Category: Latest Travel News

Osaka (Japan) – November 7, 2018 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts has revealed plans to launch another modern international hotel in the heart of Osaka, Japan’s second largest city, commercial center and culinary capital.

Scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2019, Best Western Plus Osaka Kitahama is a newly-constructed property in the city’s Chuo-ku ward, just a one-minute walk from Kitahama Station. From there, travelers can connect to the entire city and beyond via the Osaka Subway and Keihan Main Line.

Best Western Plus Osaka Kitahama is located close to the Aji River and surrounded by key business and leisure attractions such as the Osaka Securities Exchange, Nakanoshima Park, Osaka Prefectural Nakanoshima Library and the Museum of Oriental Ceramics. Other major locations including Osaka City Hall, Goryo Shrine, Osaka Castle and the Osaka Museum of History are within easy reach.

Upon opening, this new upper-midscale hotel will feature 80 sleek and contemporary rooms. All of the rooms are fully equipped with international standard services and facilities such as high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, refrigerators, toiletries, hairdryers and working desks. Guests will be able to dine at the onsite restaurant or grab 24-hour snacks and drinks from a vending machine. A laundry service is also available.

This new property will become the third Best Western hotel in Osaka, following Best Western Hotel Fino Osaka Shinsaibashi and Best Western Osaka Tsukamoto. It will also mark the debut of the upper-midscale Best Western Plus® brand in the city.

“Japan is one of the largest and most important Asian markets for Best Western, so we are delighted to secure yet another impressive property in this dynamic country. As Japan’s second largest city, commercial hub and the heart of the Kansai region, Osaka has a huge amount of potential for international travel, as well as the thriving domestic market. By offering a collection of globally-recognized hotels in strategic locations across the city, Best Western is perfectly placed to meet this demand” commented Olivier Berrivin, Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ Managing Director of International Operations – Asia.

“Best Western Plus Osaka Kitahama will harness our company’s timeless values of world-class hospitality, service, connectivity and value-for-money, allowing guests to stay in comfort and style. I look forward to introducing this new era of upper-midscale hospitality to guests in Osaka when the hotel opens early next year” Olivier added.

A major port city and commercial hub, Osaka is famous for its architecture, nightlife and street food. It is also home to enchanting cultural landmarks such as Osaka Castle and Sumiyoshi-taisha, one of Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines. The city’s two airports, Kansai and Itami, handle more than 40 million passengers per year.

Today, Japan is home to more than 15 Best Western properties, ranging from urban hotels in key cities such as Tokyo, Osaka and Hokkaido, to beach resorts in Okinawa, convenient airport hotels and more.

About Best Western Hotels & Resorts:
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of 4,200* hotels in more than 100* countries and territories worldwide. Best Western offers 13 hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market: Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Vīb®, GLō®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Sadie HotelSM, Aiden HotelSM, BW Premier Collection® by Best Western, and BW Signature Collection® by Best Western, as well as its recently launched franchise offerings: SureStay® Hotel by Best Western, SureStay Plus® Hotel by Best Western and SureStay Collection® by Best Western. 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-mid-price and mid-price hotel brands, 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 nine 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 58 million members in the U.S. and Canada. Best Western-branded hotels were top ranked in J.D. Power’s 2017 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study – ranking first in breakfast (food and beverage category) for midscale; and second in overall guest satisfaction. Over 35 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.
* All Best Western and SureStay-branded hotels are independently owned and operated.
* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

Contact information:
Marketing Communications Department
Best Western Hotels and Resorts – Asia
Tel: +66 2 656 1260

Sirimanas Maungrod
Email: sirimanas.maungrod@bestwestern.com

Orapan Sornnuwat
Email: orapan.sornnuwat@bestwestern.com

Bangkok (Thailand) – November 6, 2018 (travelindex) – In Thailand, tourism industry is one of the main industries that generates huge amount of income to the country. It is an industry that is relevant to many people from various sections. Tourism Authority of Thailand, the organization that is responsible for the promotion of Thailand’s tourism market, realized that to create an effectiveness, all sectors including stakeholders in the travel industry must be consistent to be able to make Thailand’s tourism industry sustainable.

“When the tourism sector is larger, it is inevitable that more people will be involved. So, we need to understand the context of the work and who are we going to work with. In addition, we need to know the needs of those involved in the work and stakeholders who help TAT to be in line with the objectives; How will TAT be the leader in tourism promotion and how will TAT make Thailand a popular tourist destination? To be in line with these objectives, TAT need to adjust an organization structure to be a well-rounded organization to step up as a leading state enterprise.” said Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), who revealed the process of an organization adjustment to be in line with TAT 360.

TAT has adopted the TAT 360 model, a model of developing workers to be “knowledgeable” means that they can be able to improve and disseminate the knowledge on tourism information nationally and internationally, and “well-rounded” means they are paying attention to natural resources, social impact and stakeholders in the tourism industry.

TAT 360 is considered as the strategy to increase work efficiency of the organization that will contribute to the sustainability of the Thai tourism industry, and for TAT to become a leading state enterprise according to the criteria of the State Enterprise Policy Office (SEPO).

“The TAT 360 model does not really differ from the traditional way but more like an addition to it. It creates a more concentrated work in order to achieve the efficiency and effectiveness of the tasks that TAT has assigned including building a strong national economy through the tourism industry and distributing wealth to the community. It is a work that does not leave anyone behind like the government policies.”

Mr. Yuthasak added that the work structure does not change but will be more concentrated in terms of collaboration of the people in the organization. Every part of the organization, including employees at all levels, involves in creating a quality organization such as sharing opinions, creating organizational awareness, or exchanging information between the parties to achieve good coordination.

“The activities will be implemented in form of online activities and there will be a central space to be a platform for creative expression. For example, we have an activity called Share Your CG that everyone can forward their favorite CG or an activity called TAT Hero a quiz activity that aims to raise awareness about good governance.

When we have adjusted all the sides of our work, I think it would have a positive impact toward the customers, civilians and those who are involved. They would have been impressed if they know we take care of them. It can be a mark that would guarantee professionalism in working together. I think that’s important.”

Not only adjust the work process, but the new TAT also adds new projects and missions under the direction of Mr. Yuthasak who believes that every change will contribute to the development.

“As of now, we are working on the projects to create unity with employees in the organization, support good governance, and encourage participation in the TAT 360. We have opened a public space for employees which is the board called Your Ideas. All employees are able to contribute their ideas for the organization. We have activities to promote knowledge on good governance such as TAT Hero, Share your CG and other activities. We also have environmental activities such as Wasteless Day activity. Networking and collaboration with external partners are established as well. These activities show that we are progressing continuously. We will move forward with quality and efficiency to strengthen the economy of the country like we have done in the past.”

Whether it is to adjust the work process by implementing TAT 360 model or to create activities that instill TAT’s vision to people in the organization, the main goal is to develop the organization to become a leading state enterprise with quality work, quality people, strong network and transparency. Mr. Yuthasak emphasized that TAT wants to be a recognized as a leading state enterprise.

“Finally, we want to make the concept of TAT 360 be recognized as the Key Success Factor of being a good state enterprise employee that will make us the leading state enterprise in the future.”

La Manga, Murcia (Spain) – November 6, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Tobs Kenya Golf Safaris managed to take over the Leadership in Africa as its best Golf Tour Operator 2018 in stiff competition with 9 other African Companies. The Golf Operator’s recognition comes as a major boost to Kenya’s Golf Tourism Industry, especially now that the Kenya Open has become part of the PGA European Tour.

Kenya with more than 40 golf courses and excellent golf weather conditions all-year-long, has the potential to attract tens of thousands of golfing tourists per year. Ten years ago, in 2008 in Marbella Spain, Kenya became the world’s best Undiscovered Golf Destination, the IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) prestigious award for new excellent golf tourism destinations.

At the World Golf Award Ceremony, held at the 5-star La Manga Golf Resort in Murcia, Spain, Tobs Kenya Golf Safaris became Africa’s Best Golf Tour Operator, and also, for the 4th time in a row, Kenya’s Best Inbound Golf Tour Operator at a star-studded gala event on Saturday the 3rd of November 2018

“This award represents a great honor and recognition for our company, but even more so to Kenya’s Golf Tourism Industry. I sincerely hope that the KTB uses this opportunity to develop a 5-year marketing plan, including strategy and budget to put Kenya finally on the map as a World Class Golf Tourism Destination.” Tobs Cohen said when asked for his comment.

He continued:
“South Africa gets 100.000 golfing tourists, while Thailand, Spain and Portugal receive more than 750.000 golfing tourists each year. Kenya has the potential to attract at least 50.000 golfers yearly, if marketed properly. In combination with the award winning Masai Mara, award winning beaches, a friendly English-speaking population, Kenya can do so much more to get its share in this very lucrative niche of the tourism industry. I also would like to congratulate Emirates Airlines with winning Airline of the Year 2018, at the Air Transport Awards in March 2018 and also express my gratitude for sponsoring my flights to La Manga Club in Spain”

Covering an area of 1400 acres, La Manga Club in Murcia – located in South West Spain, is a luxurious resort including a 5-star hotel, villas, a wellness centre and 15 bars and restaurants. It boasts three 18-hole golf courses, 28 tennis courts, 8 natural grass football pitches, the best cricket facilities in Spain, rugby and a host of other sports. Founded 45 years ago, La Manga Club clearly displays that Golf and Sports Tourism is worth investing in.

Chris Frost, the Managing Director of World Golf Awards, when presenting the award to Tobs said:
“I would like to congratulate you on this remarkable achievement! Throughout the year a record number of votes have been cast by leading golf tourism professionals, as well as hundreds of thousands of golfers, in more than 100 countries. Golf tourism’s highest accolade is truly deserved and rewards your commitment to excellence and determination to become the undisputed market leader in Africa.”

Registered as a company in 1991, Tobs Kenya Golf Safaris is a Specialized Golf Tour Operator organizing Golf Safaris into Kenya, Golf Travel Experiences around the world and luxurious Golf Events, the largest being the Kenya Golf Trophy.

For more information, contact
Tobs Cohen
Tobs Kenya Golf Safaris, Travel & Events
+254-721-601480
+254-020-2687117
tobs@kenya-golf-safaris.com
www.kenya-golf-safaris.com

Astana (Kazakhstan) – November 6, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is set to organise PATA Travel Mart 2019 in Astana, Kazakhstan in September. The event will be hosted by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh Tourism National Company JSC, the key organization in the tourism industry effectively promoting the tourist brand of Kazakhstan and contributing to attracting investments to the industry.

“We are excited to hold the first-ever PATA event in Central Asia in the Republic of Kazakhstan. As the destination stands at the crossroads between Asia and Europe, it is the perfect venue to organise the Association’s signature travel trade exhibition in a uniquely transformational city that blends various cultures and heritages of both the East and West,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “We look forward to working with the host in showcasing this truly unique destination.”

Vice Minister of Culture And Sport of The Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Yerlan Kozhagapanov, said, “We are honoured to be the bid winner and are grateful for the opportunity to host PATA Travel Mart 2019. We are positioning Astana as a MICE hub for Central Asia and looking forward to welcoming PATA members, hosted buyers and visitors at PATA Travel Mart 2019.”

Kazakhstan is the heart of Eurasia. Located simultaneously in two parts of the world – Europe and Asia, it is at the junction of several of the world’s largest civilizations and borders with China, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and the Russian Federation. Due to its key strategic location, it is among the strongest supporters of the Belt and Road Initiative strategy adopted by the Chinese government. According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the country received a total of over 7.7 million total visitors in 2017.

Kazakhstan has a unique geography with a rich and diverse landscape, which includes numerous lakes, lowlands, deserts and valleys framed by mountains in the east and southeast. Due to the large territory and variety of natural conditions, there are over 6,000 species of plants, 172 species of mammals, 500 species of birds, 52 species of reptiles, 12 species of amphibians, and 150 species of fish.

The country’s new capital, Astana, has become a showpiece for 21st-century Kazakhstan, with a fantastical skyline marked by landmark buildings designed by leading international architects in a variety of Asia, Western, Soviet and futuristic styles.

Astana, also known as the ‘Singapore of the steppe’, is a growing city with a young, forward-looking vibe, where Kazakhstan’s ambitious and talented youth are increasingly drawn. This ever-growing city – host to the Expo 2017 world fair – offers a glimpse into a town of tomorrow.

Special discounts are available for sellers located within Central Asia, while early bird discounts are available for those registering before December 31, 2018.

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 a hundred 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 21 PATA Student Chapters globally. Their local activities underpins PATA’s membership in Uniting Travel, a coalition of the world’s major Travel & Tourism organisations dedicated to ensuring that the sector speaks with one voice and acts in unison on the major issues and includes ACI, CLIA, IATA, ICAO, WEF, UNWTO and the WTTC. 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. Visit www.PATA.org.

About Kazakh Tourism National Company JSC
Founded in 2017, Kazakh Tourism National Company JSC is the country’s destination marketing organization, fully owned by the Government of Kazakhstan. The main activities of Kazakh Tourism National Company JSC include marketing and promotion, attracting foreign investments to the tourist field, information and analytical support and capacity development of tourism professionals of Kazakhstan.

PATA
Paul Pruangkarn
Director – Communications
+66 (02) 658-2000 | communications@PATA.org | Bangkok, Thailand

Kazakh Tourism National Company JSC
Ms. Ainura Zhumatayeva
Manager
+7 7172 47 60 17 | a.zhumatay@qaztourism.kz | Astana, Kazakhstan

Bangkok (Thailand) – November 5, 2018 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts has appointed David Calvet as the General Manager of Tawaravadee Resort, BW Signature Collection by Best Western, its impressive new up-country retreat in Thailand’s Prachinburi province.

A highly-experienced hotelier with extensive knowledge of Thailand’s hospitality industry, David has worked for a series of international hotels in Bangkok and Phuket over the last 20 years. Most recently, he was General Manager of ibis Styles Bangkok Sukhumvit 50. Previously, David held senior management roles with a series of well-known hotel brands, including Novotel and Sheraton. He also spent more than three years as Directeur Général of École d’Hôtellerie et de Tourisme Paul Dubrule, an international hospitality school located in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

He will now be tasked with overseeing the successful operations of Tawaravadee Resort, which becomes Best Western’s first BW Signature Collection by Best Western property in Asia. Nestled in the stunning Thai countryside, approximately 160 km from Bangkok, this expansive low-rise resort is suitable for every occasion, from romantic leisure breaks to major corporate functions.

“David Calvet is a talented hotel professional with a wealth of experience. Having lived and worked in Thailand for almost two decades, he is also completely familiar with the unique characteristics of this market and instinctively able to motivate his teams. I can think of no better person to lead our first BW Signature Collection by Best Western hotel in Asia,” commented Olivier Berrivin, Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ Managing Director of International Operations – Asia.

“I am honored and delighted to have been named as General Manager of this exceptional resort. Located less than two hours’ drive from Bangkok and with an extensive range of facilities, including large conference spaces, Tawaravadee Resort is perfect for any occasion. I look forward to working with the entire team at Best Western to make this hotel a huge success and create incredible experiences for every guest,” said David.

About Best Western Hotels & Resorts:
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of 4,200* hotels in more than 100* countries and territories worldwide. Best Western offers 11 hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market: Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Vīb®, GLō®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, BW Premier Collection® by Best Western, and BW Signature Collection® by Best Western; as well as its recently launched franchise offerings: SureStay® Hotel by Best Western, SureStay Plus® Hotel by Best Western and SureStay Collection® by Best Western. 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-mid-price and mid-price hotel brands, 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 nine 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 58 million members in the U.S. and Canada. Best Western-branded hotels were top ranked in J.D. Power’s 2017 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study – ranking first in breakfast (food and beverage category) for midscale; and second in overall guest satisfaction. Over 35 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.
* All Best Western and SureStay-branded hotels are independently owned and operated.
* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

Contact information:
Marketing Communications Department
Best Western Hotels and Resorts – Asia
Tel: +66 2 656 1260

Sirimanas Maungrod
Email: sirimanas.maungrod@bestwestern.com

Orapan Sornnuwat
Email: orapan.sornnuwat@bestwestern.com

Bangkok (Thailand) – November 5, 2018 (travelindex) – The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) invites everyone who would like to see sustainable tourism in Thailand to express their ideas about green tourism and provide information that supports the needs of Eco-conscious travelers on the website www.tourismthailand.org/7greens.

By answering our questionnaire about website usage, you can help TAT improve and develop its website to meet the needs of nature-loving travelers. Moreover, you’ll have a chance to win a reusable water bottle.

Join the activity at

Answer the questionnaire then share the activity on your Facebook timeline, set the post as public and keep your fingers crossed!

Offer open until 15 November 2018. Winners will be announced on 22 November 2018.

Bangkok (Thailand) – November 3, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Aston Martin Bangkok, led by General Manager Mr. Pornseak Pharksuwan, recently unveiled the much anticipated new “beautiful won’t be tamed” Aston Martin Vantage at a lavish cocktail reception and show at House No. 1 on the historical Charoenkrung Road Soi 30. The evening of fun, excitement and entertainment catering to all senses was participated by distinguished guests and sports car aficionados as well as current Aston Martin car owners.

Guests were able to not only check out at close quarters the new Vantage boasting world-renowned design, agile performance and dedicated craftsmanship but also a line-up of other Aston Martin models belonging to guests in attendance such as Rapide, Vanquish and DB11 (the iconic moniker made famous by 007 James Bond epics).

Wined and dined with unlimited flow of cocktails, single malts and super deluxe whisky throughout the evening, the guests also witnessed the rebirth of the iconic British pinnacle of sports car manufacturer via a pictorial presentation of more than 105 years of automotive history. On the fashion side, as a special treat, especially for the gentlemen, Parrish Jones, the first ever to bring a unique 3D body scanning technology to the sartorial world in Thailand, was introduced; and last but not least guests lined up for a visceral ‘drive’ on the sophisticated, arcade-like simulator to experience the high powered 4.0 litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine of the New Aston Martin Vantage.

The exciting and enchanting event under the new Aston Martin Vantage concept of “Beautiful to Look”, “Beautiful to Drive” and “Beautiful to Own”, could not have been brilliantly staged without the guidance, generosity and charm of Dr. Sanhavut Thamchuanviriya, Managing Director, MGC-ASIA Group, and Mr. Pornsaek Pharksuwan General Manager of Aston Martin Bangkok under Heritage Motor Sales and Service (Thailand), MGC-ASIA Group. The new Aston Martin Vantage will be available for sale at the Motor Expo 2018 end of November 2018.

Contact information:
Krinbourne Kommunications Co., Ltd.
Tel. 02-026-0514; 02-026-0500 ext. 1714
Matavee Tunrungwetjarun
Mobile: 099-446-4255
E-mail: matavee.krinbourne@gmail.com

London (United Kingdom) – November 2, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The 2018 edition of World Travel Market (WTM) will see the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) continue its operational focus on investing in innovation and digital advances for a tourism sector that can deliver opportunities for all. UNWTO will co-host a Ministerial Summit and launch a white paper on the relationship between music and tourism at the UK tourism trade fair on 6-7 November 2018.

Following the official celebration of World Tourism Day 2018 (27 September) in Budapest, Hungary under the theme of ‘Tourism and the Digital Transformation’, and the ‘Tourism Tech Adventure: Big Data Solutions’ forum held in Manama, Bahrain on 1 November, UNWTO will host this year’s UNWTO/WTM Minister’s Summit on 6 November on the topic ‘Investment in Tourism Technology’.

The Summit will continue the conversation on innovation and digital transformation, a UNWTO priority designed to give tourism its deserved prominence on the digital agenda. It will debut a disruptive new format, involving private sector leaders for the first time. A panel of investors will discuss investment in tourism technology, followed by the ministerial segment that this year will link both public and private sectors to set the agenda for ensuring the sector’s digital transformation enhances its inclusion, sustainability and competitiveness.

Both panels will be moderated by CNN’s foremost international business correspondent Richard Quest, anchor of Quest Means Business, with focus on creating innovative ideas and partnerships that can boost investment. Developing an innovation ecosystem, data-driven decision making, digital destination branding, and the role of government and policy in smart tourism management are among the topics to be addressed.

UNWTO, Procolombia and Sound Diplomacy launch first report dedicated to music and tourism

UNWTO’s presence at WTM will also encompass the launch of a new white paper, produced in partnership with Procolombia and Sound Diplomacy, examining the role of music in tourism development, marketing and experiences, and the economic benefits of music and tourism sector partnerships. The launch of ‘Music is the New Gastronomy’ on 6 November will accompany a panel exploring the value of music tourism in depth.

Contacts:
UNWTO Communications Department
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100
Fax: +34 91 567 8218
Email: comm@unwto.org

Seoul (Republic of Korea) – Augsut 25, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Urban tourism and its potential for more sustainable and inclusive cities will be the major focus of the 7th UNWTO Global Summit on Urban Tourism (16-19 September 2018) in Seoul, Republic of Korea. The Summit aims to set out a vision looking to 2030 for this rapidly-growing tourism segment.

The Summit, the first of its kind in North-East Asia, is designed to encourage new strategic approaches to the challenge of a growing tourism sector and its impact on urban destinations, through sharing of innovative ideas and experiences.

Innovative approaches to competitiveness in urban destinations, technology’s impact on urban tourism, rejuvenation of cities, and increasing inclusion in city development are among the topics to be featured.

BBC support

UNWTO is proud to announce the support of the BBC to the Summit, with the lead presenter of the Travel Show, Rajan Datar, moderating the “High Level Panel: Urban Tourism in 2030” with ministers and mayors from around the world.

This year’s edition will feature B. Joseph Pine II, author of the best-seller ‘The Experience Economy’, who is known for first using the term to describe the major shift in motivation for people to undertake many economic activities, including travel. Other planned speakers include city mayors and representatives of tourism administrations from destinations such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Cape Town, Osaka, San Sebastian, Singapore and Seoul, companies such as MasterCard, Google and Amadeus, and the World Bank.

The Summit also embraces the growing segment of youth travel through the UNWTO Global Youth Summit on Urban Tourism side-event (18 September).

Seoul as a backdrop

Seoul is a world-class urban tourism destination, with tourism sites ranging from full heritage sites, including traditional palaces or markets, to state-of-the-art architecture and museums. Recent urban regeneration projects have seen an oil depot turned into a culture park and increased tourism interest to venues used for 2018 events the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and inter-Korean summit.

Seoul as host destination will feature its fair and inclusive tourism initiative in the conference programme, promoting the importance of building inclusive cities for all.

The Summit is jointly organized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government with the support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea, the Korean Tourism Organisation and the Seoul Tourism Organization.

Contacts:
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100
Fax: +34 91 567 8218
Email: comm@unwto.org

Bangkok (Thailand) – November 1, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Honda Automobile Thailand in partnership with IMG, is continuing to host the 13th edition of the Honda LPGA Thailand 2019 from February 21 to 24, 2019, at the Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course, Chonburi. The aim this year is to further support female golfers pursue their dreams through the inaugural National Qualifiers which will see one Thai female golfer qualify to play in the Honda LPGA Thailand 2019 compete with 70 other competitors from around the world, all vying for a prize purse of US$1.6 million dollars (approximately 53 million baht). The qualifying round is also being held to further boost the standards ofmen’s golf in Thailand, as well as to inspire amateur Thai golfers to be the best in their field.

Mr. Pitak Pruittisarikorn, Chief Operating Officer of Honda Automobile said, “Honda LPGA Thailand 2019 is being held for the thirteenth consecutive year. This year, the tournament will carry the tagline ‘Dream Big’, a concept that aims to inspire interest in golf and build passion among professionals, enthusiasts and junior players from all backgrounds and at all levels. We want to encourage them to pursue and realize their dreams, and have always believed that anyone can achieve great success if they are determined – this is also an extension of Honda’s corporate slogan ‘The Power of Dreams’. We also aim to continue supporting the sport of golf in Thailand, as well as to raise the standards of golf, continuing to enhance Thailand’s status as a world-class golf destination.

The Honda LPGA Thailand 2019 will feature 70 female golfers, including 58 professionals from the 2019 LPGA Priority List, the winners from the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic 2019 and 2019 ISPS Honda Women’s Australian Open, as well as nine invited players and the winner from the Honda LPGA Thailand National Qualifiers. Last year’s competition once again saw a strong field of top 10 golfers on the 2018 LPGA Priority List descend on the Honda LPGA Thailand.

Additionally, in 2019, a collaboration between Honda and the Sports Authority of Thailand will see a host of special events leading up to the Honda LPGA Thailand, namely ‘The Road to Honda LPGA Thailand’, which aims to further develop golf in Thailand as a whole. This will kick-off with the inaugural National Qualifiers in January 2019 at Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course. The winner will join a handful of her compatriots in playing with elite golfers from around the world at the tournament. The National Qualifiers will be a great platform for Thai female golfers to compete in a professional competition.

Following shortly after, a Young Ambassadors Seminar will be held. The aim of this seminar is to provide students who have an interest in golf and sports management with an in-depth understanding of golf as a business as well as the different areas of hosting an international golf tournament. Further, selected students will stand a chance to have the opportunity of obtaining an internship abroad. The Road to Honda LPGA Thailand will also include a Golf Leaders Conference – a special conference held for industry experts, to equip them with the knowledge and expertise of hosting an international golf event.

Mr. Ittipol Khunpluem, Assistant Minister of Tourism and Sports, said, “The continuing success of the Honda LPGA Thailand helps elevate Thailand’s reputation for golf and the potential of Thai golfers who compete in world-class professional tournament. It also aligns well with our sport tourism strategy, which is to boost Thailand’s reputation worldwide and attract more high-spending visitors to the country. Each year, we estimate that over 400,000 golf tourists come to Thailand. This group spends two to three times more than others tourists, and generates approximately 4.8 billion baht per year. The good news is that last year the rate of golf tourist arrivals increased from 10% to 12%. The Honda LPGA Thailand 2019 will continue to play an important role in supporting the country’s economy.”

Pattaya has greatly benefitted from the increased attention that has come its way as the tournament’s host city. Mr. Poramase Ngampiches, Deputy Mayor of Pattaya City, said, “I am very proud that Pattaya has been trusted to be the host venue of the Honda LPGA Thailand for over 10 years. The continuing trust given as the venue of a top-notch golf tournament is obvious proof of our quality and standards, and demonstrates Pattaya’s potential for being a world-class destination for all kinds of sports event, especially golf. The Siam Country Club Pattaya, Old Course, for example, is on Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses list for 2018. Filled with excellent courses, five-star hotels and resorts, fine local restaurants and beautiful tourist attractions, the resort city is fully ready to welcome and impress all visitors throughout the year, on all occasions.”

Ms. Winnie Heng, Vice President & Managing Director, IMG Thailand, said, “The strong partnership between IMG, Honda and the LPGA helps the Honda LPGA Thailand maintain the highest standards. We are so delighted to once again, host this flagship tournament, which is continues to gain in popularity and prestige year-to-year. A payout of US$ 1.6 million (approximately 53 million baht), will be offered this year to the winner. The high stakes and intense competition that comes at a tournament of this kind provides an ideal opportunity to help boost golfing standards in the country. We hope for a strong showing from the home team. This year, MCOT HD, the official broadcaster, will broadcast the competition for all four days. The partnership with MCOT HD will make the tournament more accessible to Thais across the country. Also, this year will feature even more activities on site for spectators to enjoy across the four days,” Ms. Heng added.

Among the many top Thai golfers scheduled to join the tournament are two pros who joined the Honda LPGA Thailand as amateurs and are now very successful on the LPGA tour: Ariya “May” Jutanugarn, who returned to the No. 1 spot in the Rolex Rankings this week, and Moriya “Mo” Jutanugarn, who won the Hugel-JTBC LA Open in last April.

Moriya said, “The Honda LPGA Thailand is like my home. It was the gateway to my golf career and an instrumental step forward into the professional arena for many other Thai women. As a Thai golfer, I feel so proud that the Honda LPGA Thailand gives the opportunity to more Thai golfers to chase their dreams and achieve their goals. Competing with professional golfers is the best way for us to learn and develop our skills. I kindly invite all Thai fans to follow and cheer on all Thai golfers during the tournament in February next year.”

Early Bird tickets at a 25% discount are available now at www.hondalpgathailand.com until December 16. VIP tickets with hospitality upgrades including an access to Clubhouse hospitality are also available on the website for the first year.