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UNWTO Announces Winning Start-Ups for Awake Tourism Challenge

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UNWTO Announces Winning Start-Ups for Awake Tourism Challenge - TRAVELINDEX - UNTOURISMNEWS.orgMadrid, Spain, February 13, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO has announced the winners of its Awake Tourism Challenge, celebrating the start-ups that are reshaping the sector in every global region.

The Challenge was the second edition of the UNWTO Global Startup Competition focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Entrants were judged on how they are contributing to the development of an inclusive, resilient and sustainable tourism sector, with a focus on six core themes:

  • Local Community Involvement
  • Green and Blue Economies
  • Ecological and Sustainable Capital Creation
  • Tourism Tech for Good
  • Tourism Education
  • Women Empowerment

UNWTO Seceratry-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism startups have the power and agility to transform the sector in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. The winners of the UNWTO Awake Tourism Challenge all have the potential to help build a more inclusive and resilient sector and we look forward to supporting them as they grow in size and influence.”

Tourism startups have the power and agility to transform the sector in line with the Sustainable Development Goals

Winners from every global region

The competition attracted more than 2,000 entrants from 120 countries worldwide. The most submissions were from Europe, the Americas and Africa, followed by Asia and the Pacific and the Middle East. From these, an expert jury selected 30 finalists and then 15 winners.

Reflecting the broad talent of the global tourism sector, the winning start-ups are Coastruction (the Netherlands), Noytrall (Portugal), SmArt Tourism and Hospitality Consulting (Panama), Quantum Temple (USA), Socialbnb (Germany), Instituto de Accesibilidad (Spain), Kamatjona (Namibia), Baahdy & Birdy (Norway), WeavAir (Singapore), r3charge (Germany), Impact Innovations Institute (Armenia), NomadHer (South Korea), Murmuration (France), Evelity by Okeenea Digital (France) and Accessible Qatar (Qatar). The projects were recognized for offering innovative service with high customer value, most notably with high levels of youth engagement and the involvement of local communities. Start-ups were also recognized for their use of technology to monitor and manage the environmental impact of tourism activity. More information on the winners and finalists can be found on the competition website.

A winning network

The winning start-ups will be offered an incubation period of three months at SPARK Crans-Montana, the Innovation Hub of Les Roches from the Sommet Education group, where they will be participating in mentorships, networking activities and have access to a VR lab, Digital Studio, and a dedicated co-working space. In addition, they will also receive scholarships for the UNWTO Tourism Online Academy, be included in the UNWTO Catalogue of top innovators, be featured in a global communications campaign to showcase each winner and invited for mentorships with project partners.

The competition was organized in collaboration with Wakalua, the first global innovation hub for tourism, powered by Ávoris, and counted with great support from renowned tourism experts and partners, including; SPARK, the Innovation Hub of Les Roches from the Sommet Education group, Amadeus, IE University, NEST, KPMG, MasterCard, Telefonica, Wayra, ClarkeModet, The FarCo, BBVA, MentorDay, Finnova, Google for Startups, the Valley Digital Business School, the Future Food Institute and the Inter-American Development Bank and the Singapore Tourism Board.

Innovation as priority

In 2022, UNWTO celebrated five years of its Department of Innovation, Education, and invesment. In that time, UNWTO has made innovation one of its main priorities for the sector, holding 23 competitions and challenges, as well as holding nine Tourism Tech Adventures, and creating an innovation network of more than 11,500 stakeholders drawn from every part of the diverse sector.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Centara Meets GSTC Criteria and Receives Certification for Twelve Hotels

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Centara Meets GSTC Criteria and Receives Certification for Twelve Hotels - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25HOTELSBangkok, Thailand, February 13, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Centara Hotels and Resorts, announced its approval for certification by Vireo SRL, a GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) – Accredited certification body, for meeting global standards for sustainable travel and tourism known as GSTC criteria. This certification represents a major milestone in Centara’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

The Centara Hotels & Resorts corporate office and 12 hotels are currently approved for certification, and the organisation is continuing to work toward its long-term goal of achieving full certification by 2025.

The 12 hotels which are recognised for meeting the GSTC Criteria are:
– Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld
– Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok
– Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi
– Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin
– Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya
– Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket
– Centara Villas Samui
– Centara Villas Phuket
– Centara Hotel Hat Yai
– Centra by Centara Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre Chaeng Watthana
– Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives
– Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives

Being certified means that Centars’s product and services comply with the highest social and environmental standards. The 4 main GSTC criteria for hotels include:

• Demonstrate effective sustainable management

• Maximize social and economic benefits to the local community and minimize negative impacts

• Maximize benefits to cultural heritage and minimize negative impacts

• Maximize benefits to the environment and minimize negative impacts

In honour of this prestigious certification, Centara hosted a celebratory handover ceremony between Dr. Luigi Mazzaglia, Group CEO of Vireo, and top Centara executives, including Supatra Chirathivat, Senior Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs & Social Responsibilities of Centara Hotels & Resorts. This special event took place on 7th February 2023 at Centara Grand CentralWorld.

“We are honoured to be recognised by Vireo SRL for our continued efforts in working to meet GSTC Criteria and achieving an international sustainability standard throughout the entire Centara Hotels & Resorts organisation. With our corporate office and 12 hotels already approved for certification, we are more than optimistic that we will reach our goal of 100% certification by 2025. By adopting sustainable, green practices, we are actively choosing to be more aware of our environmental impact and aligning our values and vision for a more mindful and ecologically conscious future,” said Supatra Chirathivat, Senior Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs & Social Responsibilities of Centara Hotels & Resorts.

“At Vireo, we are focussed on proposing the best and most credible certifications to promote sustainability and social responsibility in tourism. This is why we are proud to certify Centara Hotels & Resorts and 12 of their hotels for GSTC certification. We believe that Centara has made impressive efforts in their commitment to sustainability and look forward to following their continued successes as they continue to work toward certification across their entire organisation,” said Dr. Luigi Mazzaglia, Group CEO of Vireo SRL.

About Centara
Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 92 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Cambodia, Turkey, Indonesia and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara and COSI Hotels – ranging from luxurious island retreats to family resorts and affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. It also operates state-of-the-art convention centres and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travellers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Over the next five years Centara aims to become a top 100 global hotel group, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty programme, Centara The1, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Meliá Hotels Receive 2023 Traveller Review Awards

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Meliá Hotels Receive 2023 Traveller Review Awards - TOP25Hotels.com - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25AWARDS.comPalma de Mallorca, Spain, February 11, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Meliá Hotels International has had another successful year in the Traveller Review Awards. More than 200 of the company’s hotels have been awarded this year for their exceptional performance and for having achieved a satisfaction rating above 8 in the reviews made by thousands of real customers.

The award winners include hotels from all over the world and from all of the different company brands, and the results reflect the efforts made by Meliá Hotels International to offer the best possible experience to its guests, focusing on constant improvement and the evolution of its brands and their attributes to adapt to the changing needs of modern travellers.

The Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand achieved high scores with both its city and resort hotels in Asia. In the Asia Pacific region 36 properties were awarded, with 12 achieving a rating of nine and above. These include several Melia Vinpearl properties in Vietnam: Meliá Vinpearl Hue, Meliá Vinpearl Quang Binh, Meliá Vinpearl Ha Tinh, Meliá Vinpearl Phu Ly and Meliá Vinpearl Nha Trang Empire. Also in Vietnam was The Level Villas at Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort. All of Meliá’s Thailand properties: Meliá Chiang Mai, Meliá Phuket Mai Khao, and Meliá Koh Samui, achieved high marks, as did Gran Meliá Chengdu, Gran Meliá Xi’an, and INNSIDE by Meliá Zhengzhou in China.

Other hotels worldwide that have achieved outstanding scores are: INNSIDE Liverpool (UK) and INNSIDE Lima Miraflores (Peru), Paradisus Los Cabos and Paradisus Playa del Carmen (Mexico), Sol Beach House Ibiza (Spain) and Sol Oasis Marrakech (Morocco).

Among the more than 200 hotels, some of the company’s most luxurious properties achieved the highest scores, along with some of the most outstanding of the recently opened hotels: ME Barcelona, a new icon for luxury hotels in one of the most popular cities in Spain, and Villa Le Blanc, a Gran Meliá Hotel, which has revolutionised the luxury resort segment in Menorca by becoming the first carbon-neutral hotel in the destination. Other luxury hotels operated by the company performed well, including the Meliá Serengeti Lodge, Member of Meliá Collection (Tanzania), located in one of the most stunning natural environments in the world and with an approach to sustainability which has helped it earn the highest score among all the company’s hotels.

According to Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, Vice President and CEO of Meliá Hotels International, “Our service vocation is at the heart of our company, which is why we do everything we can to ensure that every detail makes a big difference to the experience our hotels offer. The constant improvement of our service and facilities has always been a priority objective in more than 60 years of operating hotels, and we are very proud to have received such a positive score from our customers and to have them place their trust in us to make their trip memorable”.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Christian Zunk Appointed as Group General Manager of MUU Hotels

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Christian O. H. Zunk Appointed as Group General Manager of MUU Hotels - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25HOTELS.comBangkok, Thailand, February 11, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / MUU Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce that Christian O. H. Zunk, a seasoned hospitality professional, has taken over as the Group General Manager of MUU Hotels, a hospitality company committed to providing a truly special and personalised experience for guests.

● Christian brings over 29 years of experience in the luxury hotel industry to MUU

● His career has included stints with the Four Seasons Hotel Group, Sofitel, Kempinski Hotels, Rocco Forte Hotels, Shangri-La Hotel Group, Anantara Hotels and Resorts, and Akaryn Hotel Group

● Christian is dedicated to putting the romance back into travel and creating a welcoming environment for guests at MUU

With a demonstrated history of working in the luxury hotel industry around the globe, Christian brings a wealth of experience to MUU. From a hotel family background, Christian has worked in the five-star luxury hotel industry for over 29 years across Asia, Germany and the United States, including six years with the Four Seasons Group in New York, Berlin and Hawaii, four years with Rocco Forte Hotels as part of the executive “pre-opening” teams in Frankfurt and Munich and seven years in leadership roles with Anantara Hotels and Resorts in Asia and the Middle East.

A hotel management school graduate, Christian has a unique view of the industry having grown up in hotels until he was 18 years old; his father was general manager at several legendary European and International hotels. Having seen the industry up close and personal he is passionate about it and is dedicated to putting the romance back into travel and creating a personalised and welcoming environment where guests can feel at home and be themselves.

At MUU, the team is focused on providing guests with a memorable experience by going above and beyond to accommodate their needs and preferences. Whether it’s offering all-day breakfast or accommodating the guest’s desire to dine on their private terrace, the MUU ethos is about making every stay a life-enriching and enjoyable experience. The company also places a strong emphasis on creating a happy and comfortable work environment for its team members, ensuring that they are able to bring their best selves to work every day.

Christian and the MUU team are excited to share their unique approach to hospitality with guests and look forward to welcoming them to the MUU family.

Based in Bangkok with his wife and two young children, Christian explains his take on hospitality in the Q & A below.

What inspires you?
What inspires me daily is the opportunity of being able to provide excellent services and unique experiences to our guests and trying to exceed their expectations whenever possible. At MUU, our goal is to always focus on our guests first, ensuring they have a memorable and enjoyable stay with us.

In what ways do your personal experiences assist you in your role?
My father was a general manager of a number of legendary luxury hotels and I spent most of my childhood staying in them. I have always been passionate about the hospitality industry and want to bring back the personalised, enjoyable experience for guests and associates alike. While we must keep up with technology and offer convenient options like automatic check-in, we should not lose sight of the importance of making each guest’s stay personalised, special and memorable.

How is MUU making this special experience happen?
MUU is dedicated to creating a comfortable, welcoming environment for both our guests and our team members. We encourage every team member to be themselves and to enjoy their time at the hotel. A happy and strongly motivated team is essential for providing a special, memorable experience for our guests. I am passionate about my work and strive to foster that same enthusiasm in my team. At MUU, we believe that every person is special and deserving of respect, regardless of their status as a VIP or not. Our goal is to create a comfortable space for our team so that they can share their happiness and passion with our customers.

Describe the MUU experience?
MUU is a place where everyone can feel relaxed and comfortable, whether they are guests enjoying their vacation or team members working hard to create a welcoming environment. We strive to create a home-away-from-home experience where our guests can be truly themselves with their every need taken care of.

How does MUU differentiate itself?
At MUU, we have four pillars that guide our approach to hospitality. Firstly, we strive to surprise and delight our customers by constantly renewing ourselves and offering new experiences every time they visit us. Secondly, we aim to introduce our guests to the local neighbourhood and provide truly authentic, local experiences. Our third goal is to ensure our guests are satisfied. Lastly, at MUU, we believe in a natural and organic form of luxury, with a strong emphasis on quality and sustainability.

What has been the greatest influence on you?
Growing up in the hotel industry as the son of a hotel general manager, I was always fascinated by the world of hospitality. From a young age, I had the opportunity to experience what it was like to work in a hotel, riding in housekeepers’ trolleys and dressing up to eat in fancy restaurants.

Instead of starting right away in a management position I decided to start from the ground up. I completed my apprenticeship at the renowned Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg, where I worked in every department and learned what it takes to run a successful hotel. Now, as a general manager myself, I understand that the most challenging jobs in a hotel are often those held by the line staff like housekeepers and bellmen. It is because of my appreciation for these roles and the people who perform them that I am able to be an effective leader today.

How is MUU positioning Bangkok as a destination? How does MUU make the experience of Bangkok different?
Bangkok is a dynamic destination and our home district of Thong Lo is really vibrant. At MUU, we aim to position Bangkok as a welcoming and homely destination for our guests.

We want to show them our Bangkok, our Thong Lo. We strive to create a relaxed and free atmosphere, where guests can feel authentic and individual, rather than feeling like they are part of a mass experience. We believe that our personal touch and warm welcome make the experience of visiting Bangkok unique and memorable. The experiences that we create for them are unique to MUU.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

G20 Tourism Side Event Focuses on Rural Tourism with UNWTO

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G20 Tourism Side Event Focuses on Rural Tourism with UNWTO - TRAVELINDEXKhonoma Village, Nagaland, India, February 10, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The first meeting of the G20 Tourism Working Group to be held under the Indian Presidency placed the focus on the sector’s role in in advancing the 2030 Agenda.

UNWTO is working as the knowledge partner to the Presidency to deliver the Goa Roadmap for Tourism as a Vehicle for Achieving the SDGs. This week’s meeting, held in the Rann of Kutch (7-9 February), featured as well a side event dedicated to rural tourism for community development and poverty alleviation. Here, UNWTO shared its recently launched Tourism for Rural Development Programme, including the Best Tourism Villages Initiative.

The side event was an opportunity to highlight opportunities for rural tourism, including new consumer behaviors and growing interest in new destinations. The meeting also explored the main challenges facing the sector, particularly with regards to digital and non-digital infrastructure, the empowerment of local communities and skills development. The findings presented were the result of an analysis of more than 200 candidacies by villages from around the world to the Best Tourism Villages Initiative as well as UNWTO Member States priorities and policies.

Representatives from Indonesia, Spain, Italy and Japan joined UNWTO, the UN Environmental Program, the International Labor Organization and the South Asia Women’s Network (SWAN) in discussing how can tourism policy can support tourism’s contribution to rural development. Participants stressed that the sustainability of tourism in rural areas is dependent on a comprehensive planning strategy is adopted and implemented based on a multi-action and multi-stakeholder participatory approach. Furthermore, it was noted that rural tourism requires the support of regional and local governments, the private sector, industry associations, civil society, communities and tourists.

In 2021, recognizing the immense potential of rural tourism in the country, the Ministry of Tourism of India formulated a National Strategy and Roadmap for Development of Rural Tourism. Reflecting this, the event included also rural tourism cases from India, including examples from Astro-tourism, homestays and women empowerment as well as the Indian village selected by UNWTO to join the Best Tourism Villages Upgrade Programme – the Khonoma Village in Nagaland.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Marco Polato is the La Scala Restaurant Manager

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Marco Polato is the La Scala Restaurant Manager - TRAVELINDEX - TOP25RESTAURANTS.comBangkok, Thailand, February 10, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Sukhothai Bangkok is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Marco Polato as the new La Scala Restaurant Manager.

Marco, a Diploma graduate of the prestigious Giuseppe Maffioli Hospitality School in Treviso, launched his exhilarating career in his native Italy, at Club del Doge Restaurant in Venice. From there, he had the urge to work abroad, so he ventured to several exciting assignments between Italy, Japan, Australia, Vietnam and Thailand such as The Westin Sydney’s Mosaic Restaurant, The Westin Florence’s Excelsior Restaurant, the extravagant Reverie Saigon, Anantara Siam’s award-winning Biscotti Restaurant in Bangkok and the luxurious Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco in Siena, Italy.

Prior to joining us here at The Sukhothai Bangkok, Marco was the appointed Maitre D’Hotel & Sommelier at Venice’s Grand Dame of The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel.

With over 14 years of international experience in the luxury hospitality industry, Marco is thrilled to take on the lead of Bangkok’s most iconic Italian restaurant.

Please join us in welcoming Khun Marco to The Sukhothai Bangkok.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Yucatán Joins UNWTO Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories

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Yucatán Joins UNWTO Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories - MEXICOTOURISM.net - TRAVELINDEXMérida, Yucatan, Mexico, February 9, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO has welcomed Yucatán’s Tourism Observatory into its International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO).

The Yucatán Tourism Observatory was established in 2018 to generate and manage information around tourism development. This work has identified key challenges and opportunities and so led to the design of relevant policies aimed at supporting the destination’s overall sustainable development, thereby increasing its competitiveness. Joining the INSTO Network will help Yucatán manage tourism development in a responsible and sustainable manner, taking a holistic view in developing adequate and innovative strategies for “rethinking” tourism.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “In this time of rethinking tourism, measurement is increasingly important as it provides a better understanding of where a destination stands and where it wants to go. The INSTO network provides an opportunity to work together to ensure that tourism is a tool that contributes to sustainable development. We are very pleased to welcome Yucatán as a new member.”

Green and sustainable future plans for Yucatán´s tourism

The INSTO network provides an opportunity to work together to ensure that tourism is a tool that contributes to sustainable development. We are very pleased to welcome Yucatán as a new member

Yucatán is home to the Maya, has an extensive coastline, is mostly covered by forests, jungles and has numerous cenotes, sinkholes created by collapsed limestone rocks that expose groundwater. This and other tourism resources attracted 2.1 million overnight tourists in 2019, two-thirds of them domestic tourists. Tourism GDP accounts for 11,1% of Yucatán’s overall GDP. According to the vision of the Secretariat of Tourism of the State of Yucatán (SEFOTUR) “In 2030 tourism is widely recognized as a key sector that benefits Yucatán society, and to conduct tourism development in consensus with industry actors and with a full insertion of society in the benefits of tourism”. Among the environmental priorities climate action, ecosystem restoration and conservation, water quality preservation, and sustainable energy supply are cited, as well as the need to create a culture of sustainability within Yucatán society.

Yucatan’s Secretary of Tourism, Michelle Fridman Hirsch, noted: “We are very pleased to have been enrolled in the UNWTO’s INSTO network, as we become the second Observatory in Mexico to be part of this network, which will allow us to better evaluate the impact of tourism in Yucatan and contribute with better data to global sustainable tourism”.

Yucatán’s Tourism Observatory will monitor the 11 mandatory INSTO key areas for tourism sustainability: tourism seasonality, employment, economic benefits of the destination, energy management, water management, wastewater management, solid waste management, climate action, accessibility, local satisfaction and governance.

About INSTO

The UNWTO International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) was created in 2004 with the main objectives to support the continuous improvement of sustainability and resilience in the tourism sector through systematic, timely and regular monitoring of tourism performance and to connect dedicated destinations, helping them to exchange and improve knowledge and understanding about destination-wide resource use and the responsible management of tourism.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Thailand Welcomes First Tour Group from China

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Thailand Welcomes First Tour Group from China - VISITTHAILAND.net - TRAVELINDEXBangkok, Thailand, February 9, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to report that the first group tours from China since the pandemic arrived in Thailand, at Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport. A welcoming ceremony was held and attended by high-level TAT executives, Chinese officials, and representatives of the Thai public and private sectors.

The arrival of the group tours comes as China allows the resumption of outbound group travel to 20 countries including Thailand, starting 6 February, 2023.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said “Thailand is honoured to be among the 20 countries chosen to once again welcome tour groups from China. We are extremely pleased to receive these first groups today, and look forward to the many more to come. Our thanks goes to China, the Chinese tour operators and the Chinese tourists themselves for their continued confidence in Thailand as a preferred holiday destination.”

Mr. Yuthasak was among the Thai and Chinese public and private officials and figures on hand at Don Mueang International Airport to welcome Spring Airlines Flight 9C7419 from Guangzhou, with 180 passengers onboard, among them are the two group tours of 20 tourists each.

Present along with the TAT Governor and other TAT executives were H.E. Mr. Yang Xin, Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Thailand; and Ms. Chang Yumeng, Counsellor for Cultural Affairs of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Thailand, as well as other senior officials and key figures from the Thai and Chinese public and private sectors.

The group tour passengers arriving on the Spring Airlines flight from Guangzhou have a 6-day tour programme planned that will see them enjoy some of the world-famous sights and sounds of Bangkok and Pattaya. Among the attractions they will visit include Wat Phra Kaew (the Temple of the Emerald Buddha), Yaowarat (Chinatown), and Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen (known for its large seated Buddha image) in Bangkok; and Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya.

They will also visit Ko Samet, a long-popular island off the coast of Rayong known for its beautiful beaches, quaint resorts and relaxing tropical atmosphere.

The Spring Airline flight arriving in Don Mueang is among the 14 flights arriving in Thailand, carrying the first set of group tours from China to Thailand. Apart from Guangzhou, these flights operated by various airlines are scheduled to depart from several cities in China namely Xiamen, Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Chengdu, and Nanning, landing in Bangkok and Phuket airports.

In 2022, the number of Chinese tourists that visited Thailand is recorded at 286,511. From 1 January – 2 February 2023, Thailand welcomed a total of 99,429 Chinese travellers. For 2023, it is projected to see 300,000 Chinese tourists in Thailand for the first quarter and over 5 million arrivals for the entire year.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Weeva Exhibits at OurAfrica.Travel Exhibition

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Weeva Exhibits at OurAfrica.Travel Exhibition - TRAVELINDEX - TOURISMAFRICA.orgJohannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa,  February 9, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Weeva will be exhibiting at OurAfrica.Travel for the first time in February 2023. The recently launched digital sustainability management system was created for the tourism industry to manage the complicated and sometimes daunting task of “sustainability” and to help build resilience in the sector.

Built by a team of sustainability experts and scientists alongside industry partners The Long Run and Preferred by Nature, and co-founded by Julie Cheetham, Weeva is a tool that enables properties, from small B&Bs to large hotel groups, to measure and improve their impact.

Weeva has recently been named among the 30 finalists in the UN World Tourism Organization’s Awake Tourism Challenge – selected from more than 2,000 entries into the sustainability competition from 120 countries.

Weeva is not just another carbon calculator. It offers a holistic framework for sustainability management and an incredible knowledge resource to help educate and empower teams on the ground to improve their efforts across 360-degrees of business operations–based on the 4Cs of Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. Best of all–Weeva’s simple, intuitive design and how-to guides help properties and their team members understand their real impact-both negative and positive–with all the results in one place. The easy-to-use dashboard will reveal and report on real data, which is vital for establishments wanting to be transparent for guests and tour operators or simply to meet certification requirements from GSTC validated bodies. (Think Fitbit meets Sage)

Weeva has undergone rigorous testing from an initial pilot group of 20 properties, which included the likes of Singita, Grootbos, Tswalu, Cottars, Borana Lodge and HBD Principe and ended 2022 with almost 100 properties onboarded. Weeva has secured a strategic partnerships with Small Luxury Hotels’ Considerate Collection and looks forward to further announcements in the coming months.

Weeva is currently a web application, the mobile native version is already in development and the platform will be extended to serve tour operators, travel agents and tourist boards in future iterations.

Weeva will be both affordable and accessible to make sustainable business operations viable for tourism businesses, no matter their size-or where they are on their sustainability journey. Weeva is now available to any property wanting to start with a free trial (with no credit card required) with a lead in price of just $750 per annum (the price of a sustainability consultant for just one day) for small businesses.  You can view a demo video on weeva.earth

Be sure to check out the easy-listening podcast for the eco-curious, “Funny Old World” hosted by sustainability expert Juliet Kinsman and media pundit Simon London – proudly powered by Weeva on https://weeva.earth/powered-by/funny-old-world-podcast/.

Weeva is a proud member of the Oppenheimer Generations Community and has offices based in London and South Africa.

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

The Month of Love at Anantara Chiang Mai

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The Month of Love at Anantara Chiang Mai - VISITTHAILAND.net - TRAVELINDEXChiang Mai, Thailand, February 9, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / With winter still in the air, and the mountains misty, Chiang Mai is the perfect destination to escape to for romance. Anantara invites couples to indulge in love, with a special Valentine’s dinner to enjoy, as well as staycations and spa treatments available throughout the month of February.

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort’s ‘Romantic Chiang Mai Escape’ is an invitation to make a long weekend of Valentine’s Day with a loved one. Staying three nights or more, guests will enjoy a free upgrade and early check-in to begin. Tranquil days follow in a spacious room or suite, with a champagne breakfast in bed and a couple’s massage at Anantara Spa at a chosen time during the stay.

Valentine’s Day is a beautiful affair, with a special menu prepared by the chef for the occasion. Couples will enjoy a quiet table under a bodhi tree, surrounded by candlelight and overlooking the Ping River. Five exquisite courses served include the aphrodisiacs oysters and Valrhona chocolate.

Rates for the staycation start at THB 17,284++ per night per couple. Outside guests may also book the Valentine’s Day dinner at THB 5,900++ per couple, with an additional THB 3,000++ for wine pairing. Space is limited, therefore advance bookings are highly recommended.

The month of love is also a time for self-care, with special offers available at the award-winning Anantara Spa. Intravenous drips for couples will include the second drip priced at 50%, with a wide selection to choose from.

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort’s exclusive and tranquil setting is ideal for romantic escapes. Rooms and suites are soothing sanctuaries for two, the new rooftop bar is perfect for taking in sunsets, and romantic experiences include floating over the countryside in a hot-air balloon and drifting down the river on a cruise.

For more information or reservations, call +66 53 253 333

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News