Global Travel News

Krush Brands Launches Dubai’s First Food Accelerator Contest

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Krush Brands Launches Dubai’s First Food Accelerator Contest

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 24, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / At this year’s Arabian & African Hospitality Investment Conference and Global Restaurant Investment Forum, serial entrepreneur Ian Ohan, founder and CEO of KRUSH Brands officially announced the launch of Rise Up, Dubai’s first food accelerator contest.

• Discover Dubai’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants at Top25Restaurants.com

– Rise Up is a nationwide call, to anyone who believes they have an idea, a product, a business that needs a little help and the right infrastructure to thrive.
– Rise Up wants to find the best and brightest culinary talents and entrepreneurial thinkers in the UAE.
– Winners will receive coaching, get access to a long list of industry expertise, and operational know-how.

The great recession of 2009 was exactly what Dubai F&B needed. It cleaned up an over-saturated landscape, full of boring, unimaginative venues, kept alive by a steady stream of hungry investors and even hungrier tourists.

History will also show us that Covid 19 was, in some ways, good for the food and beverage industry of Dubai.

Covid has forced innovation. It’s accelerated the marriage of tech and food, of digital and analogue. It has re-defined the boundaries in which food can operate. It has shone a light on some of the industry’s “shadows”, bringing light and understanding where there was once darkness and confusion. It has created a fragmented marketplace that is ripe for new relationships and collaborations.

Never in Dubai’s illustrious 50-year history has so much “domestic” talent been available yet not used. However, talent rarely stays still for long, and nor should it.

Dubai has innovation, ambition, and opportunity as part of it’s DNA. Dubai has entrepreneurship and success coursing through its veins and food is its heartbeat.

However, launching or even running a business can be overwhelming. Considerations like licenses, facilities, tech, staffing, marketing, all come into play when establishing a business. The most talented and determined often need support and guidance to succeed.

Enter Rise Up DXB, Dubai’s first food accelerator contest. Rise Up wants to find the best and brightest culinary talents and entrepreneurial thinkers; to foster the growth of start-up concepts and businesses and capitalize on Dubai’s culture of drive, ambition, entrepreneurship, and success.

Rise Up DXB & Krush Brands are looking for glimmers of inspiration and innovation, glinting in the ashes of this pandemic.

All that is needed to enter this foodpreneur contest is a great product, a defined purpose, an obsession about customers and of course, drive and determination.

Powered by Krush Brands, the winners will receive coaching, and get access to a long list of industry experts available to provide unique assistance in build, fit-out, marketing, menu development, business advice and more.

Resources will be available, whether it is desk space, wifi and a good coffee machine or graphic design, videography and business admin, Krush Brands offers it all.

Finally, there is a valuable community of like-minded, talented F&B entrepreneurs and operators, who have built a positive, encouraging environment. A haven for budding talent to build a legacy for their future.

• Discover Dubai’s Best Fine Dining Restaurants at Top25Restaurants.com

This is a nationwide call, to anyone who believes they have an idea, a product, a business that needs a little help and the right infrastructure to thrive. A culinary spark that can be nurtured into a roaring flame, felt and seen across the region.

About KRUSH Brands
KRUSH Brands is a locally owned “made in the UAE”, full-service, multi-kitchen, brand development, operating and franchising company. Developing and partnering with cool local brands that you love, bound together by technology, convenient and reliable, better-for-you food, from a company that cares.

KRUSH Brands owns and operates Freedom Pizza, Wildflower Poke & More, Coco Yogo Vegan Kitchen, Salad Jar, and has recently partnered with local, lovable brands Jet Lagged Chef and Viking Bageri with more brands coming soon.

It also owns Big Dwarf Food Technology that develops KRUSH Brands’ proprietary digital, online ordering, operating and delivery platforms and has recently developed Locale – the only full-stack, food technology, restaurant and delivery company, that owns its entire value chain.

Locale is positioned to capture the exponential growth of the online food and cloud kitchen market and will power all KRUSH Brands with proprietary technology, a robust delivery platform and its fleet of professional delivery drivers delivering fast, fresh and safe, every time.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Announces Net Zero Roadmap for Travel and Tourism

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WTTC Announces Net Zero Roadmap for Travel and Tourism

London, United Kingdom, September 24, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) announces the launch of a Net Zero Roadmap for the Travel & Tourism sector to support the industry in combatting climate change during its virtual climate week event. Global tourism body also announces new ground-breaking social and environmental indicators for the sector.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

It also announced the launch of ground-breaking social and environmental research data. The first time such data will be produced across the whole sector, building on WTTC’s annual high-anticipated  Economic Impact Report (EIR).

These vital pieces of work represent WTTC’s biggest deliverables in the sector’s drive towards net zero by 2050.

The powerful initiative is being run in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and professional services and consulting experts, Accenture.

WTTC made the announcement at its virtual ‘Net Zero Travel & Tourism – From Ambition to Action’ event today, during annual Climate Week NYC.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “The launch of our Net Zero Roadmap for the Travel & Tourism sector and development of sector wide data to measure our success are major steps to show how Travel & Tourism is playing its part in addressing climate change.

“WTTC, alongside our partners and sponsors, looks forward to offering tangible and meaningful solutions to meet the climate change challenge.

“In collaboration with UNEP and Accenture, WTTC will launch the Net Zero Roadmap for the Travel & Tourism sector at COP26 in Glasgow next month. This is a major new initiative that will support our industries on their journeys to become Net Zero.

“As a sector, we are aware that not all industries can achieve such goals at the same time, which is why our Net Zero Roadmap will be so critical.

“As the new President & CEO of WTTC, I am committed to putting climate change front and centre of everything we do.”

The Net Zero Roadmap will include a status quo overview of climate actions in Travel & Tourism, direct lessons learned from the past 18 months, and will include action frameworks for specific industries to help accelerate climate commitments and emissions reduction.

WTTC will regularly monitor and update this climate action inventory research, providing continuous updates until the Travel & Tourism sector’s targets are achieved.

During the virtual event, which was sponsored by IHG, participants discussed the sustainability challenges the Travel & Tourism sector faces, along with the creation of the way forward in the sector’s quest to become net zero.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

The interactive session included remarks by Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, representatives for United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Arnold Donald, WTTC Chair and President and CEO of Carnival Corporation, Elie Maalouf, Chief Executive Officer Americas, IHG, Alex Zozaya, Chairman of Apple Leisure Group, and Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Global CEO of JLL Hotels and Hospitality among others.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO and Catalan Tourist Board Launch First World Sports Tourism Congress

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UNWTO and Catalan Tourist Board Launch First World Sports Tourism Congress

Lloret de Mar, Catalonia, Spain, September 24, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, and the Minister of Business and Labour of the Government of Catalonia, Roger Torrent, presented the first World Sports Tourism Congress and its programme, within the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, at a press conference held in Lloret de Mar and Barcelona.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

The Congress, which previously had to be postponed due to the pandemic, will take place on 25 and 26 November at the Olympic Conference Centre in the Catalan town of Lloret de Mar. The presentation was attended by Marta Domènech, Director-General of Tourism, Ion Vilcu, Director of the Department of Affiliate Members of UNWTO, Narcís Ferrer, Director of the Catalan Tourist Board, and Jaume Dulsat, Mayor of Lloret de Mar.

The Congress will have a total of 62 speakers from different countries such as the United States, Canada, France, Wales, Northern Ireland and Croatia. Leading figures from the world of sport and tourism, representing entities that are also UNWTO Affiliate Members, have already confirmed their attendance as speakers, such as Petra Stusek, President and CEO of European Cities Marketing; Kattia Juarez Dubón of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme; Edwin Moses, Olympic medallist; Marco Mazzi, Vice- President of the International Sports Travel Agencies Association, and Mafalda Magalhaes, Director of FC Porto Museum.

Registration is now open at . The Congress will be a hybrid event, allowing both in-person and virtual participation, and aims to strengthen the relationship between sports tourism and sustainable and inclusive development, diversification, differentiation and de-seasonalization. Also collaborating in the organization of the event are the Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board and the City Council of Lloret de Mar through Lloret Turismo.

The Congress, which already had almost 400 pre-registered participants before the official opening of registration, will address topics such as the challenges for the sector posed by COVID-19; trends in sport and physical activity; innovation in the development of sports tourism; mass attendance at sporting events; as well as the environmental framework, diversity and inclusion in the world of sport.

The programme also includes other aspects, such as different public-private governance strategies, the digital transformation of the sector, e-sports, digital marketing, communication and commercialization. Over the two days of the Congress, there will be different sports activities for the participants, academic presentations and technical visits; in addition, spaces will be set up for networking to maximize synergies among the attendees.

Telepresence at the Congress through holograms

Among the innovations that the Congress will bring, as presented at the press conference, are two hologram booths to enable the participation of different speakers who will not be in Lloret de Mar in person. It will be the first event in Catalonia to use this advanced technology, presented at the Mobile World Congress 2021. Fibre-optics and 5G connectivity will make it possible to bring personalities from all over the world closer to the Congress remotely and in real time, through giant screens.

Tourism and Sports, a priority line of action for UNWTO

For the World Tourism Organization, Tourism and Sport represents a priority that it has been actively developing over the past two years. In addition to organizing this World Sports Tourism Congress together with the Catalan Tourist Board, UNWTO has supported other projects focused on this line of action.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

UNWTO recognizes the beneficial bond of mutual reinforcement that unites tourism and sport. Key indicators such as employment linked to sport, the percentage of trips initiated for sports reasons, the total expenditure associated with these trips and public spending linked to sport, have been registering remarkable growth in recent years. Sports tourism also raises the visibility of destinations and encourages investment in infrastructure, with its positive multiplier effects at the economic and social levels.

In the current context of crisis that the tourism sector, in particular, and all other sectors of society and the economy are experiencing, the contribution of each component and subsector will be very important, and the area of tourism and sport will be no exception.

Beyond the economic indicators mentioned above, it is imperative to highlight the values that sport inspires and promotes, and that apply to all aspects of economic and social life, including tourism.

The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization, Zurab Pololikashvili said: “… the gradual resumption of the calendar of competitions and major sporting events is an important driver of the restart of tourism after the unprecedented shock of the pandemic. Sporting events can play a decisive role in the tourism development in destinations”.

Lloret de Mar – Costa Brava

In recent years, sports tourism has become a strategic sector in Catalonia thanks to its state-of-the-art facilities and the wide range of possibilities it offers for sports-themed stays for individuals and teams alike. In 2003, the Catalan Tourist Board created its Sports Tourism Brand, a distinction that is granted to municipalities, facilities and specialized companies that meet quality standards in the different sports disciplines and recognizes excellence in resources and services to practice sports or enjoy events and championships for elite athletes, professionals and fans of major sporting events.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

Since 2006, Lloret de Mar has been recognized by the Catalan Tourist Board as a certified Sports Tourism Destination in the disciplines of football, athletics, swimming, group sports, triathlon and cycling. The municipality has an extensive hotel infrastructure to accommodate all attendees of the Congress and the different parallel events. Each year it receives more than 60,000 athletes and accompanying persons, and during 2019, it hosted a total of 446 sports events and competitions.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

AC Hotels by Marriott® Debuts in the Dominican Republic with the Opening of AC Punta Cana

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AC Hotels by Marriott®, the design-led lifestyle brand part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, announces the opening of the 129-room AC Hotel by Marriott Punta Cana. With open and multifunctional public spaces, guests are invited to experience a hotel in the center of one of the most important tourist and corporate destinations in the Caribbean.

“With a picture-perfect location, the first AC Hotel in the Dominican Republic offers visitors elegant and purposefully designed spaces, modern rooms and a refined culinary experience,” said Jeff Tomczek, Vice President & Global Brand Leader, Distinctive Select Brands. “We’ve created an ideal environment to become a benchmark in hospitality for Punta Cana and throughout the country, which will allow discerning travelers to live life by design with everything they need and nothing they don’t.”

The culture and rich history of the Dominican Republic served as inspiration for the hotel, defining it as a relaxed, upscale option in the city. The hotel’s design features subtle nods to Caribbean nature and culture, including coffee accessories, local crafts, ceramics, and ornaments. In addition, the hotel’s dedication to the creative community will be reflected in its programming with local artists of various genres showcasing the beauty of the destination with their interpretations.

Located just 15 minutes from the Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) in the San Juan Shopping Center, the new hotel embodies the AC Hotels brand ethos to curate an effortless experience that offers only the best of what guests truly need with no unwanted extras, focusing on the increasingly growing trend of “bleisure travel.”

The brand’s signature offerings include the Spanish-inspired AC Kitchen, open for breakfast, dinner and brunch on weekends. Guests are welcomed into a sophisticated atmosphere with contemporary design featuring natural tones, richly textured finishes and carefully selected pieces. The signature AC Lounge® offers expertly made cocktails including a locally inspired gin tonic, local craft beers, and an elevated wine program. Tapas-style small bites complete the food menu in a comfortable and elegant atmosphere.

Guest can savor their refreshments outdoors on the terrace featuring an infinity pool with a children’s area for family gatherings, outfitted with cabanas and lounge chairs. The terrace offers a selection of food, drink and entertainment from sunrise to sunset for hotel guests and will offer a weekly schedule that includes music and social events.

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The AC Punta Cana hotel offers more than 700 square feet of flexible meeting space and two smaller meeting rooms that provide event attendees with the perfect setup for brainstorming sessions and strategies. A beautiful outdoor lawn with 3,480 square feet of outdoor space provides a picturesque backdrop for any social or professional event. The hotel also includes a signature AC Library, an open space designed for individual or groups to study, think and connect with creative ideas.

The AC Punta Cana makes its debut in the Dominican Republic through the investment group EGI Business Group and will be operated by Highgate.

About AC Hotels by Marriott®
AC Hotels includes over 190 hotels in more than 27 countries and territories. At AC Hotels, every moment has been designed, refined, crafted, and considered to create a seamless guest experience. Each AC Hotel features purposefully designed signature spaces that strike the perfect balance of form and function. Most notably, the AC Lounge® invites guests and locals alike to collaborate during the day, or to enjoy signature cocktails and tapas in the evening. The AC Kitchen offers a European-inspired breakfast each morning. All AC guest rooms and public spaces evoke a particular sophistication, featuring sleek furnishings, curated artwork, and intuitive technology. The brand is dedicated to the details that matter most to guests during their travels with a mission to deliver The Perfectly Precise Hotel™ experience. For more information, visit www.ac-hotels.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. AC Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments, and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.com.

About Highgate
Highgate is a leading hospitality and real estate investment management company widely recognized as an industry innovator. Highgate is the dominant player in major US gateway cities, including New York, Boston, Miami, San Francisco, and Honolulu, with a growing presence in the Caribbean and Latin America. The hotel company offers expert guidance throughout all stages of the property cycle, from planning and development to recapitalization or disposition. Highgate has a proven track record in developing its diverse portfolio of bespoke lifestyle hotel brands, legacy brands, and independent hotels and resorts with contemporary programming and digital acumen. The company uses industry-leading revenue management tools that efficiently identify and predict evolving market dynamics to drive superior performance and maximize asset value. With an executive team made up of some of the most experienced hospitality management leaders, the company is a trusted partner for major owner groups and major hotel brands. Highgate has corporate offices in New York, Dallas, London, Miami, Seattle, and Waikiki. www.highgate.com.

Press Contact:
RB Communicate it
809-828-2651
Rubén Bejarano / ruben@rbcomunicalo.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

QUITE A DIFFERENCE: Unusual IPW looks ahead

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IPW Las Vegas, the US Travel trade show extravaganza that was supposed to be held in Spring 2020, and then a year later, and finally this fall, wrapped up yesterday, with hosts and participants hailing the in-person event as a sign that travel is on way back to normalcy, even if the pandemic may still be trying to suggest otherwise.

The 52nd annual event – the first large scale travel event to be held in the US since the start of the pandemic – reportedly welcomed close to 2,600 attendees from 52 countries, which was well below regular levels, including a Canadian delegation that was decidedly on the lighter side.

One Canadian in attendance told TIT, “It wasn’t the same by a long shot, but they did a good job with what they had to work with. It felt more like a very large Florida Huddle.”

Of course, many regular attendees were not able to attend this year based on US entry restrictions, which hosts were pleased to note would be eased in November, according to a White House announcement that conveniently came on the show’s opening day.

Nevertheless, those who did attend were heartily welcomed, with Visit California president CEO Caroline Beteta, for example, taking a moment at a press conference (attended virtually by Travel Industry Today) to sincerely thank everyone in attendance for, well, simply being in attendance.

The event – the fifth time Sin City has hosted, most recently in 2013 – took place over five days starting Sept. 18, including pre-show events, with the conference and trade show commanding three full days at the newly expanded Las Vegas Convention Center.

Health and safety protocols were strongly in evidence, having been prominently touted for months during the run-in.

Attendees reported that 100% of delegates wore masks inside the convention centre throughout the event, and had to produce test results upon arrival in order to claim badges or else submit to testing and temperature checks each day.

US Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow says the importance of the hosting the event live this year can’t be overstated.

“IPW,” he said, “is not only reuniting the world, it’s a stage for rebuilding relationships and conducting business that will lead to the full return of inbound travel.”

Next up is Orlando, with the Florida city set to host IPW from June 4 to 8.

Here are some views and videos of IPW 2021 in Las VegasMichael Martin, International Marketing Manager for US Travel, Roger Dow – President and CEO, US Travel, Charmaine Singh (2021 IAC Chair for Canada) and Kosta Tsimklis (IAC Committee member)

Video: Christopher Thompson, President and CEO, Brand USA

Video: Wit Tuttle, VP, Tourism and Marketing for the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina; Executive Director of Visit NC

Video: Becky Blaine, Deputy Director, Arizona Office of Tourism

Images courtesy of Kosta Tsimiklis

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

From Kenya to Cape Town with Tuk Tuks for Rangers

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From Kenya to Cape Town with Tuk Tuks for Rangers - VISITKENYA.com - TRAVELINDEXNairobi, Kenya, September 23, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Africa is bleeding without its tourists. The impact of 18 months of lockdown has been devastating. Revenue from tourism is central to the conservation of some of the planet’s most important habitats and wildlife; without it, many of these are in trouble. Poaching, bushmeat, illegal logging and the exploitation of natural resources have all risen dramatically. Those charged with preventing this, wildlife rangers, have seen an increase in their workload, despite many having their funding and salaries slashed. Rangers need help.

• For the African Tourism portal , Connecting Africa to the World, go to TourismAfrica.org

With this in mind, Jasper, Josh, Ivo and Robbie, four conservation minded adventurers living in Kenya, decided to embark on a daring and bone rattling expedition to raise both awareness and money for rangers on the frontline – by driving from Kenya to Cape Town in Tuk Tuks!

The Tuk South team is in the process of transforming its two 8HP Piaggio Tuk Tuks into machines capable of surviving 7000 kms of famously bumpy roads. Installing everything from skid plates and roll cages to solar panels and fold out kitchens (the progress of which you can follow online), their Tuk Tuk’s safari capabilities are slowly being realised.

As they journey from the equator to the southernmost tip of Africa, they will be crossing nearly 35⁰ of latitude and travelling through 7 countries, elephants, jungles, mountains, savanna and the ever hospitable Kalahari desert. The thrills and spills of their journey will be shared on social media as they go. Tuk South has over 155,000 followers on TikTok, clocking up an impressive 15 million views, with many of their followers sharing their passion for sustainability, adventure and conservation. They will be putting their video-making skills to good use – visiting many conservancies, parks and reserves on the way down and telling their ranger’s stories. These stories will form the backbone of a documentary they aim to make on Covids impact on conservation (trailer below). Their content will also cover a healthy dose of adventure and the stories of the grassroot sustainability projects, conservation initiatives and community projects they search out along the way.

• For the African Tourism portal , Connecting Africa to the World, go to TourismAfrica.org

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Slate Phuket Appoints Claude Sauter as New General Manager

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The Slate Phuket Appoints Claude Sauter as New General Manager - TRAVELINDEXPhuket, Thailand, September 23, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Slate, the whimsical, art-inspired beachfront resort on Phuket’s secluded northwest coast, has announced the appointment of Claude Sauter as its new General Manager, bringing an unrivalled depth of local knowledge, industry acumen and leadership experience to this key role.

• Discover Phuket and the World’s Best Luxury Hotels with Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

A Swiss national, Claude is a life-long hospitality professional with proven track record. He has also enjoyed a richly rewarding 24-year relationship with Phuket – and with Thailand as a whole. Having first arrived in the “Pearl of the Andaman” in 1997, as Resident Manager of Impiana Resort Patong, Claude went on to manage some of the island’s top hotels and resorts. He is also proficient in Thai, one of six languages he can speak along with French, English, German, Italian and Spanish.

A graduate of Ecole Hôtelière de Genève, the prestigious Swiss hotel school, and Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, Claude is clearly highly-qualified. But it is his time in Phuket that has defined his life and career. Following five successful years with Impiana, Claude achieved his first general manager’s role with Cape & Kantary Hotels, leading the famous Cape Panwa Hotel in southeast Phuket. He has since headed-up several major properties in Phuket and neighbouring Phang Nga province for international hotel groups including Wyndham and Marco Polo. Most recently, he was GM of The Surin Phuket for over six years, making it one of the island’s best performing hotels.

Now, he brings his impressive management qualities and local area expertise to The Slate, where Bill Bensley’s quirky and compelling interior design concept showcases the island’s industrial tin mining heritage. Nestled on the pure shores of Nai Yang Beach, a secluded stretch of Phuket’s northwest coast, this unique resort immerses guests in a world of avant-garde art and design. Guests can stay in a selection of luxurious rooms, suites and pool villas, unwind in glistening pools and tranquil gardens, soothe their senses at the spectacular Coqoon Spa, chill out on the beach, and savour sensational cuisine in a choice of dining destinations, including Black Ginger, the Michelin-recommended Thai restaurant.

What truly sets The Slate apart from other resorts however, is how it empowers travellers from all over the world to learn about Phuket’s culture through authentic art-inspired journeys, engaging activities and community-orientated initiatives. This is driven by the hotel’s co-founder and owner, Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong (“Khun Moo”), whose family history is woven into the fabric of the island. Together, Khun Moo and Claude will offer unparalleled insights into this enchanting destination.

“It gives me great pleasure to welcome Claude to The Slate as our new general manager. His track record speaks for itself; not only is he a highly-skilled hotelier with strong leadership qualities; he also shares my deep passion for Phuket. Having spent more than two decades living and working on the island and being able to speak Thai, he can offer expert advice and insights to our guests, while also intuitively understanding the local tourism market and the needs of our team members. Claude is a perfect fit for The Slate,” commented Khun Moo.

“It is an honour to be appointed GM of The Slate and to work alongside Khun Moo, who is a truly iconic figure in Phuket’s tourism and hospitality industry. She has successfully created one of the most breath-taking resorts in Asia, which successfully weaves her family’s life story with Bill Bensley’s design and the finest five-star hospitality. As the world starts to travel again, I look forward to ushering in an exciting new era at this outstanding resort, and creating exceptional experiences for all our guests,” added Claude.

• Discover Phuket and the World’s Best Luxury Hotels with Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

About The Slate, A Phuket Pearl Resort
Inspired by Phuket’s tin mining past, The Slate blends Bill Bensley’s whimsical design with industrial elements to create highly unique guest experiences. A collection of stunning suites and villas, including pool villas and the spectacular Bensley Suite, surround glistening pools and gardens, and the serene Coqoon Spa blends seamlessly into the natural landscape. Discover delectable dining in a selection of stylish restaurants and bars, enjoy authentic locally-inspired activities, from yoga to Muay Thai, or simply stroll along the pure shores of Nai Yang Beach.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Delta Hotels by Marriott Debuts Sophisticated New Room Design with Santa Clara Silicon Valley Opening

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NIRAV SOLANKI

Delta Hotels by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of 30 hotel brands, announced today the opening of the Delta Hotels by Marriott Santa Clara Silicon Valley, debuting the brand’s refreshed guest room design inspired by its commitment to a seamless travel experience, focusing on the details that really matter. This is Delta Hotels’ first property in the Northern California area and second in the Golden State, providing travelers with more opportunities to explore and experience the destination.

“We are delighted to welcome this new hotel into the Delta Hotels family,” said Jennifer Connell, Vice President and Global Brand Leader, Delta Hotels by Marriott. “Silicon Valley is the perfect destination to showcase our new approach to the guest room, delivering a meaningful design together with premium details for quality, bright optimism, and a sense of home. We know our guests are seasoned travelers looking for a seamless experience and through our design principles, their desire for a cozy, versatile, and natural design is realized.”

The Delta Hotels by Marriott brand is rooted in simplicity and focused on perfecting the small details that make all the difference during travel. Thoughtful design, complimentary water, a fully-stocked Delta Pantry for Marriott Bonvoy Elite members, and efficient service are just a few of the elements that bring this brand promise to life.

Focusing on details that matter, modern agility, and bright optimism, Delta Hotels’ newly refreshed guest rooms are inspired by true craftsmanship, featuring a premium aesthetic coupled with comfortable materials for a straightforward yet purposeful design. Design touches include a bright, neutral palette with rich yet unobtrusive accents of color; a headboard wall featuring large format artwork, playing with softened shapes and linework that reinforces the brand’s design concept of simplified forms; and premium finishes across the platform bed, lounge area, and bathroom.

Delta Hotels Santa Clara Silicon Valley is located in the heart of Silicon Valley close to the Santa Clara Convention Center, Levi Stadium, and many major high-tech companies. The hotel is three miles from Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), making it an ideal destination to fly in and enjoy day trips to other Bay Area destinations such as Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and Napa Valley.

The pet-friendly hotel has 263 spacious guest rooms and suites featuring the brand’s modern approach to design, a heated swimming pool, and a 24-hour fitness center. In addition to these amenities, the property will also include Lucas Lounge, a full-service restaurant and bar serving signature cocktails, local wines, and craft beer alongside a specially curated menu; Zin Café, an all-American breakfast restaurant; Grab & Go, a full-service stand-alone specialty coffee shop serving Starbucks beverages, premium baked goods and snacks as well as prepared hot and cold items; and Delta Pantry offering premium beverages and snacks available to Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Elite Members. The more than 8,000 square feet of technologically advanced meeting and conference space is across seven flexible meeting areas – available indoor and outdoor.

“We are thrilled to open the first Delta Hotels by Marriott property in Northern California,” said Sean Steenson, General Manager. “Our guests can expect modern, purposeful design, along with streamlined service and attention to detail, making our hotel an ideal destination for business trips, weekend getaways, and everything in between.”

Delta Hotels is a member of Marriott Bonvoy, the award-winning travel program from Marriott International. Guests can gain exclusive access to digital features through the Marriott Bonvoy Mobile app when they book direct, including mobile check-in and checkout, keyless entry, and mobile requests to make their travel experience seamless. Marriott Bonvoy members will also earn points for their stay at Delta Hotels and can redeem for hotel stays across Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of brands.

To learn more and reserve, please visit www.deltahotels.com.

About Delta Hotels by Marriott
One of North America’s leading four-star brands, Delta Hotels by Marriott, with more than 85 locations in gateway cities across the U.S., Canada, China, the Middle East and Europe, and Caribbean and Latin America, was acquired by Marriott International in 2015. Delta Hotels focuses on the details that truly matter, making the guest’s experience streamlined and flawless every time. The brand’s invitingly familiar rooms, free Wi-Fi, and convenient dining options offer travelers a comfortable and stylish place to stay. For more information or reservations, visit www.deltahotels.com. Stay connected to Delta Hotels on Facebook and @deltahotels on Instagram. Delta Hotels is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

Media Contact
James Bardwell
Marriott International
James.Bardwell@marriott.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ENVI Lodges – First Experiential Eco-Lodge Brand from the GCC

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ENVI Lodges – First Experiential Eco-Lodge Brand from the GCC

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, September 22, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / A new luxury experiential eco-lodge brand and management company officially launched yesterday during the Arabian & African Hotel Investment Conference at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai. ENVI Lodges is co-founded by Chris Nader and Noelle Homsy, both avid travellers and experts in the hospitality industry. Over the last decade, they witness the change in tourism in the MENA region and foresaw the travel revolution when it was still in “evolution”.

But revolution it is. According to Businesswire, the global experiential lodging (glamping) market size is expected to reach $3.9 billion by 2027, rising at a market growth of 17.5% CAGR.

“Travellers are looking for meaningful trips. They want to have a positive impact on the place they visit,” said ENVI Lodges co-founder Noelle Homsy. “We believe that the current hospitality offering in the region needs to evolve to remain relevant. So, we created a hotel brand in line with this global shift towards transformational and regenerative tourism, focusing on eco-lodges that are immersed in nature and anchored around experiences: adventure, wellness, agritourism, cultural immersion, and environmental discoveries.”

ENVI offers three types of accommodation (tents, prefab suites, and alternative pods), all built with low impact on the environment and with a sense of place, following the brand’s seven sustainability pillars. In fact, ENVI lodges will be developed and operated based on globally recognized sustainable tourism standards. According to a recent report by Booking.com, 83% of global travellers now believe sustainable travel is vital.

With the push from governments in the MENA region, particularly the GCC, to promote eco-tourism, and the development of nature-centric tourism projects in KSA, the UAE, and Egypt, ENVI lodges is well positioned to grow its portfolio within a short time frame. Chris Nader, Co-Founder of ENVI, said:

“Last June, we raised funds from European and GCC investors to develop the brand and we’re getting ready for our second round in 2022. What is very encouraging is to see the growing interest of investors in developing lodges with ENVI at such an early stage of our inception, and we already have a promising pipeline of projects under negotiation, particularly in the UAE and KSA”.

ENVI Lodges has brought on-board world-class hospitality experts and advisors specialised in experiential travel, and signed several partnerships, including with a world-class experiential designer, an eco-lodge marketing firm, and a large distribution platform. ENVI is also set to announce the signing of a major partnership with an alliance of eco-resorts and a renowned loyalty programme that will enhance the brand’s global reach.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO: Urgent Global Call for Commitment to Climate Action in Tourism

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UNWTO: Urgent Global Call for Commitment to Climate Action in Tourism

Madrid, Spain, September 22, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / In preparation for COP26, two information sessions were held today on the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism. The Declaration, developed by a collaborative group of leading organizations, is an urgent call for all stakeholders to commit to a decade of climate action in tourism.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

The signatories of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism are committing to act now and accelerate climate action to cut global tourism emissions by at least a half over the next decade and reach Net Zero emissions as soon as possible before 2050. In particular, each signatory will commit to deliver a concrete climate action plan, or updated plan, within 12 months of signing. Plans will be aligned with the proposed pathways of measurement, decarbonisation, regeneration, collaboration and financing that will accelerate tourism’s ability to transform.

During the events, the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), VisitScotland, the Travel Foundation and Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency were joined by United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, European Tourism Association, Inkaterra, Intrepid Group, Machu Picchu, Oregon Coast, Radisson Hotel Group, South Pacific Tourism Organization, The Long Run, andThe Travel Corporation (TTC). All were united in emphasizing the importance of defining a clear and consistent sector-wide message and approach to climate action in the coming decade, as well as encouraging organizations across all areas of tourism to demonstrate their public support for scaling up the sector’s response to the climate emergency by becoming signatories.

We need to work urgently together within a consistent sector-wide approach to accelerate change and therefore I encourage tourism stakeholders to subscribe the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism

The Declaration will be officially launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November. The text is available from 21st September. Interested signatories can express their wish to join as launch partners from the beginning of October.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

As the declaration states: “A just transition to Net Zero before 2050 will only be possible if tourism’s recovery accelerates the adoption of sustainable consumption and production, and redefines our future success to consider not only economic value but rather the regeneration of ecosystems, biodiversity and communities.”

Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General UNWTO said: “We all recognise that tourism has an important role to play. It’s highly vulnerable to climate change and contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases, while being well placed to contribute to adaptation. But no one organisation can tackle this alone. That’s why we need to work urgently together within a consistent sector-wide approach to accelerate change and therefore I encourage tourism stakeholders to subscribe the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.”

Jeremy Smith, Co-Founder, Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency: “Everyone in tourism has a role to play in addressing the climate emergency. It is time for major players across our sector to come together to accelerate climate action – whether that is airlines, hotels, cruise, ferry, train or car companies through to operators and agents, government and institutional agencies, associations, consortia, donors and financial institutions and academia. It is crucial we now all work together to transform tourism’s climate impact, competitiveness, sustainability and resilience.”

The need for a globally consistent approach for climate action in tourism has been made clear, notably through research into CO2 emissions carried out by UNWTO/ITF  and released at the UNFCCC COP25 in December 2019. This showed that transport-related emissions from tourism were forecast to increase by 25% by 2030 from 2016 levels, against the current ambition scenario.

In 2020, the One Planet Vision for a responsible recovery of the tourism sector was adopted with the aim of emerging from the COVID-19 crisis both stronger and more sustainable. Climate action is a central element of the Vision, which calls for monitoring and reporting CO2 emissions from tourism, promoting the introduction of science-based targets, accelerating the decarbonization of tourism operations, and engaging the tourism sector in carbon removal.

The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism brings together the latest research and global expertise to galvanise climate action. It will be hosted within the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme’s website, supported by Recommended Actions for tourism stakeholders across the world to consider as part of their action planning, alongside other resources.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News