Global Travel News

Marriott International Continues Growth Across Africa with More Than 30 Anticipated Hotel Openings by the End of 2024

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Le Mersenne, Zanzibar, an Autograph Collection Hotel
laïla, Seychelles, a Tribute Portfolio Resort
JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge

From the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum in Taghazout Bay, Morocco, Marriott International, Inc., today announced plans to expand its operations in Africa with the anticipated addition of over 30 hotels, and more than 5,000 rooms by the end of 2024. The company’s growth across Africa is largely driven by its select-service brands which represent half of the company’s current development pipeline in the continent. The company is also expected to introduce its Delta Hotels by Marriott brand in the region.

“Marriott International’s expansion plans reinforce its commitment to Africa and highlight the growth of the travel and tourism sector across the continent,” said Karim Cheltout, Regional Vice President – Development, Africa, Marriott International. “We continue to see opportunities to expand in major gateway cities, commercial centers, and resort destinations across Africa, while catering to the region’s ever-changing and evolving markets through our diverse range of extraordinary brands.”

Select-Service Accommodations Fuel Growth
Marriott International’s select-service brands in the region, led by Protea Hotels by Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton, make up more than 50 percent of the company’s property additions in Africa through 2024. Protea Hotels by Marriott remains the most recognizable hospitality brand in Africa, with over 60 hotels across nine countries. Offering a taste of the local flavor in an authentic way, Protea Hotels by Marriott expects to further expand its footprint across the continent with 10 anticipated additions by the end of 2024. Plans include the brand’s first properties in Kenya, Malawi, and Angola, and further expansion in South Africa where it is expected to open five new hotels.

With its authentic and timeless design, paired with stylish comfort, Four Points by Sheraton continues to build on its momentum in Africa with five anticipated additions by the end of 2024. These expansion plans for Four Points by Sheraton include the brand’s entry into Uganda, Senegal, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Cape Verde. The brand also expects to open its second property in Nigeria, Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene.

Demand for Premium and Luxury Brands Remains Strong
Marriott International also continues to see growth opportunities across Africa for its unparalleled premium and luxury brands. The company’s expansion plans for its premium brands across the continent include the anticipated launch of Delta Hotels in 2023. Delta Hotels, which provides guests with exactly what they need for a seamless travel experience, is expected to make its entry into Africa with the opening of Delta Hotels by Marriott Dar es Salaam Oyster Bay in Tanzania.

Plans for Tribute Portfolio, a growing global family of characterful, independent hotels drawn together by their passion for captivating design and vibrant social scenes, include the expected opening of laïla, Seychelles, a Tribute Portfolio Resort. The company is also slated to introduce the Westin Hotels & Resorts brand in Ethiopia with the anticipated opening of The Westin Addis Ababa. Additionally, Marriott International plans to grow its iconic collection of independent properties under the Autograph Collection Hotels brand with new properties in expected Tanzania and Algeria.

Marriott International also plans to expand its portfolio of luxury brands with five anticipated openings in Africa by the end of 2024. The company is expected to introduce The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis brands in Morocco with the anticipated openings of The Ritz-Carlton, Rabat Dar Es Salam, and The St. Regis La Bahia Blanca Resort, Tamuda. JW Marriott is expected to enter Kenya with the openings of JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi and JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge, which will mark the company’s first property in the luxury safari space.

Marriott International’s current portfolio in Africa encompasses nearly 130 properties and more than 23,000 rooms across 20 countries.

Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of United States federal securities laws, including statements related to expected unit and rooms growth; expected hotel openings and brand debuts in certain markets; our growth pipeline; and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous evolving risks and uncertainties that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including the risk factors that we identify in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc., (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,100 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program. Connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contact
Chandan Belani
Senior Area Director, Communications – Middle East & Africa
Marriott International
Chandan.Belani@marriott.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts to Debut in Costa Mujeres, Mexico

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The St. Regis Costa Mujeres Resort

Marriott International, Inc., today announced it has signed an agreement with AB Living to bring the legendary St. Regis brand to Costa Mujeres. Solidifying the brand’s position as a global leader in luxury leisure hospitality, The St. Regis Costa Mujeres Resort is expected to welcome its first guests in early 2025.

“The signing of The St. Regis Costa Mujeres Resort represents a pivotal moment for St. Regis, as the brand continues its dynamic resort growth in the world’s most glamorous leisure destinations,” said George Fleck, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “We are thrilled to expand St. Regis’ footprint in Mexico and look forward to bringing the brand’s celebrated rituals and traditions to this vibrant and sought-after destination for future guests.”

Building on the brand’s existing portfolio of 15 resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts has plans to expand its resort portfolio to include some of the world’s most coveted leisure destinations, including within the Caribbean, North America, North Africa, Middle East, and Asia Pacific. The signing of The St. Regis Costa Mujeres Resort underscores this commitment to its strong global expansion in the world’s most compelling markets.

“We are thrilled to work with AB Living to introduce The St. Regis brand to Costa Mujeres, Cancun’s exciting new side of town,” said Laurent De Kousemaeker, Chief Development Officer, Marriott International. “This signing showcases both the continuous growth in one of Mexico’s top destinations and the strong interest in our portfolio of sought-after luxury brands.”

The St. Regis Costa Mujeres Resort is ideally located on a 3.5-hectare site along the scenic Costa Mujeres beach. Situated north of Cancun on the Yucatan Peninsula, Costa Mujeres is a vibrant travel destination, known for its tranquil atmosphere, lush natural surroundings, and pristine beaches on the Mexican Caribbean. The resort is only a 35-minute drive from Cancun’s International Airport and a quick boat ride from the magical Island of Isla Mujeres.

“Our choice of St. Regis is based on a shared vision of luxury hospitality, standards of service, tradition and excellence. St Regis. is also a leader in the luxury branded residential segment, a component that plays a major role in this project,” said Alejandro Bataller, Vice President of AB Living Group.

Envisioned by Sordo Madaleno Architects, an internationally renowned architectural firm based in Mexico City, The St. Regis Costa Mujeres Resort is expected to feature 158 guest rooms and 80 branded residential units, which will boast spectacular views of the Island of Isla Mujeres to the east and Cancun to the Southeast. Plans for the resort also include three distinct food and beverage venues, several swimming pools, a glamorous beach club, approximately 470 square meters of meeting space, and the signature St. Regis Butler Service. Comprised of 22,584 square meters, the branded residences will enjoy private elevator access, a residential concierge, a fitness center, and full access to the resort’s amenities and services.

Marriott International currently operates two St. Regis properties in Mexico; The St. Regis Mexico City and The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort. Additionally, the brand is slated to make its debut in Riviera Maya later this year and in Los Cabos in 2023.

About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc., (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,100 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 139 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly awarded travel program. Connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts
Combining timeless glamour with a vanguard spirit, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts is committed to delivering exquisite experiences at nearly 50 luxury hotels and resorts in the best addresses around the world. Beginning with the debut of The St. Regis hotel in New York by John Jacob Astor IV at the dawn of the twentieth century, the brand has remained committed to an uncompromising level of bespoke and anticipatory service for all of its guests, delivered flawlessly by the signature St. Regis Butler Service. For more information and new openings, visit stregis.com or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. St. Regis is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit www.MarriottBonvoy.com.

About AB Living
AB Living is a business group with more than 30 years of experience creating unique projects on the Mediterranean coast. It currently has three business divisions, AB Wellness, responsible for the SHA Wellness Clinic brand, AB Properties, focused on the residential real estate sector, and AB Hospitality, which aims to develop unique hotel projects with high added value with leading international brands in the premium and luxury segment.

To make this visión a reality, the AB Living Group has invested in recent years in different locations in search of the perfect environments with large areas of surrounding nature, warm climates and easy accessibility. In addition, it has created a solid regional structure of human capital with extensive experience in the sector.

After nearly 15 years of building the SHA Wellness concept, its flagship brand, AB Living is working in parallel to expand the brand with planned openings in Mexico in 2023 and the Emirates in 2024.

Media Contacts
Erica Flint
Director, Global Communications, Marriott International Luxury Brands
Marriott International
Erica.Flint@Marriott.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

An Enchanted Sanctuary Suspended in Time and Space

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BANYAN TREE HOTELS - An Enchanted Sanctuary Suspended in Time and Space - TRAVELINDEXAlUla, Saudi Arabia, November 1, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Set against a breathtaking backdrop of majestic desert canyons, in the historical city of AlUla, is Banyan Tree Group’s first property in Saudi Arabia. Banyan Tree AlUla is the brand’s new all-villa tented resort is inspired by the nomadic nature of Nabataean architecture, enveloped by unparalleled nature and heritage.

• Discover Saudi Arabia with a comprehensive travel guide on Saudi Arabia, visit TourismSaudiArabia.com

An enchanted sanctuary suspended in time and space.

Situated in the magical surrounds of AlUla in Saudi Arabia, our all-villa resort is a desert retreat located in one of the world’s most mysterious and exciting travel destinations, inspired by the natural surroundings of the Ashar Valley.

Journey in an open-air museum of valleys, cliffs and canyons, imprinted with the memory of 7,000 years of civilisation. Linger around a warm fire under an endless canopy of stars.

Embark on a multi-sensory experience at Banyan Tree AlUla. Be stunned by the stillness, peacefulness, the stunning rock formations, the sheer force of nature, and feel as if time and space were suddenly suspended, allowing the senses to fully awaken.

Set in the area known as the world’s largest living museum, our resort is just a short flight from either Riyadh or Jeddah, connected by direct flights from Dubai, all of which make AlUla more accessible for international travelers.

• Discover Saudi Arabia with a comprehensive travel guide on Saudi Arabia, visit TourismSaudiArabia.com

Roam the intricate Old Town of nearly 900 mud-brick houses and 400 shops, and unearth handiworks by local craftsmen. Awaken your senses to the stories that unfold before you.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Jono Hotels Unveils New Era of Smart and Social Hospitality in Phuket

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Jono Hotels Unveils New Era of Smart and Social Hospitality in Phuket - TRAVELINDEXPhuket, Thailand, November 1, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Are you seeking a new way to stay, play, relax and recharge that delivers the benefits of a world-class hotel, while getting rid of all the nonsense that can hold you back and drive you crazy? The wait is over; Jono Hotels (which derives from “Journey of the Nomad”) is here to keep you connected, make you smile and put the spirit of discovery back into your travels.

• Discover gastronomy destination Phuket and Asia’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants at Top25Restaurants.com

Never Mind the Nonsense, Jono Hotels Unveils New Era of Smart, Seamless and Social Hospitality in Phuket. Newly opened just steps from the seafront, JonoX Phuket Karon removes unnecessary hotel hassle and creates seamless stays for modern nomads, from Gen X to Gen Z or anyone in between. With contemporary design, comfortable bedding and modern amenities, the 21sqm Recharge Rooms are ideal for every type of traveller.

The world’s first Jono Hotel has now opened in Karon Beach, the chic seafront enclave on Phuket’s sunset coast. This innovative new lifestyle brand is focused on making your life easier – whether you identity as Gen X, Gen Z or anyone in between. Like that reliable friend you invite on your trip, JonoX Phuket Karon has got your back. Our aim is to make every vacation fun, casual and carefree, while using cutting-edge tech to put the entire destination at your fingertips. Work or play, young or old, short break or long vacation, we’ll treat you like one of the family.

“At Jono Hotels, we understand that the world has moved forward and the needs of travellers have changed. As a new player in the market, we can take a fresh approach to hospitality that does away with those annoying, inefficient practices of the past and shapes the entire experience around the needs of you, our guests. Personal and playful, smart and social, innovative and insightful, we want to make every stay completely seamless. Like the warm and welcoming sea breeze that drifts off the Andaman Sea, JonoX Phuket Karon will be a breath of fresh air for modern explorers,” revealed Björn Richardson, Senior Vice President – Hospitality and Property Operations at Boutique Corporation PLC, when asked about Jono Hotels and JonoX Phuket Karon, the brand’s first hotel management agreement.

Set in the heart of the action, just a short stroll from the soft, sandy beach, JonoX Phuket Karon provides everything you need for a rewarding adventure, without any unnecessary fuss. The 121 guestrooms range from the stylish 21-square metre Recharge Rooms, with plush king or twin bedding, to the more spacious 35-square metre RechargeX Rooms, which also offer bunk beds for youngsters. Clean, contemporary design and intuitive amenities such as Smart TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi, walk-in power showers, kettles and more make it easy to cut loose. Forget long waits at reception or pressing “0” for the operator; the hotel’s dedicated app lets you talk to the front desk in your native tongue, order room service, make travel arrangements, book activities and more, all from your smartphone.

• Discover gastronomy destination Phuket and Asia’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants at Top25Restaurants.com

The sparkling rooftop infinity pool provides the perfect place to rise above the crowds and chill out in style, including a separate area for children to splash, while a colourful kids’ playroom is available when parents need a break. Freshly-made local and international cuisine can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 360 Restaurant, and Altitude Rooftop Bar is open throughout the day and late into the night, letting guests socialise together and sip cool cocktails.

For executives and entrepreneurs, an intimate meeting room can host up to ten people and comes integrated with audio-visual equipment to bring your presentations to life. With solid doors that keep sound out, this private room also doubles as a co-working space – perfect for the new generation of digital nomads.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Observatories Guiding Shift Towards More Sustainable & Resilient Tourism

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UNWTO - Observatories Guiding Shift Towards More Sustainable & Resilient Tourism - TRAVELINDEXMadrid, Spain, October 31, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Destinations around the world are reporting significant advances in sustainable tourism, with timely evidence and analytics serving as key tools for transformation as the sector’s recovery continues to get underway.

Meeting in Madrid, the World Tourism Organization’s (UNWTO) International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) welcomed insights from more than 150 experts, with a focus on key topics including the shift towards a circular economy and reducing food waste across the sector. The global network of INSTO Observatories is pioneering and implementing, very often for the first time, catalytic activities designed to help the tourism sector implement sustainable development at the destination level. Together, they are leading the transformation of tourism by building on the principles of participatory approaches including all stakeholders to ensure an inclusive and resilient tourism development.

The Observatories are an excellent tool for guiding and accompany this change and ensure evidence-based decision- making

UNWTO Secretary- General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “To ensure the sustainable transformation of the tourism sector, its development must be seen as a means to achieve the overall prosperity of a local community and the surrounding environment rather than a goal in itself. The Observatories are an excellent tool for guiding and accompany this change and ensure evidence-based decision- making.”

Sustainable production and consumption

At the Global INSTO Meeting, destinations focussed on how a timely and evidence-based approach is helping stimulate circular economy processes that result in using resources such as water and energy more efficiently. In addition, challenges in the environmental and social dimensions and the need for indicators that allow for comparability among destinations were highlighted.

Another topic was the availability of data from a growing variety of data-sources, making it increasingly difficult to process them into useful information needed for an informed decision- and policy- making process. It was agreed that all of these issues will be addressed in the INSTO Network through webinars and technical discussions.

Network keeps growing

Within the framework of the meeting, the Center of Tourism Economics of the State of Sao Paolo in Brazil and the Biscay Tourism Intelligence System in Spain were officially welcomed as new members of the Network. Both destinations have based their commitment to sustainable tourism development on participatory approaches, evidence generation and transparency, all three important requirements for membership.

The meeting was also an opportunity to introduce the five members who have joined since 2021: Mallorca, Barcelona and Málaga from Spain, the Yukon from Canada and Bogotá in Colombia.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

AIR CANADA ROLLS OUT ENHANCED SERVICES

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Upgraded dining in Economy, more in-flight entertainment, and connectivity options, and enriched Premium offerings are among a comprehensive range of enhancements being rolled out by Air Canada starting this month with the aim of elevating the customer experience for passengers.

Among the enhancements, customers will see new and restored services in Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and in Premium cabins onboard, a new Economy Class dining service with a celebrity chef entree internationally plus new Bistro choices in North America.

And in a first for a Canadian airline, complimentary, high-speed Wi-Fi for Premium Rouge passengers.

Meanwhile, starting in 2023, Air Canada will increase its onboard entertainment content by over 25% and introduce Live TV, Bluetooth audio connectivity, and other new features.

“We are investing in all aspects of the journey to make travel even better for customers, including in our Economy and Premium cabins. Today’s announcements go beyond emerging from the pandemic; we’re proud to introduce many new services and options not available today in Canada,” says Air Canada VP Mark Nasr.

New offerings include:

In-Flight entertainment, connectivity

• Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge offer what is says will be the fastest inflight internet in Canada, with inflight Wi-Fi available across the entire Air Canada Rouge fleet of 39 aircraft, across all Air Canada wide-body aircraft and on nearly 90% of the overall Air Canada mainline fleet. Wi-Fi installation will be complete across the remainder of narrow-body aircraft in 2023.

• Effective Nov. 1, Air Canada becomes the first Canadian airline to begin offering complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi onboard. Customers flying in Premium Rouge will enjoy this benefit, giving them the ability to stream their own entertainment, TV shows and movies, listen to their own music or simply remain connected, replacing the previous tablets offered with pre-loaded in-flight entertainment choices. All Rouge customers can continue to access a large selection of complimentary movies and TV shows through the ‘Entertainment on Demand’ section of the onboard portal.

• Beginning 2023, Air Canada will expand its onboard entertainment content by more than 25%, and the airline will introduce new options including Live TV to enable customers to watch sports events and news live. Details for Live TV, as well as additional new features such as Bluetooth audio connectivity and an outside camera feature, will be unveiled soon.

International Economy class dining

Effective Nov. 1, Air Canada will be elevating its International Economy Class dining experience to reflect Canada’s culinary talent and tastes from its global network of destinations. Economy Class dining on all international flights departing Canada is being revamped to feature a hot entree created for Air Canada by renowned Montreal Chef Jérôme Ferrer, a member of Air Canada’s culinary panel. An additional appetizer reflecting destination cuisine is also being presented with all meals, and a separate dessert service will follow.North America Economy class dining

• To offer a broader range of fresh and healthy dining choices for Economy class on North America and Sun destination flights, starting Nov. 1, the Air Canada Bistro menu will be refreshed and expanded to include a brioche bagel smoked salmon sandwich, vegan options such as Farro Salad or Spiced chickpea wrap, Canadian snacks such as Good To Go Blondies and Nomz energy bites, in addition to popular choices such as Montreal smoke meat sandwiches and Air Canada’s fruit and cheese board.

Premium Cabin Services

• Starting Nov. 1, Air Canada is fully restoring its premium cabin services both pre-departure and in-flight, with the return of offers to hang coats and jackets, presentation of pre-departure beverages on international flights and hot towels prior to meal services.

Premium Cabin Amenities

• Air Canada will be introducing new amenity kits to premium cabin customers later in November. The new line of amenity kits and totes have been purposefully designed to significantly minimize single-use plastics including the elimination of plastic wrap.

• Air Canada Signature Class customers on all international flights will be presented with amenity kits in partnership with Acqua di Parma featuring stylish amenity bags containing Acqua di Parma luxury skincare products plus an oversized eye mask, socks, dental products and 3M earplugs for additional comfort and personal care.

• Customers in International Premium Economy and North America Signature Class overnight flights will receive reusable amenity totes containing an eye mask, socks and dental products providing for a more refreshed journey.

Airport lounges

• Many Maple Leaf Lounges in North America now feature elevated food and beverage offerings. Air Canada works with local wine producers and importers to offer a selection that appeals to a wide, global audience, and varietal selections in each lounge will be expanded to six wines plus a bubbly and rosé (seasonally).

• At all hub airports, Air Canada has resumed its full buffet service, with an increased range of salads and the addition of international delectable dishes such as stir-fry and curries in a contemporary presentation. Montreal Maple Leaf Lounges also feature local favourites, including Montreal Fairmount bagels, Montreal’s famous smoked meat sandwiches, and poutine.

• New priority access lanes have been added to select Maple Leaf Lounges during peak times to offer Super Elite and Business Class customers priority entry.

• The Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson now offers a selection of Ontario craft beers, ciders, wine, and hot appetizers such as empanadas, arancini and sliders, in addition to the current range of grab-and-go artisanal sandwiches, salads, cold-pressed fresh juices and specialty coffees.

• Starting this month, Air Canada Chauffeur Service will be introduced at Vancouver International Airport. Eligible connecting International Air Canada Signature Class customers arriving from within Canada will be met by a concierge before being whisked away on the tarmac in a plug-in hybrid or fully electric Porsche vehicle to the Air Canada Signature Suite. Chauffeur service offers an premium experience in Canada for international Signature Class customers connecting through Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International Airports.

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Japan’s Palace Hotel Brand Announces International Expansion

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Japan's Palace Hotel Brand Announces International Expansion - TOP25HOTELS.com - TRAVELINDEXTokyo, Japan, October 31, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / An iconic independent Japanese hotel brand, known for its rich history and homegrown hospitality, is embarking on its first-ever luxury project overseas with a Taiwanese property that also has a notable past and deep roots in the local culture.

After over five decades in operation, the landmark Ambassador Hotel Taipei has closed its doors to undergo a complete redesign. Once razed and rebuilt by The Ambassador Hotel Co. Ltd., its brand-new iteration is slated to be unveiled in 2028 as Ambassador Palace Hotel Taipei, a world-class property to be managed by Palace Hotel Co., Ltd.

“It’s fitting that our first luxury project outside of Japan is in collaboration with a brand that trades on its history as an ambassador,” said Daisuke Yoshihara, president of Palace Hotel Co., Ltd.

After all, it was during the original Palace Hotel’s nearly half-a-century tenure that 284 ambassadors from 124 countries made the journey by horse and carriage from the hotel to the Imperial Palace nearby – just across the moat – to present their credentials to the emperor.

“Both properties have played a pivotal role in elevating the hospitality industry in each country. Through this partnership, we will work together to take the Ambassador brand to ambitious new heights, just as we have done with Palace Hotel Tokyo,” added Yoshihara.

The Ambassador Hotel was the first privately owned luxury hotel in Taiwan when it opened in 1964. “Undergoing this massive, six-year reconstruction will allow us to raise the bar on our products and services while further strengthening our legacy of representing the best of Taiwanese hospitality,” said Emmet Hsu, chairman of The Ambassador Hotel Co. Ltd. “We are honored to partner with Japan’s most distinguished luxury hospitality brand to present the best of both to travelers from all over the world, and look forward to leveraging the respective strengths of each as we write a new chapter in history, defined by our shared pursuit of excellence.”

Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, Palace Hotel Tokyo underwent a similar transformation over a decade ago, with a three-year rebuild from the ground up followed by a re-opening in 2012. Its current iteration stands as heir to a succession of hotels that have held one of Tokyo’s most prestigious addresses, amidst the Imperial Palace gardens, for more than seven decades. Palace Hotel Co., Ltd. will draw on this wealth of experience as it begins a similar journey in Taipei.

Ambassador Palace Hotel Taipei will be located in the trendy Zhongshan district, a hub of culture and business known for its museums and galleries as well as a vibrant dining scene. The original property housed 425 guestrooms, six restaurants and 29 banquet rooms. Following the six-year makeover, the new hotel will debut with 106 rooms and suites. Its facilities will include a fitness center, swimming pool, spa and versatile events spaces as well as a lounge for the exclusive use of in-house guests.

A collective of six dining venues – including a bar on the hotel’s topmost floor – and a bakeshop are slated to present an exciting new addition to the city’s impressive food scene. The Japanese restaurant to be managed by Palace Hotel Co., Ltd. will be one of the highlights.

UK-based G.A Group, led by Terry McGinnity, has been appointed to craft the hotel’s interiors. The award-winning design firm was responsible for much of Palace Hotel Tokyo’s interiors, creating refined spaces that harmoniously blend with the natural beauty surrounding the property and celebrate the country’s rich heritage. The new Taipei property will echo the same sentiment, exuding a timeless aesthetic that, while rich in details, is overarchingly simple and elegant.

Mitsubishi Jisho Design Inc., which spearheaded the architectural direction for Palace Hotel Tokyo, will be playing a similar role in the Taipei project. In addition to the hotel component, the expansive property will encompass 73 luxury private residences housed in an adjacent, 23-story tower.

“As Palace Hotel Tokyo embarks on its next decade, we’re enthused by the continued rise in demand for sophisticated travel experiences across Asia,” said Masaru Watanabe, Palace Hotel Tokyo’s senior managing director and general manager. “Taiwan, with its worldly appeal and cosmopolitan travelers – many of whom are Japanophiles – makes perfect sense as the first step of our brand’s overseas expansion.”

Ambassador Palace Hotel Taipei will be situated at 63, Section 2, Zhongshan North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei. Its location is an approximate 15-minute drive from Taipei Songshan Airport and a 40-minute drive from Taoyuan International Airport. Shuanglian Station, the nearest metro station, is a mere 5-minute walk from the hotel. Well-known landmarks such as Taipei 101 and Taipei World Trade Center are a 20-minute drive away.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Airline Industry in Crisis

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Airline Industry in Crisis - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25AIRLINES.comHong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, October 31, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Cancelled flights and complicated travel protocols have become all too common amidst the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, whose outbreak all but grounded the global airline industry. However, we still know little about how these new job stressors actually affect airline workers. Shedding light on this important issue, Professor Sam Kim of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and co-researchers identified the major pandemic-related stressors that have emerged for airline workers and explored their effects on workers’ mental health and job-related outcomes such as satisfaction, motivation and performance. The authors’ findings offer invaluable practical guidance for alleviating the worrying knock-on effects of the pandemic on the well-being of airline employees and the growth of the airline industry as a whole.

Irregular schedules, night shifts, physical exertion and time zone changes are part of life for airline workers. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, however, employees have faced a horde of fresh difficulties. With planes grounded across the world, mass redundancies and restructuring have profoundly increased job insecurity. Safety-related stressors such as sanitisation and mask wearing requirements, along with strict and time-consuming immigration procedures, hotel quarantine and fear of contracting the virus, are now also part of employees’ new routine. “The new types of stressors resulting from the pandemic, as well as traditional stressors, will have many job-related consequences”, warn the researchers.

More exposure to stressors means more job-related stress. Studies have found that such stress explains the high prevalence of physical and mental health problems in flight attendants and triggers emotional exhaustion, burnout, depersonalisation and depression in hotel employees. Protecting employees’ mental health – which has been damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic – is not only a major public health issue but also critical to business success. Yet “studies that scrutinise the antecedents of mental health problems and their consequences in the hospitality and tourism industry are still limited”, say the authors. Recognising this, they set out to pinpoint what the major new stressors are for airline workers and how and to what extent they impact mental health and job outcomes.

The effects of mental health on job outcomes – such as job satisfaction and job performance – in the hospitality and tourism industry are understudied. Perhaps unsurprisingly, research in other contexts has shown that an unhealthy working environment and work stress decrease job satisfaction. Poor mental health may also worsen job performance. This may in turn generate significant costs for employers, state the researchers, “such as increases in work-related injuries, reduced productivity, absenteeism, presenteeism, and employee compensation claims”. Mental health could also influence employees’ perception of company image, which reflects workplace morale, pride and motivation. People with poor mental health also tend to have “a reduced responsiveness to others’ needs”, which creates obvious problems in the service sector.

The researchers also examined the possibility that job satisfaction in turn influences job performance, company images and prosocial behaviour. Job satisfaction has been found to enhance job performance in flight attendants, and to predict more positive perceptions of company image in airline employees. More generally, job satisfaction is thought to increase an individual’s willingness to contribute to the community in the form of pro-social behaviours. But how has job satisfaction affected these work outcomes in airline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Also of interest was whether sociodemographic and job-related characteristics alter the relationships between job-related stress, mental health, and job outcomes. For example, during crises like the pandemic, “age may determine contract renewal, layoff, or fringe benefit provision”, say the researchers.

The questionnaire used in this study was developed in several careful stages, the first being in-depth interviews with 15 airline employees to better glimpse working conditions before and during the crisis. Insights were used for subsequent creation of the questionnaire. Its 40 items assessed job stressors—including traditional and new stressors—job satisfaction, organisational commitment, perceived company image, job performance and pro-social behaviour. As a final preparatory step, the questionnaire was piloted with 100 Hong Kong airline employees to doublecheck its validity and reliability.

After tweaking, the questionnaire was distributed to 374 Hong Kong airline employees between 15 July and 30 December 2020. Over half of the participants were men (63%), and most were in their 20s or 30s. The vast majority worked for full-service carriers in Hong Kong. More than 75% worked in flight operation departments and 20.9% worked in ground operation departments. Almost half had worked in the airline industry for 10 years or more. With regard to their positions in the airline industry, 46% were at supervisory level, followed by entry-level (43.8%) and managerial level or above (10.2%). The questionnaire responses were analysed to examine the structural relationships between the variables.

Passenger arrivals at Hong Kong International airport decreased by 98.5% between October 2019 and October 2020. This simple fact could account for the study’s first finding – that traditional job-related stressors did not affect airline employees’ mental health after the COVID-19 outbreak. “When airline employees can perform few of their normal duties, physical exhaustion, schedule conflicts and demanding workloads cannot affect mental health status”, explain the authors. Nevertheless, the pandemic brought with it three significant new stressors: hygiene requirements, safety concerns, and job instability. Of these, safety concerns and job instability significantly impacted mental health.

The researchers found that more intense safety concerns were detrimental to mental health. As the researchers note, airline employees’ mental health “is important to enable them to consistently provide high quality service to passengers”. Therefore, overcoming safety concerns could be a decisive strategy. Airlines could follow the example set by Emirates Airline, which has distributed “hygiene kits”, organised individual hotel rooms in outport destinations, and enforced a 14-day quarantine for its employees. More transparency about confirmed cases on specific flights and providing information about safety measures in risky destinations could also reduce concerns.

Quite unexpectedly, job instability was associated with better mental health. On the face of it, this is mystifying, at odds with pre-pandemic reports that job uncertainty worsens mental health. “Airline crew seemed to feel grateful to retain their jobs in an economic crisis”, infer the authors. Cost-saving measures implemented by an airline could also signal its efforts to ride out hardship “together with its employees”, thus generating positive mental health effects.

This important study shed light not only on the factors shaping mental health but also on its consequences: good mental health was found to enhance job satisfaction, job performance, perceived company image, and prosocial behaviours. Job satisfaction also improved job performance, perceived company image and prosocial behaviours. These findings underscore the potentially far-reaching benefits of fostering a healthy working environment and promoting employee satisfaction.

Airlines wishing to support their employees’ mental health should also note that perceived stressors and their effects differ according to age, sex, job position, and working experience. “Mental health programmes are required to be differently applied according to employees’ career or demographic characteristics”, conclude the authors.

Shedding new light on mental health in airline workers, this work suggests that airlines should eradicate safety concerns as much as possible. Surprisingly, job instability was found to improve workers’ mental health. However, airlines and governments should by no means use this finding as an excuse to overlook the issue, not least because job instability and unemployment are serious problems in Hong Kong. “Cabin crew who have worked for their airline for a long time should be helped to upgrade their skills and know-how to dissipate job stressors during the present unstable business environment in the airline industry”, conclude the researchers.

Kim, Seongseop (Sam), Wong, Antony King Fung, Han, Heesup, and Yeung, Man Wah (Vanessa) (2022). How Does the COVID-19 Pandemic Influence Travel Industry Employees in Hong Kong? Structural Relationships Among Airline Crew’s Job-Related Stressors, Mental Health and Other Consequences. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, Vol. 27, Issue 1, pp. 69-85

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

House of Eden Afternoon Tea Officially Launched

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House of Eden Afternoon Tea Officially Launched - TOP25RESTAURANTS.com - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, October 31, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Executive Pastry Chef at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, Anupong Nualchawee (4th from the left) and Atthakrisna Vannason (4th from the right), a Bangkok-based artist known as Krishna the Fifth, collaborated on a new artistic afternoon tea series for Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel. Attending the launch of the “House of Eden” afternoon tea in the hotel’s Lobby Lounge were Poruethai Narongdej, Mark Thawin, Panitipad Suksomboon, Chutima Teepanart and other VIP guests.

Shown from left to right:

1. Panitipad Suksomboon, Celebrity
2. Chutima Teepanart, Celebrity
3. Vorapipat Dabbaransi, Director of Marketing & Communications of Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel
4. Atthakrisna Vannason, Artist
5. Anupong Nualchawee, Executive Pastry Chef of Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel
6. Nannadda Supakdhanasombat, Director of Public Relations & External Affairs of Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel
7. Poruethai Narongdej, Celebrity
8. Thawin P. Siaotong (aka:Mark Thawin), Celebrity

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Experience Dishes of the Month at Carlton Hotel Bangkok

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Bangkok, Thailand, October 27, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit invites foodies to explore our distinctive culinary creations available in November and December 2022.

Starting from the top at Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar, we have Fine de Claire Oysters imported from coastal France. Served with Spicy Thai style sauce and Mignonette Sauce.

THB 950++ for half dozen
THB 1,800++ for a dozen oysters

For truffle lovers, visit our Restaurant, Wah Lok for Chinese cuisine. Chef Lam Kok Weng highlights the Double Boiled Black Truffle Soup with Fresh Maw, Dried Scallops and Bamboo Piths (THB 880++). Black Truffle, known as the most expensive mushroom, is high in antioxidants. Dried Scallops are rich in omega-3 and Fresh Maw has a host of healing benefits as well.

At Plate Restaurant, we have two dishes of the month. For lamb lovers, do not miss the Rack of Lamb with Beer Marinated Plum and Tzatziki Sauce (THB 1,450++). Imported Lamb Rack is grilled and served medium rare with fresh and tangy flavors of Greek yogurt and Tzatziki sauce.

Our second dish of the month is Thai Curry and Cod Fish Steak. Big chunks of Cod Fish in Southern Yellow Curry with Black Mussel (THB 1,050++). Both dishes at Plate come with a glass of Little Thing! wine.

Special Menu available in November and December

For more information or reservations, please contact us at 02 090 7888

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News