Global Travel News

Exceptional Top Chef Collaboration Dinner in Phuket

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Exceptional Top Chef Collaboration Dinner in Phuket - TOP25RESTAURANTS.comPhuket, Thailand, July 23, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / L’Arôme by the sea and Samut will be holding an exceptional collaboration dinner with restaurant Samut and L’Arôme by the Sea on 1st of September 2022, at L’Arôme by the Sea, where chefs from these two restaurants team up to prepare a special dinner. The collaboration dinner will feature the new 8-course tasting menu, the best of the two restaurants.

Please note that they will be unable to accommodate vegetarian, vegan, seafood allergy, dairy or gluten intolerance for the special collaboration menu. A non refundable deposit of 2000 THB per person is required to secure your booking.

To make a reservation:
reservation.phuket@laromegroup.com
+66 (0)76 346 271

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Ten Reasons to Visit Cora Cora Luxury Resort Maldives

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Raa Atoll, Maldives, July 23, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Cora Cora Maldives, a five-star luxury Maldivian resort on the pristine Raa Atoll, is celebrating its unbeatable cultural and culinary attractions with a raft of activities, in-house events, and excursions designed to tempt the most sophisticated and receptive global travellers. Setting it apart also as a leader in eco-friendly travel in the fragile Indian Ocean archipelago is its appeal both as a resort and as a gateway to learning more about the Maldives, its culture, history, and environment.

‘It’s Freedom Time’ at Cora Cora Maldives! In-house you can learn to cook, play the guitar, make innovative cocktails, or just luxuriate in the spa, and outside you can take a deep dive into the spirit of the Maldives and swim around the stunning natural house reef. Away from the beautiful 100-villa estate, culture and contemplation await the curious.

– Food – take an hour-long cookery lesson in pizza and pasta-making or learn the arts of Indian cuisine -Cora Cora Maldives is a dining destination in itself! Acquapazza is home to a pizza oven shipped all the way from Rome, and the staff has been trained by a professional pizzaiola in creating authentic Napoli pies. Other dining destinations include Tazäa®, an all-day dining style restaurant inspired by the spice route; Ginger Moon®, which has an all-female staff making dishes inspired by Asian street food; and Japanese restaurant TeienÒ, which is created around three Japanese styles of dining: Teppanyaki, Sushi, and Kushiyaki.

– Cocktails – at the iconic Acquapazza Bar pick up the latest techniques in cocktail-making. Premium brands of spirits, beer, and liqueurs are available at Acquapazza Beach Club and all other outlets. Unlimited cocktails & mocktails, signature drinks, various juices, soft drinks, mineral water, selection of tea & coffee are available from the Premium All-Inclusive Gourmet Meal Plan.

– Creative Activity Lessons – it’s amazing what two half-hour lessons will teach you in the art of making music using guitars, whether you take it solo or in a group. There is a painting class hosted by the fastest speed painter in the Maldives, where participants choose a canvas and recreate their favourite view to take home. Different scents and spices can be explored at the candle-making workshops at MOKSHA Spa & Wellbeing Centre. Guests can participate in coffee roasting sessions at MYCOFFEE Café-bar exploring exquisite flavour profiles from dark-roast espresso, a medium-roast latte, to a light-roast filter. In an expression of personal freedom, Maldivian Dance classes are available for guests to revel in the traditional Maldivian lifestyle.

– Diving, waters sports, and cruising – with the PADI-certified diving school, guests can discover Raa Atoll’s incredible array of marine life. The surrounding waters are teeming with numerous species of fish, octopi, sharks, and dolphins. Sunset cruises also offer a chance to see dolphins performing their acrobatics around the boat, all accompanied by a cold glass of fizz and local hors d’oeuvres. Paddle-boarding, jet skis, kayaks, and windsurfing can also be arranged.

– MOKSHA Spa & Wellbeing Centre – temptation beckons from the therapeutic haven of the MOKSHAÒ Spa & Wellbeing Centre, which offers a signature herbal compression massage in over-the-water treatment rooms, where a glass floor reveals the diverse and colourful sea life darting among the coral beneath your feet. Get hands-on help for an aching back and sore muscles with a range of aromatherapy massages and get your glow back with skin-based therapies to boost hydration and purify any problem areas.

– CoraKids – relax while your little ones have fun in our activity-filled club, open to children aged 3 to 12 and split into three age groups, where you can drop in for a session or let them hang out with their new friends all day. Gentle dancing, yoga, nail painting, hair styling, and relaxation sessions are perfect for kids who just want to chill out.

– The Dutch Onion Museum/ Cora Cora MaldivesÒ – a cultural heritage museum and on-site art gallery, houses more than 400 artefacts that were unearthed there, including Chinese porcelain and Maldivian tools. There’s even an HMV gramophone from the 1960s complete with a vinyl disc. A guided tour explores the foundations of a mosque, an Islamic graveyard, and two well-preserved ritual bathing pools. The Dutch Onion Museum/ Cora Cora MaldivesÒ encourages visitors to learn about the country’s nature, archaeology, and economy and illustrates Maldivian culture, art, and heritage. The unique museum tells the rich story of travel and transformation across the Maldives. For such a small place, the island is packed with history. Cora Cora Maldives was the very first resort in the Maldives to have such a licensed art gallery and museum in the Outdoor Heritage Site. Guests can experience an interactive journey through time and explore the rich history of the Maldives.

– Paradise perfected – Cora Cora Maldives is a natural island with palm-fringed powder-white sands gently lapped by the azure Indian Ocean. The island’s house reef is easily accessible from the beach and is the perfect place for an unforgettable snorkelling experience. Reached in mere metres, the house reef is home to 100s of colourful marine species that can be marvelled at by the whole family. On land, the island is a haven for luscious vegetation. To protect the rich vegetation on the island, Cora Cora Maldives do not use invasive alien species in their gardens and also minimises trimming to allow the native vegetation to flourish!

– Be part of Cora Cora’s initiative to obtain Green Globe Certification this year, the premier certification for the travel and tourism industry, through its commitment as a green leader to promote its environmental credentials and sustainable practices. Cora Cora Maldives sources and obtains many local products including watermelons, papayas, Kurumba, bananas, and many others which have been grown organically. Freshly caught fish using the pole and line method is brought directly from the sea by local fishermen every day. The resort buys in bulk to reduce packaging wastes and prefers eco-friendly, bio-degradable, recycled materials with a minimum impact on the environment. Native vegetation is kept as undisturbed as possible and no captive wildlife, endangered species, or any form of unethical items are used, sold, or allowed on Cora Cora Maldives. Responsible waste management, treated wastewater for irrigation and gardening, reusable glass water bottles, and biodegradable chemicals for cleaning, laundry, and kitchens are all aspects of an elevated operation with sustainability at its heart, designed to take guests on the ongoing sustainability journey.

– And finally …… unique dining experiences enjoyed by the entire family! At TazäaÒ the Fisherman’s Catch BBQ is a particular highlight. For a night all about seafood and fish, this lavish buffet is a fish lover’s paradise and offers the very best the ocean has to offer. Every Thursday, Cora Cora Maldives holds a Maldivian-themed night where resort staff wear traditional clothes and perform Bodu-Beru (a Maldivian dance) for the guests. Not to mention delicious authentic Maldivian cuisine!

Living by its credo – It’s Freedom Time – Cora Cora Maldives is renowned for giving guests the time and space to rediscover themselves. The journey of inspiration, freedom, and discovery can start with a wealth of books to delve into in all the rooms, then swiftly carry you on a canoe trip to a remote island before delivering you back to experience the specialised health and rejuvenation treatments, yoga, and meditation at the MOKSHAÒ Spa & Wellbeing Centre.

About Cora Cora Maldives
Embodying inspiration, freedom, and discovery, Cora Cora Maldives is an exceptional destination, offering its guests a one-of-a-kind immersive Maldivian cultural, experiential, and culinary experience. Comprising of 100 villas, four restaurants, two bars, MOKSHAÒ Spa and Wellbeing Centre, water sports & diving centre, gym, overwater yoga pavilion, outdoor cinema, CoraKids club, and Dutch Onion Art Gallery. Cora Cora Maldives is 45-minutes by seaplane from Velana International Airport or 30 minutes by domestic flight followed by a 20-minute speedboat journey. Cora Cora Maldives is the ultimate idyllic, inspirational escape.

Cora Cora Maldives is owned and operated by HMM Pvt. Ltd. A privately-owned company, established in 2017. Created for families, friends, and couples with a wide variety of contemporary designed suites and villas, Cora Cora Maldives embraces a unique freedom concept whilst incorporating the cultural heritage of the Maldives. With a variety of premium dining options many of which encompass Cora Cora Maldives’ wellness ethos as well as an extensive spa, the luxury five-star resort opened on the 1st of October 2021.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

St Enodoc Awarded in Golf Digest World’s 100 Greatest Courses

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St Enodoc Awarded in Golf Digest World's 100 Greatest Courses - TOP25GOLFCOURSES.com - TRAVELINDEXRock, Cornwall, England, July 23, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The championship links at St Enodoc Golf Club in north Cornwall, England, has been awarded 82nd position in Golf Digest Magazine’s recently-released ‘World’s 100 Greatest Courses’ rankings.

• Discover the World’s Best Golf Courses at TOP25GolfCourses.com

This is the first time that St Enodoc’s Church Course has featured in the influential US golf magazine’s rankings since 2014 – the year it was inaugurated – when it was listed at number 99, signifying a noteworthy rise of 17 places in eight years.

The biennial rankings are compiled by 350 panellists who reside not just in the USA but around the world which brings ‘a truly international perspective to the list’ says Golf Digest.

Courses from 25 different countries made this year’s rankings with designs from the UK and Ireland, where golf was born, featuring prominently. Scotland leads the way with 17, followed by 13 from England including St Enodoc.

The Church Course, founded in 1890, is generally regarded as one of England’s finest championship links courses.

Designed by the legendary James Braid, this ancient course is famous for its characteristic fairway undulations and firm greens as well as the breathtaking panoramas of the north Atlantic Ocean and the Camel Estuary that can be seen from every hole, giving the course a sense of drama and tranquillity.

The club is also home to the Holywell Course which has established itself as an ideal layout for a more gentle and speedy round of golf. Also boasting a number of Braid holes, the Holywell receives the same attention in terms of maintenance as the championship course and is popular amongst higher handicappers and junior players as well as holiday golfers.

• Discover the World’s Best Golf Courses at TOP25GolfCourses.com

St Enodoc Golf Club
The Church Course at St Enodoc is highly regarded the world over and regularly features high in golf rankings compiled by the golfing media. Thanks to the temperate micro-climate in north Cornwall, the green keepers at St Enodoc are able to maintain the links in immaculate condition throughout the year and ensure they remain open all year round.

Off the course, visitors to Rock can enjoy the stunning beaches of Polzeath and Daymer Bay and visit the charming fishing village of Port Isaac, now well known through the country as the location for the popular television series Doc Martin. Just across the Camel Estuary from St Enodoc, Padstow is a magnet for those looking for excellent restaurants such as Rick Stein’s collection of seafood outlets and independent shops offering local arts and crafts.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Travelindex Reveals its 2022 TOP25 Restaurants Awards Bangkok

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TOP25 Restaurants Awards Bangkok 2022 RevealedBangkok, Thailand, July 22, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Today, Travelindex unveils the winners of its 2022 TOP25 Restaurants Bangkok Awards, highlighting the favourite restaurants that exemplify why the Thai capital is a favorite dining destination for gourmets and gourmands. The Best Restaurants in Bangkok ranked by Culinary Experts & the Restaurant Rating Index.

TOP25 Restaurants Bangkok has ranked Chef’s Table and Mezzaluna as the city’s best restaurants for five-star dining. The two restaurants share the top position with a rating of 96.2 out of 100, and both are located at lebua, the world’s first luxury vertical destination. The two top restaurants are followed by Sorn, serving fine Southern Thai cuisine in an elegant setting, and Savelberg where chef Henk Savelberg delights his guests with his legendary style of cooking.

The annual list and awards are based on Travelindex’s owned and patented “Restaurant Rating Index.” The multi-tier rating combines the power of crowd wisdom (social media and review sites) with artificial intelligence behavioral algorithms enhanced with guidance and expertise from on-the-ground experts, making it a true and objective curation and measuring standard.

THE TOP25 RESTAURANTS IN BANGKOK – Ranked by the Restaurant Rating Index

1* – Chef’s Table, French Fine Dining
1* – Mezzaluna, Experiential European
2 – Sorn, Southern Thai
3 – Savelberg, French Fine Dining
4 – Côte by Mauro Colagreco, Innovative French
5 – Aksorn by David Thompson, Traditional Thai
6 – Villa Frantzen, Nordic Cuisine
7 – R-Haan, Royal Thai
8 – Le Normandie by Alain Roux, French Fine Dining
9 – Yu Ting Yuan, Cantonese
10 – IGNIV, Progressive European
11 – Saawaan, Classic Thai
12 – Sushi Masato, Omakase
13 – Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin, Thai Molecular
14 – Gaa, Progressive Indian
15 – Le Du, Modern Thai
16 – Sühring, Modern German
17 – Blue by A. Ducasse, Classic French
18 – Ginza Sushi Ichi, Omakase
19 – Elements, Modern French
20 – Paste, Royal Thai
21 – Nahm, Modern Thai
22 – Canvas, International Cuisine
23 – Clara, Italian Fine Dining
24 – Cadence by Dan Bark, Progressive American
25 – Suan Thip, Classic Thai

Seeking a little inspiration for where to dine in Bangkok? Luckily, TOP25 Restaurants has just announced the winners of its annual TOP25 Restaurants Awards, highlighting the best restaurants in the city of angels: bit.ly/3ofNk9Y

If you do not see your favorite restaurant on this year’s TOP25 Restaurants list, please click here for its submission.

About TOP25 Restaurants by Travelindex
Travelindex is a content-driven ecosystem for the travel and tourism sectors. Our media group operates an open and free digital platform, connecting directly to millions of people worldwide, providing inspiration and advice for discerning travelers. The TOP25 Restaurants guides leverage the first independent rating system based on artificial intelligence combined with human expertise, to curate a premium selection of restaurants and available dining choices, wherever you are. We bring together the best of all cuisines with every establishment chosen first and foremost for the quality of cooking and service. The annual TOP25 Awards showcase the most outstanding restaurants and the ultimate collection of dining venues.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

TAT to Revitalise Thai Tourism Towards Sustainable Growth

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TAT to Revitalise Thai Tourism Towards Sustainable Growth - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, July 21, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX The Tourism Authority of Thailand has announced the marketing plan for 2023 that will continue this year’s goal to revitalise and transform Thai tourism, while placing greater emphasis on the recovery of the tourism sector towards stronger and sustainable, more responsible, more digital and more inclusive tourism growth.

Staged in a hybrid meeting format, the annual TAT Action Plan for 2023 conference was presided over by H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports. Also present at the event were Dr. Thosaporn Sirisumphand, TAT’s Chairman of the Board, and officials and figures from the Thai public and private tourism sectors, as well as members of the media.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “TAT sees 2023 as a year of a new beginning for Thai tourism. Hence, we have outlined our marketing strategy for next year adhering to the TAT’s Corporate Plan 2023-2027, which aims to heighten the TAT’s position as the strategic leader in driving Thailand towards experience-based and sustainable tourism.

“TAT is committed to help revitalise and transform Thai tourism under our three strategic objectives, which are: to ‘drive demand’ for meaningful travel, to ‘shape supply’ by developing a new tourism ecosystem, and to ‘thrive for excellence’ by making the TAT a data-driven organisation. We believe this will heighten our goal for Thailand to achieve high value and sustainable tourism growth,” Mr. Yuthasak added.

TAT will continue to use the “Visit Thailand Year 2022-2023: Amazing New Chapters” as the communication strategies for the international market. Thailand will continue to be promoted as a world-class destination that offers something for everyone under the ‘From A-Z: Amazing Thailand Has It All’ concept. This will be showcased alongside the kingdom’s 5F, 4M soft-power foundations; namely, Food, Film, Fashion, Festival, Fight, Music, Museum, Master, and Meta.

Particularly for long-haul international market, TAT recognises 2023 as the ‘time is the new currency’ era. Therefore, emphasis will be placed on promoting Thailand as a year-round destination for health and wellness aficionados, families with kids, active seniors, and remote workers / teleworkers through co-promotions with leading brands. Strategic marketing activities will be launched in new source markets, including Saudi Arabia and the USA’s large secondary cities through partnerships with the airlines.

For the short-haul international market, TAT has outlined ‘The Great Resumption’ under the ‘2Qs, 5News’ strategy. The ‘2Qs’ are ‘Quick Win’ to drive back the demands of tourists and ‘Quality’ to achieve more numbers of revisits and higher trip expenditure. The ‘5News’ include ‘New Segments’ with growth potential, ‘New Areas’ for source tourist markets, ‘New Partners’ in existing markets, ‘New Infrastructure’ relating to travel and tourism, and ‘New Way’ of travel experiences that will focus on responsible tourism. TAT will also promote all points of entry into Thailand, via land, water, and air with an aim to reinstate more than 80% of the regional air capacity in 2019.

In addition, more collaborative partnerships will be formed between TAT and the airlines to help boost the international tourism business by increasing the seating capacity to Thailand. Initially, this will focus on key source markets with no travel restrictions to drive the travel demand of high-disposable income groups (Millennials, Gen-X, and Silver-Age People), hyper-personalisation groups (health and wellness, sports tourism, and responsible tourism), and new segments (digital nomads and remote workers / teleworkers).

For the domestic market, TAT will focus on increasing the travel frequency of domestic tourists by promoting Thailand as a year-round destination under the ‘REAL’ strategy: Responsible Tourism, Extra-ordinary Experience, Avantgarde Marketing and Less for more Economy. Highlights of each of the five regions of Thailand will be promoted, including nostalgic experiences in the North for Multi-Gen Families, ‘Trend C2’ innovative routes in the Central Region for Gen-Y and Gen-Z, culinary and luxury tourism offers in the Each for high-income Gen-Y and Millennial Families, Dharma – Nature – Culture routes in the Northeast for Gen-Y and employed people, and inclusive responsible tourism in the South. Moreover, TAT will promote secondary cities up and down Thailand.

TAT has formulated the marketing plan for 2023 adhering to the Thai government’s Bio-Circular-Green or BCG Economy Model, which is conforming to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The BCG model is being used to revive the tourism industry with the aim of safe, inclusive, and sustainable travel.

Moreover, to ‘thrive for excellence’ by making TAT a data-driven organisation, TAT will use the Thailand Tourism Virtual Mart (TTVM) as the key online B2B platform for Thai tourism business and international tourism operators.

“For 2023, TAT expects Thailand to generate a total tourism revenue of 1.73 trillion Baht with 970 billion Baht from the international market and 760 billion Baht from the domestic market (for base case scenario) and 2.38 trillion Baht with 1.50 trillion Baht from the international market and 880 billion Baht from the domestic market (for best case scenario). This represents about 80% of Thailand’s tourism performance in 2019,” Mr. Yuthasak concluded.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Marriott Bonvoy and American Express Enhance Small Business Card with Refreshed Travel, Business and Global Dining Rewards

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Today, Marriott Bonvoy®, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program, and American Express® (NYSE: AXP) unveiled changes to the Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card, designed to help small business owners turn their business expenses into meaningful travel rewards. Effective today, the Card now provides new and existing Card Members with a 7% Room Rate Discount on eligible bookings at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®, 4X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants, now worldwide, and complimentary Gold Elite status, in addition to all the Card’s existing benefits.

“The rich, new benefits will help Card Members owning and working for small businesses stretch their travel dollars much further and reward them for being a part of the engine that drives the U.S. economy,” said David Flueck, Senior Vice President, Global Loyalty, Marriott International. “Hard working Small Business Card Members who spend many nights traveling for business can now earn points toward vacations and getaways with family and friends even faster when staying at participating Marriott Bonvoy® hotels and using their Card for everyday expenses.”

“Small business owners have weathered many challenges over the past few years, pivoted their strategies, and are now looking to get back on track with how they run their business,” said Courtney Kelso, Executive Vice President & General Manager of Global Commercial Card, American Express. “This includes hitting the road again for client meetings, networking, new business pitches and more. Now, these Card Members can make the most of their business and leisure travel with our enhanced Marriott Bonvoy® Business Card and the ability to earn even more valuable points and rewards.”

According to new data from an American Express survey1, 82% of small business leaders surveyed say that discounted room rates are an important decision factor when booking travel, while 78% say they would extend their trip if they had a discount on rooms.

The survey also found that nearly three-fourths (73%) of respondents agree that having status with a hospitality brand impacts where they book overnight accommodations when traveling for business. In addition, a majority (67%) of small business leaders have plans to travel for work in the next one to three months, and 77% agree that they are mixing work and pleasure, wanting to extend their next business trip to also get in some personal vacation time.

New and Enhanced Benefits for Small Business Owners
The Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express® Card will maintain the same $125 annual fee2, while providing Card Members with even more value with new and enhanced benefits including:

  • 7% Marriott Bonvoy® Room Rate Discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy3 when booked directly. Terms apply.
  • 4X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide
  • Complimentary Gold Elite status

Continue to Enjoy Existing Card Benefits
In addition to the new benefits, Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express Card Members can also continue to enjoy these existing benefits:

  • Annual Free Night Award – Receive one Free Night Award every year after Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award spending $60,000 in purchases on the Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • 15 Elite Night Credits – Each calendar year Card Members can receive 15 Elite Night Credits towards the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status – Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy® member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express®. Terms apply.
  • No foreign transaction fees2.
  • Opportunity to earn:
    • 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®.
    • 4X Marriott Bonvoy® points on U.S. gas station purchases, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers, and U.S. shipping purchases
    • 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases

The enhanced Card benefits described above will also be enjoyed by cardmembers who have the Marriott Bonvoy® Premier Plus Business Credit Card from Chase, which is no longer available to new applicants.

New, Valuable Welcome Offer
To celebrate the refreshed Card benefits, eligible new Card Members who apply and are approved for the Marriott Bonvoy® Business American Express® Card can earn 125,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points after they spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on the Card in the first three months. The offer is available through August 31, 2022. Terms and conditions apply. To learn more about the new benefits and welcome offer for new Card Members, please visit the Marriott Bonvoy® American Express® Cards .

1 Methodology: This Morning Consult poll was conducted between June 17-June 19, 2022, among a national sample of 500 small business owners and financial decision makers who plan to travel for business in the near future. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus four percentage points.

2 For more information on rates and fees, visit the American Express® Business Cards website.

3 Exclusions include: Design HotelsTM, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Marriott Grand Residence Club®, Vistana Signature NetworkTM, Vistana Residence Network, The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club®, All-Inclusive by Marriott Bonvoy®, and Homes & Villas by Marriott International®.

About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 8,000 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. For more information, please visit www.marriott.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

About Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy®, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and marketplace, gives members access to transformative, eye-opening experiences around the corner and across the globe. Marriott Bonvoy’s® portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences, including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy® Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy® Boutiques. With the Marriott Bonvoy® app, members enjoy a level of personalization and contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy®, visit marriottbonvoy.com. To download the Marriott app, visit www.mobile-app.marriott.com. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy® on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About American Express
American Express is a globally integrated payments company, providing customers with access to products, insights and experiences that enrich lives and build business success. Learn more at www.americanexpress.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and YouTube.

Key links to products, services and corporate responsibility information: personal cards, business cards, travel services, gift cards, prepaid cards, merchant services, Accertify, Kabbage, Resy, corporate card, business travel, diversity and inclusion, corporate responsibility and Environmental, Social, and Governance reports.

About Chase
Chase is the U.S. consumer and commercial banking business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), a leading financial services firm based in the United States with assets of $3.8 trillion and operations worldwide. Chase serves more than 66 million American households and 5 million small businesses with a broad range of financial services, including personal banking, credit cards, mortgages, auto financing, investment advice, small business loans and payment processing. Customers can choose how and where they want to bank: More than 4,700 branches in 48 states and the District of Columbia, 16,000 ATMs, mobile, online and by phone. For more information, go to www.chase.com.

Media Contact
John Wolf
Marriott International
John.Wolf@marriott.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

W Hotels Infuses a New Wave of Energy Into Canada’s Biggest City With the Opening of W Toronto

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W Toronto Living Room

Sound on. W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announces the opening of W Toronto. Rising 11 stories in the vibrant, creatively charged neighborhood of Yorkville, the hotel is a celebration of Toronto’s storied art scene, diversity of culture, and legacy of non-conformity. Destined to bring a new energy and sophistication to the city’s luxury lifestyle hospitality scene, W Toronto gives locals a new playground and travelers an authentic, socially charged retreat.

“From its street art scene and ongoing musical legacy, Toronto is a natural fit for W Hotels,” says Benoit Racle, Vice President, Brand Management, W Hotels Worldwide. “Our unassuming, playful interpretation of luxury is poised to make W Toronto a regular stop for those living and working in Toronto as well as the perfect place for an out-of-town guest to revel in the city like a local.”

A Culture Clash of Design
Designed by global creative agency Sid Lee, W Toronto is a juxtaposition of the city’s biophilia, man-made city grid and brutalist architecture. The contrast begins with the exterior, where the brutalist façade has been transformed through warm, LED lighting that illuminates the night sky, including a glowing, opaque orange lift to take guests to the rooftop bar and restaurant. The journey begins on the 6th Floor, where the Welcome Desk and Living Room (the W brand’s signature lobby/lounge) drips in jewel tones of ruby, amethyst, and topaz – with curved lines and velvet furniture reminiscent of Toronto’s late 60s and early 70s counterculture movement. Other highlights of the 5,000 square foot space include a communal “fire” pit, a circular destination bar featuring cascading amber lighting, and access to The Yard, an outdoor terrace surrounded by a three-story atrium of guest room windows – creating a voyeuristic tension between public and private.

W Toronto features 254 guest rooms – including 30 suites – two of which are Extreme Wow (Presidential) Suites. Drawing inspiration from Toronto’s illustrious theater district, guest room beds are flanked by stage-inspired pendant lights and situated in front of a sapphire velvet curtain that can be automatically drawn open or shut. Design touches include curved banquettes, dressing-room style vanity mirrors, “record-like” tables in honor of Toronto’s musical legacy and nods to nature, like the abstract floral wallpaper and mushroom-shaped accent lights. As a playful wink to personal artistic interpretation, Double Queen Rooms are adorned with wall art that reads “Not everything has to mean something. Some things just are.” by Canadian writer and musician Charles de Lint.

Art + Soul: The Art Collection and Sound Suite of W Toronto
Music and creative artistry take centerstage at W Toronto, boasting Canada’s first W Sound Suite, the brand’s signature recording studio experience. Situated off the Living Room, behind a nondescript, one-way, tinted window, W Toronto’s W Sound Suite is outfitted with professional equipment where accomplished and novice musicians, podcasters, and other creatives can draw inspiration from the city and hotel scene.

From the psychedelic rock of the 60s and the hip hop of today, to the street art of Graffiti Alley, Toronto is known for its multidisciplinary artistic legacy. W Toronto honors and adds to this cannon with a collection of original work beginning with the W Monument on Bloor Street. Created by Sid Lee, it reflects biophilia and hippie culture through the use of natural crystal rock patterns and the bold palette of psychedelia. The journey continues with three murals by Dutch-born artist Mikael B. At the driveway is “Below The Surface,” a mesmerizing interpretation of undersea volcanic eruptions; “Hidden Gem” – located at Lift Level G – inspired by Salvador Dalí, Jackson Pollock and Peter Saul with an array of colors and geometric shapes; and “Clear Vision,” an abstract experimentation of color in the meeting and event space.

Coffee. Cocktail. Cuisine Scene.
Leading the creative culinary charge at W Toronto is Executive Chef Keith Pears, who is well-known to culinary enthusiasts. His enviable resume – B.C. Chef of the Year, Gold Metal Plates, Bocuse d’Or National Selection, and appearing on Chopped Canada – brings star quality to W Toronto’s three distinct beverage and food venues, taking guests on a progressive journey from morning to late night. It begins with PUBLIC SCHOOL, the rebellious, ground floor coffee house, kitchen and bar driven by barista culture by day and new school tonics, elixirs and low or no alcohol beverages by night. The playful, unpretentious, plant-forward menu is served across two sweeping levels, accentuated by inviting, late 60s/early 70s seating in a palette of soothing earth tones as well as “Toronto Gush,” an original mural by Costa Rican-born artist Alan Ganev, inspired by Toronto’s Graffiti Alley.

Ideal for a solo coffee, casual working lunch, after-work cocktail or late-night revelry, the Living Room pays homage to Toronto’s standing as the most multicultural city in the world. Featuring “Toronto Tapas” – light, shareable bites representing the city’s diverse neighborhoods – the menu includes: Barbacoa Tacos (Kensington Market); Jerk Chicken Skewers (Little Jamaica); and Fogo Island Cod Cheeks (Little India). “Sparkling” is the theme of the Living Room beverage program, with Champagne, rare bottles and a Perlini corking system allowing for unique flight experiences, bubbly by the glass as well as sparkling cocktails, such as the Celery Sour and the Green Goddess Bloody Mary.

As the sun sets, SKYLIGHT, the hotel’s rooftop bar and restaurant, casts a spell on the city’s late-night scene with alluring curated cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. The indoor-outdoor boho oasis overlooks Toronto’s iconic Bloor Street, celebrating the provocative and artistic spirit of the 60s Yorkville hippie revolution. In addition to the bazaar-inspired main room – with its nightly DJ booth and performance stage – SKYLIGHT features The Loft (for semi-private events); The Den (an intimate seating, people-watching nook); and The Terrace (with birdcage-style seating). The menu includes familial-style mezze, salatas, and freshly made maneesh served with tagines as well as an over-the-top Seafood Tower with oysters, clams, shrimp cocktail, escabeche, tuna and scallop crudos, king crab legs, lobster, and caviar. SKYLIGHT’s cocktail program is Vermouth and Amaro-centric with a selection of upscale curated cocktails, seasonal spritzes, and adult slushes.

Business is a Pleasure
With five event spaces encompassing 4,679 square feet, W Toronto is the ideal location for conducting business or celebrating a milestone. Industry, at 1,980 square feet, features botanical-inspired wallpaper decorated with elliptical lighting, reminiscent of floral seedlings, and can be divided into three intimate spaces. Studios 1 and 2, off the Living Room, as well as Strategy 1 and 2, offer more casual working session settings. Prior to that big presentation or wedding day, W Toronto’s 3,300 square foot FIT gym is the perfect place for guests to focus and recharge.

“W Toronto is a microcosm of the people, culture, and history of this incredible city,” says Craig Reaume, General Manager, W Toronto. “From the intentional design of each guest room and the authentically diverse menus to the music and vibe of each public space, W Toronto offers a long overdue alternative to the luxury hotel scene. We cannot wait to welcome guests time and again.”

About W Hotels Worldwide
Born from the bold, 24/7 culture of New York City, W Hotels has redefined hospitality for over two decades, breaking the norms of traditional luxury wherever the iconic W sign lands. With nearly 60 hotels around the globe, the detail-driven design, iconic Whatever/Whenever service and buzzing, signature Living Rooms create an experience that is often imitated but never matched. Dynamic and invigorating, the brand celebrates each traveler’s desire to uncover the destination through a lens that is distinctly W. For more information on W Hotels, visit www.whotels.com/theangle or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. W Hotels Worldwide 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 complimentary nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit www.marriottbonvoy.com.

About Marriott Bonvoy®
Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program and marketplace, gives members access to transformative, eye-opening experiences around the corner and across the globe. Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, as well as through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences, including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. With the Marriott Bonvoy app, members enjoy a level of personalization and contactless experience that allows them to travel with peace of mind. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com. To download the Marriott app, visit www.mobile-app.marriott.com. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Media Contact
Derek Kokinda
Manager, Global Communications, Luxury Brands
Marriott International
Derek.Kokinda@marriottluxurybrands.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

VERBAL ABUSE AND PHYSICAL THREATS: Airline workers face increased passenger frustration

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From verbal abuse to physical threats to police calls, front-line workers in the airline industry are finding themselves on the receiving end of frustrated passengers encountering flight delays and lost baggage.

“I’ve had customers poke me in the chest and say, ‘You’re not going to get me off of this flight,”’ said Cheryl Robinson, an Air Canada customer service agent at the Halifax airport.

“I’ve seen my colleagues in tears, walking away because they just can’t deal with another person yelling at them today.”

“It shakes you,” said Robinson, who’s worked at the airport for more than 24 years. “This is probably the worst I’ve ever seen.”

The frayed nerves and exploding tempers are the outcome of an ongoing struggle by airports and carriers to cope with the massive travel rebound.

Fuelled by last month’s lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the resurgence uncorked two years of pent-up demand on a sector sagging under staffing shortages and bottlenecked airports across the globe.

Toronto’s Pearson International Airport and Air Canada have topped global lists for share of flights delayed over the past month, frequently surpassing 50 percent and fanning travellers’ ire.

“We can all understand why they’re angry and frustrated. Your flight gets cancelled and they tell you to call and you wait on hold for six hours – and I’m not exaggerating,” said Leslie Dias, director of airlines at Unifor, which represents 16,000 air transport workers, including 5,600 customer service and sales agents at Air Canada.

“To some extent, our people are broken,” she said from Calgary, where she is in negotiations with WestJet over a deal for more than 700 baggage and customer service agents.

“They’re upset, they’re often close to tears, they’re exhausted. At all airlines they’re being asked to work as many hours as they can possibly manage to work. And they feel helpless.”

Dias added that police officers are being called to airport gates daily because workers are being yelled at.

The fallout from the “sinkhole of a mess” deters new recruits and drags down retention rates, she said.

The workers in Calgary and Vancouver bargaining for their first collective agreement with WestJet start at $15.55 an hour, topping out at $23.87 an hour after seven years, she said.

On Wednesday, those workers voted 98 percent in support of a strike if they cannot reach an agreement with the airline, and could walk off the job as early as July 27, Unifor said. (See following story).

At Air Canada, the payroll is at 93 per cent of 2019 levels, while its summer flight schedule is below 80 percent of pre-pandemic volumes.

“We continue to recruit for certain jobs and have and continue to refine elements of our compensation packages to remain competitive in the current environment,” the company said in an email.

“Employees are professionals and they make every effort to manage challenging situations effectively in their respective environments. The overwhelming majority of passengers are respectful. That said, Air Canada has a zero-tolerance approach toward any kind of aggression in our business, especially towards our employees.”

Flight attendants and customs officers face their own passenger challenges as well.

“It’s like a nine-to-five job that’s now turned into a seven-day-a-week job with no fixed hours,” said Wesley Lesosky, who heads the Canadian Union for Public Employees’ airline division, which represents about 15,500 workers.

“If you have kids, if you have a family, a partner, a dog, cats … everything’s kind of up in the air.”

Frustration from long security queues, missed connecting flights, misplaced luggage and hours on tarmacs has pushed emotions to a “boiling point … resulting in increased reports of harassment and abuse – physical and verbal,” said Crystal Hill, president of CUPE 4070, which represents some 4,000 WestJet flight attendants.

“This is very scary when you’re 40,000 feet above ground.”

Border security agents also face exasperation from passengers, at least 30 percent of whom show up at land and air checkpoints without having completed their ArriveCan app, said Mark Weber, president of the Customs and Immigration Union.

“We’re seeing an uptick in verbal abuse. In many cases they’re waiting in line two, three hours to get to us. We completely get why they’re frustrated,” he said.

The increase in automated kiosks to process international arrivals at some airports has not made up for staff cuts that helped reduce customs agents at Pearson airport to the current 300 from 600 in 2017, he added.

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

MILLENNIALS ON THE MAP: Where they’re going and how they spend

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A new study by PayPal Canada on millennial travel says the roughly 26 to 40-year-old cohort in this country are likely to splurge on their next vacation, though inflation is definitely affecting their plans.

According to the “Millennials on the Map’ survey, 82% of those surveyed say inflation will impact their dream getaway this year with 16% ranking budget management as their top travel finance concern – even more than changing plans due to COVID-19 (13%).

And despite travel restrictions lifting around the world, Canadian millennials are staying close to home as they map out their travel plans this year. A majority of respondents (97%) plan to travel within North America this year and 25% prefer to explore locally in Canada.

Yet, 43% are checking off destinations on their personal bucket lists crafted by their own research to experience “the greatest trip of all times,” or a G.O.A.T trip.

Unpacking Canadian millennials’ travel trends:

Exploring their own backyard: There’s no place like home, which rings true in the millennial travel guide. In Canada, the top provinces they’re planning to explore are Ontario (35%), British Columbia (27%) and Alberta (25%). Other top destinations include Australia (12%), Bahamas (11%), England (11%) and France (11%).

Doubling down on discounts: 85% of these eager nomads say sales and discount codes are important when it comes to booking experiences or buying essentials for a getaway.

Mapping out the journey: Part-time travel agent, full-time millennial – this generation is focusing on designing the ultimate tour for themselves with nearly six in 10 (58%) preferring unique or bespoke trips and experiences.

Sustainable sight-seeing: Over half (52%) of Canadian millennials who responded consider greener options when booking travel, shopping while on vacation, or in the experiences they book for their upcoming adventures.

Group travel gone digital: Four in 10 millennials (42%) prefer to use digital money transfer apps to split bills when travelling.

Banking priceless souvenirs: How are Canadians spending their time once they’ve reached their final destination? The answer to that has a range as big as the Rockies.

– 40% of Canadian millennials surveyed say they’ve made a life-long friend or met a significant other while travelling
– 27% witnessed a one-of-a-kind experience in nature (i.e. Aurora Borealis, bird migration)
– 26% participated in a local, annual cultural celebration (i.e. Mardi Gras, Cinco de Mayo, Oktoberfest)
– 20% ran into someone they lost touch with and reconnected
– 18% injured themselves having too much fun (i.e. broke a bone, got stitches)
– 16% fell in love with the destination and moved there permanently

Another important tip notes Malini Mitra of PayPal Canada is that “Between checking flight prices and scrolling through accommodations, booking travel can take hours, which is why it’s no surprise that 34% of millennials surveyed are more likely to buy experiences when their payment information is filled automatically.”

The “Millennials on the Map’ survey was commissioned by PayPal and conducted online by Pollfish. It interviewed 1,500 nationally representative Canadian millennial respondents in May.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: G Adventures unveils new custom catamaran

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Citing increased demand for upgraded vessel options, G Adventures has added its first custom-built catamaran to its fleet of vessels in the Galapagos this summer. The new Reina Silvia Voyager is designed to provide enhanced accommodation options with 10 spacious cabins split over two decks, including two dedicated solo cabins, making her one of the most comfortable vessels in her class sailing the archipelago.

Yves Marceau, global VP of product at G Adventures, says the addition of the Reina Silvia Voyager to the fleet enables G Adventures to cater to the rise in travellers seeking both bigger adventures and more activity during their holiday time.

“The pandemic has made travellers rethink how we holiday and we’re seeing high demand for once-in-a-lifetime adventures as travellers commit to booking trips they’ve long dreamt about. The Galapagos has ranked consistently among our top destinations as people continue to be drawn to the diverse wildlife, biodiversity, and remote landscapes of the Islands.”

He adds, “We’re also seeing a rise in travellers seeking solo cabin options, driven by there being more people travelling on their own, as well as those wanting their own personal space following the pandemic. The Reina Silvia Voyager is our first vessel to feature dedicated solo cabins, offering a much more affordable option for those wanting to room solo.”

Cabin

Running across the central, east, and west islands, the 31-m. Reina Silvia Voyager offers four itineraries, ranging from eight to 10 days, including Quito, and will accommodate up to 16 passengers. Eight cabins accommodate twin or double stays, with two solo cabins catering to individual travellers. Eight rooms offer private balconies, while all rooms have panoramic windows for optimal ocean viewing, private bathrooms, bright, contemporary furnishings, artwork by local naturalist photographers and energy-saving LED lighting.

Common areas on board include an expansive third deck with lounge chairs for sunbathing, a covered cocktail bar, grill station and outdoor jacuzzi for relaxing under the sun or stars. An indoor, air-conditioned salon with a large video screen enables visual presentations from the trained naturalists who will guide each group’s tour, and help guests learn about the iconic wildlife and culture of the Galápagos Islands’ inhabitants.

Landings and exploration of the region’s remote ports and wild, rocky coasts will also be accessible to guests, thanks to the Reina Silvia Voyager’s eight on-board kayaks and two zodiacs for guests’ guided use. A crew of 10, including a dedicated chef and G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO), will serve guests daily.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News