gallery (Taipei)
• Madeln Gallery (Shanghai)

• Mayoral (Paris, Barcelona)
• Yares Art (New York,Santa Fe)

The Feature sector, dedicated to art-historical projects, will welcome 11 first-time participants:

• Almeida & Dale Galeria de Arte (São Paulo)
• Bank (Shanghai)
• Thomas Brambilla (Bergamo)
• Larkin Erdmann Gallery (Zurich)
• Galerie Le Minotaure (Paris)
• Maruani Mercier (Brussels, Knokke, Zaventem)
• Galerie Mueller (Basel)
• Gallery Wendi Norris (San Francisco)
• Parker Gallery (Los Angeles)
• Meredith Rosen Gallery (New York)
• The Third Gallery Aya (Osaka)

The Statements sector, dedicated to solo presentations by emerging artists, will welcome six galleries not having participated in Art Basel in Basel before:

• Galerie Anne-Sarah Bénichou (Paris)
• Felix Gaudlitz (Vienna)
• Nome (Berlin)
• OSL contemporary (Oslo)
• ROH Projects (Jakarta)
• Wooson (Daegu, Seoul)

Seven galleries that previously exhibited in Feature or Statements will graduate into the main sector of the fair. They are Commonwealth and Council (Mexico City, Los Angeles), Crèvecœur (Paris), Gaga (Guadalajara, Mexico City, Los Angeles), Garth Greenan Gallery (New York), Tina Kim Gallery (Seoul, New York), Mazzoleni (Turin, London), and Galerie Bene Taschen (Cologne).

Expanded City-Wide Programming
Art Basel’s public sector Parcours will be curated for the first time by Stefanie Hessler, Director of Swiss Institute (SI) in New York, succeeding Samuel Leuenberger, who successfully managed and expanded the sector over the past eight years. Hessler aims to recontextualize Parcours as a curated exhibition that will meander through empty storefronts, a hotel, operational shops, and other urban spaces on Basel’s Clarastrasse, which connects the fairgrounds to the Rhine. Through ambitious projects, many of which will be site-specific and newly created, the sector will explore ideas of transformation and circulation within the realms of trade and globalization, the flow of information, and the varied climates and weathers spanning geographies and generations.

In addition, Art Basel will expand its presence within the city by activating the Hotel Merian
as a continuous, around-the-clock venue for artistic events and showcases. The Film sector, curated by writer and curator Filipa Ramos, will return with a compelling selection of moving image works, presented throughout the show week at Basel’s Stadtkino. Free to the public
and hosted on Art Basel’s fair ground, the renowned Conversations program will be for the first time curated by Berlin-based writer, editor, and educator Kimberly Bradley.

More details on the activation of Hotel Merian and the presentations of Art Basel’s special sectors such as Messeplatz, Unlimited, Parcours, Kabinett, Conversations, and Film will be released in the coming months.

Galleries
The fair’s main sector will feature 245 of the world’s leading galleries, presenting painting, sculpture, drawing, installation, photography, video, digital art, and editioned works of the highest quality. Seven galleries that previously exhibited in Feature or Statements will graduate into the main sector of the fair, showcasing the full range of their program, while the sector welcomes five first-time exhibitors.

Feature
Now focusing uniquely on art-historical projects, the sector will include 16 curated presentations and welcome 11 first-time exhibitors. Highlights from the sector include a condensed retrospective of artist Jean Tinguely by newcomer Galerie Mueller (Basel); a presentation of exemplary oil paintings by Basel-born artist Irène Zurkinden by first-time participant Meredith Rosen Gallery (New York); a presentation of Senegalese artist Viyé Diba – an emblematic figure of Modern Senegalese art – by OH Gallery (Dakar); works by prolific American artist Peter Halley, presented by newcomer Maruani Mercier (Brussels, Knokke, Zaventem); and a showcase of the remarkable artistic partnership between Maryn Varbanov and Song Huai-Kuei (aka Madame Song), presented by Bank (Shanghai).

Statements
Dedicated to emerging artists from across the globe, Statements will feature 18 solo presentations and welcome six new entries. Highlights include an installation titled Safe to Visit (2024) by Angolan artist Sandra Poulson, presented by Jahmek Contemporary Art (Luanda); 15 sculptural works representing personal prayers by Norwegian-Sudanese artist Ahmed Umar, presented by newcomer OSL contemporary (Oslo); and a sonic installation
titled An OK Space to Rest (2024) by Indonesian artist Julian Abraham “Togar”, presented by newcomer ROH Projects (Jakarta). Additional highlights include a video installation by Hong Kong artist and filmmaker Tiffany Sia, presented by first-time participant Felix Gaudlitz (Vienna); and a multi-part installation by Argentinian artist La Chola Poblete, presented by Barro (Buenos Aires). For the complete list of exhibitors in Statements, please visit artbasel.com/basel/statements.

The 25th Annual Baloise Art Prize, comprising a cash prize of CHF 30,000 per winner, will be awarded to up to two artists exhibiting in Statements. In addition, the Baloise Group will acquire works by the selected artists to donate to two leading European museums, which will hold solo exhibitions of the artists’ works.

Edition
Spread across both floors of Hall 2, the sector will feature eight leading galleries in the field of prints and editioned works: Borch Editions (Copenhagen), Cristea Roberts Gallery (London), Gemini G.E.L. (Los Angeles), knust kunz gallery editions (Munich), Carolina Nitsch (New York), René Schmitt (Westoverledingen), Susan Sheehan Gallery (New York), and STPI (Singapore).

Cultural events in Basel
The city of Basel will offer visitors an exceptional program of events and special projects throughout the fair week. Beyond the fair, the city’s premier museums and foundations will host a wide range of outstanding exhibitions. Major shows coinciding with Art Basel include:

• Fondation Beyeler
‘The Summer Show’
With contributions by Michael Armitage, Federico Campagna, Ian Cheng, Marlene Dumas, Frida Escobedo, Peter Fischli, Cyprien Gaillard with Victor Man, Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, Wade Guyton, Carsten Höller with Adam Haar, Pierre Huyghe,

Arthur Jafa, Koo Jeong A, Dozie Kanu, Cildo Meireles, Fujiko Nakaya, Precious Okoyomon, Philippe Parreno, Rachel Rose, Tino Sehgal, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Ramdane Touhami und Adrián Villar Rojas, amongst many others.

• Kunstmuseum Basel
‘Dan Flavin: Dedications in Lights’
‘When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration in Painting’
‘Ingenious Women: Women Artists and their Companions’
‘Made in Japan: Colored Woodcuts by Hiroshige, Kunisada and Hokusai’

• Kunsthalle Basel
‘Ghislaine Leung’
‘Toyin Ojih Odutola: Ilé Oriaku’
‘Nolan Oswald Dennis: a recurse 4 [3] worlds’

• Kunsthaus Baselland
‘Rewilding: Opening exhibition of the new Kunsthaus Baselland at Dreispitz’

• Museum Tinguely
‘Mika Rottenberg: Antimatter Factory’

• Vitra Design Museum
‘Transform! Designing the Future of Energy’

• Vitra Schaudepot
‘Science Fiction Design: From Space Age to Metaverse’

About Stefanie Hessler
Stefanie Hessler is a curator, writer, editor, and the Director of Swiss Institute (SI) in New York. At SI, Hessler has co-curated solo exhibitions by Ali Cherri, Lap-See Lam, and Raven Chacon, as well as initiated the curatorial project Spora, which invites artists to transform the institution through what she calls ‘environmental institutional critique’. Previously, as the Director of Kunsthall Trondheim in Norway, Hessler co-led the exhibition ‘Sex Ecologies’ and edited the accompanying compendium on queer ecologies, sexuality, and care in more-than- human worlds (with Seed Box and The MIT Press, 2021). Selected projects as an independent curator include the 17th MOMENTA Biennale, ‘Sensing Nature’, Montreal; ‘Joan Jonas: Moving Off the Land II’, Ocean Space, Venice; the symposium ‘Practices of
Attention’, 33rd Bienal de São Paulo; the 6th Athens Biennale; and ‘Tidalectics’, TBA21– Augarten, Vienna. Hessler is the author of Prospecting Ocean (The MIT Press, 2019), and has edited over a dozen volumes. She currently serves on the advisory board of the Institut Valencià d’Art Modern (IVAM), is a founding committee member of the New York chapter of the Gallery Climate Coalition (GCC), and forms a part of the On Seeing editorial collective between The MIT Press and the Brown University Library.

About Kimberly Bradley
Kimberly Bradley is a writer, editor, and educator based in Berlin. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, ArtReview, and many other publications. Bradley is co-editor of Navigating the Planetary, a reader on transcultural art, and has lectured at NYU Berlin and the Salzburg International Summer Academy of Fine Arts. A former curator and moderator of the talks series at Viennacontemporary, she most recently moderated public events for Forecast, an international mentorship program.

About Filipa Ramos
Filipa Ramos is a Lisbon-born writer and lecturer based in London and the Curator of Art Basel Film. Her research looks at human engagement with animals in the contexts of art and artists’ cinema. Her essays and texts have been published in magazines and books worldwide. With Andrea Lissoni, she founded and curates Vdrome, a programme of artists’ films screenings. She is Lecturer in the MRes Art course at University of the Arts London, Central Saint Martins, and the Master’s programme at the Arts Institute of the Hochschule für Gestaltung und Kunst, Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz, Basel. She was Editor-in-Chief of art-agenda, Associate Editor of Manifesta Journal, and contributor tp dOCUMENTA 13 (2012) and 14 (2017). She edited Animals (Whitechapel Gallery/MIT Press, 2016) and curated the group exhibition Animalesque (Bildmuseet Umeå, Summer 2019, and BALTIC, Gateshead, Winter 2019/20). She curates the ongoing symposia series ‘The Shape of a Circle in the Mind of a Fish with Lucia Pietroiusti’ for the Serpentine Galleries.

About Art Basel
Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the world’s premier art shows for Modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, and Paris. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel’s engagement has expanded beyond art fairs through new digital platforms and initiatives such as the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report. Art Basel’s Global Media Partner is the Financial Times. For further information, please visit artbasel.com.

Selection Committee in Basel
Sadie Coles, Sadie Coles HQ, London
Peter Freeman, Peter Freeman, Inc., New York Jochen Meyer, Meyer Riegger, Berlin, Karlsruhe Atsuko Ninagawa, Take Ninagawa, Tokyo
Jan Mot, Jan Mot, Brussels
Franco Noero, Galleria Franco Noero, Turin
Franck Prazan, Applicat-Prazan, Paris
Prateek Raja, Experimenter, Kolkata

The expert for the Feature sector:
Isabel Mignoni, Galería Elvira González, Madrid

The experts for the Statements sectors:
Jennifer Chert, ChertLüdde, Berlin
Bridget Donahue, Bridget Donahue, New York
Aleya Hamza, Gypsum Gallery, Cairo

The expert for the Edition sector:
Carolina Nitsch, Carolina Nitsch, New York

The expert for classical photography:
Thomas Zander, Galerie Thomas Zander, Cologne

Partners
UBS & Contemporary Art
Global Lead Partner of Art Basel, UBS has a long history of supporting contemporary art and artists. The firm has one of the world’s most important corporate art collections. UBS seeks to advance the international conversation about the art market through its global lead partnership with Art Basel, and as co-publisher of the ‘Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report’ and the ‘Art Basel and UBS Survey of Global Collecting’. UBS also supports some of the world’s most important arts institutions, events and fairs. UBS provides its clients with insight into the art market, collecting, and legacy planning through its UBS Collectors Circle and UBS Art Advisory. For more information about UBS’s commitment to contemporary art, visit ubs.com/art.

Art Basel’s Associate Partners are Audemars Piguet, whose contemporary art commissioning program, ‘Audemars Piguet Contemporary’, works with artists to support and develop an unrealized artwork which explores a new direction in their practice; and NetJets – the world leader in private aviation, partnering with Art Basel to showcase emerging artists through their lounge activations in Art Basel in Basel, Paris + and Miami Beach. Art Basel is also supported globally by BMW, Ruinart, Sanlorenzo, GOAT, and Quintessentially. Art Basel’s Global Media Partner is the Financial Times.

Local Partners in Basel are Baloise, whose Art Prize is awarded to up to two artists exhibiting in the Statements sector, La Prairie,Chateau d’Esclans ,Vitra, Enea Landscape Architecture, and Mövenpick Hotel Basel. For more information, please visit artbasel.com/partners.

Important Dates

Preview (by invitation only)
Tuesday, June 11 and Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Public opening dates
Thursday, June 13, 2023 – Sunday, June 16, 2024

Upcoming Art Basel shows:
Hong Kong, March 28–30, 2024
Basel, June 13–16, 2024
Paris+ par Art Basel, October 18-20, 2024
Miami Beach, December 6–8, 2024

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Calls on EU to Unlock Full Potential of Travel and Tourism

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Brussels, Belgium, February 21, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / WTTC President & CEO launched Call to Action ahead of 2024 elections. In a decisive move to shape the future of the Travel & Tourism sector, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today issued a ‘Call to Action’, urging EU stakeholders to support a sector that employs over 22MN people and contributes €1.4TN to the European Union’s economy.

The Call to Action from the global tourism body highlights three key areas of focus to modernise and enhance the sector which would see it reach its potential of a €1.9TN contribution to the European Union’s economy by 2033.

WTTC forecasts that by 2033, the Travel & Tourism sector will reach this ground-breaking figure, equivalent to one in ten euros in the European Union’s economy.

The Economic Impact Research (EIR) from WTTC also forecast that the sector will support the creation of almost 4MN more new jobs by 2033, to reach 26.4MN – one in eight jobs across the EU.

A more sustainable future

WTTC is urging the EU to carry out policy impact assessments on the implementation of legislation on the sector, ensuring the transition to a green and sustainable future is achievable and works hand in hand with the sector to reach net zero emissions targets.

The Call to Action encourages EU leaders to consider the role and commitments already made by the Travel & Tourism sector, so that any future environmental legislation complements, rather than hinders, the work already being undertaken.

Supporting ease of travel across borders

WTTC is dedicated to supporting streamlined policies which facilitate smooth, hassle-free travel, stimulating growth and create more job opportunities. A critical component of this is simplifying visa processes.

The global tourism body is urging the EU to continue its drive toward visa-free travel and remove existing barriers. WTTC encourages the EU to rollout the already delayed Entry-Exit System to ensure a more seamless traveller experience.

Boosting the digitalisation of the sector

The digitalisation of the sector is vital and WTTC is urging the European Union to accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. This will increase efficiencies, reduce costs, and create opportunities for development and economic growth.

The EU should pursue policies that allow for contactless travel and support the innovative implementation of AI across the sector. WTTC will support the EU to enable the digitalisation of passports, streamlining of visa applications, and across the whole traveller journey.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said “The Travel & Tourism sector is a key driver of economic growth in the EU and the measures within our Call to Action will ensure the sector continues to grow sustainably, attract new talent and prosper.

“We urge the EU to adopt these recommendations for the benefit of businesses and travellers globally. As the sector modernises and unlocks the digital transformation of travel, together with the European Union we can achieve unprecedented growth.”

These key areas, outlined at the onset of a new political era in Europe, are critical for the pragmatic policy implementation and support the sector desperately needs.

WTTC’s ‘Call to Action’ emphasises the opportunity for the EU’s Travel & Tourism sector to remain competitive, and achieve greater success, ensuring its continued growth and resilience, provided these actions are implemented.

Check out the ‘Call to Action for the Next European Political Cycle‘ here.

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Resilience Through Diversity and Investments Focus in Jamaica

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Kingston, Jamaica, February 20, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / UN Tourism put the focus on building a more resilient sector during an official visit to Jamaica. With the latest UN Tourism data showing international arrivals returning to 87% of pre-pandemic levels at the end of 2023, emphasis has now shifted to protecting the sector from future shocks. The official visit of the delegation led by Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili coincided with the second Global Tourism Resilience Day. A series of high-level meetings in Jamaica also advanced shared efforts around ethical, inclusive and sustainable tourism as well as the priorities of education and investment.

Investments and education to build resilience

Every level of tourism must be ready to deal with shocks and emergencies and able to adapt to whatever challenge comes our way

Through the work of UN Tourism, Global Tourism Resilience Day (17 September) was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2023 with the aim of protecting the sector, including its businesses and workers, from future shocks. The second annual celebration was held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, itself one of the leading destinations in the Caribbean and Americas. UN Tourism Secretary-General Pololikashvili joined Jamaican Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett and leaders from the public and private sectors for a special one-day conference on the theme. UN Tourism advanced work for greater resilience through:

  • Investments: As part of an ongoing collaboration with the Development Bank of Latina American and the Caribbean (CAF), UN Tourism will add to its collection of “Tourism Doing Business” investment guidelines with an edition focused on Jamaica. The guidelines will identify opportunities for investors in the country’s tourism sector, with a focus on sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
  • Education: In Montego Bay, the UN Tourism delegation advanced plans to work with Jamaica’s Centre for Resilience on a number of new, targeted education programmes. UN Tourism will also work with the Ministry of Tourism to explore plans to establish a Tourism Academy in Collaboration with UN Tourism. The Academy would serve the wider Caribbean region.

“Resilience takes many forms,” the UN Tourism Secretary-General said opening the conference. “Every level of tourism must be ready to deal with shocks and emergencies and able to adapt to whatever challenge comes our way. For many developing countries, including the least developed countries, small island developing states, countries in Africa and middle-income countries – we cannot allow the lifeline of tourism to be cut for too long.”

Jamaica’s Prime Minister welcomes UN Tourism

On the eve of the Global Tourism Resilience Day celebrations, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, met with Secretary-General Pololikashvili to discuss shared priorities for growing tourism in size and impact across both Jamaica and the wider Caribbean region. The Prime Minister also invited the UN Tourism leadership to join the official opening of Parliament.

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Peninsula Bangkok Welcomes Mr Masahisa Oba as New Managing Director

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The Peninsula Bangkok Welcomes Mr Masahisa Oba as New Managing Director - TOP25HOTELS.comBangkok,  Thailand, February 19, 2024 / TOP25HOTELS / The Peninsula Bangkok is delighted to announce the appointment of Masahisa Oba as its new Managing Director. With an illustrious career spanning over 20 years in the hospitality industry, Mr. Oba brings a wealth of experience and an unwavering commitment to excellence to his new role.

Prior to his distinguished tenure in Bangkok, Mr. Oba held key executive positions at various Peninsula locations across Asia, showcasing his leadership skills and commitment to excellence. His journey includes pivotal roles such as General Manager at The Peninsula Manila, Hotel Manager at The Peninsula Hong Kong, Resident Manager at The Peninsula Tokyo, and Executive Assistant Manager of Food & Beverage at The Peninsula Shanghai.

A proud graduate of the Japan Hotel School and the Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne’s Hotel Management Program, Masahisa Oba brings over 20 years of invaluable experience in the hotel industry. Remarkably, 17 of those years have been dedicated to The Peninsula Hotels, highlighting his deep-rooted commitment to the brand.

Mr. Oba brings a diverse skill set to his role, underlined by his expertise in hotel management. His personal interests include wine, travel, and a strong passion for football, both as a player and enthusiast.

Reflecting on his new appointment, Mr. Oba expressed his excitement, stating, “Bangkok has always held a special place in my heart as one of my favourite destinations. Its rich cultural charm and vibrant atmosphere continually captivate travellers, drawing many to visit and even choose to reside here. It is with great honour that I take on the position of Managing Director at The Peninsula Bangkok. I am excited about the opportunity to uphold the legacy of excellence that The Peninsula Hotels are renowned for and to ensure that each of our guests enjoys an unparalleled experience.”

The Peninsula Bangkok is confident that under Mr. Oba’s leadership, the hotel will continue to uphold the highest standards of luxury, service, and guest satisfaction. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Masahisa Oba as he assumes his role as Managing Director.

About The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels, Limited (HSH)
Incorporated in 1866 and listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (00045), HSH is the holding company of a Group which is engaged in the ownership, development and management of prestigious hotel, commercial and residential properties in key locations in Asia, the United States and Europe, as well as the provision of tourism and leisure, club management and other services. The Peninsula Hotels portfolio comprises The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Shanghai, The Peninsula Beijing, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula New York, The Peninsula Chicago, The Peninsula Beverly Hills, The Peninsula London, The Peninsula Paris, The Peninsula Istanbul, The Peninsula Bangkok and The Peninsula Manila. The property portfolio of the Group includes The Repulse Bay Complex, The Peak Tower and St. John’s Building in Hong Kong; The Landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and 21 avenue Kléber in Paris, France. The clubs and services portfolio of the Group includes The Peak Tram in Hong Kong; Quail Lodge & Golf Club in Carmel, California; Peninsula Clubs and Consultancy Services, Peninsula Merchandising, and Tai Pan Laundry in Hong Kong.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PATA Appoints Soon-Hwa Wong as its Ambassador for Greater China

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PATA Appoints Soon-Hwa Wong as its Ambassador for Greater China - TRAVELINDEX.comSingapore, Singapore, February 19, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Soon-Hwa Wong as its Ambassador for Greater China.

“China will continue to play a pivotal role in driving tourism growth across the Pacific Asia Region. It is crucial for PATA to actively engage with all sectors of China’s expanding travel and tourism industry, from government to industry stakeholders. Recognising the significance of China’s tourism sector, the PATA Executive Board has appointed Soon-Hwa as the PATA Ambassador for Greater China for a two-year term. Soon-Hwa’s deep understanding of both PATA and China makes him the ideal candidate for this role,” stated PATA Chair Peter Semone.

As PATA Ambassador for Greater China, Soon-Hwa shall serve as a representative of PATA in the region. The Ambassador will work towards achieving the goals of PATA, facilitating collaboration among stakeholders in the travel and tourism industry, and enhancing the presence of PATA in Greater China.

Soon Hwa’s first official business trip to China was way back in 1985. He has made regular trips to different parts of China since then. In 2007, he relocated to Shanghai when he was regional head of Hertz Asia Pacific to set up the first fully owned foreign car rental company in China. He spent 3 years there from 2007 to 2010 and has now built a strong network of business contacts and good working relationships with relevant government agencies. He is fluent in English and Mandarin, including several Chinese dialects.

With over 40 years of experience in Asia Pacific travel and tourism, Soon Hwa is a seasoned and versatile senior business leader who can help companies navigate the complex and dynamic market opportunities in the region. As the CEO of AsiaChina Pte Ltd, he leverages his extensive network of high-level contacts and deep understanding of the two-way tourism and trade flows between Asia Pacific and China to provide effective and tailored solutions for clients and partners across various sectors, such as destination management, aviation, car rental, urban mobility, travel agency, and startup.

A PATA Life Member, he is also passionate about driving change and transformation in the industry, as evidenced by his involvement in various association leadership roles, such as the Immediate Past Chair of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the current Chair of PATA Singapore Chapter, and the Honorary Chairman of the Tourism Management Institute of Singapore (TMIS). Through these platforms, he collaborates with senior tourism leaders, policymakers, educators, and innovators to shape the future of tourism and hospitality in the region and beyond.

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 includes 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 of 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.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

BWH Hotels Unveils Newly-Renovated Best Western Plus Hotel Nagoya Sakae

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BWH Hotels Unveils Newly-Renovated Best Western Plus Hotel Nagoya Sakae - HOTELWORLDS.comNagoya, Japan, February 17, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / BWH Hotels, the leading global hospitality network comprising WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels, will welcome back a newly-renovated and rebranded hotel, the Best Western Plus Hotel Nagoya Sakae from the 13th of March 2024, in the vibrant Sakae district of Nagoya, one of Japan’s largest and key cities.

The former Best Western Nagoya had grown a reputation as one of the city’s most popular internationally branded midscale hotels. Now, following an extensive refurbishment to bring it into line with the elevated brand standards of Best Western Plus®, this stylish downtown property is ready to embark on an exciting new era of hospitality.

Nestled in the heart of Sakae, Nagoya’s central commercial district which is filled with high-rise corporate offices, world-class attractions, shopping malls and eclectic bars and restaurants, Best Western Plus Hotel Nagoya Sakae is perfectly positioned for business and leisure travelers alike. Local landmarks include the Sky Boat Ferris Wheel, Nagoya City Science Museum with its spectacular planetarium, and Nagoya City Art Museum, which features work from highly acclaimed Japanese and international artists.

Convenience is key at Best Western Plus Hotel Nagoya Sakae, which offers seamless connectivity. Chubu Centrair International Airport is just 40km away. Nagoya Station, which offers Shinkansen services to Tokyo and Osaka, is within reach, and Sakae Station is linked to two urban metro lines, which makes getting around the city completely stress-free.

The 143 contemporary rooms all come fully equipped with modern amenities and all bathrooms feature revitalizing power showers. There is also the convenience of an onsite restaurant serving breakfast daily.

“We are delighted to unveil Best Western Plus Hotel Nagoya Sakae, which provides elevated midscale hospitality to guests in the epicenter of the city. As a major Asian metropolis and the home of multinational companies such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, and bullet train manufacturer Nippon Sharyo, this is a central hub for corporate travel, as well as an increasingly popular destination for leisure seekers. The rebranding of the former Best Western Nagoya reflects the strength of BWH’s portfolio of 18 brands to cater to the evolving needs of hotels owners and developers in every market. We look forward to welcoming all travelers to this revitalized midscale hotel,” said Olivier Berrivin, Vice President – APAC, BWH Hotels.

Best Western Plus Hotel Nagoya Sakae joins BWH’s extensive nationwide portfolio in Japan, which currently comprises of 21 hotels in key cities such as Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Kyoto, including two beach resorts in Okinawa.

About BWH Hotels
BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay® Hotels. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*. With 18 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotels suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.
*Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News