Global Travel News

GUCCI’S WORLD AT LONDON’S SAVVY SAVOY

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Observing luxurious luggage and elegant clothes of the hotel’s high-heeled guests as he escorted them from floor to floor, the future fashion icon was inspired and set on his path to starting his own leather goods It’s not the oldest of London’s top-tier luxury hotels but The Savoy is arguably the most famous. Many would also argue it’s also the best, living up to every inch of it’s outsized reputation. Founded in 1889, the iconic property has hosted a bevy of rich and famous patrons (Monet painted from it’s windows) over its nearly 135 years, and even some who weren’t famous yet – like Guccio Gucci, who once worked there as a luggage and lift-boy early.company, shortly after his return to Italy from London.

Indeed, ever since the company’s founding, Gucci has frequently featured or mentioned the theme of travel, referencing the iconography of luxury hotels and the jetsetters who populated them in the early decades of the 1900s.

And with the fashion company having celebrated its centenary in 2021, The Savoy and Gucci continue to leverage their shared history in a host of creative ways, from design features to exceptional experiences for guests and clients.

Gucci at the Savoy, early 20th century

The modern relationship between the two was first under the spotlight upon the reveal of Gucci’s Aria Collection in April 2021, privately screened locally at The Savoy. The Collection and its presentation included numerous nods to the hotel and its role in shaping Gucci’s mythology.

The partnership’s latest iteration has been the transformation of The Savoy’s Royal Suite – the hotel’s flagship suite, which runs the length of the 5th floor riverside featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that frame spectacular views of the river Thames and London landmarks.

Both opulent and comfortable, the interior of the Royal Suite was redesigned to reflect the Gucci world, with furniture, furnishings and decorative items from the Gucci Décor Collection, and art and antiquities specially curated by auctioneers Christie’s to harmonize with the Gucci aesthetic and the design and heritage of The Savoy.

In addition, art and antiquities from auctioneers Christie’s were carefully chosen to complement the blend of Edwardian architecture and art deco style of the hotel, prompting Adrien Meyer, Global Head of Private Sales at Christie’s to proclaim at the time, “Together with Gucci, the Royal Suite at The Savoy will become the most exclusive place to stay in London.”

Uniquely, all of the items in the Royal Suite added by Gucci and Christie’s are available for purchase, making the Royal Suite an exceptionally exclusive showroom.

Royal Suite

The Royal Suite also offers a dedicated butler, use of The Savoy’s Rolls Royce within a five-kilometre radius, return transfers, plus bespoke in-room amenities and welcome gifts; plus Gucci experiences, such as evening cocktails, and a VIP personalized Gucci shopping experience, either within The Royal Suite by Gucci, or in one of Gucci’s flagship London stores, with private Rolls Royce transfer.

Guests are also supported by an “army of fabulous professionals” within the hotel from chefs to bartenders, florists to therapists, all of whom can create unique bespoke experiences. The network of butler and concierge can also be relied on to secure access to dining and entertainment opportunities across the city and equally can support any business needs guests may have.

And the price, in case you’re wondering? Just CDN$27,000 per night (breakfast included).

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

HOTEL WEEK: Kempinski adds two landmark hotels in Dubai

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Kempinski Hotels has doubled its footprint in Dubai after signing a partnership with Abu Dhabi National Hotels to rebrand two iconic properties. On Jan. 1, the Kempinski flag was hoisted above Kempinski The Boulevard Dubai and Kempinski Central Avenue Dubai, formerly Address Boulevard and Address Dubai Mall respectively. The addition of these two landmark properties to the Kempinski portfolio significantly expands the brand’s presence in Dubai, which was one of the best-performing destinations worldwide for the luxury hotel group in 2023.

“This important milestone marks an enormous step forward for Kempinski and cements our role as one of the dominant luxury hotel brands in the Middle East (and) one of the first luxury hotel companies to secure a foothold in the United Arab Emirates in the late 1990s…” says René Nijhof, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Kempinski S.A. “Following a record year of performance, we will continue to grow our portfolio across the region in 2024 and beyond.”

Rising 72 storeys high, Kempinski The Boulevard Dubai is a beacon of luxury in the heart of Downtown Dubai, steps from attractions including Dubai Mall, Dubai Opera and the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa. The urban resort is home to 198 well-appointed rooms and suites and a collection of elegant residences, with neutral tones contemporary décor, details have been designed to create a sophisticated and homely environment, with fine furnishings, original artworks and technological innovations that complement spectacular views.

Elevating the hotel restaurant concept to new heights, guests will be welcomed into a collection of beautiful dining rooms, where modern brasserie-style cuisine is served in The Living Room, The Kitchen, The Collection Room, and The Dining Room, as well as several private dining areas for intimate gatherings and an open-air terrace.

A 760-sq-m spa offers rejuvenating treatments, including clay wraps, hammams and signature experiences in the salt and steam rooms. Outside, three swimming pools dotted with palm trees offer an oasis of greenery, while the kids’ club has an immersive program of games and learning experiences to keep junior jetsetters busy.

Kempinski Hotel Central Avenue Dubai

Steps away, Kempinski Hotel Central Avenue Dubai with its 245 luxurious rooms and suites is conveniently connected to The Dubai Mall, where luxury brands from around the world are gathered alongside smart dining concepts, an impressive aquarium, indoor ice-rink, and a glittering gold souk.

Rooms, suites, and residences embody a sense of understated elegance, with pared-back design and muted tones accented with artworks, ambient lighting, and touchpad technology controls. Each one boasts its own private balcony affording stellar views of Downtown Dubai, Burj Khalifa or the city skyline.

Innovative dining venues offer a selection of culinary styles, from modern Middle Eastern cuisine, afternoon tea to home-style international dining, and an award-winning spa offers a selection of signature rituals and treatments designed to enhance wellbeing.

“These two landmark hotels embody a sense of modern Arabian luxury and timeless European elegance,” says René Nijhof. “Kempinski has been present in the Middle East for more than 26 years and it remains one of the most dynamic and exciting parts of the world for us. With these new additions to the constellation and a strong pipeline in the region, we reassert our reputation as a trusted partner in the Middle East and around the globe.”

In addition to the two new properties, Dubai is home to Kempinski Hotel Mall of the Emirates and Kempinski Hotel & Residences Palm Jumeirah. When it opens in 2025, Kempinski Residences The Creek Dubai will become the first standalone Kempinski private residences in the region.

Ed. note: Still to come during Hotel Week: The Savoy, London. Previous: Hard Rock, Accor, Jumeirah.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ARE YOUR CLIENTS SICK OF WINTER? Here’s where to send them

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Have you been tirelessly fielding requests from clients who are done with winter’s chilly antics? They’ve simply had enough of having frozen fingertips, shoveling driveways, and experiencing a wardrobe crisis every time they leave the house. It’s not just the winter blues; the never-ending small talk about the weather just about morphed them into the grumpiest version of themselves.

Sounds like it’s high time to drench some much-needed sunshine onto their icy attitudes and whisk them away to a tropical paradise. Whether your clients choose to come back relaxed, come back adventurous, or come back full… They’ll unquestionably come back changed.

Limited-time savings

Save up to 40% off on South packages and up to 20% off South flights during our Come Back Changed promo. And get 3X BONBON, too!

If they only pretended to hold the doors open

At the Dreams Macao Beach Punta Cana Resort & Spa, your clients won’t have to lift a finger. Except for sipping a cocktail, of course! Paint a picture for them: Basking in the lap of indulgence, surrounded by pristine beaches, while enjoying gourmet dining and lavish accommodations that will make them forget all about winter. From pampering spa treatments to lounging by the pool while the kids are busy in the water park, this resort has mastered the art of Unlimited Luxury® pampering.

If they’re wearing sunglasses to avoid eye contact

Here, they’ll want to keep those shades on even after dark! And why is that? Because your sun-starved clients won’t want to miss a moment of the dazzling show the sun puts on every evening as it sets over the Pacific. They’ll be soaking up the vibrant hues from the beach, from their private balcony, or while sipping cocktails by the saltwater pool. This intimate resort is known for its character and colonial charm, its gourmet dining, and its sunsets that are simply second to none. In fact, CC Beach Front Papagayo offers memorable moments – and a stylish excuse to wear sunglasses around the clock!

If someone’s breathing sets them off

Let’s put it this way: Hiking in Peru is like having the gym to yourself, but with way better views!

Your clients will be grateful to say goodbye to sweaty strangers on the treadmill and hello to a solo trek on some of the most breathtaking (literally) trails in Latin America. From the craggy beauty of the Andes to the quiet solitude of the Amazon jungle, the only sounds they’ll encounter are the twittering of birds and the whispering of the wind. So why not encourage them to try something a little different this year? Surely their hiking boots are still in perfect condition, awaiting their next exciting adventure.

If social media is as social as they get

Cozumel Island is where travellers can achieve their lifelong dream of being alone on an island, minus the castaway misadventures!

Whether your clients prefer to snorkel in solitude or sunbathe on the beach at Santa Pilar with only the iguanas for company, this is where peace and tranquility reign supreme. This quiet Mexican paradise is indeed their ticket to escape the crowds and revel in the blissful art of silence. All this is possible at the all-inclusive Melia Cozumel, especially with an upgrade to The Level. Not only will your clients receive personalized service, but they’ll also have access to exclusive areas. They’ll enjoy private check-in, breakfast in a members-only lounge, and private Bali beds on the beach. Complete and utter serenity guaranteed!

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Hotel Sustainability Basics for a Sustainable 2024

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London, United Kingdom, January 8, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Hotel Sustainability Basics is set to end if first year on a high with more than 1,300 hotels verified, across more than 30 countries from around the world.

The Hotel Sustainability Basics is an independent global sustainability verification programme, overseen by internationally recognised verifiers, Green Key and SGS.

The aim is for hotels around the world, regardless of their size, to follow a 12 step programme to reduce carbon emissions, protect and promote nature, and ensure local communities benefit from the hotel.

It is achievable for all hotels to implement as a bare minimum, and crucially, they serve as a stepping-stone to more complex sustainability schemes.

In its first year, Hotel Sustainability Basics has been endorsed by destinations around the world such as the Caribbean, Mauritius, Colombia, Abu Dhabi, Azerbaijan, Mexico, and Ecuador.

The ‘Basics’ has also been adopted by a number of major hotel brands around the world such as Jin Jiang, the world’s second biggest hotel group with more than 10,000 hotels, European hotel giant Louvre Hotel Group, and Radisson Hotel Group.

Other major brands which have signed up Hotel Sustainability Basics include adventure travel specialist Intrepid, British Airways Holidays, HBX Group, WebBeds, Biosphere, and Abercrombie & Kent.

Together, this underscores a global commitment to sustainable Travel & Tourism from across the hospitality industry, and the global tourism body expects thousands more hotels from all four corners of the globe will adopt Hotel Sustainability Basics next year.

Significantly, the recently announced partnership between WTTC, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA) and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) has cemented a clear pathway in the hospitality sustainability journey.

This collaboration will establish a structured framework from the Basics towards advanced global standards for hotel sustainability.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said “Basics is a global programme to support hotels to cut emissions, support local communities and protect nature. Launched last year, it is the only independent scheme that gives hotels a helping hand to look at their environmental impact. The take up of Basics is going from strength to strength with whole countries committed to make real, lasting change.

“As we look to the future, our focus remains on strengthening these efforts, ensuring that every step we take brings us closer to a unified vision of sustainability in hospitality. Hotel Sustainability Basics has gone from strength to strength in its first year and we’re expecting thousands more properties to adopt the initiative throughout 2024.”

Satu Rouhiainen, Sustainability Manager, British Airways Holidays said: “Working closely together with our industry and value chain partners is paramount to British Airways Holidays. We are delighted to be supporting the Hotel Sustainability Basics, offering our hotel partners a fair and industry recognised criteria to start their sustainability journey.

“Not only does it give us visibility of the hotels’ progress, but it also provides our customers a way to search for hotels that are committed to progressing in sustainability.”

WTTC is committed to leading the charge in sustainable Travel & Tourism. Continuously fostering collaborations and setting new sustainability, the global tourism body global is committed to ensuring a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable future for the Travel & Tourism sector.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Wynn Invites Impressive Line-Up of Guest Chefs to Macau

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Wynn Invites Impressive Line-Up of Guest Chefs to Macau - TOP25RESTAURANTS.comMacau, Macao SAR, January 5, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Wynn is starting the New Year by inviting an incredible line-up of five culinary artists for the “Celebrity Chef Pop-Up Kitchen at Wynn Macau” and Four-hand Collaboration dinners in January. 2020 MasterChef UK Finalist Sandy Tang will be the first to proudly present her own culinary heritage of Macau with British flair; Executive Head Chef Nilas Corneliussen of Villa Frantzén will showcase his native Nordic dishes with a Thai twist; and Head Chef Wang Xiaofeng of Guan Yan Liu Jin in Hangzhou will craft delicacies from his hometown of Chaoshan. Two resident chefs at Wynn Palace and Wynn Macau will also partner with two guest chefs to host Four-hand Collaboration dinners. Executive Chef Helder Sequeira Amaral of the Forbes Five- Star SW Steakhouse at Wynn Palace will partner with Chef-owner Eric Räty of the 2-MICHELIN- star Arbor, while Executive Chef Hironori Maeda of the 2-MICHELIN-star Mizumi at Wynn Macau will work with Executive Chef Mitsuru Konishi of the MICHELIN-starred ZEST by Konishi. These high quality, monthly dining events at Wynn aim to bring exceptional culinary talent to Macau, continue raising the bar in gastronomy and promote Macau as a “Creative City of Gastronomy”.

At the age of 24, Chef Sandy Tang entered the 2020 MasterChef UK competition just to see how far she could go, and she made it all the way to the finals! Originally from Macau, she moved to the UK when she was just 13 and grew up surrounded by a unique fusion of cultures. Having spent half her life in Asia and half in the UK, she embraces the ideas and techniques of both East and West when working in the kitchen, producing innovative fusion concepts that are still grounded in tradition. From January 4 to 6, Chef Tang will create a variety of special delicacies at Wynn Macau including: Salted Cod and Scallop served with Tomato Consommé Granita and Grouper Broth, a Lotus Pastry filled with Hawthorn Berries Paste served with 24 Herbs Ice Cream and Crumble, and much more.

Originally from Sweden, Executive Head Chef Nilas Corneliussen of Villa Frantzén in Bangkok has always been fascinated by Thailand. He initially pursued Thai boxing before discovering his true

calling in culinary. He worked his way up from all sections of Stockholm’s trattoria to the MICHELIN- starred Esperanto, while simultaneously winning silver for the Swedish team in the Bocuse d’Or finals, not just once, but twice! Geeky about Thai cooking and fluent in Thai, Chef Nilas seamlessly blends the Frantzén Nordics, pan-Asian influences and Siam flavors, and elevates them to an entirely new level. From January 12 to 14, he will showcase his creative culinary talents at Wynn Macau through these innovative dishes: Oyster 63.4C with gooseberries and Kavring bread; Scallop and caviar; Cured Norwegian salmon and beer poached king crab and more.

Portuguese native Chef Helder Sequeira Amaral has worked for many renowned restaurants in his home of Portugal and many other countries before moving to Macau more than a decade ago. Chef Helder has successfully attained the Forbes Five-Star award for SW Steakhouse at Wynn Palace, where he will join Chef-owner Eric Räty from the 2-MICHELIN-star Arbor, in a four-hand dinner collaboration from January 18 to 20. Chef Eric honed his skills in culinary while in Europe working for the 2-MICHELIN-star Chez Dominique and the 3-MICHELIN-star Restaurant Aqua at The Ritz- Carlton, Wolfsburg. Craving for new challenges, he headed to Hong Kong. Now, as chef-owner at Arbor, Chef Eric uses his extraordinary talent to create refined Nordic-Japanese cuisine. During their time together in Macau, Chef Helder and Chef Eric will combine their culinary skills to prepare American classic steaks and Nordic-Japanese dishes such as: Bresse Chicken Ravioli, Japanese Wagyu Cross Breed B3, and more at SW Steakhouse.

Originally from Chaoshan, Head Chef Wang Xiaofeng is now at the helm of Guan Yan Liu Jin. Throughout his culinary career, he has worked alongside and trained under many famous chefs, gaining a deep understanding and true appreciation for the authentic flavors of Chaozhou cuisine. At Guan Yan Liu Jin, he selects just the right Chaozhou ingredients and prepares them with the traditional and extremely meticulous cooking techniques of Chaoshan. He prepares each one of his dishes with such perfection, his refined delicacies at Guan Yan Liu Jin have garnered a mention in the inaugural edition of The MICHELIN Guide Hangzhou in 2023. During his time at Wynn Macau from January 19 to 21, he will introduce the gastronomy of his hometown, by capturing the original flavors, colors, and aromas of Chaoshan cuisine.

For dining reservations and enquiries at Wynn Macau, please call: (853) 8986 3663.

About Wynn Macau
Wynn Macau is a luxury hotel and casino resort in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China with two iconic towers featuring a total of 1,010 spacious rooms and suites, approximately 294,000 square feet of casino space, over 64,300 square feet of retail space, 14 food and beverage outlets, two spas, a salon and a pool. The resort proudly boasts three distinct entertainment experiences, including Macau’s only choreographed Performance Lake, blending lofty plumes of water, gracefully choreographed music from Broadway tunes to renowned Chinese songs, powerful LED lights and fire effects.

Wynn Macau is operated by international resort developer Wynn Resort s , recipient of more Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Awards than any other independent hotel company in the world. Wynn Macau continues to hold the distinct honor of being the only resort in the world with 8 Forbes Five-Star Awards for seven consecutive years. Wynn Macau opened on September 6, 2006 and its second tower – Encore opened on April 21, 2010.

About Wynn Palace
Wynn Palace is the second luxury integrated resort from international resort developer Wynn Resorts in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, following the launch of Wynn Macau. Located in the Cotai area, it features a 28-storey hotel with 1,706 exquisitely furnished rooms, suites and villas, versatile meeting facilities, approximately 107,000 square feet of renowned luxury retail, 14 food and beverage outlets, Macau’s largest spa, a salon, a pool and approximately 468,000 square feet of casino space. The resort also features a variety of entertainment experiences, including the dazzling 8-acre Performance Lake that mesmerizes guests with a choreographed display of water, music and light, the unique SkyCab, spectacular, large-scale floral displays and an extensive collection of art works by some of the world’s leading artists.

Wynn Resorts is the recipient of more Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Awards than any other independent hotel company in the world. Wynn Palace is the first and only resort in the world with more than one thousand rooms to receive Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Awards. Wynn Palace opened on August 22, 2016.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Jim Thompson Farm Welcomes Guests to Embrace Essence of Isan Culture

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Jim Thompson Farm Welcomes Guests to Embrace Essence of Isan Culture – TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News and Updates


















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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO in Brazil to Begin Work on First Regional Office for Americas

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Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, January 3, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO has continued to scale up its support for its Members across the Americas, with plans for a first Regional Office for the region advanced during an official visit to Brazil.

Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili led the UNWTO delegation to Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia (13-17 December), recognizing Brazil’s strong support and commitment to tourism for development. In Brazil, Secretary-General Pololikashvili enjoyed bilateral meetings with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and with the country’s Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino.

First UNWTO Office for the Americas

At the 25th UNWTO General Assembly (Samarkand, Uzbekistan, 16-20 October), Member States voted to establish a first Regional Office for the Americas in Rio de Janeiro. The office will further enhance UNWTO’s global presence on the ground, adding to a Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a Regional Office in Nara, Japan, and its headquarters in Madrid, Spain.

The UNWTO Regional Office for the Americas will help guide tourism development not only in Brazil but across the whole region

  • Secretary-General Pololikashvili joined Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino and other high-level delegates to visit the location and oversee the first plans for the Regional Office.
  • Building on the plans set out at the General Assembly, UNWTO and the Government of Brazil hosted a special ceremony to celebration the official agreement for the Regional Office.
  • The start of the project has been heralded as a major opportunity to enhance Brazil’s status as a tourism leader for the Americas as well as one of the leading global destinations.
  • The Regional Office for the Americas will focus on strengthening the promotion of investments. One of the first key outputs will be guidelines aimed at boosting green investments, recognizing the importance of biodiversity for tourism in the Americas. The Rio office will also develop a strategy around technical training for youth, allowing them to gain the professional skills they need to grow the sector throughout the region.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “The UNWTO Regional Office for the Americas will help guide tourism development not only in Brazil but across the whole region. Rio de Janeiro will be a true hub of leadership and ideas, with a focus on growing and targeting investments into the sector and harnessing tourism’s power for sustainable and inclusive growth.”

UNWTO talks tourism with President Lula

Reflecting the recognition of UNWTO’s mission at the very highest political level in Brazil, Secretary-General Pololikashvili was warmly welcomed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Their bilateral talks focused on shared priorities, including growing investments in tourism in both Brazil and across the region, and making the sector a driver of growth and opportunity.

In bilateral talks with Minister of Tourism Celso Sabino, UNWTO emphasized the enormous potential of tourism in the Americas…

Celebrating Tourism Excellence in Brazil

During the official visit, the UNWTO delegation joined in celebrations of the best tourism talent and leaders in Brazil. The National Tourism Awards ceremony (Brasilia, 16 December) recognized individuals and initiatives transforming the sector. UNWTO also joined the official opening of National Hall of Tourism.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Winners of UNWTO Students League Grand Final Announced

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Winners of UNWTO Students League Grand Final Announced - TRAVELINDEXMadrid, Spain, January 2, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The 2022-2023 UNWTO Students’ League concluded with a celebration of young tourism talent. The Grand Final of the flagship event for supporting students in tourism bought together high School and undergraduate students from Switzerland and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Tourism for rural development challenge

The 2022-2023 Students’ League challenged students to create support rural development through tourism by creating Instagram accounts to promote a rural destination in their countries.

For this Grand Final, the jury panel was made up of national and international experts from UNWTO, Academia and private sector stakeholders. In making their decision, the expert jury judged elements such as innovation, and feasibility of the idea as well as their potential to contribute to the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The winning team in the High School category was Team Rose Brandis from Mješovita srednja škola Travnik in Bosnia & Herzegovina. In the Undergraduate category, the jury named Team VS-TIM, Visoka škola za turizam i menadžment Konjic from Bosnia & Herzegovina and Team SHL from Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern in  Switzerland as joint winners.

Journey to the final

After successfully passing through the initial phase on the National Final4 competitions in their countries during 2022 and 2023, three teams made it through to the Grand Final, Team Rose Brandis, representing Bosnia and Herzegovina – Team Rose Brandis from Mixed Secondary School Travnik and Team VS-TIM from Konjic College of Tourism and Management, and representing Switzerland – Team SHL from the Swiss Hotel Management School Lucerne.

For this first Grand Final, UNWTO counted on the partnership of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Affiliate Member and part of the Affiliate Members Board. The Universidad Complutense de Madrid has been a true knowledge leader for almost 800 years and has a long and proud history of producing the best minds and developing the best young talent. The Ayuntamiento de Madrid also contributed by showing the teams the beauty and hidden gems of Madrid.

Youth empowerment for tourism’s future

The UNWTO Students League provides students with a platform that empowers and motivates them, by giving them real-time knowledge on our sector and experience by working on creating innovative and sustainable solutions for the challenges that the sector is facing. This initiative not only brings Tourism closer to younger generations but, by bringing together these young people with government officials, representatives of tourism industry, experts and other major stakeholders, it also bridges the gap between the realities of the sector and students’ education and training, enabling young people to enter the labour market in the future as highly qualified and skilled professionals.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Banyan Tree Krabi Achieves Sustainability Badge of Honour

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Banyan Tree Krabi Achieves Sustainability Badge of Honour - TOP25HOTELS.comBanyan Tree Krabi has been recognised for its sustainable and environmental practices, becoming the first hotel or resort in the Krabi region to win Silver Certification by EarthCheck, the world’s leading scientific benchmarking organisation for the hospitality industry.

Following a rigorous science-backed audit by EarthCheck, the landmark accolade is underpinned by the resort’s excellence in 10 key performance areas: Greenhouse Gas Emissions; Energy Efficiency; Management of Freshwater Resources; Ecosystem Conservation & Management; Social & Cultural Management; Land Use Planning & Management; Air Quality Protection; Wastewater Management; Solid Waste Management; and Environmentally Harmful Substances.

“EarthCheck requires all its members to meet every single criterion, every year,” said the organisation’s Relationship Manager Bingni Wu. “This means businesses must continuously work on both the measurable and qualitative aspects of sustainability. It’s not just about ticking boxes; it’s about making real, ongoing changes.”

Sustainability as a Key to Success

Head of Banyan Tree Krabi’s Sustainability Team, Thepsuda Loyjiw, said that the resort continually strives to reduce consumption rates through improved efficiency and adopting new technology or practices.

A marine biologist, Loyjiw said that the hotel offers eco-friendly activities to guests, including forest bathing and hiking in the national park adjoining the property to help raise awareness about environmental conservation and protecting local flora and fauna.

Among the cultural options, guests can indulge in Thai cookery classes, Thai boxing, Thai language lessons or a visit to an elephant sanctuary.

The hotel also organises beach clean-up campaigns, and — as part of the Banyan Tree brand’s worldwide “Stay For Good” initiative — tours to a local fishing community where guests can participate in handcraft workshops.

Among projects earmarked for the year ahead, Loyjiw said her team is preparing the groundwork for a cage-free egg policy at the hotel, as well as a sustainable seafood programme.

Award-Winning Resorts

Located on secluded Tubkaek Beach and opened in 2020, Banyan Tree Krabi is flanked to the rear by a forested national park while facing out towards a sea of karst limestone towers — undoubtedly one of Thailand’s most iconic and enduring images — which are uninhabited and protected as a national marine park. The hotel is tiered into a lush landscape, all of which is dominated by a rollercoaster of mountains.

The resort offers 72 pool suites and villas, among them seven two-bedroom options, one three-bedroom villa, and a majestic seven-bedroom beachfront Presidential Villa. Each of the rooms faces the sea and the sunset as the property tiers into the hillside.

Facilities include two restaurants and a beach bar, a beach club, a kids’ club, a fitness centre, meeting rooms, and — in keeping with Banyan Tree’s wellness branding — a rainforest-themed spa.

The hotel seeks to follow in the footsteps of its sister resort farther to the east in Thailand, Banyan Tree Samui, which launched in 2010 and was recently presented by EarthCheck with the highest level of certification, Platinum, making it the first and only hotel or resort in the country to reach this prestigious milestone.

Both Banyan Tree resorts were recognised in the prestigious Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards this year, with Banyan Tree Krabi voted No 4 in the Top Resorts in Thailand category, and Banyan Tree Samui claiming the No 5 title.

ABOUT BANYAN TREE
Banyan Tree offers a Sanctuary to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul in awe-inspiring locations around the globe. Rediscover the romance of travel as you journey to iconic destinations where authentic, memorable experiences await. An all-villa concept often with private pools, Banyan Tree provides genuine, authentic service and a distinctive, premium retreat experience.

ABOUT BANYAN TREE GROUP
Banyan Tree Group (“Banyan Tree Holdings Limited” or the “Group”) is one of the world’s leading independent, multi-branded hospitality groups centred on the purpose-driven mission of stewardship and wellbeing while offering exceptional, design-led experiences.

The Group’s diversified portfolio of hotels, resorts, spas, galleries, golf and residences features an ecosystem of 10 global brands, including the award-winning Banyan Tree, Angsana, Cassia, Dhawa and Laguna, and the highly anticipated new brands of Homm, Garrya, Folio, and two new Banyan Tree brand extensions – Escape and Veya.

Established in 2008, with the goal of advancing people development and management excellence, Banyan Tree Management Academy has nurtured over 8,000 associates across 23 countries. The Group is recognised for its commitment to environmental protection and community development through its Banyan Tree Global Foundation. Operating over 70 hotels in 17 countries, it has 47 new properties in the pipeline.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Fight or Flight? Coping with Stress in the Airline Sector

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Fight or Flight? Coping with Stress in the Airline Sector - TRAVELNEWSHUB.comDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, airline employees experienced unprecedented levels of work-related stress and job uncertainty. However, their coping strategies and cultural differences in their responses to work-related stress remain understudied. In a timely recent study, Professor Seongseop (Sam) Kim of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and co-authors explored the relationships between job stressors, psychological stress and coping strategies amongst airline employees in Hong Kong and South Korea during the pandemic. Their work provides fruitful insights that could help airlines minimise employees’ psychological stress and provide resources to support coping strategies. Crucially, their results also show that national culture should be considered when adopting such measures.
COVID-19 crippled business operations in a multitude of sectors, and air travel was amongst the hardest hit. Airlines are no stranger to economic or health and safety challenges, but the international travel restrictions imposed in 2020 dealt the sector an unprecedented blow. With mass lay-offs, rescheduling and furloughs, airline employees faced severe job insecurity and ambiguity. “Consequently”, say the researchers, “it makes sense to predict that work-related conditions caused by the pandemic may increase stress and anxiety among airline employees in a way that is different from work-induced stress prior to the pandemic”.
To date, however, studies have done little to elucidate the specific psychological and behavioural repercussions of industry-level events like COVID-19 for workers in this sector. “How airline employees perceive work-related stress is not fully understood”, say the authors. Furthermore, scant attention has been paid to their coping strategies in response to such stress.
Context is another important factor. As employees’ reactions to work-related stress may differ between countries and cultures, the findings of Western studies of job stress may not be generalisable to other contexts, such as Asia. Although the pandemic affected airline employees worldwide, East Asian settings such as South Korea and Hong Kong may differ in their job stress predictors and outcomes relative to Western countries, and even relative to each other. “Airline employees from these two nationalities may experience and manage work-related stress differently”, say the authors.
With these considerations in mind, the researchers set out to provide “a systematic understanding of coping strategies in relation to work-related stress for airline employees during the tourism crisis”.
Generally, we experience psychological stress when we feel that too much is being demanded of us. Common job stressors include excessive work demands, role conflict and job insecurity. According to “conservation of resources” theory, stress poses a threat to our resources, and we respond by seeking to conserve our existing resources and obtain new ones. “Exemplifying this point”, say the researchers, “studies have shown that service-oriented employees adopt appropriate coping strategies to conserve their resources (e.g. well-being, self-esteem) and alleviate stress”.
Accordingly, the authors note, “coping styles play a crucial role in understanding how employees adapt to stressful work events”. This raises the question of what airline employees can do to counteract resource loss during an industry-wide crisis like COVID-19. However, we still know little about which coping strategies airline employees use to deal with work-related stress. The researchers’ first step in tackling this question was to establish a theoretical model linking job stressors to psychological stress and coping strategies. “In the model”, the authors say, “multiple job stressors are anticipated to increase the psychological stress levels of airline employees. Psychological stress, in turn, determines their coping strategies”.
Various possible coping strategies are available to employees. Task-oriented coping attempts to find a solution to the root cause of stress, such as devising a plan to solve the problem. Emotion-oriented coping aims to regulate the emotional distress caused by the stressor, such as through self-revelation or self-blame. Avoidance-oriented coping involves a deliberate attempt to disengage from the stressful situation. If we feel that we have control over a stressful situation and possess the resources to deal with it, we are likely to adopt task-oriented coping. “Emotion-oriented coping and avoidance-oriented coping are more dominant when both control and coping resources are perceived to be low”, say the researchers.
During COVID-19, airline employees had no control over the stressors they faced, such as international travel restrictions, the slow progress of virus containment and economic slowdown. Therefore, the authors hypothesised that airline employees experiencing job-related stress during the pandemic engaged primarily in emotion-oriented and avoidance-oriented coping. They also hypothesised that as national culture affects people’s responses to stress, airline employees from different cultural settings experienced and managed work-related stress differently during the pandemic.
To test their theoretical model, the authors empirically examined the relationships between job stressors, job strain and coping strategies amongst airline employees in two Asian cultural contexts during the global tourism crisis caused by COVID-19. A cross-sectional survey was completed online by 366 airline employees in South Korea and Hong Kong in summer 2020.
Psychological stress was measured by the participants’ self-reports of difficulty relaxing, nervous arousal and being easily upset, irritable and impatient. The survey also measured the airline employees’ perceptions of job stressors such as “forced labour policies”, “concern about layoffs”, “forced unpaid leave” and “lack of appropriate training and knowledge about the prevention of virus transmission”. Coping strategies were assessed using a battery of scales measuring task-oriented, emotion-oriented and avoidance-oriented coping.
Rigorous statistical analysis of the questionnaire responses identified three major work-related stressors associated with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the airline industry. First, psychological stress was related to work schedules and demands – reflecting the major operational changes that airlines had to impose during the pandemic. Companies can mitigate this source of stress through timely and transparent communication with employees, say the researchers.
Second, job insecurity and financial concerns were found to be a major source of stress. Although cost-saving measures are unavoidable during crises like COVID-19, airline companies should be transparent about their decisions concerning lay-offs, salary cuts and forced unpaid leave. “It is important for the airline industry to emphasize its efforts to ride out the hardship together with its employees”, argue the researchers.
Third, stress was caused by role conflict. “Employees may suffer job strain when performing multiple roles and responsibilities other than those normally anticipated”, note the researchers. “Therefore, airline management should consider the willingness of airline employees and provide alternatives instead of implementing forced policies”.
For both the Hong Kong airline employees and the South Korean airline employees, psychological stress was linked to heightened emotion-oriented coping. However, job stressors and coping strategies differed between the two cultures. Hong Kong airline employees – whose perceived stressors related to work schedules and demands, job security and financial concerns, and role conflict – were more drawn to emotion- and avoidance-oriented coping strategies. South Korean airline employees reported only work schedules and demands as contributing significantly to their psychological stress, and this elicited primarily emotion-oriented coping strategies.
“This delivers an important message to the global airline industry”, say the authors. As employees from different countries/cultural settings may respond differently to the same work-related stressors, airline management should implement culturally appropriate measures to regulate employees’ work-related stress during industry-wide crises. Based on this study’s findings, for example, airlines in Hong Kong should promote both emotion-oriented and avoidance-oriented coping strategies, whilst South Korean airlines should focus on the former.
The COVID-19 pandemic provides a unique setting for examination of job-related stress in the airline sector. Airlines can learn from this crisis and better protect their invaluable human resources by communicating more transparently with employees, mitigating sources of job-related stress, and equipping employees with culturally specific coping skills. Emotion-oriented coping strategies could be reinforced by organising workshops or employing on-site psychological therapists, and avoidance-oriented strategies could be fostered by subsidising recreational activities and hosting social gatherings.
Chua, Bee-Lia, Al-Ansi, Amr, Kim, Seongseop (Sam), Wong, Antony King Fung, and Han, Heesup (2022). Examining Airline Employees’ Work-Related Stress and Coping Strategies During the Global Tourism Crisis. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 34, Issue 10, 3715-3742.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News