Category: Latest Travel News

Phuket (Thailand) – October 16, 2018 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts has signed a landmark agreement to introduce its prestigious BW Premier Collection by Best Western soft brand to Phuket.

“We are excited to debut The Title V Rawai Phuket, BW Premier Collection by Best Western on Phuket’s up-and-coming central coast in 2020,” said Ron Pohl, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “This hotel will introduce guests to a new era of upscale hospitality at Rawai Beach, and provide travelers with the unique charm and excellent service Best Western hotels are known for.”

The agreement was sealed with a signing ceremony attended by Mr. Dendanai Hutajuta, CEO of Rhom Bho Property PCL, the owner and developer of the new property, and Mr. Cyrill Czerwonka, Regional Director of Development of Best Western Hotels & Resorts-Asia, accompanied by senior executives from both companies.

Upon opening, The Title V Rawai Phuket, BW Premier Collection by Best Western will feature two elegant buildings comprising 122 contemporary rooms and an array of premium facilities. Nestled among landscaped tropical gardens and kissed by the gentle sea breeze, this stunning five-story beachfront hotel will offer a bright restaurant serving Thai and international cuisine, outdoor swimming pools, a pool bar, fitness centre and children’s playground.

“The signing of The Title V Rawai Phuket, BW Premier Collection represents yet another exciting milestone for Best Western in Thailand. This impressive project will become the first BW Premier Collection hotel in Phuket, introducing our newest upscale brand to one of Asia’s most desirable tourism destinations,” said Olivier Berrivin, Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ Managing Director of International Operations – Asia.

“As Phuket’s popularity continues to grow, Best Western will cater for visitors all across the island with a collection of world-class hotels at a choice of different price points. Complementing our existing portfolio of midscale and upscale properties on the island’s west coast, The Title V Rawai Phuket, BW Premier Collection will present guests with a unique opportunity to discover the local charm of southern Phuket. We are delighted to be working with Rhom Bho Property PCL and look forward to welcoming our first guests to this exceptional new hotel in 2020,” Olivier added.

The Title V Rawai Phuket, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, is positioned on Phuket’s southern coastline, approximately 40km from Phuket International Airport. It is just a short distance from Nai Harn Beach and Promthep Cape, while the pristine islands of Koh Lone, Koh He, Koh Racha and Coral Island lie offshore.

Best Western has identified Thailand as one of its key target markets. At present, the company operates nine hotels and resorts across the Kingdom, including three properties in Phuket: Best Western Patong Beach, Best Western Phuket Ocean Resort and Best Western Premier Bangtao Beach Resort & Spa. Approximately 15 more Best Western-branded properties are scheduled to open in destinations across Thailand.

BW Premier Collection by Best Western is the powerhouse brand’s global collection of upscale hotels and resorts.Suited to the world’s most sought-after destinations, including Phuket, this carefully curated collection blends distinctive local experiences and outstanding accommodation with Best Western world-class hospitality and service.

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

Langkawi, Kedah (Malaysia) – October 12, 2018 (travelindex) – Destination Weddings used to be an expensive affair, however with more couples looking at Asia as a location this has become far more affordable. Couples are now keen on incorporating a mini vacation for their guests as part of the wedding party, as opposed to traditional venues.

Couples are now moving away from popular destinations and searching for more under the radar locations such as Vietnam, Malaysia and Japan. The added variety of cultures, food and cost as opposed to hosting a reception in their own country is an added advantage as their budget stretches further. The increase in low cost carrier flights has opened up greater possibilities in term of destinations.

Langkawi as a Wedding Destination

Langkawi is unique with its natural elements: rainforest, mountains, white sandy beach, fresh water lake as well as exciting tourist attractions, arts and culture. The sustainable development of the island remains appealing as we head towards modern vicinity whilst maintaining the important aspect of eco-tourism.

The island is able to offer world class product and services including Food & Beverage. The many hotels and resorts as well as standalone Food & Beverage establishments are fast becoming ideal venues to hold weddings and receptions for those who are looking for something unique. The Duty Free options specifically alcohol purchase offers huge savings.

The easy connectivity and accessibility from KLIA as well as direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and China is an advantage making it an ideal destination wedding getaway. The numerous tourist attractions which are easily accessible create an exciting holiday itinerary for the wedding party which makes an advantage to book longer stays as compared to the trend of 3 days 2 nights in general.

The island deep rooted in Malaysian culture, heritage and history has a huge potential to showcase multi-cultural wedding ceremonies compared to other destinations that are only able to cater to western and one common cultural wedding. This makes Langkawi not only an exciting island getaway but also a rich cultural experience for the wedding party.

Dreams Do Come True…

The first ever Langkawi Amazing Wedding Race scheduled to take place December 8th 2018 allows 50 couples a chance to win a FREE DREAM WEDDING. Meritus Pelangi is giving away RM500,000 worth in savings for wedding and reception for up to 200 invitees per winner including a complimentary wedding and reception as a grand prize. All participants stand a chance to also walk away with great savings from participating vendors.

Couples will have to take part in multiple levels of puzzles, problem solving, physical activities, and challenges that are wedding related which will show case the entire island of Langkawi as a destination and Meritus Pelangi as the ideal wedding venue.

The couples will be given a list of tasks that they need to complete. These tasks will take place all over the island and will also include activities at the tourist attractions and famous spots in Langkawi. The race will kick off at 8am and the participants have up to 7pm to complete their tasks. In light of the road safety, a car and designated driver will be appointed to each couple to assist them with getting around the island.

The finish line would be the wedding arch on the beach in front of the Cba, Meritus Pelangi where guests and family members will be encouraged to cheer the participants on.

Island Collaboration

The Langkawi’s Amazing Wedding Race is a collaborative effort by the key tourist attractions in Langkawi, initiated by Meritus Pelangi. The island has come together to show off the beauty and huge potential Langkawi has as an up and coming destination for Weddings in Asia.

The Race course would take participants across the island showcasing all its natural beauty and tourist spots in directly acquainting the participants on the type of experiences the island has to offer. The initiative is supported by most of the vendors and tourist spots on the island that are eager to showcase their best.

What Can You Win!

1 x GRAND PRIZE
FREE DREAM Wedding & Reception including special rates for up to 200 invitees
(worth RM100,000)

2 X RUNNERS UP
50% OFF Wedding & Reception including special rates for up to 200 invitees
(worth RM70,000 each)

6X CONSOLATION PRIZE
20% OFF Wedding & Reception including special rates for up to 200 invitees
(worth RM50,000 each)

All of the above includes a special give away including:
* 3 Barrels of Beer
* Corkage Fee
* Savings on room rate (up to RM200 per room per night for 2 nights)

To Enter
Please log on to the Langkawi’s Amazing Wedding Race FB page
( and register your details.

Event Details:
7th December 2018, Friday
(Welcome Cocktail, Briefing)

8th December 2018, Saturday
(Race Day, Race Day Award Dinner)

9th December 2018, Sunday
(Departure)

Entry Fee of RM 1,300 is Inclusive of:
• 3D2N stay at Meritus Pelangi, Langkawi inclusive of breakfast for 2
• Welcome cocktail
• Race Day Transport with designated driver
• Race Day Award Dinner

Paradise Island Retreat- Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa
Pelangi, a Malay word, means ‘Rainbow’ and like its many wondrous colours a Colourfully Carefree experience and discovery await. Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, Langkawi situated on the West Coast of the Legendary Island of Langkawi, Kedah Darul Aman, opened on March 16, 1989. Covering an area of 35 acres on a beachfront location, the resort offers a relaxing atmosphere amidst lush tropical environment and award winning landscaped gardens.

In such splendour, lie scattered are 355 rooms including the premier beachfront rooms and suites. All characteristics of an affluent yet rustic architecture, designed on the principle of a leisurely Kampung or Village lifestyle, these chalets come thoughtfully equipped with modern conveniences for your comfort. Befitting those who seek the fun, sun and luxury, Meritus Pelangi offers a fine selection of restaurants, recreation activities, entertainment, and shopping with business facilities, all in a blissful setting.

In the manicured grounds are two open air, free form swimming pools, the Horizon and Cascade, the former with built in whirlpool. Complete with sundecks and snack bars you can pamper yourself to a lazy time soaking up a golden tan.

Its close proximity to all the sights and fascinating excursions not to mention the lively night markets of Cenang, Meritus Pelangi is the ideal location. Nothing provides a more refreshing and colourful getaway in the island of Langkawi for you and your family or a quieter retreat than the Pelangi, your ‘rainbow’ paradise resort.

About Meritus Pelangi Beach Resort & Spa, Langkawi
The simple yet stylish feel from the traditional but modern accommodation and finest of Asian hospitality makes this not only a magical place to be but an ideal romantic venue rich in culture and captivating Eastern Traditions! The corner of paradise that is Meritus Pelangi could be the start of your new chapter.

More information on Meritus Pelangi can be found on www.meritushotels.com/pelangi

For further information, please contact:
Priya Maniam
Marketing and Communications Manager
T (604) 952 8888
M (6016) 6841981 priya.maniam@meritushotels.com

Kirin Pancha
Executive Assistant Manager
T (604) 9528888
M (6016) 3226884 kirin.pancha@meritushotels.com

Bangkok (Thailand) – October 12, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bangkok is unveiling an exclusive, riverside auto showcase to create a new touchpoint to further expand the marque’s presence in the western and northwestern provinces, with special promotions on offer from November 9, 2018 through January 20, 2019 at ICONSIAM.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bangkok General Manager Sunthornpan Dhechatech noted that marketing any product in the luxury segment is a delicate combination of showcasing the highest levels of luxury through easily understandable presentation forms.

Given this requirement, more brands place emphasis on choosing the right location in order to reach out to their target group of customers, conveniently and effectively demonstrating brand qualities and products to them as a result.

As luxury car marques follow the trend above, many areas in Thailand have seen a steady increase in automotive-related exhibitions and in-mall showcases. The opening of this showcase is aimed at making the Rolls-Royce brand more conveniently accessible to target segments, whilst also creating brand visibility to further enhance brand recognition by taking advantage of a variety of product displays, media channels and events.

Every luxury retail location has unique factors that contribute to its appeal; the new ICONSIAM has been selected as the location of Rolls-Royce’s latest showcase because it has clearly-defined character and target customer group. With its investment of THB 50 billion, ICONSIAM will certainly redefine Thailand’s lifestyle retail experiences, claimed to be one step ahead of elsewhere in the world.

In line with this is Rolls-Royce’s vision to appeal to a new generation of younger, highly successful self-made individuals, as seen with the South East Asian launch of Black Badge in Bangkok and with its new all-terrain conquering SUV, Cullinan.

Occupying a space accentuated by modern and luxurious touches befitting of the Rolls-Royce brand, the exclusive showcase at ICONSIAM serves primarily as an additional touchpoint to help create brand awareness for Rolls-Royce in the Western and Northwestern provinces.

In addition, the showcase also offers more touches of lifestyle as it is presented as an art gallery with cars on display acting as centerpieces.

In celebration of the opening of this showcase, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bangkok is offering a very special promotion campaign for our valued customers running from November 9, 2018 through to January 20, 2019.

Lopburi (Thailand) – October 12, 2018 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts has continued to spread love and kindness across Asia with another successful charitable initiative to support under-privileged children in rural Thailand.

In the two-day “Share Loving Kindness” CSR event, Best Western’s Asia head office and hotel associates traveled to Thailand’s Lopburi province to deliver much-needed support and supplies, including sports equipment, to two local schools: Wat Dong Sawong School and Lopburi Panyanukun School. This was followed by a visit to Wat Prabatnampu. At all three locations, the team was able to spend time with the children, playing games and learning about their lives, hopes and dreams.

In total, Best Western’s team, friends and family members donated funds and equipment worth THB 120,000 to the community. This will help to improve educational standards and support local families, teachers and carers, whilst bringing smiles to faces of local children.

“CSR is an integral part of Best Western’s activities. As a global company, we aim to make a real and sustainable difference in every destination in which we operate. Our charitable mission to Lopburi province helped to ‘Share Loving Kindness’ by supporting the people who need it most and providing new opportunities for local children. I would like to thank all the Best Western team members who contributed to this occasion, including the volunteers and everyone who made donations,” commented Olivier Berrivin, Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ Managing Director of International Operations – Asia.

This rewarding mission marks the latest in a series of CSR initiatives undertaken by Best Western in Asia. In the future, the company will continue to provide for local communities as part of its global “Best Western For A Better World” program, which supports charitable efforts and worthwhile causes all around the world.

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) – October 12, 2018 (travelindex.com) – H.E. Mr. Staffan Herrstrom (4th from right), Ambassador of Sweden, recently presided at the grand opening of Volvo Witthayu, Thailand’s first Volvo Retail Experience (VRE) Showroom and Service Center operated by GT Auto Co., Ltd. Centrally located at the intersection of Wireless and Sarasin Roads, Volvo Witthayu is designed according to Volvo’s new “Designed Around You” concept and service philosophy as well as equipped with Volvo’s latest state of the art technology and technicians fully-trained by Volvo.

Pictured from left are: Dr. Sribhumi Sukhanetr, Honorary Consul-General of Monaco; M.R. Waranaporn Sukhanetr, Mr. Winn Santipongchai, CEO of GT Auto Co., Ltd.; Mr. Chris Wailes, Managing Director of Volvo Car (Thailand) Ltd.; H.E. Ambassador Staffan Herrstrom; Mrs. Netra Ruthaiyanont; Mrs. Naddawadee Santipongchai; and Mr. Danai Chandrangam, General Manager of GT Auto Co., Ltd.

Bangkok (Thailand) – October 12, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The Culture and Performance Forum is the first event of its kind anywhere in the world dedicated to the hospitality industry and focusing on exploring ground-breaking topics and practices related to the foundation of any organization, its culture, human integration and commercial performance for the purpose of enabling complete organizational greatness.

Conceptualized and organized by Tareq Bagaeen, Founder & CEO of aQedina Hospitality Sales Excellence and Melkart Rouhana, Chief Engagement Officer at MRT Consultants and held at the Okura Prestige Hotel in Bangkok on the 24th of September 2018 for the first edition with the second forum already being planned and to be held in Dubai in late Q1 2019.

The full day event included invigorating keynotes by both Melkart & Tareq along with engaging activates and a top notch panel discussion by senior and distinguished hospitality leaders as listed below:
Mr. Karl Hudson, Area Vice President at Marriott International
Mr. Alejandro Bernabe, Vice President of Operations, Avani Hotels & Resorts
Mrs. Debrah Pascoe, Executive Vice President – Commercial, Onyx Hospitality
Mr. Andrew Turner, Regional Vice President, South East Asia at Rosewood Hotels
Mr. Andrew Langston, Executive Vice President at Jones Lang La Salle
Mr. John Timson, Director of Accor Hotels Academie

All 90 attendees at this event were composed of General Manager’s, commercial leaders and HR/Talent heads of the best hotels in Thailand and they gained value by understanding the unmistakable link between the culture of an organization and its commercial success from a sales perspective rather than the e-commerce or electronic distribution and revenue fronts.

Tareq Bagaeen is a hotelier down to each fibre of his being and a true globally oriented commercial leader. He thrives through client interactions and striking sound business deals. Throughout his career, he has held sales and marketing responsibilities whether on property or from a regional directive covering dozens of hotels and his journey has taken him to lead teams and handle clients in over 100 countries; giving him a pragmatic approach to varied cultures, economic up or downturns, monopolized or aggressively competitive market places and pushing out brands from the budget range right up to the highest spectrums of luxury. Throughout his commercial excellence journey, Tareq has trained senior associates from Rosewood Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, The Ritz-Carlton, Kerzner International, Rotana, Mövenpick Hotels, Accor and W Hotels to name a few. His philosophy is that no two people are alike, no two business units or their mother companies; as such, every single learning cycle that he has conducted is unique.

Melkart Rouhana is an unshakable pragmatic leader whose Core Purpose is to Enable Greatness everywhere. He is a distinguished inspirational speaker and consultant who enables people and organizations to make sustainable change through the power of culture and human capital. Melkart is a world-renowned culture and engagement expert and named by Porsche Executives “The Rock Star of Customer Service” and top Hoteliers as “the Engagement Magician”. Melkart held previous positions such as Corporate Director of Global Learning at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company; Public Speaker & Consultant for The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center, Chief Learning Officer for Emaar Hospitality Group and Armani Hotels & Resorts to name few. He also coaches on the Executive MBA program of London Business School. Melkart’s philosophy has been recognized as foundational and been instrumental for the success of some of the most celebrated companies around the globe.

Website: www.cp-forum.com

Bangkok (Thailand) – Otober 10, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Founded in 2008 by Julian G. Davies and Yeeran G. Davies, Thammachart Seafood is now the largest operator of seafood counters in Thailand with over 155 outlets and 600 staff members throughout the country. Created due to the high demand in the local retail market for fresh, imported seafood, the owners contributed their background as a seafood producer in the formation of the company.

Julian and Yeeran visit as many aquaculture and wild fisheries as possible to work directly with farm owners, thus streamlining the supply chain and ensuring seafood freshness. “We know exactly how to choose and what to ask because we used to be the producer ourselves,” says Yeeran. There is no middleman in the supply chain for all key products, meaning that farmers are paid a good price for high-quality produce. “As a direct importer of seafood, we are in the position to shorten the supply chain as much as we can, and that’s key in our business,” says Julian.

Integrity within the supply chain is critical for Thammachart Seafood. All products are traceable, clearly labeled according to their true country of origin and stamped with a use-by date. The company follows a first-in-first-out inventory process, ensuring freshness and correct use. Storage temperature is also essential, and is maintained below 5°c at all times. Importing from over 18 countries, the company has no limitations to add new origins.

The Dock Seafood Bar by Thammachart Seafood

From Dock to Dish
In 2013, Thammachart Seafood branched out to the F&B sector, launching its first seafood bar The Dock in Siam Paragon’s Gourmet Market. Inspired by Harrods’ seafood bar in London, The Dock differentiates itself with live and fresh products flown in within 48 hours of catching.

“We pride ourselves as Thailand’s freshest seafood provider. 48 hours from the dock to the dish is our commitment to the customers to show that we are serious about what we are promising, and we make sure that the products are fresh,” says Julian.

The Dock follows a cooking philosophy that focuses on the freshness of the products. Committed to simple seafood preparations that allow the product to shine, sauces are used only to enhance the flavours and never to overpower the dish. “For every dish, we want the product
to come out first, the product must shine. If the customer orders scallop, they must taste the
scallops first before the sauce,” says Yeeran.

Signature Dishes

The Dock Seafood Platter
A sharing platter for those who seek to explore fresh seafood with simple preparations. Served fresh from the live tanks are Cornish Crab, Spencer Gulf King Prawns, and Oysters from all around the world. A Sashimi platter of Tuna, Atlantic Salmon, and King Scallop seamlessly completes The Dock journey.

Tsar of Ō r a King Salm on a l a Minute
The epitome of salmon, some refer to the Ōra King as the wagyu of salmon. Exclusively imported by Thammachart Seafood, the thicker loin cut is used to showcase the exquisite freshness of the fish by smoking it quickly for one minute. As a result, customers can taste the juicy meat in the middle, the smoked belly part, and topped off with the crispy roasted skin.

Red King Crab Au Gratin
An ideal choice for crab lovers, this dish offers the customers a chance to enjoy the whole king crab The Dock’s way. Prepared by removing all the juicy meat from the shell, leaving the legs and claws untouched. The meat is baked with Parmesan and cream, topped with Alaskan salmon roe for supreme flavor, while the leg part is steamed without any flavouring – simply the best of both worlds.

Dover Sole à la Meunière
Cooked with butter and wine, this French dish highlights the freshness of the Dover Sole from Holland. Pan roasted in a meunière of butter and parsley then finished off with a hint of lemon, the simple cooking allows the fish to shine without too much flavouring.

The Dock Seafood Bars & Restaurants
The Dock Seafood Bars are now available 6 stores in the Gourmet Markets at Siam Paragon, Emporium, EmQuartier, Bluport Huahin, The Mall Bangkae and its first standalone restaurant was open at Maze Thonglor. A three-tiered oyster tank alongside a fresh seafood bar and a vibrant open kitchen are what best characterises The Dock. Signature to The Dock is the live oyster tank, imported from Australia to keep 10-15 varieties of oysters from around the world in a state of hibernation to maintain the product quality. The EmQuartier and Thonglor outlets also have a second shellfish tank where the water temperature can be reduced to 7°c to keep cold- water Alaskan King Crabs, Lobsters and Geoducks fresh. Customers can select these live
items from the tank, discuss the cooking method with the chef, and simply pay by weight. Each dish on the menu has a wine pairing suggestion, allowing for a complete dining experience.

Dine at the Thonglor venue and choose either the outdoor table seating, indoor table seating or sit at our signature bar to witness the chef’s preparation of cold dishes. The new Dock Market is another exciting addition to the restaurant’s expanding empire. For aspiring chefs, the long, colorful display with countless varieties of seafood is a dream come true. Peruse the aisles for your favorite ingredients, as well as those you’ve never even seen before, or, if cooking isn’t your thing, simply ask one of the waiting chefs to cook whatever takes your fancy, just as you like it.

Apia (Samoa) – October 10, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The second Pacific Tourism Insights Conference (PTIC), successfully brought together 157 delegates from 95 organisations and 16 destinations to influence change and share their thoughts and ideas on the future of tourism in the Pacific.

Organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in collaboration with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO) and hosted by Samoa Tourism Authority (STA), the event took place at the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel & Bungalows in Apia, Samoa on Wednesday, October 3, 2018.

PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy said, “This year’s event continues our commitment in providing greater depth into the challenges and issues for the responsible development of the travel and tourism in the Pacific region. The discussions arising from the conference highlighted the need for greater collaboration between the public and private sectors in preserving the unique culture and heritage of the local communities and protecting the environment. In addition, organisations need to better leverage these assets in promoting the beauty of the Pacific.”

The discussions from the event focus on the four key topics of insights, development, expertise and sustainability and their contribution towards achieving the objectives of the Pacific Tourism Strategy 2015-2019, which provides the strategic framework to support the development of tourism in the Pacific.

In her welcome remarks, Papalii Sonja Hunter, Chairwoman of SPTO and CEO of STA, stated, “As you know the Pacific Tourism Insights Conference is a result of the longstanding and valuable partnership between SPTO and PATA. Samoa is inspired to hold this event because we recognise the need to inspire, innovate and empower our Pacific people. Furthermore, we recognise the need for a regional space where Pacific tourism leaders from the public sector and particularly private sector stakeholders could gather, discuss and learn more from the key global issues impacting the future of tourism development for the region.”

The event featured presentations from a dynamic line up of international speakers representing organisations recognised for the success and expertise in innovation and disruptive thinking. Speakers included Andrew Panopoulos, Senior Analyst – Centre for Aviation (CAPA); Chris Adams, General Manager – Miles Partnership (South Pacific); Gina Paladini, Partner – Binumi and Managing Director – Tomahawk Jelena Li, Head – BBC StoryWorks Australia & New Zealand; Jessica Quinlan, Sales Manager – Destination Marketing for Australia, New Zealand & Pacific Islands – TripAdvisor; Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO – PATA; Dr. Susanne Becken, Director – Griffith Institute for Tourism, and Thu Nguyen, Co-founder & CEO – Christina’s Company Limited, Vietnam. The conference panel sessions were moderated by Phil Mercer, International Correspondent at BBC World News, Australia.

In his closing, SPTO CEO Chris Cocker said, “As a region, we collectively market our destinations to the rest of the world, and it is practical that we acquire the skills and knowledge that our markets utilise. We are fortunate in the regional tourism industry that at one conference we have speakers and resource people who are outstanding thought leaders in their areas of expertise which has ranged from ‘Artificial Intelligence and Tourism’ to ‘Social Media Implications on Destination Marketing’. This conference has been made possible through the valuable partnership we have with PATA and STA who share our vision for an empowered and knowledgeable Pacific people working together to sustainably develop tourism in the region.”

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.

Ras Al Khaimah (United Arab Emirates) – October 12, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is set to organise the PATA Annual Summit 2020 from May 15-18 in Ras Al Khaimah, one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The announcement was made by PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy during the PATA Board Meeting on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Langkawi International Convention Centre in Langkawi, Malaysia.

The four-day event, to be hosted by the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), will bring together international thought leaders, industry shapers and senior decision-makers who are professionally engaged with the Asia Pacific region.

PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy said, “Ras Al Khaimah has committed to supporting cultural, natural heritage and environmental preservation across the emirate, activities which are aligned with PATA’s mission in acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. That is why we are honoured to be working with RAKTDA in bringing together our public and private sector members and partners to discuss the challenges and issues facing our industry.”

The Summit embraces a global forum for enhancing the sustainable growth, value and quality of tourism and includes a one-day conference, the PATA Annual General Meeting and the PATA Youth Symposium that allows students and young tourism professionals the opportunity to engage with senior industry leaders.

As part of the event programme, PATA in partnership with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will also once again organise the UNWTO/PATA Leaders Debate which brings together senior executives from both the public and private sector to address thought-provoking issues currently affecting the industry.

Commenting on the announcement, Haitham Mattar, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, said, “We look forward to hosting the PATA Annual Summit 2020 in Ras Al Khaimah and introducing the destination to key international industry leaders and delegates from the travel and hospitality sector in the Asia Pacific region. Strengthening the Emirate’s MICE offer by showcasing our world class resorts, beautiful coastline and abundance of cultural and outdoor adventure experiences, will form an integral part of our Destination strategy as we aim to attract three million visitors by 2025.”

With over 7,000 years of fascinating history and culture, Ras Al Khaimah is the perfect getaway from everyday life. Offering magnificent landscapes, breath-taking coastlines and rich, terracotta desert planes, the emirate is an ideal getaway for both leisure and adventure travel as well as for business travellers.

With year-long sunshine and 64 kilometres of white sandy beaches, just 45 minutes from the busy metropolis of Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah presents an extensive selection of exclusive outdoor activities from mountain biking and kayaking to desert safaris, fishing and golf. Travellers can also have the unique experience of trekking the tallest mountain in the UAE, Jebel Jais, and descending via the world’s longest zipline. These experiences dovetail well with the premium accommodation, the eclectic selection of international gourmet experiences and the world class spas.

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 Ras Al Khaimah
One of the world’s fastest growing tourism destinations, Ras Al Khaimah boasts a rich culture and long-standing history dating back 7,000 years. The Emirate boasts an array of archaeological sites and breath-taking natural vistas, from golden sand beaches, awe-inspiring terracotta dunes and a green belt of date palms to Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE.

To learn more about Ras Al Khaimah, visit www.rasalkhaimah.ae

About Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA)
The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (TDA) was established in May 2011 under the government of Ras Al Khaimah. In order to achieve target growth of one million visitors by the end of 2018, the authority aims to develop the emirate’s tourism infrastructure and establish Ras Al Khaimah as a world-class destination for leisure and business travel, creating sustainable investment opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for its residents. In order to achieve its goals, the Ras Al Khaimah TDA has a government mandate to license, regulate and monitor the emirate’s tourism and hospitality industry.

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

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority
Neda Carrillo
Director of Corporate Communications & Public Relations
971 (0)7 233 8998 | neda@raktda.com

Macau (Macao SAR) – October 10, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Spearheading discussions about global tourism economy in the context of China’s far-reaching Belt and Road Initiative, the Global Tourism Economy Forum (“GTEF” or “the Forum”) will hold its seventh edition in Macao on 23 and 24 October. Under the theme “Strategic Partnership in a New Era, Rising Momentum for a Shared Future”, GTEF 2018 takes a holistic approach in this edition to examine the impact of strategic tourism collaboration between the European Union (EU) and China in the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year (“ECTY 2018”), and the enormous latent opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area waiting to be explored.

A pre-event press conference was held at MGM Cotai on 8th October. It was attended by Chief of Office of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Ip Peng Kin; Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and Vice Chairman of GTEF, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes. Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of GTEF, Pansy Ho, presented the program of GTEF 2018.

In his welcome remarks, Ip Peng Kin stated, “The Macao Special Administrative Region Government has been promoting and implementing the strategies and recommendations of the Macao Tourism Industry Development Master Plan. Macao actively participates in the tourism development along the national Belt and Road Initiative, gives full play to its own functions and advantages, enhances regional collaboration and integration, promotes the development of multi-destination tourism products, and joins hands in building the Greater Bay Area into a quality tourist destination. By cultivating new growth drivers in tourism economy, Macao strives to extend visitors’ length of stay and attract more high-end travelers. In addition, held for seven years in a row, the Forum has established itself as an international tourism brand of Macao, bridging and enhancing the friendship among fellow participants and representatives, fostering wider tourism cooperation between China and the rest of the world, and creating potential for new growths.”

Expressing her gratitude to the entire Macao community for its continuous support to GTEF, Pansy Ho emphasized that innovative and strategic tourism cooperation is the key to capture the immense possibilities derived from the Country’s Belt and Road Initiative and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development. Introducing EU as the Partner Region and Guangdong Province, where the Bay Area is located, as the Featured Partner Province, she remarked, “China is the second largest overseas tourist source market for the EU. A China-EU tourism cooperation is a powerful alliance that can create unlimited opportunities.” She added, “The imminent launch of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area Development Plan, and the successive completion of various regional infrastructure such as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, mark the beginning of a new chapter in the development of regional integration.”

As an Official Partner of ECTY 2018, GTEF celebrates the special tourism year in its 2018 edition by featuring the EU as the Partner Region, and Guangdong Province as the Featured Partner Province. Under the topic “Strategic Partnership – Building Bridges of Cooperation for Shared Benefits”, ministers and global private-sector CEOs will discuss how the framework of ECTY 2018 has served as a precursor of deepened China-EU cooperation in tourism and an enhancer of extensive and sustainable economic growth on both sides. Signing ceremonies for a series of cooperative agreements will be held on the day of the Forum opening.

The two-day programme will bring a series of innovative and thought-provoking discussions and exchanges. GTEF 2018 will present a new edition of the signature Face to Face, Ministers and Private Sector CEOs session, in collaboration with the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). An array of distinctive panels will also be presented in GTEF 2018, projecting a comprehensive picture of the present and future tourism landscapes for delegates. Day 1 will feature “Festivals – Bridging Traditions and Tourism” and “Gastronomy, Creativity, Tourism” sessions. Highlights of Day 2 are “Greater Bay Area Session Part I –Private Sector Perspective”, “Greater Bay Area Session Part II – Macao Perspective” and “Technology –The Virtual Bridge” sessions, along with three concurrent sessions and workshops such as China Outbound

Tourism, Trade and Business Presentation and PET Conference, among other sessions.

Further, the fifth UNWTO/GTERC Asia Tourism Trends will be launched during the Forum. A joint effort of the World Tourism Organization and the Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC), the report will present tourism trends and outlook of the region, analyze Chinese Outbound Tourism to Europe and European Union Outbound Tourism to China, and examine the development potential of the Greater Bay Area, a new growth area of Asia. Last but not least, networking, investment and cooperation opportunities including business matching, destination presentations and exhibitions will be available for delegates’ benefits.

GTEF 2018 is honored to have ACFIC, PATA, WTCF, UNESCO, The Macau Chinese Enterprise Association, China Daily, UBS and Ivy Alliance Tourism Consulting as supporting partners and sponsors of Forum sessions, among others.

Please stay tuned for more information via www.gte-forum.com and its social media channels.

About Global Tourism Economy Forum
The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) is hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, in collaboration with World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), co-organized by the China Chamber of Tourism under the authorization of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC) and coordinated by Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC). GTEF’s supporting units include the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China (invited), All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF) and European Travel Commission (ETC).

Since its inception in 2012, GTEF has successfully established itself as an influential high-level cooperation platform to promote sustainable development in the global tourism industry with a focus on China. To date, GTEF had received more than 8,000 participants from 83 countries and regions, including delegations from 106 provinces and cities of Mainland China; and 437 internationally renowned speakers.

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