Category: Latest Travel News

Bangkok (Thailand) –  March 11, 2019 (travelindex.com) – Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel joins millions around the world to raise awareness of global warming for a momentous hour at Aqua Bar on Saturday 30 March 2019.

Earth Hour is a global movement organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Held annually, the event encourages individuals and communities across the planet to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour.

Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel marks the occasion by inviting guests to indulge in delectable snacks and drinks by candlelight, as they are serenaded by the gentle sounds of unplugged music. In addition, there will be a chance to observe a pedal-powered washing machine demonstration and discover how it’s possible to wash clothes during a workout.

Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel celebrates Earth Hour as part of the worldwide event on Saturday 30 March 2019 from 8.30 pm – 9.30 pm at Aqua Bar.

 

 

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 8, 2019 (travelindex.com) – BHMA Hotels and Resorts, an international hotel management company wholly owned by the ASX listed Flight Centre Travel Group, is pleased to announce the arrival of Jens Reichert as the company’s first Chief Development Officer. An industry veteran with more than 30 years of service, Jens brings the necessary managerial skills to drive the substantial growth BHMA is currently enjoying.

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As the company’s Chief Development Officer, Jens will be tasked with setting up a focused business development team with the ultimate goal of growing the company’s portfolio according to BHMA’s global expansion plans. BHMA’s trinity of brands – X2, X2 Vibe, and Away Resorts – have become household names across the Asia-Pacific region thanks to scalable and sustained growth in tourism markets from Thailand to Australia, but the company continues to seek out new markets.

“We are pleased to welcome Jens to the BHMA family and I am sure his expertise will help maintain our momentum across the markets where we currently operate and in new markets internationally. An experienced deal closer, Jens brings a wealth of experience having worked in the luxury hospitality where he established an international network with design houses, developers and consultants. As we continue to bring new properties online, Jens and his team will ensure that our property channel continues to grow,” said Peter Lucas, CEO, BHMA Hotels and Resorts.

Having spent the last decade focusing on hotel development domestic and internationally Jens is fully up to speed on the fast-paced hospitality industry. Over the past few years, Jens has been instrumental in signing more than 50 hotel contracts and possesses extensive knowledge of contract negotiations in various jurisdictions. A solution-orientated executive, Jens track record at the forefront of business will be of great importance to BHMA’s global expansion goals.

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“I am thrilled to be joining BHMA Hotels and Resorts and I look forward to working in a dynamic environment where my skills can contribute to the company’s expansion plans. I have kept an eye on the developments of BHMA’s distinct and aspirational brands X2, X2 Vibe, and Away Resorts. I’m passionate about giving my utmost for the success and enjoyment of our guests, hotel owners, and partners,” said Jens Reichert, Chief Development Officer, BHMA Hotels and Resorts.

Jens will commence work on 11th March 2019 with a multi-cultural business development team.

Ulaan Baatar (Mongolia) – March 7, 2019 (travelindex.com) – Mongolia, is about the launch a new interactive planning tool for travelers, was introduced for the first time at ITB Berlin, the largest tourism fair in the world.

While Mongolia generates strong visions for most travelers with iconic names such as Genghis Khan or the Gobi Desert, most tourists have yet to grasp the hidden and great wonders found in the country’s vast and rustic space.

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To make Mongolia better known while at the same time providing a precise tool for travellers wishing to plan a journey to what appears as one of the world’s tourism ‘last frontiers’, The Ministry of Environment and Tourism Mongolia introduced a new interactive web platform which will soon be available to the public.

The core purpose of the innovative platform is to produce visitor ‘journeys’ by anticipating and leveraging on the wishes of the platform’s visitors. Information on thematic travel, a customized portal for first-time travelers, itineraries, and regional journeys are among some of the roadmaps offered within the Mongolia platform.

Each story and experience highlighted on the platform will link to sub-content branches, providing potential travelers with a fully interactive experience. Interactive portals are available through a dynamic landing page which will direct web visitors through a ‘journey’ based on their status, needs, and interests.

“The platform is developed to help enthuse tourists from around the world to discover and explore Mongolia’s culture, history, attractions and experiences through inspiring storytelling. Not only does it showcase Mongolia at the heart of Northeast Asia, but by profiling a multitude of experiences also shows how we can collaborate with our local businesses and communities to provide the best and most inclusive information possible to travelers,” explained Mongolia Minister of Environment and Tourism H.E. Namsrai Tserenbat.

The Mongolia platform’s visitors will then be able to click on various texts and pictures, shaping a unique itinerary through featured experiences, aggregated social media content, stories, and main centers of interest. Particular emphasis has been put on the ‘First-Time Traveller’ roadmap, which is found on the platform’s landing page. Within, images containing little-known facts about the country will appear one after another.

Dedicated theme pages will include information on festivals, family activities, bird watching, nature, adventure, history and culture, gastronomy, community-based tourism, and Buddhist tourism.

Book your hotel in Mongolia and around the world in over 200 countries at best rates available. Earn HolidayClick Points and pay at the hotel. Book now at HotelWorlds.com!

Another section will guide visitors through the county’s regions. In addition, the platform will also provide essential information for interested travelers, such as visa information, travel information, inner-country transportation, climate, currency, language, and more.

Victoria, Mahe (Seychelles) – March 6, 2019 (travelindex.com) – This week the world of tourism will be travelling to Berlin in Germany for the ITB Tourism Trade Fair. This is one of the biggest tourism trade fairs in the world and countries who want a bigger share of the discerning travellers will all be trying to impressing tour operators and the press as they all showcase their new developments and attractions.

I will also be in Berlin this week for private meetings and for addressing a conference in my capacity as a tourism consultant.

Seychelles enters a new era

Seychelles has entered a new era with the recent passing of former President Albert Rene this week. His death followed so closely to the passing of founding President, James Mancham.

Both these political personalities shaped, in their own ways, the political landscape of the islands as well as the Seychelles we see today.

President Albert Rene, the Seychelles’ second, and long serving President, passed away in Seychelles Hospital at the age of 83 during in the early hours of the 27th February 2019.

During the Seychelles Independence in 1976, Albert Rene was Prime Minister in the coalition government of President James Mancham. In 1977, he staged a Coup D’Etat and became President. He retained his presidency of the islands until 2004, where he handed power to his Vice President, James Michel.

In the early 1980s, President Rene took over the responsibility of the island’s tourism portfolio in a bid to relaunch the Seychelles tourism industry. He recruited John Enright and Eamonn Keane through the Irish Tourism Board. John Enright became the CEO of the Tourism Board and Eamonn Keane was attached to the Ministry of Finance with the aim of facilitating anything tourism related.

I had already been recruited in the Ministry of Tourism by Minister Mathew Servina, the then Minister of Tourism a couple of years before the arrival of John Enright and Eamonn Keane, and worked closely with the consultants who came up with the new launch strategy for Seychelles, inclusive of the new very successful logo “Unique By A Thousand Miles”. At that time, Seychelles had branded itself as one of the world’s “Best Kept Secrets.” The concern soon surfaced that perhaps our secret was too well kept, prompting the relaunch by John Enright of the Irish Tourism Board, who was called upon to relaunch our ailing tourism industry. Mr. Enright brought in an effective group of consultants and launched the successful “Seychelles, Unique By A Thousand Miles” tag line. I joined John Enright as his Executive Assistant and worked by his side for many years. This was in 1981 after the Seychelles Tourist Board was established, with John Enright as director and when at 27-year-old I became his assistant.

John Enright, with the support of the Head of State, moved to increase the visibility of the islands, accompanied by a large private sector trade delegation, he organised a European promotional tour in 1982. He also used the Seychelles Culture and the island’s Folkloric Troupe in the promotion of the islands.

President Rene survived many attempted Coups and political challenges during his lengthy political career, and has taken to the grave many secrets from his term of office.

Albert Rene will receive a State Funeral on Thursday 7th March 2019.

I’d like to take this opportunity to offer my condolences to his family, friends and supporters. The political landscape of Seychelles is set to change with the passing of the stalwart of the ruling party, but today we take the time to reflect upon a man who dedicated his life to doing what he believed was right. Whether we agree or not with his methods and views, today we think about those who have lost a loved one. The history books will document the rest.

Air Seychelles moving Seychellois up the Management ladder

Jean Weeling, the Chairman of Air Seychelles was happy to introduce the National Airline’s new Seychellois Members of their Management Team during the Tourism Industry’s Social Evening at La Plaine St. Andre.

The Air Seychelles Chairman was standing with two Seychellois recruits:- Sheryl Barra, Head of Corporate Affairs & Cosette Moustache, Head of Legal and Company Secretary as he explained the drive by the Airline to have more and more Seychellois in Senior Positions.

This news remained part of the best kept secrets. Seychellois as a whole wanted to hear how we are faring as a people in the restructuring of our National Airline. I take this opportunity to the two young ladies Sheryl Barra and Cosette Moustache for their appointment and wish them success at Air Seychelles.

Air Seychelles to go daily to Johannesburg

Air Seychelles has earlier today confirmed that the airline will operate daily flights between Seychelles and the commercial capital of South Africa’s and the country’s biggest city, Johannesburg as from 03rd of June 2019.

The additional frequency will be operated on Mondays by the airlines two class Airbus A320 aircraft featuring 16 business and 120 economy class seats will boost the available capacity on that route to 1,904 seats per week.

Charles Johnson, Chief Commercial Officer of Air Seychelles said: “Johannesburg is a key market for Air Seychelles and expanding our frequency from six per week to daily services to the provincial capital of Gauteng further shows our commitment to offer our guests greater choice and more flexibility when planning their travel. Besides catering to the strong growing demand, strengthening air access between the two capital cities will in addition support the growth of trade including commerce which is vital for the airline’s cargo business as well as for the development of each countries respective economies and tourism industries. This great news will also be beneficial for guests travelling from Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth including Cape Town, with our codeshare partner South African Airways or from Gaborone, Francistown and Maun with interline partner Air Botswana because as from June they will now have more flexibility and better access to our connections to the Seychelles and beyond.”

The new Monday service starting as from 03rd of June 2019 to Johannesburg is already on sale and travellers are invited to book their tickets via airseychelles.com, visit the airlines’ sales offices located in both Mahe and Praslin or contact the Air Seychelles Call Centre on 439 10 00.

The new schedule for the flights between Seychelles and Johannesburg is effective as from 3 June 2019.

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 6, 2019 (travelindex.com) – Well Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 is celebrating 3rd anniversary and as part of the celebrations, the hotel is offering the 2-night stays special promotion package in all rooms and suites. The 2-night package starts from 6,333 Baht net which offers room and one time 60 minutes Indian head or Thai massage at Well Spa or one time Cocktail for 2 guests at the Twist Bar & Bistro. As an additional benefits, guests will also receive free breakfast buffet and minibar for 2 guests. The hotel guests can enjoy the discount for stay until October 31, 2019 and available to book now until October 31, 2019.

Well Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 is located in the heart of the city and within walking distance to BTS Asok and MRT Sukhumvit. It is comprised of 235 rooms and suites, with five room types including Superior, Superior Corner, Deluxe, Executive and Executive Suite. The two latter room types are equipped with an exercise bike, yoga, Pilates and resistance exercise set. The hotel has Classic Twist design with art décor touch in the interior.

Price/ 2-Night Package
• Superior room 6,333 Baht net
• Deluxe room 7,333 Baht net
• Executive room 8,333 Baht net
• Executive suite room 9,333 Baht net
Spend 2 nights or more with special rate for extended stay. To book the 2-night offer, find more information on www.wellhotelbangkok.com

The surprise benefits on April only!

All guests staying in April receive Well Gift set (one gift per room per stay)

Recharge the spa treatment @ Well Spa (1-30 April 2019)

Buy any 60-minute spa treatment and get a 30-minute Well Classic Partial Massage for 333 Baht net (regular price 900 Baht). The package rate can be used in one time treatment. This promotion is available every day throughout April 2019 from 10 AM to 10 PM. Advance reservations are recommended at 02 127 5995

Eat Well Café and The Twisted Bar & Bistro

Experience a creative food therapy and the mixture of Thai and international dishes menu at Eat Well Café and The Twisted Bar & Bistro which located on the ground floor of the hotel. Spend the first dish with normal price, get a special price for the second dish only 3 Baht. The signature dishes which have been picked up from the chef’s experience including Spring rolls with deep fried vegetable, Somtam with grilled chicken, Stir fried chicken with cashew nuts, Padthai with mushroom and brown rice vermicelli, Calamari, Caesar Salad, Well Club sandwich, Vegetable Lasagna, Penne and Italian sausage, Mushroom Risotto, etc. The promotion is available now. To make reservations, call 02 127 5995 ext.4945

Spread the words to your family and friends, and make sure you book your holiday before the offers end.

About Well Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20
Well Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 is managed by Well Hotels & Resorts, a Thailand-based hotel management company. Well Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 is a lifestyle wellness destination that is not only aiming to deliver urban lifestyle experience and relationship with the nearby neighborhood but also being dedicated to well-balanced combination of comfort and style as well as friendly and warm welcome service.

The hotel is comprised of 235 rooms and suites with 143 Superior Rooms, 7 Superior Corner Rooms, 75 Deluxe Rooms, 6 Executive Rooms and 4 Executive Suites. All rooms and suites are featured with mini-bars, personal electronic safety box, 46-inch smart TV, complimentary Wi-Fi throughout and LAN cable in room. Each of the Executive Room and Executive Suite is fitted with a private exercise bike, Well Fit Box providing yoga and stretching exercise equipment and electronic weight scale to accommodate health loving travelers. A Microwave and printer are available in Executive Suite.

Contact information:
Ms. Cheunpiti Inna (Waan)| Marketing Communications Manager
T. 02 127 5995 | Email: marcom@WellHotelBangkok.com

Ms. Supa-arpha Itthikaiwan (Mandy) | Director of Marketing
Email: dom@WellHotelBangkok.com

Well Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20
10 Sukhumvit 20, Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
T. +66 2127 5995 | F. +66 2127 5998

Shanghai (China) – March 6, 2019 -(travelindex.com) – Renowned for its vast “Gin Library”, Urban Lounge has recently expanded its collection and launched a special tasting menu and happy hour specials to unite gin lovers and urbanites in Shanghai.

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With junipers as the main ingredient, there is no limit to the hundreds of ingredients that make gin unique, a variety of flavours deem the spirit a popular choice amongst mixologists and connoisseurs. From classic cocktails to creative concoctions, URBAN Lounge serves over 120 types of gin, and transforms each one into innovative, artisanal creations to satisfy the preferences of every guests.

New additions to the gin library include Normindia gin from France, using apples as the main ingredient during distillation to offer a sweet taste and fruity fragrance. Distillerie De Paris – Gin Tonik is produced in the first legal distillery in Paris. Distilled with quinine, the main ingredient in tonic water, this gin matches perfectly with soda water for a dry, zesty tasting experience. Malfy Gin Rosa is ideal for the hotter months of the year, with notes of Sicilian grapefruit and rhubard from the Salerno coast, Southern Italy.

The brand-new “Gin Degustation” menu offers four types of gin from the vast collection, paired with tonic water and any choice of garnishes, for a journey to discover four distinct tasting experiences. Signatures from the “Gin Libations” collection include Gimlet (peddlers, honeysuckle tonic cordial, pomelo) and D(rye) Martini (Kyro Napue rye, house blend rye vermouth, lemon oil), all fragrant and rich in a unique blend of flavours. On Fridays to Sundays, guests who order Gin Degustation will receive house-made juniper cakes paired with the gins.

URBAN Lounge also presents a buy-one-get-one-free offer on all gin drinks during happy hour, daily from 5 to 8pm, ideal for casual business meetings and gatherings.

Live jazz performances take place on Tuesdays to Saturdays during the evening, setting the perfect atmosphere for stylish outings.

About The Sukhothai Hotels & Resorts
The Sukhothai hotel logo consists of 22 diamond droplets forming the Chedi design that was inspired by Sukhothai, the first capital of Siam. Each drop of diamond, polished to an identical marquise shape and seemingly finding its own position within the whole represents the individuals of the qualified hotel associates who, guided by intuition yet precise in every detail, anticipate our guests’ needs and cater to them exceptionally. Each property within the brand portfolio remains distinct and uniquely designed while maintaining the essential quality that is the hallmark of the brand.

Book your hotel in Shanghai, in China and around the world in 88 countries at best rates available. Earn HolidayClick Points and pay at the hotel. Book now at HotelWorlds.com!

About The Sukhothai Shanghai
Strategically located in the business and tourist hotspot of West Nanjing Road and Shimen Yi Road, The Sukhothai Shanghai is a contemporary design hotel that forms an integral part of the HKRI Taikoo Hui mixed-use complex, which also includes Grade-A office towers and a premium shopping mall. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the hotel features 170 well-appointed guest rooms and 31 suites ranging from 44 to 172 square metres, and five inspiring lifestyle dining venues serving authentic modern cuisines and artisanal beverages, a state-of-the-art fitness studio complete with a 25-metre heated indoor pool, and a spa specialising in revitalising wellness programmes. Crafted for exquisite social and corporate events, conferences and exhibitions of all scales, the Grand Shanghai Ballroom along with six multi-purpose function rooms occupy a spacious area of 450 square metres, conveniently accessible from the main driveway and grand terrazzo staircase.

McLean, Virginia (United States) –  March 6, 2019 (travelindex.com) –  Hilton announced the launch of Signia Hilton, its dynamic, new meetings-and-events-focused brand. The portfolio of hotels is setting out to transform the industry for meeting professionals and sophisticated business travelers by infusing state-of-the-art technology and design into every aspect of the guest experience.

“Signia Hilton grew from feedback from top meeting professionals, owners, developers and guests”.

The brand further reinforces Hilton’s commitment to innovation that meets the evolving needs of today’s travelers and will bring premium experiences to top urban and resort destinations around the world.

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“In our 100th year of hospitality, we are more focused than ever on providing exceptional experiences to all of our guests – and that includes evolving those experiences to meet their changing needs,” said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton. “We are proud to launch Signia Hilton, which exemplifies our innovative spirit and will raise the bar on what it means to deliver truly customer-inspired hospitality.”

With a minimum of 500 guest rooms and 75 square feet per key of flexible meetings and events space, each Signia Hilton will offer business and leisure travelers elevated experiences from arrival to departure with the following elements:

• Impressive arrivals: Signia Hilton will offer a true sense of arrival with modern architecture, manicured landscaping and welcoming team members who will invite travelers to enjoy the grandeur and energy of the hotel.
• Unmatched lobby experiences: Thoughtful design connected to the local culture will foster an impressive and comfortable space that doubles as a lobby and social destination for guests throughout their stay.
• Modern guest rooms: From the premium design and quality finishes that take inspiration from each hotel’s unique destination, to the innovative technology that matters most to guests, like Digital Key, the rooms will serve as a haven for comfort and convenience.
• A destination bar: Each hotel will feature a bar that ties back to the exciting city or resort destination where it resides. With its premier location in the hotel, the bar will serve as the heart of the hotel, emanating a dynamic energy throughout the entire space.
• A signature restaurant: The signature restaurants at each Signia Hilton will be based on a chef-driven concept, designed to offer both locals and guests elevated presentations and experiences that they will want to share with friends and business partners.
• Premium wellness experiences: From infinity pools to state-of-the art spas, fitness classes and facilities, each Signia Hilton will offer an upgraded experience, all in a space designed to make guests feel their best.
• The Signia meeting experience: The meetings and events spaces will be the signature showpiece of each Signia Hilton. Large ballrooms and pre-function areas will feature smart design paired with the newest technologies to elevate today’s meetings. As the modern meeting attendee is looking for spaces that inspire innovative thinking, the small to mid-size meeting rooms will feature unique design and technology that spark new ideas and optimize work and collaboration.

“Signia Hilton grew from feedback from top meeting professionals, owners, developers and guests,” said David Marr, senior vice president and global head, Full Service Brands, Hilton. “After countless hours of collaboration, together, we created Signia Hilton, a brand that will resonate with travelers, ‘wow’ meeting professionals and set a new, elevated standard for the meetings and events industry.”

Book your hotel in the United States of America and around the world in 95 countries at best rates available. Earn HolidayClicks points and pay at the hotel. Book now at HotelWorlds.com!

Signia Hilton will be a global brand with a carefully curated portfolio of hotels in top urban and resort locales and will include Signia Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, Signia Hilton Atlanta and Signia Hilton Indianapolis.

 

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 5, 2019 – (travelindex.com) – Garima Arora, executive chef and founder of Gaa in Bangkok, has won the title of elit Vodka Asia’s Best Female Chef 2019. Arora will be presented with her award at a ceremony sponsored by S.Pellegrino & Acqua Panna, on Tuesday 26th March 2019 in Macao.

In partnership with elit Vodka, the 50 Best organization is committed to celebrating role models who demonstrate a progressive vision for gastronomy. William Drew says: “This award recognizes female chefs whose passion, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit serve to inspire the next generation of cooks. Garima Arora has had a huge impact on the dining scene in Asia in a short period with her brilliant blend of Indian traditions and Thai ingredients.”

Arora worked briefly as a journalist before pursuing her interest in the culinary arts. After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu Paris in 2010, she worked at Noma in Copenhagen, learning alongside legendary chef René Redzepi. Recalling her two-plus years at Noma, she says the experience forever changed her approach to cooking. “I learned how to think about food more intelligently. I started looking at cooking more like a cerebral exercise, thinking about what you do, why you do it and understanding your place in a community.”

Returning to Asia in 2016, Arora was appointed sous chef at Gaggan, the award-winning Bangkok restaurant that has held the No.1 position on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list for four consecutive years. In April 2017, the chef opened Gaa, a three-story restaurant located opposite Gaggan that celebrates a modern tasting menu using traditional Indian techniques. Showcasing her creativity and culinary inspirations, each dish is made from locally sourced ingredients and explores the connections between Thai and Indian food, from fruits and curries to sauces and spices. The menu is a reflection of Arora’s cultural heritage as well as the community that surrounds her.

Diners choose between a 10- or 14-course tasting menu, which changes quarterly to reflect seasonal specialties. The result is a dining experience that is innovative, modern, playful and unpredictable. In November 2018, Gaa earned its first Michelin star, making Arora the first Indian woman to win such an accolade.

Accepting the prestigious Best Female Chef title, Arora said: “This award is a validation of our team’s hard work and commitment to excellence. I am honored that chefs and respected industry peer voting on this award recognize and appreciate our efforts.”
Frances Gaillard, International Marketing Director for Stoli Group, overseeing elite Vodka, adds:

“Garima has accomplished so much in such a short time – a true testament to her diligence and to her distinctive fusion of cuisines learned in some of the finest kitchens in Europe and Asia. We are pleased to be the latest to recognize this rising star in the gastronomy world.”elite Vodka Best Female Chef Award The elit Vodka Best Female Chef Award.

Previous holders of Asia’s Best Female Chef title include Duangporn ‘Bo’ Songvisava from Thailand (2013), Lanshu Chen from Taiwan (2014), Hong Kong’s Vicky Lau (2015), Margarita Forés of the Philippines (2016), May Chow from Hong Kong (2017) and Bongkoch ‘Bee’ Satongun from Thailand (2018)

Winners of The World’s Best Female Chef Award include Ana Roš, Dominique Crenn, Hélène Darroze, Elena Arzak, Anne-Sophie Pic, and Clare Smyth.

In Latin America, the title has been held by chefs Pía León, Leonor Espinosa, Kamilla Seidler, Roberta Sudbrack, Elena Reygadas, and Helena Rizzo.

Restaurant Gaa of Chef Garima Arora in Bangkok is highly rated at Top25Restaurants.com by Travelindex and the trusted Restaurant Rating Index for the best restaurants in Asia.

 

 

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 4, 2019 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts is celebrating the opening of the first ever Vīb Best Western hotel in Asia Pacific with the launch of an exclusive promotion at Vīb Best Western Sanam Pao, Bangkok.

A cutting-edge, tech-savvy midscale hotel for the modern generation, Vīb Best Western Sanam Pao is perfectly located in a vibrant area of north-downtown Bangkok, surrounded by shopping malls, corporate offices and local attractions. Sanam Pao BTS skytrain station is just steps from the hotel, putting the entire city within easy reach.

Guests now have the chance to be among the first to experience this stylish new hotel. Guests that book between March 4th, 2019 and April 10th, 2019 can enjoy special rates, starting from THB 2,210 net per room per night, including breakfast for two people and complimentary in-room Wi-Fi. Best Western Rewards® members will also receive double points when they book a stay between March 1st, 2019 and March 31st, 2019.

Connectivity is at the core of the brand, that’s why Vīb Best Western Sanam Pao’s 91 contemporary rooms all come equipped with fast Wi-Fi, smart TVs and e-concierge technology; as well as comfortable beds, refreshing rain showers and convenient work areas. Guests can grab quick snacks from the café, enjoy invigorating 24-hour workouts in the gym, unwind with a cool drink at Eye Bar, or even stay and play in the gaming pods.

With its ideal location just steps from the BTS skytrain, Vīb Best Western Sanam Pao is just a few stops away from the Airport Rail Link to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport, while Don Mueang Airport is just a short drive away.

To book your stay at Vīb Best Western Sanam Pao and enter an exciting new era of hospitality in Asia, please visit: bestwesternasia.com.

About Best Western Hotels and Resorts
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of over 4,500 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories worldwide*. Best Western offers 16 hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market. Best Western branded hotels include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, AidenSM, SadieSM, BW Premier Collection®, and BW Signature Collection®. Through recent acquisition, Best Western now also offers WorldHotels® Luxury, WorldHotels Elite and WorldHotels Distinctive brands. Completing its portfolio, Best Western offers SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, and SureStay Collection® franchises**. Now celebrating more than 70 years of hospitality, Best Western provides its hoteliers with global operational, sales and marketing support, and award-winning online and mobile booking capabilities. Best Western continues to set industry records regarding awards and accolades, including 66 percent of the brand’s North American hotels earning a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award in 2018, Business Travel News® ranking Best Western Plus and Best Western number one in upper-midscale and midscale hotel brands respectively for two consecutive years, and Fast Company honoring Best Western Hotels & Resorts with a spot in the Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in the Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality category. Best Western has also won 10 consecutive AAA®/CAA® Lodging Partner of the Year awards, recognizing the brand’s commitment to providing exceptional service and great value to AAA/CAA’s nearly 60 million members in the U.S. and Canada. Best Western-branded hotels were top ranked in breakfast (food and beverage category) by J.D. Power’s 2018 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study – ranking first for midscale; and second for upper midscale. Nearly 40 million travelers are members of the brand’s award-winning loyalty program Best Western Rewards®, one of the few programs in which members earn points that never expire and can be redeemed at any Best Western-branded hotel worldwide. Best Western’s partnerships with AAA/CAA and Google® Street View provide travelers with exciting ways to interact with the brand. Through its partnership with Google Street View, Best Western is the first major company of its size and scale to launch a virtual reality experience for customers, setting a new industry standard and reinventing how guests view hotels.
* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

Contact information:
Sirimanas Maungrod (Cake) | Senior Regional Marketing Communications Manager | Asia
Email: sirimanas.maungrod@bestwestern.com

Phanintorn Tangtrongjit (Dream) | Assistant Marketing Communications Manager | Asia
Email: Phanintorn.Tangtrongjit@bestwestern.com

Best Western Hotels & Resorts
BWI (Thailand) Co., Ltd.|Unit 5A-2 | 5th Floor Gaysorn Place Office Building
999 Ploenchit Road Lumpini Phatumwan | Bangkok | 10330 | Thailand
Phone: +662.656.1260 | Fax +662.656.1252| www.bestwesternasia.com

Seoul (Korea, South) – March 1, 2019 (travelindex.com) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced the launch of the IATA Diversity & Inclusion Awards’ to recognize and encourage industry excellence.

Three categories of leadership in gender diversity and inclusion will be awarded:

• Inspirational Role Model Award: Will be presented to a female (30+) who holds a senior position within the industry who has had a significant impact on the aviation agenda through her strong contribution to business delivery, as well as her ongoing support of the gender diversity agenda. Open to all female participants in the aviation industry.
• High Flyer Award: Designed to recognize one of aviation’s under-30 female contributors who has started to develop her career, and thought leadership in the industry through her inspirational work. Open to all under-30 female participants in the aviation industry.
• Diversity and Inclusion Team Award: Designed to recognize an airline that has seen a tangible change in their diversity as a result of the work it has been doing in diversity and inclusion. Open to all IATA member airlines.

Nominations for the awards are open on the IATA website from 26 February 2019 until 31 March 2019. They will be judged by an international and independent panel of experts. The first of these annual awards will be presented at IATA’s 75th Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit to be held in Seoul, South Korea (1-3 June 2019).

“Aviation is the Business of Freedom. The essence of aviation is building a global community by connecting people, businesses and cultures across great distances. Ten million people work in the aviation industry to make this happen. It is important that this workforce reflects the amazing diversity and inclusion that it fosters in our society. By launching these awards, we want to recognize and celebrate the great work that is being done to take the industry into the future,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

Qatar Airways has generously committed to sponsoring these awards. Each category comes with $25,000 in prize money payable to the awardee or their nominated charity working on diversity and inclusion projects.

“Aviation thrives with diversity and provides great employment opportunities to talented people in every corner of our planet. But there is much room to improve. For example, gender balance is by far not equal. In sponsoring these awards, we are committing to do better ourselves, to building awareness and to inspiring change,” said HE Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive and Chair of the IATA Board of Governors (2018-2019).