Posts Tagged :

news

Four Hands Cantonese Chef’s Collaboration from Hong Kong to Bangkok

 800 481 wttc2
By:
four-hands-cantonese-chefs-collaboration-from-hong-kong-to-bangkok.jpg

Four Hands Cantonese Chef's Collaboration from Hong Kong to Bangkok - TOP25RESTAURANTS.comBangkok, Thailand, March 12, 2024 / TOP25RESTAURANTS / Banyan Tree Bangkok is pleased to announce an exciting collaboration with Hotel ICON, a unique teaching and research hotel in Hong Kong, where the focus will be on influential culinary delights and cultural exchange through tasting menu and promotion. This gastronomic event will include chef’s collaboration dinner at Banyan Tree Bangkok’s Bai Yun, and Thai cuisine showcase at Hotel ICON’s The Market.

The collaboration program will commence with a Thai Food Influence Festival, featuring collaboration between Thai Sous Chef Renu from Banyan Tree Bangkok and Hotel ICON’s Executive Chef Danny Ho at Hotel ICON. The festival will bring forth a delightful array of authentic Northern Thai delicacies to the renowned buffet restaurant, The Market from March 12 to April 30, 2024, at Hotel ICON Hong Kong.

From March 21–22, 2024, Bai Yun will present “4-Hand Symphony of Cantonese Flavours,” a unique culinary collaboration between Executive Chinese Chef Chi Ki Wong from Hotel ICON, Hong Kong, and our Cantonese resident Chef Simon Kin Man Kwok. The two master chefs will join forces to craft an exquisite eight-course culinary journey that blends traditional Cantonese cuisines with local influences.

Chef Simon and Chef Chi Ki Wong will then travel to Phuket for an exquisite 3-day event starting March 26 – 28 ,2024, where they will present their masterful Cantonese creations to Phuketians at Veya restaurant that celebrates vibrant Asian fare with an emphasis on sustainability and ingredient provenance.

Hailing from Hong Kong, Chef Wong has been appointed as the Executive Chinese Chef of Above & Beyond since 2019. Located on the 28th floor of Hotel ICON, the Michelin-recommended Above & Beyond commands gorgeous views of Victoria Harbour, it brings together a space that is at once elegantly sleek and invitingly down-to-earth with food that stays true to Cantonese tradition while embracing constant evolution. With more than two decades of experience, Chef Wong has acquired profound expertise in curating refined Cantonese dishes with innovative techniques.

At Banyan Tree Bangkok, Chef Simon brings with him his wealth of experience in authentic Cantonese dining and has helmed Bai Yun since 2021. Having been exposed to the culinary world since childhood, Chef Simon is a passionate cook and has mastered a handful of signature specialties. With exquisite menu selections and stunning views from the 59th floor, Bai Yun is renowned for its exceptional dining experience.

The four-hand collaboration at Bai Yun will showcase the culmination of culinary expertise that has been honed for decades, perfected with modern techniques, and laced with epicurean flair of local premium ingredients. Diner can expect eight-course palatable dishes such as a trilogy appetizer highlighting jelly fish, crispy pork, and bird nest; Hong Kong-style sautéed Phuket lobster; classic steamed grouper in lotus leaf with a modern twist; and abalone steak with egg noodles.

Available exclusively for two days only from March 21-22, the 4-Hand Symphony of Cantonese Flavours will astound discerning diners with an unforgettable culinary experience.

Eight-course journey is priced at THB 3,888 per person.

For more information and reservations please contact 0 2679 1200

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

PATA Gold Awards 2024 Open for Submissions

 800 533 wttc2
By:
pata-gold-awards-2024-open-for-submissions.jpg

PATA Gold Awards 2024 Open for Submissions - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, March 12, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has officially opened submissions for the prestigious PATA Gold Awards 2024. Travel industry professionals are invited to submit outstanding projects and initiatives for consideration until April 30, 2024.

The PATA Gold Awards, now celebrating its 40th edition and graciously hosted by the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) for the 29th consecutive year, seeks to honour exceptional achievements across various sectors within the Asia Pacific travel industry and motivate continued excellence in the future of tourism worldwide.

This year’s award ceremony, which will take place during PATA Travel Mart (PTM 2024) in Bangkok, Thailand, will name Two Grand Title Winners in two main categories: Marketing, and Sustainability and Social Responsibility. A total of 25 Gold Awards will be presented to outstanding projects making remarkable contributions to the industry.

Ms Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Director of the Macao Government Tourism Office, said, “We are looking forward to seeing the latest great initiatives of tourism stakeholders in the Asia-Pacific, in marketing as well as sustainable and social responsibility, which are so important to keep on rejuvenating our industry. As Macao moves towards more tourism diversification, it is an honor to support the PATA Gold Awards and contribute to showcase how the tourism industry can be a positive engine to build a better future.”

“PATA extends its sincere gratitude to the Macao Government Tourism Office for their unwavering support and partnership. Their continued dedication to fostering excellence in the travel industry is truly commendable,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “As another exciting season of the PATA Gold Awards begins, all travel industry professionals are encouraged to seize this opportunity to showcase their remarkable projects and initiatives. Let’s continue to drive innovations, promote sustainable development, and establish a new height for Asia Pacific tourism industry standards.

Benefits of Participating:

  • Exposure to PATA’s panel of experts curated globally.
  • Brand and project exposure to PATA’s extensive and diverse members across all public and private players in the Asia Pacific travel ecosystem.
  • International media exposure through press releases and other promotional channels.
  • Coverage on PATA’s marketing, social, and electronic direct mail (eDM) channels reaching key players in the public and private travel sector across Asia Pacific and beyond.
  • Complimentary access to PATA Travel Mart 2024 hosted in Bangkok, Thailand.

For further information, please visit www.pata.org/pata-gold-awards-2024 or contact goldawards@PATA.org.

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

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Let’s Go to the South of Thailand Together with TAT’s Amazing Thailand Beyond Experience

 500 500 wttc2
By:

Lets go to the south of Thailand together with TAT. & AIS and enjoy countless discounts from Amazing Thailand Beyond Experience - Tourism Authority of Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) joins hands with Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS) to cooperate with business owners in the southern region of Thailand, for the purpose of launching a campaign named “Amazing Thailand Beyond Experience” which aims to provide exclusive special deals and discounts for expats and foreign tourists; in order to encourage connected traveling from main cities to less-visited cities and creating a meaningful experience (The right moment can be created without waiting), ultimately leading to sustainability. Make traveling become “Spontaneous Happiness”.

Nowadays, Thailand has gained popularity from foreigners as a destination for living and working abroad. Based on a statistic by the Expat Insider in 2023 (data from July 2023), Thailand is ranked 6th out of 53 countries across the globe as the Best Destination for Living and Working Abroad. The ranking has continuously improved over the years, from the 12nd place in 2021 to the 8th place in 2022. Thailand possesses factors that enable working abroad, for example, satisfactory salary, good quality of living, rich culture, delectable cuisine, and other factors concerning tourism such as a variety of tourist destination and interesting activities; all of which perfectly meets expat tourist’s demands for traveling, be it workation, wellness tourism, or leisure shopping.

Therefore, TAT. cooperates with Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS) and tourism businesses in the southern region of Thailand (e.g. accommodation, restaurant, health & wellness, activity, and community-based tourism) to launch a campaign named “Amazing Thailand Beyond Experience”, in order to stimulate southern Thailand tourism market and facilitate a continuous growth. The campaign provides exclusive discounts for the expat group and foreign tourists on the website: thailandbeyondexperience.com.

Enjoy a trip to the south of Thailand at a special price by registering on the website and redeeming any desired special deals. After that, show the promotional code at the participating establishment to use the special deals or discounts. The promotion’s conditions are as the establishment designated.

Redeem special deals from today to 30 April 2024 on the website: thailandbeyondexperience.com

Lets go to the south of Thailand together with TAT. & AIS and enjoy countless discounts from Amazing Thailand Beyond Experience - Tourism Authority of Thailand

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Data, Sustainability and Collaboration Focus as UN Tourism Returns to ITB Berlin

 943 559 wttc2
By:
data-sustainability-and-collaboration-focus-as-un-tourism-returns-to-itb-berlin.jpg

Berlin, Germany, March 10, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / UN Tourism returned to ITB Berlin, bringing its new name and look to the leading travel trade fair and uniting the sector around its focus on sustainability, investments and collaboration.

Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili joined the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wenger, and other public and private sector leaders in officially opening the 2024 event. He said: “Tourism’s return means so much to so many people. Tourism is a great uniting force. Together, we are growing new areas of our sector, to build greater resilience and spread the benefits of tourism even wider.” At the opening, the event’s host, Messe Berlin was recognized for its 40 years as a UN Tourism Affiliate Member and for its key role in advancing international meetings and events tourism and fostering partnerships in the German capital.

Together, we are growing new areas of our sector, to build greater resilience and spread the benefits of tourism even wider

Under its new look and name, UN Tourism once again made ITB Berlin a top platform for high-level collaboration and for advancing several of its key priorities for the sector:

Better data for deeper transformation

UN Tourism and the World Tourism Cities Federation (WCTF) launched a joint report highlighting the need to measure the social and environmental impacts of tourism in urban destinations in a more effective and harmonized way. The report stresses the importance of embracing big data and other forms of technology and looks ahead to the creation of a first global urban tourism database.

The launch of the publication comes in the same week that all 193 UN members adopted the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST).

Accelerating Climate Action

Continuing its leading role in the One Planet Tourism Network and the Glasgow Declaration, UN Tourism launched Policy Guidance to Support Climate Action by National Tourism Administrations (NTAs). The guide will assist NTAs everywhere to develop policies and create initiatives designed to accelerate the shift towards a low-carbon sector The guide, which also contains examples of best practice, was developed after consultations with Ministries of Tourism of Member States. The guidance is complemented by a Glasgow Declaration Engagement Pack, with practical recommendations on how to get started on climate action in tourism. Also at ITB Berlin, UN Tourism officials participated in a roundtable event on Reconciling Safety and Sustainability.

Additionally, bringing together its focus on rural development, gender equality and sustainability, UN Tourism also participated in a special side event, Sustainable Rural Tourism: A Foundation for Biodiversity Preservation and Gender Equality – Potentials and Interactions, providing insights and best practice recommendations.

Working closely with Member States

Within the framework of ITB 2024, UN Tourism Secretary-General Pololikashvili held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with Ministers of Tourism and other high-level representatives from Member States from across the world. The meetings served to advance plans for joint projects and for key upcoming UN tourism events.

 

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thailand’s Soft Powers Successfully Presented Through World-class Tennis Tournament, Thailand Open 2024

 1076 649 wttc2
By:
thailands-soft-powers-successfully-presented-through-world-class-tennis-tournament-thailand-open-2024.jpg

Thailand’s Soft Powers Successfully Presented Through World-class Tennis Tournament, Thailand Open 2024 – TravelCommunication.net – Global Travel News and Updates


















Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UN Adopts New Global Standard to Measure Sustainability of Tourism

 800 487 wttc2
By:
un-adopts-new-global-standard-to-measure-sustainability-of-tourism.jpg

UN Adopts New Global Standard to Measure Sustainability of Tourism - TRAVELINDEX.comNew York, NY, United States, March 9, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / A groundbreaking statistical framework, developed under the leadership of UN Tourism, has been adopted by all 193 UN member states.

The Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism (MST) thus becomes the internationally agreed reference framework for measuring the economic, social and environmental aspects of tourism.

The adoption by the UN Statistical Commission at its 55th session (27 February – 1 March 2024) marks a historical milestone towards harnessing the full potential of the sector, providing a solution to the pressing need for a harmonized methodology to effectively assess the sustainability of tourism.

“Tourism is a powerful force for positive change when managed responsibly and sustainably,” says Zurab Pololikashvili, UN Tourism Secretary General. “The adoption of the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism marks a paradigm shift, going beyond GDP by enabling the measurement of what matters most to people and planet.”

The adoption of the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism marks a paradigm shift, going beyond GDP by enabling the measurement of what matters most to people and planet

Collaborative effort

This achievement is the fruit of a seven-year UN process led by Austria and Spain as co-chairs of the UN Tourism Committee on Statistics, with Saudi Arabia and Seychelles as co-vice chairs.  Under auspices of the Committee, the Framework was developed thanks to the extraordinary work of the multistakeholder Expert Group on Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism composed of 40+ countries and 30+ international and regional organizations including the UN Statistics Division, the International Labour Organization (ILO), subnational authorities and observatories, academia and others.

The work involved technical guidance from an Editorial Board chaired first by the Philippines and then by Canada, as well as extensive engagement and consultation with input from numerous pilots in countries.

The Statistical Commission expressed an overwhelmingly enthusiastic support with 34 countries, 3 world regions and international organizations taking active part in the deliberations: Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Benin on behalf of the African Group, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland on behalf of the European Statistical System, Greece, Jamaica, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Slovenia, Spain, Tajikistan, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, the Committee for the Coordination of Statistical Activities and ILO.

Looking ahead, the Commission also welcomed the future development of an implementation programme, including a compilation guide, and called on the international donor community to support the financing for measuring the sustainability of tourism.

Established in 1947, the UN Statistical Commission gathers Chief Statisticians from Member States and international organizations, and is the highest decision-making body for international statistical activities. The last time that the Commission adopted a statistical standard for tourism was in 2008, when the International Recommendations for Tourism Statistics and the Tourism Satellite Account framework were presented.

Closing the gap between policy and statistics

In the margins of the United Nations Statistical Commission, Austria, Spain and UN Tourism co-organized the high-level side event “Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism: Closing the gap between policy and statistics”, in collaboration with the UN Committee for Economic-Environmental Accounting. Austria and Spain shared their vision on the importance of the Statistical Framework for Measuring the Sustainability of Tourism for evidence-based policy and decisions, while acknowledging its significance in upholding the relevance of statistical systems worldwide and the links to key topics like data governance and stewardship.

Mexico, the Philippines and Canada reflected on their pioneering experiences with implementing the framework, showcasing the power of integrating data from different domains and sources to distil more holistic and meaningful information on tourism.

The event raised awareness of the Statistical Framework for MST and functioned as an informative preamble to the UN Statistical Commission’s formal deliberations.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

UN Tourism Applauds Saudi Arabia’s Historic Milestone of 100 Million Tourists

 927 534 wttc2
By:
un-tourism-applauds-saudi-arabias-historic-milestone-of-100-million-tourists.jpg

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 5, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / In a testament to its strategic vision and robust sector growth, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has welcomed over 100 million tourists, marking a significant milestone in its journey to become a global tourism powerhouse.

In an exceptional achievement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has welcomed over 100 million tourists, a milestone celebrated by the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism). This remarkable accomplishment achieved seven years ahead of its original schedule, not only underscores Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a global tourism powerhouse but also highlights its leading role in the economic diversification and sustainable development of the tourism sector worldwide. This milestone, marked by the arrival of over 27 million international tourists and over 79 million domestic tourists with a combined total spend of over USD 67 billion, not only showcases the Kingdom’s robust tourism sector but also underscores the Saudi Ministry of Tourism’s commitment to advanced data gathering and statistical analysis, a priority echoed by UN Tourism.

The Kingdom’s success story is built on a foundation of strategic initiatives and reforms that have propelled its tourism sector to new heights. With a staggering 390% increase in demand for tourism activity licenses in 2023 and the contribution of tourism to the non-oil GVA estimated to exceed 7%, Saudi Arabia’s vision for the future is clear. With the tourism sector’s direct contribution to the GDP estimated to exceed  4 %, the country has showcased its resilience, innovation, and commitment to excellence.

Strategic Partnerships and Global Leadership

UN Tourism has closely collaborated with Saudi Arabia, recognizing its efforts in developing a robust tourism infrastructure and statistical analysis capabilities. The inauguration of UN Tourism’s Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh in 2021 marked a significant step towards fostering tourism innovation, education, and rural development. This partnership has been instrumental in positioning Saudi Arabia as a leader in sustainable tourism practices and statistical excellence.

Elevating its global position in the tourism sector, Saudi Arabia has distinguished itself by leading the G20 in international tourist growth rate in 2023 compared to 2019. This recognition underlines the Kingdom’s pivotal role in the global tourism sector’s recovery following the pandemic. Moreover, the Middle East has emerged as the sole region not only to rebound but also to outpace pre-pandemic tourism levels, with a 122 percent recovery in international tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2019. At the forefront of this remarkable growth, Saudi Arabia witnessed a staggering 156 percent recovery in international tourist arrivals compared to 2019, underscoring its central role in the region’s tourism boom.

A Testament to Resilience and Innovation

The Kingdom’s tourism sector has shown remarkable resilience, with inbound spending reaching over USD 37 billion in 2023 and a significant increase in hotel keys across the kingdom. These achievements are a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to creating a prosperous and sustainable tourism sector.

Empowering the Workforce

The employment opportunities created by the tourism sector are a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s success. As of 2023, with 925.5 thousand jobs in the tourism sector and significant investments in training, the Kingdom is on track to make tourism the second-largest employer by 2030. This focus on workforce development ensures that the benefits of tourism growth are shared widely and sustainably.

Gratitude and Future Vision

UN Tourism extends its congratulations to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for this historic achievement. We commend the leadership, the Ministry of Tourism, and all partners for their unwavering support and dedication. As Saudi Arabia continues to drive towards its goal of 150 million tourists by 2030, UN Tourism looks forward to supporting its journey, celebrating its successes, and promoting a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future for global tourism.

Saudi Arabia’s achievement of welcoming over 100 million tourists in 2023 is a beacon of what is possible through collaboration, innovation, and a clear vision for the future. The Kingdom not only promises a diverse and rich tourism experience but delivers on that promise, paving the way for a brighter future for the global tourism industry.

 

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Dine in the Dark, Bangkok’s Most Surprising Culinary Experience

 731 438 wttc2
By:
dine-in-the-dark-bangkoks-most-surprising-culinary-experience.jpg

dine-in-the-dark-bangkoks-most-surprising-culinary-experience.jpgBangkok, Thailand, March 4, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / DID – Dine in the Dark, the multi-sensory, thought-provoking and socially responsible dining experience, has been surprising and delighting guests in the heart of Bangkok since 2014. Now, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of this pitch-black culinary evening at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok, three delectable new menus have been launched that will transport diners on an adventure through taste, smell, touch and sound.

At DID, diners embark on a journey into the world of the blind and partially sighted. Having been warmly greeted at BARSU, the legendary lounge on Sukhumvit Road, guests are plunged into darkness and guided to their table by a team of visually-impaired guides. Without the power of sight, they are presented with a four-course menu and have to use their remaining senses to work out what’s on their plate – a fun, interactive gastronomic guessing game that also raises awareness about blindness.

New Western, Asian and Vegetarian menus have now been added to the DID experience, alongside the existing Surprise (East meets West fusion) options. Each of these four-course set dinners has been expertly crafted by a team of talented chefs, who carefully blend different textures, flavors and aromas to stimulate the senses and tantalize the taste buds. Every meal can be accompanied by a choice of beverages, including fine premium beverages and cool cocktails.

While the evening is designed to be lively and entertaining, it also serves a more important purpose. As a socially responsible venture, DID is presented by a team of sightless servers who guide their guests through the entire meal. The aim is to raise awareness about the lives of blind and partially sighted people in Thailand and to provide a valuable source of employment and income for talented individuals who may otherwise find it difficult to find work.

By reversing the usual roles of society and letting the visually-impaired service team help their full-sighted guests, this revealing evening offers a valuable insight into how the world is perceived by people without the power of sight. For every customer hosted at DID, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, a Luxury Collection Hotel will donate THB 50 to the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand, a non-profit organization based in Bangkok.

DID is available six days a week (Tuesday to Sunday), from 18.00 – 22.00 hrs. Staged at BARSU, the stylish social venue at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit and with a direct connection from Asok BTS skytrain station, this is an unmissable culinary experience that will bring families, friends and groups closer together.

For reservation, please visit https://sheratongrandesukhumvit.info/dineinthedark.

Alternatively, to contact Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit please call +66 (0)2 649 8888

About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection, part of Marriott International, Inc., is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA® brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble of nearly 120 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 35 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information and new openings, visit theluxurycollection.com or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition.

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Hospitality Industry Builds Strong and Competent Professionals

 742 455 wttc2
By:
hospitality-industry-builds-strong-and-competent-professionals.jpg

Mahé, Seychelles, March 3, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / It is hard to believe, that some 30 years have already elapsed since I first met Paul van Frank, at the time, when he was the General Manager of “The Plantation Club Resort & Casino” ( later rebranded as the “Kempinski Seychelles Resort” located on the island of Mahe). Paul can best be described, as an “Old School Hotelier”, who values principles such as “honesty, integrity, fairness and loyalty”. He is a seasoned, multi-lingual & undoubtedly, accomplished Hotelier, with a proven track record in Operations as well as an in-depth expertise in all aspects of Sales Marketing.

Paul is very “guest centric” with an extraordinary eye for detail, who will go to great length to achieve optimal guest satisfaction. Having many times watched Paul in action so to speak, he adopts a “hands-on approach” and is clearly an inspirational leader, who believes in working closely with his team, to deliver the highest standards and achieve the desired financial results. Paul has a sound business acumen with a deep understanding of the need to be very “bottom-line driven”. What I have always admired in Paul being his passion for developing young talent leading to be baled to create a bond with his team.

I start this way to speak about a Team Member of the Hospitality Fraternity because too often it is forgotten that behind every successful Hotel & Resort sits a dedicated hospitality professional amassing a wealth of experience and knowledge. Who benefits from these years of knowledge at the end? Is the question many continue to ask?.

Paul van Frank, the hotelier, is a typical Belgian with an infectious sense of humour and a true love for the Culinary Art. By the same token Paul has equally demonstrated time and time over his competence & proficiency with “pre-openings “, as well as the “rebranding” and “repositioning” of 5-star Hotels.

Paul is a passionate and truly committed professional, who has acquired a reputation for “getting the job done” even when facing challenging & complex situations demanding a high level of diplomacy, flexibility & sensitivity.

In all honesty, over the course of the past 3 decades, I must applaud Paul for his tenacity & unwavering determination to persevere in the adversity, having survived the ‘tsunami” in Thailand, the bombing in Bali, serious earth quakes in Istanbul, multiple hurricanes and cyclones in the Indian ocean, yet somehow always able to remain calm, collect and still able to maintain a positive attitude, whilst overcoming such unexpected serious incidents.

Paul can only be qualified as an expert in having successfully run a series of 5 star ‘luxury” Resorts in a variety of tropical destinations, such as “Como Shambhala Estate” (formerly known as “Begawan Giri Estate” in Bali), the highly acclaimed “Fregate Island Private” in the Seychelles, the no 1 Destination Spa in the World, being the multi-award winning “Ananda in the Himalayas” in India, as well as “Le Jadis Beach Resort & Wellness Mauritius” (part of the portfolio of “Banyan Tree Hotels & Resots”).

As Paul and I keep sporadically meeting at different “ International Travel Trade Fairs”, in all sincerity, I hope that Paul van Frank will continue his pursuit of excellence around the world for many years to come.

Hospitality and Tourism as and Industry needs many more years of the likes of Paul van Frank

 

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism Focuses on New Challenges

 797 510 wttc2
By:
the-world-congress-on-snow-mountain-and-wellness-tourism-focuses-on-new-challenges.jpg

Andorra la Vella, Andorra, March 2, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / “Sustainability and wellness, the keys to mountain tourism” will be the slogan of the 12th edition of the World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism, which will take place on 20, 21 and 22 March in Andorra.

• Organised within the framework of the “Five years of action for the development of mountain regions” of the United Nations, the Congress will feature internationally renowned speakers who will explain real experiences of “wellness tourism” and “health tourism”, the new concepts incorporated into the congress.

• This year, as a new feature, the Congress will focus on the theme of “wellness”, reflecting the demand of a new tourist and the necessary adaptation of the offer to the new needs of travellers and to the challenges faced by mountain destinations due to the diversification and advance of climate change.

Organised by the Government of Andorra and the Comú (town council) of Encamp, in the collaboration with UN Tourism, the Congress also has the support of the other Comuns (town councils) of Andorra and two main sponsors: Andorra Telecom as technological sponsor and Creand, Crèdit Andorrà, as financial sponsor.

“Once again, we are delighted that Andorra is hosting the World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism. Andorra’s tourism promotion model has always emphasised the importance of mountain and snow tourism. Now, in response to the demand of the new traveller, we are beginning to highlight the wellness attributes that have always accompanied the country of the Pyrenees,” says Jordi Torres, Andorra’s Minister of Tourism and Trade.

“The Government of Andorra is aware of the importance of working with determination to achieve the difficult and indispensable balance between economic growth, the well-being of citizens and the protection of the environment. In short, the challenge is to work for a more sustainable tourism, which takes into account social, economic and environmental aspects, to ensure the prosperity of citizens and professionals in the sector, without neglecting the satisfaction of visitors,” added Torres.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili says: “It is our duty to ensure that tourism contributes to the sustainable future of mountains and that we work to guarantee the competitiveness and sustainability of mountain tourism for the benefit of mountain people.

“This edition of the congress is intended to serve as a roadmap for the sector to shape the future of mountain destinations, showcasing examples of innovation, best practices and creative initiatives that can serve as inspiration to grow stronger and better for the benefit of local communities around the globe,” added the secretary-general.

On this occasion, UN Tourism will present its recent report prepared together with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Mountain Partnership: Understanding and Quantifying Mountain Tourism.

Real experiences of new concepts such as “wellness tourism” and “thermal tourism”

In this edition, top-level professionals and many institutional representatives will discuss, during the two days of work, issues such as sustainability as the axis of the development of the tourism sector, tourism diversification, especially the emerging tourism products that respond to the new demands of travellers of the future, as well as the necessary training to face this transformation, among others.

Real experiences of the implementation of the “wellness tourism” concept will be highlighted with speeches by Lászlo Puczko, CEO of Health Tourism Worldwide, Joan Muro, President of Andorra Health Destination Association, and Emma Haefeli, Marketing Director of CHENOT GROUP (Switzerland), among others.

Another star product will be “thermal tourism” – in order to delve into this new trend in mountain areas, the congress will be attended by Csilla Mezősi, secretary-general of the European Spas Association, who will explain the experience of thermal tourism throughout Europe.

Also represented will be Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism such as Saas-Fee, in the Swiss region of Valais (BTV in 2021), St. Anton am Arlberg in Austria (BTV 2023) and Ordino in Andorra (BTV in 2023).

Sustainability will also take centre stage with presentations by Javier Corso, who will present the project that National Geographic has carried out together with Andorra Turisme to improve the impact of tourism on the environment and on people, entitled: “Andorra al natural, the environment in which ideas germinate”. Javier Corso is a National Geographic Explorer, a distinctive position that is only awarded to a few people from around the world who work to protect the planet.

Education and training will also feature prominently at this year’s congress, where Rui Zhou, president of the Bella Vista Institute of Higher Education in Switzerland, together with Maria Abellanett, president of the CETT in Barcelona, will discuss the challenges and human resource needs of mountain tourism in the near future.

Sport will be another theme, this time addressed by David Astrié, director of Icònic Andorra, who will present the medical-sports high-altitude residential centre that aims to become a European and world reference in high-altitude sports training.

Successful experiences will also be presented by representatives of Best of the Alps, Lech Zürs Tourism (Austria), the Pyrenees Agency and Pic du Midi (France).

To address the main issues, the event will be divided into four sessions focusing on health and wellness tourism, the promotion of premium tourism in mountain areas, emerging tourism products and training and recruitment of staff.

You can consult the program here: https://mountainlikers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/progprov_CMTNMB2024_pub_ENG.pdf

World Congress on Snow, Mountain and Wellness Tourism
The Congress is an initiative of the seven Communes and the Government of Andorra, together with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), with the aim of creating a forum for permanent debate on the development and sustainability of tourism in mountain areas. It is organized every two years: the first edition was held in 1998 in Escaldes-Engordany and since then, each edition is organized in a different parish.

More information and registration: http://mountainlikers.com

 

Source

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News