Global Travel News

WHAT WAS HE THINKING?:

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As United Airlines cancelled thousands of July 4th weekend flights, leaving passengers stranded in airports around the country for days, airline CEO Scott Kirby, with an inexplicable lack of judgement and no thought as to the optics or consequences, reportedly chartered a private jet from Teterboro, New Jersey, to Denver. He did this on Wednesday, the same day United cancelled 750 flights — one-quarter of the day’s schedule – not including flights on United Express. Kirby apologized Friday, saying “It was insensitive to our customers waiting to get home.” No kidding.

One wonders why Kirby didn’t think to check out United’s hub at Newark International (less than 18 miles from Teterboro, Airport), before he climbed aboard his jet. Likely he couldn’t have done anything, but having the CEO show up would have provided tremendous encouragement for his beleaguered staff, and while any passengers who recognised him might well have challenged him, he would surely have gained their respect for at least having the, shall we say, “nerve,” to face them.

In a statement issued by the airline, Kirby said, “I sincerely apologize to our customers and our team members who have been working around-the-clock for several days — often through severe weather — to take care of our customers.”

Kirby promised, “to better demonstrate my respect for the dedication of our team members and the loyalty of our customers.”

United cancelled nearly 3,000 flights last week, by far the largest number at Newark Liberty International in New Jersey, which was hit by thunderstorms for much of the week.

Kirby initially claimed the cancelled flights left United planes and crews out of position, causing problems because of Sunday’s bad weather. He also blamed the disruptions on a shortage of Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers and in a note to employees complained, “that the FAA frankly failed us” by reducing the rate at which planes could arrive and depart the airport, where United is the dominant carrier.

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, whose department includes the FAA, took to Twitter to counter that claim, noting that that airlines had recovered from the storms “with the exception of United.” He also included a graph that compared United’s cancellation rate with the rest of the industry.

Chicago-based United said it did not pay for the CEO’s flight on Wednesday. The airline declined to say whether Kirby frequently takes private planes.

United said it was giving travellers affected by the mass flight disruptions 30,000 MileagePlus miles.
Meanwhile, there were 15,567 flight delays in and out of the US on Saturday and Sunday and a total of 905 flights were cancelled. As of Monday morning over 100 flights were already cancelled and delays were at 1,007 and climbing, according to FlightAware.
More severe weather was anticipated for at least 15 states from the Northeast and mid-Atlantic to the Southeast on Monday following a day of storms. In addition to air traffic, the weather is impacting road traffic along the Interstate 95 corridor. The highly trafficked route is threatened of strong winds, hail and possibly a tornado.

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: June 26-30, 2023

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While there was more air travel disruptions in US last week, and smoke got in our eyes here at home, emerging Canadian travel stats continued to be positive, while car rental rates news was less so. Also in the news: A welcome new flight to Ottawa, launch news for Porter, and a surprise departure from Lynx.

NEWS

Following a chaotic week of delays due to weather and other issues, flights in the US could be disrupted further this week because some planes lack updated equipment to prevent interference from transmissions by wireless companies, which are now allowed to boost their C-Band, 5G signals. The warning was issued by US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg in a letter to the trade group Airlines for America, warning that only planes retrofitted with the right equipment will be allowed to land when visibility is poor, such as during bad weather.

Strong demand and supply-side issues will push up car rental rates in North America and other regions of the world during the next year, according to American Express Global Business Travel (GBT), with the travel management company projecting year-on-year car rental rate hikes of 5 percent in Canada and the US. Rates will also jump in Germany (7%), the UK (6.5%) and France (5%) for the 12-month period ending in March 2024, forecasts GBT.

As air quality in many Canadian and US cities hit dubious new levels – including Toronto having rated the worst air quality in the world – NASA reported that that smoke from wildfires in northern Quebec had reached Europe. The American space agency said satellite imagery showed smoke extending across the North Atlantic Ocean to the Iberian Peninsula, France, and other parts of western Europe. NASA says that air quality in Europe has not deteriorated to the extent seen in Canada because of the height of the smoke in the atmosphere.

BY THE NUMBERS

New figures from Statistics Canada show Canadians are taking more trips outside the country this year compared with 2022, but travel hasn’t yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. The agency says Canadians residents took 875,900 return trips overseas in April, up 23.6% from the same month in 2022. In comparison, the federal statistics agency says Canadians took 1.2 million trips abroad in April 2019, before the pandemic. Canadian travel across the border to the United States is also on the rise: 3.2 million trips in April, up 53.4% from the number of trips taken in April 2022, representing 83.7% of the level from the same month in 2019.

AIR

Air France inaugurated its new five-times-weekly non-stop flight between Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Ottawa, making the carrier the only company to operate direct flights between the capital and Europe. With the arrival of arrival of flight AF 328 on Tuesday, Ottawa became Air France’s fifth Canadian destination after Montreal (since 1950), Toronto (1976), Vancouver (2015) and Quebec City (2022).

Porter Airlines’ newest route with its Embraer E195-E2 aircraft is between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and St. John’s International Airport (YYT). Service begins Sept. 7, with one daily non-stop roundtrip flight. The route will also connect Porter’s east coast network to its new west coast destinations via Toronto Pearson, including Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg.

Meanwhile, Porter continues to expand its presence in Western Canada with the addition of Victoria to its network. Flights between Toronto Pearson (YYZ) and YYJ will start Sept. 20 with one daily roundtrip flight.

Non-stop, year-round service between Toronto and Yellowknife will be launched by Air Canada in December. The new, three-times weekly service will provide convenient connections between eastern Canada and the capital of the Northwest Territories. Customers will also be able to seamlessly connect onward from Yellowknife on Air Canada’s interline partner, Canadian North.

DEALS

Travel counsellors can help their clients lock in savings of up to $400 per pair with Sunwing’s limited time offer on early winter bookings to sought-after sun destinations. Available through July 12 for departures Nov. 1 to April 30, the incentive applies to packages to Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Antigua and more, while agents earn STAR Agent Rewards Points that convert to cash on all vacation bookings made during this time.

TOURS

New Canadian travel company Dinosaur Trips, which offers group departures and tailor-made private itineraries across the globe centred around dinosaur digs, discoveries, experts, and access into the world of our prehistoric planet through dinosaurs, is offering the unique “Pickaxes & Pitchforks ’23,” a five-day city expedition from July 19-23 that combines Chicago’s exceptional paleontology centres – including the renowned Field Museum – with the top curated music festival going: the Pitchfork Music Festival at Union Park. For full itinerary and details, plus upcoming excursions, click HERE.

Travellers will be able to “double the fun” with Globus in 2024, with the tour operator saying it is offering twice the number of included excursions than the typical tour. That includes 12 “Choice Tours” across Europe and North America – eight of which are new for 2024 – plus two or three days of included YourChoice excursion options. “From nature walks and flamenco stomps to boat cruises and wine flights, the options are endless and included in the package price,” says Globus’ Ainsley Erickson, who adds that the feature is a great selling point for advisors, who can earn an average of $1,000 commission on each Choice Touring by Globus booking.”

HOTELS

Iconic Graycliff Hotel, in The Bahamas (photo), is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023. Originally constructed in 1740 as the private residence of Captain John Howard Graysmith, Graycliff is located in the heart of Nassau, and now boasts 20 luxurious guest rooms and suites, award-winning restaurant, and renowned cigar-making factory. In honour of its milestone, the hotel has planned a series of events and initiatives that include Special Anniversary Packages with perks such as spa treatments, private tours, and exclusive tastings; and producing a series of limited-edition cigars, each of which is hand-crafted using a unique blend of tobacco and aged for five years.

At Everglades National Park, the all-new Flamingo Lodge & Restaurant is slated to open early this fall, featuring 24 units with kitchenettes including studios and one- and two-bedroom suites fronting Florida Bay. The park’s fully renovated (and pink) Visitor Center – with interactive exhibits, a gift shop and expansive views overlooking Florida Bay – is also scheduled to open in fall. The lodge is located about a 50-minute drive from the park’s entrance in Homestead, Fla.

RESORTS

Fond Doux Eco Resort in St. Lucia, a certified organic estate and a Green Globe-certified property, is offering 40% off clients’ stays, plus complimentary breakfast and the educational “Taste of Fond Doux Tour,” a guided experience during which visitors get to taste some of the fresh, tasty fruits the plantation produces. The incentive is valid through Sept. 30 for travel until Dec. 21.

In Barbados, O2 Beach Club & Spa’s new Proposal Concierge program features an array of amorous offerings such as a ‘bubble on the beach’ dinner for two, personal photographer, a violinist, customized dessert surprise, and a free night towards the couple’s next stay. Beyond the on-property arrangements, the professional and discreet team at O2 have partnered with local jewelry company, Diamonds International Barbados to provide guests with special access to their Exclusive Crown of Light & D Diamond Jewelry, as well as personalized shopping support (virtual or in-person) to make the proposal extra special.

CRUISE

A powerhouse line up of speakers for the Seabourn Conversations program during the cruise line’s summer and fall 2023 seasons. Designed to enlighten, inform, and entertain guests, the complimentary onboard enrichment program offers guests the chance to interact with some of the finest minds in science, history, culture and dining. Scheduled speakers include Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak; Royal Butler Grant Harrold; former head of MI5, Dame Stella Rimington; Michelin Star Chef Robert Thompson; and more. The conversations will take place on Seabourn voyages between June and November 2023.

The UNWTO is working with the MSC Foundation to deliver a series of sustainability-related education courses on board the MSC Euribia cruise ship. The initiative builds on the success of the first Global Youth Tourism Summit, held in Sorrento, Italy, in 2022, and will see the creation of the MSC Foundation Youth Lab, a specially equipped venue on the advanced new eco-ship. The program will deliver 12 daily two-hour activity sessions on key subjects ranging from ocean health, recycling and climate change to sustainable tourism and social media, all focused on the “sustainability challenge”. The activities have been designed to leave youth free to learn, create and express themselves according to their interests and ideas for the future.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

SeaWorld has opened a massive new aquatic life park in the Abu Dhabi, its first outside the United States. The US$1.2-billion venture features the world’s largest aquarium and a cylindrical LED screen. The new facility gives the Orlando, Fla.-based company a foothold in a fast-growing international tourism destination and for the United Arab Emirates – home to the world’s tallest skyscraper, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi – yet another major tourist attraction.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

The luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group, Explora Journeys, wants to recognize and reward travel advisors who have embraced the brand “from the start” by booking at least one cruise during the brand’s inaugural year of operation. Agents who do so will be awarded “Pioneer” status and will receive an invitation for two to join a complimentary Educational Insider First Look journey between July 17 and May 31, 2024, as well as access to Explora Journeys’ Travel Advisor Fares for personal travel.

EVENTS

Delegates at Travel Market Place, Toronto

Following its successful event in Vancouver in March, Travel Market Place welcomed over 600 attendees, including 425 agents and 80 suppliers in Toronto late last month at its largest event yet. Delegates took part in two days of comprehensive panels, workshops, receptions, and trade show, highlighting the latest news and trends in the industry, as well helpful insights and selling tips from industry and supplier experts. Next year’s events will be held at the Parq Vancouver on March 5 and 6 and Delta Hotel in Toronto, June 25-26.

VoX International in collaboration with several Caribbean tourist boards and hotel groups, are organizing a new event for meeting and incentive planners – Caribbean ConnEX Canada, set to take place in Toronto on Nov. 1. The event is designed bring together Caribbean suppliers and Canadian MICE planners to promote travel to the Caribbean. Contact events@voxinternational.com for details.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Lynx Air says president and CEO Merren McArthur is stepping down for personal reasons. The Calgary-based airline says its founding CEO will continue in the role until the end of September to allow time to find her replacement. Lynx Air says McArthur led the airline to its first flight launch in April 2022, and through a successful first year of operations.

DESTINATIONS

More than two dozen Trans Canada Trail sections have been accessibility-mapped and added to the AccessNow app, available on the Apple app store and Google Play. Trans Canada Trail’s Accessibility Mapping Program, started in 2020 to share information and improve accessibility on the Trail, works with trail users with disabilities to collect and disseminate information through AccessNow technology. Trail users in 54 communities, across every province and territory, can now obtain accessibility information for at least one trail in their area.

An Amsterdam museum that severed ties with St. Petersburg’s Hermitage collection after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine last year has been renamed and on Monday announced partnerships with renowned galleries in London, Paris and Washington, DC. Starting in September, the Hermitage Amsterdam will be called H’ART Museum. It has established partnerships with the British Museum, Centre Pompidou and the Smithsonian American Art Museum to bring art to the historic building on the banks of the Dutch capital’s Amstel River.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1914, the era of airplane food began when a full meal with wines was served during a trial flight of a Russian-built airliner from Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) to Kyiv.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Cost of Faking a Smile

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The Cost of Faking a Smile - PolyU Hong KongPerhaps surprisingly, the smiles that greet you upon arrival at a hotel might not be genuine. A positive, welcoming demeanour is part of the job description for housekeeping, front desk, and restaurant workers, whose smiles, moods, and emotions are distinguishing features of the hospitality sector. But when frontline employees have to fake it, what strategies do they use? Eye-opening new work from researchers Dr Deniz Kucukusta and Ms Yoo Jin Lim of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has revealed more about the emotional labour strategies adopted by frontline workers to counter the emotional dissonance experienced when their expressed and felt emotions do not match. Their novel findings show that suppressing or hiding internal feelings can be detrimental to employees and reduce their intention to remain their role, which has clear managerial and practical implications.

Frontline employees who interact directly with customers are also delivering a “product”. To be sure, customer interaction, satisfaction, and loyalty, hinge on frontline employees’ ability to display organisationally accepted positive emotions, which is a form of “emotional labour”. “Emotional labour takes the form of displaying fake or genuine feelings toward customers”, explain the authors. These emotional “products” are designed to enhance customers’ emotions and moods during service encounters. Yet for employees, excessive emotional labour can lead to burnout, poor job performance, low job satisfaction, and a strong intention to leave one’s job.

Putting on a positive, welcoming demeanour becomes far more taxing – and the emotional labour more intense – when employees’ authentic feelings do not match the emotions they display. This is known as “emotional dissonance”, which can lead to emotional exhaustion and burnout further down the line. It is therefore a major priority to understand the strategies used to cope with emotional dissonance. Namely, the researchers investigated the adoption of “surface acting”, “deep acting” and “genuine acting” strategies by frontline hotel workers in Hong Kong.

Surface acting involves simply hiding internal feelings and displaying fake emotions during customer interactions, which means that felt emotional dissonance remains. Deep acting occurs when employees actually suppress and modify their internal feelings to align with the moods required of them. This reduces emotional dissonance but might require more emotional labour. Finally, the emotional strategy of genuine acting refers to the display of sincere and actual feelings. “Because it does not involve fake emotions, employees tend not to experience emotive dissonance in their work role when engaged in genuine acting”, explain the researchers.

The modern generational groups are known as Baby Boomers (1946–1961), Generation X (1965–1981), and Generation Y, or “Millennials” (from 1981). The personalities, values, beliefs and even work habits of each generation have been shaped by environmental, political and economic realities, which means that their adoption of emotional labour strategies might also differ. Given that most of the working world comprises members of Generation X and Generation Y, the researchers focused on these two groups. They made specific predictions regarding preferred emotional labour styles based on the documented characteristics of each generation. “By understanding how employees of different generations with different values react to and cope with emotive dissonance”, say the researchers, “managers will be able to offer the right mitigation solutions to the right employees”.

Whilst Generation X and Generation Y have been found to share work values and to similarly relish personal growth opportunities, Generation Y members have been characterised as having comparatively high self-esteem and low work engagement. For this reason, the authors hypothesised that “Generation Y members have a higher tendency to practice surface acting and deep acting”, and that “Generation X employees are experienced workers, so are more likely to practice deep acting and genuine acting”. If so, they expected emotional dissonance and its effects to be stronger among members of Generation Y than Generation X.

The decision to engage in surface acting, deep acting or genuine acting may also depend on a variety of demographic characteristics. For example, women have been found to more successfully communicate happiness and suppress anger in the workplace than men, which corresponds to deep acting. “Older employees are more likely to control their emotions and display them appropriately, using genuine acting rather than surface acting”, add the authors. Therefore, the researchers also considered how frontline workers’ gender, years of work experience, monthly salary and the hotel service standards they are expected to uphold affect their use of surface acting, deep acting and genuine acting.

Adopting a data-driven approach, the authors asked frontline employees from seven hotels in Hong Kong to complete a two-part questionnaire. Of the 192 participants, 58.3% belonged to Generation Y and 41.7% to Generation X. The first part of the questionnaire collected demographic information, such as age, gender, and monthly salary. The second part of the questionnaire collected information on the respondents’ use of surface acting, genuine acting and deep acting, as well as their sense of emotional dissonance. Using these data, the researchers were able to study the preferred or default emotional labour states adopted by two different generational groups working in three-, four-, and five- star hotels.

For both generations, frontline employees who adopted surface acting had a lower intention to stay in their job. This suggests that surface acting is more labour-intensive and leads to more emotional dissonance and internal conflict. In contrast, genuine acting (expressing sincere feelings about one’s role) increased employees’ intention to remain with the organisation. The authors therefore recommend that employees adopt genuine acting over surface and deep acting to reduce emotional burnout and turnover rate. “The most effective acting state”, they say, “is to act with heartfelt and sincere emotions”.

As predicted, Generation X employees tended to express genuine emotions more than did Generation Y employees, who more often engaged in surface acting and deep acting. This suggests “that Generation Y members may experience higher levels of emotional burnout and intention to leave their job”, say the researchers. However, Generation X members still reported feeling emotional dissonance. In addition, the use of genuine acting versus surface acting was affected by years of work experience – perhaps corresponding to age – and gender.

To minimise the effects of emotional labour, the researchers suggest that managers should help employees to understand the concept of emotional intelligence and encourage them to discuss their feelings. They recommend providing employees with tailored emotional intelligence training according to generational differences in the use of emotional labour states. This might increase involvement at work, reduce emotional burnout and enhance job satisfaction.

This innovative research acknowledges the burden commonly felt by frontline hotel employees, whose warm, positive manner during customer interactions can come at the expense of their own mental and physical resources. Most strikingly, this research offers hotel managers generation-based information that could be used to improve working conditions, turnover and human resource policies. “By understanding how employees of different generations with different values react to and cope with emotive dissonance, managers will be able to offer the right mitigation solutions to the right employees”, conclude the authors.

Whilst steps can be taken by managers to reduce the negative impacts of internal conflicts in their employees and care for their existing workforce, the most effective way to increase employees’ intention to stay is that they express their own, authentic feelings. “This underlines the importance of selecting the right employees for the hospitality industry”, say the researchers. These results could therefore also prove extremely useful for hotel management in the process of recruiting new frontline hotel staff.

Kucukusta, Deniz and Lim, Yoo Jin (2022). Emotional Labor of Frontline Employees: Generational Differences and Intention to Stay. Journal of China Tourism Research, Vol. 18, Issue 3, 472-494.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Meliá Chiang Mai Sweeps Awards for Best Interior Design

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Meliá Chiang Mai Sweeps Awards for Best Interior Design - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25HOTELS.comChiang Mai, Thailand, July 3, 2023 /  TRAVELINDEX / Meliá Chiang Mai brought home two coveted accolades last week when it won “Best Hotel Lobby Interior – Thailand” and “Best Hotel Spa Interior – Thailand” at the prestigious Asia Pacific Property Awards 2023.

Hosted annually by the International Property Awards, and judged by a panel of more than 100 industry experts, Meliá Chiang Mai, which celebrated its grand opening just 16 months ago, scooped two of the leading interior design prizes in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We are honoured to receive such international recognition,” said Meliá Chiang Mai General Manager Mr Marc Selinger. “So much of the credit goes to our interior designers, PIA Interior, who have masterfully contributed to what is truly a landmark hotel here in the heart of Chiang Mai.”

Lead designer on the project, Mr. Songsak Rungkiattiwong of PIA Interior, said he and his team are “incredibly proud” to have won the awards.

“We embarked on a mission to rejuvenate one of Chiang Mai’s most iconic hotels, previously known as Pornping Tower Hotel, which has stood the test of time for nearly 50 years,” he said. “The hotel’s rich history inspired us to infuse the refurbishment process with an element of fun. My vision was to breathe new life into the space.

“In the Lobby, our welcoming space draws inspiration from various sources. The symbol of fortune takes centre stage, incorporating elements from the spiritual journey of Wat Umong. Additionally, we have incorporated the charm of tung, a symbol of good fortune, and the lanterns of the Yi Peng light festival. These elements come together to create an immersive experience that sets the tone for the guests’ journey of discovery in Chiang Mai.”

The lobby’s aesthetic centrepiece is undoubtedly the tung sai moo to which Mr Songsak referred, an objet d’art which sits in the centre of the foyer. Its shape will be familiar with many visitors who have experienced the wet and wonderful Songkran festival in Chiang Mai, at which colourful tung flags are on display at almost every Buddhist temple. In this instance, the tung is encased in a solid silver chat, the symbolic umbrella that sits atop temples throughout Thailand, offering protection.

Above the tung art piece is a ceiling designed with celestial silk Chinese lanterns, or kom, often identified with the Loy Kratong festival. Meanwhile, the walls surrounding the spacious interior of the lobby are lined with teakwood panels, all engraved with the geometric patterns woven by the region’s hilltribe peoples.

Leading downstairs from the lobby lies the YHI Spa and its seven treatment rooms. With a cool ambience suggestive of an underwater theme, the mazey corridors of the spa pay homage to another Chiang Mai landmark, the ancient Wat Umong or Tunnel Temple, with its arched low doorways seeming to burrow deeper into a blissful netherworld of Thai massage and aromatherapy treatments.

“For the Spa, the inspiration struck me during an evening walk at Tha Phae Gate [in Chiang Mai], where I witnessed the captivating contrast between the deep twilight sky and the brick walls of the city gate,” Mr Songsak recalled. “Drawing from this experience, the spa’s layout was intentionally designed to evoke a sense of peace and tranquillity.”

Towering over the city’s famous NIght Bazaar and the Ping River, this 260-key hotel is arguably the freshest addition to the Chiang Mai skyline in years. Its jewel in the crown is the rooftop bar Mai The Sky Bar – the highest in the city – sitting majestically on the 22nd floor, and with a glass bridge commanding 360-degree views as far as the eye can see.

Facilities at the resort include Meliá’s signature YHI Spa, a fully equipped fitness centre, swimming pool, ballroom, a kids’ club, and three restaurants with a dedicated focus on Mediterranean and Lanna (Northern Thai) cuisines.

Owned by Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group Asset World Corporation (AWC) and launched by Spanish hotel group Meliá Hotels International (MHI), Meliá Chiang Mai is the first five-star hotel to debut in Chiang Mai since the onset of the global pandemic.

The group has recently developed luxury properties in several key destinations in Thailand, beginning with the launch of Meliá Koh Samui in January 2020, and closely followed by the opening of Meliá Phuket Mai Khao on the Andaman coast.

PIA Interior is also working on the latest Meliá hotel in the country, the 33-storey INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit,, which is due to celebrate its grand opening in the Thai capital next month.

Meliá Chiang Mai also won an award this month presented by Australian travel magazine Holidays With Kids, in which it was named No 10 in the Thailand’s Best Family Resorts category for 2023.

About Asset World Corp Public Company Limited
Asset World Corp Public Company Limited is a holding company under TCC Group operating leading integrated lifestyle property development in Thailand. The company has two main businesses consisting of the Hospitality business managed by top hotel executives of world-renowned hotel brands such as Marriott, The Luxury Collection, Okura, Banyan Tree, Hilton, and Sheraton and Retail, Wholesale and Commercial properties whose projects include 1) Retail and Wholesale including lifestyle travel destinations, community shopping malls, community markets, and wholesale business real estate. Popular real estate projects consist of ASIATIQUE the Riverfront Destination, Gateway at Bangsue, AEC Trade Center – Pantip Wholesale Destination, and Tawanna Bangkapi and 2) Commercial buildings including the famous Empire Tower and Athenee Tower located in Bangkok’s central business district.

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Meliá has 125 hotels in Europe (57), America (19), Cuba (15), Africa (5) and Asia (29). We are present in 31 countries and currently have 24 hotels under development in 10 countries. At Meliá Hotels & Resorts, we stand out for our unique Spanish style in the hospitality industry and for our warmth, closeness and passion for service. This means that we offer our guests a unique wellness experience. Our Spanish warmth and spontaneity are part of our Mediterranean roots and are always present in the Meliá experience. An experience that is enriched by providing thoughtful extra services. Paying attention to the smallest details and providing personalized experiences for each guest. We see wellness from an innovative perspective. It is not wellness applied only to nutrition or wellness services, it is 360º wellness. The wellness we want to convey is global. You can find it in all aspects of the brand from different perspectives: physical wellness, spiritual wellness, leisure wellness, social wellness, occupational wellness, environmental wellness, financial wellness and nutritional wellness.

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has a portfolio of more than 400 hotels (portfolio and pipeline), throughout more than 40 countries, and 10 brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, The Meliá Collection, ME by Meliá, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Falcon’s Resorts by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and Affiliated by Meliá. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company worldwide, according to the last S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, and it is also a “Top Employer 2023” brand in Spain, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Italy and Germany. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Discover Wah Lok Dish of the Month Steamed Live Korean Abalone

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Discover Wah Lok Dish of the Month Steamed Live Korean Abalone - TOP25RESTAURANTS.comWah Lok Cantonese Restaurant at Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit is delighted to introduce a new Dish of the Month. From July to August 2023, indulge in Steamed Live Korean Abalone with Glass Noodles and Minced Garlic in Soya Sauce.

Our Executive Chinese Chef, Lam Kok Weng, highlights the delicate sweetness of this abalone.

Known for its firm and chewy texture, Korean Abalone is a rare delicacy that offers a unique and satisfying dining experience.

Korean Abalone is rich in essential fatty acids, calcium, iron, selenium, magnesium and is an excellent source of vitamins E, A, K, and B12.

THB 1,200++ per dish

Available from 1 July – 31 August 2023

Wah Lok Cantonese Restaurant

Level 2, Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit

Lunch: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm

Dinner: 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm

Wah Lok is featured in TOP25 Restaurants Bangkok

For more information or to make reservations, please contact 02 090 7888 or email Fbreservations@carltonhotel.co.th

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Holiday Inn Siracha Laemchabang and Hampton Sriracha to Launch MICE Showcase

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Holiday Inn Siracha Laemchabang and Hampton Sriracha to Launch MICE Showcase - TRAVELINDEXHoliday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang in Siracha part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, joined forces with Hampton Sriracha to proudly present their inaugural Open House MICE Showcase during 24-25 June 2023. The hotel’s prestigious Grand Ballroom served as the backdrop for this notable event, which assembled almost 100 corporate entities to explore exceptional meeting and event services firsthand.

The showcase spotlighted the remarkable facilities situated on the hotel’s 6th floor, featuring a versatile ballroom and various breakout rooms. These facilities demonstrated their adaptability and readiness to accommodate a wide array of events, from intimate gatherings to larger scale events for up to 300 attendees.

‘Siracha stands not only as a convenient gateway to Bangkok and Rayong, but as a central hub for both staycations and MICE tourism. We at the Holiday Inn are committed to not just meeting these needs, but exceeding them. Equipped with exceptional service, readiness, and a passion for innovation, we aim to elevate the standard for MICE and leisure stays on the Eastern Seaboard, catering to both domestic and international guests with excellence.’ said Preecha Yarangwong, GM, Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang

In addition, attendees of the Open House were given a sneak peek of the lavish accommodations available at Hampton Sriracha, situated within One Origin and just five minutes from the hotel. These accommodations range from studio rooms to one- and two-bedroom suites, all complemented by exclusive amenities and breathtaking sea views. Nestled in the heart of Siracha, Hampton Sriracha is ideally situated adjacent to shopping malls, hospitals, and attractions. It offers tranquil, five-star serviced residences, with rental prices starting from THB 15,000 per month. For further details, please visit https://lin.ee/ABEbxQr.

‘Our readiness to participate in this initiative is underpinned by our commitment to provide top-notch serviced residence facilities. We aim to be the preferred accommodation choice for guests on the Eastern Seaboard, whether they’re here for meetings or extended stays.’ Peenita Silapasuwan, Managing Director, Hampton Hotel & Residence Management Co., Ltd said

The event was a lively day filled with activities, including team building exercises, hotel inspections, and the introduction of special offers from both Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang and Hampton Sriracha.

The 347-room Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang has announced its latest promotion, the ‘One-Two Getaway’. When booking a standard room at THB 2,999 net per night, guests are entitled to a second night’s stay for a mere 1 Baht. Including breakfast for two, this offer is available from July 1-31, and reservations can be made via social media, email, or phone, requiring at least a 3-day advance notice.

Furthermore, the hotel’s MICE offerings include fully equipped meeting rooms, ideal for both social and professional occasions. Accommodating small meeting groups from 10 persons up to larger assemblies of 350 guests, meeting packages start from THB 1,500 net.

For further information and promotional updates from Holiday Inn & Suites Siracha Laemchabang, interested parties can contact 033 251 699

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

New Summit to Galvanise Policies on Culture and Heritage in Tourism

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New Summit to Galvanise Policies on Culture and Heritage in Tourism - TRAVELINDEXEarly bird registrations are only available to 7 July for the new annual global leadership summit on culture and heritage in tourism

A dynamic new leadership summit will grapple with major challenges and opportunities of culture and heritage in tourism. Event organiser, the World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage, invites stakeholders to make their voices heard at the new annual summit, the first of which takes place in Valencia, Spain, 24-25 September.

A list of respected high-level speakers from national government organisations, lending institutions, heritage organisations, tourism departments, local communities, academia, and private sector representatives will convene for a day and a half in Valencia. They will focus on creating viable businesses and building better livelihoods for people living in heritage communities connected to tourism.

The aim of the summit is to better conserve and promote responsible cultural and heritage tourism around the world – and for tourism to be the protector of the world’s culture and heritage.

Key sessions include the case for investment in heritage destinations, balancing tourism growth with heritage conservation, the latest global trends in cultural and heritage in tourism, better capacity building, training and education. There will be a session when anyone in the delegation can contribute.

The World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH) will present the Summit with host organisation Visit Valencia in the heart of Valencia, Spain – Europe’s Green Capital 2024.

“We believe that focused efforts can improve the lives and wellbeing of local communities and custodians through better implementation of best practices,” said Nigel Fell, CEO of WTACH.

A sample of the stellar line-up of international guest speakers already confirmed includes:

Rajan Data – BBC, London as Key Moderator, Dawn Drew – Summit MC, Global Tourism Destination Specialist – New York; Anne Grady – Senior Advisor to the European Parliament – Brussels; Imad Barrakad, Chairman SMIT (Morocco Agency for Tourism Development) – Rabat, Morocco; Bruce Poon Tip – Founder G Adventures, Toronto, Karl Burrows – Head of Maori Tourism Development – Tourism New Zealand – Auckland; Debbie Flynn – Managing Partner and Global Practice Leader – Finn Partners – London; Emma Nardi – President, International Council of Museums (ICOM) – Rome; Judy Kepher-Gona, Founder, Sustainable Travel & Tourism Agenda – Nairobi; Scott Wayne – President – SWA Development – Sustainable Destinations – Washington DC; Nada Hosking – National Geographic Explorer & Social Impact Leader – Austin, Texas; Miguel Angel Perez – Brands & Markets Director, Visit Valencia, Valencia.

WTACH Chairman, Chris Flynn, said the Global Leadership Summit programme has been designed to attract representatives from governments, tourism boards, leading private sector decision makers, tour operators, corporate sponsors, community representatives, NGOs, media and others.

“With the summit theme ‘Celebrating our Past – Securing our Future,’ our programme encourages attendees to contribute to new directions, priorities and attitudes towards culture and heritage in tourism,” said Flynn.

While the summit formally concludes on the evening of 25 September, there will be optional training on the morning of the 26th for culture and heritage tourism practitioners. Spaces are limited to 25.

An early bird registration for the event is only available until 7 July. Visit https://wtachgls.com.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Bon Pan Asian Tapas, a Cozy Tapas Izakaya in Patong, Phuket

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Bon Pan Asian Tapas, a Cozy Tapas Izakaya in Patong, Phuket - TOP25RESTAURANTS.comLocated in the bustling Patong district of Phuket, BON Pan Asian Tapas sends guests on a diverse culinary journey highlighting the wide array of cuisine which Asia has to offer. With an elegantly designed interior and upbeat music, the dining room sets the perfect backdrop for a cuisine bursting with flavours. The new summer menu allows guests to delight in great sharing plates with freshness and quality of ingredients being the common theme amongst the new selection.

The menu at BON is separated into distinct categories with guests invited to make a large selection and share amongst themselves:

Start Fresh – guests are treated to the freshest fish sliced in front of their very eyes as they are able to sit up at the counter and marvel at the chef’s working. The current highlight are the Fine de Claire No1 oyster served in two ways: the first is fresh on the shell where diners can enjoy this imported French delicacy in the simplest way with a dash of lemon or pepper if required. The second offered by our chef is to serve in a tempura: opened, battered and fried within seconds of each other. Here the quality of ingredient matched with the expert technique delivers the most flavoursome delight.

Yakitori – a Yakitori grill like no other is offered at BON Pan Asian Tapas, on a grill imported directly from Japan is filled with the finest Binchotan charcoal and onto it goes a wide array of skewers grilled ‘a la minute’. As BON highlights the cuisine from across Asia, different options include Korean Octopus, Spiced Beef Tongue, Malaysian Beef or the signature and mainstay of the menu is the Chinese Lamb. The lamb skewer is prepared by marinating New Zealand lamb shoulder with cumin and Sichuan pepper overnight before it is lightly grilled to give a delicious mouthful.

Otsunami – the term Otsunami is Japanese and simply translates to as small plates to enjoy with a drink and that is exactly what has been designed within this section. Small sharing plates, such as the Spicy Tuna Volcano – here on a crispy rice cake tuna is freshly mixed with chili, mustard and spring onion which once again shows that matching high-quality ingredients and well-mastered techniques is a recipe for success and delicious bites. Another favourite is the coconut chicken karaage, here the traditional Japanese preparation of frying local reared chicken thighs and they are served on a bed of a fresh mint chutney using a classic Indian recipe.

Donburi & Chirashi – this section of the menu offers guests another chance to try the highest quality of fish simply sliced and served on beds of rice. However what really makes this section special is the Soy-Glazed Eggplant Donburi, which as a vegan dish boasts some of the largest flavours on the menu. The eggplant is glazed in a spicy soy sauce & garlic sauce before being placed on top of the warm rice and finished with sesame, and a soy sauce chili reduction completes the dish.

Mains – a real treat for diners is the signature of Chef Charlie, Pork Belly Kakuni. Here the pork belly has been slow braised for over eighteen hours to ensure the softest of textures before being glazed in a hot pan with a pork reduction to enhance the flavours and give a small crunch to the outside. The pork is served on a bed of velvety scrambled eggs which serve as the perfect accompaniment for the tenderest of cuts.

Desserts – for those with a little room to finish off with they can enjoy the Pandan Crème Brulee. Here the French classic dessert is given a modern touch with the addition of pandan which gives a slightly herbal finish and reduces the overall sugar content – something to make sure you save space for.

BON PAN ASIAN TAPAS

A warm and cozy tapas izakaya serving the very best Asian comfort food – a blend of cultures across Asia, from yakitori to ramen, from sashimi to wagyu beef binchoton grill, right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Patong, Phuket Island

📍124/4 Rat-U-Thid 200 Phi Road, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150 (Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong)

📧 Bontapas.phuket@laromegroup.com

📞 +66 (0)65 239  2777

🌐 https://en.laromegroup.com/bontapas

⏰ Open everyday from 5pm

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Summer Menu at L’Arome by the Sea the French Fine Dining Restaurant with Sea Views

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Summer Menu at L’Arome by the Sea the French Fine Dining Restaurant with Sea Views - TOP25RESTAURANTS.comOn June 21st 2023, L’ARÔME BY THE SEA, led by Executive Chef Yannick Hollenstein, is delighted to present the new summer menu. Coinciding with the Summer Solstice and the official first day of summer, Chef Yannick has created a menu which celebrates seasonality, champions local and features the most luxurious imported ingredients.

Upon sitting down in the dining room, inspired by the Andaman coastline with light and dark blues, guests are served their first bite, an exciting taster of things to come. Served in an oyster shell, a nage of imported French oyster and local clams is topped with a potato crisp painted to imitate the oyster shell. Further canapes including a black rice and caviar tart are served and one can savour the first taste of Chef Yannick’s Swiss heritage – a butter pretzel served alongside cauliflower royale, topped with locally caught Phuket lobster.

The Prestige Menu, which is priced at 4,500 THB ++ per person, takes diners on a gastronomic journey which is delightfully supported by the oenological selections of Head Sommelier, Mario Sirignano. Mario offers his wine pairing in two formats: four glasses (3,000 thb++ or six (4,000 thb ++). The menu offers a choice for three of the seven courses and features the best seasonal ingredients served in the contemporary French style which has become a signature of Chef Yannick.

The first choice for diners is either the Yellow-fin tuna which is home-smoked with coconut husk or the wild Carabineros shrimps served with Chiang Mai leaves and sourdough croutons. Next up guests can enjoy the Octopus from Racha Yai Island served with Chaing Mai heirloom tomatoes or could opt for a French classic of pan-seared foie gras served alongside Phuket pineapple.

To follow diners are treated to imported specialities such as Brittany Cod enhanced by the addition of market fresh local clams. Another nod to Switzerland comes in the form of the Spätzle, a small dumpling pasta with a roasted onion puree which is topped with a fondue of Le Doi Pao, a Thai-made Swiss-style cheese – here the option of fresh Australian Summer Truffle makes for an exciting supplement.

For the main course there are two options: either the main-stay of the L’Arôme menu – Aged Rayong duck, served this season alongside beetroot and Thai cherries, or melt-in-your-mouth A3 Wagyu from Saithama prefecture in Japan accompanied by  different textures of sweetcorn.

To complete their journey, guests refresh their palate with iced Thai basil before delighting in the Phuket Dark Chocolate composition with candied nuts and textures of ganache. Here Chef Yannick has sourced an 75% dark chocolate from Muang Mai Plantation, served as a sponge, mousse, granite, sorbet and disk – providing a mouthwatering finale to a menu bursting with summer treats.

This menu will be served from  June 21st until the 19th September.

__________________

L’ARÔME BY THE SEA

Contemporary 🇫🇷 Cuisine Inspired By The Sea

📍247 Phrabarami Road, Pa Tong, Kathu, Phuket, Thaïland

📧 larome.phuket@laromegroup.com

📞 +66 (0)65 239 2111

🌐 https://en.laromegroup.com/laromebythesea

⏰ Open everyday from 4pm to 11pm

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Seizing Aviation Opportunities to Grow Tourism, the SA Tourism Story

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Seizing Aviation Opportunities to Grow Tourism, the SA Tourism Story - TRAVELINDEX - AIRLINEHUB.comAddis Ababa, Ethiopia, July 2, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / In the last few years, the African tourism industry has seen growth not only in international arrivals, but most importantly, also in an incredible airlift to the continent from the source markets.

While the growth is not the desired numbers for the continent, it is nevertheless good progress to talk about.

With African destinations showing positive signs of recovery, as captured in the latest UNWTO Barometer – which indicated that 88 per cent of the pre-Covid figures recovered only 2 percent shy of the benchmarking Europe region – the development posits well for the region’s tourism recovery.

However, the recovery is still not commensurate with the access and airlift to the countries. According to IATA, Africa accounts for 18% of the global population, but just 2.1% of air transport activities (combined cargo and passenger).

One of the issues, which Africa needs to address urgently, is the need for joined-up thinking between aviation, tourism, and the economy as a whole. Airports are often seen as an easy fix – a convenient source of income – for governments, rather than being seen as an enabler of tourism that benefits the economy and trade.

The tourism sector as we know it and has been pontificated by experts, academics and many stakeholders, can only function at an optimum level through collaboration and partnership. Anything short of that will only deliver short-term results.

It is now a growing trend that aside from the last-minute invitations issued by the aviation authorities/ government imperative to have key parastatals line up to welcome new aircraft to destinations, there are almost no efforts by many Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) to make the case for the inherent part of tourism and aviation planning, and to lobby airlines to choose their respective destinations.

For a region whose tourist/business arrivals are almost 70 per cent by air, one will think the slightest opportunity available will see managers of the various destinations engage, plan, and understand the route development of their destinations.

In this instance, the small island states (SIDs) like the Seychelles have an enviable record of a strong working relationship with the aviation stakeholders to attract and ensure the airlines stay, which means ensuring the destination is accessible and inadvertently competitive.

South African Tourism, the national marketing agency for tourism in South Africa, has more than shown not just the will but instituted measures to drive projects, which has seen them engage airlines, C-level aviation professionals and airports – to see more access to the rainbow nation.

These initiatives are further seen with a continent-eye view to grow travel in and out of Africa. South Africa receives more than 70% of arrivals from the rest of the African continent.

SA Tourism has in the last 5-10 years been an active participant in aviation-centred events and engaging the critical stakeholders to see how they continue opening up the destination to their source markets. Particular mention of this active participation has seen it taking on a DMO front role at the AviaDev Africa conference, which has been held in the country three times.

The agency has been consistent with not just participation but rallying all the provinces to see the immense value in being proactive around air access.

Speaking on the need for synergy between the aviation and tourism industries at the IATA Focus Africa Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nomasonto Ndlovu, Acting Chief Executive Officer, of South Africa Tourism, noted that such collaboration, particularly in her country, would boost efforts at making South Africa an attractive destination on the African continent.

“It was quite interesting that the conference was attended by airlines, aircraft manufacturers, airports companies, travel agencies, and other aviation specialists and experts, but the DMOs were missing in action yet they are an important part of the aviation sector,” she observed.

At the IATA conference, the SA Tourism acting CEO hinted at the need to develop the African aviation sector, which she said is very critical for the growth and development of the African tourism sector and contribution to the growth of African economies.

It is fair to mention that the Western Cape’s lead with the Wesgro Air Access programme has seen some domino effect, and delivered incredible access from the key source markets to the Cape Town International Airport. In its last report, the province reported an encouraging 15 African airlines now having direct access from the beautiful Mother City. At the recently held AviaDev conference, there was Durban Direct, another SA province, leading and joining the aviation stakeholders to convince them to see the value in putting them on the map of the tourism world.

You can market and have all the fanciful campaigns to make your destination top of mind but a single difficulty in accessing the destination will be a huge disincentive for the would-be traveller.

It is worth mentioning that in the last two years, SA Tourism has used any opportunity it has through its activations to make aviation a must-feature. At this year’s Meetings Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba, the two Pan-African trade shows featured an airline pavilion. For the first time, they also hosted sessions dedicated to aviation including an exploration of their services and products available to spur tourism.

Generally, the tourism industry we know in many African destinations is suffering from inadequate financing as they are seen as a non-priority sector, but if DMOs can make that step by being part of the aviation engagement it will go a long way to not only creating access to their source markets but through the partnership, help shape the campaigns the airlines and airport companies embark on.

It will also give the industry some wonderful insights into the potential of markets and their power to change tact.

It is time for DMOs in Africa to take the lead and be the change needed to make destinations a desired bucket list for tourists or business travellers.

First published at VoyagesAfriq

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News