Global Travel News

I LOVE NEW YORK

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After a recent visit to The Big Apple, I’m happy to report that you don’t have to be related to the Rockefellers to enjoy this mult-faceted metropolis. From freebies to bargains to a few well-deserved indulgences, here’s where to save and splurge in the city that never sleeps. For all indoor dining and venues, proof of Covid vaccinations is required.

All prices approximated in U.S. dollars.

The “Cheap Thrills” Save List

Soho Arlo
Located near Hudson and Canal Streets in Soho, the Arlo Soho offers good value. Rooms are a bit snug for two but well designed and everything is modern and new. Perks in the Urban Resort Fee ($20 per person per day) include use of bicycles, free local and long-distance phone calls and fitness sessions. For libations, there’s a cool rooftop bar, Lindens restaurant and a convenient deli/candy bodega
www.arlohotels.com

Cross Over the Bridge
A Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour is a fun and informative way to spend an afternoon. First stop was Grimaldi’s located just under the Brooklyn Bridge. This landmark has been serving up thin-crusted Neapolitan-style pies in the coal-fired oven since 1990. The bus then took us to lots of locations where movies were filmed, including Saturday Night Fever, Goodfellas, and The French Connection.

Our next stop was L&B Spumoni Gardens for a couple of slices of Sicilian-style pizza. This one is rectangular with a thick, soft crust, lots of long-simmered tomato sauce and cheese. After a stroll along the boardwalk at Coney Island, we headed back to Manhattan while our guide regaled us with tales and videos of the many famous folks who hailed from Brooklyn such as Mae West, Jerry Seinfeld, Al Capone and Barbara Streisand. Tour lasts about four hours and costs $80 per adult.
www.asliceofbrooklyn.com

Caffeine Buzz
I’m a self-confessed coffee snob who goes out of her way to find the best brews in whatever city I’m visiting. In New York, if you’re in Little Italy, get your java jolt at Caffe Reggio (119 MacDougal Street).
www.caffereggio.com

In the lower level of Rockefeller Center, as well as several other locations, Blue Bottle does great espresso-based drinks as well as divine drips.
www.bluebottlecoffee.com

Take a Pass
Buy a New York City Pass ($136 for adults) and save more than forty percent on admission to the town’s top attractions such as The Empire State Building, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Top of the Rock Observation Deck and ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Your Pass is valid for nine days so that gives you plenty of time to see six sights, often skipping the lines. Reservations may be required
www.citypass.com

The House that Herring Built
“Russ & Daughters occupies that rare and tiny place on the mountaintop reserved for those who are not just the oldest and the last—but also the best.” That’s fine praise from celebrity travelling chef, the late Anthony Bourdain. In 1907, Joel Russ immigrated from the shtetl of Strzyzow, now part of modern-day Poland. He got his start selling schmaltz herring out of a barrel to the throngs of Eastern European Jews on the Lower East Side. It took him seven years to work his way up from that first herring barrel to having a pushcart operation, a horse and wagon, and then, in 1914, a brick-and-mortar store. In 1920, he moved to 179 East Houston Street, where the business has thrived ever since. Four generations later, Russ & Daughters is still serving the best smoked salmon, herring, caviar, bagels and borscht you can imagine.
www.russanddaughters.com


Choose your Hood
Pick your neighbourhood (Harlem, Greenwich Village or Brooklyn, for example) and take a stroll with a Free Tours By Foot guide. Our tour of Soho, Little Italy and Chinatown included the history of the cast iron buildings in Soho, some mafia and movie locations and where to buy Peking duck. Tours are free but tipping is appreciated. You need to complete the registration form on their website.
www.freetoursbyfoot.com

Gramma-style Pasta
Nonna Beppa, named in honour of his grandmother, is the proud establishment run by chef Giancarlo Cacciatori. The menu features authentic dishes from the Emilia-Romagna area of Italy, including handmade tortellini filled with cured meats, fresh pork and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Yum!
www.nonnabeppa.com

Island on the Island
One of Manhattan’s newest attractions is Little Island, a public park in the Hudson River with entrances at West 13th and 14th Streets. Bring a picnic or buy something from the food trucks and enjoy live performances offered free by various artists and musicians in the amphitheatre or around the landscaped greenspace.
www.littleisland.org

The “You Only Live Once” Splurge List

Bring on the Bubbles
No trip to New York is complete without a visit to The Plaza Hotel (managed by Fairmont), Manhattan’s Grand Dame overlooking Central Park. The Champagne Bar began as the Champagne Porch in 1907, has been patronized by the likes of Diamond Jim Brady and the Prince of Wales. After a shopping workout on Fifth Avenue, I recommend a few reviving bubbles.
www.fairmont.com/the-plaza-new-york


Anthony Bourdain Would Approve
I was a huge fan of the late great Anthony Bourdain and his TV shows. Often Tony would invite his buddy Eric Ripert to join him on an episode. Ripert is chef of the Michelin three-starred Le Bernardin restaurant specializing in seafood. For a table in the dining room, you need to book a couple of months in advance, and I recommend splurging on the tasting menu. But here’s an insider tip: the Lounge opens at 5:00 p.m. and tables are available on a first come/first served basis. We enjoyed some posh bubbles and a few fabulous seafood appetizers. Patrons of the Lounge may also order from the dining room menu.
www.le-bernardin.com

Piscean Platters
The Chelsea Market is my favourite place to graze on Saturday mornings. The former Oreo Cookie factory is now home to boutiques and eateries galore. If you’ve got a fetish for fish, head to the Lobster Place Seafood Market. This Piscean emporium offers sushi, freshly shucked oysters, chowders and steamed whopper lobsters.
www.lobsterplace.com

www.nycgo.co

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

STRANGE BUT TRUE: Tales of the weird and wack

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‘Tis the season for a whole lot of Christmas craziness, plus scandal at a Saudi beauty pageant (for camels), hippos that have COVID, a beautiful brownie, and KFC news you simply won’t believe – all here in this week’s weird and wacky…

BAH, HUMBUG!

A Roman Catholic diocese in Sicily publicly apologized to outraged parents after its bishop told a group of children that there’s no Santa Claus. Italian news reports quoted Rev. Alessandro Stagliano as saying during a recent religious festival that Santa doesn’t exist and that his red costume was created by the Coca-Cola company for publicity. The diocese countered that he was merely trying to underline the true meaning of Christmas and the story of St. Nicholas, a bishop who gave gifts to the poor and was persecuted by a Roman emperor.

But, if the public comments were any indication, Sicilian parents weren’t having any of it. While several welcomed the bishop’s attempt to focus on the Catholic meaning of Christmas, others faulted Stagliano for interfering with family traditions and celebrations and crushing the spirits of children whose early years were disrupted by the pandemic.

I DON’T WANT A HIPPOPOTMUS FOR CHRISTMAS

A Belgian zoo says that a pair of hippopotamuses in its care are in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19, possibly the first time ever such animals have caught the disease. Belgium’s national veterinary lab has confirmed that Antwerp Zoo’s two hippos – Imani, aged 14, and 41-year-old Hermien – contracted COVID-19. It’s unclear how they caught it. Both the giant semiaquatic herbivores are well, apart from exceptionally runny noses. Keepers have tightened virus restrictions around the zoo.

SANTA CLAUS IS SKIING TO TOWN

More than 230 skiing and snowboarding Kris Kringles took to a western Maine resort last Sunday to raise money for charity. The jolly ol’ St. Nicks took a break last year because of the global pandemic, but they returned to kick off the ski season in full holiday garb, including white beards, red hats and red outfits. The event took place in the western Maine town of Newry, home to the Sunday River Ski Resort, the state’s busiest.

A sea of red Santa suits descended the mountain, carving wide turns as their beards fluttered in the icy wind. At least one green-costumed Grinch snuck his way into the mix, disguised in Santa’s coat and hat. Before dashing through the snow, the Santas must all donate a minimum of $20, which helps support local education and recreation programs.

BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF… OH, NEVER MIND

Saudi authorities using “advanced and specialized technology” have conducted their biggest-ever crackdown on “enhanced” camel beauty contestants that received Botox injections and other artificial touch-ups, with over 40 camels disqualified from the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival this month.

Breeders compete for some $66 million in prize money, but Botox injections, face lifts and other cosmetic alterations to make the camels more attractive are strictly prohibited. Jurors decide the winner based on the shape of the camels’ heads, necks, humps, dress, and postures.

This year, authorities discovered dozens of breeders had stretched out the lips and noses of camels, used hormones to boost the beasts’ muscles, injected camels’ heads and lips with Botox to make them bigger, inflated body parts with rubber bands, and used fillers to relax their faces. Camel breeding is a multimillion-dollar industry and similar events take place across the region.

BROWNIE DELIGHT

A Massachusetts cannabis company celebrated National Brownie Day on Wednesday with what it believes is the “largest THC-infused brownie ever made.” MariMed Inc. said the massive confection is .9 m. by .9 m. square and 38 cm. tall, weighs 385 kg, and contains 20,000 mg of THC.

What happens to the brownie now? Company spokesperson Howard Schacter said it will be sent to its Middleborough dispensary and ultimately sold to a medical marijuana patient. As to what the customer plans to do with it, Schacter couldn’t say. The purchase price is still being determined, he said.

IS NOWHERE SAFE?

US federal agents are investigating voyeurism incidents at Grand Canyon National Park. National Park Service special agents with the Investigative Services Branch said they were working to identify potential female victims of surreptitious recordings taken in bathroom facilities in the canyon’s backcountry. In September 2020, park visitors at Phantom Ranch reported that they believed a maintenance worker had recorded them while using a toilet. Authorities said that worker was subsequently fired and removed from the park. There is no indication so far that the images were shared or distributed by the suspect, according to authorities, who said the voyeurism incidents remain an active and open criminal matter.

YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP

And finally, in the spirit of the season, or something, we offer this press release, presented verbatim (we dare not tamper with perfection), from Kentucky Fried Chicken (lord help us):

“Seasoned greetings are officially upon us with the return of KFC’s 11 Herbs & Spices Firelog, the one-and-only fried chicken-scented beacon of the holidays. Spark up one of KFC’s coveted Firelogs, because the intoxicating aroma of the Colonel’s iconic secret recipe makes everything jollier. KFC’s 11 Herbs & Spices Firelog will be available exclusively at Canadian Tire stores across the country and online, while quantities last.

“After selling out year-after-year in the US, the Firelog made its Canadian debut in 2020, becoming an instant classic, keeping hearths aglow and noses ring-ting-tingling across the country. This year the Firelog returns, bringing the promise of savoury scents with it. To take this seasonal sensation one step further, we recommend satisfying the taste factor by picking up one of KFC Canada’s Festive Double Bucket specials at your local restaurant.

“’Last year, we captured the hearts and senses of our Canadian fans with our 11 Herbs & Spices Firelogs. We are excited to bring them back this year and spread finger-lickin’ good cheer,’ said Katherine Debicki, Chief Marketing Officer, KFC Canada. ‘The holiday season is full of so many treats for the senses, we’re so happy our 11 Herbs & Spices Firelog is one of them: gift it, gaze at it, just be sure not to eat it.’”

The logs are available for $19.99 (less than a bucket, and probably healthier, we might add).

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Virgin Atlantic, Collinson, and PATA Unite to Tackle Vaccine Inequity

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Virgin Atlantic, Collinson, and PATA Unite to Tackle Vaccine Inequity

Bangkok, Thailand, December 16, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Travel industry leaders have united to support the Go Give One campaign to help fund COVID-19 vaccines worldwide. Virgin Atlantic has joined travel services specialist Collinson and the Pacific Asia Travel Association as part of the Global Travel Sector Vaccine Coalition. Together, they will use their collective reach to play a part in ensuring everyone, no matter where they are in the world, has access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

The travel industry has been heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. With the emergence of a new variant and renewed travel bans, it is urgent to address low vaccination rates in middle and low-income countries.

Anil Soni, Chief Executive Officer of the WHO Foundation, said: “Vaccine inequity is morally unjust and economically and epidemiologically self-defeating. We need everyone to help protect the world. We are thrilled to see this leadership from industry heavyweights to get vaccines to people who need them most. The Global Travel Sector Vaccine Coalition is a great example of how companies can join forces to make a global difference. We invite other members of the travel industry to join us to power vaccines around the world. Together, we can all play our part to ensure vaccines for everyone, everywhere.”

The Collinson COVID-19 Testing Initiative first launched in October 2020 and is now at several major UK airports. Listening to their experience, WHO Foundation and Collinson formed the Travel Coalition in recognition of how the industry can make a real difference.

David Evans, Joint CEO at Collinson, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the WHO Foundation’s Go Give One campaign. The travel and tourism industry knows only too well how important it is for everyone, everywhere to have access to vaccines if we are to end the COVID-19 pandemic. We’ve seen first-hand how our industry has had to adapt to ensure the safety of people and organisations in this new reality and are calling on the sector now to join us as part of the Travel Coalition. There’s a true power in numbers to getting this done, and we’re urging our customers to give what they can, as well as asking other travel companies to join forces with us. It’s time to stamp out vaccine inequality, so support however, you can, especially during this time of year – the season for giving back.”

Virgin Atlantic is supporting the Go Give One campaign through onboard donations this December and with an additional donation from the Virgin Atlantic Foundation.

Corneel Koster, Chief Customer and Operating Officer, Virgin Atlantic, commented: “It’s evident that COVID-19 is something we must learn to live with. We know that en masse vaccine programmes work, thanks to the success we’ve seen in developed nations around the world, but unless we support lower-income countries in accessing these vaccines, we will not beat this global threat. By supporting the WHO Foundation in raising funds for the Go Give One campaign through our onboard donations this month, our teams and customers can play a part in helping to close the gap. The WHO Foundation and Virgin Atlantic are grateful for every contribution.

“It costs just £4 to buy a vaccine, meaning even the smallest donations can go a long way. Successful vaccination programmes are the route out of the pandemic and we must all play our part in combating this virus; together we can do our bit to offer vaccines to the world and beat COVID-19.”

Members of the travel industry can join the Global Travel Sector Vaccine Coalition to power vaccines by making corporate contributions, running match giving schemes, and engaging their customers, employees, and clients in the Go Give One campaign.

Liz Ortiguera, PATA Chief Executive Officer, said on tackling vaccine equity as a Travel Coalition member, “We at PATA are calling on our travel sector colleagues to support vaccine equity because no one is safe until everyone is safe. As of the beginning of December 2021, only a little over 8% of people in low income countries have received a first vaccine dose. Individuals, organizations, and governments need to rally to accelerate the recovery. The travel sector has played a critical role in responding to the crisis already – from serving as quarantine hotels to providing staff for field hospitals. We can continue to help enable the solution to this crisis by supporting the vaccine efforts of the WHO Foundation for COVAX AMC.”

Go Give One is a COVID-19 fundraising campaign with no borders. Created by the World Health Organization’s WHO Foundation, the campaign calls on everyone, everywhere to play their part in helping to vaccinate the world. Every $5 / £4 donated funds a vaccine, through the Gavi COVAX AMC, which buys COVID-19 vaccines for low-and middle -income countries in order to help protect those the most vulnerable and at risk groups.

Alongside the Global Travel Sector Vaccine Coalition, Go Give One harnesses the power of companies to engage their employees, customers, partners, and networks to offer the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to vaccine equity. Partners of the Go Give One campaign are making corporate or match donations, donating a portion of sales from a product line, engaging their employees or clients in campaigns, offering peer-to-peer challenges, using their network to scale vaccine equity around the world.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its more than 650 member organisations, including 82 government, state and city tourism bodies, 14 international airlines and airports, 71 hospitality organisations and 75 educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing and London.

About Go Give One
Go Give One, created by the WHO Foundation, is a fundraising campaign with no borders to help vaccinate millions of people around the world. The money raised through the campaign will go directly to the global COVID-19 vaccine financing mechanism – Gavi COVAX AMC – which purchases COVID-19 vaccines for middle and lower-income countries, helping to protect everyone from COVID-19. Our aim is to get 50 million people from around the world to take part in this campaign, showing a stance of solidarity and togetherness against an issue facing us all. We are calling on everyone, everywhere to give $5/£4 to buy a vaccine for someone who wouldn’t otherwise have access to one.

About the WHO Foundation
Established in 2020 as an independent entity, the WHO Foundation complements and strengthens the work of WHO and its global network of partners by mobilizing new funding from diverse sources—including philanthropists, corporate entities, and the public—to drive innovation and transform the global health ecosystem. By addressing the world’s most urgent health issues in a new, transformative, catalytic way, the WHO Foundation aims to provide everyone, everywhere, a healthier, more equitable future. Together, we have so much to achieve.

About Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984, with innovation and amazing customer service at its core. In 2021, Virgin Atlantic was voted Britain’s only Global Five Star Airline by APEX for the fifth year running in the Official Airline Ratings. Headquartered in London, it employs 6,500 people worldwide, flying customers to 27 destinations across four continents. Alongside shareholder and Joint Venture partner Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic operates a leading transatlantic network, with onward connections to over 200 cities around the world. On 3 February 2020, Air France-KLM, Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic launched an expanded Joint Venture, offering a comprehensive route network, convenient flight schedules, competitive fares and reciprocal frequent flyer benefits, including the ability to earn and redeem miles across all carriers. Sustainability remains central to the airline and since September 2019, Virgin Atlantic has welcomed eight brand new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, helping to transform the fleet into one of the youngest, quietest, and most fuel efficient in the sky. By 2022, the airline will operate a streamlined fleet of 37 twin engine aircraft following the retirement of its B747-400s and A340-600s, making its simplified fleet 10% more efficient than before the Covid-19 crisis impacted.

About Collinson
Collinson is a global leader in the provision of traveller experiences including medical and security assistance and travel medical services. Its travel medical and security assistance business unit has more than 55 years’ experience in the delivery of international medical assistance and emergency care, including the handling of pandemics such as Ebola, Zika, and the coronavirus. Annually, Collinson responds to over 95,000 emergency calls, manages over 40,000 medical cases, and conducts over 3,000 aero-medical evacuations across the 170 countries it serves.

Collinson has over 2,000 employees operating out of 17 locations globally, all working to deliver a broad range of traveller experiences that ensure the safety, welfare, and comfort of 55 million people as they travel for business and leisure around the world. Collinson’s traveller experiences include the world’s leading airport lounge and experiences programme, Priority Pass, as well as travel insurance, identity assistance, flight delay, international health and travel risk management solutions. We work with clients including: American Express, Cathay Pacific, CBA, Mastercard, UnionPay and Visa.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

GSTC Recognizes GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Destination Standard

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GSTC Recognizes GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Destination Standard - TRAVELINDEXKelowna, Canada, December 16, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) is pleased to announce that the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Destination Standard has achieved the ‘GSTC-Recognized Standard’ status.

GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Standards are used by GreenStep Solutions in their assessment and verification programs which provide tools, resources, and consultative support to destinations and businesses across the tourism industry. The Sustainable Tourism standards enable tourism businesses and destinations to measure their sustainability performance in several key categories; management, social, economic, natural, cultural, and environmental.

The GSTC-Recognized status refers to the standard itself and means that a sustainable tourism standard or system has been reviewed by GSTC technical experts and the GSTC Assurance Panel and deemed the standard or system equivalent to the GSTC Criteria for sustainable tourism. It shows that the set of standards is based on the 4 pillars of the GSTC Criteria: Environment, Social, Cultural, and Management principles. This does not relate to the process of certification, nor to accreditation.

“We are thrilled to have achieved GSTC-Recognized status for our tourism destination standard,” says Angela Nagy – President & CEO of GreenStep Solutions. “Now our industry and destination partners, customers, and those that are using our complimentary online Sustainability Score assessments can rest assured knowing they are measuring their sustainability performance based on globally accepted best practices and standards.”

“Congratulations to GreenStep for their continued development in providing tools and support for systematic approaches to sustainable tourism,” says Randy Durband, GSTC CEO.

Currently, 11 destination standards, 32 hotel standards, and 14 tour operator standards have achieved GSTC-Recognized status. The status offers the market proof that these standards adhere to international norms. GSTC Recognition does not ensure that a certification process is reliable, only that the set of standards used to certify are equivalent to the GSTC Criteria. GSTC-Recognized standard owners are encouraged to follow and complete the accreditation process, which assures that the certification process used to apply the standard meets international best practice, transparency, and rigor.

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

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

About GreenStep Solutions
GreenStep Solutions was founded in 2008 to help businesses and organizations measure and improve their sustainability performance. To date, GreenStep has worked with more than 3000 businesses and organizations within several sectors, including private, public, non-profit, and academic institutions; in a variety of industries such as tourism and hospitality, retail, professional services, and manufacturing; and with organizations of all sizes, from owner-operated businesses to publicly traded companies. Through their Sustainable Tourism Division, GreenStep provides assessments, training, strategy, and certifications to tourism businesses and destinations. GreenStep is a Certified B Corporation, is powered by 100% renewable energy with Bullfrog Power, and is Certified Carbon Neutral with Offsetters.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Kamalaya Sanctuary Koh Samui Embraces Philanthropic Partner

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Kamalaya Sanctuary Koh Samui Embraces Philanthropic Partner - TRAVELINDEXKoh Samui, Thailand, December 16, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / With an interest in preserving the original vision and integrity of Kamalaya, founders John and Karina Stewart have entered a strategic partnership with Thai-based businessman and technology investor Chakrit Sakunkrit who joins the world-renowned wellness retreat as a co-owner.

Kamalaya’s visionary founders John and Karina Stewart will continue in their respective roles as Chairman and Chief Wellness Officer of Kamalaya, both contributing to the operations and management of Kamalaya Koh Samui while spearheading the continued development of the brand and ensuring its legacy.

Kamalaya’s founders and the team of professionals and health practitioners will continue to operate Kamalaya Koh Samui in the way in which wellness travellers know, love and trust while exploring options to expand the reach and breadth of the Kamalaya experience.

Speaking of his investment, Mr. Chakrit Sakunkrit said: “Since its inception 16 years ago, Kamalaya has remained at the forefront of wellness, and now more than ever, the world needs Kamalaya. Thailand needs Kamalaya, wellness tourism needs Kamalaya, and most importantly our guests need Kamalaya. It is for the benefit of Thailand’s wellness tourism that I am pleased to have been invited to make this philanthropic investment into Kamalaya. It will enable the founders, John and Karina Stewart, to continue realising their vision and to help a great many people on their personal journey to lifelong wellness.”

Founder & Chairman John Stewart said: “We welcome Khun Chakrit with open arms, as our shared vision on health, wellness, and sustainable business, makes him the ideal partner for Kamalaya. Karina and I, along with our team look forward to working closely with Khun Chakrit and his network, combining our collective knowledge and passion in the fields of health, wellness, technology and philanthropy to continue to develop Kamalaya.”

Founder & Chief Wellness Officer Karina Stewart adds, “Kamalaya is a place where growth and transformation, a natural life process, will always be nurtured, guided and supported. We look forward to working with our new partner Khun Chakrit to enhance and add complementing capabilities and facilities to our existing service offering at our beautiful sanctuary.

This move ultimately supports the continuous evolution of Kamalaya, bettering its ability to remain a sacred place where our guests can re-connect with themselves and their natural surroundings. John and I are very excited about our new partnership and what it will do for the future of Kamalaya in the coming decades.”

Chakrit Sakunkrit’s addition to the Kamalaya family comes at a pivotal moment for international travel and global wellness tourism as Thailand’s borders re-open and the world-renowned wellness sanctuary prepares for a bright future.

Catering to the needs of individuals, Kamalaya launched in 2005 with a host of curated wellness programmes that addressed prevalent concerns of the time, including anxiety, loneliness, and discontent. Over the years, three additional programmes have been added. Now, after a long pause on international travel, the holistic wellness offerings at Kamalaya are more significant than ever before.

Throughout the global pandemic, Kamalaya Koh Samui remained open to guests. Now with the re-opening of Thailand, the team of hosts and health practitioners are ready to re-connect with guests and look forward to welcoming international travellers back to the wellness sanctuary for the remainder of 2021 and beyond.

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

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PACKING HEAT?: Check your weapons

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Data from the American Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reveals that more than 5700 firearms at airport security checkpoints have been confiscated in 2021 so far – the highest ever in a single year. That breaks down to about 16 weapons every single day – and here’s the really scary part – 85 percent of them were loaded.

The previous yearly record was 4,400 in 2019.

Airline passengers are permitted to transport an unloaded firearm – but only in checked baggage.

Passengers who are found with firearms at checkpoints face fines of up to US $13,910 – higher for repeat offenders. Local law enforcement can confiscate the weapons at checkpoints and can arrest those in possession of a firearm.

“It’s an all time high,” TSA Administrator David Pekoske told reporters this week. “The reason? I think there’s just more firearm carriage in the country. That’s the best answer I can give you.”

“It’s a pretty costly mistake to make,” he said and noted that the TSA will “always proceed with a civil penalty action that will cost thousands of dollars after we complete an investigation.”

It also refers the issue to law enforcement if local or state laws are broken.

“We see a strengthening in the airline travel industry toward pre-pandemic levels and our goal is to ensure you as the passenger have a safe and secure flight,” Pekoske said and he thanked TSA.officers across the country, “who, each and every day, meet the travel volume demand and help keep airport screening lanes moving to ensure millions of passengers arrive at their destinations safely.”

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Phuket Hotels Association Welcomes New Leadership Team

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Phuket Hotels Association Welcomes New Leadership Team - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25 HotelsPhuket, Thailand, December 15, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Bjorn Courage was named as the association’s President and Sumi Soorian promoted to the role of Executive Director, while long-term leader Anthony Lark will continue to serve as a Senior Advisor. The Phuket Hotels Association, a non-profit organisation with 72 member properties, has embarked on an exciting new era with the appointment of a new senior leadership team.

• Discover the Phuket’s Best Luxury Hotels at Top25Hotels.com

Bjorn Courage, General Manager of the InterContinental Phuket Resort, who has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, has been named as the Association’s new President of the Phuket Hotels Association, succeeding founding President, Anthony Lark, ex General Manager of Amanpuri, Trisara, and now Executive Director at HMD, Shinta Mani and Bensley Collection hotels.

Sumi Soorian, who has been with the Phuket Hotels Association since its foundation in 2016 and most recently served as Development Director, has also been promoted to Executive Director. A marketing and communications professional who specialises in project management and business development, Sumi graduated in the USA and has worked in multiple countries, including Australia, China and Thailand.

Bjorn moves into the role of President at a time of optimism for Phuket’s tourism and hospitality industry. The island was one of the first Southeast Asian destinations to safely reopen to international visitors when it launched the innovative “Phuket Sandbox” programme in July 2021, and its hotels and resorts are now gearing up for a strong recovery in the winter high season and beyond.

There can be few more qualified people to lead this proactive organisation than Bjorn. During the course of a 25-year career, he has worked with many of the industry’s most iconic brands, including IHG, Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, Six Senses, and Mandarin Oriental. He also successfully completed Cornell University’s Executive Leadership programme.

“During these initial times of recovery from the Covid pandemic, I am proud to serve our member hotels, communities and destination to the best of my ability. I will strive to continue and further evolve the important work done by the association, working groups and member hotels to-date, especially in regard to our association’s three key pillars: Marketing, Environment and Education. Thank you to Anthony for his leadership since the inauguration of the Phuket Hotel Association and for continuing to serve the Association as Senior Advisor,” Bjorn commented.

Since it was founded in January 2016, the Phuket Hotels Association has grown to represent 72 of the island’s top internationally-branded and independent luxury and midscale hotels and resorts, comprising just over 12,000 rooms. Each of these members has made a commitment to the destination and, through the Phuket Hotels Association, are actively investing in a sustainable future through long-term environmental and educational initiatives.

• Discover the Phuket’s Best Luxury Hotels at Top25Hotels.com

Anthony Lark will continue to serve as a Senior Advisor to the Association, alongside Bill Barnett, a founder of the Phuket Hotels Association and Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks, David Keen, CEO of QUO, David Johnson, CEO of Delivering Asia Communications, Boon Yongsakul, Chairman of Boat Pattana, and Saharat Jivavisitnont, Executive Director at Jee Teng Hospitality Group.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Naladhu Private Island Maldives Opens with Contemporary Redesign

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Naladhu Private Island Maldives Opens with Contemporary Redesign - TRAVELINDEXSouth Malé Atoll, Maldives, December 15, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Naladhu Private Island is once again welcoming guests after a much anticipated transformation. During a six-month closure the intimate Maldives resort has had a complete redesign by New York based designer Yuji Yamazaki and now flaunts a sleek contemporary look.

Home to just 20 ‘Houses’, Naladhu offers the ultimate in privacy and seclusion and ensures an unrivalled level of service to meet the needs of the most discerning traveller. The guest experience at Naladhu is enhanced by the personal Kuwaanu.  Deriving from the Dhivehi word for storyteller in the Maldivian language, the Kuwaanu offers a refined and seamless butler service 24 hours a day.

The resort’s top suite, the 600 square metre Two Bedroom Beach Pool Residence, now boasts a 20-metre private beach. Dining is completely bespoke, with an all-day breakfast and a no-menu concept in the resort’s restaurant ‘The Living Room’. A luxurious couple’s spa room has also been added.

Located on the edge of a pristine lagoon in the South Malé Atoll, Naladhu Private Island is just 30 minutes by luxury speedboat from Velana International Airport in Malé.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Sustainable Tourism Can Offer Mountain Communities Path to Prosperity

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Sustainable Tourism Can Offer Mountain Communities Path to Prosperity

Rome, Italy, December 15, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / FAO and UNWTO launch new publication at high-level event to celebrate International Mountain Day 2021. Sustainable tourism plays a key role in boosting livelihoods, poverty alleviation, and environmental conservation in mountainous areas, according to a new report launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and UNWTO at an International Mountain Day 2021 celebration event.

Mountain tourism – Towards a more sustainable path, jointly developed by FAO, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), highlights the role of tourism in the sustainable development of mountain regions. The publication features examples of innovation, best practices and initiatives from all over the world, as well as practical guidelines and recommendations in the context of building back better for sustainable mountain tourism.

Sustainable tourism can serve as an important driver of socio-economic development in mountain areas

“For many mountain communities, tourism is their livelihood,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu stressed at the event. “Promoting sustainable eco-tourism, agri-tourism and wellness tourism can help generate new jobs, diversify income, build robust micro-economies and revitalize products and services,” he added, encouraging everyone to work together to protect fragile mountain ecosystems and “rethink and reshape mountain tourism for the benefit of mountain communities, global wellbeing and the planet’s health.”

“Sustainable tourism can serve as an important driver of socio-economic development in mountain areas. Well managed, community-based tourism increases and diversifies household incomes, enhances job and livelihood opportunities, supports traditional systems, builds resilience and helps to conserve and promote natural and cultural heritage across landscapes,” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili.

The theme of International Mountain Day 2021

The United Nations has designated 11 December as International Mountain Day, with FAO as the lead agency for its coordination. Celebrated every year, it creates awareness about the importance of mountains to life, highlighting the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and building alliances that will bring positive change to mountain peoples and environments around the world.

With mountain destinations attracting around 15-20 percent of global tourism, International Mountain Day 2021’s theme of sustainable mountain tourism recognizes the sector’s role in valuing the natural and cultural heritage of mountains and mountain peoples, promoting sustainable food systems, and protecting mountain ecosystems and their biodiversity.

The Year’s theme also draws attention to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it can be an opportunity to rebuild mountain tourism in a greener and more sustainable and inclusive way. This means ensuring community empowerment, effective measurement of the impact of tourism in mountains, the effective management of resources and waste, and the definition of carrying capacity for destinations.

A joint effort

Today’s high-level International Mountain Day event was opened by the FAO Director-General QU Dongyu and UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. Other participants included Maria Ubach, Andorra’s Minister of Foreign Affairs , Christine Bulliard-Marbach Swiss Parliamentarian, Member of the National Council and President of the Swiss Association for Mountain Regions, Roberto Natali, Plenipotentiary Minister and Directorate General for Development Cooperation for the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones, Chief Operating Officer of the Philippines Tourism Promotions Board and mountaineer Reinhold Messner. FAO Deputy Director-General Maria Helena Semedo gave the concluding remarks. Stella Jean – an Italian-Haitian fashion designer was appointed Mountain Partnership Goodwill Ambassador in recognition of her work with mountain women artisans from Kyrgyzstan. Dilshodbegim Khusravova, a Tajik young activist, was named Youth Mountain Partnership Goodwill Ambassador for her work in early warning disaster prevention systems in the mountains of Tajikistan.

The event highlighted the need to promote dialogue and cooperation to tap mountain tourism’s full potential to contribute to sustainable development. It highlighted the work that many Mountain Partnership members and UNWTO member states are doing to ensure that mountain communities are not left behind in the spirit of the UN 2030 Agenda.
Sustainable best practices

According to the study, sustainable mountain tourism products and services should shift from high-impact tourism to low-impact, climate-sensitive ones, and create new opportunities, bringing tangible benefits to local communities, while helping to enhance the conservation of the unique mountain heritage. They should also be inclusive, providing a good quality of employment and decent work. The publication highlights projects from across the world that are doing just that, including in the Cordillera region of the Philippines, where the country’s Department of Tourism, the Mountain Partnership Secretariat and Slow Food are connecting tourism service providers to small-scale producers so visitors can discover high-quality mountain products, and ‘astrostays’ in the Himalayas, which are homestays provided by local communities that include stargazing activities.

FAO and UNWTO have a long history of working together, boosted by a recent Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties. This establishes further commitment to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship, drive sustainable development, and strengthen livelihoods through rural tourism, agritourism, nature tourism, outdoor activities and other forms of landscape-based tourism. It envisages, among others, collaborative activities within the framework of FAO’s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), the Coalition of Fragile Ecosystems and the Green Cities Initiative.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Luxury Collection Announces New Global Explorer Caroline de Maigret

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Caroline de Maigret

The Luxury Collection, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, announces Caroline de Maigret as the brand’s newest Global Explorer. In her role as a brand ambassador, de Maigret has collaborated with The Luxury Collection to produce A Night in Seville and the Morning After — a guide to her favorite places to stay, dine and discover published by Assouline. The book will also be accompanied by a digital series of city guides spotlighting Paris, Venice and Athens – all curated with favorite discoveries from de Maigret’s travels. A Night in Seville and the Morning After and the city guide series will launch this December in celebration of the opening of Hotel Santo Mauro, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid – the portfolio’s just-opened property in the heart of the city’s exclusive Chamberí area in December 2021.

The Luxury Collection’s Global Explorer program celebrates the vibrancy of the world’s most enchanting destinations through the eyes of leading cultural voices. Representing a broad selection of creative endeavors, these personalities are united by a deep understanding of world cultures, while identifying travel experiences in their own personal way. Born in France, Caroline de Maigret has traveled the globe gracing the world’s stage from Milan to London to New York as a model, producer and fashion icon.

“Travel for me goes hand in hand with exploration and discovery. When on the road, meeting new people, finding a cool bar on the corner, a small exhibition with local treasures or the perfect hotel makes me feel so happy and alive,” said Caroline de Maigret. “I am thrilled to be able to collaborate with The Luxury Collection – a brand that I look to as a home away from home always in harmony with its setting – to share some of my favorite places in Seville and around the world.”

A Night in Seville and the Morning After is the ultimate guide to the perfect day in Seville as told by Caroline de Maigret. Published by Assouline and featuring 65 pages of beautiful photography and playful illustrations, de Maigret takes you from checking in at Hotel Alfonso XIII, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Seville to sightseeing at Catedral de Sevilla, lunch at El Pintón, hat shopping at Maquedano into a night on the town starting at Alameda de Hércules. Featuring four sections, the book is divided between de Maigret’s favorite restaurants, drinks, shopping and sights. As an added layer to the collaboration, de Maigret has also created a series of digital guides – Paris, Venice, Athens – that will launch with the pocket-sized book this December.

“We are delighted to welcome Caroline de Maigret as our latest Global Explorer. Her passionate curiosity and zest for discovery perfectly captures the spirit of The Luxury Collection brand as we all look to engage our passions and embark on a quest for fulfillment through travel,” said Philipp Weghmann, Vice President & Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection. “We are excited to collaborate with her on a beautiful book and digital series to celebrate our captivating portfolio in some of Europe’s most compelling destinations.”

Celebrating the latest addition to the brand’s portfolio in Europe, the guide and digital series will debut around the opening of Hotel Santo Mauro, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Madrid. Located in the exclusive Chamberí neighborhood, the 49-room boutique property is made up of three buildings inspired by Parisian palaces of the 19th century and a magnificent garden, all which served as the former residence of the Duke of Santo Mauro.

Caroline de Maigret will join the celebrated group of Luxury Collection Global Ambassadors who bring the portfolio to life for international travelers. The brand recently debuted the launch of its third collaboration with Global Explorer Margherita Maccapani Missoni – a limited-edition scarf inspired by her travels with The Luxury Collection in India—and a homeware line from Mercedes Salazar inspired by a visit to North Island, a Luxury Collection Resort, Seychelles. The Luxury Collection is dedicated to helping travelers from all over the world to embark on extraordinary journeys and one-of-a-kind experiences.

A Night in Seville and the Morning After by Caroline de Maigret will launch in December 2021 and will be available for purchase on www.luxurycollectionstore.com for $40 USD. The digital city guide series will be available at www.theluxurycollection.com.

About Marriott International, Inc.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of roughly 7,900 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 138 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

About The Luxury Collection® Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection®, part of Marriott International, Inc., is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA® brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of nearly 120 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 35 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information and new openings, visit theluxurycollection.com or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The Luxury Collection 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 Marriott Bonvoy®
Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit marriottbonvoy.com.

Press Contact
Meg Connolly Communications
luxurycollection@mcc-pr.com
212-505-8200

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News