Global Travel News

Malaysia Champions Sustainability at ATF 2024, Set to Host 2025 Event

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Vientiane, Lao PDR, January 26, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Malaysia took center stage at the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 (ATF2024) in Vientiane, Laos, promoting sustainable development, ecotourism, and community involvement. Their delegation, led by Tourism Secretary General Dato’ Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman, unveiled their vision for responsible tourism through a dazzling official opening ceremony and cultural dances by Istana Budaya.

As ATF2024 unfolded, Malaysia’s booth at TRAVEX, featured stunning eco-tourism attractions and traditional handicrafts by KARYANEKA, captivated visitors. Their focus resonated with the forum’s theme, “Quality and Responsible Tourism – Sustaining ASEAN Future.”

Beyond promoting their own initiatives, Malaysia celebrated regional unity. In a stunning ceremony, officials from across ASEAN gathered to witness the official handover of the ATF2025 hosting duties to Malaysia. The event, characterized by vibrant cultural performances and warm diplomatic exchanges, served as a beacon of collaboration and shared future ambitions within the region.

The event, held in the Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel in Laos, saw the presence of notable personalities, including Dato Sri Tiong King Sing JP, the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture of Malaysia. Also among the delegates were Christina Gracia Frasco, the Secretary of the Department of Tourism of the Philippines, and Dr. They Thet Khine, the Union Minister of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism of Myanmar. Harry Hwang, the Director of the Regional Department of Asia and Pacific, was also in attendance, along with numerous other dignitaries representing various ASEAN nations.

Joining the Malaysian delegation were representatives from Perak Tourism, Melaka Tourism and Johor Tourism as well as local dignitaries, excellencies, media, and tourism industry players. Malaysia will officially become the next host for the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2025, marking its return to hosting ATF since the last event in 2014 in Kuching, Sarawak.

The Malaysian delegation was led by Dato’ Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman, Secretary General of Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia, accompanied by Dato’ Dr. Ammar Bin Abd. Ghapar, Director General of Tourism Malaysia; and H.E. Ambassador Edi Irwan bin Mahmud, Malaysian Ambassador to the Lao PDR.

Highlighting their commitment, Malaysia announced it will host the prestigious ATF2025, marking a return since 2014. This decision further confirms Malaysia’s role as one of the leaders in ASEAN tourism, exemplified by their dedication to showcasing their diverse offerings, from eco-tourism havens to bustling modern cities. The handover ceremony emphasized ASEAN’s unity and collaborative spirit for a bright future in tourism.

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UN Tourism Celebrates High-Level Support after FITUR 2024

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Madrid, Spain, January UN Tourism has celebrated the first major tourism event of 2024, FITUR travel trade fair in Madrid, advancing its priorities for the sector for the year ahead.

Ahead of FITUR, UN Tourism – the new name for the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) released its latest data. The first World Tourism Barometer of the year highlighted the sector’s recovery, with international arrivals back to 88% of pre-pandemic levels at the end of 2023. With full recovery expected in 2024, UN Tourism again served as the bridge between public and private sector leaders to build a more resilient and sustainable future.

Welcoming Leaders to UN Tourism

With the new UN Tourism name and logo officially announced to Members on the eve of FITUR, the Organization then welcomed a series of high-level visitors to its Madrid headquarters. The visit of the President of the Republic of Ecuador, His Excellency Daniel Noboa Azín underscored his country’s commitment to tourism as a source of growth and development, also reflected in Ecuador being the official partner country of FITUR 2024. Secretary-General Pololikashvili commended President Noboa and Ecuador’s Minister of Tourism Niels Olsen Peet, for making clear the role tourism can play in bringing hope and promoting understanding even in challenging times. In recognition of his leading role, President Noboa Azín was presented with an honorary UN Tourism plaque.

Within the framework of FITUR Secretary-General Pololikashvili also held bilateral meetings with the Ministers of Tourism of Albania, Argentina, Colombia, Croatia, Cuba, Czechia, Dominican Republic, Gambia, Gabon, Haiti, Jamaica, Iran, Jordan, Palestine, Tanzania, Jordan, Serbia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Focus on tourism investments

UN Tourism has identified investment as a key priority for transforming the sector. Within the framework of FITUR, UN Tourism hosted “Invest in Zambia”, bringing together public sector leaders from the country as well as from other African Member States, alongside high-level private sector representatives and investors.

Alongside this, UN Tourism further built on its partnership with the Investment Bank for Latin America (CAF). The two parties agreed to jointly publish “Tourism Doing Business” Investment Guidelines focused on Brazil, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico and Peru, while also re-launching the revised guidelines for investing in tourism in Ecuador.

Building a more ethical and sustainable sector

UN Tourism gathered together a number of signatories of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. The side event reinforced the shared commitment to addressing climate challenges across the whole of the tourism sector, highlighting key challenges as well as opportunities to do better. Additionally, the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) formally welcomed its newest members, Nuevo León (Mexico) and Petén (Guatemala). They bring the global network to 44 members.

Also growing in size and impact is the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism. UN Tourism welcomed three new private sector signatories, Piñero, Kuoni and Hotel Taimar to the Code, a comprehensive set of principles that helps to maximise the benefits and minimise the negative impacts that tourism development can have on the environment, cultural heritage and societies around the world.

Best Tourism Villages 2024 Launched

Continuing its work to grow tourism as a pillar of rural development, UN Tourism opened applications for the 2024 edition of its “Best Tourism Villages” initiative.

UN Tourism Member States are invited to submit up to eight candidate villages. Applications are open until 24 April 2024, with the selected villages announced in the third quarter of the year.

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Dazzling Opening Ceremony of the Asean Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane

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Vientiane, Lao PDR, January 25, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Captivating the delegates with performances of cultural splendor and unity at the opening ceremony of the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos. ATF 2024 is taking place from February 22nd to 24th, with the theme ‘Quality and Responsible Tourism,’ lights the way to sustain ASEAN’s vibrant future.

The opening ceremony was held at the Don Chan Palace Hotel in presense of the Deputy Prime Minister of Lao PDR, the Secretary-General of ASEAN and the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism of Lao PDR, Mrs. Suansavanh Viyaket among a large number of dignitaries from all ASEAN countries.

Her Excellency, Mrs. Suansavanh Viyaket, emphasized why Laos holds a special place as a preferred tourism destination, distinguishing itself with its breathtaking natural beauty characterized by lush jungles, serene rivers, and majestic mountain ranges. The country’s untouched and pristine environment appeals strongly to nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Beyond its natural splendors, Laos is celebrated for the warm hospitality ingrained in its local culture. The Laotian people are renowned for their friendliness, warmly welcoming visitors and eagerly sharing their cultural traditions.

Moreover, Laos boasts a wealth of historical treasures, including the UNESCO-acclaimed town of Luang Prabang, the mysterious Plain of Jars, and ancient temples like the revered Wat Phou. Each of these sites provides a window into the country’s rich history and heritage.

ASEAN Secretary-General, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn delivered remarks during the Opening Ceremony and in his speech, Dr. Kao underscored the importance of ASEAN maintaining the positive momentum of progress in the development of the ASEAN tourism sector. He also highlighted that sustainable tourism development is crucial in the conservation and preservation of the environment, local culture and heritage, as well as in driving economic growth in the region.

Themed “Quality and Responsible Tourism – Sustaining ASEAN Future,” the forum aims to strengthen collaboration in further improving ASEAN tourism products to attract more international tourists.

The Lao government expects to attract at least 2.7 million foreign tourists in 2024, generating about US$401 million in revenue. Foreign tourist arrivals are forecast to reach 2.9 million and generate an income of $434 million in 2025.

To fulfil the expectations, the Lao government is putting every efforts including infrastructure enhancement, tourism products diversification and service quality elevation.

In 2024, Laos will host a series of significant events, including the 44th and 45th ASEAN summits, and other ASEAN-related meetings. The country anticipates these events will further elevate its status as a prime tourist destination, drawing in more visitors and fostering international collaborations, said the report.

 

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

LOS CABOS – A PLACE TO FISH AND CUT BAIT

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Los Cabos is perhaps best known internationally for its luxurious accommodations, sophisticated cuisine, and breathtaking landscape, but for fishing enthusiasts, this dichotomous destination of beaches and deserts is known for a very different reason: With teeming waters off the Baha peninsula in Mexico home to a wide variety of sea life, Los Cabos is specifically reputed as the “Marlin Capital of the World.” And anyone can (try to) catch one.

Indeed, the giant sportfish draws anglers from across the globe in search of the fishing tale of a lifetime.

Of course, Los Cabos is not only for sport fishers: the destination welcomes anglers of all proficiencies to cast their reel with a comprehensive offering of fishing experiences to suit every experience level. Here’s how to go about it:

Deep sea fishing

The sight of a majestic Striped Marlin breaching the water is as much a symbol of Los Cabos as the Arch rising out of turquoise Cabo Bay – and the best chance to reel one in is to get on the water between November and March.

For those new to the sport, it’s a good idea to be upfront with one’s charter operator/guide. The Sea of Cortez – famously dubbed “the world’s aquarium” by Jacque Cousteau – is home to a plethora of marine life and hundreds of tropical fish varieties. On the off chance the one’s quest for a Marlin comes up short, never fear, it’s impossible to go home empty-handed in waters rich with so many other species.

Visitors are required to purchase a fishing license and can do so at their departing marina but be prepared for long lines during peak season. At the same time, when selecting a chartered fishing package, choose one in which a license, equipment, bait, and tackle are included.

In addition to supplying all fishing gear and live bait, Los Cabos’ many fishing charter companies, such as Go Deep Fishing Charters, include lunch and refreshments for guests on its half and full-day charters. And those lucky enough to reel in a catch can keep up to five fish per person per day.

Surf & shore fishing

For those who prefer to stay on dry land or just prefer a more relaxed pace, shore fishing is an excellent way to experience all the fun of casting a line without having to worry about nautical headings. It’s also an extremely accessible way to get a taste of the hobby, as fishing from the shores of Los Cabos does not require any documentation or license.

Anglers, however, are responsible for keeping their cast at least 250 metres from any swimmers, should they find themselves sharing space on one of the destination’s popular beaches.

Meanwhile, companies like Cabo Fishing Charters also lead light tackle fishing expeditions along the shoreline of the Sea of Cortez where rock piles and reefs that hug the coast are ideal habitats for prized catches like Roosterfish, Amberjack, Snappers, and countless other species that populate these coral coves.

Sport fishing events

For fishing in its most competitive form, Los Cabos does not disappoint. A number of world-class fishing tournaments provide an opportunity to test one’s skill and make every catch just a little bit more meaningful – especially when a prize is on the line.

The city is home to the world’s highest-paying Marlin tournament and has seen more record-breaking catches than any other location. Some of the area’s other prestigious competitions include Bisbee’s Black and Blue and the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, held annually in October.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Anam Rings in Year of the Dragon at Cam Ranh and Mui Ne

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The Anam Group’s two beachfront resorts at Cam Ranh and Mui Ne will mark the most important time in the Vietnamese calendar, Tet, with a selection of exquisite dining, recreational, spa and entertainment experiences.

In the lead-up to Tet on Saturday, Feb. 10, The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne will stage a ceremony on Feb. 2 to plant “Cay Neu”, a towering Lunar New Year bamboo pole to ward off evil spirits, followed by dragon dancing.

Overlooking one of Vietnam’s most impressive stretches of sand, Long Beach, The Anam Cam Ranh’s program from Feb. 8-14, 2024 is filled with festivities including:

  • Lang Viet Restaurant and Bar serving a special family Tet set menu with the likes of “Banh chung” glutinous rice cake, grilled beef in “la lot” leaves, and braised pork belly, to foster quality family time. Additional Tet dishes are also on offer.
  • The Indochine and Colonial restaurants offering traditional Tet items during breakfast.
  • Dragon dancing at the lawn and Indochine from 9am, a movie aired on the center lawn under Cam Ranh’s starry night sky from 6pm and a live Filipino band performing at The Beach Club from 7pm on Feb. 10.
  • On the second day of Tet, Sunday. Feb. 11, at the lobby, the traditional custom of calligraphy giving, with a calligraphy master writing lucky letters on red paper for guests from 10am-12pm. “To he” traditional glutinous rice toy figures will be on offer from 3-5pm, with a musician playing “Dan Tranh”, a wooden zither with strings, from 6-7pm.
  • Guests making Banh chung at Lang Viet from 10am-12pm on Feb. 12.
  • Lang Viet serving “Tet Cho Que” buffet – the name meaning Tet at a village market – with free-flow soft drink and local beer from 7-9.30pm. To be accompanied by live traditional instrumentalists and dancers. The buffet’s many stations include:

o   A ‘grilled and skewers’ station with, for example, grilled snakehead fish on sugar cane served with vegetables and rice paper;

o   A ‘steamed’ station with clams, prawns, snail and baby squid;

o   A ‘live’ station with Nha Trang fish noodle soup and Phu Yen chicken rice;

o   A ‘Vietnamese traditional cakes’ station with offerings ranging from “Thanh Tri” steamed thin rice pancakes to Vietnamese rice dumpling cakes.

o   ‘Sticky rice’, ‘Banh mi’, ‘Vietnamese cold cuts’ and desserts stations; and

o   ‘Show cooking’ stations include jellyfish with green mango salad, morning glory with snails station and deep fried spring rolls with greasyback prawns.

  • Kite flying at the center lawn from 3-5pm on. Feb 12, 13 and 14.
  • A BBQ buffet at the Beach Club on Feb. 13 from 6-9pm to a backdrop of live music by the Filipino band. A fire show will be staged on the center lawn from 8pm.
  • Tapas and cocktails at Saigon Bar throughout the program
  • An exclusive day lounge from 11am-3pm at Colonial for guests staying in high-end accommodations before afternoon tea is served between 3-5pm.

Following a hugely successful year since its January 11, 2023 debut, The Anam Mui Ne will host a program of Tet celebrations from Feb. 9-14, 2024 featuring:

  • Two daily Tet set menus each celebrating either Northern or Southern Vietnamese cuisine at Lang Viet Restaurant and Bar.
  • Daily spa workshops at The Anam Spa from 1-1.30pm focused on hand massage techniques,a soothing facial mask, making homemade body scrub, and releasing muscle tension in the neck and shoulders, on Feb. 9, 10, 11 and 12 respectively.
  • A Banh chung making workshop on Feb 9 from 3-5pm on the lawn area.
  • Breakfast with some traditional Tet items at Indochine from Feb 10-14.
  • Dragon dancing in the lobby from 9am, followed by a “Pho pizza” making workshop for kids at Indochine from 3-4pm on Feb 10.
  • A calligraphy master writing lucky letters at the lobby during the morning from Feb 10-12.
  • Lang Viet’s “Vietnamese Roast Night” buffet from 6-9.30pm on Feb. 10 with traditional music.
  • A paper lantern making workshop for kids on Feb 11 at the grass area and kids club. Indochine’s “Butcher’s Cut and Sea Catch BBQ Buffet” from 6-9pm comes with free-flow soft drink, beer, and wine, with a band performing. Highlights include whole roasted goat, baked snapper, porchetta and kebabs at the ‘carving’ station. In addition to ‘bread’, ‘sushi’, ‘appetizers and salads’, ‘soup’, ‘sauce and condiments’ and ‘desserts’ stations, a ‘hot dishes’ station offers plenty from Nasi goreng to braised lamb shoulder. The ‘barbecue’ station will brim with abalone, king clams, tiger prawns, local snails, squid, beef striploin, lamb rack, pork ribs, chicken wings and mixed vegetables.
  • Kite flying from 3pm on Feb 12, followed by an array of street food stations assembled on the grass area overlooking Mui Ne beach as part of a “Street Food Buffet” from 4-6.30pm. Beef, chicken and pork skewers, stir-fried corn with baby basket clams, “Banh xeo” crispy pancakes, bubble milk tea and plenty more will be on offer.
  • Tapas and cocktails served at the new Saigon Bar adjacent to Mui Ne beach.

About The Anam Group
After the auspicious debut of The Anam Cam Ranh in 2017, the independently owned and operated The Anam Group celebrated the grand opening of its second property, The Anam Mui Ne, in January 2023.

With “Indochine Charm” and “Modern Luxury” as its watchwords, the group blends colonial-era aesthetics and attentive Vietnamese service with modern comforts and convenience. “The Anam” today is a reference to another name, “An Nam”, which was the name of Central Vietnam during the French Indochina era.

The Anam Cam Ranh overlooks 300 metres of beachfront on Vietnam’s scenic Cam Ranh peninsula, which averages more than 300 sunny days per year. The luxurious five-star resort boasts 77 villas and 136 rooms and suites. The Anam Cam Ranh features a French-inspired fine dining restaurant, all-day dining restaurant, a Vietnamese restaurant and bar, a classical bar, a beach club, in-room dining, a 10 treatment-room spa, indoor and outdoor movie theatres, three capacious swimming pools, ballroom, conference rooms, recreation and fitness centre, a tennis court, yoga room and deck, kids club, putting green, gift shop and more.

Like its predecessor The Anam Cam Ranh, The Anam Mui Ne’s design is also an echo out of Vietnam’s Indochine era. Situated in southern Vietnam’s popular beach town Mui Ne, the 1.2 hectare beachfront resort affords spectacular ocean vistas and features 127 elegant rooms and suites, including seven 142sqm suites with private pools and a 122sqm presidential suite with an extra room for the bodyguards. Its dining landscape comprises an all-day dining restaurant and grill, beachside restaurant and bar, and lobby bar. A five-treatment room spa, two vast swimming pools, a ballroom, conference rooms, water sports center, fitness center, yoga room, kid’s club and gift shop are among the resort’s host of world-class facilities.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Joyned and Gratifii Announce Partnership to Elevate Customer Experience

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Award-winning travel tech start-up Joyned has announced a new partnership with Gratifii, an Australian market leader in providing loyalty and engagement programs from a single platform.

Joyned’s social revenue platform is now available across 60 partner brands of Gratifii in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, enhancing the travel experience for customers through increased collaboration between friends and family.

The new agreement between Joyned and Gratifii will explore the technical and commercial viability of several synergistic product offerings, including a promotion and distribution agreement between their respective platform and distribution networks, which is to be rolled out initially as a proof of concept (POC).

The partnership also facilitates the development of a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for the Joyned ecosystem, enabling Gratifii’s customers to experience Joyned’s collaborative booking platform. This allows friends and family to seamlessly book trips abroad together through a micro social network which unfolds directly from Gratifii’s platform.

This results in improved engagement and conversions, with Gratifii and its partners typically enjoying a conversion rate five times higher, with increases to overall website revenue. Joyned’s platform also provides data-driven insights, enabling optimized offers to further grow customer retention.  

Commenting on the partnership, Joyned CEO, Jonathan Abraham, said: “We are delighted to announce our new agreement with Gratifii which will see Joyned’s social revenue platform used as part of their offering. Through this collaborative partnership, Joyned and Gratifii will continue to innovate a better, more collaborative experience for consumers and by expanding our presence across Australia, New Zealand and Singapore, we are confident consumers will benefit.”

Gratifii CEO and Managing Director, Iain Dunstan, added, “We are excited to be working with Joyned to expand our new travel rewards brand Neat Destinations and improve the booking experience for family or friends who want to travel together. Further, we are in discussions with some of our existing clients to integrate the Joyned platform into their existing travel offerings.”

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Chefs Paco Ruano and Alonso Presents Creative Mexican Flavors and Fine Caviar at Ojo

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Chefs Paco Ruano and Alonso Presents Creative Fusion of Mexican Flavors and Fine Caviar at Ojo - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, January 23, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / In an exclusive collaboration between celebrated Mexican chef Francisco “Paco” Ruano together with chef Alonso Luna Zarate and Parisian caviar house Kaviari, Ojo at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon is throwing an exclusive caviar-focused five-course dinner on Thursday, 8th February 2024.

Nestled in the heart of Paris, Kaviari is one of the world’s leading caviar houses. With a legacy rooted in the splendor of wild Iranian caviar, the family-run company offer only the best caviar sourced from around the globe. The night will start with a tasting round, where the prized ingredient will be served on its own as caviar bumps or with classic accompaniments. In the five-course dinner that’s to follow, Ojo’s Chef Paco Ruano and Chef Alonso will use Kaviari’s precious pearls to enhance traditional Mexican flavors, each dish paired with Aqua Panna or San Pellegrino water.

The opening set is a duo of Macadamia Tartlet with smoked cream, salsa de uña, Kristal caviar and nasturtium, and Tostada Huevona with A4 wagyu beef tataki, pickled chanterelles, Baeri caviar and chili ponzu. Next, guests will be served an elevated version of Mexican street-food favorite, Sope, made with bluefin tuna, ant eggs, burnt avocado, Oscietra caviar and epazote herb, followed by the delectable Uchepo Young Corn Tamal with stracciatella cheese, fresh cream, salsa roja and Kaviari’s buttery Transmontanus caviar obtained from white sturgeon. Grilled Turbot with atole-dashi sauce, Oscietra caviar and garlic flowers completes the savory part, while Platanos con Crema provides a sweet finale of grilled banana, palm sugar, fresh cream and dried and pressed Kaviari en Barre roe.

The Ojo X Kaviari dinner will take place at Ojo on 8th February from 6.00 pm to 11.00 pm. The price of a five-course set menu is THB 5,500++ per person, including Aqua Panna or San Pellegrino water pairings and a gift of mother-of-pearl caviar spoons from Ojo. Champagne pairing is available at a surcharge.

For more information, please visit https://ojobangkok.com/happenings/. To make a reservation, please call +66 2 085 8888

About The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon:
Bangkok’s spirit of innovation and unconventionality made the Thai capital the perfect locale for our Asia flagship, The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon. Located in one of the most iconic buildings in the city, the 155-room hotel is already a landmark. With rooms ranging from 40 sqm to a sprawling 144 sqm penthouse, a terrace pool, fitness center and spa, meetings rooms and a dynamic variety of food, drink and nightlife venues, The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon is a fit for any traveler, at any time of day or night. There’s the Parlor, the hub of the hotel for check-in and out, cocktails, work or lounging, the eclectic and unexpected Tea Room, American steakhouse classics at The Standard Grill, a new craft beer bar, Double Standard and award-winning Chinese cuisine, sparkling ambiance and impeccable wine list by Mott 32, and two remarkable sky-high dining experience from Ojo a Mexican-inspired restaurant directed by one of the finest chefs in Mexico to Sky Beach the highest alfresco rooftop bar in Bangkok.

About Standard International:
Standard International is the parent company of The Standard hotels. Created in 1999, The Standard hotels are known for their pioneering design, taste-making clientele, and unrelenting un-standard-ness. Launched originally in Hollywood, The Standard has now opened properties in marquee locations across the globe including in New York, Miami, London, the Maldives, and Hua Hin, The Standard, Ibiza and the brand’s Asia flagship, The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon. Standard hotels in Lisbon, Milan, Melbourne, Singapore, Dublin and Brussels are under development. The goal of every Standard project—be it a city hotel, a seaside resort, or a rooftop bar—is to defy convention, up the aesthetic stakes, and deliver an experience that only The Standard can. The Standard’s unconventional and playful sensibility combined with careful consideration of design and service details, have established its reputation as a pioneer in hospitality, travel, dining, and nightlife. Standard International also owns a majority stake in the Bunkhouse Group and The Peri hotels.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Becomes UN Tourism to Mark A New Era for Global Sector

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Madrid, Spain, January 24, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) enters a new era today with a new name and brand: UN Tourism. With this new brand, the Organization reaffirms its status as the United Nations specialized agency for tourism and the global leader of tourism for development, driving social and economic change to ensure that “people and planet” are always center stage.

To achieve this goal, UN Tourism engaged the services of Interbrand, the leading global branding agency. Interbrand successfully translated the Organization’s renewed vision for tourism into a new visual identity and brand narrative.

This involved renaming the Organization, transitioning from UNWTO to UN Tourism. At the same time, a new brand narrative was meticulously crafted, one that seamlessly aligns with UN Tourism’s central mission and priorities. This narrative pivots around three main messages: the UN as a global altruistic organization, the notion of connecting humans around the world, and the concept of proactivity and movement.

Enhancing the well-being of individuals, safeguarding the natural environment, stimulating economic advancement, and fostering international harmony are key goals that are the fundamental essence of UN Tourism

By moving away from acronyms, UN Tourism adopts a more approachable stance and capitalizes on its strengths: the “UN”, signifying authority, and tourism, a simple and relatable concept for all. This change has been endorsed by the Organization’s membership, highlighting its united support for the profound transformation and reinvention of UN Tourism in recent years, as it has become more agile, visible, and ever closer to its Member States, partners and the sector as a whole.

With 160 Member States and hundreds of private sector affiliates, UN Tourism has its headquarters in Madrid, Spain, and Regional Offices in Nara (Japan) covering Asia & Pacific, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) for the Middle East, as well as forthcoming Regional Offices for the Americas (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and Africa (Morocco). Its priorities center on promoting tourism for sustainable development in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Global Goals. UN Tourism promotes quality education, supports decent jobs in the sector, identifies talent and drives innovation and accelerates tourism climate action and sustainability with:

  • Member States – both as recipients of its services, assistance and as active stakeholders in the Organization’s Programme of Work.
  • Individuals – specifically travelers and local communities whose lives flourish through the empowerment of the economy through tourism.
  • Private, semi-private, and public organizations – all engaging with UN Tourism’s work, including its data and insights, events and products.

Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of UN Tourism, said: “As society progresses, the tourism sector, much like many other sectors, needs to transform to serve as a catalyst for prosperity at a universal scale. Enhancing the well-being of individuals, safeguarding the natural environment, stimulating economic advancement, and fostering international harmony are key goals that are the fundamental essence of UN Tourism. The organization takes on the role of driving a sustainable force that is now central to many economies.”

Borja Borrero, Executive Director at Interbrand, said: “Transitioning from UNWTO to UN Tourism marks a significant new phase for the organization. The revised nomenclature offers several advantages, including simplicity, enhanced comprehension, improved legibility and memorability. It also serves to clarify the agency’s sphere of influence within the global tourism industry. The new elements of the brand are the foundations of a distinct and proprietary image – one that is direct, relatable, and relevant for diverse audiences.”

The new brand expression is not only limited to words and messages but also expands into a reinvented visual discourse. UN Tourism has a new design language starting from its symbol. “Bringing the world closer” is the new tagline that inspires the concept of a Pangea shaping a human figure in action.  This drastic evolution from the former globe symbols reflects the Organization’s emphasis on the dynamic nature of tourism and on putting people first.

Beyond the symbol, the rebrand also includes a revamp of the entire visual system, which is now based on a grid of geographical coordinates meant to help people navigate the brand’s touchpoints, both offline and online, such as events, website, reports, social media channels and campaigns. This system unlocks a rich universe of elements including imagery, fonts, colors, and pictograms all designed to personalize social media campaigns, events, posts, and videos.

The new brand will be gradually implemented across all UN Tourism touchpoints over the next few months, beginning with digital channels such as the website, social media accounts and newsletters, followed by physical spaces such as offices and events, and elements such as reports and stationary.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

EVERMORE-CONRAD OFFERS FRESH OPTION IN ORLANDO

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Billed as a “new hospitality category that will forever change the landscape of luxury vacation rental homes,” newly opened Evermore Orlando Resort offers guests a unique new option in the Florida theme park capital. The 450-hectare property, which boasts its own lagoon and beach,

Is located less than 5 km. from Walt Disney World, and notably includes the new Conrad Orlando.

Evermore offers luxury accommodations from two-bedroom villas and four-bedroom flats, all the way up to 11-bedroom houses where resort guests receive all the services and conveniences of a hotel, including a full-sized washer and dryer, fully equipped kitchens with high-end appliances, plus oversized common areas designed to facilitate togetherness.

At the heart of it all is eight-hectare Evermore Bay, with beaches and crystal-clear swimming areas, and providing activities from paddle boarding and kayaking to a rope swing and family water slide. The beach areas include zero entry swim areas, bars, cabanas, and private fire-pits.

Meanwhile, golfers can choose between two 18-hole Jack Nicklaus-designed courses, and foodies have an array of dining options, from casual bites at a waterside food truck, to upscale dining overlooking Evermore Bay. Pre-made meals can also be delivered to guest units, while private chefs can also be arranged.

“Evermore offers a vastly superior short-term rental experience by solving the inconsistency problems of renting someone’s personal home while also providing hotel-like service and security,” says Christopher Kelsey, President of Dart Interests, the resort’s developer.

“Evermore is Orlando’s only true destination resort worthy of a vacation even without a trip to the theme parks,” he adds. “Within the resort, we have created whole neighbourhoods of resort-owned, purpose-built vacation rental homes in concert with a true luxury hotel to provide high-quality, bespoke experiences for all sizes and types of groups from couples to large conferences, particularly including multi-family and multi-generational vacations.”

Evermore Bay

Conrad Orlando

Meanwhile, uniquely nestled within Evermore, Conrad Orlando marks the brand’s debut in the city and is its second property in the Sunshine State. With 433 rooms, the hotel draws inspiration from Florida’s more than 1,000 natural springs and the 200-hectare nature preserve adjacent to the property.

There are five distinct dining venues; the Conrad Spa Orlando and Water Garden; Evermore Bay, the crystalline lagoon and expansive pool complex shared with Evermore; plus, more than 6,000 sq. m. of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space.

Conrad Orlando’s design synchronizes with the area’s natural landscape to create an indoor-outdoor environment for relaxation and rejuvenation and embraces the use of organic shapes and fluid lines to emulate the flow of water, while natural wood tones and use of regional materials, such as limestone, create the tie back to land.

The resort’s guest rooms and suites include oak flooring, plush beds outfitted with Frette linens, built-in closets, well-appointed bathrooms with marbled double vanities, and Byredo bath products, stocked minibars with Nespresso machines, and in-room dining offerings.

Accommodations include 61 elegant suites ranging from one to three bedrooms, all with exclusive amenities, such as standalone soak tubs and outdoor living space.

Ten Family Suites offer a private bedroom along with a full living room featuring a comfortable pullout sofa and two twin bunkbeds, able to be tucked away behind pocket doors.

Five dining experiences include Sophia’s Trattoria, celebrating the diverse culinary traditions of Southern Italy; Apéro lobby bar; the Polynesian-inspired Papaya Club; Spoon, for casual all-day dining; and the property’s crown jewel, Ceiba, offering contemporary rooftop dining rooted in Mexican tradition with a focus on heirloom ingredients and agave-forward spirits.

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Launches Tool to Promote Collaboration Among Best Tourism Villages

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Madrid, Spain, January 20, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO has launched the world’s biggest digital hub for communities focused on rural tourism. The ‘TourismConnectsRural’ platform will boost collaboration across the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO Network, connecting around 200 rural destinations in every global region.

Empowering Village Connections

TourismConnectsRural is designed to facilitate internal communication, allowing villages to exchange experiences and insights, and take part in masterclasses focused on growing tourism as a driver of rural development. Key features of the platform include:

  • Experience Exchange: Villages can share their unique experiences, insights, and best practices through the platform, or work together on specific topics creating a dynamic ecosystem of knowledge.
  • Masterclasses: A comprehensive bank of masterclasses will allow villages to enhance their skills and sustainable tourism practices.
  • Interactive Communication: The platform enables real-time interaction, allowing villagers to engage in meaningful conversations, ask questions, and collaborate effortlessly.
  • Event Hub: Villages can showcase their events and stay informed about special occasions, fostering a sense of community through the exchange of information.

Zorista Urosevic, Executive Director at UNWTO says: “UNWTO is empowering rural communities by providing a digital space where they can converse, collaborate, and collectively learn and contribute to the sustainable development of their regions. Communities in our Best Tourism Villages Network now have unprecedented access to a space where they can communicate, share, and learn from their counterparts globally.”

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News