Global Travel News

Bangkok, Thailand, September 11, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Cooling Tower at Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit presents “Beef Tortilla Kebabs” as this month’s featured dish, bringing together layers of seasoned ground beef and tortilla for a delicious twist on a classic skewer.

Grilled to perfection, the kebabs offer a satisfying combination of smoky, savoury flavours, complemented by a refreshing yoghurt and cucumber sauce that adds a cool and creamy finish.

Perfect for sharing and pairing with your favourite beverages, the Beef Tortilla Kebabs make a flavourful addition to a relaxed evening at Cooling Tower.

Beef Tortilla Kebabs
THB 360++ per dish (2 skewers)

Available from 1 September until 31 October 2026

Enjoy 20% off when paired with the Beverages of the Month

Cooling Tower Rooftop Bar
Level 34, Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit
Open: 5:00 pm – midnight
Happy Hour: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

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Ke Ga Bay, Vietnam, September 10, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Azerai Ke Ga Bay and Azerai La Residence, Hue have earned places among Asia’s elite for service excellence, ranking No. 9 and No. 10 respectively in the “Top 10 Hotels for Service” category in Smart Travel Asia’s Best in Travel Poll 2026.

The results, drawn from votes by international frequent travelers, appear in the September edition of the 23-year-old online magazine, long regarded as an important bellwether of travel trends across the region. Among the other top winners in the category were Raffles Sentosa Singapore, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok and The Peninsula Hong Kong.

Both Azerai hotels are celebrated for delivering the attentive, personalized service that defines the boutique collection founded by legendary hotelier Adrian Zecha. Guests experience warm Vietnamese hospitality through discreet service, anticipatory care and thoughtful touches that create meaningful stays – whether in the peaceful coastal setting of Ke Ga Bay or amid the cultural heritage of the former imperial capital.

Azerai Ke Ga Bay, an all-suites-and-villas resort, is located a comfortable 2.5-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City on a new highway. It sits on 4.5 hectares of lush gardens, framed to the east by Hon Ba Island with its historic lighthouse and to the west by soaring sand dunes.

Azerai La Residence, Hue is centered around a 1930 colonial mansion originally built for the French Resident Superieur. Its distinctive streamline moderne art deco architecture features long horizontal lines and nautical details.

“This ranking is a direct reflection of our team’s genuine care and commitment to every guest,” said Julian Moore, General Manager of Azerai Ke Ga Bay. “At Azerai Ke Ga Bay we strive to offer gentle luxury and personalized service that feels both effortless and heartfelt, allowing visitors to truly connect with the beauty and tranquility of our coastal home.”

“We are deeply honored by this recognition from Smart Travel Asia readers,” added Minh Phan Trong, General Manager of Azerai La Residence, Hue. “Exceptional service is at the heart of everything we do. Our team’s passion for sharing Hue’s rich heritage through warm, attentive hospitality continues to define the guest experience at our historic property.”

This latest recognition follows earlier honors this year from Travel + Leisure, in which both Azerai properties were named among Vietnam’s finest upcountry hotels (Azerai Ke Ga Bay at No. 5 and Azerai La Residence, Hue at No. 6), with Minh also recognized as one of Vietnam’s top General Managers.

Azerai Ke Ga Bay has also been selected as a finalist nominee in the “Best Beach Resort of the Year” in the Gourmet VIetnam Awards 2026.

The Azerai brand is known for simple elegance, refined design and discreet, attentive service in places of unique beauty and cultural interest.

ABOUT AZERAI

Azerai is a distinctive story and brand of resorts offering guests 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.

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Bangkok, Thailand, September 08, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Colette Bangkok celebrates its first anniversary with a special edition of Les Amis de Colette: La Série, bringing together acclaimed chefs, guest bartenders, and new menu creations for a one-night-only celebration on 25 September 2026.

From 6 PM to 10:30 PM, guests can enjoy exclusive collaborative dishes, guest cocktails, and a first taste of new additions to Colette’s evolving dinner menu.

From the kitchen, Chef Chris Beverley welcomes Chef Chet Adkins of JUA Bangkok for a collaboration that combines the spirit of a French bistro with the energy of a modern izakaya. Highlights include JUA favourites such as the Chicken Katsu Sando and Uni Pasta, alongside new Colette dishes including the Salmon & Lobster Ravioli and Bouillabaisse.

Behind the bar, Colette’s Stan Andruskevic is joined by John Robert Villanueva of Moonshine Phuket, Diogo Da Silva of Fat Chili Restaurants & Bars, and Est and Jonus of Consul Club. Guests can discover a range of signature cocktails, from the tropical The Manila Galleon and dessert-inspired Moonshine Strawberry Cheesecake to the coffee-laced Obsidian Negroni and Consul Club’s inventive Hop(E)s. Together, the line-up showcases the creativity and craftsmanship of Thailand’s vibrant cocktail community.

About Chef Chet Adkins, JUA Bangkok

Chet Lewis Adkins is an award-winning Executive Chef with over 20 years of international experience in luxury hospitality and fine dining. Known for founding JUA Izakaya – featured in The New York Times and Condé Nast Traveler – Chet has excelled in multi-outlet operations and menu innovation across Mediterranean, Thai, Japanese, and Western cuisines. Having worked in Bangkok, Sydney, and Mexico City, Chet is renowned for his disciplined, guest-focused approach. His innovative culinary concepts have earned recognition, including accolades from Thailand Tatler’s Best Restaurants and BK Magazine’s Top Tables.

About Chef Chris Beverley, Colette Bangkok

With more than 20 years of international culinary experience, Chef Chris Beverley leads Colette Bangkok with a philosophy rooted in classical French technique, exceptional ingredients, and relaxed hospitality. His menus celebrate seasonality, craftsmanship, and the joy of sharing good food.

About Chef Chet Adkins, JUA Bangkok

Chef Chet Adkins is an award-winning chef and founder of JUA Bangkok, bringing more than 20 years of international experience across fine dining and luxury hospitality. Known for his innovative approach to Japanese cuisine, his work has been featured by The New York Times and Condé Nast Traveler.

About Stan Andruskevic, Colette Bangkok

With over a decade of international bartending experience, Stan Andruskevic is Head of Drinks at KROMO Bangkok and leads the beverage programme at Colette Bistro & Bar. Known for his creative approach to modern cocktails, he crafts flavour-driven drinks inspired by global influences, craftsmanship, and discovery.

About Les Amis de Colette: La Série

Les Amis de Colette: La Série is Colette’s ongoing monthly collaborative series that brings together inspiring chefs and bartenders from Bangkok and beyond. Each edition celebrates creativity, and the spirit of hospitality through unique dining experiences, guest shifts, chef collaborations, and one-night-only menus that invite guests to discover something new with every visit.

Event Details

• Date: 25 September 2026
• Time: 6 pm – 10:30 pm
• Venue: Colette Bangkok

SAVE YOUR SEAT!

About Colette Bangkok

A French inspired Bistro & Bar where timeless elegance meets the vibrant energy of Bangkok. Located at the entrance of Sukhumvit Soi 29, in the heart of Bangkok, Colette is within easy walking distance of BTS Phrom Phong and Asok stations, as well as MRT Sukhumvit. Drawing inspiration from Colette, our muse of Thai-French heritage and a symbol of the art de vivre, reimagines classic French cuisine with modern flair, crafted from premium and locally sourced ingredients. Our dining zone offers a full spectrum of French culinary tradition. The bar area set the evening scene with curated cocktails, orange wines, and bar bites. For those who love to dine al fresco, our terrace offers a breezy setting to soak in the city’s pulse.

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Oxford, United Kingdom, September 08, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / What if the most powerful diplomacy of our time happens not in embassies or at summit tables, but over a shared meal? That was the question Ambassador Dr. Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles put to delegates today as he delivered the keynote address at the Oxford Global Diplomat Summit & Dialogue at the Lord Mayor’s Cabinet Office, in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Oxford.

Speaking on the theme “Tourism as a Bridge Between Nations,” St.Ange made the case that tourism deserves to be understood as far more than an economic sector. It is, he argued, a daily act of human connection that can challenge prejudice, strengthen peace, and reshape how nations see one another.

“At its best, tourism allows us to meet each other as people,” St.Ange told the gathering. “And at a time when the world is more connected than ever, but also deeply divided in many ways, that matters.”

The numbers are enormous — but they are not the whole story.

St.Ange opened with figures that few in the room could ignore. The World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts that in 2026, travel and tourism will contribute around $12 trillion to the global economy — almost 10 percent of global GDP. The sector is expected to support roughly 376 million jobs, or about one in every nine jobs worldwide.

Yet he was quick to push past the statistics. Why, he asked, do we so often reduce tourism to a scoreboard of arrivals?

“Behind every international arrival is a person crossing a border, a culture being encountered, and a community being seen. And sometimes, a prejudice being challenged,” he said.

The difference between knowing about a country and actually knowing its people, he argued, is the difference tourism can make. A nation becomes the home of the taxi driver who spoke about his children, and an unfamiliar culture becomes the family who welcomed a visitor to their table.

“That is cultural diplomacy,” St.Ange said. “Not governments telling people to understand one another. But people discovering one another for themselves.”

Connectivity that outlasts the holiday.

St.Ange linked tourism to a broader argument about connectivity, noting that improved air links, maritime routes, roads and digital infrastructure do far more than move visitors. They connect businesses to markets, families to one another, and students to universities.

A new air route, he observed, is not simply a tourism statistic. It can become an economic corridor. “The person who visits as a tourist today may return as an investor tomorrow. A student may return as a researcher.”

For small island states, the stakes are especially high. St.Ange cited World Bank figures showing that around 21 percent of Seychelles’ GDP and 27 percent of its employment are concentrated in tourism-related industries. The relationship between tourism and national prosperity, he said, is not theoretical — it is visible every day in the hotel worker, the taxi driver, the fisherman supplying a restaurant, the farmer, the musician, and the family running a guesthouse.

How much value actually stays home?

Here St.Ange turned reflective, and pressed his audience to rethink what success looks like. Visitor numbers matter, he acknowledged, but they cannot be the only measure.

“We also need to ask: How much of the value created by tourism stays in the country? How many local businesses benefit? How many young people find good careers? How much of our culture is protected and celebrated?” he said.

The truth, he added, is that tourism depends on the very things it can destroy if poorly managed — beaches, oceans, forests, wildlife, heritage and communities.

“A hotel can be built in a few years. A coral reef takes generations to develop. A tourist can leave tomorrow. The community remains.”

Sustainability as the condition for growth, not its enemy.

St.Ange rejected the familiar framing that pits environmental protection against economic ambition. Citing the World Bank’s warning that Seychelles’ GDP could be more than 6 percent lower by 2050 without sufficient action on environmental and climate-related risks, he argued that sustainability is precisely what allows growth to continue. The choice is not tourism or the environment. We need both,” he said.

The real question, he suggested, is how destinations can create more value from tourism while placing less pressure on the resources tourism relies upon — through cleaner energy and transport, reduced waste, protected biodiversity, and development that fits within a destination’s environmental limits.

But sustainability is not only ecological. Communities, he stressed, cannot be spectators in their own tourism industry. They must be participants, decision-makers, business owners and beneficiaries. The same applies to culture, which “belongs first to the people who live it” and should never be reduced to a product packaged for visitors.

Why difference is worth protecting.

In one of the address’s sharpest observations, St.Ange warned against the quiet cost of global sameness. The more connected the world becomes, he argued, the more valuable its differences become.

“People do not usually cross oceans to experience exactly what they have at home,” he said. “The future of tourism should not be about making every destination look the same. It should be about allowing every destination to remain unmistakably itself.”

Diplomacy without a negotiating table.

Closing his address, St.Ange returned to his central claim: that tourism moves more than money. It moves ideas, traditions, knowledge and stories — and, sometimes without our noticing, it changes attitudes.

“At a time when much of the world is being encouraged to retreat into camps, tourism asks us to cross a border. When we are told to fear difference, tourism gives us the opportunity to experience it,” he said.

His ambition, he told delegates, should be shared widely: a tourism sector that creates prosperity without sacrificing the future, connects economies without erasing cultures, and opens nations to the world while protecting what makes them unique.

“If we can do that, tourism becomes much more than travel. It becomes diplomacy without a negotiating table. Education without a classroom. Trade with a human face. And ultimately, a bridge between nations — carrying not only travellers, but understanding, opportunity and hope.”

About Alain St.Ange

Ambassador Dr. Alain St.Ange is a Seychelles-born tourism leader whose career spans hotel operations, national tourism marketing, regional destination-building, government leadership, and international advocacy. A former Minister of Tourism and Culture and CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board, he is a recognised figure on the international speakers circuit and the subject of the biography A Life in Tourism. He is also a published author whose books — including Alain St.Ange My Journey — An Autobiography, Alain St.Ange My Journey — Life & Times in Politics, Seychelles What Next?, Seychelles The Cry of A People, Alain & Ginette St Ange — Family Ties, and Seychelles Remembers Karl St.Ange — chronicle Seychelles’ history, political evolution, tourism development, and family legacy, driven by his belief that understanding where we come from deepens our appreciation of who we are.

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Coron, Philippines, September 8, 2026 — The Lind Hotels is set to open The Lind Coron in 2027, marking the homegrown Filipino hospitality brand’s expansion into Palawan and a return to the destination where its story first began.

More than a decade ago, Coron was the company’s first property acquisition and the place where the idea for The Lind Hotels began to take shape. The company later chose Boracay, then a more established tourism destination, to introduce the brand before returning to its original plans for Coron.

The decision gave The Lind Hotels a strong foundation for growth. Over the past decade, The Lind Boracay has become an internationally recognized hotel, earning several accolades and becoming the first hotel in Boracay to be included in the MICHELIN Guide. The opening of The Lind Coron now brings the brand back to where its journey started.

“We have always believed in pioneering rather than following,” said Pierre Henrichs, Chief Operating Officer of The Lind Hotels. “Coron offers a rare combination of natural beauty and untapped potential. Our goal is not only to be part of its growth, but to help shape its future by bringing a new standard of hospitality to the destination.”

Surrounded by limestone formations, clear turquoise waters, hidden lagoons and rich marine life, The Lind Coron will give guests the freedom to experience the destination at their own pace, whether exploring the islands or spending a quiet day at the resort.

The resort will feature 91 rooms and villas designed for privacy, comfort and time together. Private villas will have their own dipping pools for slow afternoons, along with a dedicated Villa Host providing thoughtful, personalized service throughout the stay.

The Lind Coron will also be a culinary destination, with Yím, its signature modern Thai restaurant, and Crust, set at the heart of the Main House by the infinity pool. With sweeping sea views and a mix of indoor and outdoor seating, Crust will be a natural gathering place throughout the day, serving Mediterranean flavors alongside a selection of locally crafted beverages.

For time away from the day’s adventures, The Lind Coron brings the Philippines’ premier name in relaxation to Palawan with the opening of The Spa Wellness Coron. As the country’s first spa brand to earn Superbrand status, it offers guests a serene retreat to recharge through award-winning holistic care in one of the nation’s most breathtaking destinations.

The resort will also have its own dive center, operated by one of the Philippines’ diving pioneers, with experience working with some of the country’s leading hospitality brands. Guests can spend their days island-hopping, discovering hidden lagoons or diving among vibrant reefs. World War II shipwrecks just in front of the property bring one of Coron’s most distinctive underwater experiences within easy reach.

Indoor and outdoor spaces will make the most of the natural surroundings for celebrations, events and meetings. The Gallery, an indoor venue for up to 200 guests, will offer panoramic sea views, while The Cove brings gatherings outdoors. At the resort’s highest point, the Roof Deck opens to 360-degree views of the sea, mountains and lush greenery, creating a memorable setting for wedding ceremonies, proposals and special occasions.

“We aim to create a resort that belongs in its setting rather than competes with it,” added Henrichs. “We want guests to experience the beauty, authenticity and adventure of Coron while enjoying the hospitality and service they have come to associate with The Lind Hotels.”

For The Lind Hotels, the opening of The Lind Coron brings a vision more than a decade in the making full circle. Coron was where the idea for the brand first took shape, and in 2027, it will finally become home to The Lind, continuing its journey of Crafting Experiences, Creating Memories in a destination that has always been part of its story.

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Hanoi, Vietnam, September 4, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / As part of its 125th anniversary celebrations, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, in collaboration with The Muse Artspace, presents “Indochina and After,” an exhibition exploring the continuing evolution of Vietnamese art from the Indochina era to contemporary practice.

For 125 years, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has stood as a living legend in the heart of Vietnam’s capital, welcoming business leaders, celebrated personalities and heads of state, while serving as a meeting place for history, culture and art. The exhibition continues this spirit, opening a dialogue between heritage and contemporary creativity within the hotel’s timelessly elegant setting, while adding a cultural highlight to the hotel’s anniversary programme throughout 2026.

Inspired by the question of what followed the legacy of Indochina-era art, the exhibition does not regard Indochina as an endpoint in history. Instead, it turns to later generations of artists who draw on Vietnamese cultural roots to develop their own visual languages and express these values through a contemporary lens.

On view from Aug. 17 to Oct. 8 in the hotel’s Opera Wing lobby, the exhibition brings together three distinguished Vietnamese artists: Phan Cam Thuong, Ly Truc Son and Do Thi Kim Doan, each presenting a distinctive perspective and artistic practice.

The exhibition’s curator, Van Vi, said: “The three artists meet at one shared point: their ability to transform Vietnamese cultural values into a visual language for the present.”

Artist and cultural scholar Phan Cam Thuong presents a series of lacquer paintings inspired by Vietnam’s ancient cultural heritage. In these works, memory and traditional symbols are distilled through imagery, materiality and visual rhythm.

Ly Truc Son, who spent many years working in France and Germany, developed his painterly language through engagement with the aesthetic spirit of Indochina. His paintings move beyond local boundaries, connecting Vietnamese art with broader currents of modern painting.

Do Thi Kim Doan presents her “Garden Corner” series, capturing the quiet beauty of everyday Vietnamese family life in lacquer works rich in emotion and depth.

George Koumendakos, General Manager of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, said: “Art and culture have always been integral to the identity of Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi. As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, we are proud to present ‘Indochina and After’ as an expression of our longstanding commitment to preserving heritage while creating a space where contemporary creativity can continue to flourish and inspire.”

Presented as one of the highlights of the hotel’s “125 Years of a Legend” programme, the exhibition honours the enduring artistic legacy of the Indochina period through a contemporary perspective. It brings the richness of Vietnamese art and culture to both local audiences and international visitors.

ABOUT SOFITEL LEGEND METROPOLE HANOI
A prominent fixture in the heart of Hanoi since 1901, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has a long tradition as a luxury venue for prestigious events and a popular rendezvous for business and leisure travelers such as playwrights, ambassadors, royalty and heads of state. Blending colonial heritage with neo-classical luxury and a dash of modernity, the hotel is the first Sofitel Legend in the world and the recipient of numerous international awards for its fine service and enchanting ambiance. This legendary landmark has contributed to the richness of local heritage.

The hotel includes 358 rooms that are divided into two wings – the Heritage Wing, dating back to 1901, and the neo-classical Opera Wing. There are three legendary suites that are named after famous residents and visitors to the hotel (Graham Greene, Charlie Chaplin, Somerset Maugham).

With six exquisite restaurants and bars, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi offers a diverse array of culinary experiences: Le Club Bar treats guests to its signature Metropole brasserie and iconic high tea; Le Beaulieu presents contemporary French fine-dining at its finest; Spice Garden offers elevated Vietnamese cuisine; meanwhile, angelina – Hanoi’s bespoke bar-lounge-restaurant delivers a world-class beverage experience alongside imaginative comfort food; La Terrasse brings Parisian-inspired al fresco dining to the sidewalks of Hanoi; and the Bamboo Bar invites guests to unwind in a serene Indochine setting by the pool.

Guests can indulge in luxurious facilities featuring lush gardens, a tranquil heated outdoor pool, a well-equipped fitness centre, and full-service meeting rooms. Rejuvenating treatments await at the enchanting Le Spa du Metropole, while curated treasures can be found at the hotel’s luxury gift shop, La Boutique, and its gourmet deli and patisserie, L’Epicerie.

ABOUT SOFITEL LEGEND
A pioneer of French luxury hospitality since 1964, Sofitel today embodies heartfelt and committed luxury, with a French zest. Alongside its 120 elegant and unique properties, the brand inaugurated in 2009 a collection of emblematic hotels under the Sofitel Legend banner: unrivalled luxury addresses with a legendary heritage and highly personalised service. Each stay is timeless, offering sumptuous surroundings, renowned restaurants and modern comforts for an inspiring luxury experience. Noble, rare and soulful, Sofitel Legend hotels captivate with their architectural beauty, breathtaking views and mesmerizing ambience.

Sofitel Legend now comprises 5 hotels, each more magnificent than the last, set within beautiful and culturally-rich destinations around the world: Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena, Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi and Sofitel Legend People’s Grand Hotel Xi’an.

Sofitel Legend is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,500 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL – Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.

ABOUT THE MUSE ARTSPACE
The Muse Artspace is a Hanoi-based curatorial platform, focusing on modern and contemporary Vietnamese art practices, particularly artists with distinctive cultural depth and visual languages.

The Muse’s approach is rooted in research and context. Rather than simply arranging artworks, each project places them in a meaningful relationship with art history, the artist’s own narrative, the exhibition space and contemporary life. Guided by this approach, The Muse has realised more than 30 exhibition projects, alongside research initiatives, art tours and professional sharing sessions. Its work focuses on practices associated with lacquer, silk and painting that carry the cultural memory of Vietnam.

With “Indochina and After,” this approach extends to a particular historical context: lacquer works inspired by Vietnamese culture and viewed through the lens of modern art, offering evidence of a living continuity within today’s artistic landscape.

ABOUT CURATOR VAN VI
Van Vi is the curator of The Muse Artspace and has organised more than 20 fine art exhibitions, contributing to the development of an emerging role in Vietnam’s art scene: that of the independent curator.

Van Vi’s exhibitions often pose open-ended questions, inviting audiences to engage alongside practising artists. Her notable projects include Retro, an exhibition combining fashion and painting; A Walk through the World of Lacquer; Within the Flow of Silk; Art is Long, Time is Fleeting; Women Reading; as well as solo exhibitions by Phan Cam Thuong, Nguyen Van Trinh and Vu Van Tich.

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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, September 02, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Riyadh Air (RX), a wholly-owned PIF company, and Saudia (SV) announce the implementation of the first phase of a landmark Strategic Cooperation Agreement. Grounded in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in November 2023, this strategic activation represents a collaborative milestone to support the Kingdom’s National Aviation Strategy and deliver unprecedented choice to global and domestic travelers.

Riyadh Air, the world’s only airline operating a true Offer-Order platform, has established a connection with Saudia’s Passenger Service System (PSS), enabling the two carriers to implement the codeshare across their respective technology environments. The integration supports the first phase of the partnership and the expanded connectivity it will provide to guests.

Enhancing the Kingdom’s Connectivity: The RX-SV Codeshare

Riyadh Air will place its “RX” designator code on choose Saudia-operated flights between Riyadh Air’s King Khalid International Airport (RUH) hub and six key domestic points: Abha (ABH), Al Qassim (ELQ), Dammam (DMM), Jeddah (JED), Medina (MED) and Tabuk (TUU).

This partnership opens up multiple additional worldwide travel options for Riyadh Air guests, with more to come as its network continues to grow. For instance, a traveler based in Dammam can use the codeshare to fly via Riyadh to Madrid on a single ticket. Similarly, an international passenger originating from Kuala Lumpur can seamlessly connect through Riyadh onwards to Medina.

By placing its RX code on Saudia’s frequent daily flights between Riyadh and the six destinations covered by the codeshare, Riyadh Air will be able to ensure that its guests have the most convenient possible connecting option tailored to the arrival or departure time of their Riyadh Air flight at RUH. With both carriers operating under one roof in the KKIA Terminal 1-4 complex, connecting guests will experience swift, single-ticket transits with luggage checked through to their final destination.

Vincent Coste, Chief Commercial Officer of Riyadh Air, said: “Integrating different technology environments is a fundamental principle of our digital native model and this first major step in our collaboration with Saudia is a significant industry milestone. By combining our strengths, we are fundamentally redefining the travel experience within Saudi Arabia and those connecting to it.”

Arved von zur Muehlen, Chief Commercial Officer of Saudia, added: “This milestone reflects the strong collaboration between Saudia and Riyadh Air and our shared commitment to supporting the continued growth of Saudi Arabia’s aviation. The codeshare will give guests greater choice and connectivity across the Kingdom, while creating new opportunities to connect domestic and international journeys. As the partnership develops, we look forward to expanding these benefits further for guests of both airlines.”

Riyadh Air’s Business Class guests traveling on connecting codeshare services operated by Saudia will be invited to Saudia’s lounges at their point of departure in the Kingdom and while transferring to domestic services operated by Saudia from Riyadh KKIA Terminal 4. They will also be able to use fast-track security and priority boarding for Saudia operated flights wherever this is offered.

RX-SV Strategic Partnership: More to come soon

Riyadh Air and Saudia are working actively on enhancing and broadening their partnership for the benefit of their guests both in the KSA and worldwide.

In the coming months, the two airlines plan to introduce reciprocal accrual and redemption opportunities for their Sfeer and Alfursan loyalty program members along with a lounge access agreement for eligible guests at key airport locations within the KSA and worldwide.

As Riyadh Air continues to expand its network, Saudia also intends to add its “SV” designator code on Riyadh Air-operated services to destinations that offer additional connectivity and schedule option choices for Saudia’s guests.

An airline industry first in codeshare integration

The Riyadh Air – Saudia partnership is a truly groundbreaking moment for the airline industry. The codeshare brings together Riyadh Air’s Offer-Order platform and Saudia’s Passenger Service System through technology developed to enable connectivity between the two environments. The integration follows extensive development and testing between Riyadh Air, Saudia and their respective technology partners.

This is the culmination of three years of intensive development and testing activity between Riyadh Air, Saudia and their technology providers, FLYR, INK and Amadeus.

With Partnership MOUs in place between Riyadh Air and almost fifteen other airlines worldwide, this unique technology will play a critical role in enabling and activating Riyadh Air’s codeshare and interline partnerships with other carriers.

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Munich, Germany, September 02, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Therme Group, a global leader in large-scale urban wellbeing destinations, today announced a strategic alliance with Marriott International to explore a series of targeted initiatives focused on the future of wellbeing in travel and hospitality. The alignment brings together Therme’s expertise in wellness, longevity, and social experiences at scale with Marriott’s global platform.

Therme will collaborate with the Marriott Design Lab, which serves as Marriott’s research and development hub, working at the leading edge of design and innovation and providing a proving ground for products and services that enhance hotel operations and the travel experience.

The two organisations have aligned around a series of priority areas spanning customer experience, design innovation, wellness research, and future global development opportunities. Initial efforts will focus on introducing Therme to Marriott Bonvoy members, including the development of travel and lodging packages connected to Therme destinations and enhancing the way guests experience wellbeing throughout their travel journey.

“Some of the most memorable travel experiences are the ones that change how you feel,” said Peggy Roe, EVP and Chief Customer Officer at Marriott International. “Today’s guests are looking for experiences that help them slow down, recharge, and reconnect, making wellbeing an increasingly important part of the journey. That’s what makes this collaboration with Therme so exciting. Together, we have an opportunity to create moments of restoration, joy, and connection that elevate every stay and create experiences guests won’t find anywhere else.”

Therme will contribute its expertise in large-scale wellbeing environments to help inform the reimagining of hotel amenities, from spas and fitness to guestroom concepts. These efforts are intended to deliver near-term initiatives while informing longer-term opportunities across product innovation, service models, and destination planning.

“Wellbeing has become a defining dimension of the travel and hospitality experience,” said Dr. Robert Hanea, President and CEO of Therme Group. “Over the past two decades, Therme has developed a distinctive approach that brings wellbeing, nature and social connection together at scale. This partnership with Marriott is an exciting opportunity to bring our complementary strengths together as we explore new ways to shape the intersection of hospitality and wellbeing.”

This initiative reflects a shared ambition to continue revolutionising how wellbeing is integrated into hospitality. Together, Marriott International and Therme Group recognise that the future of travel will be shaped by more holistic, experience-driven approaches to health, longevity, and social connection. Any future collaborations would be subject to further agreement.

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Eastern Cape, South Africa, September 2, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Track wild cheetahs on foot. Sleep beneath a canopy of stars. Walk through Big Five country to a remote fly camp. Discover the ancient healing traditions of the Great Karoo. Set within 67,000 acres of restored wilderness in the Eastern Cape, Samara Karoo Reserve invites travellers to experience transformative adventures that go far beyond the traditional game drive.

To celebrate the 2026 safari season, guests can take advantage of a Stay 3, Pay 2 offer across all Samara lodges for travel until 30 September 2026, giving guests additional time to experience the reserve’s signature adventures.

Ultimate Romance – Sleep Beneath the Stars

For couples seeking one of Africa’s most unforgettable overnight experiences, Samara’s Star Bed offers complete seclusion beneath an endless canopy of stars. Set on a raised platform overlooking the tranquil Milk River, guests arrive at sunset for drinks and a picnic dinner before watching wildlife gather below as darkness falls. Wrapped in luxurious Karoo mohair blankets beneath the Milky Way, this is romance in its purest form—immersed in silence, spectacular scenery and one of the clearest night skies in the Southern Hemisphere.

Ultimate Adrenaline – Fly Camping in Big Five Country

Adventure takes centre stage with Samara’s Fly Camping experience, a modern interpretation of Africa’s original safaris. Accompanied by expert rangers and trackers, guests walk through Big Five territory before reaching a remote wilderness camp where sundowners, a traditional South African braai and fireside storytelling await. Falling asleep to the distant roar of lions and waking to birdsong makes this an exhilarating immersion into the African bush.

Rewild Your Senses – The Cheetah Trail

Samara’s acclaimed Cheetah Trail offers a rare opportunity to slow down and reconnect with nature. This four-day slackpacking adventure combines guided wilderness walks with intimate encounters tracking one of Africa’s most endangered predators on foot. Staying between Samara’s off-grid Plains Camp and a secluded mobile camp beneath the stars, guests experience the Karoo at walking pace, reconnecting mind, body and spirit in a landscape restored to its wild state.

Discover the Karoo’s Cultural Soul – Khoi San Heritage & Medicinal Plants

Beyond its wildlife, Samara reveals the rich human history of the Karoo through guided explorations of ancient Khoi San rock art and indigenous medicinal plants. The reserve’s newly launched Medicinal Plants Guide, developed in collaboration with Master Tracker and long-time Samara team member Pokkie Benadie, herbalist Roxanne Joubert and adventure guide Branden Hair, documents generations of traditional botanical knowledge while showcasing the extraordinary biodiversity across Samara’s five distinct biomes.

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Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana, September 1, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Sussex based Travel Promoters, one of the UK’s leading luxury representation companies specialising in Africa and the Indian Ocean, is delighted to share its appointment by Kaelo Destinations from 1 September 2026, including the iconic Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana’s Tuli Block and the Pambele Beach House in the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary in Mozambique.

This new partnership will see Travel Promoters’ dynamic team of six taking on the international sales and marketing for Kaelo’s growing portfolio of conservation-led destinations, working closely with Head of Sales Jen Dunlop-Jones and Marketing Manager Danita Stevens and their teams on the ground.  Claire Roadley at Umlingo will continue to support on the PR side.

The Kaelo Destinations (meaning to “guide, guard and nurture in Setswana) portfolio currently comprises three Collections, namely Luxury, Safari and Explorer, with each targeting a slightly different demographic – from those wanting ultra luxury and exclusivity, to more affordable camps for multi-generational families – as well as options for adventurers wanting to truly immerse themselves in nature, explore on foot and sleep under the stars.

Kaelo Destinations also has its own fleet of aircraft, based at Lanseria Airport in Johannesburg, ensuring seamless access into Pambele and Mashatu (with a private airport situated within the privately-owned reserve).

Ailsa Tavares, Founder of Travel Promoters, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our portfolio into Botswana and Mozambique with Kaelo Destinations, two of Africa’s most pristine wilderness and coastal settings. We admire the progression and positioning of Mashatu and Pambele since their launch and are excited to work alongside this passionate team. Properties with active owners/investors are exactly the kind of purpose-driven, design-led properties that resonate strongly with our UK and European trade partners and their clients.”

Kaelo Destinations, owned by Stephen Lansdown CBE and his wife Maggie, was officially launched in February 2026 as a curated collection of exceptional places defined by natural beauty, authentic experiences and conservation.

Both destinations are highly acclaimed, with Mashatu Game Reserve recently recognised as “Best Game Reserve in Southern Africa” at the World Luxury Travel Awards, while Pambele Beach House was named among Condé Nast Traveller’s “Best Places to Go in 2026”. Both destinations were recently recognised in the Haute Grandeur Global Excellence Awards, with Kaelo Destinations being awarded “Best Safari Company in Africa 2026”.

Stephen Lansdown CBE, owner of Kaelo Destinations, commented: “Partnering with Travel Promoters is a strategic step in strengthening and expanding our international market. Ailsa and her team have a strong reputation and longstanding relationships across the luxury travel trade, and share our ethos of sustainable, responsible tourism – which sits at the heart of everything we do.”

The partnership reinforces Travel Promoters’ commitment to representing distinctive, sustainability-focused luxury properties across Africa and beyond, providing a dedicated on-the-ground team to drive growth in one of Kaelo Destinations’ most important source markets.

About Kaelo Destinations

Founded under the vision of Maggie and Stephen Lansdown CBE—entrepreneurs, philanthropists and passionate conservationists—Kaelo Destinations is a purpose-led hospitality collection bringing together exceptional destinations across Southern Africa and beyond. Guided by values of conservation-first tourism, authentic experiences and community upliftment, the collection currently includes Mashatu Game Reserve in Botswana and Pambele Beach House in Mozambique, with further offerings set to join the portfolio as Kaelo continues to grow.

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