Global Travel News

UNWTO and ETC Datalab To Power European Tourism Forward

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UNWTO and ETC Datalab to Power European Tourism Forward - TRAVELINDEXBrussels, Belgium, May 7, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / More than 30 countries in Europe have signed up to share knowledge and best practices with the aim of enhancing tourism competitiveness and supporting the recovery of the sector across the region.

The DataLab network, led by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the European Travel Commission (ETC) will provide a unique platform for sharing best practices, including know-how in data management and analytics. Users will also be able to share knowledge on the identification of relevant data sources, the use of big data, and the implementation of market intelligence systems. Europe’s National Tourism Organizations (NTOs), National Tourism Administrations (NTAs) and other relevant partners are all eligible to be part of the DataLab, and representatives from more than 30 countries have signed up to be part of the first stage.

“The UNWTO-ETC DataLab network represents an innovative and collaborative way to grow the competitiveness of countries through market intelligence. This will help tourism organizations to be better prepared in light of an increasingly digitalized and data-driven sector,” says Zoritsa Urosevic, UNWTO Executive Director.

“By fostering knowledge sharing through the UNWTO-ETC DataLab initiative we will provide a platform for destinations to collaborate and build collective knowledge, which is crucial, especially in times of challenges. We trust this initiative will help our members minimize risks and increase competitiveness to build a tourism sector that is more resilient, innovative and sustainable in the years to come”, stated Eduardo Santander, Executive Director at ETC, at the network’s launch.

Filling the data gap

Market intelligence has become paramount to accelerate tourism’s sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 crisis, understand current and future trends, and make informed decisions. At the same time, there is a need to address data gaps, support the development of new digital tools and improve access to real-time data. According to a recent survey carried out by UNWTO and ETC on data needs and use, issues related to data access, cost and skills appeared to be some of the major constraints faced by NTOs and NTAs across Europe. In this regard, “the network will explore ways to better understand the current data requirements, enhance knowledge and strengthen capacity by learning from each other”, indicated Sandra Carvão, Director of UNWTO Tourism Market Intelligence and Competitiveness.

Enhanced collaboration

The network strengthens the collaboration between UNWTO and ETC in a critical area of knowledge and expertise for tourism destinations and is the outcome of an initiative proposed in 2021. A working group with representatives from Visit Flanders, Fáilte Ireland, Malta Tourism Authority, NBTC Holland Marketing, Turismo de Portugal and the Slovenian Tourist Board, guided UNWTO and ETC in the foundations of this initiative. Moving forward, the UNWTO-ETC DataLab will provide capacity building events for members in the form of webinars and networking sessions.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Vietjet Relaunches Phuket to Ho Chi Minh City Flights

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Vietjet Relaunches Phuket to Ho Chi Minh City Flights - AIRLINEHUB.com - TRAVELINDEXHo Chi Minh City, Vietnam, June 7, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Phuket to Ho Chi Minh City route is back to service today following the ease of travel restrictions, becoming first airline to re-launch the direct route between Thailand’s most popular beach city and Vietnam’s biggest city.

The service, which operates four weekly return flights on every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, will offer more flight choices and experiences to passengers traveling between Vietnam and Thailand besides traveling hub of Bangkok.

The flight takes off from Phuket at 12:00 and arrives in Ho Chi Minh City at 13:50. Coming the other way, the flight departs from Ho Chi Minh City at 9:00 and lands in Phuket at 11:00 (local time). Customers can hunt for promotional tickets during golden hour from 12:00 to 14:00 every day on the website and on Vietjet Air mobile app.

With an expansive network across Vietnam, Vietjet is ready to welcome visitors back to the sky on safe and comfortable flights with the world’s leading modern fleet, friendly, dedicated flight attendants, menu of hot and fresh dishes along with unique cultural and artistic programs at an altitude of 10,000 metres.

Vietjet has resumed many services connecting Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang with Bangkok since early 2022. The carrier currently operates the largest flight capacity between Thailand and Vietnam and will resume the Ho Chi Minh City – Chiangmai route on September 1, 2022 with thrice weekly flights on every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Travelers to Vietnam have enjoyed a completely pre-pandemic fashion as the country scraps the Covid-19 testing requirements for all international arrivals from May 15, 2022 regardless of vaccination status. The new ruling makes Vietnam the first in Asia Pacific to fully open to international travelers.

About Vietjet
The new-age carrier Vietjet has revolutionized the aviation industry. With a focus on cost management ability, effective operations and performance, Vietjet offers flying opportunities with cost-saving and flexible fares as well as diversified services to meet customers’ demands.

Vietjet is a fully-fledged member of International Air Transport Association (IATA) with the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate. As Vietnam’s largest private carrier, the airline has been awarded the highest ranking for safety with 7 stars by the world’s only safety and product rating website and listed as one of the world’s 50 best airlines for healthy financing and operations.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

HEARST CASTLE: California treasure is open again

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California’s famous Hearst Castle has re-opened after a two-year closure due to the pandemic and severe rainstorm damage that prompted a $13.7 million renovation.

The steep, curvy access road to palatial home that media mogul William Randolph Hearst built on ranch land overlooking the Pacific was damaged by atmospheric rivers – storms fueled by long and wide plumes of moistures pulled in from the Pacific – in 2021.

Called La Cuesta Encantada (“The Enchanted Hill”), the San Luis Obispo County castle, designed by architect Julia Morgan, includes a 115-room main house, as well as guesthouses, pools, and cultivated gardens. Construction dates back to 1919.

The access road, which rises 503 m. over eight kilometres was “reconstructed and re-engineered” over 10 months, according to state officials. The project included replacing and enlarging clay pipe culverts from the 1920s that had been damaged by the rainstorms. Some historic stone retaining walls were also restored by hand.

The castle, which is located in central California about four hours from both Los Angeles and San Francisco, sees about 850,000 visitors annually, meaning about 22,000 bus trips traverse the access road each year. Some travel as often as every 10 minutes in the summer tourism season.

Neptune pool

The castle features a magnificent 115-room main house plus guesthouses, pools, and 3.2 hectares of cultivated gardens. The main house itself, “La Casa Grande,” is home to Hearst’s extraordinary art collection and has hosted many influential guests, including President Calvin Coolidge, Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw, Charlie Chaplin, and a diverse array of luminaries from show business and publishing industries.

“Hearst Castle is a state treasure and we are thrilled to reopen this wonder to the public to enjoy in a safe and responsible manner,” California State Parks Director Armando Quintero said. “We are confident that these once-in-a-lifetime repairs and improvements to the road facility will serve countless generations to come.”

The reopening of the castle marks the delayed 100th anniversary of the construction of the castle by offering a new tour entitled “The Julia Morgan Tour,” offering an in-depth look at the life and career of the extraordinary woman, focusing on rarely seen areas of Hearst Castle that highlight her gift for design, and photographic displays of architectural drawings, family photos, and personal items.

In addition, the ticket pricing structure for Hearst Castle was revamped to make it more user-friendly for the public and business partners. The ticket price will now have all fees integrated into one total price which will make the reservation process seamless, and will reduce the overall cost to visitors, by $3 to $6 per ticket. Tour reservations are strongly recommended and can be made online at HearstCastle.org.

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

HAWAII HAPPENINGS THIS SUMMER

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As Hawaii emerges from the pandemic, attractions, hotels, and events are placing a greater focus than ever on the islands’ culture, past and present, as well as sustainable practices for visitors and locals alike.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority says it is committed to regenerative tourism for Hawaii, “seeking to balance the economics of tourism with the wellbeing of our communities, natural resources and culture.”

This includes attracting and educating positive-impact travellers who are mindful of how they respect and interact with residents, of how their movement through Hawaii impacts the environment positively and of how they value and respect the Hawaiian culture and other cultures of Hawaii.

“This commitment to regenerative tourism advocates for solutions to overcrowded sites, overtaxed infrastructure, and other tourism-related issues; and works with responsible agencies, community and stakeholders to improve natural and cultural assets valued by Hawai’i’s residents,” says the HTA.

Here’s a brief look at what visitors and travel counsellors will find in the islands this summer:

MĀLAMA HAWAII

• Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay recently partnered with Surfrider Foundation Kauai Chapter’s Ocean Friendly Visitors Program to offer guests of the hotel opportunities to learn how to mālama (“care for”) Kauai and, in exchange, receive a fourth night at the property free. The Kauai chapter of the Surfrider Foundation is encouraging visitors to engage in mindful practices such as using only reef-friendly sunscreen, minimizing single-use plastics, participating in beach cleanups, and admiring wildlife from a safe and legal distance.

• Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park (Kauai) — including its Kalalau Trail — now requires 90-days advanced reservations for all entries, camping and lodging, an increase from 30 days. Parking passes to the Kauai wilderness park are limited and sell out quickly. The pass, which is available for purchase at www.GoHaena.com, includes day-use park entry and is a good option for individuals unable to secure a parking pass.

• The phrase mālama ‘āina (“to care for the land”) reflects Mauna Lani, Auberge Resorts Collection’s (Hawaii Island) mission to protect, preserve and respect the island of Hawaii. The resort recently partnered with Māla’ai, a school garden program in nearby Waimea town, to responsibly and sustainably cultivate and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables in the resort’s on-property garden, Hoʻōla. With its name meaning “to give life to,” Hoʻōla provides purposeful, hands-on opportunities for Mauna Lani guests wishing to become involved with the garden.

• Paradise Helicopters (Hawaii Island), a locally owned helicopter company, is offering guests opportunities to both experience and protect the beauty of the island of Hawaii’s natural landscapes. The company’s Malama Charters provides exclusive landing opportunities paired with a native tree-planting experience and educational tour. Flights depart from multiple locations on the island of Hawaii.

HOTEL DEVELOPMENTS

• ʻAlohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach on Oahu recently announced that it is on track to become the first carbon neutral hotel in the state of Hawaii. The resort’s upcoming carbon neutral certification underscores its existing sustainability initiatives, commitment to plant 100,000 indigenous trees in its legacy forest, and use of renewable electricity throughout the property. In addition, credits for Beach Candy Waikiki are now included in the resort amenity fee to further enhance guests’ Hawaii experience while helping preserve the environment and reduce waste.

• Aqua-Aston Hospitality (statewide) is moving away from single-use plastic at its resorts statewide this year to convert 100% of its properties to bulk bathroom amenities. The Honolulu-based hotel management company continues to advocate for sustainability and marine life across its 25-plus properties in Hawaii by limiting plastic usage and partnering with local, environmentally friendly brands. Aqua-Aston recently introduced a new reef-safe sunscreen amenity to its properties through a partnership with mom-owned Little Hands Hawaii where guests receive access to samples of the lightly coconut-scented sunscreen at its front desks.

• Mauna Kea Beach Hotel’s new partnership with Hawaii Land Trust focuses on Māhukona, an area north of the hotel’s property within the island of Hawaii’s Kohala district spanning the coastline of six ahupuaʻa (land divisions). Through a portion of donation proceeds, Mauna Kea Beach Hotel is helping support the preservation of land at Māhukona and the practice of celestial navigation and open ocean voyaging. Also, within the area, local nonprofit Nā Kālai Waʻa hosts and cares for navigation-related cultural sites and uses the sailing canoe Makaliʻi to teach aspiring navigators how to sail.

• Montage Kapalua Bay (Maui) is offering guests opportunities to learn about Hawaiian culture from its new cultural ambassador, Hoku Haiku, who brings more than 25 years of experience as a cultural educator to the resort. New programs at the Maui resort include nā pā’ani kahiko (traditional Hawaiian games) and guided cultural educational walks. Hoku and Silla Kaina, the resort’s longtime cultural ambassador, lead classes sharing Hawaiian culture, Hawaiian myths and legends, coconut-frond weaving, and ‘ukulele and hula lessons with guests.

• Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort on Oahu is inviting guests to experience its newly created A’o Cultural Center, part of the property’s ongoing $80-million renovation. Open since March, the resort’s expanded cultural center features complimentary guest activities, including lei-making, ukulele, and hula lessons. The resort has also revamped its Herb Kāne Lounge with new local artwork and a more open structure.

• New activities at Royal Kona Resort on the island of Hawaii offer guests opportunities to experience Hawaii’s rich culture. Offered several times throughout the week, they include lessons on playing ʻukulele, dancing hula and making fragrant flower lei. Reservations are required due to limited space. An activity schedule and sign-up list is available at the resort’s front desk.

• Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu recently debuted its Thursday weekly Paniolo Pāʻina at The Stables. The event features live entertainment, food and cocktails, and interactive activities for the whole family honoring Hawaiian cowboy culture, which dates back to 1800s. Activities include the Pony Experience offering kids a chance to pet and feed ponies, paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) storytelling, fire-knife dancing, hula and a night cap of s’mores by the campfire.

• New, Lū’au Ka Hikina at the Sheraton Kaua’i Coconut Beach Resort. This new lū’au is held every Tuesday & Thursday in the property’s new open air event pavilion, Hālau Ho’okipa featuring a torch lighting ceremony, locally sourced foods and a celebration of the Hawaiian and Polynesian culture under the direction of award- winning kumu hula Leilani Rivera Low. www.luaukahikina.com

ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES

• Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience (Oahu) is a showcase of more than 400 of French painter Claude Monet’s most iconic works of impressionism, set to run at the Hawaii Convention Center on Oahu from June 15 through July 31. Notable Monet artworks, including his Water Lilies series and Impression: Sunrise and Poppies, will be part of the display. With an enchanting musical score, breathtaking projections and stunning set pieces, Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience encourages infinite interpretations of Monet’s work.

• Bishop Museum (Oahu) announced new exhibition, “The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu” from June 18 to Oct. 15. This exhibit will explore the history and contemporary meanings of four large pōhaku (stones) on Waikīkī Beach. Legend has it that these pōhaku were placed long ago as a tribute to four māhū (people of dual male and female spirit) who brought healing arts from Tahiti to Hawaii. Although the stones have survived for centuries, the story behind them has been suppressed and the respected role of māhū erased. Using immersive media and innovative storytelling approaches, the exhibition revitalizes this traditional story to help restore this sacred site as a permanent reminder of Hawaii’s history of inclusion and acceptance. The Healer Stones of Kapaemahu is presented in both English and ʻōlelo Niʻihau, the only form of Hawaiian unbroken by foreign contact. This is Bishop Museum’s first fully bilingual exhibition, signaling its commitment to centring the exhibition in a Hawaiian worldview.

• In partnership with Hawaii Land Trust, the Mauna Kea and Hapuna golf courses on the Kohala Coast of the island of Hawaii, recently underwent an extensive sustainability analysis to implement best management practices designed to reduce both courses’ water consumption and downward run-off of fertilizer into the ocean. Collectively, the measures taken are positives for the environment and also help create healthy surroundings for Hawaii’s state bird, the threatened nēnē (Hawaiian goose), flocks of which can often be found grazing in and around the golf course fairways.

• No’eau Designers (Oahu) now offers Native Hawaiian and Hawaii-based artisans a venue to showcase their products to kamaʻāina and visitors with its newly opened location on the third floor of Ala Moana Center on Oahu. With the works of more than 100 vendors offered both in-store and online, buying local at Noʻeau Designers gives back to Hawaii’s artisan community.

• Nā Lani Sunset Stories welcomes audiences at International Market Place (Oahu) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, through February 2023, for a presentation honouring the Oahu shopping and dining centre’s rich history and sense of place with Hawaiian and Polynesian song and dance. O Nā Lani Sunset Stories begins at sunset with the ceremonial lighting of the International Market Place’s Lamakū Torch Tower on Kalākaua Avenue in Waikīkī and leads to the center’s Queen’s Court stage. Free to the public, the show begins at 7 p.m. through August, and at 6:30 p.m. from September through February.

• Visitors can learn how to make their very own lei pua kalaunu (crown flower lei) from start to finish at the Queens’ Marketplace’s Coronation Pavilion in Waikōloa on the island of Hawaii every first Friday of the month, from 6 to 7 p.m. The pua kalaunu was Queen Liliʻuokalani’s favourite blossom and was thought to resemble a royal crown, a distinction which also gave the flower its English-language name. Lessons are limited to 15 persons and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Situated in Waikīkī on Oahu, the Queens Waikiki Luau at International Market Place happens every Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m., welcoming guests to enjoy dinner, bar access and interactive activities. Capped at 70 attendees, the lū’au’s Polynesian revue from across the Pacific includes music, song and the famed fire-knife dance.

• After a nearly two-year hiatus, the Royal Hawaiian Band has returned to ʻIolani Palace on Oahu for its popular lunchtime concerts. The concerts are free, open to the public and held on most Fridays from noon to 1 p.m. Once known as the King’s Band, the Royal Hawaiian Band was created by King Kamehameha III in 1836 and is the only full-time municipal band in the US. The band has grown in prominence over its many years, playing at state occasions, parades, national competitions and other international venues.

• Sea Life Park on Oahu is presenting its new Hawaiian monk seal talk story session, Meet Kekoa. Session participants learn about the endangered Hawaiian monk seal, and Kekoa’s incredible journey and contributions to human understanding of the hearing capabilities of Hawaiian monk seals, all integral learnings in protecting future generations of the seals. Sessions happen on Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• The Waikiki Trolley. Hop aboard the company’s brand-new Heroes and Legends tour to discover and hear stories about the district’s historical figures and their ground-breaking accomplishments.

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

• On the first Friday of each month, Aloha Stadium Swap Meet and Marketplace (Oahu) invites visitors and residents to attend its Taste of Oahu night market featuring food and live entertainment. Tickets are $10 for attendees ages 12 and older, $5 for keiki (children) ages six to 11, and free entrance for those ages five and under. Tickets can be bought online or at the event.

• Bring your beach chairs and coolers to Laʻiʻōpua 2020’s Ola ka Lāhui, a talk story and cultural activity gathering on the lānai of Laʻiʻōpua 2020 in Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaii, happening June 25, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Participants can join cultural artisans in demonstrations of treasured traditions. An hour-long talk story will feature kūpuna (elders), island historians, storytellers and artisans sharing their manaʻo (thoughts) about Hawaii’s history, arts, and traditions. The event’s name, Ola ka Lāhui (meaning “the nation lives on”), reflects its intent to share the ʻike (knowledge) and moʻolelo (stories) of Hawaii for future generations.

• For the first time in more than two years, the Paniolo Heritage Rodeo will return to Kōloa Plantation Days on Kauai, July 22-24, spotlighting the cultural experience of today’s paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy) lifestyle. Cheer on competitors as they test their skills and nerves in high-stake races, fast-action riding and exciting roping sports. While there, enjoy local foods, exhibits, demonstrations, and cowboy storytelling.

• The Soto Zen Bon Festival (Kauai) returns on June 17 and 18, showcasing folk dancing, music and religious traditions that have evolved in Kauai’s Japanese American community for more than five generations. Guests of all ages are welcome to stop by the festival to taste and enjoy popular food items unique to Kauai, watch and participate in traditional dancing to the vibrant beat of taiko drums, and check out a variety of cultural and historical exhibits celebrating immigrant and sugar plantation heritage.

Regenerative Hawaii

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Marriott International Launches “Marriott’s Bridging The Gap” Hotel Development Program

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MI LOGO FOR MNC

At the 44th Annual NYU International Hospitality Investment Conference, Marriott International (Nasdaq:MAR) announced the launch of “Marriott’s Bridging The Gap,” a multi-year, $50 million development program that aims to address the barriers to entry that historically underrepresented groups face in owning and developing hotels in the United States and Canada. Recognizing that access to capital constitutes a critical barrier to market entry, Marriott will offer financial and other incentives to qualified historically underrepresented owners and franchisees that will have a controlling equity interest in select branded projects. The incentives will apply to new franchise applications submitted after June 1, 2022. Over three years, qualifying development projects built or converted under Marriott’s Bridging The Gap are expected to reach $1 billion in total asset value for historically underrepresented ownership groups.

“At the heart of what we do every day is welcome all,” said Anthony Capuano, CEO, Marriott International. “Whether that’s people who stay with us, work in our hotels, meet our supply needs or develop hotels that fly one of our brand flags – all are welcome. With the establishment of Marriott’s Bridging The Gap, we are creating an on-ramp to help propel historically underrepresented groups in the journey to hotel ownership more frequently and more successfully. We are excited to launch Marriott’s Bridging The Gap and to continue building a more diverse owner and franchisee community.”

In developing the program, Marriott tapped into the company’s development and franchising teams as well as current and potential hotel owners and franchisees. In addition to providing access to valuable capital, Marriott plans to utilize its extensive relationships with seasoned hotel developers, operators and lenders to assist and support eligible owners’ hotel projects.

“As an investor in hotel projects and long-time advocate for creating more diversity, equity and inclusion within the hotel ownership community, I appreciated the advice Marriott sought from me and other industry experts in creating Marriott’s Bridging The Gap, which I hope others will emulate,” said Tracy Prigmore, Founder, She Has A Deal. “Providing access to capital is a big step in knocking down the highest barrier to entry underrepresented groups face when attempting to build or acquire a hotel.”

The announcement of Marriott’s Bridging The Gap program is a significant step in Marriott’s longstanding effort to increase the ranks of diverse owners and franchisees. The company is a founding sponsor of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers (NABHOOD), She Has a Deal (SHaD) and the Latino Hotel Association. Through its engagement with these organizations as well as the National Black MBA Association, Marriott has conducted outreach and educational seminars on the path to hotel ownership. In addition, Marriott regularly hosts a Diverse Owner Summit at its headquarters to identify and recruit investors with interest in hotel ownership.

“A hotel is an economic engine for a community,” noted Stephanie Linnartz, President, Marriott International. “We believe our guests, our associates, our hotels and the communities we serve will benefit from the full participation of underrepresented groups in this extraordinary industry. Marriott’s Bridging The Gap program directly addresses some of the most critical barriers to entry, with a comprehensive approach designed to enable historically underrepresented groups to enter our ownership ranks or to expand their current holdings.”

Marriott’s Bridging The Gap exemplifies the company’s aspirations under its LoveTravels platform established in 2014. LoveTravels incorporates and expresses the company’s efforts to address barriers experienced by diverse communities, as well as make global communities better places to live, work, and visit. Through inclusion, equality and creating positive and sustainable impact, LoveTravels welcomes everyone to join the conversation for change.

For more information, please visit Marriott Development.

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

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 our website, and for the latest company news, visit Marriott News Center. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor Reopens to the World

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Siem Reap, Cambodia, June 6, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, one of the most iconic heritage properties in Southeast Asia, reopens its doors to guests on 1st June 2022 for the first time in almost three years.

First opened in 1932 and widely celebrated as La Grande Dame de Angkor, the hotel has been welcoming discerning travellers and famous faces – from Charlie Chaplin to Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama – to the historic heart of Cambodia for almost ninety years.

The hotel underwent a delicate transformation in 2019 with rooms and suites receiving a meticulous facelift before the global pause in travel. The guestrooms feature lighter and brighter interiors as well as the addition of Segafredo coffee machines, USB charging stations and Simmons pillow-top mattresses. The French windows, which swing open to views of street scenes or the plantation-style grounds of the hotel, have been upgraded, and each room now has a writing desk and vintage rotary telephone, thanks in part to the added floor space created by removing cabinets and replacing them with built-in wardrobes. All bathrooms have also been upgraded with new Italian tiling and rain showers. The traditional ceiling fans remain, as well as the beautiful views of the Royal Gardens or the resort’s iconic swimming pool.

It is a magnificent feeling to bring this enchanting hotel back to life,” said General Manager Dennis de Groot. “The Grand Hotel is a national treasure, and its storied history is testament to Cambodia’s colourful past. It was originally built as a rest stop for archaeologists and adventurers seeking to explore the ancient kingdom of Angkor Wat. As we prepare to celebrate the hotel’s 90th anniversary this year, we are delighted that this hotel can continue to set the standard for luxury hospitality, where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family”.

Returning guests will notice that the famous façade and entire exterior of the hotel now shines white, rather than its former cream-beige hue which was the colour of French colonial architecture across Indochina.

Named after the year that Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor first opened, 1932 is the hotel’s latest signature restaurant, proudly inheriting the honour to serve traditional Royal Khmer cuisine for a unique dining experience.

Another fresh addition to the hotel is the Raffles Marquee, an elegant events centre situated within 15-acres of lush French gardens that plays host to everything from Khmer performances and fashion shows to wedding receptions and business conferences. This fully air-conditioned marquee offers a truly unique setting for sophisticated events in the enchanting town of Siem Reap.

Traditionalists can rest assured that the hotel’s original teak and wrought iron cage elevator remains, as does the vintage ambience of the Elephant Bar and the checker-tiled lobby, which over the decades has witnessed a guest list of royalty, film stars, writers and artists.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor is situated a mere 20-minute drive to the doorway of the UNESCO Heritage temples of Angkor. To allow guests to explore more of the fascinating destination, the Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor offers an enticing series of Raffles Curated Journeys and Resort Programs designed to infuse local experiences with worldly elegance. Guests can explore the ancient Angkor Archaeological Park on an iconic Vespa, before being one of the first travellers of the day to enter the temple. Embark on a local tuk-tuk tour for a journey through the Silk Road of Angkor, visiting the beautiful Banteay Srei Temple and Golden Silk Farm. Food aficionados can taste Siem Reap on an exclusive Culinary Hidden Gems, while shopaholics saunter Siem Reap’s Kandal Village neighbourhood with the assistance of a Raffles Butler, and culture lovers can enjoy a majestic performance of Cambodian dances in the Apsara Terrace.

Within the resort grounds, guests can take part in on-site activities including monk blessings, Angkor Sling masterclasses, botanical and culinary garden tours, and a tour with the hotel’s resident historian.

Designed by French architect Ernest Hébrard in a style that combines Khmer art and furnishings with Art Deco influences, the Grand Hotel first opened in 1932 with just 63 rooms, all with private bathrooms – a revelation in its day. The property, along with its sister heritage hotel, Le Royal, in Phnom Penh, was taken over by Fairmont Raffles Hotels International in 1997 at the invitation of Cambodia’s King Sihanouk.

The move to reopen on 1st June comes at a time when Cambodia has removed all major travel restrictions. The country was widely praised for its handling of the pandemic and its effective vaccine program.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor was recognized this year by US magazine Travel + Leisure as among the top 500 hotels in the world.

Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap and its sister Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom are part of Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique experiences in 5,300 hotels and residences across 110 countries. For reservations or enquiries to Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor, call +855 23 982 598 or email bookus.siemreap@raffles.com. Rooms at Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor start at $350+++ per night.

 

ABOUT RAFFLES

Raffles Hotels & Resorts boasts an illustrious history and some of the most prestigious hotel addresses worldwide. In 1887, Raffles Singapore set the standard for luxury hospitality, introducing the world to private butlers, the Singapore Sling and its enduring, legendary service. Today, Raffles continues this tradition in leading cities and lavish resort locales, enchanting travellers with meaningful experiences and service that is both gracious and intuitive. Connoisseurs of life choose Raffles, not merely for its aura of culture, beauty and gentility, but for the extraordinary way they feel when in residence with Raffles. Each Raffles, be it Paris, Istanbul, Dubai, Warsaw, Jakarta or the Seychelles, serves as a venerated oasis where travellers arrive as guests, leave as friends and return as family. Raffles is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,300 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL – Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty programme providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.

raffles.com | all.accor.com | group.accor.com

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Meliá Phuket Mai Khao Unveils YHI Spa Menu

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Phuket, Thailand, June 6, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX /  Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, a new wellness-inspired resort on eight acres of Phuket’s north-western coastline on the Andaman Sea, has introduced a spa menu with treatments ranging from hot candle massage and hot sand therapy to bath rituals and charcoal powder body scrubs.

The extensive menu from Meliá’s signature YHI Spa, that is 300sqm and home to five treatment rooms, offers signature treatments and packages, as well as an array of massages, body masks and wraps, body exfoliation, facial treatments, manicure, pedicure, and more.

The YHI Spa’s “signature pleasures” include the 120-minute “Sense Enrich”, that begins with a full body scrub freshly made with honey and organic Phuket pineapple followed by a hot candle massage that soothes the body with hot wax. The 90-minute “Rhythm of Sol and Luna” is a “four hands” massage by two spa therapists.

The 90-minute “Soul of Mai Khao Arena” that starts with the ancient remedy of warming the body with heated Mai Khao sand mixed with herbs followed by an aroma massage, and an indulgent 90-minute hot stone massage are also among the spa’s signature treatments.

Wellness journeys such as the 150-minute “Embrace Touch” and the 180-minute “Romance Touch” are based on a series of reinvigorating treatments. Embrace Touch comprises a 30-minute Ayurvedic Indian head massage, a 60-minute aroma relaxation massage, a 30-minute foot massage and a 30-minute herbal steam. Romance Touch is made up of a 30-minute herbal steam, a 60-minute body scrub, a 30-minute romantic bath ritual and a 60-minute Balinese massage.

The 30-minute bath rituals are “Milky Fleur”, a fresh milk bath with petals to hydrate the skin, and “Herbal Indulgence”, a warm bath infused with Thai herbs to stimulate blood circulation and ease tension.

YHI Spa pays homage to Thailand with massages such as “Traditional Thai” and “Thai Herbal Bliss”. Dating back some 2500 years, traditional Thai massage is based on palm strokes and thumb pressure along the body’s energy lines to alleviate conditions such as lower back pain, arthritis and headaches. The Thai herbal ball compress massage, known as “Luk Prakob”, is an ancient therapy applied to the body’s pressure points to release muscular aches and pain.

In addition to regular treatments such as deep tissue sports massage, aromatherapy massage, and Swedish massage, holistic massages such as lymphatic drainage massage, “Chi Nei Tsang” traditional Chinese massage and foot reflexology are on offer. The gentle “Mother to Be” massage is for pregnant guests and “Kids Bliss”, for children aged four to 12 years, affords a massage as well as a nail polish treatment and foot pampering.

Body masks and wraps include a HARNN contouring body mask and firming wrap designed to reduce cellulite. Body exfoliation treatments such as “White Tea and Camellia”, a concentrated scrub also made from charcoal powder, cleanse the body and gently remove dead skin cells.

Spa therapists also provide poolside and in-villa treatments. Treatments are based on organic Thai wellness brand HARNN’s products, made with natural ingredients. Aromatherapy essential oils are blended according to the “life elements” fire, air, water and earth and tailored to the birth month of the guest.

Situated on secluded Mai Khao beach, the resort opened on December 1 2021 and is the second five-star property to be launched in Thailand under Spanish hotel group Meliá Hotels International.

The resort’s 15 wellness villas each feature an outdoor bathtub, private plunge pool, open-air Vitamin C shower, ultrasonic essential oil diffuser, GermGuardian air purifier, Tempur-Pedic pillows, aromatic salts for the outdoor bathtub, a fit ball, yoga mat and Harman Kardon speaker. A highlight of staying at a wellness villa is a daily 60-minute massage.

Meliá Phuket Mai Khao’s culinary offerings include a “Balance by Meliá” menu featuring the likes of quinoa salad with tricolour quinoa, goji berries, sweet potatoes, chickpeas and bell peppers, and a poke bowl with rice berry, organic salmon tartare, avocado, spirulina and chia seeds.

The resort’s fitness center is equipped with treadmills, ellipticals, exercise bikes, and weights machines.

For more information about Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, visit www.melia.com, call +66 76 563 550 or email info@meliaphuketmaikhao.com

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts

Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the best-known international brand in the portfolio of the Meliá Hotels International company; it has more than 100 city and resort hotels in the main leisure and business destinations of Europe, Asia, Africa and America. The brand offers exemplary meetings and events facilities in all important business cities as well as in exotic locations, catering to the ever-expanding conference and incentive travel market. As part of its innovation philosophy and new positioning, Meliá Hotels & Resorts has reinvented itself to cater to every aspect of the guests’ wellbeing. Unique experiences are created for guests and are defined by relaxation, quality time and personalised services. For a balanced lifestyle, Meliá Hotels & Resorts instinctively understands the guests’ needs and lifestyle expectations, which is an integral part of its redefined identity. Follow Meliá Hotels & Resorts on Twitter @MeliaHtlResorts, Facebook @Melia.Hotels and Instagram @meliahtlresorts. www.melia.com.

 

About Meliá Hotels International

Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International operates more than 380 hotels (portfolio and pipeline) throughout more than 40 countries, under the brands Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá and TRYP by Wyndham. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe in 2020, according to the SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA). It also has ranked seventh in the Wall Street Journal’s list of the 100 most sustainably managed companies in the world (and the leading travel company) and is the only Spanish travel company included in the list of “Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021” by Financial Times. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market index and it is the Spanish hotel leader in Corporate Reputation (Merco Ranking). For more information, visit www.meliahotelsinternational.com

 

About Phuket Villa Group

Founded in 1989 in Phuket (Thailand), Phuket Villa Corporation, together with its affiliates, has constructed over 7,000 houses and condominium units all over Phuket and Bangkok. As one of the first developers in Phuket to include a wide range of lifestyle facilities within its developments, such as tennis courts and swimming pools, the Group offers detached homes, townhouses and commercial buildings, catering to the growing local real estate market. In addition, the Group also has two hotels under its banner, offering more than 300 rooms to tourists and business travellers, mirroring Phuket’s steady growth as a premier tourist destination of Thailand. Over the years, Phuket Villa Corporation continues to re-invent itself to cater to an increasingly diverse customer base in a more competitive landscape. For more information, please visit: https://phuketvilla.com/ or follow us on Facebook @PhuketVillaCompany

 

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Fusion Joins Global Movement To Prioritize Health

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Ho Chi Minh Ciry, Vietnam, June 6, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / fusion, a brand synonymous with spa in Vietnam, doesn’t restrict its wellness offerings to the therapies on offer in its spa treatment rooms. It’s much broader than that, and fusion plans to demonstrate as much on Global Wellness Day this month.

Each of the expanding hotel group’s properties has created a day full of activities to remind guests of the key question driving the day, “How can I live a healthier and better life [on an individual and societal level]?”

Global Wellness Day, a social project that has gained momentum over the last decade, is held on the second Saturday of June every year. Below are some of the highlights of what will be happening at fusion.

Fusion Resort Phu Quoc

Fusion’s Phu Quoc property boasts the largest spa on the island. In the heart of this healing space is a flourishing pepper tree garden. Pepper is the island’s most famous export. The orchard is the backdrop for Pepperation, a workshop where guests create a pepper scrub with all natural ingredients.The program is best paired with the resort’s Natural Living Pepper massage, that uses a custom-blended heating black pepper oil only available at Maia Spa. Other highlights include two yoga sessions – sunrise yoga and sunset yoga on the beach. A mindfulness meditation session in the yoga studio, as well as Tai Chi Qigong in the Spa Garden and Aqua fitness in the Spa’s swimming pool.

Fusion Resort Cam Ranh

This beachfront resort is starting things early with an Indian head massage session held in their tropical lotus garden at 6:15am. From there you can head straight to their on-site farm to collect your own free-range eggs, straight from the coop, for breakfast. The resort is home to around 200 cage-free chickens, ducks, goats, and even peacocks, which makes the Kids Farm School, up next on the agenda, very interesting. Adults can take part in Fusion Earth Lab, where they’ll make their own natural hair conditioner and earn a Wellness Ambassador certificate, for creating products that are kind to the body and the earth.

Maia Resort Quy Nhon

Fusion’s first foodie-focused resort realizes the importance of building up an appetite. Their activities for Global Wellness Day involve some pre-breakfast sunrise yoga on the beach. Post-breakfast guests can enjoy complimentary aqua fitness with an aerobics session in the Vela Spa pool. Late afternoon it’s time to unwind with a 30-minute meditation practice at the spa, followed by sunset yoga in the garden with the Phuong Mai windmills in the background.

Alba Wellness Valley by fusion

This natural hot springs resort, on the outskirts of Hue, has many wellness horns to trumpet but this June 11th the team is opting for what’s closest to its heart, the environment and the local community. Over 150 children and Alba staff will spend the Saturday at the resort learning about personal wellness through outdoor exercise, as well as environmental wellness, through a talk on the topic as well as some tree planting followed by a sustainable lunch. Joy and laughter are integral elements in any wellness mix and Alba will ensure there’s also plenty of that with free entry to the property’s water park for all the children taking part.

Fusion Suites Saigon

Fusion Suites Saigon, located in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, has developed “7 Steps to Wellness at Fusion Suites Saigon,” to help highlight the hotel’s services and facilities that foster a healthy stay. These include:

  1. Never skip breakfast: Enjoy a buffet breakfast at Fresh
  2. Hydrate: Complimentary glass bottles in room or refill your own at the refill station at Fresh
  3. Savor healthy food: poke, salads at Fresh
  4. Drink fusion’s own homemade Kombucha to improve inner beauty
  5. Work up a sweat at the gym
  6. Have a sauna
  7. Relax and rejuvenate with a spa therapy in one of the color therapy treatment rooms.

These seven steps will be a “Quest for Wellness” on Global Wellness Day, with guests being encouraged to check in with photos of all the steps and encourage friends and families to do so too.

Fusion Suites Vung Tau

Fusion Suites Vung Tau, a popular weekend getaway destination from Saigon, will kickstart Saturday with an extensive breakfast buffet, designed to promote healthy eating. Guests will find a wider selection of healthy dishes including more fresh and vibrant salads, a wide selection of steamed vegetables and a rich array of tropical fresh fruit, for the most important meal of the day. There will be new menu items, just for Global Wellness Day, including a Wellness Pizza, topped with a selection of fresh vegetables and edible flowers, and served with a detox drink. The 11th of June marks the first day of ten days of complimentary yoga classes, meditation, and Tai Chi for all guests and team members to join.

 

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Weekend Vibes at Aloft Bangkok

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Marriott International’s Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 today unveils ‘Weekend Vibes’ promotion offering guests the ultimate culinary getaway with additional 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points while staycationing at the most happening street in Bangkok.

Price starting from THB 3,449++ for one person in Aloft Bangkok’s Urban room, guest can enjoy one night stay with breakfast and the finest seafood dinner buffet at Crave restaurant on level 8 every Friday to Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. plus an additional 1,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points per stay. In addition, guest can also enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, Complimentary Tuk Tuk shuttle to BTS Nana, Terminal 21 shopping mall and MRT Sukhumvit and complimentary access to 24/7 Re:Charge gym and Splash rooftop pool. Guest eligible to use Rao Tiew Duay Gun to benefit from this deal while rediscovering Bangkok at this stunning Sukhumvit hotel, other terms and conditions may apply.

Valid Fridays to Saturdays through July 31, 2022, guest can make a reservations via, call 02 207 7000, email reservations.aloftbkk@alofthotels.com

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Tourism Recovery Gains Momentum as Restrictions Ease and Confidence Returns

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Madrid, Spain, June 6, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Tourism continues to recover at a strong pace. Globally, destinations welcomed almost three times as many international arrivals in the first quarter of 2022 as in the same period of 2021, with Europe leading the sector’s rebound.

According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourism saw a 182% year-on-year increase in January-March 2022, with destinations worldwide welcoming an estimated 117 million international arrivals compared to 41 million in Q1 2021. Of the extra 76 million international arrivals for the first three months, about 47 million were recorded in March, showing that the recovery is gathering pace.

Europe and Americas lead the recovery

UNWTO data shows that during the first quarter of 2022, Europe welcomed almost four times as many international arrivals (+280%) as in Q1 of 2021, with results driven by strong intra-regional demand. In the Americas arrivals more than doubled (+117%) in the same three months. However, arrivals in Europe and the Americas were still 43% and 46% below 2019 levels respectively.

The Middle East (+132%) and Africa (+96%) also saw strong growth in Q1 2022 compared to 2021, but arrivals remained 59% and 61% below 2019 levels respectively. Asia and the Pacific recorded a 64% increase over 2021 but again, levels were 93% below 2019 numbers as several destinations remained closed to non-essential travel.

By subregion, the Caribbean and Southern Mediterranean Europe continue to show the fastest rates of recovery. In both, arrivals recovered to nearly 75% of 2019 levels, with some destinations reaching or exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

Destinations opening up

Although international tourism remains 61% below 2019 levels, the gradual recovery is expected to continue throughout 2022, as more destinations ease or lift travel restrictions and pent-up demand is unleashed. As of 2 June, 45 destinations (of which 31 are in Europe) had no COVID-19 related restrictions in place. In Asia, an increasing number of destinations have started to ease those restrictions.

Despite these positive prospects, a challenging economic environment coupled with the military offensive of the Russian Federation in Ukraine pose a downside risk to the ongoing recovery of international tourism. The Russian offensive on Ukraine seems to have had a limited direct impact on overall results so far, although it is disrupting travel in Eastern Europe. However, the conflict is having major economic repercussions globally, exacerbating already high oil prices and overall inflation and disrupting international supply chains, which results in higher transport and accommodation costs for the tourism sector.

Export revenues to recover faster as spending rises

The latest issue of the UNWTO Tourism Barometer also shows that US$ 1 billion were lost in export revenues from international tourism in 2021, adding to the $1 billion lost in the first year of the pandemic. Total export revenues from tourism (including passenger transport receipts) reached an estimated US$ 713 billion in 2021, a 4% increase in real terms from 2020 but still 61% below 2019 levels. International tourism receipts reached US$ 602 billion, also 4% higher in real terms than in 2020. Europe and the Middle East recorded the best results, with earnings climbing to about 50% of pre-pandemic levels in both regions.

However, the amount being spent per trip is on the rise – from an average US$ 1,000 in 2019 to US$ 1,400 in 2021.

Stronger than expected recovery ahead

The latest UNWTO Confidence Index showed a marked uptick. For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the index returned to levels of 2019, reflecting rising optimism among tourism experts worldwide, building on strong pent-up demand, in particular intra-European travel and US travel to Europe.

According to the latest UNWTO Panel of Experts survey, an overwhelming majority of tourism professionals (83%) see better prospects for 2022 compared to 2021, as long as the virus is contained and destinations continue to ease or lift travel restrictions. However, the ongoing closure of some major outbound markets, mostly in Asia and the Pacific, as well as the uncertainty derived from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, could delay the effective recovery of international tourism.

A higher number of experts (48%) now see a potential return of international arrivals to 2019 levels in 2023 (from 32% in the January survey), while the percentage indicating this could happen in 2024 or later (44%) has diminished compared to the January survey (64%). Meanwhile by end April, international air capacity across the Americas, Africa, Europe, North Atlantic and the Middle East has reached or is close to 80% of pre-crisis levels and demand is following.

UNWTO has revised its outlook for 2022 due to stronger-than-expected results in the first quarter of 2022, a significant increase in flight reservations, and prospects from the UNWTO Confidence Index. International tourist arrivals are now expected to reach 55% to 70% of 2019 levels in 2022, depending on several circumstances including the rate at which destinations continue to lift travel restrictions, the evolution of the war in Ukraine, possible new outbreaks of coronavirus and global economic conditions, particularly inflation and energy prices.

UNWTO Tourism Data Dashboard

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News