Global Travel News

Travel Measures Should Be Based on Risk Assessment, UNWTO and WHO

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Travel Measures Should Be Based on Risk Assessment, UNWTO and WHO

Geneva, Switzerland, February 27, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have called for the lifting of travel bans as they do not provide added value and continue to contribute to economic and social stress. The two UN agencies agreed to collaborate on a global trust architecture for recovery of the travel sector.

Over recent days, a growing number of countries around the world have started easing their rules for international arrivals, including the easing of travel bans. These decisions are in line with WHO’s latest recommendations for safe international mobility, which highlight the ineffectiveness of blanket restrictions in controlling virus transmissions. Such a trend is also consistent with UNWTO’s repeated warnings of the great social, economic and development harm of restrictions.

Guided by UNWTO, global tourism has followed WHO advice from the very start of this crisis

UNWTO and WHO: a shared approach

In Geneva, the leaders of UNWTO and WHO agreed on the importance of easing or lifting travel bans. Blanket restrictions should be replaced with risk -based, evidence- informed, context-specific policies.

“Guided by UNWTO, global tourism has followed WHO advice from the very start of this crisis,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili. He underscored the need to “continue to do so, and to open up again, safely and responsibly, and allow tourism to deliver on its unique potential as a driver of recovery and growth”.

Risk and evidence-driven approach

According to the WHO International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee on COVID-19, all measures applied to international travellers should be based on “risk assessments – including testing, isolation and vaccinations”. Furthermore, the financial burden of such measures should not be placed on travellers themselves.

“As countries ease travel restrictions, health must remain the key priority. By basing their decisions on evidence and a risk-based approach adapted to their specific context, countries can find the right balance between keeping people safe, protecting livelihoods and the economy, and keeping borders open”, said WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Building a global trust architecture

The two UN agencies also stressed the need for clear and consistent rules relating to health and travel. There is a need for building a global trust architecture for societies and economies in the context of the pandemic, and there is a “real opportunity for tourism to contribute to that process, with UNWTO playing a critical role”, said Dr Michael Ryan, Executive Director WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme.

Properly managed, tourism has the potential to act as a force for development and opportunity, as highlighted in the sector’s enhanced relevance in the wider United Nations development agenda. Destinations around the world report increased tourist arrival numbers on the back of easing or removing restrictions. This trend offers the potential to kickstart economic recovery and put social development progress back on track.

Among the countries to have revised their travel restrictions is Switzerland, one of Europe’s leading destinations, which welcomed the UNWTO delegation at the beginning of a week of key meetings.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Best Western Hotels and GOCO Create Holistic Wellness Experience in Vietnam

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Best Western Hotels and GOCO Create Holistic Wellness Experience in Vietnam

Ho Tram, Vietnam, February 26, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels and Resorts continues to raise the bar for hospitality in Vietnam by unveiling plans for a spectacular new spa and wellness experience at the brand-new beachfront Charm Resort Ho Tram, in collaboration with GOCO Hospitality who will be creating, operating and branding the spa and wellness center within the Resort.

Currently under construction on Vietnam’s stunning southeast coast, just 110km from Ho Chi Minh City, Charm Resort Ho Tram will introduce two new Best Western branded properties to this dynamic destination, comprising over 1,000 keys. Charm Resort Ho Tram, BW Signature Collection® by Best Western will feature 470 spacious and stylish rooms and suites, while Charm Resort Ho Tram, BW Premier Collection® by Best Western will offer 458 upscale rooms and suites plus 90 luxurious villas.

Now, it can be revealed that guests at these two hotels will be able to enjoy exclusive wellness experiences curated by the internationally renowned wellness company, GOCO Hospitality. The new spa and wellness center will be managed by GOCO and led by a dedicated team of health professionals, blending international standards with authentic local elements. Guests will be offered a wide range of natural therapies complemented with advanced technology within this oasis of lush, landscaped gardens and waterways, just steps from the soft sandy beach and cerulean sea.

“Wellness has become a key component of the hotel and resort industry, especially in Asia, and we are delighted to work with GOCO Hospitality and Charm Group on this impressive new project. This soothing sanctuary will become one of the key selling points at Charm Resort Ho Tram, BW Premier Collection by Best Western and Charm Resort Ho Tram, BW Signature Collection by Best Western. We look forward to working with our esteemed partners as this new project comes to life, and introducing our guests to an exciting new era of wellness in Vietnam,” said Erwann Mahe, Managing Director, International Operations – Asia, Best Western Hotels & Resorts.

Respected as a global leader in the wellness hospitality sector, GOCO Hospitality works with many of the world’s leading hotel operators and owners, creating some of the most unique wellness destinations globally, from spas to wellness centers and large-scale wellness communities. The company’s portfolio comprises of over 400 projects valued at more than US $4.5bn across 42 countries.

We are looking forward to working closely with Charm Group and Best Western Hotels to create a spa and wellness destination at this beachfront community which will add a unique offering within the fast-growing hospitality landscape in Vietnam. GOCO aims to bring to life a modern lifestyle focused concept, offering results-driven wellness solutions, perfectly aligned to the needs of multi-generational guests and complemented by the stunning location and innovative design language.”, said Ingo Schweder, CEO of GOCO Hospitality.

This marks another important step in Best Western’s growth strategy in Vietnam. With two properties now operating and 17 more in the pipeline, covering some of the country’s most desirable destinations, the group is targeting a total of 19 branded hotels and resorts by the end of 2024.

About Best Western Hotels ad Resorts
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand within the BWH Hotel Group® global network. With 18 brands and approximately 4,700 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*, BWH Hotel Group suits the needs of developers and guests in every market. Brands include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, Aiden®, Sadie®, BW Premier Collection® and BW Signature Collection®. Through acquisition, WorldHotelsTM Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Distinctive and WorldHotels Crafted collections are also offered. Completing the portfolio is SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, SureStay Collection® and SureStay Studio® franchises**.

* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO and UEFA Partner Around Shared Values of Sport and Tourism

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UNWTO and UEFA Partner Around Shared Values of Sport and Tourism

Nyon, Switzerland, February 25, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) today announced their partnership around shared values and a common vision for the future.

The leaders of both organizations met at the UEFA headquarters and agreed to jointly promote the benefits of sports and sports tourism for development and opportunity for all, including young people. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili and UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin recognized the values shared by tourism and football, both prominent people-led sectors with the capacity to promote understanding, friendship and solidarity and drive social and economic change.

Working together, UNWTO and UEFA will build on our potential to celebrate our shared humanity, foster friendship across borders and create experiences and opportunities for people everywhere

Shared objectives

UNWTO and UEFA will work to deliver a legacy across Europe. The UEFA Foundation will join representatives of the different divisions of UEFA at the UNWTO Global Youth Tourism Summit (July 2022, Sorrento, Italy), designed to give young people a say in the future of the sector and to give them the skills and knowledge needed to lead tourism forward.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “Tourism and football are natural partners, bringing joy to many millions with benefits going far beyond vacations or single matches. Working together, UNWTO and UEFA will build on our potential to celebrate our shared humanity, foster friendship across borders and create experiences and opportunities for people everywhere.”

UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin added: “Sports tourism is one of the fastest-growing tourism segments. And tourism and football, as the world’s most popular sport, uniquely complement each other. Sporting events, such as UEFA EURO and UEFA Women’s EURO, are making an exceptional contribution to tourism in the host countries. More importantly, football offers teams and supporters a chance to travel the world, discover new destinations and cultures. I cannot think of a better way to learn more about each other, grow together rather than drift apart.”

Jobs and education

Under the new partnership, UNWTO and UEFA will work together to grow sports tourism across Europe, including through facilitating travel and mobility and through promoting the opportunities for jobs and education this can bring. Both organizations will also jointly champion sustainability within their sectors, in line with the wider United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as the UEFA Sustainability Strategy 2030.

The agreement emphasises the far-reaching impact of both tourism and sports, touching on almost every part of economies and societies the world over. Both sectors are leading employers and champions of youth empowerment and gender equality. Under the guidance of UNWTO and UEFA, tourism and sports are also advancing hard to meet their climate action responsibilities.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Money or Miles for Frequent Flyers?

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Money or Miles for Frequent Flyers? - TRAVELINDEXHong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, February 28, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / “Cancelled” – The word no passenger wants to see on an airport display board. Failing to appease disgruntled clientele can seriously damage customer relationships. Dodging the kickback of service failures is therefore supremely important, especially when customers have already pledged their allegiance to a company – as have frequent flyers. But how should loyal customers be compensated? In an important recent study, Dr YooHee Hwang and Dr Lisa Gao of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and their co-author explored the best ways to regain customer loyalty after a service failure. The unprecedented flight disruptions due to COVID-19 make their findings all the more relevant today.

In the hospitality and tourism industry, failures to meet customers’ expectations are inevitable. However, it might not be the service error itself that causes customers to take their business elsewhere, but the way in which a company chooses to deal with it. “An effective service recovery”, say the researchers, “can restore customer trust and fairness perceptions”.

Air travel is a great example of a service prone to disruptions, and, for the researchers, a prime context in which to investigate service repair options. Flight delays and cancellations are all too common, and the stakes can be high for passengers, who might have flight connections, tight work schedules, or financial constraints. Moreover, service repair has been largely overlooked in the context of loyalty reward schemes, which is surprising given how common these are. How best to soften the blow for passengers who are already loyalty reward programme members?

One downside to disappointing customers who are already “loyal” is that they have higher expectations. This can result in more scrutiny and criticism, making it difficult to satisfy customers through recovery methods. However, all is not lost, say the researchers. “On the other hand, heightened expectations may provide the service provider with an opportunity to enhance the relationship with its customers”. In that sense, service failures could be treated as an opportunity to further consolidate customer relationships.

Many airlines offer frequent flyers different compensation options when service errors occur. For instance, United Airlines offers the choice of receiving free miles or monetary compensation for flights that are delayed for 4 hours. One key difference between miles and monetary compensation options is how “concrete” they are. Air miles compensation “doesn’t have a physical form that customers can touch”, the researchers point out, whereas discount coupons do. Curiously, this “concreteness” makes all the difference. In other hospitality and tourism sectors, more concrete compensation has been found to increase customer loyalty. The researchers therefore predicted that “recovery compensation in a more concrete form should induce loyalty reward members’ repatronage intention”. This effect might also rely on the nature of the initial failure – could the company have avoided it, or not?

Service failures can be broadly considered as those that are within a company’s control, and those that are not. This “controllability” can also govern customers’ reactions – for instance, customers are far more forgiving when flight delays are a result of bad weather than when they are due to a scheduling error made by the flight crew.

“If a failed service is within the firm’s control, customers perceive high levels of controllability”, explain the researchers. Another example is inattentive service by a waiter during off-peak hours. The researchers found that passengers were angrier about and more disappointed by service failures that they perceived to be within the firm’s control.

Such negative emotions can prompt “low-level thinking” – the tendency to construe things in a concrete way, focusing on the immediate details of an event or object rather than its wider context. The researchers thus suggest that “high controllability of a service failure heightens the customer’s negative affect, thereby resulting in a concrete mindset”. Does this more concrete mindset, in turn, affect the impact of compensation concreteness on passenger loyalty? The researchers’ next task was to answer this question.

Using an experimental design, the researchers assessed the specific effects of the controllability of service failure and compensation concreteness. The participants were 197 members of frequent flyer programmes with a mean age of 37 years living in the US. The researchers first presented them with the hypothetical scenario of a delayed flight of a fictional airline, “ABC Airlines”.

Some of the participants were told that their flight was delayed due to bad weather (a low controllability scenario) and the rest were told that the delay was a result of an internal scheduling error (a high controllability scenario). “The participants were then compensated with either a 50-dollar travel certificate for their next flight or 2,500 miles credited to their frequent flyer program account”, which corresponded to more and less concrete compensation options, respectively.

Having set up different levels of controllability and compensation concreteness, the researchers measured repatronage intention. For this, the participants simply indicated whether they would fly with ABC Airlines again if they had experienced the situation in real life. Negative emotions were also measured, including irritation, annoyance, disappointment, dissatisfaction, and frustration. In this way, the researchers could more precisely define how to best atone for service failures and temper customers’ anger and disappointment.

The first critical finding was that the controllability of a service failure determined customers’ emotional reactions. That is, customers were less angry and disappointed when the flight delay was perceived to be out of ABC Airlines’ hands, compared with when the airline was perceived to be at fault. Therefore, the authors recommend that service providers “be transparent and let customers know the cause of the failure”. Offering this information and discovering customers’ reactions will also help companies to redress the service failure.

When choosing compensation, airlines should take the controllability of the service error into consideration. For the “controllable” failings, the researchers found that monetary compensation better restored loyalty than did air miles compensation. Crucially, this indicates that airlines should offer concrete compensation options, such as money or discount vouchers, when the service failure is within the company’s control. “Offering a more concrete option can be a win-win situation for both companies and loyal customers”, say the researchers.

However, when the flight delay was beyond the airline’s control, monetary and free air miles compensation had the same effects on repatronage intention. This could be because “customers’ construal levels are not as concrete, and thus repatronage intention is not influenced by the concreteness of recovery options”, say the researchers. Practically, this means airlines can adopt either concrete compensation, such as a discount voucher, or less tangible compensation, such as free miles, to make amends when they are not to blame for the service failure.

From a more theoretical perspective, this study “extends the notion of congruency effect in the frequent flyer program context”, propose the researchers. Namely, when customers have a more “concrete” mindset, they should be offered more “concrete” compensation options. This aligns with previous findings that external stimuli, such as compensation options, should be matched to customers’ internal mental states to achieve the best outcomes.

This study offers useful recommendations for airlines wishing to recover the loyalty of frequent flyers. Exploring uncharted territory, the researchers pinpoint ways to properly handle a botched service and to help customers feel valued. Understanding the mindset and emotions of disappointed customers puts companies in a better position to make strategic choices when it comes to excusing themselves to already loyal members. Anticipating customers’ reactions to being let down could even enhance that loyalty, and not just for airlines – any company offering a loyalty scheme has something to gain from this work.

YooHee Hwang, Lisa Gao and Anna S. Mattilab (2020). What Recovery Options to Offer for Loyalty Reward Program Members: Dollars vs. Miles? International Journal of Hospitality Management, Vol. 87, 102496.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Culinary Treats Across Asia

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Culinary Treats Across Asia - TOP25RESTAURANTS.com - TRAVELINDEXTokyo, Japan, Febrary 27, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / From Tokyo to Thailand, we’ve rounded up an array of novel dining experiences at hotels and resorts across Asia.

Essence of Japan Cocktails in Tokyo
Our senses transport us – whether it be a certain scent that ignites a memory or a flavor that delivers our minds to a different location. In the heart of Japan’s largest city, Palace Hotel Tokyo is tapping into that ability to transcend through taste with “Essence of Japan.” The cocktail collaboration includes a collection of eight drinks inspired by ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) spread across Japan. The eight inns chosen come from The Ryokan Collection and are some of the finest in the country. The cocktails have been created by Lounge Bar Privé’s bartender Akira Miyashita with ideas and carefully selected ingredients from each of the ryokans. One example is the drink “Snow Garden,” which is a nod to Zaborin in Hokkaido. A snowfall of powdered sugar adorns a fruity crimson cocktail of apple brandy and Zaborin original apple juice from a local producer. The “Tea Ceremony with Omotenashi” looks to Sumiya in Kyoto. The concoction is a sparkling cocktail with the aroma of Kyoto gin and matcha and is an expression of the tea ceremony culture and wabi aesthetics of the popular tourist destination. The drink selection is available till March 18th, 2022 and each drink is JPY 2,180.

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

Alma Cam Ranh’s Singing Cooks and Waiters
It’s no secret that good music enhances the flavor or any dish, as readily as the right dash of this, the right teaspoon of that. In Vietnam, they’re doubling down on the enhancement factor by having kitchen staff repurpose ladles as microphones. Waiters and cooks at Alma on Cam Ranh peninsula are belting out medleys of classic hits at La Casa restaurant. With ladles, pans and tambourines in hand, and with a live piano as a foundation, the apron-and-toque donning Alma Choir break into song and dance as suddenly as a flash mob to perform international and Vietnamese tunes including Abba’s Mamma Mia, Boney M’s Rivers of Babylon and Nguyễn Hồng Thuận’s Xinh Tươi Viet Nam (Beautiful Vietnam). What began as a group of staff banding together to sing Christmas carols in the weeks leading up to Alma’s debut in late December 2019 has matured into a professional outfit under the stewardship of Alma’s resident pianist Ben Guillen, who has a background in musical arrangement. He says the response from the diners at La Casa, a sophisticated and capacious dining setting seating up to 164 guests has been so positive “some customers have danced on their seats”.

Meliá Chiang Mai’s ‘360° Cuisine’ Program
The first five-star hotel to debut in Chiang Mai in Thailand’s mountainous north since the onset of the global pandemic is embracing sustainability and promoting healthy eating with its ‘360° Cuisine’ concept. Suksant Chutinthratip (Billy), the executive chef at Meliá Chiang Mai, a 260-key urban hotel due to open April 8 on Charoen Prathet Road, has crafted dishes that include produce from the hotel’s organic farm and use every part of each ingredient possible before leftovers are returned to the farm as compost. Billy’s emphasis on “thoughtful cooking” is encapsulated in signature dishes such as ‘Khao Khaab Hor Goong’, a chilled prawn salad wrapped in sesame rice paper, with piquillo peppers, fried tofu, fermented rice noodles and fresh Vietnamese mint, and ‘Pla Muek Yang Som’, a grilled marinated octopus salad with caramelized Valencia orange, red radish and orange dressing. “For Khao Khaab Hor Goong we use the prawn shells, prawn heads and garden herb stems for our stock base to poach the prawns, and lemon zest as part of the sauce to give a disarming citrus smell and flavor, before the leftover cooking oil is sent to be recycled into biodiesel,” Billy says.

Vietnamese Feasts at Maia Resort Quy Nhon
Maia Resort Quy Nhon knows that the journey to any traveler’s heart often requires a detour through the stomach. The gastronomically-driven all-villa resort, along Vietnam’s southern coast, is offering several different culinary-themed packages that will leave no bellies growling. The “Xuan Maia” packages range from one to five nights. Each option immerses guests in the culinary offerings of this oceanfront property. The three night option includes the choice of one of the resort’s signature culinary experiences: Once Upon a Table at ad hoc restaurant, Barefoot Destination Dining, a Privately Curated Dining Experience, Afternoon High-Tea, or Gastronomy by Maia. Executive Chef Komang Widarta has created menus that are inspired by the local culture and the kind of cuisine you’d find at a Vietnamese family reunion. Other highlights of a three-night stay include a daily treatment at Vela Spa, the choice of a family style lunch or dinner at Vi Restaurant overlooking Quy Nhon Bay, and a one-time complimentary upgrade to daily half board.

Three Exclusive Culinary Offerings at Azerai Can Tho​​
In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, Azerai Can Tho has introduced three exclusive new culinary offerings that take advantage of the resort’s unique setting on a lush private islet. These special meals include “Romance Under the Banyan Tree,” (VND 2,200,000 per person) a candlelit table-for-two surrounded by lanterns and set under one of the property’s mature banyan trees. The dinner includes a set Western menu plus a cocktail. The daytime “Picnic by the River” (VND 998,750++) features a cozy set-up on the lawn overlooking the Hau River and includes a choice of three set lunch menus. The “Secret Romantic Dinner by the River” (VND 2,588,000 per person) offers a choice of a multi-course Western or Vietnamese set menu, plus a glass of sparkling wine. Azerai Can Tho is home to 60 rooms and five private-pool villas and is a three-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City. Azerai’s lush grounds cover more than eight hectares and are accessible only by the resort’s private boat.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Celebrates Women’s Day
The Grand Dame of Vietnamese hospitality rolls out the red carpet each year for International Women’s Day, which will be celebrated this year on March 8. Metropole Hanoi’s Wonderland by Le Beaulieu, which serves fine French cuisine, is offering a special four-course set menu (VND 2.1 million), with an optional wine pairing (VND 3.5 million). At angelina cocktail bar, whisky lounge and New World restaurant, the exclusive Women’s Day set menu features a three-course meal and a special welcome cocktail (VND 2 million). And Le Club Bar, which overlooks the hotel’s beautiful garden courtyard, is offering two exclusive buffets: a lunch buffet (VND 2 million) and a dinner buffet (VND 2.2 million). For more information on these culinary opportunities, or to make a reservation, contact Metropole Hanoi’s food and beverage department at Tel: 024 3826 6919 ext. 8200

Melia Phuket Mai Khao’s Asian Night
The new Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, situated on eight acres of Phuket’s north-western coastline on the Andaman Sea, has introduced a delectable set dinner menu that pays homage to “the deep south of Siam”. Held every Tuesday night between 5pm-9pm at elegant all-day dining restaurant SASA, the resort’s Asian Night menu is priced at THB 699++ (USD 22) and features nine dishes served in tasting size portions. The menu starts with ‘Yaam Pak Kut Thalee’ poached fern with catch of the day medley seafood and ‘Thord Mun Hua Plee Moo Bod’ banana blossom and Kurobuta minced pork with sweet chili dip, followed by ‘Kai Tom Kamin’ free range chicken and turmeric aromatic soup. Highlights include ‘Moo Hong’ traditional Phuketian slow cooked pork belly in light soya sauce, cinnamon and star anise, ‘Kung Pad Sator’ wok sauteed king prawns with shrimp paste and jungle broad beans, ‘Pad Pak Miang’ wok sauteed miang leaves, organic scrambled egg and crispy shrimps, and ‘Pad Pak Ruam’ pan-seared organic veggies with oyster sauce. Asian Night is rounded out with desserts ‘Kao Niew Turian’ sweet sticky rice with stewed durian fruit in coconut syrup and pandan, and ‘Pollamai Ruam’ tropical fruit.

Dine & Unwind at Banyan Tree Samui
Between 6pm and 10pm every evening on the private beach fronting Banyan Tree Samui, visitors and guests can dine al fresco with the white sand between their feet and spectacular sunset views over the sapphire sea. The sumptuous 4-course Western or Thai set dinner includes a welcome drink, a bottle of Champagne or wine, and either the choice of a mixed herb for two (hotel guests only) or a 45-minute spa treatment for two. This luxurious romantic interlude costs just 7,900 THB (with wine) per couple or 8,900 THB with a 200ml bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne.

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

Tropical Forest Picnic in Krabi
Those who seek a little solace from nature would be hard beat to better the picnic offerings from Banyan Tree Krabi in southern Thailand. As part of a Forest Bathing activity, guests are invited to hike to Naga Crest Mountain in the national park directly behind the resort, where they can be at one with the tropical environment, including waterfalls, scenic vistas and wildlife spotting. The forest bathing picnic is free to all guests who book a minimum two-night stay (and includes a bottle of wine for those staying three nights or more). For reservations, call: 075-811-888

 

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Meliá Hotels Expands in Vietnam with 12 Hotels and Resorts

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Meliá Hotels Expands in Vietnam with 12 Hotels and Resorts - TRAVELINDEXHa Noi, Vietnam, February 27, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Spanish group’s footprint in Vietnam deepens with 12 hotels and resorts from Tay Ninh to Hai Phong. Burgeoning hotel group, Meliá Hotels International, is set to become one of the largest international hotel brands in Vietnam through a new collaboration with the country’s largest domestic hotel owner, Vinpearl.

Under the agreement, the leading Spanish hotel group will take over the management of 12 hotels and resorts already opened and in operation, in top destinations spread across the length of the nation.

“We believe in creating strong and strategic regional partnerships with companies that have a deep connection to the locations they serve,” said Gabriel Escarrer, Vice Chairman and CEO of Meliá Hotels International. “The Vinpearl properties and destinations at the heart of this agreement are a wonderful complement to the roots we’ve already established in Vietnam.”

Meliá’s latest move will make it the second largest hotel group in Vietnam in terms of number of rooms. The rapidly expanding company first entered Vietnam back in 1999 with the opening of Meliá Hanoi. They currently have six properties in operation with six hotels in the pipeline in popular tourist hotspots throughout the country. The partnership will increase the group’s room count for Vietnam to 8,000 keys, boosting their numbers to 24 hotels and resorts, with 8 hotels under operation and 16 more on the way.

In addition to Meliá Hotels and Resorts, the existing portfolio includes two other brands, Sol by Meliá and INNSiDE by Meliá. In this new arrangement with Vinpearl, the properties will be known as Meliá Vinpearl hotels in order to emphasize the unique personality and strength of this collaboration.

“Collaborating with international partners in running our properties will effectively facilitate Vinpearl in joining world-famous hotel networks and contribute to raising the bar for Vietnamese tourism,” said Mr Thai Thanh Nhat Quang, CEO of Vinpearl Hotel. “Through this cooperation, Vinpearl and Meliá Hotels International also expect to deliver a variety of high-class hotel service experiences to millions of domestic and international tourists.”

The global hotel brand has built a portfolio of 380 hotels in more than 40 countries since its founding in Palma De Mallorca in 1956. In Southeast Asia, Meliá currently operates 20 properties and has a pipeline of 20 hotels in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

“We see a huge potential for growth in Vietnam, particularly in the luxury hospitality industry,” said Ignacio Martin, Managing Director Southeast Asia at Melia Hotels International. “While COVID-19 may have brought international travel to a standstill, we are confident that the country will see growth in tourism in the future, as well as a rise in domestic travel.”

The 12 five-star Meliá Vinpearl properties will complement Meliá’s existing portfolio, by expanding into new locations. The first hotel to come into the fold was Vinpearl Quang Binh. The property is now under Meliá management and will be rebranded as Meliá Vinpearl Quang Binh in March 2022. The coastal location catapulted to fame several years back when the world’s largest cave was discovered in Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park. Despite this magnet, the area has been relatively untouched by international hotel brands.

Vinpearl Hotel Hue is also now under management and will be unveiled as Meliá Vinpearl Hotel Hue in May 2022. The hotel holds a prime position in Vietnam’s former imperial capital city, Hue, with views over the popular destination’s fabled Perfume River.

The other hotels under this strategic alliance include, among others, sites such as Thanh Hoa and Hai Phong near the country’s capital Hanoi; Nghe An and Ha Tinh along the North Central Coast, and Tay Ninh in the south. The group will expand under Meliá Vinpearl into locations where Melia already has properties, such as Danang, as well as cultivating new ground in destinations where the group currently has no presence.

The remaining 10 properties are scheduled to complete their migration into the new Melia Vinpearl portfolio under management of Melia Hotels International group during the first half of 2022.

Long renowned for its Spanish hospitality, Meliá intends to inculcate the same spirit of warmth and passion in every one of its Vinpearl properties. “At Meliá we prioritize each guest’s wellbeing and, through our personalized service approach, develop authentic connections with all who stay,” said Martin. “This is our way and what we will bring to each Melia Vinpearl property.”

At the same time, the group plans to elevate sustainability as a priority. Meliá Hotels International was recently named the most sustainable hotel brand in Europe and Spain for the third consecutive year by the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, the most comprehensive assessment in the world.

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

About Vinpearl
Vinpearl is Vietnam’s largest brand in tourism – resort – entertainment, owning an international 5-star chain of hotels, resorts, spas, conference centers, F&B services, golf courses, and amusement parks. Honored throughout the world, the brand has locations in some of the most beautiful destinations in Vietnam.

After 18 years of development, Vinpearl is now the owner of 47 facilities, including 35 hotels and resorts with over 18,500 rooms and villas, 4 amusement parks, 2 animal safaris, 4 golf courses and 2 premium F&B service centers across 17 cities and provinces. The company’s footprint is expected to further expand on both national and global scales soon. As a leader in Vietnam’s hospitality sector, Vinpearl is raising the bar of tourist complexes, offering all-in-one services as well as a chain of world-class 5-star hotels and resorts, amusement parks, animal safaris, golf courses, spas, F&B services, and conference centers integrated with shopping malls and modern shop-houses.

The best-in-class super tourism-resort-entertainment complex Phu Quoc United Center boasting a region-leading scale has been a pioneer in the “one-stop-destination” trend and officially marked a milestone in Vietnam’s development of the night economy model and the country’s great step forward in becoming a “new destination of the world”. In addition, Nha Trang and Da Nang – South Hoi An, Vinpearl’s famous complexes, have significantly improved in scale and excellence. Particularly, Vinpearl Nha Trang has become a luxury “tourist island” of Vietnam and the region in terms of services and experiences.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

New Urban Hotel Introduces 360° Cuisine Program to Shrink Carbon Footprint

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New Urban Hotel Introduces 360° Cuisine Program to Shrink Carbon Footprint - TRAVELINDEXChiang Mai, Thailand, February 26, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The first five-star hotel to debut in Chiang Mai in Thailand’s mountainous north since the onset of the global pandemic is embracing sustainability and promoting healthy eating with the launch of its ‘360° Cuisine’ concept.

Suksant Chutinthratip (Billy), the executive chef at Meliá Chiang Mai, a 260-key urban hotel due to open April 8 on Charoen Prathet Road in the heart of Chiang Mai, has crafted dishes that include produce from the hotel’s organic farm and use every part of each ingredient possible before leftovers are returned to the farm as compost.

“Our ‘farm to plate’ efforts, sourcing organic produce that travels only a short distance to our hotel and using every part of each ingredient we can – roots, leaves, stems, stalks and more – come full circle with ‘plate to farm’, whereby we return food waste back to the farm as fertilizer in a truly 360° concept,” Billy said.

Under the program, the hotel’s kitchen works closely with local farmers to help them improve sustainability and encourage ethical production, in a bid to make communities and the overall food system more resilient. Meliá Chiang Mai recently partnered with ORI9IN The Gourmet Farm, a 350-acre gourmet organic farm located in nearby San Sai District, to grow an array of fruits, vegetables and herbs on a two-acre plot on the broader ORI9IN property for its restaurants, bars and spa.

Through the partnership with ORI9IN, local farmers assist the hotel with import substitution, growing various kinds of tomatoes, salad leaves, and specialized ingredients such as padrón pepper, that would otherwise need to be imported from Spain for the hotel’s authentic Mediterranean cuisine.

Billy’s emphasis on “thoughtful cooking”, that minimizes food waste through using as much of each and every ingredient as possible, is encapsulated in signature 360° Cuisine dishes. ‘Khao Khaab Hor Goong’ is chilled prawn salad wrapped in sesame rice paper, with piquillo peppers, fried tofu, fermented rice noodles and fresh Vietnamese mint and ‘Pla Muek Yang Som’ is grilled marinated octopus salad with caramelized Valencia orange, red radish and orange dressing.

“For Khao Khaab Hor Goong, for example, we use the prawn shells, prawn heads and garden herb stems for our stock base to poach the prawns, and lemon zest as part of the sauce to give a disarming citrus fragrance and flavor, before the leftover cooking oil is sent to be recycled into biodiesel,” Billy said.

The 360° Cuisine program is also designed to give guests peace of mind about where their food comes from by encouraging them to visit the ORI9IN farm to meet local farmers and learn more about sustainable farming.

Drawing on Meliá’s Spanish origins and celebrating Spain’s famed gastronomy, Meliá Chiang Mai’s dining landscape will feature restaurants Mai Restaurant and Bar and Laan Na Kitchen, bars Mai The Sky Bar and Tien Pool Bar, and lounges Ruen Kaew and The Level Lounge.

About AWC
Asset World Corporation (AWC) is Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, a member of TCC Group, one of Thailand’s most prominent conglomerates. AWC’s core focus of real estate development and management projects encompass two business groups: Hospitality helping Thailand become the top destination for sustainable tourism with hotels in key locations in Bangkok and popular destinations throughout Thailand serviced by management teams from internationally acclaimed hotel groups such as Marriott, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Okura, Banyan Tree, Hilton, and Sheraton; Retail and Commercial Buildings (covering retail, and wholesale facilities with mixed-use properties and office buildings) providing well-balanced and unique offerings a best-in-class customer experience that meet business and modern lifestyles with high-quality and innovative real estate development projects overseen by a qualified and experienced management team to build long-term value for stakeholders.

AWC succeeded in listing the company on the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) in the real estate and construction industry under the property development category on October 10, 2019. AWC’s market capitalization was the highest in the history of the SET (According to Bloomberg Database). AWC recognizes the importance of operating with a focus on sustainability – incorporating the needs of stakeholders, the environment, society, and contributing to ongoing improvements in Thailand’s economy with a purpose of building a better future.

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

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

 

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

SHTM and PATA Released Report on Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts

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SHTM and PATA Released Report on Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts - TRAVELINDEXHong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, February 26, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University joined forces with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) to publish the tenth in their series of Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts reports, providing the region’s travel and tourism sector, hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, with much-needed projections of tourist numbers in the coming years.

The “Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2022-2024” were the work of the SHTM’s Hospitality and Tourism Resource Centre headed by Professor Haiyan Song, SHTM Associate Dean, Chair Professor and Mr and Mrs Chan Chak Fu Professor in International Tourism. Along with colleagues from other institutions, the team included Professor Gang Li of the University of Surrey, Dr Vera Lin of the Zhejiang University, Dr Anyu Liu and Ms Yangting Cai of the SHTM, Dr Richard Qiu of the University of Macau, as well as Dr Long Wen of the University of Nottingham Ningbo China.

Covering a three-year horizon, the report features the latest scenario forecasts for International Visitor Arrivals into 39 Asia Pacific destinations between 2022 and 2024 while presenting three possible scenarios for every destination describing mild, medium and severe effects of the pandemic. Among the projections essential to tourism planners and operators, what they can expect is that total visitor arrival numbers across the region are predicted to recover from 129.4 million in 2020 to 817.7 million, 702.5 million and 501.9 million under the mild, medium, and severe scenarios, respectively by 2024. Compared with the 2019 level of visitor numbers, the recovery rates of which are forecast to be 116.2%, 99.8% and 71.3% respectively.

Amongst the six destination regions and sub-regions of Asia Pacific, South Asia is expected to have the highest recovery rate of 123.3% under the mild scenario as it returned to more than 90% of the 2019 volume of visitors, in 2021. International visitor numbers into the Pacific and the Americas are projected to increase faster than other regions/sub-regions with the same recovery rate of 105% under the medium scenario and 80.3% and 79.2% respectively, under the severe scenario. The lowest recovery rate under the mild scenario is likely to be for Northeast Asia which is expected to return to 112.6% of the 2019 level of visitor numbers in 2024. Under the medium scenario, South Asia is predicted to be the slowest recovering sub-region with a recovery rate of 95%, while under the severe scenario it is expected to be West Asia with a rate of 61.3%.

Although these forecasts are contingent on the developments in COVID-19 and the economic recovery over the forecast period, the robust and considered research conducted by the SHTM and PATA offers informed optimism. “Whilst the overall trends in these latest forecasts are positive, recovery will however depend on both the containment of the global pandemic and economic growth which will create the conditions for tourism to pick up,” noted Professor Haiyan Song. “With the new landscape of tourism becoming very different in the post-pandemic era, these forecasts provide crucial insights for the global industry to develop better recovery strategies for the post-pandemic era.”

To maintain the region’s competitive edge, the PATA Visitor Forecasts Report serves as a reliable and effective forecasting system essential to assist destinations in the development of strategies for the years to come. The SHTM prides itself on its forecasting expertise and is proud to have joined hands with PATA to release the publication “Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts 2022-2024”. Members of the School’s Hospitality and Tourism Resource Centre publish world-leading research and provide consultancy services for tourism organisations worldwide. “We are delighted to be a part of the PATA forecasting initiative, as transferring our knowledge to practice is high on the School’s research agenda”, Professor Kaye Chon, SHTM Dean, Chair Professor and Walter and Wendy Kwok Family Foundation Professor in International Hospitality Management said.

About PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management

For over 40 years, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has refined a distinctive vision of hospitality and tourism education and become a world-leading hotel and tourism school. Ranked No. 1 in the world in the “Hospitality and Tourism Management” category in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2021 for the fifth consecutive year, placed No. 1 globally in the “Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services” category in the University Ranking by Academic Performance in 2020/2021 for four years in a row, rated No. 1 in the world in the “Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism” subject area by the CWUR Rankings by Subject 2017, and ranked No. 1 in Asia in the “Hospitality and Leisure Management” subject area in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2021 for the fifth consecutive year, the SHTM is a symbol of excellence in the field, exemplifying its motto of Leading Hospitality and Tourism.

The School is driven by the need to serve its industry and academic communities through the advancement of education and dissemination of knowledge. With a strong international team of over 80 faculty members from diverse cultural backgrounds, the SHTM offers programmes at levels ranging from undergraduate degrees to doctoral degrees. Through Hotel ICON, the School’s groundbreaking teaching and research hotel and a vital aspect of its paradigm-shifting approach to hospitality and tourism education, the SHTM is advancing teaching, learning and research, inspiring a new generation of passionate, pioneering professionals to take their positions as leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Returns to Geneva as World Begins to Open Up

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UNWTO Returns to Geneva as World Begins to Open Up - TRAVELINDEXGeneva, Switzerland, February 22, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will be in Geneva this week for high-level talks focused on the restart of tourism as restrictions on travel are eased in many parts of the world.

Strong Relationship with WHO

UNWTO last undertook an official visit to the home city of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2020, just one day before COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic. Now, as Switzerland joins growing numbers of countries in lifting or easing travel restrictions, UNWTO is back in Geneva for a week of meetings with key partners.

On Tuesday (22 February) Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili will meet with WHO Director-General Dr. Thedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to discuss shared actions and priorities as the world begins opening up again. The two UN agencies will discuss the need for the continued easing of restrictions, having repeatedly warned against their ineffectiveness and the damage that blanket bans on mobility can have on economic and social wellbeing. Talks will also focus on UNWTO and WHO’s shared vision for clearer, more consistent rules and regulations concerning tourism and health, with the aim of restoring trust in international travel and kickstarting recovery.

Deepening ties with the private sector

Strengthening ties with key private sector and civil society partners is crucial in the current circumstances. Secretary-General Pololikashvili will meet with the Director-General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Willie Walsh, as well as with Pierfrancesco Vago, Chairman and CEO of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). These meetings will be followed by an official visit to the headquarters of UEFA. Here, the sporting body’s President Aleksander Čeferin will sign a first-ever agreement with UNWTO aimed at promoting sports tourism as a driver of positive change and making the sector more inclusive and resilient.

Key partners in Switzerland

Against the backdrop of Switzerland announcing its plans to significantly ease restrictions on incoming travel, the UNWTO delegation will meet with Eric Jakob, Ambassador of the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), whose brief includes tourism policy, as well as with Martin Nydegger, CEO of Switzerland Tourism. Highlighting Switzerland’s commitment to sustainable tourism, the UNWTO delegation will visit Gruyères. The medieval destination was named as a UNWTO Best Tourism Village at the 24th General Assembly in 2021, and this will be the first official visit to one of the locations recognized for their effective use of tourism as a protector of heritage, and as a driver of growth and opportunity. The visit will be hosted by the Mayor of Gruyères Jean-Pierre Doutaz.

In line with UNWTO’s focus on tourism jobs and education, the leadership will also tour the campus of the Gilon Institute of Higher Education and the Hotel Institute Montreux (HIM). Secretary-General Pololikashvili will meet with Benoit-Etienne Domenget, CEO of Sommet Education, UNWTO’s partner for online learning, and be welcomed to the new UNWTO International Centre Switzerland, located at the Bella Vista Higher Education Campus in Altdorf.

In another first, UNWTO will be addressing the UN Press Briefing at UN Geneva, providing an overview of the outcomes of the official visit and highlights on the tourism for development agenda for 2022, advanced by UNWTO.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Savor the Beauty of Spring Blossom in Japan with Best Western Hotels

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Savor the Beauty of Spring Blossom in Japan with Best Western Hotels - TRAVELINDEXOkinawa, Japan, February 22, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels and Resorts is inviting its experience-seeking guests to watch Japan’s spectacular sakura season with its new “Japan’s Spring Blossom Sale”. Under this enticing offer, travelers from all over the world can enjoy a generous 20% discount at hotels and resorts in many of the most popular destinations all across the “Land of the Rising Sun”.

Simply book from 23 February until 31 March 2022, for stays taken any time until 31 May 2022, and enjoy an instant 15% discount on the hotel’s Best Rate. Best Western Rewards® members are entitled to an additional 5% off. Whether guests want to discover Japan’s thrilling cities, captivating culture, magnificent mountains or its beautiful beaches, Best Western has the perfect hotel for every spring vacation in Japan.

Tokyo’s exhilarating urban attractions, from the iconic Shibuya Crossing to the exquisite Imperial Palace Gardens, can be enjoyed at Best Western Hotel Fino Tokyo Akasaka and Best Western Hotel Fino Shin-Yokohama. Alternatively, foodies can treat their taste buds in Osaka, Japan’s culinary capital, where Best Western Osaka Tsukamoto, Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Osaka Kitahama and SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Shin-Osaka create great options for visitors to this exciting city.

Or for a blissful beach break, Best Western Okinawa Kouki Beach and Best Western Okinawa Onna Beach boast stunning seafront locations in Japan’s tropical island paradise, allowing guests to splash, swim and snorkel in the clear turquoise water or simply stroll along the soft sand.

About Best Western Hotels and Resorts
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand within the BWH Hotel Group® global network. With 18 brands and approximately 4,700 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*, BWH Hotel Group suits the needs of developers and guests in every market. Brands include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, Aiden®, Sadie®, BW Premier Collection® and BW Signature Collection®. Through acquisition, WorldHotelsTM Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Distinctive and WorldHotels Crafted collections are also offered. Completing the portfolio is SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, SureStay Collection® and SureStay Studio® franchises**.

* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News