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Meliá Chiang Mai Launches a Journey to Farm Package

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Chiang Mai, Thailand, August 17, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Meliá Chiang Mai is ushering guests onto a nearby 250-acre gourmet organic farm, to meet local farmers and learn more about sustainable farming and healthier eating, as part of its A Journey to the Farm Package.

Under the new hotel’s ‘360° Cuisine’ program its kitchen works closely with ORI9IN The Gourmet Farm in San Sai District, sourcing ‘farm to plate’ organic produce that travels only a short distance. As much of each ingredient is used – roots, leaves, stems, stalks and more – before ‘plate to farm’ food waste returns to the farm as fertilizer in a truly 360° concept.

Priced at THB 8,800 nett (USD 243 nett) per room for two, the A Journey to the Farm Package comprises two nights in a Meliá Room, daily breakfast for two, and a day trip for two to the scenic farm inclusive of a picnic lunch.

The farm experience includes feeding the animals, walking through the farm with a guide to learn about both the cultivation of Meliá Chiang Mai’s fruits, vegetables and herbs as well as Ori9in’s Pharm traditional herbal medicine garden, and a chance to rummage through a garden maze.

According to chef turned sustainable farmer James Noble, who oversees ORI9In, the day trip is a chance for guests to learn more about the journey their food and these products have made, as well as who has been a part of that journey.

“This is tourism that leaves no footprint on the land; we’re trying to show people that you can have a day out without harming what you came to see in the first place,” he said.

Under the partnership between Meliá Chiang Mai and the farm, local farmers grow an array of fruits, vegetables and herbs for the hotel’s restaurants, bar and spa. In addition to local seasonal produce such as young morning glory, red basil, lemongrass and passion fruit, the farm grows various kinds of tomatoes, salad leaves, and specialized ingredients such as padrón pepper that would otherwise need to be imported from Spain for the hotel’s authentic Mediterranean cuisine.

“The partnership is a central plank of our ‘360° Cuisine’ program, under which we aim to work closely with local farmers to help them improve sustainability and encourage ethical production to make communities and the overall food system more resilient,” said the hotel’s general manager Edward E. Snoeks.

Towering over Chiang Mai’s River Ping and Night Bazaar, Meliá Chiang Mai opened in April. With a design that pays tribute to Chiang Mai’s charming history and culture with a contemporary flair, the hotel comprises a striking 22-floor tower fronted by an adjoining seven-floor podium building.

Drawing on Meliá’s Spanish origins and celebrating Spain’s famed gastronomy, the hotel’s dining landscape features restaurants Mai Restaurant and Bar and Laan Na Kitchen, bars Mai The Sky Bar and Tien Pool Bar, and lounges Ruen Kaew and The Level Lounge; the latter a 21st-floor executive lounge with panoramic views of the city.

The A Journey to the Farm Package is available to book from now until 28 November 2022 for a stay until 30 November 2022. For further information or to make a booking, call +66 (0) 52 090 699

About Asset World Corp Public Company Limited
Asset World Corp Public Company Limited is a holding company under TCC Group operating leading integrated lifestyle property development in Thailand. The company has two main businesses consisting of the Hospitality business managed by top hotel executives of world-renowned hotel brands such as Marriott, The Luxury Collection, Okura, Banyan Tree, Hilton, and Sheraton and Retail, Wholesale and Commercial properties whose projects include 1) Retail and Wholesale including lifestyle travel destinations, community shopping malls, community markets, and wholesale business real estate. Popular real estate projects consist of ASIATIQUE the Riverfront Destination, Gateway at Bangsue, AEC Trade Center – Pantip Wholesale Destination, and Tawanna Bangkapi and 2) Commercial buildings including the famous Empire Tower and Athenee Tower located in Bangkok’s central business district.

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

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International operates more than 380 hotels (portfolio and pipeline) throughout more than 40 countries, under the brands Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, The Meliá Collection, INNSiDE by Meliá and Sol by Meliá, plus a wide portfolio of affiliated hotels under the “Affiliated by Meliá” network. The Group is one of the leading companies in resort hotels worldwide, while also leveraging its experience to consolidate the growing segment of the leisure-inspired urban market. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led the Group to become the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe, according to the last S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2022 (Silver Class distinction). It also has ranked seventh in the Wall Street Journal’s list of the 100 most sustainably managed companies in the world (and the leading travel company) and is the only Spanish travel company included in the list of “Europe’s Climate Leaders 2021” by Financial Times. Meliá Hotels International is also included in the IBEX 35 Spanish stock market.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

AC Hotels by Marriott Unveils New Hotel in Downtown Bethesda Near the Nation’s Capital

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AC Hotel Bethesda
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AC Hotel Bethesda
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AC Hotels by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 extraordinary brands, has opened the doors to its newest hotel in the heart of downtown Bethesda, Maryland, bringing the brand’s signature “perfectly precise hotel” experience to a thriving urban center near the nation’s capital. AC Hotel Bethesda Downtown welcomed its first guests on August 16, 2022, with a purposeful design that strikes the perfect balance of form and function, featuring curated artwork evoking a true sense of place.

OTO Development, part of The Johnson Group, developed and will manage the new hotel, which is adjacent to and shares amenities with Avocet Tower, a trophy-class office building developed by Stonebridge.

“Like many travelers, we appreciate everything about the AC Hotels by Marriott brand, having opened properties in top destinations,” says David Ward, COO of OTO Development. “It’s a delight to provide the AC signature guest experience imbued with a particular sophistication and practical comforts.”

With the completion of the Bethesda project, OTO has opened six AC Hotels — the others in South San Francisco, California; Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Spartanburg, South Carolina; Times Square, New York; and Washington, D.C. — with two more currently under development in Naples and Jacksonville, Florida.

The 18-story AC Hotel Bethesda Downtown comprises 220 sleek, modern guest rooms and more than 11,000 square feet of activated shared space complete with a signature restaurant. Other amenities include 3,500 square feet of flexible, top-floor meeting space with an outdoor terrace overlooking Silver Spring, Maryland; Tysons Corner and Arlington, Virginia; and downtown Washington, D.C., as well as a 5,000-square-foot fitness center boasting a full range of weights, cardio equipment, a yoga studio, a spin room, and stellar views.

“AC Bethesda is filled throughout with the details that matter most to discerning travelers,” says General Manager Chris Raines, who heads up a leadership team that also includes Maria Bardos, CGMP, Director of Sales, and Jim Barnett, Director of Food & Beverage. “From commissioned artwork to top-tier amenities to intuitive technology, even high-end toiletries, our hotel is designed to provide guests with everything they want — and nothing they don’t — in a well-designed, thoroughly considered space.”

The hotel’s art portfolio is highlighted, figuratively and literally, by two dramatic installations by German artist Anke Neumann of LichtPapier, who illuminates the hotel’s shared space with abstract, organic compositions created out of fiber optic lights and handmade paper. “The Fizz” comprises dozens of cloudlike forms scattered across the restaurant ceiling, where they comingle into a unique sense of movement and chaotic harmony. Meanwhile, “The Fizz Tree” branches out within a wall niche at the front desk.

Michael Sirvet leads the local coterie of commissioned artists with “Aeolian,” an ebony-stained wood sculpture he describes as mechanical in both the thought and the creative process. Other D.C. artists whose creativity is featured in the hotel include Lori Katz, Madeline Stratton, Nicole Salimbene, and Kerry Hays — a D.C.-born native now living in Atlanta who showcases several abstract paintings with a sculptural quality.

AC Hotel Bethesda Downtown has crafted a food-and-beverage program on par with the city’s finer eateries. Corella Café & Lounge is named after the hometown of Antonio Catalán, the founder of AC Hotels. With minimalist aesthetics featuring soaring 23-foot ceilings, the light-drenched venue is designed to flex throughout the day while serving everything from locally roasted morning coffee to late-night bites and creative cocktails. Seating is available inside, at the bar, and out on an expansive street-level patio.

Corella’s signature cocktail — a tea-infused gin martini — celebrates Bethesda’s Madonna of the Trail, the first in a series of 12 granite mother-and-child statues placed along a key 19th century migratory route stretching from Maryland to California. Corella toasts the indominable spirit of the pioneer women represented by the statues, those determined mothers who “didn’t stay but traveled through” on their quest toward a better life for their children. The cocktail ritual echoes the 12 Madonnas of the Trail with a spirited mix of 12 ingredients, including gin from Tenth Ward Spirits, a local, female-owned distillery.

AC Hotel Bethesda Downtown is located at the bustling intersection of Montgomery and Wisconsin Avenues, just a few blocks from Marriott International’s new global headquarters, and only seven miles from downtown D.C. The hotel is a one-minute walk from the Red Line Metro Station and a three-minute bike ride to the Capital Crescent Trail; it is also conveniently located near the National Institute of Health and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

Project partners include Cooper Carry, architect/interior design; Balfour Beatty, base building contractor; and Coakley & Williams Construction, general contractor. The curated artwork was sourced from Kalisher and Material Driven.

For hotel reservations, call +1 (301) 656-2260 or visit www.ACHotelBethesda.com. Connect on social @ACHotelBethesda. For information about Corella Café & Lounge, visit www.CorellaBethesda.com and connect on social @CorellaCafeAndLounge.

For high-resolution images please visit AC Bethesda Downtown image library.

About AC Hotel by Marriott Bethesda Downtown
AC Hotel Bethesda is an 18-story hotel tower comprising 220 sleek, modern guest rooms; a well-equipped fitness center complete with a yoga studio and spin room; and Corella Café & Lounge, a signature restaurant serving everything from locally roasted morning coffee to late-night bites and creative cocktails, with seating inside, at the bar or out on an expansive street-level patio. Flexible event space includes top-floor meeting rooms with an outdoor terrace overlooking Silver Spring, Tysons Corner, Arlington and Downtown D.C. Guest rooms and shared spaces strike the perfect balance of form and function, with curated artwork evoking a true sense place. Find AC Hotel Bethesda at 4646 Montgomery Ave. in the heart of Bethesda, Maryland. For information and reservations, call +1 (301) 656-2260 or visit www.ACHotelBethesda.com. Connect on social @ACHotelBethesda and @CorellaCafeAndLounge.

About AC Hotels by Marriott®
AC Hotels includes over 210 hotels in 30 countries and territories. At AC Hotels, every moment has been designed, refined, crafted, and considered to create a seamless guest experience. Each AC Hotel features purposefully designed signature spaces that strike the perfect balance of form and function. Most notably, the AC Lounge® invites guests and locals alike to collaborate during the day, or to enjoy signature cocktails and tapas in the evening. The AC Kitchen offers a European-inspired breakfast each morning. All AC guest rooms, and public spaces evoke a particular sophistication, featuring sleek furnishings, curated artwork, and intuitive technology. The brand is dedicated to the details that matter most to guests during their travels with a mission to deliver The Perfectly Precise Hotel™ experience. For more information, visit www.AC-Hotels.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. AC Hotels 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 www.MarriottBonvoy.com.

About OTO Development
OTO Development, part of The Johnson Group, is an award-winning, fast-growing hotel development and hospitality management company. Founded in 2004 and partnering with the Hilton, Hyatt, IHG and Marriott brands, OTO’s industry leadership position is anchored by a portfolio of excellent hotels staffed by exceptional people. The company currently owns and/or operates ~70 hotels comprising approximately 9,600 room keys. OTO’s growth is focused on developing new hotels in high-barrier-to-entry markets; purchasing and repurposing existing hotel properties; and expanding management contracts with clients ranging from publicly traded REITs to private equity firms to high-net-worth individuals. For more information, visit www.OTODevelopment.com.

Media Contacts
Diane Jackson
OTO Development
djackson@otodevelopment.com

Christine Lin
Marriott International
christine.lin@marriott.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Mindful Chef Celebrates B Corp Certification with Increase in Environment Section

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Mindful Chef Celebrates B Corp Certification with Increase in Environment Section - SUSTAINABLEFIRST.com - TRAVELINDEXLondon, United Kingdom, August 16, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Healthy food brand Mindful Chef is proud to announce that it has boosted its B Corp score by a third, including an impressive 249% increase in the ‘environment’ section of the assessment.

The new ‘outstanding’ score secures Mindful Chef’s spot as one of the highest-rated food & beverage B Corps in the UK, as well as placing the brand in the top 3% of global B Corp food companies. Mindful Chef has been certified by B Lab, the not-for-profit behind the B Corp movement, for a second time, having met rigorous social and environmental standards which represent its commitment to goals outside of shareholder profit.

The steep increase in Mindful Chef’s B Corp score reaffirms the carbon-neutral brand’s commitment to pursuing purpose, and not just profit, across a number of categories considering environmental, social and economic issues. The B Corp certification addresses the entirety of a business’s operations and covers five key impact areas including an ‘environment’ section, which Mindful Chef has particularly excelled in through an array of initiatives including, but not limited to [see ‘Notes to Editors’ for further information]:

– Carbon management plans, conducting three annual carbon footprint assessments since 2019 and striving for Net Zero by 2030
– Quality and regenerative farming, focusing on free-range and sustainably-sourced produce, mostly sourced from UK soil that is accredited by stamps including LEAF marque, Red Tractor, MSC & ASC fish and RSPCA
– Low carbon recipes that are in line with the WWF’s target of reducing food-related emissions

Mindful Chef has also seen an increase in its ‘Workers’ impact score, which relates to the way it treats its team. Key developments in this area include improving the employee benefits most important to the team, from enhanced maternity and paternity leave to healthcare and mental health resources. With the ambition of Mindful Chef being ‘more than just a job’, the brand has introduced initiatives such as extending holiday leave, launching an Unafraid in Action sabbatical program and offering 4 giving back days per team member each year.

As a business grows, and the assessment evolves, B Corp (re)certification gets harder. In order to maintain B Corp certification, a company must update its assessment every three years, ensuring that certified B Corporations continue to engage in a high level of impact, even as the business grows or changes. As such, Mindful Chef is already looking ahead to what more can be done to support the brand’s mission to be healthy for both people and the planet.

Mindful Chef is working with its suppliers to drive down the impact of its supply chain – where most of its carbon emissions come from – with an exciting announcement scheduled for Q4 2022, just after the company launches its fourth annual nationwide clean-up operation following a record 2021 event that registered as the UK’s biggest clean-up event to date. Mindful Chef is also pleased to announce that it has just extended its Low Carbon Range across its full menu and hit the amazing milestone of donataing 14 million meals to children living in poverty via it One Feeds Two program.

Myles Hopper, Mindful Chef Co-founder, comments: “We are so proud to not only have secured B Corp recertification but to have vastly improved our score thanks to so much hard work and dedication from the whole Mindful Chef team, alongside the continued support of our community of customers, over the last three years.

The B Corp movement was started based on the foundational belief that business can be a force for good and used to tackle the challenges we humans face, which resonates deeply with the core values and morals we have always placed importance on here at Mindful Chef.

The hard work of being a B Corp never stops – we’re always figuring out new and exciting ways to use our business as a force for good and we’re really excited about what’s coming up, including a ground-breaking biodiversity and soil health project in Q4 2022 to further drive down our impact from farm to fork”.

About B Lab UK
B Lab UK is transforming the economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet. A leader in economic systems change, our global network creates standards, policies, and tools for business, and we certify companies—known as B Corps—who are leading the way. To date, our global community includes over 4000 B Corps in 77 countries and 153 industries, and over 100,000 companies manage their impact with the B Impact Assessment and the SDG Action Manager.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Wynn Palace Presents Sustainably Chic Mooncakes

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Wynn Palace Presents Sustainably Chic Mooncakes - TOP25Hotels.com - TRAVELINDEXMacao, Macao SAR, August 16, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / In keeping with Wynn’s ongoing efforts to build a greener city and continued support of Macau local brands, Wynn Macau and Wynn Palace are pleased to once again collaborate with October Fifth Bakery Macau to present delicately crafted mooncakes in sustainably chic gift sets for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

This year, Wynn has taken its eco-friendly mooncake gift set design to a whole new level by creating completely sustainable packaging that is made to impress – both inside and out. Not only are the carry cases designed as stylish tote bags for use all year-round, the interior packaging has also been thoughtfully designed to minimize Wynn’s carbon footprint. Each elegant mooncake gift box features 3D embossed Wynn flowers and is printed on FSC-certified paper that has been harvested responsibly to protect the forests, and a more sustainable Soy Ink is used in place of traditional ink. The mooncake trays within the boxes are also made entirely of biodegradable materials to further reduce environmental impact. In true Wynn fashion, the tote bags are stylish, yet also very versatile and practical. Each tote bag is lined with a layer of thermal insulation to protect food and beverages for outdoor celebrations anytime of year.

Catering to popular demand, Wynn has once again joined hands with October Fifth Bakery Macau, a local and homegrown favorite brand, to specially curate two mooncake gift set collections. The Wynn Tea Classic Mooncakes are infused with the irresistably fragrant Osmanthus Oolong tea, while the Wynn Signature Mooncakes feature three distinctive flavors – Tea Classic, Lava Pineapple and Coffee. Meticulously made with the highest quality of ingredients, these locally crafted mooncakes are the perfect gifts for friends and family to enjoy all throughout the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Guests may visit Wing Lei at Wynn Macau or Sweets at Wynn Palace to purchase mooncakes or gift vouchers for friends and loved ones in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Wynn partners with a local Macau bakery to present delicately crafted mooncakes in sustainably chic gift sets – a truly eco-concious way to celebrate the magic of Mid-Autumn.

About Wynn Macau
Wynn Macau is a luxury hotel and casino resort in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China with two iconic towers featuring a total of 1,010 spacious rooms and suites, approximately 252,000 square feet of casino space, over 59,000 square feet of retail space, 12 food and beverage outlets, two spas, a salon and a pool. The resort proudly boasts three distinct entertainment experiences, including Macau’s only choreographed Performance Lake, blending lofty plumes of water, gracefully choreographed music from Broadway tunes to renowned Chinese songs, powerful LED lights and fire effects.

Wynn Macau is operated by international resort developer Wynn Resorts, recipient of more Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Awards than any other independent hotel company in the world. Wynn Macau opened on September 6, 2006 and its second tower

About Wynn Palace
Wynn Palace is the second luxury integrated resort from international resort developer Wynn Resorts in the Macau Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, following the launch of Wynn Macau. Located in the Cotai area, it features a 28-storey hotel with 1,706 exquisitely furnished rooms, suites and villas, versatile meeting facilities, over 107,000 square feet of renowned luxury retail, 14 food and beverage outlets, Macau’s largest spa, a salon, a pool and approximately 424,000 square feet of casino space. The resort also features a variety of entertainment experiences, including the dazzling 8-acre Performance Lake that mesmerizes guests with a choreographed display of water, music and light, the unique SkyCab, spectacular, large-scale floral displays and an extensive collection of art works by some of the world’s leading artists. Wynn Palace Macau is one of the TOP25 Hotels in the World – The World’s Best Luxury Hotels.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Forest Bathing with Hotels Around Asia

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Forest Bathing with Hotels Around Asia - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25SPASWhile a relaxing soak in a deep tub is sine qua non for any luxury hotel stay, there’s another kind of bathing that is making its way into resort lexicon – forest bathing. Hotels are rolling out experiences where guests absorb nature like sponges.

What used to be a plain old walk in the woods has taken on new shades since the ‘80s when Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) was first introduced in Japan. The practice has spread further over the years as people seek an antidote to too much time online. Just like unwinding in a bath, forest bathing is about immersing yourself fully in the present moment. The practice has a myriad of health benefits, from reducing blood pressure to boosting the immune system.

Not all forest bathing is the same, of course. There are many ways to take a bath. Here are a few from Vietnam to Thailand that you might want to dip your toe in.

Walking with Intention in a National Park in Vietnam

Set within 108-square-kilometers of protected natural forest at Ba Vi National Park, Melia Ba Vi Mountain Retreat is one of the first properties in Vietnam to offer this mood-boosting, stress-releasing practice. The guided experience involves walking with intention through the resort’s surrounding tropical forest to a hidden stream. Guests are encouraged to tune into all their senses, noticing everything from bark to birdsong. The expansive park, west of the capital, has subtropical and tropical evergreen forest to bask in and diverse wildlife, including over 150 bird species to provide a one-of-a-kind soundtrack. The whole experience lasts around two hours and is roughly five kilometers.

Meet Banyan Tree Krabi’s Neighbors – the Waterfalls and Mountains

With a bountiful and beautiful variety of flora and fauna in adjoining Khao Ngon Nak National Park, including a panoramic viewpoint offering stunning views of the surrounding islands in the Andaman Sea, Banyan Tree Krabi is the ideal jumping-off point for for a hike up Naga Mountain. Banyan Tree’s half-day walking tour includes ample time for birdwatching, soothing your feet in a waterfall pool, and wallowing in the tranquility and splendor of a tropical forest. “Leave your phone in the villa for one morning and come with us into the forest,” said Sustainability Manager Thepsuda Loijiw.” It’s suitable for all ages, and you’ll never regret spending time with Mother Nature.” The national park is open from 5am to 2pm every day. For bookings, contact Thepsuda and her team at: krabi@banyantree.com, or call +66 75 811 888.

Elephant ‘Poo Poo Paper’ Walking Tour

While forest bathing and elephant poo poo don’t necessarily go hand in hand, there are many ways to skin a cat when it comes to Shinrin-yoku. What they’re doing at “Elephant POOPOOPAPER Park” is a case in point. From Meliá Chiang Mai, the mindful traveler embarks on the park’s “interpretive walking tour” through lush gardens and eight different pavilions to demonstrate the sustainable practice of making tree-free paper products from elephant poop fibers, from poo collection to rinsing and final product assembly. During the self-guided tour, guests are encouraged to pull up a stool, roll up their sleeves and join the park’s talented artisans and guides to participate in the fascinating process to handcraft the paper used for cards, paper pads, journals and more.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PolyU Staff Honoured with Chef Herman Breithaupt Award

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PolyU Staff Honoured with Chef Herman Breithaupt Award - TRAVELINDEXChef Simone Nabbs, Executive Chef and Kitchen Manager of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), was recently bestowed the Chef Herman Breithaupt Award by the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (ICHRIE).

The Chef Herman Breithaupt Award honours the memory of a pioneer in culinary education by recognising outstanding achievement and contributions to culinary arts or foodservice education by a chef/educator. Chef Nabbs is the first recipient from an institution in the Asia-Pacific region to receive this prestigious award since its introduction in 1980. The award clearly recognises her high professionalism and her remarkable contributions to hospitality education and to ICHRIE.

An Australian national, Chef Nabbs identifies herself as passionate and colourful ambassador of the culinary arts, being part of a team, an extension of a long history of tradition and pride in connecting people through food. Having worked internationally in a diverse range of opportunities around the globe, she has served the industry assiduously for more than two decades. Chef Nabbs then amalgamated with education and joined the SHTM in 2012, vividly engaging with her students and introducing them to the diversity and dynamic world of food and beverage.

The Chef Herman Breithaupt Award was presented at the 2022 Annual International CHRIE Summer Conference held in Washington, DC on 3-6 August.

About International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education

International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) is a non-profit professional association dedicated to providing programmes and services to continually improve the quality of global education, research, service and business operations in the hospitality and tourism industry.

About PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management

For over 40 years, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has refined a distinctive vision of hospitality and tourism education and become a world-leading hotel and tourism school. Ranked No. 1 in the world in the “Hospitality and Tourism Management” category in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2022 for the sixth consecutive year, placed No. 1 globally in the “Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services” category in the University Ranking by Academic Performance in 2020/2021 for four years in a row, rated No. 1 in the world in the “Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism” subject area by the CWUR Rankings by Subject 2017, and ranked No. 1 in Asia in the “Hospitality and Leisure Management” subject area in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022 for the sixth consecutive year, the SHTM is a symbol of excellence in the field, exemplifying its motto of Leading Hospitality and Tourism.

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

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Ultra-Luxury Historic Resort Rosewood Schloss Fuschl to Open in 2023

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Ultra-Luxury Historic Resort Rosewood Schloss Fuschl to Open in 2023 - TOP25HOTELS.com - TRAVELINDEXFuschlsee-Salzburg, Austria, August 15, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Ultra-Luxury, Historic Lakeside Resort In Austria Continues The Strategic Growth Of Rosewood Hotels and Resorts Across Europe. Rosewood Schloss Fuschl has been appointed by Arabella Hospitality, a subsidiary of Schörghuber Corporate Group to manage the legendary Hotel Schloss Fuschl in Austria, with a reopening scheduled in late 2023. Idyllically situated on the banks of Lake Fuschl, the graceful, historic property is reminiscent of a fairytale castle and has been welcoming illustrious guests for centuries. The new resort will mark Rosewood’s second property in Austria following Rosewood Vienna’s recent opening and adds to the brand’s robust development pipeline of properties across Europe and the German-speaking market.

The reimagining of this 15th century landmark not only adds to Rosewood’s unique collection of ultra-luxury hotels and resorts, but cements the brand’s status as a meticulous and caring guardian of some of the world’s most iconic heritage buildings. Landmark structures from Paris to Madrid, New York to London and beyond, have been sensitively restored to former brilliance and positioned to create new and distinguished chapters in their stories.

“We are pleased to continue our growth in Austria, with the addition of this beautiful and tranquil lakeside property. Complementing the opening of Rosewood Vienna, this property expands our presence in this storied destination with a unique resort offering,” says Sonia Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Rosewood Hotel Group. “Reimagining and restoring historic spaces has become an integral part of Rosewood’s brand DNA, and we are honored to be entrusted with continuing the legacy of this notable property.”

Located on the shores of turquoise-blue Lake Fuschl, surrounded by mountains and forests, Rosewood Schloss Fuschl is only a short distance away from picturesque Salzburg, a city famous for its history, culture, music and more.

The full renovation, beginning in 2022, will update the structure and grounds to feature 98 well-appointed guestrooms, including 46 suites and six chalets. In addition, Rosewood Schloss Fuschl will be home to world-class restaurants and lounges and will also feature Asaya, Rosewood’s integrative well-being concept, with eight treatment rooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a fitness center.

First used as a hotel space in 1954, Hotel Schloss Fuschl was initially constructed as a castle to serve as a country escape for Austrian royalty, with its original structure dating back to 1450. Across its fabled history the resort has been acclaimed as an exquisite, tranquil retreat for discerning travelers from film stars to foreign dignitaries. Its silhouette has been synonymous with the grandeur and glory of elegance through time.

This is the second partnership between Arabella Hospitality and Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, with the brands currently working together to debut Rosewood Munich. The two groups are committed to protecting Rosewood Schloss Fuschl’s deep heritage while modernizing the resort experience, celebrating the intersection of both old and new, in keeping with Rosewood’s A Sense of Place® guiding concept.

“My family is once again investing heavily in the substance of this magical place and in its soul” says Florian Schörghuber, Co-Chief Executive Officer of Schörghuber Corporate Group. “Along with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts who, with their A Sense of Place philosophy, are the perfect partner for Schloss Fuschl; we will lead our hotel into a new, successful era and secure and expand it as a home of exceptional hospitality and equally as an important economic contributor to the province of Salzburg.”

“I am delighted that, in addition to Rosewood Munich, we will now also entrust Rosewood Schloss Fuschl to our internationally renowned partner Rosewood for management.” says Karl-Heinz Pawlizki, Chief Executive Officer of Arabella Hospitality. “Rosewood Hotels & Resorts is the perfect luxury hotel brand for the tradition-rich castle with its spectacular location on Lake Fuschl. We are convinced that together we can successfully position it in the European luxury resort segment after the extensive renovation. Rosewood’s values and culture are an excellent fit with ours. We are already looking forward to welcoming the first guests from all over the world in Munich and at Lake Fuschl.”

Rosewood Schloss Fuschl is the latest hotel announcement for the Rosewood Hotels & Resorts brand, adding to a strong pipeline of projects set to open in Europe in the coming years, in Amsterdam, Munich, Rome, London and Venice. Rosewood Schloss Fuschl will join the brand’s existing portfolio of hotels and resorts across Europe, including Rosewood Vienna; Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco in Tuscany; Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel in Paris; Rosewood Villa Magna in Madrid and Rosewood London.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Mekong Tourism Forum is Back

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The Mekong Tourism Forum is Back - VISITMEKONG - TRAVELINDEXQuang Nam, Vietnam, August 15, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The Mekong Tourism Forum 2022 will return as a face-to-face event 9-14 October at Hoiana Resort & Golf (Hoiana), Quang Nam province, adjacent to Hoi An city, in central Vietnam. Mekong Tourism Forum 2022: Rebuild Tourism, Rebound with Resilience.

It will be the first in-person gathering of the six Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) destinations since 2019.

With the theme “Rebuild Tourism, Rebound with Resilience,” the forum in Quang Nam will be the first interactive event convening public- and private-sector tourism leaders and experts in the Mekong region since COVID-19 disrupted the travel industry.

“With a lot of rebuilding and catching up to do, the 2022 Mekong Tourism Forum aims to drive real action and create a more resilient, inclusive, sustainable and successful tourism industry.” said Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

The main public discussions and speeches at the Forum will take place on 12 October. Speakers will focus on tourism recovery, digital transformation, supply chain localisation, social enterprise business models, and best practices for a resilient travel sector rebound, especially using latest technologies.

Topics will include megatrends that affect tourism recovery. Panelists and experts will suggest policies, regulations and investments needed to bring back travel and tourism. There will be a special emphasis on nature-based solutions and technology adoption.

Specific panels will address social enterprises, connecting sustainable tourism suppliers and buyers, and unlocking green tourism opportunities.

Speakers will include leaders from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), representatives from other GMS national tourism organisations, the Asian Development Bank, Destination Mekong, Agoda, the Pacific Asia Travel Association, OAG, YAANA Ventures, EXO Travel, Travelife and the ASEAN Tourism Association, among others.

The Mekong Forum will take place in in Hoiana Resort & Golf (Hoiana), on a beach setting just south of Hoi An UNESCO-listed heritage city. Da Nang international airport is 40 minutes from the conference venue.

There will be complimentary airport transfers for Forum guests on 11 and 14 October. There will be post-event delegate tours in the Quang Nam area on 13 October.

The Mekong Tourism Forum is free to attend for genuine Greater Mekong Sub-region travel and tourism stakeholders.

Quang Nam and green tourism is the focus of Visit Vietnam Year 2022.

About The Mekong Tourism Forum
First held in 1996, the Mekong Tourism Forum is an annual government-led event dedicated to the tourism industry in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The event provides a cooperative platform for travel and tourism stakeholders to discuss regional tourism development, along with the marketing and promotion of travel to, from, and within the GMS. It presents an inclusive, interactive, and results-oriented opportunity to encourage public- and private-sector participation in promoting the GMS as a single destination.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

‘RESTLESS’ MONSOON SEASON FLOODING IN LAS VEGAS:

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Two people are dead as the most “restless” summer monsoon season in a decade became deadly Thursday. Intense lightning and thunderstorms flooded parts of southern Nevada and a leaky ceiling forced table games to stop at one Las Vegas Strip casino.

A man’s body was found Friday by public works crews and firefighters removing debris from a flood channel near the Las Vegas Boulevard resort area where a person died about midnight despite being pulled by firefighters from floodwaters, Deputy Clark County Fire Chief Billy Samuels said. The Clark County coroner did not immediately report the identities or causes of death in either case.

Water also flowed through a parking structure flood channel near The Linq hotel and High Roller observation wheel, and social media posts showed water leaking from the ceiling onto gambling tables at the Planet Hollywood resort.

Officials with Caesars Entertainment Inc., owner of both properties, did not immediately respond to messages about damage.

The overnight storm was similar to another that swept through Las Vegas two weeks earlier.

Friday dawned to clear skies, but the National Weather Service reported thunderstorms by afternoon north and east of the Las Vegas Valley. It said heavy downpours, frequent lightning and gusty winds would be possible with any storms

A flash flood watch was in effect through the day for southern Nevada and neighboring counties: Mohave in northwest Arizona and San Bernardino in California.

Meteorologist Brian Planz said about 1.25 inches (3.2 centimeters) of rain fell overnight in some areas west of the Las Vegas Strip and near the city of Kingman in northwest Arizona.

One gauge in Arizona’s Hualapai Mountains logged almost 2.5 inches (6.3 centimeters) of rain on Thursday, Planz said, and some Mohave County desert roads prone to flash flooding became impassible because of running water.

Social media video showed water above hubcaps of cars in some Las Vegas intersections and washing into the doorway stairs of a bus plowing through flooding.

Winds were not a widespread factor late Thursday, but the weather service recorded a gust of 64 mph (103 kph) at North Las Vegas Airport. No damage was reported.

Planz said 0.58 inch (1.47 centimeters) of rain was recorded at Harry Reid International Airport, bringing the total to 1.28 inches (3.25 centimeters) during the June 15 to Sept. 30 monsoon season.

“That makes this the wettest monsoon season in ten years,” the weather service said over a Tweet chart labelled “Restless 2022 Monsoon.” It tallied 3.63 inches (9.2 centimeters) of summer rain in the region in 2012, but only a trace in 2020.

The Las Vegas area usually receives about 4.2 inches (10.7 centimeters) of rain per year.

Planz said forecasts call for more storms through next week, fuelled by warm air and moisture drawn north from the Gulf of California.

“There’s really no sign of the monsoon letting up anytime soon, so we’re going to continue to see the chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms each afternoon and evening,” Planz said.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP: Aug. 08-12, 2022

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In last week’s news: Choice Hotels bought Radisson Americas; more cruise lines eased COVID protocols; the feds announced an official investigation into the customs chaos at Canadian airports; and WestJet revealed its winter schedule.

NEWS

Canadian tourism employment saw positive gains in July, growing by 5.5%, according to a new snapshot report by Tourism HR Canada. The beleaguered tourism sector added 106,300 jobs, for a total of 2,034,400 workers, according to the report, marking the first time the first time since February 2020 that employment has topped 2 million, which it had consistently done pre-pandemic, throughout 2018 and 2019.

Led by a nearly 50% estimated rise in airfares, global travel prices are predicted to continue to increase in the remaining months of 2022 and throughout 2023, according to the just-published 2023 Global Business Travel Forecast by CWT and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). Lavour shortages, and inflationary pressures in raw material costs are also primary drivers of the expected price growth.

The House of Commons transport committee launched an investigation into airport delays and flight cancellations. The committee will invite Transport Minister Omar Alghabra to testify and will hold its first hearing by the end of next week.

BORDERS

Hong Kong has reduced the mandatory hotel quarantine for overseas arrivals to three days from a week. The policy makes for Hong Kong’s shortest quarantine for arrivals since the pandemic began, having a one point required 21 days of isolation.

BY THE NUMBERS

Tourism arrivals in Israel this summer are approaching the record-breaking numbers of summer 2019 – an upward trend that comes on the heels of the country reopening to international travellers regardless of vaccination status in March. During June, Israel saw almost 113,000 North American tourists (excluding day visitors and cruise passengers) while in June of 2019 there were close to 132,000 North American tourists who entered the country.

AIR

The return of 17 sun and leisure routes that were suspended for more than two years will highlight WestJet’s winter schedule, with destinations ranging across Caribbean, Mexico and US, along with new six-times weekly WestJet Link service between Penticton, BC, and Vancouver beginning on Feb. 17, 2023, along with the restart of domestic connectivity between Edmonton and Nanaimo, BC. WestJet operations will increase 45% to sun and leisure flights from winter 2021, 60% in transborder, and 25% transatlantic.

Flair Airlines is adding another route to its Mexico network with twice-weekly non-stop service to Cancun from Toronto. There will also be additional frequencies added on several Mexico routes. Flair is also moving its Los Angeles operations from Hollywood Burbank Airport to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), effective Oct. 31.

Federal regulators in the US say they are satisfied with changes Boeing has made in the production of its 787 Dreamliner passenger jet, clearing the way for the company to resume deliveries to airline customers. Production of the big, two-aisle 787 has been marred by several problems including gaps between panels of the carbon-composite skin, and use of unapproved titanium parts from a supplier in Italy. Those issues prevented Boeing from delivering any of the planes for most of the last two years, and about 120 have been parked while Boeing tried to fix the production process.

DEALS

Visit San Antonio has launched a first-ever marketing partnership with Hotelbeds/Bedsonline providing special promotional rates for the Texas destination through the end of November. Accessible to the travel trade in Canada, the campaign provides exclusive promotional rates to San Antonio hotels for use by travel partners including travel agents, tour operators, points and loyalty programs, and airline packages. The co-op includes 20 hotel and resort properties in all categories across the destination and is available .

TOURS

Small ship ocean cruises from New York City to Quebec City aboard the ship Silver Shadow will be offered by tour company Tauck in the fall of 2023, marking the company’s latest expansion into domestic cruising and furthering its partnership with Silversea. The new 13-day “Shores of Eastern Canada and New England” itinerary will include three northbound Manhattan-to-Quebec City departures along with three southbound trips, all in September and October of next year. The new cruise follows the 2019 introduction of Tauck’s “Cruising the Great Lakes: Chicago to Toronto” itinerary. Elsewhere in the US, Tauck has also featured a cruise along Alaska’s Inside Passage as well as a 15-day “Grand Alaska” combination land tour/seven-night cruise in its portfolio for many years.

The Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) has announced a strategic partnership with Tourism Cares to advance sustainable tourism through collaboration and education. Tourism Cares is a non-profit organization that advances the travel industry’s positive impact to help people and places thrive. The organization mobilizes the travel industry to use its business as a force for good by uniting, activating, and inspiring all sectors to make a positive impact through travel.

HOTELS

1 Hotel Nashville

Luxury lifestyle hotel brand 1 Hotels has opened its eighth global property in Nashville. 1 Hotel Nashville (photo) is located in the heart of downtown, directly across from the Music City Center and within walking distance of the Country Music Hall of Fame. With 215 rooms, including 37 suites, the hotel features a verdant ivy-covered façade and rooms with rough-hewn poster beds and workbench-like vanities, touches of reclaimed and in-room chalkboards to reduce paper-use.

Choice Hotels International has completed the acquisition of Radisson Hotels Americas for approximately $675 million from Radisson Hotel Group, inclusive of the real estate value of three owned hotels. The deal adds approximately 67,000 rooms to Choice across nine brands, including Radisson Blu, Radisson, Radisson Individuals, Park Plaza, Radisson RED, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Park Inn by Radisson, Radisson Inn & Suites and Radisson Collection.

RESORTS

The first phase of Royal Resorts’ Royal Uno All Inclusive Resort & Spa is now open. Located in the Cancun Hotel Zone, the property features four bars and five new restaurants, two oversized pools and a children’s pool with water play area, swim-up bar and beach bar, watersport lagoon, Uno Kids Club, a Family Room for activities, and direct beach access. Guests will have access to kayaks and sailboats on the lagoon, daily activities, and evening entertainment. An introductory incentive offers 25% discount on the all-inclusive stay plus a $500 resort credit and a complimentary one-way private airport transportation service when booked by today (Aug. 15).

Playa Hotels & Resorts has entered into an agreement to assume the management of the Seadust Cancun Family Resort in Mexico. Playa will manage all operations, sales, and marketing of the resort, which is situated along is Hotel Zone and features 502-rooms, 10 restaurants and bars, state of-the-art fitness centre and a full-service holistic spa. Seadust will be Playa’s sixth managed property in Mexico, and the 23rd overall joining other all-inclusive resorts managed by Playa within the Hyatt Ziva, Hyatt Zilara, Hilton, Wyndham Alltra, Marriott’s The Luxury Collection, and Jewel brands.

CRUISE

Cunard is adjusting pre-travel testing requirements. From Sept. 6, self-testing for COVID-19 prior to travel will change from “mandatory” to “highly recommended” for vaccinated guests on the vast majority of voyages. Only guests sailing on longer, more complex itineraries will be required to have an observed or in person antigen or PCR test with a fit to travel certificate prior to departure. These include a number of sailings of 16 nights or more and other specific voyages.

1 Hotel Nashville has announced also passenger protocol updates making it easier for more guests to sail with simplified vaccination and testing guidelines, including no pre-cruise testing for vaccinated guests on sailings less than 16 nights (except for cruises to Canada, Bermuda, Greece, and Australia), and eliminating the exemption request process for unvaccinated guests, who will only need to show a negative test result at embarkation. The changes, which go into effect on Sept. 6, “meet public health goals but recognize the evolving nature of COVID-19,” says the cruise line.

ATTRACTIONS & THEME PARKS

For a limited time, Discovery Cove in Orlando is offering a free $50 gift card per guest with the purchase of a single-day admission. The card can be used for merchandise, photos, and more while at Discovery Cove, or to spend at any one of the other domestic parks in the SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment family, including SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens, Sesame Place, and more. The offer is bookable until Aug. 28 for visits through March 9, 2023.

EVENTS

The Region of Magallanes and the Chilean Antarctic will host a spin off from the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA)’s AdventureNEXT series. Taking place Sept. 12-14 in Torres del Paine, the first-of-its-kind event will offer a combination of B2B Marketplace, keynotes, round table discussions, and one-to-one networking opportunities.

FAMS & INCENTIVES

A one-of-a-kind trip to Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia, and North Macedonia will be hosted by Toronto-based tour company NĀRAT from Oct. 13 to 25. The 13-day “Ultimate Balkans FAM” is designed to explore the distinctive culture and social diversity of a region dubbed the “powder-keg of Europe.” Highlights include UNESCO-rated Kotor, Baroque Dubrovnik, the charming old towns of Mostar and Sarajevo, and scenic Ohrid Lake. Cost of the trip is US$1,750 and includes accommodation in deluxe and boutique hotels, all transfers, meals, entrance fess, and airfare from Toronto. Connections from other Canadian cities are available with a supplement and agents are allowed one companion subject to availability. To register, e-mail fams@narat.org.

AGENCIES

The Travel Agent Next Door has entered into a white label agreement with Wed in Destination to fulfill wedding group leads utilizing TTAND’s lead generation platform. A niche travel business launched by Suri Pillai, Wed in Destination will retain its own branding to alleviate for customer with the new host agency.

UNIGLOBE Travel (Eastern Canada) has introduced a number of prominent Ontario agencies as members: Clarke-Way Travel (Toronto), Avenue Travel (Toronto), Travel My Way (Caledon), and Royal City Travel (Guelph) are owned by Stephanie & Gene Branchflower and have been serving the GTA & Golden Horseshoe regions for over 40 years, while Ellison Travel & Tours is one of Canada’s largest travel agencies with locations in Exeter and London, Ont., and North Vancouver, BC.

PEOPLE/APPOINTMENTS

Two key leadership appointments in Canada have been made by Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG). Chris Lynes has been named Managing Director of the Canadian business following the retirement of John Beauvais at the end of the company’s financial year on June 30, 2022, and Brian McLaren is the new EVP for Flight Centre Brand Canada.

DESTINATIONS

Following the completion of its restoration, Türkiye’s (Turkey) ancient Laodicean Theatre (photo) recently hosted its first performance after 1,690 years of silence. The İzmir State Symphony Orchestra performed a concert for nearly 15,000 people at the theatre’s re-opening ceremony. The excavation and restoration studies of Laodicea City were completed in a short period of 20 years and the ancient city was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tentative List in 2013 as one of the largest and most important archaeological sites in Türkiye.

National Geographic’s “Beyond King Tut: The Immersive Experience” will take over the Vancouver Convention Centre from Oct. 27 to Jan. 8, 2023. The exhibition celebrates the 100-year anniversary of the discovery of King Tut’s tomb and connects the journey to modern-day Egypt through nine distinct galleries and includes a narrated VR Experience of the tomb. A story 3,000 years in the making comes to life in this unique exhibition.

LAST WEEK IN TRAVEL HISTORY

In 1949, the first commercial jet plane to fly in the Western Hemisphere made its maiden flight over the Malton airport (now Pearson International) outside Toronto. The Jetliner C-102 was designed in Canada by an Englishman, James Floyd, and built by Avro of Toronto. It was never produced commercially.

Send info to baginski@travelindustrytoday.com

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News