Global Travel News

Dusit Hotels International Brings Hybrid Hospitality to Nairobi

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Dusit Hotels International Brings Hybrid Hospitality to Nairobi - TRAVELINDEXNairobi, Kenya, August 8, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The new Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi features a unique hybrid collection of one-bedroom apartments, studio apartments, and deluxe hotel rooms in the leafy commercial hub of Westlands in the city of Nairobi. Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has continued its global expansion with the opening of a unique hybrid property in Nairobi – Dusit Princess Hotel Residences – which features 100 spacious deluxe hotel rooms and apartments in the city’s prime Westlands neighbourhood, just 40 minutes by road from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport via the newly built Nairobi Expressway.

• Discover magical Kenya with the exclusive travel guide VisitKenya.com, Where the Safari was Born.

Designed to meet the needs of business and leisure travellers alike, the new upper-midscale property is tastefully furnished in a contemporary style and offers superior in-stay essentials for short and long-stay guests.

Throughout its 14 deluxe hotel rooms, 30 studio apartments, and 56 one-bedroom apartments, guests can expect highly comfortable beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, high-pressure showers, and thoughtful working spaces complete with USB charging ports and complimentary high-speed internet access. The one-bedroom apartments also feature a kitchenette and dining area with a built-in fridge, microwave oven, a four-plate induction cooker, and a washing machine with dryer. High ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows allow for plenty of natural light and stunning views of the city’s skyline.

Alongside Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality, artfully blended with Kenyan culture and heritage, guests will enjoy a wide range of facilities, including a heated swimming pool, an ultra-modern rooftop gym, and five state-of-the-art meeting rooms whose combined capacity can seat up to 150 guests in theatre style.

For dining, guests can choose from an efficient, convenient grab-and-go outlet and two exciting additions to Nairobi’s food and beverage scene – The Olive Restaurant and The Aviary Lounge Bar.

The Olive Restaurant is a modern Italian-inspired all-day dining outlet whose décor bears the colours and images of harvested grapes and olives. Alongside buffet breakfast, it offers a carefully curated variety of international cuisines and local favourites.

The new rooftop hangout The Aviary Lounge Bar, meanwhile, is a vibrant place to meet, mingle and relax in a modern, stylish setting inspired by the life of birds, flora and fauna. Decorated with elegant bird cages and featuring sweeping views of the city, The Aviary Lounge elevates the bar experience even further with its wide range of classic, innovative cocktails, creative bar snacks, and atmospheric beats from an in-house DJ.

Guests and residents at Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi will also benefit from the property’s unique local connections offering numerous opportunities to explore the rich heritage of Kenya’s capital and the natural wonders of its broader surrounds. The Nairobi National Park, the only national park in the world within a capital city, is only a 45-minute drive from the property. A day trip gives guests the opportunity to spot big game such as lions, buffaloes, leopards, rhinos, and more.

“Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi has all the elements to deliver comfort and convenience at excellent value for international guests and locals alike,” said the property’s General Manager, Mr Franco Rienzo. “Our prime location in the exclusive Westlands neighbourhood is only five kilometres from the CBD, and our unique blend of one-bedroom apartments, studio apartments, and deluxe hotel rooms ensures we are the ideal base for short trips and extended stays – a great option for anyone looking to work remotely from the hotel in style.

“With global travel rebounding and Kenya’s tourist arrivals on the rise, we look forward to welcoming the world to discover Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality at Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi, an exciting new addition to Nairobi’s hospitality industry.”

To celebrate its opening, Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi is offering a special room package starting from only USD 3,500 per month for a one-bedroom apartment and USD 120 per day for the entry-level room (deluxe room with breakfast). The offer is inclusive of all taxes and valid from 1 September to 31 December 2022.

• Discover magical Kenya with the exclusive travel guide VisitKenya.com, Where the Safari was Born.

About Dusit International
Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: hotels and resorts, hospitality education, food, property development, and hospitality-related services.

The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under a total of six brands (Dusit Thani, Dusit Devarana, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 16 countries worldwide. The group also operates culinary schools and hospitality colleges in Thailand, plus catering companies for the education sector in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Dusit International’s diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Rebuilding Confidence in Intra-Africa Tourism

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Rebuilding Confidence in Intra-Africa Tourism - VISITSEYCHELLES.org - TRAVELINDEXVictoria, Mahe, August 8, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Aviation & Allied Business Journal has published an interview with Alain St.Ange former Seychelles Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine on “Rebuilding Confidence In Intra-Africa Tourism” republished because the points made are seen as interesting for Africa and its islands.

Q: You were the successful tourism minister of the Seychelles who turned tourism around to reach new heights. What are you doing now?

A: After my years in Government of the Seychelles that ended with me as the island’s Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine I ran to become the Secretary General of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in my country’s bid to get Africa to lead this UN Body, but politics can often bring out the worst that left our continent licking its wounds. But that is history, and after that UN Saga, I launched my very own Tourism Consultancy (Saint Ange Tourism Consultancy) and have been actively working with Tourism Boards, Ministries of Tourism and also the Private Sector groupings all over Africa and in the ASEAN Block.

This keeps me very busy, and more so with the reopening of tourism in this post-covid era. I was also one of the three Presidential Candidates for our island nation in the 2020 Presidential Election because I was determined to use tourism and aviation to recreate a solid economy for Seychelles. I was not successful but the seeds sown to keep tourism alive with diversification possibilities within the tourism industry continues to be heard as discussion points on a daily basis. Today I continue to do what I love and deliver with passion and this is assisting tourism to grow where ever my expertise is called for.

Q: Tourism is no more the same as the pre-covid times. Your thoughts.

A: Tourism cannot be the same as before. Sitting on our past approaches and successes is only a remedy to disaster. Covid showed the world how fragile tourism and aviation was and how easily economies depending on this industry could find themselves in trouble. One can ask if we have learnt our lessons, or if we are acting as ostriches and burying our heads in the sand hoping for the best. Nothing will happen by itself and if you are talking about our great continent of Africa, we can all see approaches of the past and the inability for our States to call in their human assets beyond their political party lines and ‘place square pegs in square holes and round pegs in round holes’ and in so doing give the country a fighting chance to bring a break for our investors.

Q: This brings us to our burning question. Can the key tourism source markets of pre-covid be taken for granted, and is it time for a new impetus for Intra-Africa approaches?

A: Africa is the continent for the future. It has everything, but it is also not able to reap the benefits of what it has been blessed with for the benefit of it citizens. The first step for Africa to do is to get to know Africa and then decide for Africa to work with Africa. Out key tourism source markets are still salvageable, but they have their own challenges. They have a thirst for travel after being locked up two years, but their economy is going through difficult times, inflation is hitting them badly, and the new Russia – Ukraine war has brought about new challenges. The reality check for 2022 onwards is saying loud and clear – reassess, re-plan, re-launch and to be more focused. Keeping a foot in each camp is today essential as we should be working to re-grab our key traditional tourism source markets as we should be energizing regional and continental options.

Uniting countries in marketing groups to create a new tourism destination as was done successfully in the Indian Ocean with the Vanilla Islands concept is today worth exploring, but opening doors to our very own Intra-Africa options is over necessary. African discerning travelers are good holiday makers and should be targeted and tourism and travel shows across Africa should be given new clout as this will give continental options to our continent’s potential travelers. Yes we have a lot of tidying up to do, but it can be done and if we take the line of President Obama of ‘Yes We Can’ and ride on this wave there will be a stronger re-bound of our continent’s industry.

Q: What sort of challenges and tidying are you talking about?

A: Africa needs to deliver on what we say we are. Value for money is more important than ever, and for Africa Governments to accept that tourists are not milking cows. We have to earn every dollar we make and stop dreaming of new taxes and fees. But we also need to go back to basics with inhouse training and assessments. Get outside help to bring the industry together as the saying of ‘No One Is A Prophet In His Own Country’ is also still true. Get the trade to embrace the need to relook at tourism with a post-covid eye and to accept the idea that tourism is not just our bread and butter, but that is can be a full breakfast if we are together as one in this needed public-private sector task force to deliver for our respective economies.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

CHANGES AND CHALLENGES: Talking travel with Roger Dow

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Roger Dow, outgoing president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, will be honored as the 2022 inductee into the U.S. Travel’s Hall of Leaders this November. Dow has led U.S. Travel as chief executive since 2005, after 34 years at Marriott International where, at the age of 18, he started as a swimming pool lifeguard.  Dow moved up through the ranks till he led the company’s global sales and marketing functions, notably developing the first hotel loyalty program, which would become Marriott Bonvoy and the related Marriott credit card. And he’s not done yet.

At IPW recently Dow was fêted and his many accomplishments celebrated throughout the conference.
The busy Dow graciously agreed to talk with Travel Industry Today and as always, he was friendly and candid, while also being both tactful and diplomatic.

We wondered what, in all his 17 years at U.S. Travel would he consider was the biggest challenge, aside from the pandemic.

“I think the biggest challenge was to get our government to realize what a powerhouse travel is in the economy. They talk about manufacturing and they talk about (manufacturing) plants and all that. I once said to the mayor of Chicago, ‘You did a big story in the front page of Chicago Tribune about Boeing moving their headquarters. But what Boeing really did, is took six floors on an office building in Chicago. The same year, we (the travel and tourism industry) created 5,000 jobs in Chicago – and you’re talking about 180 people’”.

One of the biggest challenges, Dow said, was to get people to understand the impact of travel and the problem is, that they think of travel as airline tickets, hotel rooms and attraction tickets – they don’t realize that everything that happens – happens when someone first takes a trip.

There are so many sectors involved we asked, “How do you manage to keep them focused on a mutual goal?”

He agreed immediately that keeping that focus was very challenging.

“I think of it like almost like a Venn diagram.” (An illustration that uses circles to show the relationships among things or finite groups of things. Circles that overlap have a commonality while circles that do not overlap do not share those traits. Venn diagrams help to visually represent the similarities and differences between two concepts.)

There are things that the airlines want, he explained, and there are things that the hotels want, and they may not necessarily be the same. Attractions might want somethings even more different, “but there’s that spot in the middle where they all want.” He says – obviously people travelling, people buying what they are offering. And that is gained by an increase in international visitation. It also means getting more workers working together. It’s trying to figure out who really needs what, and “what’s our lane?”

He says he repeatedly tells the various sectors to deal with their own associations such as the American Hotel and Lodging Association, or the National Restaurant Association, to let their own associations worry about factors pertaining to their own sectors.

“We have to say, on that issue, deal with them, not us.”

Though he does admit that occasionally he runs into a situation where they are, “knocking heads because what one part of the industry wants, another one isn’t so sure that’s a good idea for them.”

Regardless, he says, “I want to focus on things that can get more people travelling and come to the United States and I try and stay very pure to that area.”

“How did you get politicians to agree?”

“You build relationships with them,” was the immediate answer. “When I first took this job, they did a profile on me. I think (it was in) a publication called The Hill. It’s political, and they said, ‘What is it like being a lobbyist?’ And I said, “Well, first of all, I’m not a lobbyist.”

He is however, a salesman and he said, “everything in life is sales.”

So, basically he sat down with politicians and got an understanding what was important to them. And was then to be able to encourage them to think, for example, how getting more travel to their State, increasing the number of people visiting, and focusing on what was important to them.

He also stressed the necessity to be apolitical.

“I joke, but it’s not a joke, Nancy Pelosi is a very good friend of mine. And she believes, I think, that maybe I’m a Democrat. Kevin McCarthy, head of Republicans, he’s a good friend of mine. He thinks I’m probably a Republican. So, I try to be non-political and stick to what is the issue.”

We noted that the previous day at the conference, he had deftly fielded a question on gun control, what is his view on social issues?

People wanting his views on social issues, is an ongoing problem.

“I don’t like getting pulled into … social issues, when someone says, okay, what’s your stand on abortion? What’s your stand on guns? That’s not our lane. Now, I know some of these things can disrupt travel – but it’s not our lane. So, I try our darnedest to stay out of those issues and let someone else deal with them.”

On these social issues, he says it’s not just one or two sides, there are several. The challenge for him is not to voice opinions on social issues – that’s for other groups. As for Dow, it’s “just stick to the knitting.”

Do you find it a problem that other parts of the world are beginning to think that the US speaks with a different voice depending on the administration? Is that turning out to be a problem?

“I think it’s more of a problem in the media than it actually is.” He says, though he admits it is certainly what people talk about on television, “but the person who’s thinking of coming to Disney World still wants to come to Disney World. I’ve heard a few people say ‘I’ll never come to your country again’ because of this administration or that administration, but I think if we stick to the value, the experience and what we have to offer, I don’t think it really matters. “

How do we as an industry motivate people? Young people particularly, to come into this industry?

“I think number one, we’re going to have a harder time because what’s happened with the pandemic. A lot of young people have seen their parents lose their jobs. We had 17 million people in the travel industry in January of 2020, in May of 2020, we had eight and a half million unemployed. It was 51%. I looked up the last year… the worst year of the great depression was 1933. The number of Americans out of work was 26%. For this industry, this was two times (that of) the great depression.”

So, now you have young people concerned about the stability of their careers, he says, but he sees a silver lining. U.S. Travel brought the head of the Boys and Girls club in California together to talk about getting people to think about travel. The response was good. He laughs that perhaps he should have been running boys and girls clubs for 20 years.

“We had a reputation being ticket takers and hamburger flippers and you know…” he says, “but our data is really, really good.” He tells us a study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, showed that people who started in the (travel and tourism) industry and spent at least two years in the industry, or have a career in the industry, make more than any other industries over a career, except for financial services which was about a half percent more. Women, 14% more. African Americans, 16% more. Hispanics, 20% more.

“I think the industry moves a little slow for people. But once you get there, it’s a fabulous place to work. So, I think, but we’ve got to start younger. We’ve got to talk about this industry. We’ve got to work with teachers. I’m trying to get a grant from the US government to build a toolkit for teachers to talk about (the industry). Do you want to be a lawyer, a banker, a fireman, a nurse, or a travel professional? That last part isn’t happening anywhere.”

He notes that university and community colleges offer huge opportunities – and not just in travel courses. Business schools and law schools should be talking about the opportunities there are in travel and tourism for students interested in law, finance, business and hotel development.

“There’s a million jobs.” He says, suggesting a change in approach, “if you want to have some more fun in your job and not just do contracts all day – you can be a lawyer in the travel industry. I think we’ve got to change the whole dialogue.”

What do you think is the future of the industry?

“I think it’s extremely bright and I’ll tell you why. I’ve watched it after 9/11, where the headline was, ‘No one will travel overseas again, too risky’. I watched after 2008, the headline was ‘20% of hotels in major cities never to open again’, followed by the 10 biggest years ever. I feel very good. We’re going to have a hiccup. It’s going to get going, but it’s just too big and too important. When I got this job, we were doing 46 million international visitors. 2019, we did 77 million, 30 million more. So, it’s pretty bright, but I think we’ve got to look at things differently. We’ve got to look at work differently. And I think we really have to take a different look at how we approach work and flexibility. Demographics are changing. We Boomers maybe haven’t changed the past – Millennials are different.”

He cites a fairly recent example, “I had two jobs open up (in different departments), and I had two young people that were really, really good. And I went to each of them and said, “Right now, you’re not qualified for this job, okay? But you’re so smart, I will not fill this job for six months. I’ll give you six months to prove yourself and the job is yours, if you improve.”

Both of them came back to him with the same response, “I’m not sure I’m going to accept your offer until you can give me something in writing.” Dow admits he was astounded, saying if somebody had made him the same offer at the same age, he would have “done somersaults” his response would have been, “put me in the game coach, I’ll just do what you want me to do.”

He muses over the change in attitude, “It’s different. A different mentality.”

Dow was not prepared at IPW to discuss his future plans, though he’s not done yet, and when we contacted him this weekend – he certainly made that clear as we now know he will launch an innovative company to address one of the biggest issues in the industry today. (See following story).

At the time of our interview a successor had not been named, and we asked what advice he might have for the new CEO. (It has since been announced that Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the Consumer Brands Association will join U.S. Travel on September 1st)

“My advice to my successor will be – focus on relationships.” It is vitally important to build relationships and get people to trust you he said, adding, “One of the things I think we’ve earned is trust. The administration knows that we’ll poke them if they’re not doing something right, but we’ll also stand up and salute them when they do something right. They begin to get to trust us, and say, okay, these guys are pretty open, fair operators.”

We’ll leave the last word to Carnival Cruise Line President and U.S. Travel National Chair Christine Duffy, in the release announcing that Dow will be honored as the 2022 inductee into U.S. Travel’s Hall of Leaders, “It’s difficult to imagine a more effective advocate for travel today than Roger Dow. His selection to our most distinguished body reflects his countless contributions and our industry’s deep respect and gratitude. As he concludes a celebrated career as head of U.S. Travel and, previously, as a leader of Marriott, his induction honours all that Roger has achieved to advance and guide this industry and its workers.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: Aug. 01-05, 2022

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Canada Jetlines’ inaugural flights have been delayed; France lifts COVID restrictions, but Germany plans for a fall wave; revenue at Air Canada improves; and much more in last week’s round-up.

NEWS

Germany presented plans for new coronavirus measures for the coming fall and winter as it expects virus cases to go up again during the colder season. Among them, wearing masks on planes and during long-distance travel by train and bus will be mandatory from October to early April all over Germany.

The UNWTO’s forward-looking scenarios published in May point to international arrivals reaching 55% to 70% of pre-pandemic levels in 2022. Scenarios by region show Europe and Americas recording the best tourism results so far this year.

BORDERS

Following a new law passed on July 30, France has declared an end to the public health emergency and subsequent exceptional measures put in place at the outset of the COVID pandemic. Similarly, Martinique and Tahiti advise that all COVID-19 restrictions applied to international travellers arriving on the Caribbean and South Pacific islands have been lifted.

BY THE NUMBERS

In June, 15,634 visitors arrived in Hawaii from Canada compared to 19,172 visitors (-18.5%) in June 2019. Visitors from Canada spent $34.4 million, compared to $36.1 million (-4.6%) in June 2019. And daily spending by Canadians increased to $196 p.p. compared to $160 p.p. (+22.5%). Overall, a total of 842,927 visitors arrived in Hawaii in June, representing an 89% recovery from June 2019.

AIR

Canada Jetlines has announced a change to the date of inaugural flights out of Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Winnipeg (YWG) and Moncton, New Brunswick (YQM). The inaugural flights, originally scheduled for Aug. 15, have been tentatively rescheduled for Aug. 29, subject to receipt of final licensing approval.

Air Canada raked in a nearly five-fold revenue increase in its latest quarter but continued to suffer net losses in the hundreds of millions due to a “very challenging” three months, said CEO Mike Rousseau. Nevertheless, the airline boss says he is “encouraged” by the recent improvements.

From July 1 to 31, WestJet completed 97.5% of all scheduled flights, according to flight statistics provided by Cirium. Additionally, 82% of all scheduled and operated flights arrived within 45 minutes of scheduled arrival time.

DEALS

To celebrate its 25th anniversary (Aug. 5), Viking is offering special savings plus up to free international airfare on select river and ocean voyages. The “25th Anniversary Sale” is in effect until the end of the month.

Couples Resorts is celebrating Jamaica’s Diamond Jubilee with a special offer. Travellers that book by Aug. 31 for travel through Dec. 16 will receive their 6th night free, a $60 resort credit and two times the Romance Rewards points.

TOURS

Tourcan Vacations has launched a new on-line booking engine that provides user-friendly access to thousands of flight options, airlines, and price options. The booking engine is accessible through the tour company’s agent portal. For information and registration, click HERE.

A new Explorations tour has been launched by Collette. The 11-day “Montana: Exploring Big Sky Country” excursion includes two full days in Yellowstone National Park, a cruise through the Gates of the Mountains following in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, as well as an overnight at St. Mary Lodge just outside Glacier National Park. Tour participants also have an opportunity to meet with a descendant of the last Kootenai chief while learning about Kootenai traditions and trying out some traditional foods.

HOTELS

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, one of the most iconic heritage properties in Southeast Asia, has reopened its doors to guests on June 1 for the first time in almost three years. First opened in 1932 and widely celebrated as La Grande Dame de Angkor, the hotel has been welcoming discerning travellers and famous faces – from Charlie Chaplin to Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama – to the historic heart of Cambodia for almost 90 years. The hotel underwent a delicate transformation in 2019 with rooms and suites receiving a meticulous facelift before the global pause in travel.

New this summer in the San Francisco, the Sir Francis Drake Hotel has re-opened doors as the Beacon Grand following a renovation and redesign of all public spaces and 418 guestrooms…. Located near San Francisco’s iconic Ferry Building on the Embarcadero, 1 Hotel San Francisco opened on June 1. The 200-room hotel is the city’s first mission-driven hotel that celebrates the beauty of the Bay Area’s natural environment…. The LUMA Hotel San Francisco has opened as the first hotel development in the evolving Mission Bay community.

RESORTS
Labour Day Weekend (Sept. 2-4) will see the return of the Four Seasons Maui Wine & Food Classic  offering guests the opportunity to connect with an all-star lineup of vintners and celebrity chefs, including Wolfgang Puck, Josiah Citrin, and Joachim Splichal. Tickets for events, ranging from US$230 to $930 can be purchased on the resort’s website.

Playa Hotels & Resorts all-new Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya is now available for booking. The all-inclusive 291-room adult resort, featuring “modern hacienda charm,” is nestled in the secluded region of Riviera Maya 10 km. from Playa del Carmen, surrounded by lush mangroves, and set on a long stretch of pure white sand beach. The resort will open Dec. 1.

CRUISE

Marking a major construction milestone, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Vista touched water for the first time last week when it was floated out from dry dock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera (Venice), Italy. The Prima Class vessel will set sail in 2023.

Carnival Cruise Line reports it has reached an important milestone this summer – welcoming three million guests since the restart of guest operations in July 2021. The “banner summer” across the cruise company’s 23 ships comes as the cruise line celebrates its 50th anniversary and at time when pandemic restrictions have largely been removed.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

Every Saturday night from Sept. 17 to Oct. 29, Monsters are taking over LEGOLAND California Resort in San Diego as “Brick-or-Treat” presents the all-new Monster Party children’s Halloween celebration. Guests can dress up and celebrate Halloween with new LEGO® Monster characters, treat stations, not-so-spooky décor, an all-new show lineup, and the release of the exclusive new 4D movie: “The Great Monster Chase!”

FAMS & INCENTIVES

Air Canada, Utah Office of Tourism, and Rocky Mountaineer are partnering on the “Sell Your Way to Utah!” promotion, which will enable four agents to qualify to join an Oct. 22-29 FAM to Utah, including airfare, to join the rail company’s Red Rocks itinerary. Travel professionals will receive one point for each round-trip Air Canada return or open jaw airfare booked to either Denver, Las Vegas or Salt Lake City between Aug. 1 and Sept. 30 and one point for each Rocky Mountaineer passenger booked on the “Rockies to the Red Rocks” rail journey for travel in 2022. One additional point for any Utah land arrangements will also be awarded. Agents must register to participate by Aug. 25 by emailing lara@canuckiwi.com with their details.

EVENTS
Travel Edge Network recently hosted a select group of top advisors, including several from Toronto, and Travel Edge team members on a Silversea Alaskan cruise aboard the Silver Muse (photo). This year’s event not only honoured top overall sales but was expanded to recognize the leading performers by vertical including adoption of preferred suppliers, air, and cruise. Canadians included Brett Carfa (Top Sales Performance/Cruise), Jenny Malka (Top Sales Performance/ Cruise), and Laura Kelly (Rising Star award).

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Explora Journeys, the luxury travel brand of MSC Group, has appointed Patricia Di Benedetto as its Toronto-based Business Relationship Lead in Canada. She was most recently a Strategic Accounts Manager for Royal Caribbean International and has more than 17 years of experience in building retail and hospitality brands.

Sabrina Bernacchia has joined Discover the World in Toronto as national sales manager for German carrier Condor Airlines. Her 30-year career in travel in Canada included nearly two decades at Air Canada Vacations and the past seven years as senior account manager for Air New Zealand. Condor Airlines offers year-round flights from Toronto, and seasonal flights from Vancouver, Halifax, and Whitehorse to Frankfurt and onward to Europe and points beyond.

DESTINATIONS

Tourism Trinidad has launched the Tourism-Oriented Policing Program (TOPS) for police, immigration, customs, and other front-line law enforcement officials in response to “the critical need to ensure that visitors’ first impressions are positive and memorable upon entering our shores.” The aim of the program is to provide security and other port of entry representatives with the requisite knowledge, skills, and attitudes to enhance the image of Destination Trinidad by providing a safe, secure, and enjoyable environment for our international guests.

The World Golf Hall of Fame is leaving Florida and returning to North Carolina, where it will be part of the USGA’s campus at Pinehurst in time for induction ceremonies during the US Open weeks in 2024. The move will involve relocating some of the artifacts that have been on display at the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., which opened in 1998. The visitor experience also will include the USGA museum and its vast library.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 2005, an Air France passenger jet carrying 309 people skidded off the runway in a fierce thunderstorm at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. All on board escaped before the jet burst into flames.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Best Western Takes Off with New Hotel at Bangkok’s Airport

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Best Western Takes Off with New Hotel at Bangkok's Airport - HOTELWORLDS.com - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, August 6, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels and Resorts has reaffirmed its position as one of Thailand’s leading international hotel groups with the opening of a new hotel located close to Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport.

Best Western Nada Don Mueang Airport Hotel is perfectly positioned in North Bangkok, just 15 minutes from the airport and within walking distance of the skytrain, ensuring seamless connectivity for all visitors. This modern midscale hotel features 235 rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant and fantastic facilities for meetings and events, including a 200-guest ballroom and six additional function rooms. Phahonyothin 59 BTS station is just moments away.

With excellent accessibility via the skytrain and elevated expressway, as well as free onsite parking, this hotel is set to become a popular option for business and leisure travelers flying into and out of Don Mueang, as well as local event planners seeking the ideal place to host their next gathering.

This new property will join the global network of Best Western Rewards®, the group’s award-winning guest loyalty program, which offers exclusive member-only benefits at approximately 4,500 hotels and resorts in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide.

The launch of Best Western Nada Don Mueang Airport Hotel reaffirms Best Western’s position as one of the leading hotel operators in Bangkok and reflects the company’s long-term confidence in this dynamic destination. The group now offers its customers a choice of seven properties in the Thai capital, covering six distinct brands: Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Vīb®, SureStay Plus® and SureStay Collection®. The BWH Hotel Group® regional head office for Asia is also located in Bangkok.

“It gives me great pleasure to announce the opening of Best Western Nada Don Mueang Airport Hotel. Prior to the global pandemic, Don Mueang was Thailand’s second busiest airport, handling over 41 million passengers in 2019¹. The home base of low-cost carriers such as Thai AirAsia, Thai Lion Air and Nok Air, this airport is popular with domestic and international passengers visiting the Thai capital. With the launch of our new hotel, travelers now have a comfortable, convenient, and fully connected place to stay,” said Erwann Mahe, Managing Director of International Operations – Asia, BWH Hotel Group.

“This marks our second new hotel opening in Bangkok in the last two months, following the launch of Seekers Finders Rama IV, SureStay Collection by Best Western in June. This rapid expansion underscores our enduring confidence in the future of Thailand’s tourism industry,” he added.

Thailand has now lifted all travel restrictions for international visitors who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, as the country returns to normal following the global pandemic.

About Best Western Hotels and Resorts
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand within the BWH Hotel Group® global network. With 18 brands and approximately 4,500 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*, BWH Hotel Group suits the needs of developers and guests in every market. Brands include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, Aiden®, Sadie®, BW Premier Collection® and BW Signature Collection®. Through acquisition, WorldHotelsTM Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Distinctive and WorldHotels Crafted collections are also offered. Completing the portfolio are SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, SureStay Collection®, and SureStay Studio® franchises**.

* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Hilton Introduces First Global Brand Platform

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Hilton Introduces First Global Brand Platform - HOTELWORLDS.com - TRAVELINDEXMcLean, VA, United States, August 6, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Inspired by global consumer insights, Hilton proves the stay is the crucial element that can make or break any trip through its new advertising campaign, “It Matters Where You Stay”. Hilton is shaking up hotel marketing and advertising with the announcement of its first global brand platform that identifies what has been missing from hotel marketing – the hotel stay.

”Hilton. For the Stay” places the hotel front and center, elevating the role and importance of the stay at a time when lodging advertising is a sea of sameness, featuring overused destinations, cliché walks on the beach and generic descriptions of travel.

Hilton is debuting “It Matters Where You Stay,” a new advertising campaign to introduce the platform, using humor to push against some of the common but unspoken pitfalls of travel, boldly poking fun at what can go wrong when booking or on a trip. The campaign also features the multi-faceted businesswoman and philanthropist Paris Hilton, who grew up living in and staying in numerous Hilton hotels across the world, which gave her a unique exposure to the hotel business early on. Her role in the campaign is inspired in part by the legacy of her family, whose belief in the power of travel and the hotel stay to connect people and cultures continues to motivate Hilton team members around the world today.

In addition to Paris, renowned actor Catherine O’Hara lends her voice to the campaign, with TV commercials first airing in the U.S. on July 25 and audio rolling out shortly thereafter.

“Today, as we make company history with Hilton’s first brand platform, we’re reminding guests that at the heart of a great trip is a great stay and that it’s just different when that stay is with Hilton,” said Mark Weinstein, chief marketing officer, Hilton. “As we enter this next era of travel, it has never been more important to consider where you stay – and Hilton is uniquely committed to making sure your stay is everything you need it to be.”

Hilton and TBWAChiatDay New York, Hilton’s agency since 2017, used TBWA’s Disruption methodology to architect the bold new vision, born from the insight the hospitality industry has become almost entirely focused on the destination, not the stay itself. Consumer research uncovered “the Stay,” and being cared for, are the crucial elements that can make or break any trip. So, Hilton is doubling down on its new brand platform to prove to its guests that truly, “it matters where you stay.” The platform will permeate nearly every consumer touchpoint, from broad-reaching consumer advertising through the travel planning process and the guests’ stay with Hilton, as well as post-stay.

“With ‘Hilton. For the Stay,’ we are more fully connecting our external customer marketing to our purpose – staking our rightful claim that Hilton owns the Stay,” said Weinstein. “The idea of the Stay was incredibly natural to Hilton, and yet no one else was talking about it. As others tout the generic virtues of travel, minimize the role of the hotel and the hotel team members, and romanticize the destination, through our platform and the campaign it inspires, we’re reminding travelers that ‘It Matters Where You Stay’ and boldly affirming ‘Hilton. For the Stay.’”

“IT MATTERS WHERE YOU STAY” CAMPAIGN

The advertising creative has a fun, relatable tone in which Hilton breaks from the formulaic approach seen across the industry, highlighting the benefits Hilton offers to make guests feel cared for – from amazing service and pet-friendly travel to the choices available in the Hilton Honors app to skip the front desk and personalize your stay, to Confirmed Connecting Rooms by Hilton and more.

In one of the featured TV spots, “Haunted,” the brand pokes fun at what can go wrong when booking a vacation rental – depicting a family showing up to a hilariously creepy property that wasn’t exactly as advertised.

“Confirmed Together” zeroes in on a unique Hilton feature that addresses a very real pain point of family travel, the importance of securing connected rooms at the time of booking. And in “Extra Storage,” Paris Hilton has an innovative solution for her extra luggage.

The campaign includes television, audio, social media, print, and out of home, spanning 13 commercials and bespoke social executions. It will launch first in the U.S. followed closely by the U.K. and select Asia-Pacific and Middle East markets. Hilton tapped a world-class creative team to bring this global campaign to life, including A-list commercial director Matt Aselton of Arts & Sciences.

To extend the brand platform, Hilton will lean into social media, experiential and influencers. Across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Twitter, Hilton will engage in an already robust conversation around travel and trip disasters by helping travelers have a better stay – whether planning for a future trip or helping rescue a trip that has gone off the rails. Hilton has also partnered with familiar voices on social media to bring “Hilton. For the Stay” to life.

“In developing the campaign, we were inspired by showing the realness of travel; the tensions, the hardships, the too-high expectations. It goes against convention in the hospitality category and it’s an exciting space for the brand to own,” said Amy Ferguson, chief creative officer, TBWAChiatDay New York.

For more than 100 years, Hilton has been a pioneer in the hospitality industry, and that has never been more evident than the past two years. “Hilton. For the Stay” encompasses the brand’s world-class hospitality; from innovations such as Digital Key Share, Confirmed Connecting Rooms, early confirmation of upgraded rooms for Hilton Honors members and through thoughtful service, proving out that it matters where you stay.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

THE WORLD’S BEST RESTAURANT: Copenhagen establishment cops top spot

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Sorry, Canada, none of The World’s Best 50 Restaurants are in this country; nor are there in any of the next 50, which are also curiously listed in the respected annual collection. That said, gourmands will have to travel to Copenhagen to sample this year’s No. 1 establishment: Geranium.

The Danish eatery, led by chef Rasmus Kofoed, took over top spot from Noma (which nevertheless was elevated to the Best of the Best hall of fame) after placing second last year.

This year, Geranium is joined in the top three by Central (No. 2) in Lima, Peru, and Disfrutar (No. 3) in Barcelona, Spain. Pujol (No. 5) in Mexico City was named The Best Restaurant in North America spot for the third time.

Recently unveiled at an awards ceremony in London hosted by actor Stanley Tucci, the 2022 list includes restaurants from 24 territories in five continents worldwide and introduces 12 restaurants making their debut, along with two returning as re-entries.

The 20th annual list is designed to shine spotlight on hospitality establishments worldwide and is created by a gender-balanced voting panel comprising 1,080 independent authorities in the world of gastronomy, from renowned international chefs and food journalists to travelling gastronomes.

Notably this year, South America and Asia were recognized as culinary powerhouses, with eight and seven restaurants on the list respectively.

As for the world No. 1, the panel noted, “Geranium’s mission is to create food that awakens the senses, and Chef Kofoed’s meticulous cooking and incredible vision, including his recent decision to go meatless, have won accolades and fans worldwide.”

William Drew, Director of Content for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, added, ” Kofoed, Søren Ledet and their team have created an unforgettable dining experience, taking seasonal cooking to superlative heights and delivering precise, beautiful and elegant food that combines art and flavour alongside a ground-breaking drinks program. Geranium has cemented its status as a global culinary destination and a much-deserved winner of the coveted title.”

Other awards include:

• René Frank of Coda, Berlin, receives The World’s Best Pastry Chef Award
• The Beronia World’s Best Sommelier Award is presented to Josep Roca, sommelier of El Celler de Can Roca, in a new award for 2022
• Aponiente in El Puerto de Santa Maria wins the Flor de Caña Sustainable Restaurant Award
• Uliassi (No. 12) in Senigallia takes homes the Highest New Entry Award
• Nobelhart & Schmutzig (No. 17) is awarded the Villa Massa Highest Climber Award, as the Berlin restaurant climbs 28 places from the 2021 list
• Atomix (No. 33) in New York wins the Gin Mare Art of Hospitality Award, and,
• Estrella Damm Chefs’ Choice Award goes to Jorge Vallejo of Quintonil in Mexico City.

Best of the Best

Meanwhile, an elite group of former No.1 ranked restaurants (listed below) were inducted into the Best of the Best hall of fame, thereby rendering them ineligible for voting on the 2022 and beyond. They include:

• El Bulli (2002, 2006-09)
• The French Laundry (2003-04)
• The Fat Duck (2005)
• Noma – original location (2010-12, 2014)
• El Celler de Can Roca (2013, 2015)
• Osteria Francescana (2016, 2018)
• Eleven Madison Park (2017)
• Mirazur (2019)
• Noma – current location (2021)

Check out the 2022 list below:

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

LISTENING IN: Seger song shows you never can tell

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I’ve always loved Bob Seger, but oddly my favourite song – outside of “Night Moves” naturally – is probably the least Seger-like song in the Detroit rocker’s catalogue, “C’est La Vie” (or as it is perhaps better known, the “Pulp Fiction” dance song). That’s probably because – fun fact – the tune was actually composed by Chuck Berry, albeit with the title “You Never Can Tell.”

Like many, I wasn’t familiar with the song, never mind Seger’s version, which appeared on his 1994 greatest hits album (though it was previously unreleased), until hearing it filmmaker Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece, which came out the same year.

And what a debut! – the song, with its French new-wave verve, providing the perfect soundtrack to the legendary “twist contest” dance scene with Uma Thurman and John Travolta (move over Gene Kelly!).

Not unlike Tom Cruise’s iconic performance of Seger’s “Old Time Rock and Roll” in “Risky Business,” Pulp propelled C’est La Vie into a hit, and ultimately an all-time Seger classic, though never without the accompanying inner image of a ponytailed Travolta drawing his fingers across his eyes in a sideways V motion.

Typically, we’d offer a clip of Seger doing the song, but C’est La Vie is so inextricably linked to the Thurman-Tarantino dance number that we feel obliged to link that clip instead.

Lyrics

It was a teenage wedding and the old folks wished ’em well
You could see that Pierre did truly love the mademoiselle
And now the young monsieur and madam have rung the chapel bell
C’est la vie say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell

They finished off an apartment with a two-room Roebuck sale
The coolerator was jammed with TV dinners and ginger ale
And when Pierre found work, the little money comin’ worked out well
C’est la vie say the old folks it goes to show you never can tell

They had a hi-fi phono, boy did they let it blast
Seven hundred little records, all blues, rock, rhythm, and jazz
But when the sun went down, the volume went down as well
C’est la vie say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell

They bought a souped-up jitney, it was a cherry red ’53
And drove it down to New Orleans to celebrate their anniversary
It was there where Pierre was wedded to the lovely mademoiselle
C’est la vie say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell

They had a teenage wedding and the old folks wished ’em well
You could see that Pierre did truly love the mademoiselle
And now the young monsieur and madam have rung the chapel bell
C’est la vie say the old folks, it goes to show you never can tell

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

World Gourmet Festival Returns to Bangkok

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World Gourmet Festival Returns to Bangkok - TOP25RESTAUNTS.com - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, August 5, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Bangkok’s most prominent and longest-running international culinary event, World Gourmet Festival returns to the City of Angels to gather award-winning Master Chefs under one roof for a weeklong celebration of outstanding food paired with superb wines in an environment that fosters free exchange of ideas.

Held from the 6th to 11th September 2022 at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, the festival promises an extraordinary line-up of some of the world’s best chefs who will showcase their distinctive styles at one of the capital’s most exclusive addresses. Nine acclaimed chefs from the Netherlands, France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Thailand with four Michelin stars between them will present an international culinary extravaganza:

– Peter Gast: Graphite in Amsterdam, Netherlands (1 Michelin star)
– Davide Caranchini: Materia in Como, Italy (1 Michelin star)
– Nicolas Isnard: Auberge de la Charme in Prenois, France (1 Michelin star)
– Amerigo Sesti: J’AIME by Jean-Michel Lorain in Bangkok, Thailand (1 Michelin star)
– Christian Martena: Clara in Bangkok, Thailand
– Sugio Yamaguchi: Botanique in Paris, France
– Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam: Baan Tepa in Bangkok, Thailand
– Claire Clark: Pretty Sweet in London, the United Kingdom
– Sutakon Suwannachot: Chocolatier Boutique Café in Bangkok, Thailand

The proceedings will kick off with a glittering gala dinner on the 6th of September held at Anantara Siam’s ballroom giving guests a taste of what’s to come during the festival: exquisite starters from Sugio Yamaguchi and Peter Gast, mains from Nicolas Isnard and Davide Caranchini, dessert from Claire Clark and petit four from Anupong Nualchawee, Anantara Siam’s Executive Pastry Chef. The experience is open to the public and tickets are available for THB 8,500++ for a five-course meal including wine pairings.

During the festival, each chef will host between two to three exclusive dinners in the hotel’s award-winning Biscotti, Madison, Spice Market, Guilty and Shintaro restaurants, while English master pâtissier Claire Clark, rightfully considered one of the world’s best pastry chefs, and Bangkok’s own Sutakon Suwannachot of the MasterChef Thailand and Top Chef Thailand Dessert fame will be showcasing their refined confectionery in the Lobby Lounge throughout the week.

At Guilty restaurant, Anantara Siam’s brand-new dining and entertainment venue, celebrated chef Peter Gast will host three dinners on the 8th, 9th and 10th of September inviting food lovers to experience exquisite flavours that earned his speakeasy-style restaurant Graphite in Amsterdam a Michelin star.

At Biscotti, Christian Martena of Bangkok’s Clara restaurant will be serving up a veritable Italian feast on the 7th and 8th of September, followed by two more nights of Italian extravaganza courtesy of Davide Caranchi named Best Italian Young Chef 2018 by L’Espresso restaurant guide and whose restaurant Materia made it into the ‘50 Best Discovery’ collection by the World’s 50 Best.

At Madison steakhouse, Nicolas Isnard will give two dinners, on the 7th and 8th, showing the foodie crowd why, at 27, he was awarded the notable “Young Talent” award by the Gault Millau guide. On the 9th and 10th of September, the Madison kitchen will be taken over by another culinary star, Amerigo Sesti. Having earned his stripes at Jean-Michel Lorain’s celebrated Côte Saint Jacques, he is now heading the kitchen at J’AIME by Jean-Michel Lorain, one of Bangkok’s top restaurants.

Lovers of French cuisine will find an unmissable offering at Shintaro, where Sugio Yamaguchi will be recreating the spirit and flavours of France’s Lyon region on the 8th, 9th and 10th of September.

At Spice Market, Chudaree “Tam” Debhakam, the youngest chef to ever compete in Top Chef Thailand, will be serving up authentic Thai dishes on the 8th, 9th and 10th.

As has become a tradition in recent years, the exclusive fringe events will return, including the hugely popular World Gourmet Brunch on Sunday, 11th September 2022. Designed to appeal to both aspiring chefs and professionals alike, daily cooking classes by all the visiting chefs will offer a unique opportunity to learn new techniques, as well as sampling specially prepared dishes from the chefs’ World Gourmet Festival repertoire and a wine master class on 7th.

The 22nd World Gourmet Festival is a proud supporter of Foundation for the Welfare of Rajavithi-Girls’ Home Under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali. THB 600 per dinner ticket sold and proceeds from the auctions, which take place throughout the festival, will be donated to the Fund.

Reservations for the 22nd World Gourmet Festival at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel are essential and can be made by visiting www.worldgourmetfestival.asia, where detailed information and prices of all the events are available, or email: wgf.asia@anantara.com or telephone +66 2 126 8866.

Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel’s Amazing World Gourmet Festival accommodation package offers gourmands a sumptuous opportunity to experience an extraordinary international culinary feast by some of the world’s best chefs in the heart of one of the world’s most enigmatic capital cities. Starting from THB 16,000++ per room per night, this special offer includes accommodation for two, a sumptuous daily buffet breakfast, and a table for two at a guest chef’s dinner each night of the stay period.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 15 to Reopen

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Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 15 to Reopen - TRAVELINDEXMarriott International’s Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 15 today unveils its special ‘Earn Eat Enjoy’ offer allowing guests to kick back and enjoy Bangkok longer at this Sukhumvit 15 hotel with exclusive rates and more benefits.

Take advantage of ‘Earn Eat Enjoy’ offer to experience everything that Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 15 has to offer, including a complimentary breakfast, generous hotel credit, and much more. Available from now until 30 September 2022 for stays until 31 December 2022, the starting rate is from THB 3,900++ for a night in deluxe room with breakfast, THB 500 hotel credit per night and 1,500 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points per stay, further terms and conditions may apply.

Conveniently located next to the BTS Asok Skytrain, Sukhumvit Metro Station and the famous Terminal 21 shopping mall within 5 minutes walking distance, Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 15 provides 268 comfy and affordable rooms and suites, enhanced with various restaurants and bars, swimming pool, gym and simple pleasures in life, including feel-good food, complimentary Wi-Fi and the promise of a great night’s sleep with great value and in stylish comfort.

To book this special offer, please  call 02 309 3000

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News