Global Travel News

Albanian Prime Minister Welcomes UNWTO Leadership

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Albanian Prime Minister Welcomes UNWTO Leadership - TRAVELINDEXTirana, Albania, April 6, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili has met with His Excellency Edi Rama, Prime Minister of Albania, to explore shared priorities for boosting tourism’s role in economic development and social opportunity.

On his first official visit to Albania, Secretary-General Pololikashvili reaffirmed his vision for a tourism transformed around the priorities of jobs, education and investments, and met both Prime Minister Rama and from Minister of Tourism Mirela Kumbaro to explore common goals and potential areas of greater collaboration. In the area of investments, the two parties identified the possibility of producing a new set of Investment Guidelines for Albania with the aim of supporting tourism projects focused on sustainability.

UNWTO will continue to work closely with Albania to ensure the enormous potential is fully realized both here and across the wider region

Advancing a shared commitment to youth empowerment through tourism, Prime Minister Rama joined the Secretary-General in presenting certificates of participation to the Albanian delegation at the first UNWTO Global Youth Tourism Summit held last year. The With Mayor of Tirana Eeion Veliaj, the UNWTO leadership discussed the opportunities of innovation and smart tourism, against the backdrop of ‘Tumo Piramide’, one of the biggest startup hubs in the Balkans. The Secretary-General Pololikashvili confirmed UNWTO’s interest in working with the Government and Albanian innovators to boost innovation across the wider region.

Tourism delivering for Albanian people

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “I am extremely pleased to be in Albania and witness the Government embracing tourism as and economic and development driver to offer a brighter future for people in both cities and rural areas. UNWTO will continue to work closely with Albania to ensure the enormous potential is fully realized both here and across the wider region.”

Secretary-General Pololikashvil also commended the Albanian Government for their strong support for the sector, both during and the pandemic and as tourism recovers. Albania enjoyed one of the strongest increases in international tourist arrivals in the region, outperforming all the European Union countries in 2022 with a 19% rise in visitors.

UNWTO to join Sustainability Forum

The high-level UNWTO delegation will also join tourism leaders from across the region for the Future of Environmental and Sustainable Tourism in Albania (FESTA, Tirana, 3-5 April). Themed “Harnessing the power of South Eastern Europe through regional cooperation in tourism”, UNWTO will emphasize the vital importance of jobs, education and investment to build a more sustainable and inclusive tourism sector.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Jim Thompson Launches New Collection under Artists In Residence Campaign

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Jim Thompson Launches New Collection under Artists In Residence Campaign - TRAVELINDEX - VISITTHAILAND.netBangkok, Thailand, April 6, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Part of the Artists In Residence campaign, the Jim Thompson X Nakrob Moonmanas collection features men’s and women’s wear in linen and silk, as well as a line of accessories in printed canvas. The launch event, which includes a fashion show and artist talk, takes place at the Jim Thompson Art Center. Jim Thompson, the iconic global lifestyle brand from Thailand, is proud to announce the launch of its second collection under the Artists In Residence campaign. This 2023 collection is a collaboration between Jim Thompson and Nakrob Moonmanas, the famous Thai collage artist and illustrator.

The Jim Thompson X Nakrob Moonmanas collection is the second collection under this campaign, and is inspired by antiques and fine arts from various eras on display at the Jim Thompson House Museum. The collection features men’s and women’s wear in linen and silk and includes a line of accessories in printed canvas.

Nakrob Moonmanas’ distinctive work invites limitless interpretation. By masterfully blending elements of local history and culture, Moonmanas creates striking compositions with a modern aesthetic. His upbringing in the heart of old city Bangkok, amidst bustling streets, ancient temples, contrasting architecture, and royal palaces, has shaped his passion and artistic vision. This unique blend of influences has led to a complex relationship with his cultural roots, which is vividly reflected in his artwork. He brings this energy to this latest Jim Thompson Collection.

Says, Nunnapat Verojanavat, Marketing Director of Jim Thompson, “The Artists In Residence initiative offers an exceptional opportunity for three renowned Thai artists to create their individual collections in collaboration with Jim Thompson. Perfectly timed to coincide with the vibrant Songkran celebrations, these exclusive collections beautifully capture the spirit of the festival through unique designs, intricate patterns, and trendy styles. By blending traditional elements with contemporary fashion sensibilities, the Artists In Residence campaign creates a stunning showcase that highlights the talent and innovation of Thai artists and designers. Not only will this year’s collection – Jim Thompson X Nakrob Moonmanas – pay homage to the exhilarating fun of Songkran, but it will also serve as a testament to the immense creativity and ingenuity within Thailand’s flourishing fashion industry.”

For this collection Nakrob Moonmanas takes inspiration from the antiques and fine arts on display at the Jim Thompson House Museum. In particular, the Brahmachat picture book as well as illustrations, engravings, drawing and sketches by foreign travellers who visited the kingdom, capturing aspects of Ayutthaya, such as its architecture, people, culture, and daily life in their art.

These artworks motivated Nakrob Moonmanas to develop a captivating, central print for the collection that is a symbolic bridge uniting the East and the West, and connecting the realms of reality and fantasy. In addition, the print encompasses elements of Siamese-American history, such as the journey of the Siamese twins. These historical aspects are interwoven with cosmic and space exploration themes, reflecting the transformative global movement that occurred during the time Jim Thompson settled into his cherished Thai home. Consequently, the artist invites the viewer to embark on an exploration of diverse universes through this visually striking and thought-provoking collection.

Regarding the inspiration and ideas behind the new collection, Nakrob Moonmanas said, “I wanted to create a print that would transport people to another world, a world that combines different eras and cultures. The print represents a connection between the east and the west, the past and the future, and the real and the imaginary. I believe that this collection will inspire people to explore their imagination and creativity.”

The printing process for this collection is unique and symbolic too. The printing is done using the batik technique, where wax is used to block the dye from penetrating the fabric. The process creates a unique texture and pattern that is different for each piece.

The impactful men’s and women’s wear lines are built around the understated monochrome print in blue and red. The women’s collection is highlighted by the batwing sleeve dress, sleeveless maxi dress, and the signature zip fisherman pants. Tops feature a sleeveless mandarin collar shirt and a boxy shirt. For men, there is the choice of a Hawaiian-style linen shirt or a half-sleeve silk, slim-fit collar shirt, as well as cotton tees and fisherman pants. The unisex canvas beach bags and reversible bucket hat are given a sense of drama through the addition of a bold, colourful print. Like the monochrome print, this one too, straddles fantasy and reality and the east and the west.

The launch event on April 4th will feature a fashion show with models showcasing the new collection. At the event Nakrob Moonmanas will also speak about his inspiration and the designs he has created. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase the new collection at Jim Thompson Iconic Store located next door at the Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter and meet the artist.

Jim Thompson and Nakrob Moonmanas invite you to visit the Jim Thompson stores and experience the new unique collection.

About Jim Thompson
No brand spells heritage like Jim Thompson, the Thai Silk Company founded in 1951by James H.W. Thompson, an art collector, a socialite, and an entrepreneur who has been famously recognized as the driving force behind the revival of the Thailand’s silk industry. Jim Thompson’s disappearance remains the largest mystery in South East Asia until today. Today, Jim Thompson is the iconic global lifestyle brand from Thailand with a reputation for beautiful silks and “Beyond Silk”.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Dusit Hotels and Resorts Makes its Grand Debut in Europe

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Dusit Hotels and Resorts Makes its Grand Debut in Europe - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25HOTELS.comAthens, Greece, April 5, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The first Dusit-branded property in Europe features 36 elegant rooms in one of the most spacious upscale properties in Glyfada, an affluent Athens suburb renowned for its stunning beaches, upscale shops, and vibrant nightlife. Dusit Hotels and Resorts, under Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has continued its global expansion with the opening of Dusit Suites Athens – the first Dusit-branded property in Europe – in Greece’s stunning capital.

Bringing Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, Dusit Suites Athens puts guests in the heart of Glyfada, a picturesque suburb in the Athens Riviera renowned for its beautiful sandy shores, vibrant shopping and dining scene, trendy bars and cafes, and great location just 30 minutes by car from the city centre and only 20 minutes from Athens International Airport.

Set over four floors and offering stunning views of the sea and distant mountains, the luxury low-rise property is designed to meet the needs of business and leisure travellers seeking a highly comfortable base for short or extended stays.

Decorated with inspiring artworks and featuring high-end fixtures and fittings, each well-appointed suite boasts a private balcony, a king-size bedroom, a living room or seating area with kitchenette, and a marble bathroom with a walk-in rain shower. The larger suites also have a bathtub and plush sofa bed ideal for guests with children.

Alongside Dusit’s highly personalised service, guests will find a wide range of five-star facilities to enhance their stay. This includes, amongst others, a stylish rooftop Mediterranean restaurant and bar with a stunning panoramic sea view called O Live; a distinctive pan-Asian restaurant named DAO; a heated Vitality Pool with adjoining sauna and steam room; and a signature Namm Spa, with six elegant treatment rooms. All guests receive one complimentary massage treatment per stay.

Designed to become must-visit destinations for food lovers, the hotel’s restaurants work with top local suppliers to source the finest and freshest ingredients, and they aim to delight the eyes as well as the palate with exquisite presentation and atmosphere. A carefully curated selection of the finest Greek wines adds to their distinct appeal.

Dusit Suites Athens’ location in the heart of Glyfada, close to the beach and marina, is another major draw. Numerous bistros, bars, cafes, and shops are all within walking distance from the property, and trips to nearby attractions, such as Piraeus Port, Glyfada Golf Course, Lake Vouliagmeni, the world-renowned Acropolis Museum, and other iconic sites, can be easily arranged, with recommendations from Dusit’s expert concierges.

“We are delighted to bring Dusit Hotels and Resorts’ Thai-inspired, gracious hospitality to Athens, Greece, and officially make our debut in Europe,” said Mr Gilles Cretallaz, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “With its gorgeous rooms, atmospheric restaurants, bespoke wellness offerings, excellent location, and exceptional service, we are confident that Dusit Suites Athens will leave guests with lasting memories and a deep appreciation for the community we serve. This is another significant milestone in our journey for global expansion, and we look forward to making this beautiful property a resounding success as we continue to open doors to new destinations in the months ahead.”

Dusit’s property portfolio spans 16 countries and comprises 48 hotels operating under Dusit Hotels and Resorts and more than 300 luxury villas under Elite Havens. More than 60 Dusit Hotels and Resorts are in the pipeline worldwide.

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 seven brands (Dusit Thani, Dusit Devarana, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, Dusit Suites, 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.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PATA and Visa’s Workers Programme Concludes in Bali

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PATA and Visa's Workers Programme Concludes in Bali - TRAVELINDEX - VISITBALI.orgBangkok, Thailand, April 4, 2023 / TRAVELIDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Visa are delighted to announce the completion of the Informal Workers Programme in Bali, Indonesia. The programme was created in 2021 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support one of the most important – but often overlooked – stakeholders in the tourism industry: the informal workers. Having been successfully implemented in Bangkok, Thailand, PATA and Visa came together to expand the programme in another important destination in Southeast Asia: Indonesia.

The programme took place in Bali throughout March, and April and will continue in Jakarta in May. On International Women’s Day, March 8th, the first capacity building session began in Bali, at Kedonganan Beach, south of the island. The session was attended by 24 informal workers, including street food sellers, freelance photographers, parking attendants and fishermen. Participants learned about basic principles of service delivery, cross-cultural communication, and health and safety standards.

In the following days, the informal workers received training on business skills, financial management, business marketing and communication. They also learned the basics of mobile photography to better promote their services and products online.

The Informal Workers Programme in Indonesia is developed by PATA and Visa and implemented by our valuable member Wise Steps Consulting. Wise Steps is a consulting firm that works on national and regional projects to support sustainable development and responsible tourism.

According to PATA Chair Peter Semone, “We are delighted to be collaborating with Wise Steps again following the successful development and implementation of the Tourism Destination Resilience Programme. PATA sees great value in building the capacity of informal workers in Indonesia and across the Pacific Asia Region. After all, tourism is everybody’s business and with improved skills, livelihoods of marginalized people can grow.”

About the training programme in Bali, Riko Abdurrahman, Country Manager, Indonesia at Visa, adds, “Visa is proud to provide digital literacy and financial education specifically tailored to the needs of informal tourism workers, such as tour guides and transport drivers, who are an integral part of Bali’s tourism industry. As travel and tourism continue to accelerate post-COVID-19, our partnership with PATA will help enable individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive and deliver on our purpose to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.”

Pavnesh Kumar, PATA’s Sustainability and Social Responsibility Programme Head, who attended the programme in Bali, noted, “We are very excited to be able to assist in the recovery of the tourism sector in Bali by empowering these crucial players in the industry, which are the informal workers. It is also great to see that despite all challenges faced during this time, the informal workers are enthusiastic about learning new skills and reinventing themselves for the post-COVID tourism era.”

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, which includes government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism of the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing and London.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Find Your Sunshine and Save 35% with Best Western’s Summer Days Sale

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Find Your Sunshine and Save 35% with Best Western's Summer Days Sale - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, April 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels and Resorts is helping every guest to discover their ultimate summer vacation in 2023, with a bright and sunny new promotion that offers generous discounts in dream destinations all across Asia.

Under the “Summer Days Sale” guests who book between Monday April 3rd to Sunday April 9th, 2023, will receive up to 25% off the best rates at Best Western’s hotels and resorts in nine captivating countries: Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

And that’s not all; Best Western Rewards® members will receive an extra 10% off, for a full discount of 35%! Not a member yet? Click here to join for free today.

Simply pick your perfect hotel and make your reservation during this seven-day flash sale, for stays taken between April 3rd and June 30th, 2023 (or May 6th to June 30th, 2023 for hotels in Japan).

This enticing offer is valid in an amazing array of destinations all across Asia, including Bangkok, Bali, Tokyo, Phuket, Hua Hin, Palawan, Phu Quoc, Ha Long Bay and many more! So, whether you’re planning a blissful beachfront break with your family and friends, a stylish city escape with your partner, or any other type of vacation, Best Western’s “Summer Days Sale” will help you find your sunshine in 2023.

For more information about Best Western Hotels & Resorts in Asia, please visit www.bestwesternasia.com

About Best Western Hotels and Resorts
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel company 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.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Aarron Nelson As GM of Thailand’s first INNSiDE by Meliá Hotel

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Bangkok, Thailand, April 6, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / After two decades in hospitality in Malaysia, New Zealander Aarron Nelson, is relocating to Thailand to become general manager of Meliá Hotels International’s first INNSiDE property in the country.

The new role is Aarron’s first with Meliá Hotels International, a growing Spanish hotel group that has been expanding in Asia over recent years. He joins the team after five years as general manager of citizenM Kuala Lumpur. Prior to that Aarron held leadership roles at Impiana Hotel KLCC, also in Malaysia’s capital, and Casa del Rio, a boutique 5-star property in Melaka.

Aarron started his career in hotel F&B, when an internship led to a job in Millennium Hotel in Rotorua, New Zealand. He then worked his way up, through various F&B roles with Le Meridien Port Vila, Vanuatu, COMO Cocoa Island in the Maldives and HPL Hotels & Resorts in Malaysia before shifting to rooms division management. His first hotel manager position was at The Lakehouse Cameron Highlands in Malaysia in 2012.

“Aarron brings with him a wealth of hands-on experience having both worked in and managed a range of different departments in lifestyle driven hotels,” said Igancio Martin, Meliá Hotels International Managing Director for Southeast Asia. “His local and varied experience in Asia Pacific along with his personality are the perfect match for our innovative INNSiDE brand, as we expand in the region.”

Over the twenty eight years Aarron has worked in the industry in Malaysia, the Maldives, Pacific Islands, Australia and his homeland, but this will be his first position in Thailand – though working in the tropical nation has long been a goal.

“In 1996 while working in Rotorua, New Zealand, I was fortunate enough to be selected to go to Bangkok for a 10-day New Zealand food promotion at Novotel Siam Square,” said Aarron. “I was a young chef then and the experience left a lasting impression and knowing that one day I will see myself working in Thailand.”

The 208-room INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit is located in the city’s trendy On Nut neighborhood. The property will offer the kind of creative work and play spaces that underpin the INNSiDE brand. Guests can take in the vibrant cityscape from the towering windows of the hotel’s expansive co-working space on the 32nd floor. Further up the sky high pool bar and open-air swimming pool occupy the two topmost floors. Dining options at the property highlight local cuisine and also honor the Meliá brand’s Spanish roots. A tapas restaurant will provide a culinary pilgrimage across Spain.

“Our INNSiDE hotels are designed for a new generation of travelers that combine both work and play as they explore the world,” added Ignacio. “With its stellar location and a design and philosophy that inspires creativity and connection, our first Bangkok property is the perfect hub for curious explorers to take in this vibrant city.”

This will be the fourth INNSiDE property in Asia and will follow the opening of INNSiDE by Meliá Kuala Lumpur Cheras on March 25th, 2023. INNSiDE properties are also located in Yogyakarta, Indonesia and Zhengzhou, China.

Meliá Hotels International opened its first property in Thailand, Meliá Koh Samui, an oceanfront resort in 2020, followed by another beachfront property, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, the following year. In 2022 the Spanish hotel group opened its first city property in the country, Meliá Chiang Mai. INNSiDE Bangkok is the group’s first hotel in the capital.

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, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, 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.

About INNSiDE by Meliá
INNSiDE is a collection of unique urban and beach hotels designed for those with curious minds and fluid lives. Always true to their destination, they give guests the freedom to connect or disconnect among an independent community of like-minded travellers.

INNSiDE provides guests with all the everyday essentials and extra-special details to make their stay all the more unique. From in-room comforts to the inspiring Big Idea Space, Open Living Lounges, and fitness studios, we allow guests to feel more-than-at-home.

Sustainability is also packed into all the little details: every room is equipped with paper and plastic-free collateral and complimentary organic cosmetics. INNSiDE celebrates the culture of each of its locations with an events calendar, handy city guides for guests, and by spotlighting a local artist’s work across the hotel walls and onto merchandise and staff uniforms.

There are currently 38 INNSiDE by Meliá properties worldwide, with the brand continuing to expand its global footprint. All properties are located in the best lifestyle neighbourhood travel destinations. Some of them are Spain (Madrid, Mallorca, Ibiza, Fuerteventura, Zaragoza), United Kingdom (Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester), United States (New York, Lima), Germany (Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt, Munich, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Aachen, Leipzig, Hamburg) Czech Republic (Prague), France (Paris), Italy (Milano), China (Zhengzhou), Indonesia (Yogyakarta), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) and Netherlands (Amsterdam).

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Alma Resort Appoints Jed Arricivita As Commercial Director

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Cam Ranh, Vietnam, April 6, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Jed Arricivita, a hospitality professional with more than two decades of business development, sales and marketing experience has been named Alma’s commercial director.

Filipino national Arricivita comes to the 30-hectare family resort, overlooking Long Beach on Vietnam’s Cam Ranh peninsula, after working as director of sales at The Peninsula Bangkok for almost 10 years.

Previously, he was director of sales at Shangri-La Bangkok and Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa in Cebu, and director of business development at Makati Shangri-La in Manila.

After studying for a bachelor of science degree in hotel and restaurant administration at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City, Arricivita started working for the Makati Shangri-La in 1999 as a front desk agent and rose through the ranks as a sales manager and senior sales manager before his appointment as director of business development in 2005.

In his role at Alma, he will oversee commercial management, sales and marketing management, digital strategy and more, with focuses on leisure, business and MICE travel.

“On the back of his strong leadership and analytical skills, Jed brings to Alma an incredible track record of fostering creativity and motivation among his teams to drive excellent results in business development, business strategy, sales and marketing at hotels,” said Alma’s managing director Herbert Laubichler-Pichler.

Bold, spacious and emblematic of Vietnam’s maturation as a destination, the independently owned and operated Alma features 14 food and beverage outlets and a cascade of 12 beachfront swimming pools. Other highlights include a science museum, 6000 square metre waterpark, 13-treatment room spa, cinema, convention centre, amphitheatre, youth centre, kid’s club, water sports centre, gymnasium and yoga room and an 18-hole putting green.

About Alma
Situated on Vietnam’s emerging Cam Ranh peninsula fronting Long Beach, Alma resort commands some 30 hectares of inspiring ground. Emblematic of Vietnam’s maturation as a destination, the bold and spacious integrated resort offers 580 oversized suites and pavilions that all afford sweeping vistas of the ocean, including contemporary three bedroom oceanfront pavilions each totalling 224sqm with a living room, four bathrooms and a private pool. Alma features a broad spectrum of restaurants helmed by top chefs, a food court with an array of local and international cuisine, as well as a sports bar, pool bar and beach bar. Other highlights include 12 swimming pools cascading down to the beach, a waterpark, 13-treatment room spa, 70-seat cinema, convention centre, amphitheater, science museum, gymnasium and yoga room, 18-hole mini golf course, a youth centre with virtual reality games, a kid’s club, water sports centre and even an ‘Alma Mart’ mini supermarket.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Meliá Ho Tram Beach Celebrates Vietnam National Public Holidays

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Ho Tram, Vietnam, April 6, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX /  Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort will usher in three of the most significant national public holidays on the Vietnamese calendar with an exciting program featuring lavish buffet dinners, a “seafood market” dining experience, steak night, high tea, competitions, arts and crafts, and more.

This year, the annual Hung Kings Festival, Reunification Day and International Labour Day fall on Saturday April 29, Sunday April 30 and Monday May 1 respectively. The resort will host an array of activities including kayak racing, a sandcastle competition, conical hat painting, coloring, fingerprint painting and crafting Hung Kings leaf necklaces, the Vietnamese flag, paper flowers and paper kites.

The resort’s Sasa restaurant will bring family and friends together to pay tribute to the Hung Kings, revered as the traditional founders and first kings of Vietnam, with a Hung Kings Buffet on April 29 brimming with fresh seafood, traditional Vietnamese delicacies, a diverse Asian corner and more. On April 30, Vietnam’s vibrant cuisine will take centre stage at Sasa’s Vietnamese BBQ Buffet. Staged from 6.30-9.30pm, both buffets offer a “Fun Kids Corner” replete with painting either the Hung Kings or the Vietnamese landscape, as well as balloon twisting and other fun kids activities.

Breeza Beach Club, dubbed “the place to be in Ho Tram”, will stage its popular weekly Steak Night on April 28, serving a variety of tender cuts such as striploin, rib-eye, tenderloin and Black Angus tomahawk steaks. As the sun goes down on April 29, Breeza will bring the bustling atmosphere of Vietnam’s seafood markets to life on its vast outdoor terrace as part of its weekly “Ho Tram Seafood Market”. An array of large bamboo baskets filled with seafood caught from local waters that day are assembled, with diners choosing if their seafood and meats are grilled, wok-fried or steamed, and selecting from sauces and popular Vietnamese accompaniments.

Making the most of the resort’s picture-perfect 1500sqm main pool overlooking Ho Tram beach, Pool Bar’s exclusive “Ultimate Cabana Experience” is served in a private cabana. Elyxr Café, situated adjacent to compelling reflecting ponds, also offers high tea. Both high teas are held daily from the beginning of April until June 23 from 3-5pm, affording a delectable selection of mini pastries, savory bites, tea, coffee and optional sparkling wine.

The extensively refurbished YHI Spa, with 20 treatment rooms, hair salon and nail care facilities, a dedicated foot massage area and a Japanese-inspired landscape, is offering a sublime 150-minute “Top-To-Toes” journey. Comprising a body scrub, aromatic body massage and facial treatment, the package is designed to completely relax and nourish the whole body.

Adults are encouraged to “reset” on their holiday by boosting their wellbeing and fitness with daily “Energy for Life Activities” such as sunrise yoga, tai chi, meditation, stretching, tabata, body combat, aqua fitness and tennis. Kite flying, hair styling, chess competitions, sack races, water balloons, and mini basketball are among many activities on offer to entertain kids and teenagers. Outdoor movie nights cater to all ages.

“There isn’t a more desirable place to be on the water in Vietnam with family and friends during the upcoming holiday period than right here on Ho Tram beach, within an easy commute from Ho Chi Minh City and yet a world away from the city’s hustle and bustle,” said the resort’s general manager Alvaro Berton.

Live seafood specials of the day at Vietnamese dining restaurant Muoi, an “Asian Style Burger” at Pool Bar and a “Hummus Monthly Special” at Breeza are also among many offerings from the resort’s diverse dining landscape.

The Hung Kings Buffet and Vietnamese BBQ Buffet are each priced at VND 999,000++ per child aged four to 11, VND 1,599,000++ per adult with free-flow soft drink, juice, and water, and VND 1,899,000++ per adult with free-flow soft drink, juice, water, beer and wine. The Ultimate Cabana Experience at the Pool Bar and High Tea at Elyxr are each priced at VND 450,000++ for two guests including tea and coffee, and VND 750,000++ for two guests with tea, coffee and sparkling wine. YHI Spa’s 150-minute Top-To-Toes journey is priced at VND 2,690,000++ per guest.

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the most well-known brand within Meliá Hotels International; it has more than 100 city and resort hotels in the main leisure and business destinations of Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Meliá Hotels & Resorts instinctively understands the guests’ needs and lifestyle expectations and caters to every aspect of guests’ wellbeing. It offers exemplary meetings and events facilities in all key business cities and exotic locations, serving the ever-expanding conference and incentive travel market.

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, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, 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

Easter Celebrations at Hotels across Asia

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Feast this Easter on the Beach at Koh Samui

The idyllic beachfront resort of Banyan Tree Samui is hosting a plethora of Easter dining specials this year, starting with a “Shorts & Barefoot Beach BBQ” at Sands Restaurant from 7pm – 10pm on 5th April. The price of 2,300 THB nett per person includes local draft beers and drinks, plus a fire show. This will be followed on 7th April with a “Good Friday Fish & Seafood Buffet”, also at Sands from 7pm to 10pm, which will be accompanied by live music from the Mango Bongo Band. Price is 3,200 THB nett per person. Finally, an “Easter Sunday BBQ Buffet Dinner” will be the highlight at Sands from 7pm to 10pm on 9th April, featuring live music and a fire show. Price is 2,950 THB nett per person.

A Mountain Immersion with a Full Board Offer in Mai Chau

The mountainside getaway, Avana Retreat, is offering guests 25% of their new full board packages that allow visitors to take in all the highlights of this secluded location. Over Easter and beyond visitors can book a two-night, three-day stay that includes a round-trip limousine transfer, two nights in Bauhinia Mountain Suite, a full breakfast daily, two 3-course lunches, and two 4-course dinners at Green Chili Restaurant; an afternoon snack each day at the Cloud Pool; a trekking and jeep tour; a 60-minute full body massage at Orchid Spa; and a craft & cultural workshop at the Stilt House Museum. Prices start at VND 13,982,000 ++ (approx $600++) per two people, inclusive of the current 25% off promotion. The property is located in Vietnam’s north, an area that has become famous for stunning terraced rice paddies and the rich culture of local ethnic groups.

High Tea in Krabi

Set in a tranquil corner of Tubkaek Beach in Krabi overlooking the limestone cliffs of the Andaman Sea, Banyan Tree Krabi will host a High Tea Buffet this Easter Sunday, April 9, from 1pm – 4pm at The Naga Kitchen restaurant. Costing 750 THB nett per person, the high tea will consist of savory canapés such as sandwiches, tortilla wraps and quiche lorraine, plus a tantalizing selection of sweet pastries including chocolate truffle tarts, cheesecake, macarons, and a special espresso martini affogato.

Easter Brunch, Egg Hunts and More in Cambodia

At Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh, diners will enjoy an extraordinary brunch featuring lamb roast, a premium seafood bar, and an exquisite chocolate and pastry station in the hotel’s iconic lobby (priced at $75++ per person or $105++ with free flow Champagne). In Siem Reap, Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor will celebrate Easter with an elegant Sunday brunch in addition to a complimentary Easter egg hunt for kids on the lush grounds of the hotel (priced at $55++ per person; $65++ with free flow house wine and mimosas; $75++ with free flow Champagne Brut).

Celebrate Easter Sunday in Style in the Vietnamese Capital

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is marking Easter with a host of exclusive meals and family-friendly activities, including an Easter egg hunt in the hotel garden with special prizes. A family brunch will be served in Spices Garden from 11:30am to 2:30pm, while an extravagant Sunday Brunch will be available in the award-winning and recently renovated Le Beaulieu. A chocolate buffet from 3pm to 5:30pm in the bright and airy Le Club Bar will serve up an assortment of delectable bonbons, scones, petits four, cakes and more – as well as a chocolate fountain.

Easter Buffet, Spa Pampering and Activities on Ho Tram Beach

Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort will bring family and friends together over a buffet featuring fresh seafood, hand-carved roasted meats, traditional favorites, delectable desserts and more to a backdrop of live music. “Easter Special Buffet” on April 8 from 6.30-9.30pm is priced at VND 999,000++ for kids aged four to 11, and from VND 1,599,000++ per adult. During the buffet, a “Fun Kids Corner” will host easter egg decoration, a kids movie, balloon twisting and other exciting kids activities. From April 7-9, bunny jumping, bunny facial painting, egg decoration and egg hunting will be held at the beach garden and kids club Kidsdom. To mark World Health Day and Easter, from April 3-8 YHI Spa offers a 60-minute body wrap, sugar scrub or sea salt scrub for VND 690,000++ per guest.

Getaway Packed with Easter Fun on Cam Ranh Peninsula

Alma Resort is offering an Easter package replete with an Easter pastry class for the kids, bonfire with roasted marshmallows, movie nights at Alma Cinema and under the stars, egg hunting, egg painting, card making, face painting and more. Anchored by a minimum one-night stay on April 8 and/or April 9 in a one bedroom suite or pavilion for two adults and two kids under 12, the package includes a daily international breakfast, F&B credit for VND 500,000, kids mini golf, kite competitions on the lawn, giant bubbles, fun with Alma’s mascot teddy and clown, a garden discovery tour, use of the outdoor sports courts, and access to Splash Waterpark with a lazy river, wave pool, kids pool and water slides, as well as the kids club and youth club. The American Lounge & Bar will craft Easter-themed cocktails and the French Bakery will offer treats including chocolate rabbits and hot cross buns.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

LISTENING IN: No pressure on Lennox, Bowie on Queen hit

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With the news that Queen – with lead singer Adam Lambert – is set to hit the road this fall for a North American expansion of their Rhapsody Tour, which will include a stop in Toronto, it got us to thinking about some of the band’s frontmen (and women) since the gone-too-soon passing of Freddie Mercury.

After all, the incandescent Mercury’s shoes – more so than almost any other – were deemed impossible to fill.

However, Lambert, a former “American Idol” star, has admirably done so for over a decade now, having joined the newly minted “Sir” Brian May and Roger Taylor (John Deacon retired) in 2011. And before that there was Paul Rodgers, the great Bad Company (and Free) frontman, who was deemed the first worthy successor to fabulous Freddie.

It wouldn’t be fair to call Annie Lennox a replacement for Mercury, but she filled his part with passion and panache in this guest performance of “Under Pressure,” along with David Bowie, who co-wrote and performed the song with Queen in 1981.

This 1992 performance came just months after Mercury’s death from AIDs – two luminaries joining Queen at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium to honour him (and raise money for AIDS research).

Lennox, whose costume is said to have symbolized Mercury’s death, in particular delivered a tour de force performance, even upstaging Bowie, no slouch himself.

We still miss Freddie, but reliving performances like this makes it a little easier to bear.

Lyrics

Mmm num ba de
Dum bum ba be
Doo buh dum ba beh beh

Pressure: pushing down on me
Pressing down on you, no man ask for
Under pressure that burns a building down
Splits a family in two
Puts people on streets

Um ba ba be
Um ba ba be
De day da
Ee day da

That’s OK

That’s the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends screaming
“Let me out!”

Tomorrow gets me higher
Pressure on people, people on streets

Day day de mm hm
Da da da ba ba
OK

Chippin’ around, kick my brains ’round the floor
These are the days: it never rains but it pours

Ee do ba be
Ee da ba ba ba
Um bo bo
Be lap

People on streets
Ee da de da de
People on streets
Ee da de da de da de da

It’s the terror of knowing
What this world is about
Watching some good friends screaming
“Let me out!”

Tomorrow gets me higher, higher, high!
Pressure on people, people on streets

Turned away from it all like a blind man
Sat on a fence, but it don’t work
Keep coming up with love, but it’s so slashed and torn

Why, why, why!?

Love, love, love, love, love

Insanity laughs under pressure
We’re breaking

Can’t we give ourselves one more chance?
Why can’t we give love that one more chance?
Why can’t we give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love?

‘Cause love’s such an old-fashioned word
And love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night
And love dares you to change our way of caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is ourselves

Under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure

First published at Travel Industry Today

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News