Global Travel News

SANDALS SIGNALS SAINT LUCIA GROWTH

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Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has offered a glimpse of ambitious plans for Saint Lucia, which will mark the company’s 30th year of operation on the island and 40th anniversary of the company. While full details of its near and long-term investment strategy will be released in 2023, SRI Executive Chairman Adam Stewart says the plans indicate the company’s significant and sustained commitment to the island that will link the private and public sectors and help create jobs.

SRI currently operates Sandals Halcyon Beach, Sandals Regency La Toc, and Sandals Grande St. Lucian, as well as the Greg Norman-designed Sandals St. Lucia Golf & Country Club at Cap Estate.

“Since opening our first property, Sandals Regency La Toc, nearly three decades ago, our commitment to working alongside government to make real the promise of tourism in Saint Lucia has been unwavering,” says Stewart. “My father (the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart) loved Saint Lucia and, like so many, was originally captivated by its beauty. But he quickly came to understand that the real treasure of Saint Lucia are its people – friendly, hardworking, and industrious. People are the inspiration and the source that make investment possible, and the reason Sandals Resorts will continue to grow here.”

Among the initial announcements:

• Sandals Halcyon will add 25 new rooms in February 2023. The new development consists of 20 beachfront, two-story villa rooms featuring large balconies and five Rondoval suites, the signature Sandals category featuring soaring conical ceilings, expansive bathrooms, and private water features.

Sandals Regency La Toc

• An even more ambitious expansion will be underway at Sandals Regency La Toc where first-phase plans call for the introduction of a new Sandals Resorts innovation: a village, comprised entirely of 20 Rondoval suites with seven of them offering open air rooftop decks. Set to open in 2023, the village is a “resort within a resort” concept of the highest category Rondoval suites built adjacent to the golf course, each with their own golf cart for navigating the course as well as the larger property, and featuring luxury amenities including butler service, and dining and entertainment options designed for guests of the village. Later phases will include additional spa facilities, new suite categories and a reimagination of the current golf course offerings.

Sandals first planted its flag in Saint Lucia in 1993 with the introduction of Sandals Regency La Toc. Since then, SRI has introduced two more luxury-included resorts, Sandals Grande St. Lucian, located on its own peninsula, and Sandals Halcyon. Together, guests can take advantage of Sandals’ exclusive “Stay at One, Play at Three” program, which provides complimentary exchange privileges and transportation between all three resorts, giving guests a myriad of choices.

Sandals notes that the projects will add over 350 construction and tradesman jobs into the local workforce plus the creation of 120 butler positions in the Saint Lucia system, with training by the Guild of Professional English Butlers.

Stewart is emphatic about the impact room category has on local economies and the ability to raise the standard of living.

“As we expand, we will grow from the top down,” he says. “That means we lead with the development of suites, and here, Sandals is by far and away the most innovative resort company. Concepts such as our signature Skypool Suites, with their infinity plunge pools that seem to blend in with the horizon, Over the Water Bungalows with their incredible views and glass floors, and our Rondovals are suite categories that drive demand and generate the longest stays. That is good news for Saint Lucia and good news for team members who train and earn the butler role.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

COME TOGETHER: Sheraton reveals new vision in Canada

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It’s taken longer than expected, but Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is beginning to reveal its much-anticipated new look and vibe as the world and the travel industry begins to feel a sense of renewed optimism in what is hoped to be the latter stages of the pandemic. That endeavour includes three newly reimagined properties in Toronto and Montreal, all reflecting the Marriott brand’s new ethos of bringing people together.

Planning for the physical and philosophical transformation at Sheraton began in 2018, and fortunately, the mission not only survived the changing world of the past two-plus years but took on even greater resonance.

“I think it’s spot on,” Amanda Nichols, Global Brand Leader, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, told Travel Industry Today, of the company’s vision, and particularly its welcoming design strategy. “I try to find a silver lining in things, and I think the way travel was so disrupted, and we were so disrupted, I think the way that people wanted to actually gather and come together, it actually persisted through all of what happened in the pandemic. I think the need to gather is always going to be there.”

Indeed, when it began planning the modernization of its hotels – 50 of which are expected to be completed globally by the end of the year – Sheraton had already identified several new trends, including the advent of hybrid and communal workplaces.

“So, we were understanding that the traditional office space may not look the same anymore; so, what should our lobbies look like… and how should they function?” says the Maryland-based exec.

And with changing the nature of work accelerating during the pandemic, including remote and virtual aspects, “it really showed us that we had the right vision all along,” she adds.

Of course, any hotel caters to more than just business travellers, notably its leisure guests, as well as local users, and Sheraton’s new approach is designed to create an intuitive and holistic experience with spaces to connect, be productive, and help all travellers feel connected to the local community.

Featuring seamless technology integration and an elevated food and beverage philosophy, the layered design balances a sense of timelessness with a fresh and modern feel that aims to create an environment in which guests feel comfortable, no matter their need.

“The mission for our brand, the vision, is to be where the world comes together,” says Nichols. “It sounds like a marketing tagline, and to some degree it is, but the beauty of it, and why I feel confident when I talk about that as the path for our brand, is that it’s just so inherent in who we are and what our hotels have been doing for many years.

“We’ve already been this place where people come together; and when you pair it with the new design strategy and what the space looks like, and the programming that goes with it, its all just so intuitive…”

And now Canadians (and others visiting Canada) can see for themselves what its all about with the debuts of a three of Sheraton’s flagship properties in this country (and among the first in the world to complete the transformations):

Sheraton Gateway

Following nearly two years of renovation work, renovations are complete at Sheraton Gateway Hotel in Toronto International Airport. The 484-room hotel, one of Canada’s busiest, has undergone a massive $30-million makeover bringing technology, design, and style to the international stopover, showcasing an emerging generation of airport hotels that are intended to function as destinations, places where one might reasonably stay longer than a single night.

A captivating new arrival experience greets guests as they walk from the terminal through the doors of the hotel, the only property directly connected to the Toronto airport. Featuring a contemporary aesthetic, the lobby serves as the heart of the guest experience featuring brand signatures such as the Community Table, The Studios, sound-proof Booths – all fostering productivity, and &More by Sheraton – the brand’s signature bar, coffee, market concept. Additional amenities include a sophisticated Sheraton Club lounge, swimming pool and whirlpool, 24-hour fitness room and Peloton studio, updated meeting spaces, and completely remodeled guest rooms and suites.

Sheraton Centre

The iconic Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel has been a staple in the city’s downtown core for decades. The hotel has been completely reimagined with renovations and enhancements from top to bottom that will continue to roll out throughout 2022 and mark the most extensive renovation in the hotel’s 50-year history.

As part of the first phase of the property’s reimagining, the exclusive Sheraton Club – floating in the clouds on the 43rd floor – welcomed a new look, experience, and service style in October. Available to Marriott Bonvoy Elite members and guests who upgrade their stay, the premium gathering space is welcoming, elevated, and purposefully designed for a layered and engaging experience that transitions seamlessly with activations from morning to evening. Guests will find updated food and beverage offerings, premium amenities, enhanced connectivity, and 24/7 access to provide a private environment.

The second phase introduces two new food and beverage outlets, including the recently opened Dual Citizen – a coffeehouse style grab-and-go during the day, transitioning to a lobby bar in the evenings. Opening this spring, 43 Down will be a departure from the traditional hotel restaurant. With its beverage-forward concept, 43 Down focuses on mixology as an art form, delivering perfectly on the classics through handcrafted cocktails. Offering locally inspired flavours from Toronto’s diverse culinary scene, 43 Down blends intimacy and connectedness, acting as a backdrop for an informal business meeting or social gathering.

The final phases are expected to roll out this spring with the unveiling of public spaces and amenities that foster community-building and productivity. This can be seen through the bustling spaces featuring the brand’s signature Community Tables, tech-enabled Studios, and soundproofed Booths, and purpose-built workspaces, found in the expansive hotel lobby. Additionally, the indoor/outdoor heated pool experience is slated to re-open summer 2022.

Le Centre Sheraton
Located in the heart of downtown Montreal, the newly renovated Le Centre Sheraton Montreal Hotel is welcoming guests to its 825 newly renovated rooms and suites. The serene, light-filled spaces range in size from a generous 29 sq. m. to a sprawling 180 sq. m. for the Presidential Suite. In the new rooms and suites, guests are welcomed into a bright, well-lit space with warm, residential appeal, along with new tools for productivity, such as a height-adjustable worktable, integrated power and charging and layered lighting.

The Sheraton Club, located on the 37th floor of the hotel, is expected to reopen in May with a bold new look and breathtaking views. True to the brand’s vision, the stylish and exclusive space is welcoming, elevated, and purposefully designed for an engaging experience, along with complimentary breakfast, evening appetizers, and a selection of refreshments.

The hotel caters to leisure travellers, and is prized for its central location and ‘urban oasis’ offerings, including sixth-floor terrace, indoor lap pool, Jacuzzi, spa, and 24-hour Sheraton Fitness Centre.

The three newly reimagined hotels add to the growing number of transformed properties in Canada including Sheraton Laval Hotel. In total, Sheraton has nearly 20 hotels in the country with six slated for transformation completion by end of 2023.

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Two New Luxury Camps Open in Northern Namibia

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Two New Luxury Camps Open in Northern Namibia - TOURISMAFRICA.org - TRAVELINDEXOhorongo Private Game Reserve, Namibia, April 19, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Two new camps have opened in Ohorongo Private Game Reserve. Ohorongo is a 35,000-hectare tract of wilderness located in the Namibian Highlands between Etosha National Park to the northeast and the Swakopmund in the south.

Ohorongo Tented Camp is located in the western region of the Ohorongo Private Game Reserve, and it is magnificently built into the granite boulders of a rocky outcrop.

Ohorongo Tented Camp is located in the western region of the Ohorongo Private Game Reserve, and it is magnificently built into the granite boulders of a rocky outcrop. There are five tented suites, elevated on wooden decks, with private terraces, outdoor showers, and comfortable in-room amenities. It is designed to keep you close to mother nature, wrapped under canvas, while offering you the modern luxuries of a lodge.

The accommodation at Ohorongo Tented Camp is designed to fit the environment and to keep nature close. Canvas tents are traditional and romantic, reminiscent of an old era of travel in Africa. These luxury tents incorporate ivory-coloured canvas, wooden floors, and glass doors, giving the structures security without losing the essence of an African adventure.

Ohorongo Safari Lodge is the original household on Ohorongo Game Reserve, now converted into a private guest space with five ensuite chalets, traditionally decorated and kept cool between thatch and tile. Shared outdoor spaces are peaceful and offer comfortable places to relax while listening to the birdlife and admiring the lovingly maintained desert garden.

Ohorongo Private Game Reserve is a 40,000-hectare tract of wilderness located in the northwestern Namibian Highlands between Etosha National Park and Swakopmund. This protected area has been conserving the natural integrity of the unique landscape for over 50 years through a sustainable safari model that offers guests an opportunity to immerse and connect with an ancient land.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Welcomes Removal of Travel Health Notice for Cruises

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WTTC Welcomes Removal of Travel Health Notice for Cruises - TRAVELINDEXLondon, United Kingdom, April 19, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO said: “The decision by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to remove the Travel Health Notice for cruising is well-deserved recognition that the industry has been sailing millions of travelers for many months with highly effective protocols that make cruising among the world’s safest forms of socializing and travel.

“The cruise industry has gained strong momentum in recent months, with many travelers anxious to again begin enjoying holidays with family and friends, and the CDC’s decision begins to help level the playing field between cruise and land-based vacation options.

“This is also welcome news to the extensive network of suppliers, many of whom are small businesses, that depend on cruise for their success, which will continue to help provide significant positive impacts for economies and employment in countries and regions around the world.”

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Leading The Transformation Summit Looks to More Sustainable Tourism

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UNWTO - Leading The Transformation Summit Looks to More Sustainable Tourism - TRAVELINDEXPalma de Mallorca, Spain, April 19, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Palacio de Congresos de Palma hosted the Summit of Sustainable Destinations organised by UNWTO in partnership with the Mallorca Tourism Foundation. The conference has shared the best practices of environmental, social and economic sustainability developed around the world by leading organisations and companies in these initiatives.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Catalina Cladera, the President of Consell de Majorca, Isabel Oliver from the Office of the UNWTO Secretary-General and José Hila, Mayor of Palma, opened the event of which was followed by more than 300 attendees in-person and online. Closing the summit were Closed the summit the vice president of the Spanish Government and Minister for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, Nadia Calviño; and the president of the Balearic Islands, Francina Armengol

Cladera expressed her pride that Majorca is “the world capital of sustainable tourism during the celebration of this international summit” and assured delegates that “we want it to continue beyond this summit”. During her speech, the president highlighted the potential of the island as a benchmark of sustainability within the tourism sector. The president added, “Majorca is a leading, quality destination around the world, year-round, with pioneering laws in waste management and tourism.

Representing UNWTO, Isabel Oliver highlighted the importance of “promoting sustainable tourism that respects human rights” and highlighted the weight of Majorca as a benchmark in terms of sustainability for “its ability to innovate, the professionalism of its entrepreneurs and the management of its governments”. The Mayor of Palma, who announced the recent approval of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan for the city, highlighted the “need to bet on sustainability to improve the experiences of tourists and the quality of life of its residents, being a shared work between public administrations, the private sector and citizens”.

Calviño stressed the importance of making public investments now, as well as the need to work collaboratively with the private sector to modernise a sector as important for Spain as the tourism sector and to continue to place the country in a position of leadership. She further emphasised that Spain will be able to recover 80% of international tourists of 2019 this summer under the leadership of the Balearic Islands, which this Easter has already exceeded the figures for 2019 in some segments.

President Armengol ended the closing ceremony by highlighting the importance of the new tourism law that is being processed by the Parliament focused on sustainability from the triple perspective of business competitiveness, environmental sustainability and care for workers.

Discussion of international experts

On the first day, the Minister of Transition, Tourism and Sports, Andreu Serra, commenced the conference with the presentation “Majorca, leading the transition towards regenerative tourism”. This was followed by the first round table of the summit on institutional experiences in water management. Speakers included such as Miquel Mir, the Balearic Islands Minister of Environment and Territory, Jaume Mata, the Head of Sustainable Tourism for Visit Valencia, and Asad Riza, the Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Maldives Islands. Aniol Esteban, Director of the Marilles Foundation, and Stefan Gössling, professor of Linnaeus University School of Business and Economics, also participated. The moderator was the Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Tourism of the University of the Balearic Islands, Tolo Deyà.

Representatives of the private sector also discussed solid waste management, including Sandra Benbeniste, Director of Sustainability of EMEA -Iberostar Hotels, Miguel González San Roman, the Director of Business Development at Minsait/Indra, and Antonio Pérez, the Mayor of Benidorm.

In addition, the experiences of civil society in the United States have been heard, with Nina Bellucci Butler, CEO of Stina, and Andy Schroeder, co-founder of an ocean plastics recovery project. The round table was moderated by Toni Munar of Turismoconsulting.

In the afternoon, the forum began with presentations on circular economy, moderated by José María de Juan, from Koan Consulting. The panel involved the views of Enrique Martínez, President of Segittur, Antoni Riera, Director of the Impulsa Foundation, Jaume Ordinas, the auditor of Hotels Garden, and Elif Balcı Fisunoğlu, the deputy director of the Tourism Promotion and Development Agency of Turkey.

The day ended with the block of analysis of data for the decision making in initiatives of touristic sustainability. The debate was moderated by Dolores Ordóñez, Director General at AnySolution, and was attended by Dirk Glaesser, Director of the UNWTO Sustainable Development Programme, Luis Javier Gadea, Director of Tourism Research, Development and Innovation at Segittur, José Javier Ramasco, CSIC Researcher at IFISC (CSIC-UIB), Sergio Guerreiro, Director of Knowledge Management and Innovation of Tourism of Portugal, and Carlos Cendra, partner at Mabrian Technologies.

The second day of the forum was attended by the Minister of Economic Model, Tourism and Labour of the Balearic Government, Iago Negueruela, who participated with the presentation “Social Circularity and other axes of the Balearic tourism model”. This was followed by a round table on Human Development, with the participation of Catalina Alemany, CSR manager of Riu Hotels, Lola Herrero, professor and director of the Jean-Baptiste Say Institute, ESCP Europe, José Mañas, founder of Wireless DNA, Estelle Antognelli, director of Tourism and Congresses, Tourism and Convention Authority of Monaco, Manuel Butler, director of OTS in London and Juanma Martínez, director of projects and culture of sustainability at Green&Huma.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Finally, the island councillor for Transition, Tourism and Sports, Andreu Serra, the president of FEHM, María Frontera, Mark Tanzer, executive director of ABTA, Miguel Sanz, director general of Turespaña, and Norbert Fiebig, president of DRV, presented the conclusions of the conference in a debate moderated by Michael Collins, director of TravelMedia.ie.

Hackathon

Parallel to the second day of the summit, a hackathon was held at the same Palacio de Congresos. The event was aimed at professionals, researchers, and students with an interest in and commitment to sustainability. They worked in groups on problems linked to three major challenges: water, food, and mobility. Each challenge will have a winning group, which will receive €5,000, to be divided equally among the members of each team.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Environmental Challenge Aims to Rewild Globally Significant Island Ecosystems

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Environmental Challenge Aims to Rewild Globally Significant Island Ecosystems - TOP25ISLANDS.com - TRAVELINDEXKoror City, Palau, April 16,2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Island Conservation, Re:wild, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, the Government of Panama, and the Government of Palau Launched the 2030 Island-Ocean Connection Challenge at the Ocean Conference with $50 Million Secured.

As island communities around the world suffer some of the worst effects of biodiversity loss and climate change, Island Conservation, Re:wild, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, the government of Panama, and the government of Palau have identified the critical need for conservation efforts that strategically benefit both islands and their interconnected ocean ecosystems.

The partners together launch the 2030 Island-Ocean Connection Challenge at the Our Ocean Conference in Palau. The challenge calls on NGOs, governments, philanthropists and foundations to support the ambitious but achievable goal of restoring at least 40 globally significant island ecosystems from ridge-to-reef by 2030 to benefit biodiversity, climate, and communities. To date, the founding partners and their supporters have secured USD $50 million of the USD $160 million needed to achieve this vision.

By focusing on the links between land and sea ecosystems, the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge will maximize the co-benefits of island conservation for their surrounding marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass meadows, mangroves, and others. It will also help the livelihoods of island communities and ensure that they are more resilient to climate change. In addition, by restoring 40 globally significant island ecosystems, the challenge aims to protect an estimated 600 populations of 250 threatened wildlife species.

“The Island-Ocean Connection Challenge is a direct response to the triple threats of the climate change, ocean health, and extinction crises—all of which disproportionately impact island ecosystems and island people,” said Penny Becker, vice president for conservation at Island Conservation.

Growing scientific evidence demonstrates that many pristine or restored terrestrial island systems can result in dramatic benefits to surrounding marine ecosystems and species. For example, many native wildlife species living at the land-sea interface are ‘champion species’—critical architects and engineers of healthy ecosystems. Seabirds are one of the best examples of a champion species, as they bring important nutrients from the sea to islands, fertilizing native plants. Nutrients from seabirds and plants then flow into the ocean and nourish the marine ecosystem, bolstering fish populations and coral reef growth and resiliency.

“With Panama leading the way by hosting the next Our Ocean Conference in 2023, we are energized by the launch of the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge and ready to start taking action immediately as a founding partner,” said Milciades Concepcion, the minister of environment of Panama.

Wildlife that lives on islands is particularly susceptible to non-native introduced species, especially predators, that can spread quickly and cause the extinction of native species that have not evolved any defenses. Although islands represent only 5% of terrestrial land area, since 1500, 75% of amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal extinctions have been on islands and nearly 40% of globally threatened vertebrates are island species.

“We are launching a new era of island restorations and rewilding focused on scaling and deploying collaborative whole-systems conservation plans for optimal impact,” said Wes Sechrest, Re:wild’s chief executive officer and chief scientist. “We can no longer look at these islands as separate from the ocean that surrounds them but must instead look at the ecosystems as a whole if we are to effectively rewild them for the benefit of local communities and the planet as a whole.”

The challenge aims to align Indigenous peoples and local communities, governments, conservation organizations, funders, and researchers to scale this work globally by partnering with island nations to address their most urgent environmental crises and sustainability needs.

“Indigenous peoples and local communities have long understood and managed natural resources in the context of land-to-sea connections,” said Stuart Sandin, director of the Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography. “Modern conservation science and restoration projects have only recently begun to elucidate, prioritize, and capitalize on these connections to maximize the returns on such investments.”

Restoring and rewilding islands also provide much-needed resiliency for island communities as climate change brings an increase in storms and extreme weather. Overwash can be the most damaging effect of storms, resulting in landslides, loss of property, and loss of life. Native plants are critical to soil stabilization and bolster an island’s ability to withstand sea-level rise during these events.

“Today, we are seeking and urging additional members to join this collaborative and advance this novel restoration and resiliency effort,” Becker said. “Join this movement by adding your commitments, resources, projects, programs, or islands to this 2030 challenge.”

This call to action for reef-to-ridge rewilding includes commitments and resources, projects and/or programs that will benefit island champion species while linking island-ocean ecosystems to optimize benefits for nearshore environments (e.g. coral ecosystems), communities, and climate resilience.

“Our Ocean’s 2022 conference is an opportunity to highlight that land and sea connections are more direct and intimate on small islands. We are proud to announce this call-to-action to support our world’s island communities and their increasing leadership to demonstrate holistic management approaches that meet our unique needs and vulnerabilities,” said Steven Victor, Palau’s minister of agriculture, fisheries, & the environment. “Only together can we bridge traditional knowledge with academic science for island-ocean restoration to maximize ocean and climate benefits for our communities and ecosystems.”

The Island-Ocean Connection Challenge is made possible thanks to a diverse group of partners and funders, including Cookson Adventures, Leo Model Foundation, North Equity Foundation, Sheth Sangreal Foundation, and an anonymous donor. This challenge received a generous seed grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.

Parties interested in joining the challenge, including philanthropists, foundations, island nations, regional organizations, research institutions, and local, regional and global non-governmental organizations (NGOs), can submit draft membership commitments at www.iochallenge.org.

Re:wild
Re:wild protects and restores the wild. We have a singular and powerful focus: the wild as the most effective solution to the interconnected climate, biodiversity and human health crises. Founded by a group of renowned conservation scientists together with Leonardo DiCaprio, Re:wild is a force multiplier that brings together Indigenous peoples, local communities, influential leaders, nongovernmental organizations, governments, companies and the public to protect and rewild at the scale and speed we need. Learn more at rewild.org.

Island Conservation
Island Conservation is our world’s only international nonprofit conservation organization dedicated solely to preventing extinctions on islands. Our collaborations with local island communities aim to improve livelihoods, manage invasive species, and reintroduce native animals and plant life. Island Conservation is a United States-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization working through diverse local and international partnerships to foster sustainable development, climate resilience, and healthy island-marine ecosystems across the globe. Visit us at www.islandconservation.org.

Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego is one of the world’s most important centers for global earth science research and education. In its second century of discovery, Scripps scientists work to understand and protect the planet, and investigate our oceans, Earth, and atmosphere to find solutions to our greatest environmental challenges. Scripps offers unparalleled education and training for the next generation of scientific and environmental leaders through its undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs. The institution also operates a fleet of four oceanographic research vessels, and is home to Birch Aquarium at Scripps, the public exploration center that welcomes 500,000 visitors each year.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Salamander Hotels to Manage Aurora Anguilla Resort and Club

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Salamander Hotels to Manage Aurora Anguilla Resort and Club - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25HOTELS.comRendezvous Bay, Anguilla, British West Indies, April 18, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Renowned Businessman Richard M. Schulze, the founder of Best Buy, today selected Salamander Hotels & Resorts to manage Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club. Set on the idyllic white beaches of Rendezvous Bay, the 300-acre property (formerly Cuisinart Resort) was purchased by Schulze in 2020 and has since undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation which has created a Caribbean paradise that is elegant, refined and playful.

The 178-suite resort offers a collection of world-class amenities, including seven restaurants and lounges, a 27,000-square-foot spa, and Aurora International Golf Club – the stunning 18-hole Championship Golf Course recently re-designed by Greg Norman. A nine-hole short course, also a Greg Norman Signature design, will also be introduced this summer.

“We are dedicated to making Aurora Anguilla the finest resort in the Caribbean and I’m very proud of the enhancements that we have made to date,” said Schulze. “With a new hands-on, collaborative partner, we will provide guests the thoughtful, anticipatory service and experiences for which Salamander Hotels & Resorts is renowned.”

Schulze’s goal is to make Aurora Anguilla appealing to a broad range of luxury travelers, inclusive of families. And, through his Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation, Schulze is also supporting a variety of causes on the island, including food insecurity, educational technology and health care. He is also instrumental in developing a local school lunch program and a neighborhood health clinic.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of my ownership of Aurora Anguilla is the rare opportunity to give back to this wonderful community and to continuously improve the lives of Anguillans,” said Schulze.

With an extensive knowledge of resort repositioning, Salamander will assume management of Aurora Anguilla on April 26. The company was founded by noted businesswoman and entrepreneur Sheila Johnson, who, like Schulze, has a deep commitment to the island of Anguilla where she owned a home for over a decade.

“Anguilla is such a special place for me, and I have a deep love for the island, its people and their authentic passion for hospitality,” said Johnson. “The improvements that have already been made are incredible and Salamander is committed to helping realize Richard’s vision of excellence. We look forward to introducing Aurora Anguilla and the beauty of its people to our Salamander loyalists.”

With a reputation built upon thoughtful, unexpected amenities, impeccable service and a truly creative approach to the guest experience, Salamander provides innovative and luxurious hospitality that is equal parts comfortable, kind, respectful and welcoming. Aurora Anguilla is in good company as it joins a Salamander Collection that features the Forbes Five-Star Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, VA; the legendary Half Moon resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica – the only Forbes Four-Star rated property on the island; Innisbrook Resort in Tampa Bay, which hosts the annual PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship; and Hotel Bennett in Charleston, SC, recently ranked as the top luxury hotel in America by USA TODAY. Next month, the company will assume management of the iconic Aspen Meadows Resort in Aspen, CO, providing another world-class destination for Salamander’s guests.

The Aurora Anguilla Experience

Surrounded by turquoise waters and the shimmering sunsets of the island, there are a variety of accommodation options at Aurora Anguilla, including ocean view Island Suites with wraparound terraces and private Jacuzzis. For larger groups or families, the resort also has stunning three and five-bedroom villas, as well as private 6,300-square-feet Estate Homes which include a dedicated butler and private pool.

The varied culinary offerings honor the gastronomic heritage of Anguilla by utilizing the ingredients grown, caught, and raised around the island and marrying them with culinary techniques from around the globe. A defining element of the resort’s food and beverage offerings also comes from its Hydroponic Farm and Orchard. Of the seven restaurants and lounges, D. Richard’s is the newest and the island’s only steak house serving freshly caught seafood and hand-crafted cocktails. This complements the other unique outlets which feature authentic Caribbean flavors and seafood-centric dishes, a casual menu offering sizzling items straight from a wood-burning oven, and Italian fare with Anguillan twists to handmade pasta. A newly designed version of the resort’s former storied Japanese restaurant is currently under development and will be reintroduced this summer.

Aurora International Golf Club, which features spectacular views of the Caribbean Sea and shoreline, has undergone a comprehensive remastering overseen by Greg Norman Golf Course Design. Schulze engaged Norman directly to work with him on the new chapter of the 18-hole Signature Design championship course, the only golf course on the island, which was created with the goal of being among the best in the world. A nine-hole Short Signature golf course, also designed by Norman and unique to The Caribbean, will be introduced this summer. The first hole opens with panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and the course unfolds with a rich variety of shot angles, distances, and carefully integrated design elements to make it playable and fun for accomplished and novice golfers alike.

Committed to both wellness and sustainability, the 16-treatment-room spa, one of the largest in the Caribbean, is a serene sanctuary of wellness and revitalization. Set in an idyllic locale, the spa offers treatments that refresh and revitalize, using natural elements from the island paired with refined and traditional techniques.

Schulze further plans to improve the Aurora Anguilla experience, including adding a one-of-a-kind entertainment center with waterpark which includes a 500-seat amphitheater for live entertainment, and courts for sand volleyball, pickleball, tennis, basketball and bocce ball.

Traveling to Anguilla has never been more accessible. Commercial flights to the US mainland are now available, in addition to Aurora Anguilla’s own fleet of private jets. Aurora Anguilla is also easily accessible via a 30-minute ferry ride from Saint Martin.

About Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club
Owned by Richard M. Schulze, Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club is a Caribbean paradise created for the most discerning travelers in search of an authentic island getaway that is elegant, refined and playful. Set on the idyllic Rendezvous Bay, Aurora Anguilla spans over 300 acres, features 178 suites and is home to a collection of world-class amenities. The resort includes seven restaurants and lounges, a 27,000-square-foot spa, and Aurora International Golf Course, an 18-hole Championship Golf Course envisioned by Greg Norman Golf Course Design.

About Salamander Hotels & Resorts
Salamander Hotels & Resorts delivers comfortable and immersive experiences which enrich the lives of its guests. The company is privately owned and operated, and based in Middleburg, VA, just outside Washington, D.C. Founded by entrepreneur Sheila Johnson in 2005, it has a luxury portfolio featuring the Forbes Five-Star Salamander Resort & Spa in Middleburg, a 340-acre equestrian-inspired property near Washington, D.C.; Half Moon, the storied resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, which features three distinct experiences including the newly opened Eclipse; Aspen Meadows Resort, a 98-room sweeping destination property located on 40 beautiful acres in Aspen, CO; Hotel Bennett, a spectacular 179-room hotel in Charleston, SC, overlooking the city’s historic Marion Square; Innisbrook Resort in Tampa Bay, which hosts the PGA TOUR’s Valspar Championship each year on its famed Copperhead Course.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Accor Hotels Adds Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie to its Portfolio in Malaysia

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Accor Hotels Adds Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie to its Portfolio in Malaysia - TRAVELINDEXKuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 18, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Located in the Selangor state of Malaysia, Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie launches in Shah Alam, Kuala Lumpur, under one of Accor group’s most celebrated midscale brands.

Accor has teamed up with Paramount Corporation to bring this newly built property to life. Conveniently located in the new integrated development of Utropolis Glenmarie, the hotel is just walking distance from the international university and surrounding F&B outlets, within a residential and industrial enclave where top international companies have their corporate offices. Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie is only minutes away by car to Sunway Lagoon, Sunway Pyramid shopping complex and Shah Alam Stadium. It is also easily accessible within a 40-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur International Airport via Elite Highway and 15 minutes away from Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport Subang via Federal Highway.

Garth Simmons, Chief Executive Officer, Accor Southeast Asia, Japan and South Korea said, “We are thrilled to introduce Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie, a significant addition to our midscale brand portfolio in Malaysia, joining the global Mercure network with more than 810 hotels in over 60 countries. This property is a perfect setting for residents and visitors to explore the local scene and enjoy business, leisure, and gourmet activities thanks to the authentic experiences that the property will contribute to the city.”

The 229 modern and contemporary rooms come in various categories, including superior, deluxe, privilege, and executive suite. All rooms are equipped with 55’ Smart LED TV, bathroom with rain shower and high speed Wifi. Paintings by a local artist adorn the walls in each room, conveying a story of local residents’ daily lives.

When it comes to convenience, Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie has guests covered with its hotel facilities. Unwind and relax after a busy day at Pool Bar Urban@13, organise exciting private events at the rooftop, which caters up to 30 guests, take a dip in the pool or work out in the fitness centre. Five pillarless and well-equipped function rooms with natural lighting, high-speed wifi and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment can host up to 140 persons for meetings, weddings and various events.

Enjoy fresh and locally sourced cuisine at Warna, the all-day dining restaurant, where scrumptious a la carte dishes are served, featuring local delicacies and full American buffet breakfast. Local desserts such as kuih-muih (local cakes) uniquely served in a food truck can also be enjoyed in this colourful restaurant.

“We are enthusiastic to welcome guests to experience Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie, the first international business hotel within Glenmarie that offers locally inspired experiences to business and leisure travellers alike,” said Ramesh Singh, General Manager of Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie.

Mercure Kuala Lumpur Glenmarie lives up to the group’s commitment to eliminate all single-use plastics from every touchpoint of the guest experience in all areas of the hotel, strengthening efforts to reducing environmental impact and to combat plastic pollution.

Guests can also benefit from Accor’s loyalty programme ALL – Accor Live Limitless, a daily lifestyle companion. ALL harnesses and enhances the brands, services and partnerships offered within Accor’s ecosystem, delivering meaningful experiences and rewards to its most engaged customers while enabling them to work live, and play, far beyond their stay, at home and around the world.

To celebrate the opening of the hotel, guests can enjoy special opening rates from RM 220+ per night, including breakfast for one and complimentary car park.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Sakura Quality Announced as GSTC-Recognized Standard

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Sakura Quality Announced as GSTC-Recognized Standard - DISCOVERJAPAN.org - TRAVELINDEXKyoto, Japan, April 15, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Global Sustainable Tourism Council is pleased to announce that ‘Sakura Quality An ESG Practice Standard’ for hotels and ryokans in Japan has achieved ‘GSTC-Recognized Standard’ status.

In Japan, particular qualities are associated with different flowers, and the quality associated with Sakura, the cherry blossom, is “spiritual beauty.” Sakura Quality began research in April 2011 and is currently working with 26 DMOs across Japan as a quality certification system that certifies quality together with DMOs across Japan (as of April 2022) and has adopted over 2,000 criteria for lodging facilities.

The ‘Sakura Quality An ESG Practice Standard’ for hotels and ryokans in Japan consists of 172 items: 117 environment-related items, 17 social-related items, and 38 business-related items.

The GSTC-Recognized status refers to the standard itself, indicating that a sustainable tourism standard or system has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Assurance Panel and deemed the standard or system equivalent to the GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism. It shows that the set of standards is based on the four pillars of the GSTC Criteria: Sustainable Management, Socioeconomic, Cultural, and Environmental principles. GSTC Recognition does not relate to the process of certification or accreditation.

“Sakura Quality has been conducting quality inspections of lodging facilities based on the Sakura Quality Standards that consist of items related to providing safe, secure, and honest services. In addition to providing safe, secure, and honest services, the ‘ESG Practice Standard’ consists of 172 criteria, including measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. This is an attempt to certify and disseminate information on SDG initiatives in Japan,” said Mr. Takeshi Kitamura, Sakura Quality CEO.

“The use of the GSTC Criteria and framework is increasing in Japan, and we are pleased to see that Sakura Quality is joining and supporting those efforts with a GSTC-compliant approach and gaining GSTC Recognition of their standard,” said Randy Durband, GSTC CEO.

Currently, 11 destination standards, 34 hotel standards, and 15 tour operator standards have achieved GSTC-Recognized status. The status offers the market proof that these standards adhere to international norms. GSTC Recognition does not ensure that a certification process is reliable, only that the set of standards used to certify are equivalent to the GSTC Criteria. GSTC-Recognized standard owners are encouraged to follow and complete the accreditation process, which assures that the certification process used to apply the standard meets international best practice, transparency, and rigor. A list of GSTC-Accredited certification bodies is available here.

About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) establishes and manages global sustainable standards, known as the GSTC Criteria. There are two sets: Destination Criteria for public policy-makers and destination managers, and Industry Criteria for hotels and tour operators. These are the guiding principles and minimum requirements that any tourism business or destination should aspire to reach in order to protect and sustain the world’s natural and cultural resources, while ensuring tourism meets its potential as a tool for conservation and poverty alleviation.

The GSTC Criteria form the foundation for Accreditation of Certification Bodies that certify hotels/accommodations, tour operators, and destinations as having sustainable policies and practices in place. GSTC does not directly certify any products or services; GSTC provides an accreditation program through its partner Assurance Services International to accredit Certification Bodies. The GSTC is an independent and neutral USA-registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that represents a diverse and global membership, including national and provincial governments, leading travel companies, hotels, tour operators, NGO’s, individuals and communities – all striving to achieve best practices in sustainable tourism.

About Sakura Quality
Sakura Quality is a joint quality certification system between Tourism Quality Assurance Association (TQAA), tourism regions, and DMOs in partnership with TQAA. It is a quality certification system that defines “safety, security, and sincerity” as “quality” that is required of accommodation facilities and reflects customer needs. TQAA manages the standards, manages the logo mark, conducts surveys and research on customer needs, trains surveyors, is the certification body, and operates “third-party committees” consisting of members who are neutral, objective, and highly knowledgeable, to support quality certification systems by DMOs and other organizations.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Italian Golf Property Rebranded as Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort

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Italian Golf Property Rebranded as Argentario Golf and Wellness Resort - TOP25GOLFCOURSES.com - TRAVELINDEXTuscany, Italy, April 15, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / One of Italy’s most luxurious golf properties has been rebranded the Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort to reflect more accurately the importance the Resort places on the wellbeing, both mental and physical, of its guests.

Whilst the Resort, formerly known as the Argentario Golf Resort & Spa, is well known for the quality of its championship golf course, the property now wants to highlight its wide range of on-site services and amenities that help promote a healthy body and mind through good diet and regular exercise whilst at the same time relaxing in the stylish, well-appointed hotel that is set in the midst of 77 hectares of natural Mediterranean terrain.

The Resort’s extensive, well-equipped 2,700 m² spa boasts a fitness centre with Technogym equipment, bio-sauna with chromotherapy, Kneipp circuit, heated indoor swimming pool with saline water, six massage cabins and tanning showers in which to tone and indulge whilst the Espace Wellness Centre focuses on relaxation and pampering with its many massage and treatment rooms.

At the heart of the Espace Wellness Centre is the MediSpa where a team of professionals that specialize in nutrition and naturopathy, coordinated by respected Italian nutritionist and biologist, Dr Luca Naitana, to offer guests the opportunity to regenerate and rejuvenate both body and soul. Here The Wellbeing Method, a new concept of wellness centres on reaching a balanced and healthy physical and mental state. It involves food re-education and exclusive treatments designed to achieve desired weight, shape and physical-mental wellness, and to maintain these long term.

For those who like to combine wellbeing with exercise, fitness sessions can be undertaken with the in-house Personal Trainer in the gym or at the outdoor fitness station, complemented by further activity on the tennis and padel courts, mini football pitch and jogging paths around the property.

Alongside its wellness proposition, Argentario is home to one of Italy’s finest golf layouts that was inaugurated in 2006 and designed by architect, David Mezzacane, and professional golfer, Baldovino Dassù. Awarded PGA National Italy status by The PGA (UK) in 2019, the golf course overlooks the picturesque Orbetello Lagoon and the Tyrrenhian Sea. The 6,218 metre, par 71 track meanders through ancient cork-oak woods on the front nine and amongst established olive groves coming home with stunning views over the landscape from almost every hole.

The Argentario Golf Academy features complimentary practice areas for chipping and putting, a host of driving bays as well as TrackMan IIIe simulator, a state-of-the-art platform for analyzing the golf swing, whether you are a high handicapper or beginner.

And thanks to the microclimate enjoyed by the course’s location on the Monte Argentario promontory in the Maremma region of south west Tuscany, golf can be played all year round.

Off the course, guests can treat themselves to the gastronomic delights of local chef, Emiliano Lombardelli, in the stylish Dama Dama Restaurant, named after the fallow deer that occasionally roam the Resort, whilst for a more informal experience, there is healthy Mediterranean fare with Tuscan influences available in the Club House Restaurant overlooking the 18th green. Both restaurants focus on the flavours and colours of the Maremma with healthy dishes using organic produce from small, carefully-selected local farms and, at certain times of the year, directly from the hotel’s vegetable garden and orchard.

The hotel itself offers a mesmerizing combination of old-world, retro glamour and seductive Tuscan charm set against a backdrop of modern design, state-of-the-art facilities and exceptional service.

Its majestic, high-ceilinged entrance, a dramatic central spiral stairway and gigantic windows are in stunning contrast to the intense blue Tuscan sky and Mediterranean landscapes whilst the 73 rooms and suites, all with private decked terraces, offer sleek, contemporary interiors that are beautifully curated by Milan-based Andrea Fogli.

Argentario is just 90 minutes by car from Rome Fiumicino Airport whilst Siena is just an hour and 15 minutes away and Florence a two-hour drive.

Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort
The five star Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort, located in the Maremma region of Tuscany, is an ideal destination for those looking for relaxing holiday that combines golf, wellness and gastronomy.

Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the Monte Argentario promontory, the resort is home to an eco-friendly golf course that meanders through cork-oak woods and olive groves. In 2019 it was awarded the status of PGA National Italy by The PGA, the only course in Italy to achieve the accolade.

The five-star hotel is a triumph of design and comfort throughout; a majestic entrance, a dramatic central stairway and huge windows are in stunning contrast to the intense blue Tuscan sky and Mediterranean landscapes whilst the 73 rooms and suites offer sleek, modern interiors that are beautifully appointed, all with private decked terraces.

The Resort also offers a comprehensive spa and wellness centre and a range of sporting activities whilst the Dama Dama Restaurant and Club House Restaurant serve delicious, healthy local cuisine prepared from locally-sourced produce.

Nearby the Argentario Golf Villas, exclusive bespoke luxury villas, boast ground-breaking design and views of the lagoon, sea and golf course that blend seamlessly into the landscape. Owners benefit from a range of amenities and services offered by Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort, including 24-hour security, property management and a rental programme.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News