Global Travel News

Tourism Sector in China to Create 30 million Jobs over Next Decade

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Tourism Sector in China to Create 30 million Jobs over Next Decade - TRAVELINDEXBeijing, China, July 20, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has revealed the Travel and Tourism sector in China is expected to create more than 30 million jobs over the next decade, representing a quarter of all new jobs globally. The forecast from WTTC’s latest Economic Impact Report (EIR) shows the sector will reach more than 107 million employed within the sector by 2032.

According to the global Tourism body’s latest data, Travel & Tourism’s GDP is expected to grow at an average of 9.7% over the next 10 years, more than twice the 4.4% growth rate of the national overall economy, making it one of the fastest growing countries.

This growth will boost the sector to reach more than ¥25.2 trillion (13.7% of the total economy) by 2032.

The report shows the Travel & Tourism sector’s contribution to China’s economy could also surpass pre-pandemic levels next year, when it is projected to rise almost 10% above 2019 levels.

By the end of 2023, the sector’s contribution to the national economy could reach more than ¥ 13 trillion, with a year-on-year growth of more than 32%.

Employment within the sector could also exceed pre-pandemic levels, creating more than 766,000 additional jobs, to reach more than 83 million by the end of 2023.

WTTC warns that this will only be achieved if China continues to facilitate both international and domestic travel.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “Over the next decade, the outlook is incredibly positive.

“But in the short term, while much of the rest of the world and indeed the region is now open to travellers, travel to China remains off limits for many international travellers.

“Domestic travel has provided and will continue to provide some relief to China’s economy, but at the moment, international travel spending is very low and is critical for the Chinese overall economy.

“Although cutting the quarantine time for international travellers is a step in the right direction, it’s not enough to have any real positive impact.”

In 2019, when Travel & Tourism was at its peak, international visitor spending in China reached nearly ¥951 billion (14% of total internal spending). However last year, as China kept its borders closed, the total spend was less than ¥91 billion (3%), missing out on nearly ¥862 billion every year.

Before the pandemic, China’s Travel & Tourism total contribution to GDP was 11.6% (more than ¥11.9 trillion) in 2019, falling just to 4.3% (nearly ¥4.5 trillion) in 2020, representing a staggering 62.5% loss.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Kamalaya Samui Announces Bespoke Retreats to Feel Life’s Potential

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Kamalaya Samui Announces Bespoke Retreats to Feel Life's Potential - TRAVELINDEXKoh Samui, Thailand, July 20, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa is set to host a series of retreats scheduled to take place this autumn. Each retreat will be guided by distinct wellness professionals and has been developed collaboratively with retreat leaders who hold a deep appreciation for Kamalaya’s philosophy of holistic wellness, combining life-enriching insights with bespoke therapies.

While the focus at the legendary wellness retreat is on personalised wellness, Kamalaya retreats are intimate, limited to a maximum of 12 participants, and led by internationally renowned practitioners. Each retreat offers the perfect setting in nature where guests can explore particular topics in greater depth and benefit from the support network of a group of like-minded individuals.

The two group retreats are ideal for guests seeking personalised support and expert guidance within a nurturing setting. Dates have been announced for two group retreats in September and October:

• Finding Emotional Balance & Freedom 1 – 7 September 2022 (6 nights/7 days)
• Yin & Yang Yoga Immersion 6 – 10 October 2022 (4 nights/5 days)

‘There is a special energy that arises out of doing something with others and this dynamic life force will be harnessed through our series of retreats, each customised to enhance our guest’s wellbeing experience,’ said Karina Stewart, founder and Chief Wellness Officer of Kamalaya Koh Samui.

Finding Emotional Balance & Freedom, Group retreat with Kamalaya’s Life Enhancement Mentors
1-7 September 2022 (6 nights/7 days)

Kamalaya’s insightful Life Enhancement Mentors lead participants on an inward journey to let go of emotions and perceptions that are restrictive, unhelpful and damaging and instead towards cultivating expansive thinking and embracing positive habits that enrich the mind and body, with a particular focus on increasing emotional and perceptual flexibility

This Finding Emotional Balance & Freedom Retreat includes a combination of intimate group morning and afternoon sessions, group talks and meditation practices, as well as an individual 90-minute personal mentoring session to address specific goals and individual needs of each participant. Five holistic treatments are included to complement the retreat experience including Vital Essence Oil Massage, Traditional Asian Hand Massage, Traditional Asian Foot Massage, Indian Head Massage and Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage.

Kamalaya’s dedicated Life Enhancement Mentors Sujay Seshadri, Krishna Raj and Srinivas Bhat have all studied ancient Asian philosophies while immersed in monastic lifestyles in India for more than a decade each. Their distinctive teaching and mentoring styles have helped many people all over the world to accept and manage their emotions. Together Kamalaya’s Life Enhancement Mentors present this seven-day retreat as they guide participants along their path towards inner balance and freedom, facilitating personal insights and providing assistance in responding to change and facing life’s daily challenges.

Finding Emotional Balance & Freedom is a six-night/seven-day retreat with prices starting from 258,270 THB for double occupancy in a Hillside View room. This rate includes three meals a day, daily retreat sessions and treatments including Vital Essence Oil Massage, Traditional Asian Hand Massage, Traditional Asian Foot Massage, Indian Head Massage and Chi Nei Tsang abdominal massage.

Yin & Yang Yoga Immersion, Group retreat with Simon Low
6-10 October 2022 (4 nights/5 days)

World leading Yin and Yang Yoga expert, consultant and teacher, Simon Low hosts this immersive retreat, imparting the principles of Yin and Yang yoga through theory and practice. Suitable for all levels, participants are supported in their yoga journey and inspired to cultivate a deeper connection to the self.

The retreat includes three morning and afternoon sessions that each span 2.5 hours, allowing for individual attention and personal modifications in alignment and postures to further enhance your yoga experience. Three holistic Asian massage therapies are also included to nurture, restore and invigorate: Royal Ayurvedic Massage, Vital Essence Oil Massage and Traditional Thai Massage.

A principal of the Yoga Academy and co-founder of London’s Triyoga, Simon Low’s unique yoga style integrates his studies in Qi Gong, psychology, pranayama and Taoism. His teaching style is based on the core principles of yoga, breath work and alignment.

Kamalaya’s Yin & Yang Yoga Immersion from 6 – 10 October 2022 is a four-night, five-day retreat with prices starting from 181,915 THB based on double occupancy in a Hillside View room and includes all meals, daily yoga sessions, one Royal Ayurvedic Massage, one Vital Essence Oil Massage and one Traditional Thai Massage, in addition to.

Participants experiencing a Kamalaya retreat are welcome to enjoy Kamalaya’s full program of complimentary daily holistic fitness activities and use of Kamalaya’s leisure facilities, including swimming pools, steam rooms and fitness centre. They also receive a 20 percent discount on additional wellness treatments.

With expansive outdoor space, open-air dining, lush tropical vegetation, cascading streams, 250 meters of private beach and a cave once used by Buddhist monks as a place of meditative retreat, Kamalaya’s setting is an integral part of each guest’s experience. Since opening as a health sanctuary in 2005, Kamalaya has offered enriching wellness programmes that combine healing therapies from East and West making it one of the world’s top destinations for everyone seeking to improve health and wellbeing.

For further information about Kamalaya and these retreats, please visit: kamalaya.com

• Finding Emotional Balance & Freedom group retreat is from 1 – 7 September 2022 (6 nights/7 days) with prices starting from THB 142,635 for single occupancy and THB 258,270 for double occupancy in a Hillside View room.
• Yin & Yang Yoga Immersion group retreat is from 6 – 10 October 2022 (4 nights/5 days) with prices starting from THB 99,958 for single occupancy or THB 181,915 for double occupancy in a Hillside View room.
• Prices include three meals per person, beverages, and outlined treatments.
• For direct bookings, please call +66 (0) 77 429 800

About Kamalaya
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa is a multi-award-winning wellness sanctuary located on the southern coast of Koh Samui, Thailand. Founded by John and Karina Stewart in 2005, Kamalaya offers a synergistic wellness experience that helps people reconnect to life’s potential and achieve optimal wellbeing, while integrating healing therapies from East and West, including customized programmes that approach Detoxification, Relax and Renew, Enriched Gut, Sleep Enhancement, Yoga Synergy, Embracing Change, and Resilience & Immunity.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Marriott International Hosts THE EXCHANGE Customer Conference in New York City

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Anthony Capuano, CEO, Marriott International, and Stephanie Mehta, CEO and Chief Content Officer, Mansueto Ventures
Anthony Capuano, CEO, Marriott International, and Stephanie Mehta, CEO and Chief Content Officer, Mansueto Ventures

Marriott International’s annual association and corporate customer conference, THE EXCHANGE, marked an optimistic milestone for the return of in-person meetings and events, one of the hardest hit segments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Held from July 13 -16, 2022, in the heart of New York City’s Times Square at the recently renovated New York Marriott Marquis, THE EXCHANGE brought together (approximately) 1,072 customers, hoteliers and industry leaders to engage and rally around new approaches to doing business; discuss topics of importance to today’s customers such as sustainability, diversity, equity, and inclusion, technology innovation, and the state of the industry; and reinforce the importance and value of in-person connections and coming together again.

THE EXCHANGE offered ample opportunity for customers to rejuvenate connections with hotel leaders and sales professionals, showcasing property openings, renovations and updates that have happened over the last two years across Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands in the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. Customers also participated in New York City hotel immersion experiences designed to highlight the unique moments that pay tribute to various brands within the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. These included holistic well-being sessions at the Lily Kwong-designed JW Garden at JW Marriott Essex House New York, complete with an immersion into the installation and a lesson on the mindfulness benefits of handwritten notes of gratitude that Marriott founder J. Willard Marriott knew so well; “Au Soleil Rose cocktail hour” on the hotel rooftop overlooking Central Park at Le Meridien New York, Central Park, inclusive of classic games, rosé and petit plates; and the opportunity to take part in a rich celebration of St. Regis history with a Champagne sabering and afternoon tea at The St. Regis New York.

Anthony Capuano, Marriott International’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We consistently hear from our association and corporate clients how important face-to-face connections are to doing business – and how difficult those connections are to replicate virtually. The collaboration, innovation, and energy our customers and hoteliers experienced at this year’s EXCHANGE, while addressing some of today’s most important issues for meeting planners, was as inspiring as it was productive. Working together, we are continuing to refine and shape what tomorrow’s meetings and events will look like.”

The three-day event showcased Marriott’s innovative approaches to food and beverage, event design, and how to quickly implement various levels of well-being protocols into face-to-face environments. This year’s event also introduced short, 18-minute EXCHANGE TALKS designed to educate, inform, and inspire. Marriott speakers included Anthony Capuano, Chief Executive Officer; Liam Brown, Group President, U.S. & Canada; Erika Alexander, Chief Global Officer, Global Operations; Drew Pinto, Global Officer, Global Sales, Distribution and Revenue Management; Julius Robinson, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, U.S. & Canada; Tammy Routh, Senior Vice President, Global Sales Organization; Denise Naguib, Vice President, Sustainability and Supplier Diversity; and Brian Gilligan, Senior Vice President Sales & Distribution, U.S. & Canada.

Tammy Routh, Senior Vice President, Global Sales Organization, said, “We are passionate about providing resources, creative solutions and innovative practices to help meeting professionals navigate a successful return to in-person meetings and events. The meetings and events industry is resilient, and this was a large-scale demonstration of the inventive solutions and experiences that can come from being together. With well-being remaining front and center, THE EXCHANGE marked a pivotal moment for the industry – and we’re optimistic for what’s ahead.”

“Marriott works with me to understand my needs when it comes to planning an event, with direct access to senior leaders and property management to help determine how to pivot if needed,” said Pamela Prince-Easton, President & CEO of Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. “It’s my job to ensure the decisions we make will benefit our attendees and, over the last few years, Marriott has been by our side every step of the way to revise and adjust where necessary. For us, It’s imperative that we partner with a company that listens to the challenges we face and provide detail-oriented solutions.”

Marriott customers can continue to leverage best practices and resources through Marriott Bonvoy® Events, which provides solutions aimed at educating and empowering meetings professionals to host successful meetings in today’s environment.

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.

Media Contact
Kimberly Mannino
Kimberly.A.Mannino@marriott.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Fusion Launches New Wellness Retreats in Vietnam

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Fusion Launches New Wellness Retreats in Vietnam - TRAVELINDEXHue, Vietnam, July 19, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Alba Wellness Valley by Fusion has long attracted wellness-seekers. With healing hot springs coursing through the forested property, the land itself is a wonder all its own. Now Fusion is enhancing the wonder with an array of new retreat options, from Reiki to Acroyoga.

In partnership with Vietnam Detox, Alba is offering several five-day Hot Springs Detox Retreats from now to the end of 2022. The immersive experience balances movement, from nature walks to yoga; and rest and relaxation, such as massage, Tibetan Sound Bowl sessions, onsen and forest bathing; with detox methods to cleanse and revitalize body and mind.

From August 3rd – 6th the resort will offer its first Reiki and Acupuncture retreat with the founder of Siam Reiki. Alba and Siam Reiki’s founder are joining forces to start a Reiki school in Vietnam, offering certification in the energy healing modality that first originated in Japan. Both practices will help participants remove physical, mental, emotional and spiritual energy blockages in order to feel more balanced, relaxed and centered.

An Acroyoga retreat, a modern variation of the ancient Indian practice that brings together traditional yoga poses with acrobatics and Thai massage, is also on the agenda; as well as comprehensive half day detox programs that are available to both in-house and outside guests. The morning sessions include detox juices, yoga, a water purification ceremony and hot spring meditation.

“Fusion has always prioritized the wellness of our guests, with some of the biggest hotel spas throughout Vietnam,” said Kevin Beauvais, CEO of Fusion. “As we’ve grown as a company we continue to expand what we offer to guests, as people look for more ways to unwind and reset, especially as we come out of the pandemic.”

While most Fusion properties offer yoga, each property takes it a step further by making the most of their picturesque destinations when offering sessions. At Maia Resort Quy Nhon, guests can join a complimentary yoga and meditation class at sunrise or sunset on the powder-white sands of Starfish beach or in the lush tropical gardens of the resort’s expansive Vẽla Spa. Aqua Aerobics is also on offer in the spa’s pool.

Fusion Resort Cam Ranh has launched new Saturday yoga sessions, with four different-themed classes including a yoga and qigong session to start the day and a rest and restore yoga session that blends yoga and mindfulness practices to end it. Fusion Resort Phu Quoc, also fills its days with wellness with yoga and meditation classes for adults and sports activities for kids including tennis, biking, jogging, and volleyball. The oceanfront and riverside resort also offers kayaking. Properties like Fusion Suites Vung Tau, located in a popular weekend getaway destination, are encouraging guests to explore this summer with bike discovery tours, to take in the city, and stand up paddleboarding sessions, to take in the vast ocean (whilst getting some exercise).

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Hotel M’s in Kyoto to Drive Inbound Tourism with Sabre

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Hotel M's in Kyoto to Drive Inbound Tourism with Sabre - TRAVELINDEXKyoto, Japan, July 19, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Sabre Corporation announced a new agreement with Hotel M’s Co. Ltd in Kyoto, Japan, to help the chain to grow geographic reach and attract international travellers as Japan eases border restrictions.

Japan has been steadily relaxing travel restrictions since March ahead of a wider-scale re-opening to foreign visitors. To prepare for, and capture, the expected influx of tourism, Hotel M’s Co. Ltd has inked a new technology agreement with Sabre. The deal will enable the chain to put its inventory in front of hundreds of thousands of travel agents globally across all major Global Distribution Systems (GDSs) through Sabre Hospitality’s innovative SynXis platform.

“We want more people to know about Kyoto and to love the city as much as we do, and we want all of our guests to come back again and again,” said Kohei Otsuki, President for Hotel M’s Co. Ltd. “Our philosophy when it comes to true hospitality is to look outside of services that are traditionally thought of as within the bounds of the hotel. We think about the entire city as a hotel. So, it’s vital to us to have a technology partner who will enable us to expand our geographic reach while sharing a forward-thinking vision of hospitality retailing that goes beyond the hotel room.”

Just as Sabre has advanced its technological transformation during the pandemic, Hotel M’s has taken time to rethink its own growth strategy. Established in 2014, the chain has 16 hotels across Kyoto city, opening one close to Kyoto Station during the pandemic in anticipation of future inbound tourists. With 1,274 hotel rooms currently, the chain has selected Sabre technology to help advance its expansion strategy and revenue growth.

“Our Sabre recovery data clearly shows that as soon as borders re-open and markets open up, there’s an influx of inbound and outbound tourism, so we expect that as soon as it is possible to travel to Japan, there will be a huge demand to do so,” said Frank Trampert, Senior Vice President and Global Managing Director of Community Sales for Sabre Hospitality. “It’s essential hoteliers have the right technological tools to put their offers in front of global markets, and we’re very excited to be working with Hotel M’s to enable them to capture and create future travel demand at this key moment for Japanese tourism.”

About Sabre Corporation
Sabre Corporation is a leading software and technology company that powers the global travel industry, serving a wide range of travel companies including airlines, hoteliers, travel agencies and other suppliers. The company provides retailing, distribution and fulfilment solutions that help its customers operate more efficiently, drive revenue and offer personalized traveller experiences. Through its leading travel marketplace, Sabre connects travel suppliers with buyers from around the globe. Sabre’s technology platform manages more than $260B worth of global travel spend annually. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries around the world.

About Hotel M’s
Hotel M’s was established in Kyoto in 2014, making use of the design and design capabilities cultivated as the parent design office. We operate 16 hotels and 1274 rooms in Kyoto city, which are particular about the design of details.

A hotel full of luxury and playfulness with the theme of “fusion of design and comfort” in a convenient location within walking distance from the station. We provide high-quality Kyoto-like hospitality to customers all over the world.

As a hotel born and raised in Kyoto, we value regional connections and are working to revitalize the entire city of Kyoto.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Legendary Expeditions Helicopter is Back for Private Adventures

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Legendary Expeditions Helicopter is Back for Private Adventures - TRAVELINDEXArusha, Tanzania, July 19, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / We’re thrilled to announce that the Legendary helicopter is back, once again providing guests with the opportunity to indulge in exhilarating aerial adventures. Now operating out of Arusha, our home base allows the freedom to offer an even wider range of flight options: from scenic transfers and breath-taking excursions to full-blown journeys. The sky is the limit.

A private helicopter trip is truly a legendary experience and promises to be a highlight of any itinerary. Our expert pilots, high performance H125 helicopter and incredible landscapes provide more than enough reason to explore the endless horizon. Choose from any of our unforgettable adventures to leave guests truly inspired.

SCENIC TRANSFERS
Upgrade your standard fixed wing transfer from a Legendary Expeditions or Chem Chem Safaris property to a thrilling, private helicopter flight to your next destination.

SCENIC EXCURSIONS
Include a scenic helicopter excursion as an additional safari experience, exploring the unspoiled wilderness from above and discovering otherwise unreachable destinations.

FULL JOURNEYS
For the ultimate all-encompassing expedition, our helicopter is available to be exclusively reserved for the entirety of your East African safari circuit.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Hilton Debuts in Galapagos Islands with Opening of Royal Palm Galapagos

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Hilton Debuts in Galapagos Islands with Opening of Royal Palm Galapagos - TRAVELINDEXGalápagos Islands, Ecuador, July 19, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Hilton announced the opening of the extraordinary Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton, a boutique estate with 21 villas and deluxe rooms brimming with the charm of an Ecuadorian Hacienda. Secluded on a 160-hectare estate in the lush Miconia Highland Forests adjacent to Galapagos National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Curio Collection by Hilton’s newest tranquil sanctuary is a haven for serenity and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife encounters.

• Discover the Galapagos and the Best Lifestyle Hotels at TOP25Hotels.com

“Debuting in a destination that organically welcomes travelers to connect with nature, dream and discover, this momentous opening marks the first international hotel brand in the Galapagos Islands, while making Ecuador the Curio Collection by Hilton brand’s 30th country to welcome travelers to its growing portfolio,” said Jenna Hackett, global brand head, Curio and Tapestry Collections by Hilton. “With more than 115 unique hotels and resorts around the world, Curio Collection by Hilton properties provide authentic and curated experiences that are both distinctive and draw inspiration from their local communities. Royal Palm Galapagos brings that vision to life, and we look forward to welcoming travelers to this truly one-of-a-kind hotel.”

Nestled amid jaw-dropping panorama and unspoiled vegetation on the ethereal Galápagos Islands, located roughly 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton is designed to respectfully maximize guests’ interactions with the remote and eco-sensitive destination. Sheltered within a valley between two extinct cinder cone volcanoes, the hotel features nine areas of geological interest from craters to lava tunnels and features newly enhanced accommodations, a reception area, restaurants, and a gym. By the end of 2022, guests can expect a new spa and by mid-2023, the hotel plans to introduce a refreshed pool.

Accommodations
The hotel’s 21 villas and deluxe rooms dot the verdant landscape and are adorned with local textiles, earth-toned fixtures and artistic touches, and offer contemporary casual elegance inspired by the natural preserve of the beloved enchanted islands.

The eight deluxe rooms have spacious bedrooms, dining areas and front porches or terraces to bask in the expansive garden and nature reserve vistas. Similarly, the eight villas feature a bedroom, bathroom, jacuzzi room, living/dining room and open fireplaces to relish in the scenic views across the estate and Santa Cruz Island. The executive villas are secluded cottages with a private garden, indoor sauna, living room and dining area with an open fireplace. The largest suite on the property is named in honor of British royals and boasts extreme privacy including two bedrooms, a sauna, private garden areas, an open fireplace, a dining area and more.

For an extra immersive experience, guests can camp at the crossroads of comfort and unspoiled wilderness amidst pristine nature. With three different camping sites, the hotel offers a way to see the diversity of the Galapagos Islands with its overnight camping program.

Dining
The gastronomic experience is the heartbeat of the estate with cuisine largely based on fresh products coming from the Highlands of the Galapagos. Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton offers a distinct dining experience featuring island-sourced ingredients, from vegetables and fruits from local producers to grass-fed meat products and sustainably harvested seafood. The hotel’s food and beverage offerings are helmed by two extraordinary sous chefs born and raised in the Galapagos, Patricio Sisa and Rommel Chalen, who bring their vast experience, passion and enjoyment of their local traditions, including traditional Ecuadorian and international flavors to their always evolving menu while transforming the customs of the Galapagos into culinary adventures.

The hotel is home to the destination’s only fine dining restaurant inside a lava tunnel located nearly 60 feet underground. Opening this year, this new culinary journey begins at Muttini, a 30-year-old building decorated with cannons and anchors, with a guided tour through the lava tunnel and finishes at the volcanic vault with a six-course dinner inspired by the homegrown culture and ingredients.

The Royal Palm Restaurant serves delicious international and local cuisine featuring a variety of Galapaguenian recipes with fresh ingredients from its house farm and catch of the day. The 50-seat restaurant combines elegant colonial style and traditional island design with warm mahogany furniture that reflects the glow of the open fire and on warmer nights, guests are encouraged to dine alfresco on the terrace under the equatorial stars. The wine cellar reflects the eclectic nature of the menu and includes an extensive range of some of South America’s best wines.

Amenities + Experiences
Home to one of the last remaining natural island ecosystems in the world, the Galapagos Islands are treasured for being the world’s foremost destination for wildlife exploration and encounters. Both adventurous travelers, as well as those looking for a tranquil, eco-conscious hideaway, can fill their days with an abundance of excursions. From catching the first glimpse of a Galapagos giant tortoise in its natural habitat as they roam freely in the National Park to snorkeling among the volcanic crevices filled with crystal-clear emerald water, the experiences designed by the hotel will leave guests in wonderment of the islands.

Beyond the islands’ world-renowned voyages, guests have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to conserve the endangered species that reside on the property such as the Galapagos Crake, Galapagos Short Eared Owl, Scalesia pedunculata, Robesonian Miconia and more. Those looking to recharge can delight at the estate’s idyllic picturesque pool, newly renovated fitness center, and be fascinated by the natural wonders of the Galapagos while enjoying the highest level of services provided within the unspoiled location of the hotel. By year-end, the hotel plans to introduce a new spa that will boast an exclusive relaxation and massage area in the lava tunnel as well as two treatment rooms and rejuvenating treatments designed with the utmost sustainable practices and methods.

Royal Palm Galapagos, Curio Collection by Hilton is the perfect destination for the traveler dreaming of their next getaway. For travelers looking for a little more than a vacation, Curio Collection by Hilton’s newest hotel offers the “Live Life” sabbatical experience*. Over the course of 30 days, guests are invited to reconnect with nature and discover the wonders of the Galapagos on a uniquely immersive journey. Available now through December 31, 2022, for US$25,000, guests can embark on an unforgettable life-changing adventure where they can choose one weekly experience that connects them to the environment, while also enjoying hotel amenities and surroundings. Whether they spend their day snorkeling at Las Grietas, bird watching, exploring the destination’s ecological reserves, planting a tree or meditating, the options are endless, and the memories guaranteed.

Environmental wellbeing is at the epicenter of the hotel’s ethos and comes to life as a hideaway for a Galapagos expedition. As the only hotel with a Miconia and Scalesia Reforestation Program, the fully immersive ecological promise breathes and lives within the walls of the property as seen through its Rain Harvesting program helping to ensure the destination remains resilient for generations of travelers to come. Taking sustainability to an elevated experience, the hotel’s environmental programs include its water reduction system where it reuses the water from rain and recycles almost 90 percent of its residues, a Plant-a-Tree Program, and an on-site produce farm utilized by the restaurants.

• Discover the Galapagos and the Best Lifestyle Hotels at TOP25Hotels.com

“We are proud to be the first international hotel brand to debut in this remarkable location known for its unique wildlife and biodiversity. With destination stewardship at the center of our Travel with Purpose ESG strategy, we are committed to minimizing the impact of our operations and protecting this incredible community. Sustainability is at the heart of the hotel, so we are thrilled to offer guests a thoughtfully immersive, once-in-a-lifetime experience in this special destination,” said Erica Gordon, senior vice president, global head of public affairs and ESG, and president of the Hilton Global Foundation.

The Hilton Global Foundation, the company’s global philanthropic arm that seeks to advance Hilton’s Travel with Purpose goals, has been engaged in projects across the region such as partnering with The Nature Conservancy to protect native Ecuador fish species and Galapagos Conservancy to feed and protect the critically endangered Floreana Giant Tortoise.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

A SNEAK PEAK AT BIRMINGHAM: There’s nothing common about it

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It may seem that Birmingham is simply synonymous with “Peaky Blinders,” but rest assured, there’s more to England’s second city than its status as the setting for the popular Depression-era Netflix drama. And as “Brum” gets set to host the Commonwealth Games starting next week month (July 28-Aug. 8), the city is on a trajectory for far greater, and well-deserved, recognition.

Located less that two hours by train from London (and within four hours drive time from 90% of the UK), the city has evolved from the centre of the Industrial Revolution to one of the most architecturally futuristic cities in Britain, while retaining its Victorian heritage, and boasts nine museums, five Michelin-rated restaurants (the most outside of London), more canals than Venice, and, indeed, “all things Peaky Blinders.”

There’s a bustling foodie scene, including the renowned “Balti triangle”; vibrant street art (take a graffiti tour); nearby chocolate nirvana, Cadbury World; and nightlife that’ll have visitors dancing from dusk ‘til dawn, or relaxing at pubs and restaurants in Brindley Place, a picturesque mixed-used development that encompasses both sides of an industrial era canal and connected by a quaint bridge or two.

Indeed, Birmingham today is hardly recognizable to those who may have visited in the past, having undergone a renaissance (along with other British cities like Liverpool, Newcastle, and Glasgow) in recent decades.

“You wouldn’t have imagined a city break (in Birmingham) 20 years ago,” Becky Frall, head of tourism for the West Midlands Growth Company, told Travel Industry Today during a recent visit to the city. And to that end, she believes the that the Commonwealth Games will clearly serve as a “coming out” for the city.

“Either people don’t know about Birmingham, or they have a bad impression of it,” she says matter-of-factly. “We just have to get people in the city (to see the change).”

Failing that, at least in the short term, the Games “will bring us into people’s living rooms and will change the perception of what Birmingham’s all about,” she says, which includes a renewed civic pride amongst “Brummies” at having won the right to host an event that is expected to attract a million people, and, in 2018 had a viewing audience of 1.5 billion.

“It gives residents pride and underpins what they already know, and that energy spills over and provides a focus point that opens up people’s eyes… and those images will be pouring into people’s homes (who are watching the Games). It will plant the seed for people to come back. It starts with sport, but continues with the vibrant culture.”

CITY BREAK

With this in mind, here’s our three-day sneak peak guide to a Birmingham city break (which might be extended with additional day trips to nearby Coventry; Warwick Castle; Ironbridge; and Shakespeare Country, including Stratford-Upon Avon):

City Centre

Library of Birmingham in Centenary Square

Birmingham has gone from an industrial hub to a futuristic city full of architectural triumphs, like the dramatic Library of Birmingham and gleaming Bullring and Grand Central, one of the most stylish shopping centres in the world. And the redevelopment shows no sign of slowing with Frall noting that city’s 1960’s brutalist architecture has been systematically stripped away in favour of open, pedestrian-friendly spaces and renovated Victorian structures.

• Library – Birmingham’s cityscape hits new heights at the 10-storey Library of Birmingham, Europe’s largest public library, which is impossible to miss with its standout design. Visitors can (should!) venture up to the rooftop garden for citywide views from one of Birmingham’s highest points. There’s even an entire floor dedicated to one of the region’s most iconic people, William Shakespeare.

• The Roundhouse – A dramatic restoration has turned the historic 19th- century curved building into a spectacular visitor centre and tourist destination.

• Bullring – While roads are measured from stately and impressive Victoria Square, they all seem to lead to Birmingham’s Bullring, also located in the heart of the city and mere minutes from New Street Station. Home to more than 200 stores and restaurants, its neighbour Grand Central also contains more than 60 premium brands. A 2.2-metre-tall bronze Bull, designed by sculptor Laurence Broderick, stands proudly by the Bullring’s entrance.

• The Grand Hotel – The iconic hotel in the city centre has recently relaunched (2021), with sumptuous Victorian and Art Deco interiors and a former guest list that includes everyone from King George VI to Charlie Chaplin and Winston Churchill.

Creative quarter

Digbeth, the city’s creative quarter, is filled to the brim with vibrant street art, independent shops, cafés and bakeries, and bustling brewpubs and bars – all inhabiting transformed Victorian industrial architecture that includes the six-hectare Custard Factory district.

Jewellery Quarter

The national epicentre for jewellery production for more than 250 years and home to more than 700 jewellers and independent retailers, Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter is located just to the north-west of the city centre and produces an estimated 40% of Britain’s jewellery. In addition to gems of all shapes and sizes, it offers an abundance of unique shopping experiences, as well as a mix of pubs, cafés, galleries. and museums.

Canals

With more than 56 km of canals in Birmingham, and more than 160 km of waterways making up the Birmingham Canal Network, old meets new in Brindley Place/Gas Street Basin. Here visitors can wander towpaths (or kayak) through an industrial heritage area blended with modern architecture, pubs/bars, and restaurants, right in the heart of Birmingham. Moored throughout are narrowboat canal barges, many of which can be chartered, or whose owners hawk crafts and wares and confections (honey, chocolates) to passersby.

Black Country Living Museum

Black Country Living Museum

Just north of the city (about a 30-minute drive), in Dudley, is the open-air Black Country Living Museum, which recalls life, both physical and social, in the West Midlands during the Industrial Revolution through historical interpreters (mine manager, chemist, chain maker) and a replica town cobbled together from real buildings transferred from elsewhere in the region, and which includes a working bakery and chippy (renowned for its fish and chips fried in traditional, but now rare, beef drippings). Themed events take pace throughout the year, including behind-the-scenes tours and 1940s weekends.

Peaky Blinders

The original Peaky Blinders gangs can be traced to Birmingham, and many scenes from the hit show were filmed in the city. Peaky Tours looks into the characters behind the TV series for a fascinating insight into the fictional show and the real-life locals that inspired it. Visitors will also find many other key Peaky Blinders sites around the city, including a six-storey mural of Cillian Murphy’s character Tommy Shelby on the walls of a factory in Digbeth, and in (the previously mentioned) Black Country Living Museum.

Football

The home of Aston Villa football club since 1897, Villa Park is one of Britain’s oldest stadiums and sits in the shadow of Aston Hall, a Jacobean stately home. Visitors can go behind-the-scenes on a stadium tour and learn more about one of the 12 founding clubs of Britain’s football league in 1888. During the season, fans can also catch a game at Birmingham City, which plays in the Championship (first) division.

Food

Zafar Hussain, owner of Shababs, shows off Birmingham’s famous Balti curry.

Birmingham is packed with every kind of eatery from street food to fine-dining restaurants, super-stylish bars, and excellent curry houses in its Balti Triangle. In fact, Birmingham and the surrounding area boasts 11 Michelin-starred restaurants and hundreds of restaurants from all over the globe. “Before,” Krall muses, “nobody would have thought of Birmingham as a destination for food!”

• The Balti Triangle – Known as the original home of the Balti curry, a trip to Birmingham wouldn’t be complete without sampling the spiced dish, which is fast-cooked to burn off excess oil and is also as individual as the chef cooking it. Foodies looking to sample the local delicacy can choose from a variety of family-run restaurants, including Shababs, and legendary Adil’s, which is said to have introduced the method of cooking to Britain in 1977. The Triangle spans Stratford, Alcester and Wake Green roads, and includes popular Ladypool Road and Stoney Lane. The area received its name due to the high density of restaurants (over 100) using the Balti technique.

Cadbury World

Chocolate fans will want to visit Cadbury World, an immersive self-guided journey through the magic of chocolate making “from bean to bar,” and including the origins of Cadbury in Birmingham in 1824. Tour highlights include tasting zones, a 4D cinema experience, and the largest collection of Cadbury memorabilia in the world (note: there is no factory tour). The massive attraction, which makes 1.2 million Cadbury Cream Eggs per day, amongst other treats, also boasts the world’s largest Cadbury shop. It can be reached via train from New Street Station to Bourneville in about 15 minutes (plus another 15-minute walk).

Activities

There are tons of attractions in Birmingham, ranging from the Bear Grylls Adventure activity centre (which includes mazes, rock climbing, axe throwing, archery, tank scuba, and more), to LegoLand Discovery Centre, National SEA LIFE Centre, the Birmingham Royal Ballet, opera, and theatre at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

Rev-heads might like the British Motor Museum, National Motorcycle Museum and Jaguar factory tour at Castle Bromwich, while fashion fiends will be interested in the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter and The Lace Guild in Stourbridge. Meanwhile, the Pen Museum is dedicated to the history of calligraphy.

There are countless other cultural institutions, including the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Thinktank science museum, Blakesley Hall Tudor house, and Sarehole Mill, a 250-year-old water mill famous for inspiring former neighbour J.R.R. Tolkein’s Middle Earth.

I DID NOT KNOW THAT

• With six million trees and more than 3,200 hectares of parks and open space, Birmingham is one of the greenest cities in the UK and Europe. Its parks have won gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show for the last six years

• Birmingham Hippodrome is the busiest and most popular theatre in the UK with more than half a million visitors each year

• More than 36,000 people watch musical performances by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) every year, more than any other UK orchestra

• Birmingham is home to many past and present rock bands and musicians, including Ocean Colour Scene, Duran Duran, ELO, UB40, Black Sabbath (look for the bridge dedicated to Ozzy and the lads), and Laura Mvula.

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First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

SMILING AGAIN IN VARADERO

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Cuba is smiling again with the return of visitors as the country (and world) emerges from over two years of COVID pause. I was one of them, having attended the recent 40th anniversary of the island’s annual travel trade fair FITCuba.

Taking place in Varadero, Canadian delegates (transported courtesy of Sunwing), learned that, while shuttered during the pandemic like most countries, Cuba certainly wasn’t idle – including a complete makeover of the famed beach resort town, which I hardly recognized, despite having been there many times.

During my visits to Cuba over the years, I’ve stayed in most of the Melia Resorts on the island; this time it was the newish five-star, all-inclusive Melia International Varadero, built in 2019.

Boasting a beach in front of the hotel that is considered the finest stretch of white sand in Varadero, the central building has 11 floors divided into east and west zones with 946 rooms, most with ocean views.

Other amenities include six swimming pools, tropical gardens, beach area, panoramic lifts, shopping gallery, and spacious lounges.

Melia Internacional Varadero, beach view

Of course, there are extensive dining options with 20 venues that include buffet, à la carte and off-menu restaurants, as well as several snack bars and themed bars situated in a dining “boulevard” in the central building.

The rooms have been designed with avant-garde flair and are equipped with the most advanced technology (and free WiFi!). Fortunately, the bell captain taught me how it all worked, and when I had to call the front desk for additional instructions, they picked up immediately and explained patiently how to do it.

The Level and The Level Adults-Only floor is known for its premium services and facilities and the top-floor YHI Spa has an infinity pool, dedicated teen zone, and stunning views of the beach.

The hotel also has a large area equipped with all kinds of facilities for children and families. I loved watching the children playing hour after hour in the huge kid’s pool.

Spa view

And in the centre of the enormous adult pool, they put a barge out for a live band to perform, which meant I could sit on my balcony to enjoy it.

The property also features a modern Conference Centre and space for events and weddings.

Varadero

Next to the hotel is the new Continental Cabaret Nightclub, a real highlight of Varadero nightlife.

Naturally, there are other venues in town to be enjoyed, such as Xanadu Mansion, site of the Canadian reception at FIT, and boasting eight rooms that can be booked by your clients.

Indeed, visitors to Varadero will have trouble deciding which watering hole to visit – from the Parador Fotografico, to Factoria Varadero, Bodequita del Medio, and Bar Floridita, the list goes on.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Villa Le Blanc by Gran Meliá, First Carbon Neutral Luxury Hotel in Menorca

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Villa Le Blanc by Gran Meliá, First Carbon Neutral Luxury Hotel in Menorca - TRAVELINDEXMenorca, Spain, July 18, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Villa Le Blanc, a 5-star luxury resort operated by Gran Meliá, will open at the end of July as the latest member of the Leading Hotels of the World, the only such hotel on the island of Menorca, and the Spanish hotel brand’s first energy-efficient carbon neutral hotel.

The fifteenth hotel in the Gran Meliá brand’s collection offers a choice of outstanding dining options that pay tribute to Menorcan cuisine and the island way of life, exquisitely designed rooms and suites with private pools, and a wellness area and spa operated by the French firm Anne Semonin.

The Villa Le Blanc Hotel boasts an idyllic natural setting on Santo Tomás Beach on the Migjorn coast, halfway between Mahón and Ciutadella. An ideal location for discovering all the cultural and natural attractions of the island of Menorca, which was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1993.

The renovation of what was once the Sol Beach House Hotel was led by the architect Álvaro Sans, and combines simple and contemporary design with luxurious details. The hotel provides a total of 159 rooms, including 14 Premium Rooms and 86 Supreme Rooms. The Penthouse Suite, the Swim-Up Master Suite and Presidential Suite offer the widest range of luxury amenities, as well as sea views which can be enjoyed from their private balconies and private pools. Decorated predominantly in white and blue, with the large terraces and porches that are typical of Mediterranean island architecture, the spaces are designed to achieve a seamless merging of outdoor and indoor areas.

“Villa Le Blanc is inspired by the vernacular architecture of the island villages. Among other features, special prominence is given to the Menorcan arches and the whitewashed walls so typical of local houses. From a technical point of view, we have rescued the traditional use of tiles, which have been used through the ages in Menorca to combat the rainy winters and which traditionally were always painted white to reflect the heat in summer,” explains Álvaro Sans, from the ASAH studio, architect of Villa Le Blanc.

The hotel aims to achieve a carbon neutral footprint by incorporating facilities and technologies that will enable it to reduce its scope 1 and 2 emissions by 87%. In addition, the hotel will explore alternatives to offset the remaining emissions and thus ensure its full carbon neutrality status (net zero), contributing to Meliá’s decarbonisation objectives.

“Villa Le Blanc is a dream come true for our company,” said Gabriel Escarrer, Vice President and CEO of Meliá. “A project like this allows us to move forward towards hotel decarbonisation. It is also in such a special place as the Biosphere Reserve of Menorca, making it one of the most tangible results of our commitment to a hotel model based on excellence, responsibility and sustainability.”

The hotel dining facilities pay tribute to local products, with the exquisite cuisine in the different restaurants using the finest fresh ingredients from the island farms.

The Menorcan S’Amarador Restaurant is an iconic venue in the town of Ciutadella, widely recognised as one of the top seafood restaurants on the island. Famous for a wine cellar with more than a hundred fine wines and for working with only the finest local produce to prepare its delicious rice dishes and seafood bisques, accompanied by the freshest fish from the local fish market, with a particular focus on one of the culinary highlights of the Balearic sea: the local red lobster.

Located on the first floor, and in the terrace looking to the sea, S’Amarador offers a tribute to the cuisine of the mother restaurant in Ciutadella. The restaurant preserves and adapts all the traditions of the ancient fishermen’s taverns that used to be located throughout the port area in olden times.

In addition to S’Amarador, the restaurateur Joan Canals brings all of his expertise and the personality of the Ulises Restaurant to a new venue named Cru. Reflecting the purest essence of the ingredients that are harvested from the island’s land and sea, Canals perfectly combines fresh local fish, shellfish, vegetables and olive oils with the most contemporary techniques and presentation.

For travellers seeking greater harmony and well-being, the hotel is also home to a temple to health and beauty thanks to Anne Semonin Paris. With treatments and experiences based on vegan cosmetics and natural products, this is the third spa in Spain for Anne Semonin, joining a number of spas in select locations in the most exclusive hotels in the world, including luxury resorts in Japan, Hong Kong, Doha, Greece and the Maldives.

Villa Le Blanc is also launching a new line of in-room amenities with bathroom products and aromas designed by the Carner Barcelona artisan perfumers. A new experience for the senses that combines to perfection with the splendour and attractiveness of the Mediterranean.

The hotel is owned by the company Victoria Hotels & Resorts, created in 2021 by Meliá Hotels International, Bankinter Investment and other investors who are customers of the bank, and also with GMA acting as the managing partner. All of the partners involved in the project share a strong commitment to sustainability, as shown in the exemplary transformation of this iconic hotel.

Average price: From 750 euros per night.
Number of suites and villas: 45.
Price of the suites: 1,200 euros per night.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News