Global Travel News

World Record Set at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok

 1080 720 wttc2
By:

World Record Set at the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, November 30, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Fewer people have traveled to every country in the world than have ventured into Outer Space. The Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok marked a historic milestone, bringing together 250 avid travelers. Among them, an unprecedented 31 individuals who had accomplished the remarkable feat of visiting all 193 UN-recognized countries. This gathering set a new world record as the largest documented assembly of travelers who have completed this extraordinary quest.

This group was joined by Harry Mitsidis and Slawek Mutari, two of the four known individuals who have been to every country in the world TWICE.  Other 193ers who attended the Extraordinary Travel Festival included (from left to right in the photo); David Langan (Ireland), Jim Loudin (USA), Luisa Yu (USA),  Randy “The Sultan” Williams, (USA & Slowjamastan), Thomas Casswell (Sweden), Anders Larsson (Sweden), Christer Danielsson (Sweden), Jian Kang (China/Sweden), Chris Sutherland (New Zealand), Boris Kester (Netherlands), Stefan Krasowski (USA), Slawek Mutari (Poland/Kenya), Bengt Hildebrand (Sweden), Konstantin Liorek (Ukraine), Matt McCaughey (USA), Charles Veley (USA), Per Besson (USA), Evelthon Vassiliou (Cyprus), Christian Fleischer (USA), Hayley Kennedy (UK), Harry Mitsidis (UK/Greece), Lucy Shoe (USA), David Yang (USA), Flavio Ferrari Zumbini (Italy), Phillips Connor (Singapore), and Damian Stack (Ireland).

Also attending the Extraordinary Travel Festival in Bangkok (but missing in the photo) was Thor “Once Upon A Saga” Pedersen (Denmark), Maurizio Giuliano (Italy), Joel Oleson (USA), and Joao Paulo Peixoto (Portugal).

In addition to their extensive travel experiences, the participants of ETF brought diverse backgrounds to the event. Over 55% had visited more than 100 countries, showcasing their extraordinary dedication to exploration. Representing six continents and spanning ages from 22 to 80, this group highlighted the universal and timeless appeal of global travel.

Award-winning travel photographer, podcaster, blogger, and filmmaker Ric Gazarian praised the Extraordinary Travel Festival (ETF) and its host city, Bangkok, Thailand, as a resounding success. From November 15 to 17, 2024, Bangkok hosted the second ETF, bringing together the world’s most passionate and accomplished travelers for three days of sharing experiences, insights, and strategies. The event celebrated the spirit of adventure and exploration, featuring speakers and attendees, 31 of them who have visited all 193 sovereign countries—a feat achieved by fewer than 400 people worldwide.

“This travel festival offers the opportunity to connect and promote your destination or brand to the world’s most accomplished and expert travelers from around the globe,” Gazarian added.  Tourism boards, consumer travel brands and tour providers wishing to make connections or facilitate bookings with this extraordinary group of travelers are also welcome to inquire about sponsorship opportunities.

For questions, please visit www.extraordinarytravelfest.com

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

How Smartphones Shape Travel Decisions on the Go

 1080 720 wttc2
By:
How Smartphones Shape Travel Decisions on the Go - TRAVELINDEXHong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, November 29, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Smartphones are playing an increasingly important role in travellers’ in-destination decision-making. This trend is delineated in an important recent study led by Dr Dan Wang of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Adopting the powerful theoretical lens of “sociomateriality”, the researchers offer insights into the ways in which tourists interact with their Internet-enabled devices while making travel decisions – such as where to visit and what to buy – in real time. Their findings point to rich opportunities for tourism businesses to influence tourists’ spending decisions in the age of the smartphone.
Technology is influencing not only where and how often we travel, but also how we behave when we reach our destination. In particular, the rise of smartphones has ushered in an era of unprecedentedly dynamic and impulsive decision-making by tourists. It seems that the fixed holiday itinerary is becoming a thing of the past. “People increasingly postpone their decisions until after arrival”, say the authors, “as more contextual information and ubiquitous Internet access via smartphones improve decisions”.
For researchers, the travel context provides a wealth of opportunities to study technology-mediated decision-making. Although a holiday destination itself is usually pre-planned and fixed, and we may have a rough idea of the sites we most want to visit, we are free to make many choices “on the go”. Even when visitors do arrive with a schedule in mind, they often depart from it. This leads to “substantial disparities between travel plans and actual behaviours related to various travel components”, as the researchers put it. With a smartphone full of apps, it has never been easier to be spontaneous on vacation.
The information technology revolution in holidaymaking has certainly not gone unnoticed by academics. The hospitality and tourism industry needs to keep pace with these changes and understand how the ubiquity of mobile Internet is reshaping visitors’ behavioural choices. However, despite the burgeoning research interest in the impact of smartphones and apps on tourism, many studies have only been quantitative. “Experiential accounts of in-destination decision-making by tourists remain quite limited”, the authors note. Exactly how and why holidaymakers choose their activities in the mobile Internet era is thus ripe for investigation.
Holidaying is often a social activity, and group travellers’ decisions are collaborative. Smartphone technology has not only revolutionised how individuals access information but also influenced the workings of a typical social group. The literature is rich in technical studies that focus on how people employ smartphones to complete specific tasks. “In these studies”, warn the researchers, “smartphones and apps have been perceived only as tools”. Wang’s team saw the need for more research into how such devices affect the relational dynamics of tourist groups.
To fill this gap, the researchers drew on a concept from the information studies literature. “The increasingly recognized sociomateriality approach”, they explain, “has been developed to frame research questions regarding technology through a sociotechnical lens and analyse technology in tourism and hospitality contexts”. Developed as a more sophisticated alternative to a simple technological perspective, the sociomateriality view of technology enables researchers to explore how the social and material worlds influence and even constitute each other.
As powerful, pocket-sized computers that mediate our social and professional activities in numerous ways, smartphones have certainly become a constitutive part of our lives. While access to mobile data in foreign locations was once hard to come by, today it is routine to use apps to explore our environment wherever we are. Thus, to push the field forward, Wang’s study “shifted the focus to the sociomateriality of smartphones in travel, which consists of the entanglements of smartphone functions with social actions during a trip”.
To explore actual tourists’ smartphone use for decision-making, the researchers performed a real-world experimental study. This involved making contact with a set of participants who were holidaying in groups of two to five in a far-flung set of locations in Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania. All of the informants were regular smartphone users, and throughout their holidays they remained in close contact with the research team, who sent messages roughly every 4 hours to discuss their experiences, particularly their travel decisions.
To ensure that the information obtained from the participants was not only rich and accurate but also relevant to sociomateriality, the team designed their research as a process-tracking study. Using questions designed to “capture the sociomateriality of smartphones in tourist group decision-making and its performativity during trips”, they explored in depth the patterns of group behaviour as the groups used their devices for information searching, wayfinding, making payments, communication and more. This led to a deep contextual understanding of the participants’ smartphone-informed choices.
From 97 scenarios of group decision-making involving smartphones, the researchers identified “three patterns of group decision-making and four features of smartphone sociomateriality related to decisions regarding activities, meals, and shopping in travel”. The “three patterns” pertained to the participants’ social dynamics as they planned their itineraries. The “four features”, namely knowledgeability, thriftiness, referenceability, and negotiability, referred to the categories of information that the participants acquired from their smartphones to drive the dynamic decision-making process.
The first group decision-making pattern was defined as “Dominance of the Active Smartphone User”. This pattern involved the searching and filtering of information by a single smartphone user. The rest of the group then accepted the dominant user’s suggestions, instead of using their own devices to provide alternative information. For example, one group’s decision to visit some top attractions in Prague was dominated by a single member using their smartphone to search for information (the knowledgeability feature). In another case, tourists in Cambodia opted for a show after one discovered they could buy cheaper tickets online (thriftiness).
“Complexity from Multiple Active Smartphone Users” characterised the second pattern. Here, two or more group members were involved in decision-making, and there was more negotiation and discussion. This pattern mostly occurred when there was little time pressure. “Smartphones tended to shape this type of group decision-making through knowledgeability and negotiability”, the researchers explain. Group members each searched for information, and more persuasive cases were generally accepted. In Thailand, for example, multiple group members used their devices to search for restaurants, and the group opted for places with good reviews across different sets of search results.
The third pattern was “Decapsulated Decision-Making”, whereby smartphones were used to open up group decision-making beyond the group itself. That is, travellers used their devices to obtain real-time advice from other social contacts who were not part of the holiday – thus “decapsulating” the decision. Two visitors to Las Vegas, for example, were influenced in their shopping decisions by the mother of one participant, who chatted with them as they shopped.
Wang and team’s findings go beyond the technical details of usage and elucidate the social aspects of tourists’ deployment of smartphones. The finding that “the relationship between smartphones and tourists was more profound than the adoption of some mobile apps for navigation, information search, reservation payments, and other functions” opens up the possibility of smartphones having their own “technology agency”. Meanwhile, the researchers recommend that tourism businesses pay greater attention to contextual and location-based marketing in the age of abundant data and on-the-go decision-making.
Wang, Dan, Tussyadiah, Iis, and Zhang, Elaine. (2023). Shaping In-Destination Group Decision-Making: The Sociomateriality of Smartphones. Journal of Travel Research, Vol. 63, No. 3, 625-641.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Laguna Invitational 2024 Showcases a Festival of Golf

 900 599 wttc2
By:

Laguna Invitational 2024 Showcases a Festival of Golf - TRAVELINDEXLang Co, Vietnam, November 28, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Laguna Golf Lang Co, one of Asia’s premier golf courses, proved its mettle as a stage for the big occasion once again with its successful hosting of the Laguna Invitational 2024.

The tournament, held on November 17, brought together over 130 top golfers from across Vietnam, as well as distinguished guests and visitors staying at the luxurious Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co resorts, and the Laguna Parkside Lang Co villas.

In an atmosphere filled with camaraderie and spirited competition, participants demonstrated their skill and sportsmanship throughout the day.

Ha Ngoc Hoang Loc was the overall star of the show, claiming the coveted ‘Best Gross’ title with an impressive score of 76. He capped his triumph under the cover of darkness by concluding the event by driving a ceremonial “light” ball up the 18th fairway to the astonishment of spectators.

Other notable highlights included outstanding performances across multiple divisions and a series of engaging mini-games and challenges which were met with enthusiasm.  Players vied for the coveted “Hole-in-One” prize, which would have seen the first player to accomplish this remarkable feat drive home in a Mercedes C200 Avantgarde, valued at VND 1.6 billion.

Players also competed for other technical awards such as “Nearest to the Pin” and “Longest Drive,” along with various other prizes recognizing exceptional performance throughout the day.

Also notable were the stunning light dance performers and the perfect autumn weather.

The tournament culminated in a celebratory awards ceremony at Laguna Golf Lang Co, where the winners were honoured with prestigious trophies and exclusive prizes provided by the event’s organizers and sponsors.

Winners included Nguyen Van Choi (Division A), Nguyen Minh Qui (Division B), Nguyen Ba Quang (Division C), Benrico Smit (Division D), and Pham Thị Hoi (Women’s Division).

The Laguna Invitational is more than a tournament; it is a celebration of the passion and spirit of the golf community in Vietnam.

“We’re thrilled with the success of the Laguna Invitational 2024. It was one of our best golf events to date,” said Stephen Banks, Director of Golf at Laguna Lang Co. “It’s a testament to the passion and talent within Vietnam’s golfing community. The energy, sportsmanship, and camaraderie on display were incredible, and we’re proud to host such a prestigious event on our world-class course.”

Designed by legendary golfer Sir Nick Faldo, Laguna Golf Lang Co continues solidifying its position as a leading host of prestigious international golf events, providing unforgettable experiences for players and spectators alike.

This year’s event was made possible thanks to the generous support of sponsors including Mercedes, Vietnam Airlines, Jebsen & Jessen, BAI Capital, VietinBank Danang, and other valued partners. Their contributions have been instrumental in the success of the Laguna Invitational 2024.

The golf course is part of Asia’s most far-reaching integrated resorts, one that also encompasses award-winning hotels Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co. 2024 is a milestone year as the resort ownership company, Singapore-headquartered Banyan Group, marks its 30th anniversary at the pinnacle of Asia’s hospitality industry.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Spectacular 9 Michelin-Starred Gastronomic Event at lebua

 839 480 wttc2
By:

Spectacular 9 Michelin-Starred Gastronomic Event at lebua - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, November 28, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The Dome at lebua continues to redefine luxury dining with an unparalleled three-night celebration of culinary artistry, bringing together nine Michelin stars under one iconic roof. Held from November 21 to 23, 2024, this landmark event captivated food enthusiasts with an extraordinary gastronomic journey, setting a new standard in the world of fine dining.

A Fusion of Culinary Titans
This exclusive event showcased the collaborative mastery of world-renowned chefs, representing a harmonious blend of global cuisines and creative flair. The event also marked a bold step in lebua’s vision to elevate the dining experience to unprecedented heights.

Mezzaluna: East Meets West
At Mezzaluna, the collaboration between Chef Ryuki Kawasaki (2 Michelin stars) and Chef Olivier Bellin (2 Michelin stars) brought together the elegance of French culinary artistry and the delicate precision of Japanese ingredients. Their collaboration delivered a menu that not only celebrated their individual expertise but also highlighted the harmonious fusion of their styles such as the Bafun Uni Chawanmushi, featuring Hokkaido Bafun uni, Sanriku scallops, and smoked salmon roe, and the Seared Langoustine, Seared Langoustine, accented with a typical French charcuterie.

Further delights included the Sake-Steamed Megai Awabi, pairing abalone with white truffle risotto, and Roasted Lamb, complemented by celery ravioli and hazelnut purée—a perfect symphony of flavors.

Chef’s Table: Tradition Meets Innovation
Meanwhile, at Chef’s Table, an extraordinary milestone was achieved as Chef Vincent Thierry (2 Michelin stars) and Chef Kai Ho (3 Michelin stars) joined forces for the first-ever four-hands collaboration in Chef’s Table’s history. This unprecedented partnership marked a moment of true culinary innovation, blending the mastery of Chef Vincent, celebrated for his contemporary French cuisine, with the creative ingenuity of Chef Kai Ho, whose work at Tairroir seamlessly integrates Chinese heritage with modern techniques.

Guests were further mesmerized by the Blue Lobster à la Nage, elevated with truffle-infused broth, and the Bresse Pigeon Apicius, a dish blending French tradition with Asian-inspired nuances. The evening concluded on a sweet note with the Chiang Mai Dark Chocolate Fantasy, a dessert that celebrated the finest cocoa from Chiang Mai, balanced by the refreshing surprise of mint jelly.

A Landmark in Fine Dining
The Dome at lebua has once again demonstrated its ability to unite the culinary world’s most celebrated talents, delivering an event that transcended expectations. This extraordinary experience redefined luxury dining, inspiring awe with its artistry, innovation, and seamless collaboration.

A Vision for the Future
This landmark success heralds a new chapter for lebua as a global leader in luxury dining. Inspired by this milestone, The Dome will continue to push boundaries, curating experiences that captivate the senses and celebrate the infinite possibilities of gastronomy. The journey is just beginning.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Trip Boutique AI Joins Forces with Amadeus

 840 571 wttc2
By:

The Trip Boutique AI Joins Forces with Amadeus - TRAVELINDEXZurich, Switzerland, November 28, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The Trip Boutique is an AI-powered solution designed to help travel agents gain efficiency, reduce the time and effort required to close sales, drive revenue growth, and increase customer lifetime value by leveraging a personalized relationship with each client. After successfully launching this solution in October 2023 and experiencing strong demand in the European and North American markets, The Trip Boutique AI has taken a significant step forward. The company announces a global commercial partnership with Amadeus, a leader in travel technology.

Through this agreement, The Trip Boutique AI will be offered alongside Amadeus’ portfolio of solutions to its vast network of customers in the travel sellers segment,

such as travel agencies and other global travel players. This will enable travel professionals worldwide to deliver exceptional, personalized experiences at scale.

“Partnering with Amadeus is a monumental milestone for The Trip Boutique AI,” says Fernanda Barrence Mutz, CEO of The Trip Boutique AI. “It underscores the value and potential of our solutions in reshaping the travel advisory experience for agents and their clients. Our platform complements Amadeus’s solutions very well, making this partnership a significant opportunity for both companies to deliver unparalleled value to the industry. Together, we are poised to empower travel professionals to serve travelers more effectively, gain deeper insights into their needs, and streamline operations for maximum impact.”

Noureddine Hajji, Strategic Alliances & Partnerships Manager, Amadeus, states: “Our mission at Amadeus is to improve the traveler experience for everyone, everywhere. We do that by focusing on innovation and industry collaboration. We first came across The Trip Boutique AI thanks to the Amadeus Launchpad program for start-ups. Today, we’re excited to be combining The Trip Boutique’s AI-powered tools with our global market reach and industry expertise, giving our customers access to solutions that enhance service quality, deepen client relationships, and unlock new revenue streams”.

The Trip Boutique AI is working towards further integrating Amadeus’ products into its platform, with an expected launch in 2025. This integration, alongside other integration partners, will provide clients with seamless access to a comprehensive range of travel services within a single solution. The combined capabilities will enable advisors to accelerate bookings and to make personalized recommendations with real-time availability and pricing throughout the travel journey, thus transforming the overall customer experience.

“The Trip Boutique AI is eager to work closely with Amadeus to implement our solutions and support travel professionals in meeting the evolving needs of their clients on a global scale,” says Barrence Mutz.

About Amadeus
Amadeus is a global leader in travel technology, providing software solutions to airlines, airports, hotels, and travel agencies across 190 countries. Its offerings streamline essential workflows – such as booking, payment processing, customer management, and analytics – helping travel providers connect efficiently within the ecosystem. Amadeus also operates the world’s largest global distribution system

About The Trip Boutique AI
The Trip Boutique AI is on a mission to help travel brands boost efficiency and grow revenue with personalization at scale. As an AI assistant, its B2B solution includes the modules Client Profiling, Knowledge & Supplier Management, Marketing Automation, Itinerary Builder, Data Insights, and, coming soon, Booking Agent. It helps businesses leverage travel expertise, identify top suppliers, better understand clients, and serve them more efficiently with the most relevant recommendations and actionable insights. From bespoke itineraries to personalized marketing and destination intelligence, The Trip Boutique AI elevates how travel brands connect with their clients.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

New Surestay Collection By Best Western Hotels Makes It Simple To Stay In Bangkok

 1080 720 wttc2
By:

New Surestay Collection By Best Western Hotels Makes It Simple To Stay In Bangkok - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, November 27, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / BWH Hotels, the global network comprising WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay® Hotels, has strengthened its commitment to providing a broad range of accommodations to all guests in Bangkok with the opening of the SimpleStay Chatuchak, SureStay Collection by Best Western.

This new 50-room hotel allows guests to explore a rapidly emerging area of North Bangkok. Located just steps from the entrance to the popular Chatuchak Weekend Market, it is close to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, the Thai capital’s main railway station, and a short drive from Don Mueang International Airport. Kamphaeng Phet MRT subway station is only 100 meters away, putting the entire city within easy reach.

Reflecting the brand values of SureStay® Collection, the new hotel introduces a new era of affordable, individual hospitality to this dynamic district. It will appeal to guests who like to travel casually but appreciate the additional touches that elevate their stay. The Standard and Family Rooms all feature comfortable beds, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, working areas, TVs with international channels, and refreshing bathrooms with eco-friendly amenities.

Throughout their stay at the SimpleStay Chatuchak, SureStay Collection by Best Western, guests can enjoy Thai and international cuisine at The Market Restaurant. For travelers seeking additional entertainment, they can unwind, socialize and sip cool drinks at the stylish Plot Twist Bar, which is perched on the 6th floor and overlooks the Central Terminal through a panoramic glass wall. The onsite Wellness Studio also offers yoga, Pilates, sound healing and spa services to soothe the body, mind and soul.

“Bangkok is the world’s most-visited city, so we are delighted to introduce another exceptional hotel to this key market. Comfortable, convenient and fully connected, the SimpleStay Chatuchak, SureStay Collection by Best Western perfectly complements the popular Best Western Chatuchak hotel and makes it simple for guests to experience everything the Thai capital has to offer,” said Olivier Berrivin, Vice President – APAC, BWH Hotels.

With 13 hotels now operating in Bangkok under seven distinct brands – WorldHotels™ Elite, Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Vīb®, SureStay® by Best Western, SureStay Plus® by Best Western, and SureStay Collection® by Best Western – BWH Hotels offers a comprehensive range of accommodations in Thailand’s capital city.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ICONSIAM Reaffirms Its Position as World-Class Destination

 912 507 wttc2
By:

ICONSIAM Reaffirms Its Position as World-Class Destination - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, November 28, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / ICONSIAM, the global landmark on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, has earned the prestigious ICONIC THAI BRAND AWARD and Blue by Alain Ducasse, its Michelin-starred French fine dining restaurant, has been listed among Asia’s Top 100 Restaurants at the Tatler Best 2024 awards ceremony organized by Tatler Asia, the region’s leading luxury, fashion, and lifestyle media outlet.

These accolades underscore ICONSIAM’s success in becoming a top destination for both locals and international visitors, uniting the best of Thailand with global excellence. ICONSIAM also showcases Thailand’s unique identity in every dimension. Blue by Alain Ducasse, a luxurious fine-dining restaurant, has consistently held one Michelin star from 2021 to 2024 at ICONSIAM. This recognition further highlights ICONSIAM’s commitment to delivering extraordinary experiences and bolsters Thailand’s reputation as a premier global culinary destination.

ICONSIAM, a flagship development by Siam Piwat, under a joint venture with Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) and Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC), continues to set new standards with innovative concepts designed to elevate customer experiences. With over 38 international awards in just six years since its operation, ICONSIAM stands as a global destination and a beacon of Thai excellence along the Chao Phraya River. It serves as a model for pioneering developments that drive economic growth and sustainability in Thailand.

ICONSIAM Reaffirms Its Position as World-Class Destination - Blue by Alain Ducasse

In addition, Tatler Asia and ICONSIAM together provide a unique culinary experience featuring two world-renowned chefs: Chef Wilfrid Hocquet, who has received a one Michelin star from Blue by Alain Ducasse, and Chef Joris Rousseau of Feuille, a Michelin-starred and Green Star-awarded restaurant in Hong Kong. Together, they crafted an innovative menu blending premium French cuisine with exquisite local flavors, offering an exclusive dining experience at Blue by Alain Ducasse for distinguished guests and customers who are interested in experiencing the best of Thailand and the world at Blue by Alain Ducasse, ICONSIAM.

TOP25 Restaurants Awards and TOP25 World by TRAVELINDEX - Only the Best

The Tatler Best 2024, hosted by Tatler Asia, celebrates outstanding excellence in Asia’s hospitality and culinary sectors. The event recognizes 100 hotels, 100 restaurants, and 100 bars, alongside the Best in Class Awards, which honor the best hotel, restaurant and bar in Asia with 27 distinct awards.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Alain St.Ange Completes Official Government Training in Kazakhstan

 829 522 wttc2
By:

Alain St.Ange Completes Official Government Training in Kazakhstan - TRAVELINDEXAlmaty, Kazakhstan, November 27, 2025 / TRAVELINDEX / Alain St.Ange, who travelled to Almaty in Kazakhstan at the invitation of ‘Visit Almaty’, the Almaty Tourism Department of Kazakhstan, was working alongside local Kazak tourism training personality and official guide Mrs Zhanar Gabit and Mr Tom Buncle, the Managing Director of ‘Yellow Railroad’ International Destination Consultancy to speak at training sessions, an event totally dedicated to the Tourism Industry in Kazakhstan organised for tourism related or industry support managers working in different fields of government i.e. tourist police, rescue, destination management, museums, customs and border guards.

Alain St.Ange, Head of Saint Ange Tourism Consultancy. He was a former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine of the Seychelles and was a candidate for the post of Secretary General of the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation) now rebranded as UN Tourism and was one of three candidates vying to be President of the Seychelles in the island’s 2020 Presidential Elections.

These training sessions in Kazakhstan concentrated mainly on managers to empower them to follow up with training of their department’s personnel on better ways to work with tourists in a manner to show the country is attractive for tourism.

The organisation rallied some 300 government delegates divided into 10 groups with 30 people for all day sessions spread out over two days.

“The knowledge of international tourism is average. The employees understand what tourism is in general. And Kazakhstan is a new destination on the world tourism map so many people do not understand how to deal with foreigners. The format is the Facilitation training that will end with an extensive Q&A session” said a representative of the organisers before adding: – “Mainly, the goal of this government organised training program is: To firm up the understanding of International standards implementation importance in hospitality industry to create “friendly” environment for international visitors and to train people the high standards of behavioural norms towards visitors. Which can be addressed to Global awareness of Kazakhstan as friendly tourist destination”.

Alain St.Ange took on his sessions with “What is Tourism” and how each and every Manager in attending the sessions can help tourism in Kazakhstan to be consolidated. He also encouraged the Kazakhstan authorities to work with its Central Asia countries and to develop a new ‘Central Asia Tourism’ as a new destination.

“I was amazed by what Kazakhstan has to offer the discerning travellers looking for a new destination. The have the most incredible mountains just 30 minutes for Almaty City centre with ski-slopes offering four feet of snow now and this at very high altitudes, they have the rivers offering incredible white-water rafting and they have lakes and a desert. They have canyons, great nature as a remarkable asset and they people and culture remain unique as they are not Asia and they are not Europe, but well established as a tourism centre in Central Asia and are Eurasian” St.Ange said as he encouraged the authorities to embark on a cooperation that can help open up tourism to become a solid pillar of the economy after oil and gas that they are so blessed with.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Tourism Leaders Unite for Bangkok’s SKAL & PATA Christmas Lunch 2024

 1080 608 wttc2
By:

Tourism Leaders Unite for Bangkok's SKAL & PATA Christmas Lunch 2024 - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, November 26, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The stage is set for one of the most anticipated events in the tourism industry calendar: the Annual SKAL/PATA Christmas Charity Luncheon. This festive gathering of industry leaders and innovators takes place on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok’s Grand Ballroom.

The event begins with check-in and networking drinks from 11:00 AM, followed by a formal luncheon at 12:15 PM sharp. As the year winds down, this luncheon offers a unique opportunity to connect, celebrate, and reflect, while also giving back to the community.

A Festive Feast for All

Appetizer: Seared pepper tuna with chopped salad

Soup: Creamy mushroom soup

Main Course:

Slow-roasted turkey with bread stuffing, Brussels sprouts, and cranberry sauce OR grilled pork chop with roasted potatoes and prune sauce

Vegetarian: Grilled halloumi cheese starter, mixed vegetable Wellington, and all the festive trimmings

Dessert: Christmas pudding drizzled with caramel sauce

Raffles, Auctions, and Networking

The event will also feature a Christmas raffle and a silent auction, offering guests the chance to win exciting prizes while contributing to meaningful causes. Networking opportunities abound, as tourism leaders gather to exchange ideas, forge connections, and look forward to the opportunities of 2025.

This year’s proceeds will support two impactful charities:

The Good Shepherd Sisters Centre, dedicated to helping vulnerable communities.

Kusa Panyarachun Scholarship, providing opportunities for hotel and tourism students.

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

This year’s event is made special by the generous support of: Paulaner Beer, Serenity Wines Asia, Bangkok Vodka, Move Ahead Media, Chalong Bay, and Prunk & Partners.

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the holiday season, reconnect with industry peers, and contribute to a brighter future.

Reserve Your Spot Now. Seats are limited—book your tickets online today! For inquiries, contact: secretary@skalbangkok.com or register here.

Celebrate, connect, and contribute this holiday season. Join us for the SKAL-PATA Christmas Charity Luncheon and help spread the joy!

Mark your calendars—this is the holiday event of the year.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UN Tourism Executive Council Looks to Innovation and Investment-Driven Future

 821 477 wttc2
By:

UN Tourism Executive Council Looks to Innovation and Investment-Driven Future - TRAVELINDEXCartagena de Indias, Colombia, November 24, 204 / TRAVELINDEX / UN Tourism’s Executive Council has met again to jointly advance the transformation of the sector. With the latest UN Tourism Data showing that the sector is on track to reach 96% recovery of pre-pandemic numbers by the end of the year, the 122nd Session of the Executive Council looked to the future, with investments and innovation high on the agenda. The Session welcomed representatives of 47 countries, including 21 Ministers and Vice-Ministers of Tourism, alongside key strategic partners from the private sector, civil society and international finance.

Opening the session, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili welcomed the example set by Colombia in “betting on tourism” to provide a better future for the country, including for previously-marginalized groups. He said: “Colombia has chosen to invest in tourism, not in weapons or war, and as the only country to have hosted every major UN Tourism event, including two General Assemblies, it is a testament to the power of tourism as a force for change.”

The Secretary-General then presented his report to Members. The report sets out the progress made in advancing the Organization’s work since the Council last met, again with a special emphasis on the shared priorities of investments into tourism, education and accelerating innovation across the sector.

Colombia has chosen to invest in tourism, not in weapons or war, and as the only country to have hosted every major UN Tourism event, including two General Assemblies, it is a testament to the power of tourism as a force for change

Advancing shared goals

In Cartagena, the Members of the Executive Council advanced plans to build a more inclusive, resilient and forward-looking sector, with a focus on:

  • Innovation: UN Tourism is the global leader in innovation in the sector. Executive Council Members were given an overview of key achievements in this area, including the continued success of its Challenges and Competitions, designed to identify and support the best new ideas and talent. In Cartagena, the winners of two new competitions, the Green Projects Challenge and the Community Tourism Challenge, were formally announced.
  • Investment: In Cartagena, UN Tourism will present its Tourism Doing Business Guidelines: Investing in Colombia. The publication series continues to grow, with a further 28 editions, each focusing on investment opportunities in a specific destination, now planned. Also in Cartagena, UN Tourism will host a landmark Global Forum on Investment and Innovation to conclude the Executive Council meeting.
  • Education: Executive Council Members were brought up-to-date with UN Tourism’s leading work in promoting tourism education and training at every level. Key advances include the continued rolling out of the Education Toolkit, designed to help Member States introduce tourism as a subject in high schools, as well as the ongoing success of the UN Tourism Online Academy and the growing global network of International Academies in Association With UN Tourism.

Strengthening strategic partnerships

Within the framework of the 122nd Executive Council, UN Tourism further advanced its work building strong partnerships around shared goals. A special networking session of the UN Tourism Affiliate Members focused on Tourism of the Future: Moving Towards the Sustainable Development Goals, bringing together destinations, private sector leaders and civil society stakeholders.

Best Tourism Villages 2024 announced

During the Executive Council, UN Tourism announced the latest additions to its growing Best Tourism Villages network. For the 2024 edition, a further 55 rural destinations were awarded the title, recognizing their leading work in harnessing the power of tourism to create local opportunities as well as preserving and celebrating natural and cultural heritage.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News