Category: Latest Travel News

Bangkok (Thailand) – January 6, 2020 (travelindex.com) – The 2nd Asia Destination Film Forum recognizes the best in visual storytelling with the Asia Destination Film Awards 2020. The Destination Film Forum 2020 is calling for submissions for the Asia Destination Film Awards 2020. Hosted in Bangkok on 30 January 2020, the 2020 Asia Destination Film Awards will follow the 2nd Asia Destination Film Forum celebrating sustainable tourism promotion via visual storytelling featuring producers of award-winning films including “The Cave”, “The Last Reel”, “The Eagle Huntress”, and Netflix series “The Stranded”, as well as case studies from South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, and Mongolia.

The submissions to the 2020 Asia Destination Film Awards are free of charge and open until 15 January 2020 in five categories:

a. Tourism Board Category (Public Sector)
b. Travel Industry Category (Private Sector)
c. User-Generated Content Category (Video Bloggers)
d. Professional Film Makers Category (Documentaries & Feature Films)
e. Sustainable Travel Category (Special Recognition)

Any film, which directly or indirectly promotes tourism to a destination, can participate. The submission link can be found on the Forum’s website at

Submissions will be shortlisted, and selected films will be screened at the Asia Destination Film Forum in Bangkok on 30 January 2020. The Awards will take place on the same day, followed by the Film Festival BBQ Party.

More information about the event is available at

For more information, please contact:
Gerrit Kruger
Managing Director, Chameleon Strategies
E: gerrit@chameleonstrategies.com
T: +66 (0) 20 38 5070
M: +66 (0) 80 777 0877

Kuredhivaru (Maldives) – December 30, 2019 (travelindex.com) – To ensure smooth operation of the domestic transfer the resort has partnered with Maldivian, the national airline of the Maldives. Domestic transfers will be available from 15^th December 2019, from Velana International Airport to Maafaru International Airport, followed by a short speedboat ride to Movenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives. Maldivian has scheduled 06 daily flights to Manafaru International Airport.

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The newly developed airport boasts a 2200-meter-long runway and is 40 meters wide with a state-of-the-art terminal with a VIP lounge. It can accommodate large aircraft such as Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.

With the introduction of new transfer option to Mӧvenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives, guests have now two option to reach our resort – via shared seaplane transfer or by domestic transfer.

SEAPLANE
Mӧvenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives is a 45-minute seaplane journey from Velana International Airport.

Please note that seaplanes only operate during daylight hours. Guests arriving after 3:30 pm will be transported to the resort the next day via seaplane or will have an alternative option to take the domestic transfer option.

Roundtrip transfers are priced at USD 590 per person and USD 360 per child up to 11 years old. (inclusive of government service tax)

DOMESTIC FLIGHT
For an alternative option, guests can take a 40-minute domestic flight from Velana International Airport to the newly opened Manafaru International Airport, followed by a 15-minute speedboat transfer to Mӧvenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives. Domestic transfers also operate during the evening giving those guests reaching later in the afternoon an option to reach to the island on the same day

Roundtrip transfers are priced at USD 395 per person and USD 300 per child up to 11 years old. (inclusive of government service tax).

About Mövenpick
Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts makes moments by doing ordinary things in an extraordinary way. Providing an upscale, relaxed and uncomplicated guest experience, Mövenpick recognises that small gestures make a big difference. Whether it is chocolate hour every afternoon, customised sleep technology to ensure a restful night or specially created fun and healthy kids’ menus, Mövenpick creates a human and warm environment for guests, business partners and employees. Committed to sustainable practices and caring for its local communities, Mövenpick is the most Green Globe certified hotel brand in the world. Founded in Switzerland in 1973, but with a heritage of food and beverage excellence stretching back to the 1940s, Mövenpick holds a growing portfolio of more than 90 hotels in 25 countries. Mövenpick is part of Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique experiences in 4,900 hotels and residences across 110 countries.

Victoria, Mahé (Seychelles) – December 30, 2019 – As 2019 draws to a close, the hardships that the year has brought and Seychellois have endured cannot be overlooked. On my campaign trails I have seen much suffering which would open the eyes of many to the glaring disparity between the haves and the have-nots in Seychelles, including a struggling mother sharing a tin of old sardines with her children. As the saga between the Legislative and Executive continues to be dragged out and point-scoring is rampant, this poor woman continues to stress about feeding her children, and her basic needs are not being met. There is so much more that can be done for families such as this, so much more that is owed to her.

This new year is bringing with it a chance for us to give Seychelles a renewed purpose, and a real change.

As President of the One Seychelles Party, I would sincerely like to express my heartfelt thanks to all party members, supporters and also the citizens of this beautiful country who are steadfastly working towards a brighter future for our children and grandchildren. I would like to thank you all for your support, inspiring devotion, perseverance, determination and commitment.

Despite the many challenges that come with being the Third Force which dares to stand up against two well-funded parties, we will persevere in the fight to make Seychelles the One Seychelles that we need it to be.

Let us take a moment to reflect on the state of our nation, the state of our health and education systems, on law and order, our various economic sectors as well as the decisions that our present leaders are taking. Are these decisions the right ones for the people of Seychelles? Are we creating the future that we desperately need? Do we still want to keep living on false hopes and promises?

To those who are frustrated and have had enough with waiting for housing assistance, to single parents who are seeking assistance and are being refused, to all those earning below the stated poverty line and to those who are trying to make ends meet while some are benefiting from the same State resources with big salaries, is this what you want for the coming years?

Each citizen of this country has an important role to play in the Nation’s progress. We deserve to have a rightful place in the centre of the country’s development and future plans.

Together, we are One Seychelles and Seychelles needs each one of us to restore unity, prosperity and harmony within its communities.

There is a need for us to reinforce law and order, peace and security for both our people and visitors to our shores. It is time to adopt measures to legalise medicinal marijuana, to ensure an incorruptible and truly independent judiciary by making them financially autonomous, to bolster Seychellois workers by ending preferential treatment of foreign workers over them, to put an end to monopolies which are crippling upcoming businesspeople, and discuss social issues that are truly affecting our society and are creating a negative impact on our economy.

The time has come to quit talking and debating, and to start taking real actions to address these issues and protect our economy. On behalf of the One Seychelles Party, I would like to reaffirm that we will keep on striving to bring the changes we need and that the People have been begging for for years.

We ask all those who want to see poverty alleviation become a reality, prosperity, peace, a reduction in the cost of living, modernised education and health systems, a defined action plan on how to tackle the social ills affecting our communities, join us and together let us make these goals a reality.

I pray that this festive season will be a time where we do reflect and make good decisions for our people, our children, our struggling elderly citizens, our unemployed youths, our under appreciated workforce and the future generations.

For those of you who are suffering, I pray that you will not give up hope. I pray that you will be given courage, strength and perseverance to see you through the coming year, which promises increased taxes and higher costs of living.

I wish all our members and supporters as well as the people of Seychelles a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Let it be the year of change.

Bangkok (Thailand) – December 28, 2019 (travelindex.com) – As vivid blue seas, glistening golden temples, and flavorful dishes continue to draw tourists to the exotic, culture-rich paradise that is Thailand, these recent years have seen the country emerge as a global beauty and medical tourism hub. World-famous shopping and nightlife destination Bangkok, in particular, is known for its JCI-standard hospitals and cost-efficient clinics offering state-of-the-art cosmetic procedures by internationally trained physicians. A report by the Global Wellness Institute stated that in 2017, Thailand had the 2nd highest number of inbound international wellness travellers in the Asia-Pacific region, and ranked 13th on the list of the Top Twenty Wellness Tourism Markets Worldwide.

According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the country received approximately 3.42 million visitors for health and wellness, generating an estimated income of USD 4.6 billion in 2018. The main source markets are Myanmar, Lao PDR., Cambodia, Vietnam, China, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Australia and New Zealand, with an average length of stay of 10-14 days. “Although there is fierce competition in the health and wellness (tourism) sector, Thailand is still a popular destination due to the high quality of our products, services and facilities, as well as other factors; such as, value for money, personalised care and good holiday opportunities for family members,” said Mrs. Srisuda Wanapinyosak, Deputy Governor for Europe Africa Middle East and the Americas of the Tourism Authority of Thailand,in August 2019.

According to figures reported in The Nation in 2017, Thailand attracts over half a million medical tourists annually from Southeast Asian countries alone. Some experts believe that even if international demands decline, the well-to-do population of neighboring countries with less advanced medical technology such as Myanmar will continue to seek healthcare and beauty procedures in Thailand. As luxury travellers are seeking for personalization and intimacy, healthcare giants such as Bumrungrad International Hospital are no longer the only preferred providers for medical tourists, especially in the aesthetic medicine sector. What does this mean for boutique clinics and smaller, private-owned medical centers? Opportunity.

Niche clinics with highly accessible locations like dermatological laser specialist Dr.TATTOF have noticed an influx of patients from the Middle East and Asia including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam (CLMV), who make reservations mostly for SculpSure, a non-surgical liposuction that removes up to 24% of stubborn fat in one area after one treatment. Tourists who visit Thailand for a few months at a time also show interest in the clinic’s scar and tattoo removal procedures using PicoWay Resolve and PicoWay, which is what the Dr.TATTOF brand is known for amongst Thai people. The brand is working with a few select travel agents to reach more international patients, and have organized cross-cultural training for their staff in order to serve these patients better.

“Transparency, sincerity and service-mindedness is one of the most important values to have when working in the aesthetic medical industry,” said Pongsaya Trachunit, General Manager of the clinic chain. “Those traits coupled with good English skills and understanding of different cultural backgrounds will make clinics competitive in the international market. Since we are here to solve each patient’s unique problems, to help improve confidence and increase happiness, maintaining the highest standard of quality in every clinic is vital. By using only USFDA-cleared equipment, hiring experienced dermatologists, and intensively training every staff, we ensure that no matter which clinic of ours the patient visits, they receive the same level of service.”

As for the current trends in aesthetic medicine in Thailand, plastic surgery especially rhinoplasty is popular amongst teenagers coming of age and young adults of all genders and backgrounds. Health awareness is also increasing, and urbanized Thais are seeking different ways to not only improve their wellbeing but also their bikini bodies. For working-aged women, it is the usual concern of excess fat and sagging skin, especially after childbirth. Tummy tucks, mesotherapy, fat freezing, and laser treatments with no recovery time like SculpSure and Gentle-YAG Pro-U can effectively address these concerns which sometimes cannot be solved by healthy diet and exercise alone. The last method is surprisingly a common choice amongst those who are already active such as male bodybuilders and the less extreme, regular gym goers. Appearance matters, and the Thais seem to really know it.

In order to thrive in a saturated market like Bangkok, differentiating one’s business with strong branding and innovation is key. After Dr. Nattapong Jirurawong took over his father’s business, one of the oldest and most reputable skin clinics in Chonburi, he found a niche sub-group in Thailand—the demand for safe and effective tattoo removal—and formed the Dr.TATTOF brand, moving on to being the first medical provider in Thailand to treat patients with US-imported and FDA-approved PicoWay. Five clinics later, the dermatological laser specialist is now offering a new and improved treatment option for those with scars and stretch marks. MyCELL by Dr.TATTOF will be the first set of treatments in Southeast Asia to utilize autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) in conjunction with PicoWay Resolve laser to completely heal scars and stretch marks nearly twice as fast as the usual method.

For more information on this new treatment, visit or call +66-99-614-2424

Bangkok (Thailand) – December 23, 2019 (travelindex.com) –Mom Luang Sarali Kitiyakara represented Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali Krom Muen Suddhanarinatha recently presided over the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, organised by Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel to thank the hotel’s loyal clients and friends. This ceremony welcomes the festive season following the traditional festivities for the past 36 years in this hotel.

This year also marks the 12th year that the Christmas Tree Charity Project has run here, in association with our media partners, Numéro Thailand and The Thailanders magazines, various sponsors and the celebrity artists who designed the trees. Each tree was designed under the theme “The Sustainable Christmas Trees”, depicting a tree which, when not in use for Christmas, can be recycled and used as a decorative piece or applied as small gifts afterwards. The best decorated Christmas tree, decided by a popular vote, was awarded to the tree of Kanokkun Co., Ltd. designed by Ingkawat Thanonthitiphat with the concept of “Sustainable Christmas Tree”. The winner went home with HRH Princess Soamsawali, the Princess Suddhanarinatha’s Trophy.

The Christmas Tree Charity Project showcases the creativity of a number of Thailand’s leading interior designers, architects, celebrities and lifestyle artists in decorating the Christmas trees commissioned by select luxury partners. The celebrity artists who have volunteered their time and effort, paired with the charitable corporate sponsors are: Cattleya Thuampratom with Citibank N.A., P49 Deesign & Associates with Dii Aesthetic Institute, Ingkawat Thanonthitiphat with Kanokkun Co., Ltd., Vasu Virajsilp with Italasia, and the corporate sponsors with trees designed by their in-house artists are : Wine Appreciation by VIOGNIER, Grandwork Interior (Thailand) Co., Ltd., and Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas.

The Christmas trees are displayed around Parichart Court, the open-air courtyard at the hotel until 4 January 2020. Proceeds from the funds raised from the sponsors’ donations will support the Friends in Need (of “PA”) Volunteers Foundation, Thai Red Cross.

Madrid (Spain) – December 24, 2019 (travelindex.com) – International tourist arrivals grew by a further 4% between January and September of 2019, the latest issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer indicates. Tourism’s growth continues to outpace global economic growth, bearing witness to its huge potential to deliver development opportunities across the world but also to its sustainability challenges.

Destinations worldwide received 1.1 billion international tourist arrivals in the first nine months of 2019 (up 43 million compared to the same period of 2018), according to the latest World Tourism Barometer from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), in line with its forecast of 3-4% growth for this year.

The global economic slowdown, rising trade, geopolitical tensions and prolonged uncertainty around Brexit weighed on international tourism, which experienced a more moderate pace of growth during the summer peak season in the Northern Hemisphere (July-September).

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “As world leaders meet at the UN Climate Summit in Madrid to find concrete solutions to the climate emergency, the release of this latest World Tourism Barometer shows the growing power of tourism, a sector with the potential to drive the sustainability agenda forward. As tourist numbers continue to rise, the opportunities tourism can bring also rise, as do our sector’s responsibilities to people and planet.”

Tourism now world’s third largest export category

Generating USD 1.7 trillion in revenues as of 2018, international tourism remains the third largest export category behind fuels (USD 2.4 trillion) and chemicals (USD 2.2 trillion). Within advanced economies, tourism’s remarkable performance after years of sustained growth has narrowed the gap with automotive product exports.

International tourism accounts for 29% of the world’s services exports and 7% of overall exports. In some regions these proportions exceed the world average, especially the Middle East and Africa where tourism represents over 50% of services exports and about 9% of exports overall.

This highlights the importance of mainstreaming tourism in national export policies to broaden revenue streams, reduce trade deficits and ensure sustainable development on the long run.

The world’s top ten earners saw mixed results in international tourism receipts through September 2019, with Australia (+9%), Japan (+8%) and Italy (+7%) posting the highest growth, while China, the United Kingdom and the United States recorded declines. Mediterranean destinations were among the strongest performers in terms of earnings, both in Europe and the Middle East and North Africa region.

Regional performance

Growth in arrivals during the first nine months of 2019 was led by the Middle East (+9%), followed by Asia and the Pacific and Africa (both +5%), Europe (+3%) and the Americas (+2%):

Europe’s pace of growth slowed down to 3% in January-September this year, from double that rate last year, reflecting slower demand during the peak summer season in the world’s most visited region. While destinations in Southern Mediterranean (+5%) and Central Eastern Europe (+4%) led results, the regional average was weighed down by Northern and Western Europe (both +1%).

Also slower than last year, although still above the global average, growth in Asia and the Pacific (+5%) was led by South Asia (+8%), followed by South-East (+6%) and North-East Asia (+5%), while Oceania showed a 2% increase.

Data so far available for Africa (+5%) confirms continued robust results in North Africa (+10%) after two years of double-digit figures, while arrivals in Sub-Saharan Africa grew 1%.

The 2% increase in the Americas reflects a mixed regional picture. While many island destinations in the Caribbean (+8%) consolidate their recovery after the 2017 hurricanes, arrivals in South America were down 3% partly due to a decline in Argentinian outbound travel, which affected neighboring destinations. Both North America and Central America grew 2%.

Source Markets – mixed results among top spenders

The United States (+6%) led growth in international tourism expenditure in absolute terms, supported by a strong dollar. India and some European markets also performed strongly, though global growth was more uneven than a year earlier.

France (+10%) reported the strongest increase among the world’s top ten outbound markets, reflecting surging demand for international travel for the second consecutive year. Spain (+10%), Italy (+9%) and the Netherlands (+7%) also posted robust growth, followed by the United Kingdom (+3%) and Russia (+2%).

Some large emerging markets such as Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Argentina reported declines in tourism spending this period, reflecting recent and ongoing economic uncertainty.

China, the world’s top source market saw outbound trips increase by 14% in the first half of 2019, though expenditure fell 4% compared to the same period last year.

SustainableFirst.com supports the efforts of the UN World Tourism Organization helping tourism growth to outpace global economic growth in a sustainable manner. More at www.SustainableFirst.com

Phuket (Thailand) – December 25, 2019 (travelindex.com) – The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket today announces the opening of ‘Rum Chapel’, the new beachfront restaurant adding to its existing culinary offerings e.g. Tonsai, known for its engaging breakfast buffet, features a casual island-style atmosphere in the morning and afternoon that flawlessly transforms to an intimate date night retreat in the evening, My Grill, for the private and romantic dining options, home to the sound of sizzling steaks paired with a selection of exquisite wines and Z Bar, for a cocktail with the beautiful sunset view.

“The Rum Chapel restaurant is an engaging venue with in-door, out-door ambience, and design featuring a 50-seats hotspot right on the beach and connecting to the popular Infinity Pool. The guests can enjoy a family style dining with inspired sharing food platter with flavors from around the world. The delicious and refreshing cocktails made of the finest produced local rum and craft beer is the specialties to look forward to in an open bar with entertaining bartenders.,” said Erich Friedl, General Manager, The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection resort & Spa, Phuket. “We are thrilled to have Rum Chapel added into our resort’s dining destinations as whether guests are enjoying a simple breakfast, brunch, afternoon tea or lavish dinner, the variety of our culinary options featuring the dramatic limestone cliffs and magnificent oceans views of Phuket will of course satisfy all their needs.”

Operate daily from noon time until 530 p.m. for lunch and poolside snacks and drinks and from 6 p.m. until 1030 p.m. for dinner and expected to be home of the famous island’s upgraded weekend brunch, Rum Chapel will also be the ideal location for upcoming social events and wine dinners, also open for any opportunity of group private dinner. Guests can indulge in this new culinary destination while exploring the untouched Naka island as the restaurant will have its iconic bell that will ring 3 times a day announcing the Holy or Happy Hour and special offer’s time. During the evening, it will turn to be a casual beachside dinner of the highlighted sharing style from worldwide cuisine prepared from local ingredients.

Escape to the hidden paradise of our extraordinary luxury hotel, The Naka Island, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Phuket is tucked away on a secluded island just off the east coast of Phuket, Thailand. Journey to the boutique resort by speedboat and take in the enchanting beauty of rich coconut groves, ivory sandy beaches and limestone cliffs as guests bounce along the waves surrounding Naka Island. Once guests arrive, taste unexpected flavors at one of our hotel’s beachside restaurants, My Grill, Tonsai and Rum Chapel, or unwind with a cocktail at the waterfront Z Bar.

This exclusive resort has transformed island living with 90 luxuriously appointed uniquely designed rooms and villas accompanied by numerous amenities, from state-of-the-art technology, including Wi-Fi and LCD TVs, to a relaxation sala with an outdoor soaking private pool.

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, recently surpassing 100 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the new name of Marriott’s travel program replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz- Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG). The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including earning points toward free hotel stays and nights toward Elite status recognition.

Bangkok (Thailand) – December 26, 2019 (travelindex.com) – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to welcome Hilton as the newest sustainability partner for Travel Lab Asia, a platform for triple-bottom-line innovation in Asia’s travel industry that helps corporates source technology solutions for their most pressing sustainability and environmental problems. Travel Lab Asia is an initiative of the Asian Development Bank’s ADB Ventures and is supported by PATA and Plug and Play.

“We are delighted to welcome Hilton as our newest corporate partner, joining both Minor Hotels and Jetwing Hotels, in seeking innovative CleanTech solutions for a more sustainable future,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “It is inspiring to see these three organisations embrace sustainable and responsible business practices through technological solutions, and I do invite other corporates in the hospitality sector to join us along this journey.”

Jeannie Kwok, Director, Corporate Responsibility at Hilton, said, “We look forward to partnering with providers who can help us accelerate our progress in areas like energy reduction, in line with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals to cut our environmental footprint in half and double our social impact. This collaboration with Plug and Play, ADB Ventures, and PATA is a great match.”

In the first year of the programme, Travel Lab Asia will focus on helping corporate partners source and integrate CleanTech solutions for improved business performance and environmental impact. Participating corporates will have unrivalled access to sustainability-focused technology solutions from around the world. They will receive support to articulate their sustainability-related technology needs and to develop pilot proposals with solution providers. Furthermore, they will have access to ADB’s research and counsel on environmental and social impact measurement, enabling them to tell clear and credible brand stories as regional leaders in sustainability. Travel Lab Asia also includes the potential for de-risked investment funding from ADB at the pilot, post-pilot, and adoption stages.

CleanTech includes technology for energy efficiency, waste reduction, recycling and circular economy, food waste management, reduced water use and loss, waste and effluent management, water collection and distribution, natural resource management, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Two additional corporate partners are still being considered for the programme, which begins January 1, 2020.

For more information about Travel Lab Asia, please visit a.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, 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 more than 800 member organisations, including 95 government, state and city tourism bodies, 20 international airlines and airports, 102 hospitality organisations and 70 educational institutions, as well as over 4,000 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 35 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 22 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 official offices or representation in Beijing and London.

SustainableFirst.com supports the efforts of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). More at www.SustainableFirst.com

Valle de Colchagua (Chile) – December 27, 2019 (travelindex.com) –The 4th Global Conference on Wine Tourism, hosted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Government of Chile, has concluded with a call to use the sector’s unique ability to rejuvenate and support rural communities.

Held in the Colchagua Valley, home to some of Chile’s most prominent wine producers, the event saw more than 400 participants from destinations including Argentina, France, Italy, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and USA, come together to explore the many opportunities that wine tourism can bring. The event further strengthened ties between UNWTO and Chile, a Member State since 1979. The previous week, the United Nations specialized agency also presented the case for tourism as a key contributor to the sustainability agenda at the UN Climate Change Summit, COP25 in Madrid, held under the Presidency of Chile.

Welcoming delegates, UNWTO General-Secretary Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Wine tourism creates jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities. It touches all areas of the regional economy through its linkages to handicrafts, gastronomy and agriculture. There lies its great potential to generate development opportunities in remote destinations.”

In this regard, the Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism, Lucas Palacios, said that “wine tourism continues to grow thanks to the thrust of the vineyards that are challenged to go further and further, expanding their horizons beyond production and the sale of wine, but it is also thanks to the fact that, as a State, we have implemented a public policy that fosters sustainable tourism development, where we have tremendous potential.”

The Undersecretary of Tourism, Mónica Zalaquett, said that “this is an opportunity to show our territory. Today there are more than 100 vineyards open to wine tourism and this congress is about that. They are going to transfer knowledge, share experiences, promote dialogues and deliver tools, so that we can improve this wine tourism offer”.

In particular, the fourth edition of the most important annual event in enotourism, focused on the sector’s ability to transform rural communities, build economies and create jobs outside of major cities. Alongside sessions on tourism as a driver of rural socio-economic development, the conference also featured workshops and debates on how destinations can diversify and market themselves to meet changing consumer demands. At the same time, UNWTO experts also explained the potential benefits of embracing digital transformation and entrepreneurship in tourism, particularly in rural areas.

The Alentejo region in Portugal will host the 2020 edition of the UNWTO Global Conference on Wine Tourism. Next year will also be UNWTO’s year of ‘Tourism and Rural Development’, with a number of specially-themed events planned.

Bangkok (Thailand) – December 20, 2019 (travelindex.com) –Introducing VIVIN APÉRO BOX  “Gourmet Platter in a Box”  Moving into its fifth year, VIVIN, the maker and purveyor of all things local, artisanal and fine, is upping its game with gourmet delights in a box!

Introducing VIVIN APÉRO BOX, a box containing a mixed portion of the gourmet platter to be enjoyed and shared among friends and family (or alone) complementing by your choice of wines or spirits delivered right to your doorstep.

Imagine a ready-made platter of mixed cheeses, cold cuts and selections of local chutney delivered to your home in an environmental-friendly box complete with biodegradable utensils. No more going to the stores to pick out the cheeses, then the cold cuts, waiting forever in line to pay, then fight the traffic back home to prepare the platter. The VIVIN APÉRO BOX  is just a few clicks away to be received right at your door. Yay!

The APÉRO BOX also contains custom made cardboard food dividers to ensure each item stays separated and secure in transport. It also makes it fun and convenience to serve and eat directly from the box! Think of  it as a French Bento Box but filled with a variety of cheeses!

The secure box contains a range of cheeses from fresh goat and cow cheese from Chiang Mai to hard cheese from Chiang Rai together with cold cuts, the local Magret dried duck, the local Thai saucisse, the Cambodian Kampot Pepper or even a Phuket cashew nut and spicy Larb flavoured dried sausages. Not to mention VIVIN’s range of terrine, mousse and rillettes that are all 100 percent locally made without any artificial preservatives.

Choose from the Classic – a mix of cheese and cold cuts, the Vegetarian – a selection of VIVIN cheeses or the Carnivore – a variety of cold cuts and charcuterie. All are available in small or large box sizes that suit the number of guests you are sharing the gourmet goodies with.

The VIVIN APÉRO BOX  and products are available for private functions or parties and can support all corporate catering needs.