Global Travel News

BORN AGAIN: Crystal returns with new owners, new vision

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Crystal Cruises – a high profile victim of the pandemic – has officially relaunched under new ownership with the Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony vessels set to sail again beginning this summer.

The high-end cruise line, which had operated for close to three decades, ceased operations in early 2022, with two of its ships seized in the Bahamas for unpaid fuel bills.

Now Crystal is back with a new vision – dubbed ‘Exceptional at Sea’ – and itineraries for 2023 and 2024, under the ownership of Abercrombie & Kent (the A&K Travel Group), which acquired the Serenity and Symphony in 2022.

The first sailings will be a Mediterranean cruise of Crystal Serenity on July 31 from Marseille and Crystal Symphony, scheduled to depart Sept. 1 from Athens.

Travel Advisors and guests with Open Deposits have exclusive access to an early booking window that began Feb. 1 – before bookings open to the public later this month.

Guests will sail on ships refurbished with reimagined with larger updated suites, a leading spa, fitness facilities and large pool. There are nine dining options onboard each ship and a series of guest chefs connected to the destinations visited, will add diversity and local flavours.

“I am delighted to announce that Crystal is reborn, with Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony reimagined and enhancements made to every part of our guests’ journey,” says Crystal president Jack Anderson. “Palatial suites, spacious verandas and guest rooms have been rolled out on both ships, reducing overall guest capacity. Personalized service – long a Crystal signature – has been elevated further. Dining is a journey through culinary specialties, with authentic food from around the globe. Local experts at Abercrombie & Kent have planned memorable experiences in each destination to guarantee beyond-the-guidebook access.”

New Itineraries

Voyages will travel throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Canada and New England, Alaska, the Caribbean, through the Panama Canal, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The collection of cruise, along with other information, can be viewed on crystalcruises.com.

Suites

The suites and guest rooms are more spacious, with elevated detail and contemporary craftsmanship. Suites feature marble quarried from Italy, with modern furnishings and fine cotton linens.

Experiences

Both the spa and the gym will be revamped, and the Wimbledon courts will host both paddle tennis and pickleball. A refreshed approach to entertainment and events programming has been developed with more information to follow.

On shore, a seamless experience continues with A&K’s ground arrangements.

Agents can register on the Crystal web site to receive the latest updates.

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

EARTHQUAKE ROCKS TURKEY AND SYRIA

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A powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of Turkey and neighbouring Syria on Monday, killing more than 2,600 people and injuring thousands more as it toppled thousands of buildings and trapped residents under mounds of rubble.

Authorities feared the death toll would keep climbing as rescuers searched through tangles of metal and concrete for survivors in a region beset by Syria’s 12-year civil war and a refugee crisis.

Residents jolted out of sleep by the pre-dawn quake rushed outside in the rain and snow to escape falling debris, while those who were trapped cried for help. Throughout the day, major aftershocks rattled the region, including a jolt nearly as strong as the initial quake. After night fell, workers were still sawing away slabs and pulling out bodies as desperate families waited for news on trapped loved ones.

Tens of thousands who were left homeless in Turkey and Syria faced a night in the cold. In Turkey’s Gaziantep, a provincial capital about 33 km from the epicentre, people took refuge in shopping malls, stadiums and community centres. Mosques around the region were opened to provide shelter.

The quake, which was centered on Turkey’s southeastern province of Kahramanmaras, sent residents of Damascus and Beirut rushing into the street and was felt as far away as Cairo.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said officials do not know how high the number of dead and injured will rise.

The quake piled more misery on a region that has seen tremendous suffering over the past decade. On the Syrian side, the area is divided between government-held territory and the country’s last opposition-held enclave, which is surrounded by Russian-backed government forces. Turkey, meanwhile, is home to millions of refugees from the civil war.

Strained health facilities quickly filled with injured, rescue workers said. Others had to be emptied, including a maternity hospital, according to the SAMS medical organization.

More than 6,400 people were rescued across 10 provinces, according to Orhan Tatar, an official with Turkey’s disaster management authority.

The region sits on top of major fault lines and is frequently shaken by earthquakes. Some 18,000 were killed in similarly powerful earthquakes that hit northwest Turkey in 1999.

The U.S. Geological Survey measured Monday’s quake at 7.8, with a depth of 18 km. Hours later, a 7.5 magnitude temblor struck more than 100 km.

Thousands of buildings were reported collapsed in a wide area extending from Syria’s cities of Aleppo and Hama to Turkey’s Diyarbakir, more than 330 km to the northeast.

In Turkey alone, more than 5,600 buildings were destroyed, authorities said. Hospitals were damaged, and one collapsed in the Turkish city of Iskenderun.

Bitterly cold temperatures could reduce the time frame that rescuers have to save trapped survivors, said Dr. Steven Godby, an expert in natural hazards at Nottingham Trent University. The difficulty of working in areas beset by civil war would further complicate rescue efforts, he said.

Offers of help — from search-and-rescue teams to medical supplies and money — poured in from dozens of countries, as well as the European Union and NATO. The vast majority were for Turkey, with Russian and even an Israeli promise of help to the Syrian government, but it was not clear if any would go to the devastated rebel-held pocket in the northwest.

More than 1,600 people were killed in 10 Turkish provinces, with more than 11,000 injured, according to Turkish authorities. The death toll in government-held areas of Syria climbed to 570 people, with some 1,400 injured, according to the Health Ministry. In the country’s rebel-held northwest, groups that operate there said the death toll was at least 450, with many hundreds injured.

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

AHEAD OF THE CURVE: Curious Canadians an ideal fit for Britain

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Canadians have always been ahead of the curve when it comes to travel to Britain, according to the country’s national tourism agency chief executive Patricia Yates.

“Canadians come and they tend to stay, and they tend to explore more, and I think that’s where travel has gone post-COVID,” Yates says.

VisitBritain has done a “huge amount” of surveys showing how post-COVID travellers have changed, and Canadians tick all of the boxes, she told Travel Industry Today at the recent Britain Showcase 2023 event in London.

Additionally, she observes that Canadians have traditionally demonstrated aspirations to go beyond London and into the countryside and “really get under the skin of a place” – all post-COVID trends.

“Canadians,” she laughs, “have always been ahead of the curve.”

VisitBritain’s travel trade manager for Canada, Lynda Falcone, agrees that the tourist board’s “Another Side of Britain” campaign suits Canadians, who are already predisposed towards seasonal and regional travel in the UK.

However, the campaign isn’t simply about steering visitors away from London, but rather embracing the diversity of the destination and discovering that there is always something new to see.

On a post-Showcase Britain FAM trip for Canadian tour operator buyers, participants, for example, made their own (King Charles III) coin at the Royal Mint, trekked with alpacas in southern Wales (banner photo), stayed in Britain’s oldest hotel in the Cotswolds (The Old Bell Hotel), got a fright at Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein in Bath, and toured the Bombay Sapphire gin distillery, amongst other less-than-common experiences.

“We are encouraging people to do the icons with a twist,” Falcone adds.

Nick de Bois and Patricia Yates

At the showcase event, held at Tottenham Stadium, British Tourist Authority chairman Nick de Bois pointed to the soccer facility’s “Skywalk” attraction, which allows daring visitors to walk on the roof for a thrill and a panoramic view of London, as the perfect example of the type of “surprising, unexpected,” experiences that can be found across Britain.

“This is the unifying message that we’ll be basing all of our marketing on throughout the course of the next year. We want the world to see there is another side to Britain,” he said. “We want to celebrate those (tourism) icons. But (also) tell a story about how those icons are evolving with the times, offering dynamic experiences that you might not normally expect of us Brits.”

For example, he said, North Wales, known for its incredible castles, now boasts adventure options like ziplining.

To help tell that story Yates says, “Our strategy in Canada is to work with the travel trade to make sure that Britain is being sold in the market.”

Falcone says her office is dedicated to helping the trade sell Britain in all ways – not least in navigating post-pandemic travel to the destination, which she says is experiencing an “explosion” of travel interest. That includes advice that demand has in some cases impacted product availability, meaning clients should book early.

Or, little things, like bringing one’s own sanitizer as it is no longer been provided in public places.

Darlene St. Louis of RIT (Royal Irish Tours) points out another critical change: “The seven-day trip has almost disappeared,” she says, adding that most Canadian travellers want to add on at least a couple of extra days, making a nine-day stay more than common than a week.

VisitBritain statistics show that visitors are also spending more and that, combined with a 15% increase in arrivals from North America and a surge in the luxury market, pre-COVID value levels should return by the end of this year.

As Britain calmly carries on in an ever-changing post-COVID world, Falcone says, more than ever “our focus is to get back in front of the trade and understand the needs of the industry. Our job is to support them… And be there for travel agents.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: Jan. 20-Feb. 03, 2023

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Amongst last week’s news, WestJet paused Europe flights from some Canadian gateways, while Canada Jetlines announced its first Mexico destination: Cancun; PCR testing requirements for travellers from China were extended; and Sunwing and Air Canada Vacations unveiled new promotions.

NEWS

Effective Feb. 01, TICO reduced the required rewrite wait times for the Travel Counsellor and Supervisor/Manager exams. New exam rewrite wait times (if first exam attempt is unsuccessful are 24-hour waiting period after receiving results from first exam; five-day waiting period after receiving results of second exam, and 30-day waiting period for each attempt after receiving results for third and any subsequent exam rewrites. TICO has also charged Elite Encounters and Adventures Inc., Dwayne Pogue, and Stefanie Landriault with one count of operating as a travel agent without being registered.

Canada has renewed mandatory COVID-19 testing and screening for travellers from China, Hong Kong, and Macao for another two months. The government mandated pre-boarding tests for people coming from those places last month after China removed longstanding public-health restrictions, causing a countrywide outbreak of the virus. The Public Health Agency of Canada says the testing requirements are expected to remain in place until April 5.

At the same time, travellers between Hong Kong and China no longer require COVID-19 PCR tests nor are subject a daily limit, authorities announced, as both places seek to drive economic growth.

AIR

WestJet has announced it is pausing transatlantic service between Halifax and Europe as part of its 2023 summer schedule. The airline also confirmed that it suspended transatlantic service to Europe from Vancouver and Toronto as of early December 2022. WestJet says the moves are part of a series of strategic decisions it is making to its transatlantic service to cope with capacity constraints.

Canada Jetlines has confirmed a new international nonstop service out of its travel hub of Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Cancun (CUN) in Mexico. The Canadian carrier’s first route into Mexico will launch starting with two flights per week in March with increased frequency to follow.

Lynx has launched inaugural service to the US with its first flight from Toronto Pearson to the new Terminal C at Orlando International Airport (MCO). The carrier will operate four direct flights per week between Toronto and Orlando, flying brand-new Boeing 737 aircraft.

DEALS

The ‘Winter Blues Sale’ from Sunwing is offering to up to 45% off packages booked by Feb. 26 for travel by April 30. Additionally, clients staying at one of the tour company’s ‘Smile Resorts’ will also receive a range of perks to elevate their getaway, including kids two through 12 Stay, Play and Eat free, exclusive deals for teens aged 13 to 17, no single parent supplement fee, a supervised Kids Club program and more.

Through March 5, clients booking an Air Canada Vacations beach vacation can save through weekly deals on departures between May 1 and Oct. 31 to select destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and Hawaii. Additionally, travellers can take advantage of 50% off the CareFlex travel protection plan.

TOURS

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, Europe will unveil a new ‘Suites’ cabin category in June. Eight new suites will join the two pre-existing cabin categories, reflecting the train’s history and craftsmanship of the 1920s and 30s. Inspired by the dramatic landscape unfolding through the train’s picture-windows, the suites will feature a private marble ensuite bathroom and a lounging area by day, converted to either double or twin beds, by night.

BY THE NUMBERS

In 2021 there were 120.8 million visitors to show caves, an overall 16% decline from a pre-pandemic high in 2019 of 144 million, according to The International Show Caves Association. COVID restrictions and staffing shortages were to blame for the decline. There are more than 1,500 show caves around the world.

HOTELS

The first Mondrian hotel in France, Mondrian Cannes, is set to open in March. The beachfront hotel will open on the site of the town’s oldest luxury hotel, formerly Grand Hotel Cannes. Following an extensive renovation, the new luxury lifestyle hotel will feature 75 guest rooms including three suites, state-of-the-art meeting and event facilities, Hyde Beach Cannes, and a new innovative culinary concept yet to be announced. Mondrian Cannes features a prime oceanfront location including a private beach and is the only hotel on the famed boulevard de La Croisette with its own gardens and direct access to the rue d’Antibes shopping district.

Set for a spring opening, Hotel Riu Plaza London Victoria has a superb location right in the heart of London just a few minutes’ walk from Victoria Station in Westminster. Featuring 435 and suites, amenities include a lobby bar and a restaurant, and 24-hour fully equipped gym.

RESORTS

Located in the heart of the idyllic town of Tulum, Mexico, Secrets Tulum Resort & Beach Club (within the luxurious Aldea Zama Complex) is slated to open in the summer, fusing elegant and boho design with eco-chic elements, jungle themed surroundings uniquely designed by award-winning architect Michael Edmonds.

AMR Collection has announced the expansion of its Dreams Resorts & Spas brand to Portugal with the Dreams Madeira Resort Spa & Marina anticipated to open in early 2024 following renovations, Located on the island of Porto Santo, one of the key touristic attractions in Madeira, the 366-room report will feature more than 10 a la carte restaurants, seven bars, on-site private beach and marina, exclusive adults-only areas and on-site waterpark. 

CRUISE

With the start of its new season on May 19, Le Boat will expand further into Ottawa (photo) with the addition of Dows Lake as a new satellite base to create convenient trips into the capital. The luxury houseboat rental company has been offering itineraries on the Rideau Canal since 2018.

 Carnival Celebration is introducing an expanded youth program including new enrichment activities for children, teens, and families, as well as an update to Carnival’s popular Dr. Seuss Bookville. Many of the new offerings will be implemented fleetwide by spring.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

Super Nintendo World will open at Universal Studios Hollywood on Feb. 17 as the first Super Nintendo World in the US. The attraction will transport theme park guests and Nintendo fans into the world of Mario, Luigi and Princess Peach. The immersive land will be a visual spectacle of vibrant colours and architectural ingenuity within a newly expanded area of the theme park, featuring a ground-breaking ride, interactive areas for the entire family and themed shopping and dining.

Ferrari World Abu Dhabi has launched a new mega-coaster, Mission Ferrari – a high intensity, and multisensory 5D rollercoaster experience that includes the world’s first sideways coaster drop. The themed next generation mega-coaster combines cutting-edge technology with stunning scenic show sets, an exhilarating inverted loop, and state-of-the-art special effects.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

Travel agents can get 3X BONBON, that’s $15, with any eligible Transat Europe tour booking made through Feb. In addition, by booking up to 60 days before departure, travellers can save $500 per couple. The promotion is valid for travel between April 1 and Oct. 31, for tours booked and paid up to 60 days before departure. Savings are already included in the tour price. Transat has more than 40 guaranteed departures in Europe from both Toronto and Montréal for next summer. See Agent Direct for full details.

Encore Cruises’ ‘Love is in the Air’ offer will provide travellers with $125 off their flight (maximum $250 per reservation) when booking a cruise. And travel agents will receive 2,500 bonus Loyalty points per stateroom.

This promotion applies to any new cruise bookings made by Feb. 15 and applicable to six-night or longer sailings departing on or before July 31, 2023 when booked in a balcony stateroom or above. Additionally, travel agents booking a new group in February departing before July 31with a minimum of eight staterooms will receive a $1,000 Bonus Commission.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Unique Vacations Canada has announced the appointment of two new members to the sales team for Sandals and Beaches resorts. Mireille Moutou, who boasts experience at Karisma and The Five Hotels, ACV and Transat Vacations, joins as the new Bilingual Business Development Coordinator (mireille.moutou@uvisandals.ca), while Jahbari Thompson is a new reservations specialist, having worked in the past on-resort at Sandals Ochi Beach (jahbari.thompson@uvisandals.ca).

DESTINATIONS

Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. has been awarded Tripadvisor’s 2023 Travellers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Popular Destination in Canada award. The award comes from customers and the ratings they leave for restaurants, hotels, things to do and other activities in the area. The reviews are collected over a 12-month period.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1858, gold was discovered along British Columbia’s Fraser River, attracting thousands to Canada’s West Coast. Hundreds of ships, jammed with gold-seekers, worked their way across the Strait of Georgia to the Fraser, then made the dangerous trip up the swift-running river.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Crystal Grill House Inaugurates a New Glamorous Era of Riverside Gastronomy

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The Crystal Grill House Inaugurates a New Glamorous Era of Riverside Gastronomy - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25RESTAURANTS.comBangkok, Thailand, February 4, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park and Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC) is inviting guests to step into a glamorous world of gastronomy and mixology at The Crystal Grill House, a stylish departure from a traditional steak and seafood restaurant on the banks of the Chao Phraya, Bangkok’s historic “River of Kings”.

Situated directly on the waterside at Asiatique The Riverfront Destination, the heritage-focused retail and lifestyle destination, The Crystal Grill House is a stylish grill house that celebrates the joy of global exploration. Situated opposite Sirimahannop, the reimagined tall ship that sailed between Thailand and the world in the early 1900s, The Crystal Grill House will recapture the spirit of this enchanting age.

Guests can unwind in five elegant private dining pavilions, sip signature cocktails and fine wines at the vibrant bar, or savor creative bites at the open kitchen with casual counter-style seating – all enclosed in a glistening glasshouse – or unwind on the banks of the river at the alfresco terrace. This makes The Crystal Grill House ideal for special occasions and celebrations, evening drinks or memorable meals, enhanced by a chic vintage design and set against the backdrop of the rippling river.

The menu focuses on the finest cuts of meat and fresh seafood cooked to-order on a signature charcoal-wood-fired Josper Grill. A variety of woods are burned daily and the embers imbue a unique fragrance that enlivens the natural flavor of the ingredients. Guests can indulge in timeless steakhouse fare, including mouth-watering cuts of beef, sublime seafood and a curated international wine list. A selection of oysters and a series of “Appetizers” will showcase the chefs’ culinary creativity. Every dining experience can end on a sweet note with a selection of international desserts.

Talented bartenders will serve up a selection of fine wines, spirits and beers, as well as classic and signature cocktails. Globetrotting options include America, India, Persia, China and Japan, all crafted using international specialty spirits and fresh ingredients.

Located at Asiatique The Riverfront Destination, The Crystal Grill House is easily accessible by road and river, including shuttle boat services from the pier next to Saphan Taksin BTS skytrain station. The stylish new venue will open daily from 16.30 hrs. to midnight (last orders at 23.30 hrs.). With a capacity of just 95 guests, advanced reservations are recommended.

For more information and to discover this new era of glamour and gastronomy next to the Chao Phraya River, please call +66 (0) 2 059 5999 or visit: www.thecrystalgrillhouse.com

About Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queens Park Hotel
The largest hotel in Bangkok and the first Marriott Marquis hotel in Asia Pacific, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park is a landmark in heart of the Thai capital. The hotel offers extensive facilities, including 1,388 rooms and suites, over 5,000m² of function space across more than 30 venues, two swimming pools, 24-hour fitness center, the Quan Spa and a collection of restaurants and bars. Centrally located on Sukhumvit Road, in Bangkok’s vibrant business and entertainment district, the hotel is the perfect choice for all travelers to this pulsating city.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Avana Retreat Connect with Hmong Culture for Stilt-House Museum Classes

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Avana Taps Hmong Culture for Stilt-House Museum Classes - TOP25SPAS.comHanoi, Viet Nam, February 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Time-honored techniques and rich visual storytelling form the core of new Batik (traditional painting and dyeing) classes at Avana Retreat, a resort set amid the homelands of the Hmong community. Led by a local Hmong artist, the complimentary and deeper-dive paid options are held at the property’s Stilt House, an on-site museum, to help guests connect with the local customs and traditions.

“If the waterfall is our property’s heartbeat and the spa is the soul, then our Stilt House is the spirit,” said Mr. Vu Huy, founder of Avana Retreat.

The same visual designer whose work graces the resort’s suites will lead sessions that introduce a beeswax art and indigo dyeing technique that has been used for generations in the surrounding highlands.

Complimentary 60-minute sessions are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with guests learning about the beeswax painting process. Each participant, under the guidance of the teacher, uses beeswax to create their own unique patterns or they can use traditional Hmong designs on a 30 x 30cm cotton cloth.

The paid 2-2.5 hour class is a deeper and more hands-on experience that is available by reservation-only. It’s a more comprehensive introduction to the history, the patterns, the tools, and the technique. In addition guests usher their work through each step of the process, from melting the beeswax to creating the patterns on the cloth, to learning how to use the indigo dye and dyeing the fabric themselves. Each participant keeps the 45 x 45cm cloth that is created.

“While art is core to any culture among a community without a written language for generations, art becomes so much more,” said Huy. “Stories, dreams, myths, are all expressed through Batik in a way that words cannot capture.”

The location of the classes also inspires cultural exploration. The 50-year-old Stilt House, which was standing on the land now occupied by the retreat, was dismantled and rebuilt in a new location on the resort’s grounds.

It was then transformed into a museum to introduce the lives, culture and traditions of the local Thai, Muong, and Hmong ethnic groups. Walls and glass cases filled with tools, clothing, art and jewelry, tell the story of the people who live in the region. The Batik session takes place in the airy space beneath the museum.

Avana Retreat also offers a tour of a nearby Hmong craft village where guests can watch this intricate art being created with a deeper knowledge of the story behind it.

Private workshops cost from USD50 to USD75 per person and are only available to in-house guests.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Raffles Hotel Le Royal Elephant Bar Launches World Gin Tour

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Raffles Hotel Le Royal Elephant Bar Launches World Gin Tour - TOP25HOTELS.com - TOP25BARS.com - TRAVELINDEXPhnom Penh, Cambodia, February 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The iconic Elephant Bar at the 90-year-old Raffles Hotel Le Royal has launched a new “World Gin Tour” showcasing highlights from one of Southeast Asia’s most diverse and thoughtfully curated gin collections.

The yearlong “World Gin Tour” spotlights select labels from Elephant Bar’s collection of more than 150 distinctive gins from around the world. Whether classic concoctions or modern inventions, Elephant Bar’s expert bartenders can make them all.

Each month will introduce a new special cocktail menu featuring refreshing drinks made with a different country’s gin, in addition to a “gin masterclass” that includes cocktail flights for two hours highlighting the featured gin (priced at $28). Upcoming stops on the tour include Australian gin (February), Spanish gin (March), Cambodian gin (April) and Irish gin (May). The “World Gin Tour” kicked off in January with French gin. Each stop on the tour begins with an exclusive, one-night “bar takeover” featuring guest mixologists.

Guests are invited to fill up their “gin passes” and win exciting prizes. The pass consists of 12 stamps. Those who get six stamps will receive a complimentary Elephant Bar gin masterclass; nine stamps wins a complimentary bottle of Elephant Bar Dry Gin; and 12 stamps earns a cocktail tailor made by the guest to be featured on Elephant Bar’s menu for one month.

With its rich wood accents, colorful ceiling frescoes and historic photographs on the walls, Elephant Bar is a long-time institution in Phnom Penh. Wicker chairs and leather sofas bask behind high French windows and arched colonnades in true colonial style. Among the bar’s guests over the past 90+ years have been Charlie Chaplin, Somerset Maugham and Jacqueline Kennedy, who sipped the first Femme Fatale—now a signature cocktail at Elephant Bar.

Elephant Bar was recently nominated for Cambodia’s Top 30 Bar Awards.

Voted the No. 1 hotel in Cambodia by readers of the US-based travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler in its annual Readers’ Choice Awards in October, Raffles Hotel Le Royal originally opened in 1929. The hotel features 175 rooms and suites that underwent a full refurbishment as part of a meticulous one-year restoration project in 2019.

For more information or to make a booking, call 023 981 888

ABOUT RAFFLES
Raffles Hotels & Resorts boasts an illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide. In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service. Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting travellers with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Connoisseurs of life choose Raffles, not merely for its aura of culture, beauty and gentility, but for the extraordinary way they feel when in residence with Raffles. Each Raffles, be it Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Warsaw, Jakarta or the Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family. Raffles is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,100 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Luxury Meets Innovation at Luxury Innovation Summit 2023

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Luxury Meets Innovation at Luxury Innovation Summit - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25WORLD.comGeneva, Switzerland, February 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The 5th edition of the Luxury Innovation Summit will take place on 18- 20 September 2023 at Palexpo, Geneva, Switzerland. This annual gathering of luxury innovators and industry leaders brings together startups, luxury leaders, major corporations, and investors to address opportunities and accelerate luxury innovation. The Summit discovers the future of luxury and experiences the brilliance of innovation.

Organised by the Luxury Venture Group (LVG), the event highlights include the global premiere of the Luxury Innovation Awards 2023 Edition, alongside the Summit, the Luxury Innovation Pavilion – an exhibition space dedicated to showcasing and promoting innovation in the luxury industry.

Deependra Pandey, CEO of LVG, says: I am thrilled to announce the 2023 edition of the Luxury Innovation Summit, the premier gathering of luxury innovators and industry leaders. This year, we have elevated the Summit by adding 9 new key themes to the program, offering a comprehensive and cutting-edge look at the latest trends, technologies, and developments in the luxury industry. The addition of the LIS Event Portal enhances the networking experience for attendees, providing them with easy access to personal and company profile creation and maintenance. And the Luxury Innovation Pavilion, with its upgraded exhibition space, offers a platform for attendees and exhibitors to showcase and explore the latest trends and technologies. The 2023 Luxury Innovation Summit is a valuable opportunity for attendees to connect, network, and gain insights into the future of luxury. We are proud to bring together luxury brands, startups, and industry leaders to drive the future of luxury innovation.

The on-stage Summit program will include discussions of the topics that matter to the global luxury industry. Speakers will consist of international luxury leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry insiders. Together, they will examine the evolving nature of luxury, new consumer attitudes, and what established brands and start-ups need to build and maintain relevance. Attendees will learn about the latest trends and technologies and network with key players in the luxury industry. The summit will offer a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and grow.

Upgraded exhibition Space – Luxury Innovation Pavilion The Luxury Innovation Pavilion at the Hall 3 of Palexpo offers a superior exhibiting space for luxury industry innovators and leaders. It offers a platform to showcase cutting-edge trends, technologies, and products in the luxury space. Attendees will have the chance to network with like-minded individuals, gain valuable insights into the future of luxury, and explore growth opportunities. Exhibitors will benefit from the elevated platform to showcase their innovations and connect with potential customers, partners, and investors. The Luxury Innovation Pavilion provides a perfect opportunity for the luxury industry to drive forward and stay ahead in innovation.

New Summit Portal for an enhanced experience
The Luxury Innovation Summit Event Portal enhances attendees’ experience with real- time updates, a comprehensive schedule, and speaker/exhibitor information. Attendees can create/maintain profiles, network, and message others before, during, and after the summit. The portal is the ultimate resource for the event and a convenient platform for attendees to stay informed and engaged. Exhibitors can showcase their products and services to a highly targeted audience.

New Themes: Topics to be discussed at the Luxury Innovation Summit include: 1. Disrupting the Luxury Fashion Industry (#Fashion) This theme focuses on the intersection of technology, design, and sustainability in the luxury fashion industry. Attendees will learn about the latest trends and technologies driving sustainable growth in the luxury fashion industry, including sustainable materials, ethical manufacturing practices, and innovative design techniques. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and innovators about how they harness the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality, to create sustainable and ethical luxury fashion products. The theme will provide attendees with valuable insights and strategies to help them stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving luxury fashion industry.

2. Enhancing Luxury Beauty (#Beauty) This theme focuses on the latest trends and strategies for elevating the luxury beauty industry and meeting the evolving demands of consumers. Attendees will learn about the latest beauty industry innovations and how they drive growth and success in the luxury beauty market. Topics that will be covered include personalisation and customisation, the latest trends in skincare, makeup, and beauty technology, and the latest innovations in packaging, branding and marketing that appeal to consumers. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and innovators on how they use technology, such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality, to create personalised and innovative beauty products that meet the evolving demands of consumers. This theme will provide attendees with valuable insights and strategies to help them stay ahead of the curve in the luxury beauty industry and drive growth and success in their businesses.

3. Timeless Luxury – Watches and Jewellery (#Watches, #Jewellery) This theme focuses on the latest trends and strategies for driving growth and success in the luxury watch and jewellery market. Attendees will learn about the latest innovations and technological advancements in the watch and jewellery industry, including smartwatch technology, 3D printing, and other advancements in design and manufacturing. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and innovators about how they leverage technology to create personalised and innovative products that meet the evolving demands of consumers. The theme also covers the latest trends in the watch and jewellery market, how they impact the collection and investment in these luxury items, and how to identify and capitalise on the latest trends in the market. This theme will provide attendees with valuable insights and strategies to help them stay ahead of the curve in the luxury watch and jewellery industry and drive growth and success in their businesses.

4. Elegance in Motion (#Car, #Yacht, #Jet) This theme delves into the latest trends and technologies driving growth and success in the luxury car and yacht/jet market. Attendees will gain insight into cutting-edge innovations in design and engineering, including the integration of electric and hybrid powertrains, the advent of autonomous driving technology, and other advancements in car design and manufacturing, as well as the latest technologies for Yachts and Jets. They will also have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and innovators on how they are using technology to create personalised and innovative products that cater to the evolving demands of consumers. The theme also explores the latest sustainability trends, such as using sustainable materials and manufacturing processes, and their impact on the luxury car and yacht/jet industry. Attendees will leave with valuable insights and strategies to help them stay ahead of the curve in the luxury car and yacht/jet industry and drive growth and success in their businesses.

5. Luxury Escapes of the Future (#Travel, #Hospitality) This theme delves into the latest trends and technologies driving growth and success in the luxury travel and hospitality industry. Attendees will gain insight into cutting-edge innovations in luxury travel and hospitality, including virtual and augmented reality experiences, sustainable and eco-friendly accommodations, and personalised and customisable travel options. They will also have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and innovators about how they use technology to create unique and innovative experiences for luxury travellers. The theme also explores the latest trends in luxury travel and hospitality, such as experiential travel and the use of technology to enhance the guest experience. Attendees will leave with valuable insights and strategies to help them stay ahead of the curve in the luxury travel and hospitality industry and drive growth and success in their businesses.

6. Luxury Living Reimagined (#Realestate) This theme delves into the latest trends and technologies driving growth and success in the luxury real estate market. Attendees will gain insight into cutting-edge innovations in real estate investment and design, including smart home technology, sustainable building materials and practices, and virtual and augmented reality in real estate marketing. They will also have the opportunity to hear from industry leaders and innovators about how they leverage technology to create personalised and innovative luxury living experiences. The theme also explores the latest trends in luxury real estate, such as using data and analytics to identify investment opportunities and technology to enhance the guest experience. Attendees will leave with valuable insights and strategies to help them stay ahead of the curve in the luxury real estate market and drive growth and success in their businesses.

7. Innovating the Art Industry (#Art) The theme of “Leveraging Innovation in the Art Market” aims to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of how innovation is shaping the art market, from collecting and investing to the emergence of digital art, AR/VR, NFTs and new art spaces and collaborations. This theme will delve into the impact of these emerging technologies and trends on the art industry and how they change how we experience, create, collect and invest in art. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how these innovations are revolutionising the art market, including digital platforms, blockchain technology, and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), changing how we discover, buy, and sell art. Additionally, attendees will learn how digital art, virtual and augmented reality are transforming how we view art and how new art spaces and collaborations are changing how artists and art enthusiasts interact. Whether you’re an artist, a gallery owner, an art collector, or simply an art enthusiast, this theme will provide you with a wealth of knowledge and strategies to help you navigate and leverage the ever-evolving art market landscape.

8. Luxury as Currency (#PreLoved) The theme of “Innovations in Luxury Collectibles: Navigating the Future of Vintage and Antique Luxury Goods Investment” aims to provide attendees with an understanding of the latest trends and technologies that are shaping the luxury collectables market and how they are impacting the way we invest in vintage and antique luxury goods. This theme will delve into how innovation is driving the luxury collectables market, including the use of digital platforms, blockchain technology, and other cutting-edge tools that are revolutionising the way we discover, buy, and sell vintage and antique luxury goods. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how these innovations are changing the luxury collectables market and how they can leverage them to make informed investment decisions. Whether you are an experienced collector or new to the world of luxury collectables, this theme will provide you with a wealth of knowledge and strategies to help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of vintage and antique luxury goods investment.

9. Venture Capital and Private Equity in the Luxury Market (#LuxuryFund) This theme will help attendees understand the role of venture capital and private equity in the luxury market and how they drive innovation and growth in luxury brands. This theme will cover how venture capital and private equity firms identify and invest in luxury startups and emerging luxury brands, as well as their strategies to help these brands succeed. Attendees will learn about the key trends and opportunities in the luxury market and how venture capital and private equity firms are positioning themselves to capitalise on them. Additionally, attendees will learn how to evaluate the potential of a luxury brand and how to make smart investment decisions in the luxury market. Whether you are a venture capitalist, private equity investor, or simply interested in the luxury industry, this theme will provide valuable insights and strategies to help you navigate the ever-evolving landscape of venture capital and private equity in the luxury market.

About the Luxury Venture Group
LVG is a Swiss-based venture capital company focused on venture capital investment in startups from the luxury industry. Initiated in 2019, the LVG aims to establish itself as a world leader in venture capital investment for startups from the luxury and related industries. With the carefully selected and most promising startups from the industry, LVG uses the full power of its unique ecosystem to support its portfolio companies in their journey towards success. LVG’s network helps these startups grow and make them investment-ready for Series A and beyond, and provides them with new investors / co-investors and the fund-raising phases.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Great Wall Motor Reopens Booking of ORA Good Cat

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Great Wall Motor Reopens Booking of ORA Good Cat - TRAVELINDEX - VISITTHAILAND.netBangkok, Thailand, February 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Great Wall Motor continues to create excitement for the automotive industry as Thailand’s electric vehicle leader (xEV Leader) with the reopening of reservations for the ORA Good Cat. The tremendous interest from consumers reflects solid confidence in the GWM brand as well as its commitment to continually offer electric vehicles that are packed with cutting-edge innovations to support the concrete and sustainable strengthening of Thailand’s electric vehicle ecosystem.

For those interested in booking the funky ORA Good Cat, please stay tuned for more information at the GWM 2nd Brand Anniversary Press Conference through livestreaming via Facebook, YouTube and TikTok : GWM Thailand on February 9, 2023, during 19:00 – 20.00 hrs.

Mr. Narong Sritalayon, Managing Director of Great Wall Motor (Thailand), said, “Since the official launch of this phenomenal electric car in October 2021, the ORA Good Cat has achieved a total of more than 4,788 deliveries – which is another significant contribution by Great Wall Motor towards the growth of Thailand’s EV society. The overwhelming response to the ORA Good Cat reflects the rapidly growing popularity of all-electric vehicles among Thai people, and we aim to respond to this high level of interest by reopening for orders in this round.

To ensure that we will meet Thailand’s growing demand for all-electric cars, we have engaged our head office in China to ensure an adequate supply of vehicles for delivery. Once again, we are reiterating our promise to continue creating new experiences alongside quality products and services that will not only impress customers and Thai fans but will also help shape a complete driving experience that truly meets the modern consumers’ lifestyle.”

In April last year, Great Wall Motor suspended new orders for the ORA Good Cat due to a significant number of accumulated bookings. Since then, GWM has accelerated customer deliveries through to the end of last year and is now ready for the next batch of deliveries. The details of booking will be announced to the fans through livestreaming via GWM Thailand’s Facebook, YouTube and TikTok on February 9, 2023, from 19:00 – 20.00 hrs.

The ORA Good Cat, an all-electric car, has set a new standard and ignited the popularity of pure electric vehicles. It has become famed for advanced functions and a beautiful design under the Retro Futuristic concept, which lends the car a unique character on the road. The vehicle is packed full of high-performance technology – led by a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor that offers up to 105 kW or 143 HP of power and 210 Nm of torque. The ORA Good Cat 400 PRO comes in 3 classic colors – including Hamilton White, Hamilton White and Coral Blue.

The ORA Good Cat 500 ULTRA, meanwhile, comes in 6 special color options – Verdant Green with Hamilton White Roof and green-gray interior; Hazel Wood Beige with Wisdom Brown Roof and beige interior; Hamilton White with Black Roof, Hamilton White and Coral Blue with a classic black interior; and the new Pistachio Green, which is perfectly matched with a standout stylish green-beige interior design and enhance the unique brilliance of this electric funky cat to another level.

About Great Wall Motor
Great Wall Motor (GWM) is a Global Intelligent Technology Company. The company made its initial public offerings on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 2003 and the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2011. With more than 80 subsidiaries and affiliates, GWM employs more than 70,000 people. Its automobile sales have exceeded one million units per annum for six years running. In addition to China, GWM sells its high-quality automobiles in more than 60 markets through an overseas network that covers more than 700 locations worldwide.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Emirates with Milestone Flight Powered by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel

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Emirates with Milestone Flight Powered by 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel - TRAVELINDEX - AIRLINEHUB.com - TOURISMDUBAI.orgDubai, United Arab Emirates, February 2, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Emirates has operated its first milestone demonstration flight on a Boeing 777-300ER, powering one of its engines with 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The flight took off from Dubai International Airport (DXB), and was commanded by Captain Fali Vajifdar and Captain Khalid Nasser Akram, flying for more than one hour over the Dubai coastline.

The demonstration flight powered by SAF holds particular significance as the UAE declares 2023 the ‘Year of Sustainability’. The year will showcase the UAE’s commitment to seek innovative solutions to challenges such as energy, climate change and other issues related to sustainability. The flight supports collective industry efforts to enable a future of 100% SAF flying and help advance the UAE’s sustainability objectives.

Emirates’ demonstration flight, the first in the Middle East and North Africa to be powered by 100% SAF, supports broader efforts to reduce lifecycle CO2 emissions as the industry looks to scale up its use of SAF. The flights will also help to refine the playbook for future SAF demonstrations, and will also support future certification where 100% drop-in SAF fuel is approved for aircraft. Currently, SAF is approved for use in all aircraft, but only in blends of up to 50% with conventional jet fuel.

Emirates worked alongside partners GE Aerospace, Boeing, Honeywell, Neste and Virent to procure and develop a blend of SAF that closely replicates the properties of conventional jet fuel. At each blend ratio, a host of chemical and physical fuel property measurements were carried out. After multiple lab tests and rigorous trials, they arrived at a blending ratio that mirrored the qualities of jet fuel. Eighteen tonnes of SAF were blended, comprised of HEFA-SPK provided by Neste (hydro processed esters and fatty acids and synthetic paraffinic kerosene) and HDO-SAK from Virent (hydro deoxygenated synthetic aromatic kerosene). The 100% SAF supplied one GE90 engine, with conventional jet fuel supplying the other engine.

The test flight further demonstrates the compatibility of the specially blended SAF as a safe and reliable fuel source. The promising outcome of this initiative also adds to the body of industry data and research around SAF blends in higher proportions, paving the way for standardization and future approval of 100% drop-in SAF as a replacement for jet fuel, well above the current 50% blend limit.

Adel Al Redha, Chief Operating Officer, Emirates Airline said: “This flight is a milestone moment for Emirates and a positive step for our industry as we work collectively to address one of our biggest challenges – reducing our carbon footprint. It has been a long journey to finally see this demonstration 100% SAF flight take off. Emirates is the first passenger airline in the world to operate a Boeing 777 powering a GE engine with 100% SAF. Such initiatives are critical contributors to industry knowledge on SAF, and provide data to demonstrate the use of higher blends of SAF for future regulatory approvals. We hope that landmark demonstrations flights like this one, will help open the door to scale up the SAF supply chain and make it more available and accessible across geographies, and most importantly, affordable for broader industry adoption in the future.”

“My congratulations go to Emirates on this achievement. SAF is critical to helping the aviation industry reach its goal to be net zero by 2050 and collaborations like this to test 100% SAF globally will help bring us closer to this target,” said Aziz Koleilat, vice president of global sales and marketing in the Middle East for GE Aerospace.

“Boeing congratulates Emirates on its successful flight tests using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF),” said Omar Arekat, Vice President, Commercial Sales and Marketing, Middle East, The Boeing Company. “SAF will play a critical role in the aviation industry’s commitment to be net zero by 2050, requiring strong industry collaboration. We were proud to partner with Emirates on these tests and look forward to further working with our partners to enable the widespread use of SAF across the globe.”

“We are excited to apply our technology to such a milestone demonstration. The 331-500 auxiliary power unit or APU is an integral part of the Boeing 777 aircraft system. The APU provides main engine starting, environmental control and emergency back-up systems for the aircraft on the ground and in-flight. It uses the same fuel as the main propulsion engines. Currently the APU is certified to run on only 50% SAF, so this demonstration is a big first step in showing full APU functionality and capability when running on 100% SAF,” said Mosab Alkubaisy, Director of Airlines, Honeywell Aerospace Middle East.

Jonathan Wood, Vice President EMEA, Renewable Aviation at Neste, said: “Neste is working closely together with partners to accelerate the availability and use of SAF, which plays a crucial role in reducing the emissions of air travel. To fully leverage its decarbonization potential we need to enable 100% SAF use and test flights like this Emirates flight are an important step towards 100% SAF certification. It also shows the importance of cooperation to achieve the emission reduction goals and Neste is committed to play our part in ensuring Dubai and the UAE continue to be a leader on sustainability and emission reductions in the aviation sector, as we increase our SAF production capacity to 1.5 million tons per annum by the end of this year. We look forward to growing the supply of SAF to Dubai.”

“Virent’s technology converts widely available, plant-based sugars into the compounds that make 100% sustainable aviation fuel possible, without the need to blend with traditional jet fuel,” said Dave Kettner, president and general counsel of Virent, Inc. “Along with our parent company Marathon Petroleum Corporation, we are committed to meeting today’s energy needs while investing in an energy diverse future, and today’s flight is a great example of this commitment. We’re excited about this opportunity to work with our forward-thinking colleagues at Emirates, GE Aerospace, Boeing, Honeywell and Neste as we demonstrate that we can power sustainable aviation without modifying today’s modern airline engines or the infrastructure that serves the airline industry.”

His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO at ENOC praised the achievement as it coincides with 2023 as the ‘Year of Sustainability’, which was announced by the UAE’s President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It also represents a major step towards reducing carbon dioxide emissions and achieving climate neutrality.

His Excellency added: “At ENOC, we prioritise working closely with our strategic partners to implement a national roadmap for sustainable aviation fuel. This not only aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of the aviation sector, but also contributes to achieving the UAE’s goals in climate neutrality, enhances the efficiency and conservation of fuel, as well as positions the UAE as a regional hub for sustainable aviation fuel. Playing an active role in supplying Dubai Airports with aviation fuel, ENOC Group is participating in this achievement by securing and blending sustainable aviation fuel, which will help to secure this type of fuel in the UAE in the future.”

Emirates is committed to supporting initiatives that help minimise its CO2 emissions, and the airline has already made great strides in fuel efficiency and conservation as well as operational advancements across its operations. The airline also supports IATA’s collective industry commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, and is exploring opportunities to augment operational fuel efficiency, SAF, low carbon aviation fuels (LCAF) and renewable energy.

The airline already runs a comprehensive fuel efficiency programme that actively investigates and implements ways to reduce unnecessary fuel burn and emissions, wherever it is operationally feasible. Some of the programme’s most significant initiatives include the operation of “flex tracks”, or flexible routings – partnering with air navigation service providers to create the most efficient flight plan for each flight. These efforts have been ongoing since 2003, and Emirates has been working with IATA to extend this routing system across the world as a standard operating procedure where possible.

Emirates’ first flight powered by SAF blended with jet fuel was in 2017, operating from Chicago O’Hare airport on a Boeing 777. It received its first SAF-powered A380 delivery in 2020, and also uplifted 32 tonnes of SAF for its flights from Stockholm that same year.

About Emirates
The Emirates story started in 1985 when we launched operations with just two aircraft. Today, we fly the world’s biggest fleets of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, offering our customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies. We inspire travelers around the world with our growing network of worldwide destinations, industry leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine, and world-class service. The largest airline for international passengers, Emirates has flown to and from the UK since 1987. Emirates serves the UK with 119 weekly flights including: six times daily to London Heathrow; three times daily A380 service to Gatwick; daily service to Stansted; three times daily A380 service to Manchester; double daily service to Birmingham; daily service to Newcastle; and a daily service to Glasgow.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News