Global Travel News

Aloft Bangkok Promotes Bringing Vibrance Back to Bangkok with Special Rates

 1080 239 wttc2
By:

Aloft Bangkok Promotes Bringing Vibrance Back to Bangkok with Special Rates - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, November 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Marriott International’s Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 today offers special rooms promotion for travelers to return to Bangkok this November.

Stay at the heart of Sukhumvit and enjoy the best deals with rates starting from THB 1,121++ (room only). In addition, guests will get full flexibility to choose the 24 hours of stay for example check-in at 6 p.m. on the day of arrival and guests can check-out at 6 p.m. on the day of departure. Guests can book from now until 20 November 2021 for stays from 5 November 2021 until 31 March 2022.

Featuring loft-inspired rooms and suites with tech-smart features, free Wi-Fi, platform beds and panoramic views of the Bangkok cityscape, Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11’s prime location on Sukhumvit road places the excitement of Soi 11 at your doorstep; guests can also take advantage of the complimentary hotel Tuk-Tuk shuttle to Nana BTS SkyTrain and MRT subway stations for easy access to celebrated attractions.

Guests can make a reservation by using the promotional code YQ1 via https://tinyurl.com/3hm7wudf This offer is also applicable with the Rao Tiew Duay Gun campaign offer. For more information, please call 02 2077000

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Azerai Can Tho Introduces New GM Nicolas Pillet Ahead of Reopening

 898 1080 wttc2
By:

Azerai Can Tho Introduces New GM Nicolas Pillet Ahead of Reopening - TRAVELINDEXCan Tho, Vietnam, November 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX /  Azerai Can Tho in the Mekong Delta has appointed Nicolas Pillet as its new General Manager, as the resort announced plans to reopen on Nov. 12 following the easing of COVID-related restrictions in Vietnam. Azerai Can Tho Introduces New GM Nicolas Pillet Ahead of Nov. 12 Reopening.

Pillet, a French national, brings a strong culinary background to Azerai Can Tho, having studied cuisine as part of his hospitality education in Nantes. Pillet has worked with several internationally recognized brands in his career, including the Eastern & Oriental Express, where he was GM of Southeast Asia’s only luxury sleeper train, and most recently as the GM of Amanoi, the Aman property in Ninh Thuan, Vietnam.

“Nicolas is a hands-on general manager who works closely with his team to ensure that service is maintained at the highest possible standards. He enjoys exploring ways to integrate the local community into the resort by creating new experiences that exceed guests’ expectations,” said Henry Gray, the Executive Director of Azerai Resorts.

Set on a private islet that is accessible only by boat, Azerai Can Tho is located only three hours’ drive from Ho Chi Minh City. The resort is secluded but close to the city of Can Tho, and the campus is lush with greenery and mature banyan trees. The resort covers an area of more than eight hectares, with 60 rooms and five spacious pool villas that deliver residential-style accommodation offering privacy, comfort and extra-personal service for families and groups traveling together.

Azerai Can Tho was named one of the “Top 25 Resorts in Asia” (No. 13) in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2021 Readers’ Choice Awards last month, becoming one of only six properties in Vietnam to make the popular “best-of” list. The awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry.

The resort has earned a growing reputation as one of southern Vietnam’s most unique wellness destinations. Earlier this year, it introduced monthly Pilates retreats in a new studio featuring the latest in allegro reformer equipment (six machines) in a sleekly designed, well-lit space with vaulted hardwood ceilings. It also hosts four- and six-day yoga retreats that include dynamic hatha yoga and status asanas sessions, a river cruise, healthy meals, spa treatments, live cooking sessions and more.

As one of the region’s most exciting culinary destinations, Azerai Can Tho launched a series of unique dining events last year featuring local and international chefs. The resort is home to two formal dining venues. The Cafe serves traditional Vietnamese and Western-style breakfasts; regional Vietnamese cuisine, sandwiches and salads for lunch; and tapas-style dinner with new and old world wines. The Grill offers imported meats and local seafood in a relaxed and informal setting.

ABOUT AZERAI
Azerai is a new story and brand of resorts offering guests simple elegance, refined design, and discreet and attentive service in places of unique beauty and cultural interest. The brand was formed by hotelier Adrian Zecha, and the name is derived from Zecha’s initials and the latter part of a Persian word caravanserai, which references the storied old inns of the Middle East.

Azerai Can Tho is a peaceful retreat set on a lush islet in the Mekong Delta. Azerai Ke Ga Bay marks the brand’s first beach resort. And Azerai La Residence, Hue is a historic city resort overlooking the Perfume River in Vietnam’s former imperial capital.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Business Travel Spend to Reach Two Thirds of Pre-Pandemic Levels by 2022

 500 285 wttc2
By:
Business Travel Spend to Reach Two Thirds of Pre-Pandemic Levels by 2022

London, United Kingdom, November 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Worldwide business travel spending looks set to rise by more than a quarter this year and reach two thirds of pre-pandemic levels by 2022, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Corporate travel in the Middle East and Asia Pacific set to lead the way with fastest recovery.

The forecast comes in a major new WTTC report in collaboration with McKinsey & Company called ‘Adapting to Endemic Covid-19: The Outlook for Business Travel’.

It draws on research, analysis and in-depth interviews with Travel & Tourism business leaders to enable organisations to prepare for corporate travel in the post-pandemic world.

Business travel was disproportionately affected by COVID-19 and has been slower to resume. Given that business travel is vital for many sectors of the global economy, it is important that all stakeholders join forces to find solutions to aid its recovery.

According to the new report, the modest boost for business travel with global business travel spend rising 26% this year will be followed by a further rise of 34% in 2022.

But this comes in the wake of a 61% collapse in business travel spend in 2020, following the imposition of extensive travel restrictions with considerable regional differences in the bounce back around the world.

To speed up the recovery of business travel, the report recommends businesses adjust their revenue models, expand geographic focus, and improve digital services.

The shared challenge of restoring business travel will also depend on ongoing collaboration and partnerships across the private and public sectors and nurturing new relationships.

Julia Simpson, WTTC CEO & President, said: “Business travel is starting to pick up. We expect to see two thirds back by the end of 2022.

“Business travel has been seriously hit but our research shows room for optimism with Asia Pacific and Middle East first off the starting blocks”.

Considering this year and next, WTTC data shows which regions around the world are leading the revival in business travel, led by the Middle East:

  1. Middle East – Business spending is set to rise by 49% this year, stronger than leisure spending at 36%, followed by a 32% rise next year
  2. Asia-Pacific – Business spending is set to rise by 32% this year, and 41% next year
  3. Europe – Set to rise by 36% this year, stronger than leisure spending at 26%, followed by a 28% rise next year
  4. Africa – Spending is set to rise by 36% this year, slightly stronger than leisure spending at 35%, followed by a 23% rise next year
  5. Americas – Business spending is expected to rise by 14% this year, and by 35% in 2022.

The report details how global travel-related spending declined significantly from 2019 to 2020, as a result of COVID-19 and the ongoing restrictions to international mobility.

Last year, the Travel & Tourism sector suffered losses of almost US$4.5 trillion, and more than 62 million people lost their jobs. Domestic visitor spending decreased by 45 percent, while international visitor spending fell by an unprecedented 69.4 percent.

WTTC’s report also shows significant changes over the past 18 months, particularly in demand, supply, and the overall operating environment which affect business travel.

Demand for business travel has been slower to recover than leisure and corporate policies continue to influence business travel demand according to national travel restrictions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also been a catalyst for change, driving the move to digital and so changing the supply for possible business travel as hybrid events become the new norm.

The operating environment has also become more opaque with a greater need for clarity around the rules and regulations necessary to allow unimpeded international travel.

However, some sectors have fared better than others with early rebounders including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and construction companies while service-orientated and knowledge industries including healthcare, education, and professional services are likely to experience longer-term disruption.

The report emphasises the continuing importance of business travel and the spend it generates for global economic growth.

Analysis shows that in 2019, most major countries depended on business travel for 20% of their tourism, 75 to 85% of which was domestic.

Although business travel represented only 21.4% of global travel in 2019, it was responsible for the highest spending in many destinations, making it essential for the recovery of the entire travel sector and for its many stakeholders.

Business travel is an important part of the service offering for airlines and high-end hotels and essential for generating much of their revenues.

Before the pandemic, business travel accounted for around 70% of all global revenue for high-end hotel chains while between 55 and 75% of airline profits came from business travellers, who made up around 12% of passengers.

Jane Sun, Chief Executive Officer of Trip.com, said: “In China, business travel is booming very fast. Trip.com Group’s corporate travel business is actually one of our fastest growing segments, so people still need to see each other to conduct a business and close the deals. We remain positive that once business is back to normal, we expect even stronger growth compared to the pre COVID level.”

Chris Nassetta, President & CEO Hilton, said: “A return to business travel will be critical in our industry’s recovery from the pandemic.

“We’re continuing to see incremental progress and this report illustrates just how important business travel is to the global economy. Travel and tourism will continue to drive progress for millions around the world – especially as people begin traveling again.”

Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Airports International, said: “The loss of mobility experienced by billions of people during the COVID-19 pandemic served as a stark reminder of the immense social and economic contribution that travel and tourism brings to the global population.  Whilst the proliferation of digital communications is set to transform the way we do business, it has also proven that so many aspects of our lives are dependent on level of social interaction uniquely afforded by the ability to travel.

“The industry must adapt to the new world in a more innovative, value driven and sustainable way and the initiative by WTTC sets out clear road map for the future.”

Fred Dixon, President and CEO of NYC & Company, said: “Bringing back business travel is a critical component of New York City’s continued economic recovery. It’s reassuring to see the deliberate focus on this import segment by the WTTC, and we support all efforts under way to further encourage the resumption of this vital source of visitation. As one of the world’s most iconic business capitals, we are committed to nurturing this segment and highlighting the many advantages of meeting in person in New York City.”

Paul Abbott, Chief Executive, American Express Global Business Travel, said: “We have now seen what a world without travel looks like. Businesses struggle, GDP capitulates, unemployment rockets and mental health issues soar. A world without travel is less prosperous, less tolerant and lacks the excitement and serendipity that gives us our energy. For all these reasons, we can be very confident about the future of business travel.

“Pent-up demand for travel is already turning into a release of human energy across the world. Travel is a force for good. It is the engine room of the economy, driving commerce and innovation. At the same time, travel underpins social progress by breaking down cultural barriers and helping build respect and understanding.”

WTTC believes while business travel will return, its uneven recovery will have important implications across the global Travel & Tourism sector, making private public partnerships even more important in the months and years ahead.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UNWTO Highlights Gastronomy Tourism as Driver of Rural Development

 500 311 wttc2
By:
UNWTO Highlights Gastronomy Tourism as Driver of Rural Development

Bruges, Flanders, Belgium, November 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Some of the world’s top chefs joined restaurateurs and local and regional leaders to advance gastronomy tourism as a driver of rural development and opportunity.

The 6th edition of the UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism, held in Bruges, Flanders (Belgium, 31 October to 2 November), focused on the sector’s unique ability to support rural businesses, create jobs and protect and promote culture and heritage. For the first time, the Forum, organized by UNWTO and the Basque Culinary Center (BCC) included a special session dedicated to African Gastronomy, recognizing its potential as a tool of socio-economic development and for helping destinations across the continent enhance their distinct branding and market themselves to new audiences. The session concluded with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between UNWTO and Chefs in Africa.

Gastronomy tourism adds vitality to rural communities, supports small, local food producers and strengthens their position in the market

Opening the Forum, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Gastronomy tourism adds vitality to rural communities, supports small, local food producers and strengthens their position in the market contributing to add value to the tourism experience while promoting the preservation and development of local produce and know how.”

Joxe Mari Aizega, General Manager of the Basque Culinary Center, said: “Gastronomy tourism offers a unique opportunity to promote economic growth of rural communities. It is a way of involving the various agents of the gastronomy value chain, and promoting economic and social development from farm to table.”

Flemish Minister Matthias Diependaele said : “With the gastronomy and tourism sectors at a turning point, we believe it is necessary to move towards gastronomy tourism with added value for our destinations, our residents, our local entrepreneurs as well as the visitors. We are happy to have come together with leaders from all over the world to exchange experiences and get inspired to poise the way towards a sustainable future for the gastronomy tourism sector.”

The Mayor of Bruges Dirk De fauw added : “I am very honoured that our city was chosen to be the host city for this important congress on tourism gastronomy.  Even before the coronavirus pandemic, Bruges opted for a sustainable tourism story in which we explicitly opt for ‘better’ rather than for ‘more’. A positive and sustainable story which we write together with our visitors, residents and entrepreneurs.”

To ensure that gastronomy tourism can grow as a driver of rural development, participants recognized the need to strengthen coordination between tourism, agricultural and rural development policies at the global, national, and local levels. Alongside this, the forum also focused on best ways of designing gastronomy tourism strategies and practices that ensure the sustainable use of resources, the promotion of local products and know-how, and on responsible consumption.

Also in Bruges, UNWTO showcased the talented entrepreneurs who are rising to the challenges posed by the Sustainable Development Goals through innovation along the gastronomy tourism value chain. Selected startups focused on taking climate action, reducing waste, creating sustainable communities, protecting ecosystems, amongst others, pitched their ideas to the Forum’s participants.  The startups included Faroo (Italy), Rutopia (Mexico), Apadrina un Olivo (Spain), Katla Aero (Sweden) and KITRO (Switzerland).

The next edition of the Forum will be held in Nara, Japan in 2022.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Sustainable First Signs Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism as Launch Partner

 500 321 wttc2
By:

Sustainable First Signs Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism as Launch PartnerLondon, United Kingdom, November 2, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Sustainable First announced today that it has become a signatory and launch partner of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism.

The Declaration unites travel and tourism behind a common set of pathways for climate action, aligning the sector with global commitments and catalysing collaborative solutions to the many challenges facing businesses and destinations globally.

The Glasgow Declaration will be officially launched at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) on the 4th of November 2021 and encourages the acceleration of climate action in tourism by securing commitments to reduce emissions in tourism by at least 50% over the next decade, and achieve Net Zero as soon as possible before 2050.

“The time for climate action is now and everyone in the industry has an important role to play. We work closely with the brilliant UNWTO and UNEP team that lead the One Planet Network programme and are thrilled to be launch partners of this important initiative.

The message is clear, we need a unified approach from the sector in order to accelerate climate action and therefore we extend the invitation to every tourism Business, Destination or Supporting Organisation to join us signing the Declaration and be a part of the solution.” said Mafalda Borea, CEO of Sustainable First.

The Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism brings together the latest research and global expertise to galvanise climate action. It will be hosted within the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme’s website, supported by Recommended Actions for tourism stakeholders across the world to consider as part of their action planning, alongside other resources. As the declaration states: “A just transition to Net Zero before 2050 will only be possible if tourism’s recovery accelerates the adoption of sustainable consumption and production, and redefines our future success to consider not only economic value but rather the regeneration of ecosystems, biodiversity and communities.”

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

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

About  Sustainable First
Sustainable First is a sustainable tourism platform that features truly sustainable tourism destinations, accommodations & businesses and links the impact their initiatives have in their local communities to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals they are working towards.

Sustainable First inspires actions and strategies for moving towards a more sustainable pattern of development in tourism providing prosperity and opportunities for all. #BeSustainableFirst

About  the  One  Planet  Network  Sustainable  Tourism Programme
The  One  Planet  Sustainable  Tourism Programme  has  the  overall  objective  to  enhance  the  sustainable development impacts of the tourism sector by 2030,  by  developing,  promoting  and  scaling  up  sustainable consumption  and  production practices  that  boost  the  efficient  use  of natural  resources  while  producing less  waste  and  addressing  the  challenges  of  climate  change,  loss  of  biodiversity  and  pollution.  The Sustainable  Tourism  Programme  is  part  of  the  One  Planet  network,  a  multi-stakeholder  partnership  to implement  SDG  12  on Sustainable  Consumption and  Production.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

A Feast for the Senses: W Hotels Starts a New Scene with the Debut of W Xiamen

 840 509 wttc2
By:
WHO_XMNWH_HEAT_Bar_03.jpg
W Xiamen HEAT Bar

W Hotels Worldwide, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, today announces the opening of W Xiamen. Owned by Powerlong Group, the hotel is set in Xiamen’s trendy, downtown East Business District where sunset reveals an edgy, creative street culture and an upscale dining scene. This makes it the ideal locale for a design-led hotel that provides guests the ultimate insider access to all the design, fashion, fuel and music in its destination.

“Xiamen is a dynamic and highly charged city with a youthful energy and drive that is an ideal fit for the W Hotels brand,” said Tom Jarrold, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “Our playful and intriguing nature comes to life through immersive art and design, Happenings like live music performances and our Whatever/Whenever service, which we know will be embraced by local creatives and international travelers alike.”

Look + Listen
The hotel’s design by Hirsch Bedner Associates pays tribute to Xiamen’s tropical surroundings, natural beauty of its harbor and its transformation from an industrial port city to a modern music mecca. Here, the mixing of people over millennia has inspired an idiosyncratic culture that embraces wildly varied musical forms and young, rebellious attitudes which W Xiamen captures through show-stopping digital installations and specially commissioned art pieces.

At W the Store, the iconic look of Gaojia opera singers is reimagined as contemporary art, with hypnotic faces rendered in oil paint on curved metal walls. Before stepping into the Living Room (W’s signature take on the lobby), guests find themselves in an electric forest made of neon glass pillars, their hushed stillness contrasted with sudden bursts of flute notes played every time guests approach the lobby centerpiece — an interactive art piece inspired by the musical instruments displayed at a local organ museum.

Among the highlights of W Xiamen’s 293 guest rooms and suites are feature walls that use digitally rendered artworks to bring the city’s tropical nature indoors by means of RGB (red-green-blue) illustrations that work as a color puzzle with pieces falling into place once the ambient light shifts from one color to the next, as well as consoles and coffee tables inspired by Bo Bing, a popular local dice game. The Extreme WOW Suite is a 262-square-meter contemporary art-filled venue that sets the scene for private parties. An expansive entertainment area is anchored by a plush L-shaped sofa, and the suite’s party trick activates with a flick of a switch, amping up the drama with underwater ripples across the room.

Touch + Taste
W Xiamen’s four distinctive dining concepts are set to captivate travelers and locals with innovative fare and eclectic beverage offerings. At HEAT, the destination bar by WET (the pool), music curator Marc Lussier spins as guests sip on Champagne in a hot tub. On the menu are modern street food-inspired bar bites and cocktails that pay homage to the island’s ancient Amoy heritage. Nestled within the lobby-level Living Room is SOUNDSCAPE, a socially-responsible community hub to recharge with organic brews and healthy beverages to the soundtrack of W-curated music.

Thrill-seekers can dive into a fusion of Cantonese and Minnan flavors at MIN YEN, which hosts private Cognac tastings paired with mystery menus. For all-day dining, all roads lead to NINE, an upscale food hall by day with nine interactive stations that tempt with fresh baked goods and handmade noodles during the day. At night, NINE serves premium steaks and seafood. In the afternoons, a sophisticated HI TEA @ NINE highlights Fujian’s tea culture with a selection of rare infusions, along with customized craft beers.

GATHER
The hotel’s 1,000 square-meter Great Room with avant-garde art and cutting-edge technology features a 110-square-meter LED screen, the largest in the city, to create events like no other. Color-changing starburst ceiling bulbs add extra sparkle to every celebration. W Xiamen also offers highly customizable Studios for smaller events with décor featuring floral resin tables and abstract oil paintings, a reminder that art and commerce often go hand in hand.

DETOX.RETOX.REPEAT.
At FIT, W Xiamen’s 24/7 fitness center, a dramatic speaker wall keeps both casual gym-goers and fitness obsessives in the groove. WET — a rainbow-hued aqualand — features a mosaic wall reflecting gently filtered sunlight, sending a prism of lilacs and canary yellows dancing on the surface of the pool. AWAY SPA sits on the highest floor and offers a tranquil antidote to Xiamen’s hustle and bustle with calming spaces inspired by a colony of egrets. In addition to couple’s massages, manicures and pedicures, the hotel’s signature spa treatment, Egret Does Massage soothes the body and mind with a pampering foot ritual followed by the gentle application of essential oils using feathers in a light motion resembling an egret’s flight.

“With W’s arrival in Xiamen, luxury-minded jetsetters with a passion for music and design will find all the things that make Xiamen such a compelling destination,” said Henry Lee, President, Greater China, Marriott International. “To make it possible for the local and international tastemakers to experience this forward-looking city through W lens, we distilled the most exciting sounds, flavors and ideas and interpreted them through iconic design, visionary dining and carefully-curated music.”

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit wxiamen.com.

About W Hotels Worldwide
Born from the bold attitude and 24/7 culture of New York City, W Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., has disrupted and redefined the hospitality scene for over two decades. Trailblazing its way around the globe, with nearly 60 hotels, W is defying expectations and breaking the norms of traditional luxury wherever the iconic W sign lands. With a mission to fuel guests’ lust for life, W ignites an obsessive desire to soak it in, live it up and hit repeat. The brand’s provocative design, iconic Whatever/Whenever service and buzzing Living Rooms create an experience that is often copied but never matched. Innovative, inspiring and infectious, the brand’s super-charged energy celebrates guests’ endless appetite to discover what’s new/next in each destination, to see more, feel more, go longer, stay later. For more information on W Hotels, visit whotels.com/theangle or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. W Hotels Worldwide is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.

About Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of roughly 7,800 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.

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Expert Strategist to Oversee Nova Asset Management’s Development

 500 299 wttc2
By:

Expert Strategist to Oversee Nova Asset Management’s Development - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, November 2, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Patrick Basset, former Accor Regional COO, joins NOVA Asset Management to Lead Post-Covid Recovery. As countries across Southeast Asia begin to announce plans for a larger-scale opening to international guests, NOVA Asset Management is positioning itself for the anticipated surge in demand by bringing on board former Accor Southeast & Northeast Asia Chief Operating Officer, Patrick Basset, as a Senior Partner.

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

“Patrick will bring a whole new set of perspectives to the table,” said Alexandre Bystrzejewski, Managing Director at NOVA. “The recovery starts now and it is essential to have someone of his experience, vision, and thoughts on board to accompany our clients throughout the entire hospitality journey. Patrick not only brings his formidable know-how with him, but also an amazing record of successful strategic thinking and strong relationships with both owners and operators which will certainly be beneficial for us and our clients.”

The architect of Accor’s success in Southeast Asia

The move represents a significant boost for NOVA, as Patrick brings more than 30 years’ experience in leading and driving growth for Accor in the region, taking a company with just 50 properties and helping to create a behemoth with more than 1,200. As the post-pandemic recovery gathers pace, this strong background makes Patrick an ideal fit to oversee development and strategy for NOVA and its clients.

“I have spent most of my professional life in big organizations and I’m excited to join NOVA Asset Management – a vibrant, established hospitality consulting platform that has a diverse and dynamic portfolio of assets under management. Not only do we share common backgrounds and culture, but we also share a common mission – that is to support and secure hotel owners’ interests during the entire development and management cycle,” said Patrick.

Frederic Garnier, Executive Vice President at NOVA is equally confident that the acquisition of Patrick’s services will allow the organization to excel in the coming months. “Having a deep understanding of the industry is crucial in making ‘right decisions’ at the ‘right time’, and this is what we do at NOVA,” he said. “By leveraging Patrick’s extensive experience, we can help clients navigate through challenges as they arise, or even better, anticipate them.”

Tourism sector set for rebound

The indications are that tourism will come back, and NOVA believes that when it does, there will be millions of travelers choosing Southeast Asia as their destination, where NOVA operates and benefits from a thorough understanding of what types of positioning and/or brands will lead to the most successful investments.

Patrick comments, “I understand the key challenges that hotel owners and investors face. Some invest for monetary reasons, while some others are in it for the legacy that they’ll leave behind. Whatever the reason, not everyone has this type of in-house experience, especially when it comes to select one of the numerous brands available on the market, to ensure it will fit the right product and the actual market demand. And I think that I have been fortunate to develop a deep and multi-faceted understanding of those markets and commercial challenges from all stakeholders’ perspectives.”

“I can’t help fix the condition of the market, but we at NOVA can help owners and developers navigate the waters. How can you get through this recovery? By using our skills and proven methods to design and implement both short term tactics and long term strategies to achieve your objectives,” Patrick elaborated.

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

About NOVA Asset Management
Nova Asset Management, with offices in Bangkok, Jakarta, and Singapore, is a 360-degree Asset Management company that represents and provides expert services to its clients and partners in making strategic decisions for their real estate investments, development or re-development needs, and operations including hotels and mixed-use properties, education centers, and restaurants.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thailand Yacht Show 2nd Annual Event in Gulf of Thailand

 500 273 wttc2
By:

Thailand Yacht Show 2nd Annual Event in Gulf of Thailand - TRAVELINDEXPattaya, Thailand, November 2, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / In line with the dramatic recent resurgence of the leisure boating industry – boosted, somewhat perversely perhaps, by the two-year pandemic – the organisers of the Thailand Yacht Show are delighted to announce a significant development in their yacht show portfolio. Verventia have just agreed a new partnership with the owners of Ocean Marina in Pattaya to build an important extension of Thailand’s very own, six-year-old Yacht Show – a second annual showcase in the beautiful Gulf of Thailand, just down the road from Bangkok, next door to the emerging boating markets in Cambodia and Vietnam, and a short sail from the massive potential of Hainan, Hong Kong and Greater China.

With the enthusiastic support of local and regional dealers of the best-known global yachting brands, as well as Thailand’s government – all very keen to see the leisure boating industry expand on the Eastern seaboard – the Thailand Yacht Show from next year onwards will be staged in both Phuket and Pattaya. The two parts of the show are being carefully planned in consultation with its long-standing exhibitors, and especially with regards to timing; in a normal year, they will likely be held at different ends of the season – at the beginning, in November, in Pattaya, and towards the end, in March, in Phuket.

For next year, however, things are still far from being normal; organisers Verventia are keeping their promise to be cautious, watching the ongoing pandemic-related tourism restrictions carefully, hopeful like everyone of their gradual easing, but listening to and liaising closely with both industry and government stakeholders before making any premature declarations. If all goes as well as is currently hoped, both events are now looking likely to take place in March/April – avoiding the Songkran festivities, of course.

Napong Paripontpochanapisuti, Managing Director of Ocean Property Company, the owners and operators of Ocean Marina, said today: “There is very strong demand for boating in the Gulf of Thailand now, especially from people living in and around Bangkok, and we can only see this getting stronger. Ocean Marina has for many years been leading the drive to grow boating here, and the idea of a professionally-run boat show going forwards is exactly what we need to take things to the next level.”

He continued: “We are therefore highly delighted to be working with the organisers of the Thailand Yacht Show for a second, very important, part of their well-established international event. We like their plans to bring in new boating consumers from China, Vietnam, Korea and the whole of the north-eastern part of the region via the shores of the Gulf – this is exactly what our clients in the industry on the Eastern Seaboard want to hear. We look forward to a long and fruitful collaboration with Verventia, and are very excited about how things are developing on this side of Thailand as well as in Phuket, and in the whole region generally.”

The Phuket show will feature many of the luxury superyachts that will be coming in bigger and bigger numbers every year, now that the infamous superyacht charter license has finally been brought into the field of play – thanks to the unflagging efforts of Verventia and the superyacht committee of the TMBA over the past 6 years since the launch of TYS, which was initiated by the government for this very purpose. .

Simpson Marine, a founding partner of the Thailand Yacht Show and all Verventia’s three regional shows, is invariably the biggest exhibitor, and next year for the long-awaited 6th edition of TYS will have an extraordinary display of at least 10 yachts, showcasing the latest models from Aquila, Beneteau, Bluegame, Fairline, Lagoon and Sanlorenzo.

Simpson Marine Country Manager for Thailand, Howard Prime, said: “This is the news we’ve been waiting for. We’ve all been through a pretty difficult time over the past couple of years, but I have to say sales are picking up well now – and I believe this is reflected by many of our colleagues in the yachting industry. We’ve all been waiting for the Bangkok market for boating to open up, and now it’s finally starting to happen. The idea of keeping the continuity of one professional yacht show but spread over the two main destinations in Thailand is an excellent one. We applaud the decision of Ocean Marina to keep the faith and bring in the region’s best boat show organisers to help drive the market here as well as in Phuket.”

Andy Treadwell, CEO of Verventia, is also highly encouraged: “Whilst all our exhibitors have thankfully been doing extraordinarily well over the past 18 months, it has been very hard for us, having had to cancel no less than 5 shows. But this new agreement with Ocean Marina achieves an important strategic objective – the crucial break-through for our exhibitors into the Bangkok and Rest-of-Thailand markets that we’ve been trying to attract to Phuket for the past 6 years.” Asked by many professional observers – even one from the USA – to comment on the latest attempt to sabotage TYS and start another new show in Phuket, Treadwell responded: “All our wonderful exhibitors have said it all for us over the last few months. We don’t need to say anything more.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

From G20 to COP26 UNWTO Through Critical Week

 500 308 wttc2
By:

From G20 to COP26 UNWTO Through Critical Week - TRAVELINDEXGlasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom, November 2, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / At the start of a crucial week for global governance, tourism’s relevance will be part of the discussions at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26), just as it was in Rome when G20 leaders met to coordinate plans for sustainable and inclusive recovery.

In Italy, UNWTO succeeded in placing tourism’s importance in the spotlight. The leaders of some of the world’s biggest economies endorsed the G20 Rome Guidelines for the Future of Tourism, committing themselves to taking action to fulfil its objectives, particularly to accelerate the return of safe and seamless travel and the digital transformation of the sector.

The G20 represent 70% of world tourism and are in a natural position to lead tourism’s recovery

The G20 Rome Leaders’ Declaration states: “We will continue to support a rapid, resilient, inclusive and sustainable recovery of the tourism sector”, with a special emphasis on “safe mobility and seamless travel and sustainability and digitalization.” Concluding the G20 leaders called on their Ministers of Tourism to build on exiting collaboration with UNWTO and other international organizations.

From Rome to London

“The G20 represent 70% of world tourism and are in a natural position to lead tourism’s recovery”, UNWTO Secretary-General said. Mr Pololikashvili stressed the need for “coordination, strong actions, political and financial support for tourism’s transition to greater inclusivity and sustainability, which we will be addressing tomorrow at our Minsters’ Summit during World Travel Market in London.”

‘Investing in Tourism’s Sustainable Future’ is the theme for this year’s Ministers’ Summit on 2 November, organized by UNWTO, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and WTM, gathering over 20 tourism ministers leading private sector operators. In London, UNWTO will make clear that tourism will only be able to recover and meet its climate action commitments if it is given the proper political and financial backing.

With the importance of funding and investments made clear, and with the G20 Tourism Ministers also having welcomed the Recommendations for the Transition to a Green Travel and Tourism Economy, developed by UNWTO and the G20 Tourism Working Group, the focus will then shift to Glasgow later this week. UNWTO will play an active role in climate action discussions and will launch the Glasgow Declaration, a commitment to accelerating the sector’s shift to net-zero. The Declaration already counts on more than 150 signatories from every part of the sector and of every size.

Tourism’s voice at COP26

Tourism is now an established part of the UN agenda, recognized for its ability to contribute to all the Sustainable Development Goals. At the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, UNWTO will be bridging the gap between governments and the private sector to ensure tourism lives up to its climate action responsibilities.

Leading the main tourism related event at COP26, UNWTO has gathered hundreds of private sector operators from across the world to commit to the Glasgow Declaration.  Spearheaded by UNWTO, this Declaration is aimed at aligning the diverse tourism sector behind a single, overarching goal of halving emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050 at the latest. The Declaration is to be implemented in collaboration with the Travel Foundation and within the framework of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme.

First published at TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

SANDALS LIFTS CURTAIN ON NEW-LOOK NASSAU RESORT

 1080 494 wttc2
By:

Sandals Resorts International (SRI) has revealed details of the new-look Sandals Royal Bahamian resort in Nassau, scheduled to re-open on Jan. 27 after a multi-million-dollar transformation. From new rooms to a beach lounge area and private island hideaway, the re-imagined resort has been three years in the making.

Designed to celebrate the “easy-going spirit of The Bahamas” through locally inspired experiences and “a thoughtful, modern approach to luxury,” the expansive resort, spa and private island also reflects a larger strategy across the Sandals organization to authentically showcase the unique Caribbean destinations where its resorts operate, according to SRI Executive Chairman Adam Stewart.

The reimagined Sandals Royal Bahamian will feature:

• New suites & Island Village: Sandals Royal Bahamian has elevated its array of accommodation options with the addition of the brand’s iconic river suites in the freshly named East & West Bays, over 200 fully renovated rooms and suites, and the all-new Island Village. The new pastel-colored village was inspired by the Bahamian archipelago and features butler style villas each named after an island in The Bahamas with their own private pool.

• Coconut Grove: A new addition to the property is Coconut Grove, an expansive lounge area extending Bahamian beach vibes to the centre of the resort both day and night. Shaded by coconut palms, the new setting boasts chic seating options, live music & entertainment, unparalleled views of the sea and three all-new food trucks. All Sandals ‘firsts,’ guests can grab a sweet treat or coffee at Sweets n Tings, indulge in locally inspired Bahamian fusion cuisine and fresh seafood at Coco Queen, or opt for an Italian classic at Bahama Mamma Mia.

• Private Island hideaway: Deserted beaches and colourful coral reefs await at the resort’s secluded private island, Sandals Barefoot Cay. Couples can sail to the island hideaway and spend the day reconnecting on the quiet shores featuring a beach bar, whimsical seating, outdoor shower, and new restaurant, Aralia House, serving up fresh seafood from boat to table and authentic Caribbean delicacies.

• Early check-Ins and traditional evening ritual: For early arrivals, Sandals Royal Bahamian welcomes early check-ins with their new programming, The Breakaway. Upon arrival, a dedicated hostess will lead guests to the relaxation lounge with a signature cocktail in-hand to freshen up and head straight to the pool while taking care of the rest. At sunset, couples can participate in a traditional conch blowing ritual said to welcome love and good fortune. The ritual is accompanied by rake and scrape music and Bahamian cocktails with a sea breeze.

• New dining options: Sandals Royal Bahamian will introduce five new restaurants, including La Plume for French cuisine; traditional British Pub The Queen’s Pearl; Kanoo for cuisine that celebrates the Caribbean region, Butch’s Island Chop House for hand-cut steaks, fish fillets and seafood prepared to order, and fresh sushi spot Soy. In all, Sandals Royal Bahamian will have a total of 13 dining options.

“We’re dialing up the luxury and leaning into the easy-going spirit of The Bahamas…” says Stewart. “From an entirely new village of pastel-coloured private villas and Coconut Grove, our innovative new outdoor lounge and entertainment area to our offshore island that has been transformed to a romantic hideaway, every moment, every point of guest touch and experience embodies this beautiful destination.”

Coconut Grove, Sandals Royal Bahamian

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News