Category: Latest Travel News

Phuket (Thailand) – September 11, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Central Pattana Plc (CPN), Thailand’s largest retail property developer recently celebrated the Grand Opening of Central Phuket, its world-class luxury flagship mall. Establishing a new ‘CBD’ in the heart of Phuket, Central Phuket is developed with a total investment of 20 billion baht which comprises of a shopping center and world-class tourist attractions, aiming to become ‘The World’s Must-Visit Destination in Thailand’. This will fulfill the shopping and lifestyle experience to establish Phuket as one of the complete ‘Beach Lifestyle Destinations’ comparable to French Riviera, Miami and Hawaii.

Mr. Preecha Ekkunagul President & CEO of CPN, said: “This project highlights our excellence on a global scale in three aspects: a ‘World-Class Project’ – it is a world-class mega project and Central Pattana’s luxury flagship store, a fulfilling shopping experience making Phuket the perfect ‘Beach Lifestyle Destination’; ‘World-Class Experience’ – creating a world-class experience to meet the ‘Luxury & Leisure Lifestyle’ travel trend of people from around the world, with a selection of global brands and launching international events throughout the year under the concept of ‘The World Comes to Play’; and ‘World-Class Attractions’ – the new destination for tourists from all over the world with the ‘World’s First Ever’ attractions. Visiting Central Phuket will fulfil all types of lifestyles: eat, shop and have fun throughout the day.”

Mr. Preecha added: “Central Phuket helps to emphasize us as a global player and it is in line with the provincial development policy to elevate Phuket to be one of the most complete travel destinations in the world. The positioning of Central Phuket is set to be ‘The Magnitude of ‘Luxury & Leisure’ Resort Shopping Destination’, a seamless combination of Luxury and Leisure lifestyle in one place. It consists of two buildings: Floresta focuses on tourists and customers who prefer a luxurious lifestyle, enjoy shopping for leading brands and like to visit world-class attractions; Festival aims to attract family-group customers who regularly visit the shopping center to shop, enjoy good food and watch movies. We also plan to develop an international and regional convention center as well as a world-class hotel.”

Establishing itself as the country’s landmark, Central Phuket will be holding international events, such as Phuket International Music Festival and Phuket International Countdown 2019, throughout the year. In addition, visitors will get to experience an exclusive ‘Phuket Menu’ available only at Central Phuket where the shopping center has joined hands with popular restaurants in Phuket in order to promote the reputation of Phuket’s cuisine.

Apart from gastronomy, Central Phuket is also outstanding with several exclusive unique-in-the-world attractions that tourists should not miss: Tales of Thailand – the largest indoor market reflecting Thainess lifestyle from 4 regions, Tribhum – a 3D virtual adventure in the world’s first fantasy walkthrough, which will officially open in November 2018 and Aquaria – Thailand’s newest format of aquarium which will be ready for visitors to experience the wonders of the ocean and the mysteries of the river with over 25,000 creatures in the first quarter of 2019.

The highlights for the Grand Opening feature first time in Thailand world-class performances, including, ‘Star Catcher’, the innovative live 360-degree immersive theatre performance by the renowned performer from Canada, ‘Creativiva’; international street shows including ‘Bubble on Circus’, performed by artists from Italy and ‘The Balloon Show’, from Japan.

The night ends with the fantastic ‘The Sealumination’, lighting up a new landmark in Phuket.

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Bangkok (Thailand) – September 5, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce a new Strategic Partnership agreement with Mastercard, a technology company in the global payments industry.

As part of the agreement, Mastercard will work with the Association and its members in providing collaboration and mentorship to strengthen tourism and drive digital transformation across the region.

PATA CEO Mario Hardy said, “Technological innovations are rapidly impacting how we do business today and, more than ever, organisations need to have a comprehensive understanding of current developments in order to navigate the digital landscape. This new partnership will provide an opportunity for our members to leverage the expertise, insights and experience Mastercard can provide so that they can remain competitive in this ever-changing industry.”

Mastercard is a technology company in the global payments industry, working with organisations across the tourism sector to deliver seamless and secure travel experiences. As a leading partner for the industry, Mastercard also works with over 100 cities around the globe, turning them into smart destinations that are easy to access.

Diana Robino, senior vice president, global tourism partnerships, Mastercard, said, “Mastercard is committed to bringing public, private and institutional partners together to advance more connected and more inclusive tourism. We look forward to working with The Pacific Asia Travel Association and its members, harnessing our innovation, insights and solutions, and unlocking the power of collaboration”.

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 member organisations, comprising 98 government, state and city tourism bodies, 19 international airlines and airports, 91 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 our 36 Chapters and 20 Student Chapters across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 36 local PATA chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 20 PATA student chapters globally. The chapters and student chapters organise travel industry training and business development events. Their grassroots activism 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 Mastercard
Mastercard is a technology company in the global payments industry. Our global payments processing network connects consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. Mastercard products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MastercardNews, join the discussion on the Beyond the Transaction Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau.

Jakarta (Indonesia) – September 5, 2018 (travelindex.com) – President of IOC, Thomas Bach, welcomes Indonesia to be one of the candidates to host the 2032 Olympics, following the country’s success in organizing the 2018 Asian Games.

President of the Republic of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, has accepted Bach today at the Presidential Palace which was also attended by the President of OCA, Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah and President of the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee, Erick Thohir.

During the meeting, Joko Widodo has also stated that the success of the 2018 Asian Games has shown Indonesia’s ability to host a larger multi-sports event.

Around 12,000 athletes from 45 nations as well as thousands of officials and media attended the Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang. During the event that is held from 18th of August to 2nd of September, Indonesia has provided a spectacular opening ceremony and all competitions have been well organized.

In addition to that, the competition venues are international standard-considered, such as the velodrome which is recognized as one of the best in the world.

Find the latest update about Asian Games 2018
Website : www.asiangames2018.id

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Delhi (India) – September 6, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) released a comprehensive report on India’s aviation market. The report focuses on the challenges of realizing the economic and social benefits of an Indian aviation industry that has tremendous potential for continued high-speed demand growth.

Key findings of the report include:
Indian aviation is growing fast
– In 2010, 79 million people traveled to/from/or within India. By 2017 that doubled to 158 million. That number is expected to treble to 520 million by 2037.

Air transport makes a significant economic contribution to India
– Aviation in India supports 7.5 million jobs: 390,000 directly, 570,000 in the value chain, and 6.2 million in tourism.
– Aviation contributes some US$30 billion annually to India’s GDP.

India will be the third largest domestic market (behind the US and China)
– Domestic load factors are high, hitting a record 90% in February 2018.
– The 98 million domestic passenger trips in 2017 equal 7.3% of India’s population.
– After adjusting for inflation, average domestic fares fell by more than 70% since 2005.
– The number of domestic airport pairs is 700 (a 50% increase on 2015 levels).
– Low cost carriers account for about 70% of domestic seats.

India’s international market is growing more slowly than domestic
– In 2017 there were about 60 million international journeys to/from India.
– Low cost operators account for about 25% of international capacity.
– India is directly linked to 304 international destinations, up from 230 in 2008.
– About 41% of India’s direct international connectivity is to the Middle East—much of it to super-connector hubs of UAE and Qatar.

The Indian outbound air cargo market topped 1 million tonnes in 2017 (+16.9% on 2016)
– UAE is India’s largest cargo market (30%); Ethiopia is the fastest growing of the main markets (+114% on 2016).
– Delhi and Mumbai are India’s largest cargo hubs; Mumbai and Chennai are the fastest growing (+18.1% and +17.2% respectively).

Looking ahead
Fundamentals supporting Indian market growth are strong. By 2036 India’s population is expected to reach 1.6 billion and average incomes are expected to rise to almost $5,000 per capita (a five-fold increase on 2006). With that, the number of “middle class” households should reach 20% by 2036 (up from 2% in 2006).

Domestic markets will continue to drive industry growth. Of the 359 million additional passengers expected to fly in 2036, 228 million will be on domestic routes and 131 million will be connecting internationally.

By 2026 India is expected to be the third largest air transport market in the world (up from its current 7th place ranking).

Challenges
The study identified several factors that could impact the future growth of Indian aviation:
– Policy: Baseline growth rate of 6.1% annually is expected to result in a total market of 520 million Indian passengers in 2037. Globally, liberalization and policy stimulus could see India’s growth rate rise to 9.1%, taking the total market to nearly 900 million by 2037. Equally, protectionist and other negative policy impacts globally could hold India’s growth back to 4.9% and the total market would be 400 million in 2037.

– Ease of Doing Business: Over the last five years India has risen from 132 to 100 on the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business survey. Continued improvement in this area will be critical to sustainable growth of aviation.

– Travel and Tourism Competitiveness: India has also risen from 52nd place (2015) to 40th (2017) place in the 2017 World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index. Improvements in visa policies, infrastructure and preservation of monuments have assisted this rise. Continuous improvements in these areas as well as in human resources development, airport infrastructure density, and tourism infrastructure are among the areas that could further enhance India’s competitiveness.

“Meeting the significant growth potential of Indian aviation will also create challenges – for the airlines, its industry partners and policy-makers. For example, this will require the right type of infrastructure at the right time and in the right place. Equally, the broader business and policy environment should not place hurdles which inhibit growth and reduce the level of benefits that aviation can deliver to the nation. The industry, its supply chain partners and the government and policy-makers have a clear mandate to work in collaboration towards the common goal of ensuring that aviation’s economic and social benefits are fulfilled,” said Brian Pearce, IATA’s Chief Economist and the report’s author.

For more information, please contact:
Corporate Communications
Tel: +41 22 770 2967
Call:+41 22 770 2967
Email: corpcomms@iata.org

Bangkok (Thailand) – September 5, 2018 (travelindex) – On the heels of its first U.S. opening earlier this month in Springfield, Missouri, Best Western’s upscale urban-hip hotel brand – Vīb – is on the move, with a robust pipeline of upcoming hotels in destination hotspots such as Miami, Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver, Orlando, Calgary and soon, Bangkok. As part of the “Today’s Best Western” campaign and the “Behind the Brands” series, which launched earlier this year, Best Western is taking a closer look at Vīb this month.

“Vīb is a modern and upbeat brand that is a timely addition to Best Western’s growing, dynamic portfolio,” said Ron Pohl, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “By offering today’s travelers a boutique hotel experience, complete with unique social engagement and technology integration, the brand is enriching the travel experience and is truly representative of today’s Best Western.”

Vīb delivers the contemporary design and local authenticity that today’s travelers are looking for with the comfort and value they’ve come to expect from Best Western. A place where originality is celebrated, innovation is a given and connectivity is a must, Vīb features unique services and amenities, including:

– Stylish, vibrant lobby and kiosk check-in
– Virtual concierge
– Lobby bar, café and restaurant serving premium food and beverages made locally
– Gaming pods with fashionable, comfortable seating
– Creative signature king room design – platform bed with storage below and incorporated desk
– eConcierge technology
– Zones for work and play stocked with USB and power ports – supported with free wireless internet in the lobby and guest rooms
– Electronic lock – Bluetooth or RFID technology
– LED rain showerhead

The first Vīb opened in Antalya, Turkey in January 2017 and the first U.S. location opened August 11, 2018 in Springfield, Missouri (left). In October 2018, the launch of Vīb Sanampao in Bangkok will mark the brand’s Asia Pacific debut. The innovative new-build concept is engineered for success with a cost-effective footprint that is efficient to operate and a business model designed to be highly profitable for developers. Owners enjoy a rapid ramp-up with fast access to Best Western’s leading global reservation and revenue management systems, sales and marketing support, and award-winning Best Western Rewards® (BWR®) loyalty program with more than 35 million members.

For more information on Vīb and Best Western Hotels & Resorts, please visit BestWestern.com or BestWesternDevelopers.com.

For more information about the “Today’s Best Western” campaign, please visit youmustbetrippin.com/featured/todaysbw/.

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

Doha (Qatar) – September 5, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Qatar has become the most open country in the Middle East and the 8th most open in the world in terms of visa facilitation. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) recently updated its visa openness rankings, confirming Qatar’s recent visa facilitation improvements including allowing nationals of 88 countries to enter Qatar visa-free and free-of-charge.

Actions Qatar has taken to improve visa facilitation include introducing an online platform for efficient and transparent visa processing and e-visas, as well as a free 96-hour transit visa doubling the time stopover passengers can remain in the country.

As a result of these measures, Qatar’s visa openness ranking has leapt to 8th in the world from 177th back in 2014. Since the introduction of these changes, year-on-year arrivals from India have grown 18%, from China 43% and from Russia a huge 366%. None of these markets now need a visa to visit Qatar.

In 2014, Qatar commissioned a visa facilitation study for the country, which UNWTO prepared based on its global openness data. “Qatar has implemented and overachieved the recommendations of the study, setting an example by spearheading safe and seamless travel, enhancing the visitor experience and better placing itself to improve mobility for its citizens,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.

“Openness and ease of access are crucial elements of the visitor experience. We have committed to making it a seamless experience, even as visitors plan their journey. We will continue to work with our partners on streamlining the immigration process at Qatar’s ports of entry, as well as ensuring that all visitor visas and visa procedures are electronic,” said Hassan Al Ibrahim, Qatar Tourism Authority’s chairman.

UNWTO measures the mobility of citizens based on their ability to travel seamlessly to other countries. While Qatar currently ranks 106th in the world in terms of mobility, 20 of the countries benefiting from the Qatari visa waiver are already reciprocating, enhancing the mobility of Qatar’s citizens.

Facilitating seamless travel is crucial to the continued promotion of tourism as a development vehicle and potential pillar of achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Qatar’s travel facilitation improvements coincide with progress made in visa facilitation worldwide. For example, Belarus recently made visa-free travel available for 30 days to citizens of 74 countries travelling through Minsk airport. UNWTO’s global visa openness index score has increased from 31 in 2014 to 37 in 2018.

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

Bangkok (Thailand) – August 30, 2018 (travelindex.com) — Located within the 60-storey Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard, Waldorf Astoria Bangkok today announces the hotel’s official opening in the heart of Bangkok. Waldorf Astoria Bangkok is the latest addition to the portfolio of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Hilton (NYSE: HLT)’s luxury brand of iconic hotels. The landmark hotel is owned by MQDC (Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited) and managed by Hilton.

“MQDC is honored to partner with Hilton, a longstanding global leader in the hotel industry, in introducing the first Waldorf Astoria in South East Asia,” said Mr. Visit Malaisirirat, CEO of MQDC. “With this prestigious alliance, MQDC makes an important strategic move into ultra-luxury hospitality. I am confident that Magnolias Ratchadamri Boulevard, with its landmark location and iconic architecture, can complement perfectly such a preeminent global brand as Waldorf Astoria. We look forward to helping ensure seamless luxury for guests and residents.”

“With Asia Pacific enjoying a golden age of travel, we are witnessing unprecedented demand for our brands and are creating some of the world’s greatest luxury hotels,” said Alan Watts, president, Hilton, Asia Pacific. “As the first Waldorf Astoria in South East Asia, the opening of Waldorf Astoria Bangkok adds a much-anticipated chapter to the brand’s story in Asia. It builds on our series of iconic Waldorf Astoria hotels in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu, while prefacing the arrival of additional unforgettable Waldorf Astoria hotels in the near future.”

Waldorf Astoria Bangkok is located by the bustling Ratchaprasong intersection, within walking distance of renowned shopping precincts. Just a few minutes’ stroll to the Erawan Shrine, the luxurious Gaysorn Village mall and both lines of the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) Skytrain, the hotel is ideally positioned for guests to immerse themselves in the city’s colorful culture. Other highlights within a 10 to 25 minute drive include the Charoenkrung Creative District, the iconic Grand Palace and the city’s beautiful flower market.

“From Waldorf Astoria New York to Waldorf Astoria Chengdu, the Waldorf Astoria brand has a long-standing legacy of defining the hospitality experience for the modern-day traveler,” said Martin Rinck, executive vice president and global head, Luxury & Lifestyle Group, Hilton. “We truly believe that the opening of the new, landmark Waldorf Astoria Bangkok will not only redefine the luxury hospitality landscape throughout South East Asia, it will create unforgettable experiences for our guests that will last a lifetime.”

Award-winning architect André Fu and his design studio AFSO designed the main hotel. Globally recognized for their work, which range from modern hospitality projects and art spaces to high- profile fashion collaborations, AFSO has artistically curated a holistic Waldorf Astoria Bangkok hotel experience that unites the building’s contemporary architecture with Thai artisanal tradition. Conceptualized to embrace the gracious Thai spirit in an elegant setting, the 171 residential-style, spacious and luxuriously appointed guest rooms and suites feature spa-inspired bathrooms and marble bathtubs.

The hotel’s crown jewel spans the top three floors from levels 55 to 57, comprising three distinctive, artistically curated dining outlets by world-renowned design and concept firm AvroKO. Exuding glamour and luxury, the opulent interiors of Bull & Bear, The Loft and Champagne Bar showcase a nod towards the Waldorf Astoria legacy, all accompanied by sweeping views of the city.

In line with Waldorf Astoria’s legacy of culinary expertise, Waldorf Astoria Bangkok is primed to be a dining destination in itself. The property features three unique restaurant concepts, a lounge and two bars, including:

– Front Room, the hotel’s signature restaurant, is helmed by acclaimed Chef Fae Rungthiwa Chummongkhon, who brings her experience of working at Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe to present an elegant blend of “new Nordic” and Thai flavors in a relaxed setting.

– The Brasserie, located on the upper lobby, is a lively destination that offers stunning views of the city. Using locally sourced ingredients, the restaurant serves traditional French brasserie fare daily from breakfast through dinner.

– Peacock Alley, which sits on the same level as The Brasserie, is an ideal lounge for picturesque afternoon teas and light meals. Modeled after the New York original, Peacock

Alley presents a menu of delectable homemade pastries and refreshments throughout the day.

– Bull & Bear on level 55 specializes in grilled meats and seafood, and features a live raw bar along with a custom-made grill designed for smoking, slow roasting, baking and grilling. Eye- catching art deco-inspired interiors, upbeat vibes and dazzling views make Bull & Bear the perfect place to socialize, celebrate and indulge.

– The Loft on level 56 is a glamorous, New York-inspired bar, steeped in the romance of art nouveau. Taking inspiration from the original 1935 Waldorf Astoria Bar Book, artisanal spirits and forgotten cocktails are crafted to the modern palate using a great collection of house- made ingredients, accompanied by gourmet bar bites.

– The Champagne Bar, located at the hotel’s peak on level 57, offers an intimate and inspirational environment, designed with meticulous attention to detail. An exquisite list of fine champagnes, hand-crafted cocktails and one of the best views of Bangkok combine to create the ultimate setting for a spectacular evening out. Accessible only to the most discerning of guests, the exclusive bar is primed to be one of the most desirable spots in the city.

Arguably the most striking feature of the property is the 730-square-meter Magnolia Ballroom on level 10, which offers a stunning and sophisticated setting for weddings and social events. A statement sweeping staircase provides an unforgettable photography backdrop and an impactful arrival experience. With an impressive 8-meter-high ceiling, the ballroom accommodates up to 700 guests standing or 330 guests seated, and it is set to be one of Bangkok’s most sought-after event venues.

Waldorf Astoria Bangkok is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 14 distinct hotel brands. Members who book directly have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay, an exclusive member discount, free standard Wi-Fi and the Hilton Honors mobile app.

Waldorf Astoria Bangkok is located at 151 Ratchadamri Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok
10330.

About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company, with a portfolio of 14 world-class brands comprising more than 5,400 properties with nearly 880,000 rooms, in 106 countries and territories. Hilton is dedicated to fulfilling its mission to be the world’s most hospitable company by delivering exceptional experiences – every hotel, every guest, every time. The company’s portfolio includes Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Canopy by Hilton, Curio Collection by Hilton, DoubleTree by Hilton, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Embassy Suites by Hilton, Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton by Hilton, Tru by Hilton, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Home2 Suites by Hilton and Hilton Grand Vacations. The company also manages an award-winning customer loyalty program, Hilton Honors. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose exactly how many Points to combine with money, an exclusive member discount that can’t be found anywhere else, and free standard Wi-Fi.

About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is a portfolio of just over 30 iconic properties that create a unique sense of place with a relentless commitment to personal service and culinary expertise in landmark locations around the world. Unified by their inspirational environments and True Waldorf Service, Waldorf Astoria hotels deliver graceful service from the moment a guest books through checkout. Waldorf Astoria is a part of Hilton, a leading global hospitality company.

About Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC)
Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC) is a business unit of DTGO Corporation Limited (DTGO) that develops, invests in, and manages villa, condominium, and mixed-use projects with a corporate commitment ‘For all well-being’.

MQDC develops residential and mixed-use projects under the luxury Magnolias brand and the youthful, urban Whizdom brand. The company has also set up The Aspen Tree to provide eldercare residences and full-spectrum services, enabling ‘aging in place’, and recently launched the mixed-use The Forestias project.

The MQDC portfolio includes global and national landmarks such as ICONSIAM and groundbreaking applications of energy-saving technology such as WHIZDOM 101 ‘smart city’. The company provides an industry-leading 30-year warranty on its residential units in line with its exceptional construction standards.

Applying its philosophy of ‘sustainnovation’ MQDC aims to lead its sector in sustainability. The company supports the Bangkok-based Research & Innovation for Sustainability Center (RISC), Asia’s first research base for sustainable building with a focus on well-being.

MQDC also pursues innovation in energy-efficient technologies such as district cooling and onsite power through the EEC DT joint venture between EEC Engineering Network and DTGO.

MQDC is determined to operate with concern for all life on Earth, advancing this agenda through sustainable development for the wider benefit of society.

Bangkok (Thailand) – August 29, 2018 (travelindex.com) – As an ambassador of French elegance, Sofitel links its collection of addresses with gastronomy, and collaborates with renowned wineries. In each of our unique hotels we showcase art and culture, and introduce our guests to French art de vivre and wines of the world.

Sofitel Wine Days is a season of special wine tastings and events held at Sofitel hotels around the world. At Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, you can discover our all-new 2018 edition of ‘Sofitel Wine Days’ – a celebration of the unique culture and winemaking heritage of France. Held from September 21st to October 31st, the traditional wine harvest period in France, this year’s ‘Sofitel Wine Days’ program is in a class of its own.

This year the Wine Season will be taking place around the Wine Boutique located in the hotel lobby, the space plays host to a tasting room, wine cellar, shop and tapas bar, open daily from 11am to 11pm with a wine sommelier ready and waiting to take you on a journey through the fantastic wine regions from across the globe.

An Industry night will be held every Wednesday starting with the 26th September, the first in a series of exclusive Wine and Cheese evenings for hoteliers and hospitality sector professionals. Each evening features selected new wines from countries such as Spain, France, Italy, Germany and South Africa. The wines are served each week with tasty artisan cheeses and tapas.

Every Wednesday From 7pm to 9pm and priced at THB 990 net.

On Saturday 6 October, the Sofitel Wine Days programme features two major events. The Wine Fair, back for its fourth year will be held from 2pm to 6pm in the hotel lobby and at the wine boutique. The fair will include showcasing new arrival wines to Thailand as presented by some of Bangkok’s leading wine suppliers including Valentines wines / Vanichwathana / Wine Dee Dee / G four / Teixca / BB&B / Wine Gallery / IWS / Italthai/ Wine Pro and food suppliers Classic Fine Foods, Fresh Direct and Jagota. The afternoon will feature complimentary tastings and wines available for purchase at wholesale prices.

Saturday 6th October, 2pm to 6pm FREE ENTRY

This special Sofitel Wine Days continues on 6 October with an Oysters and Wine evening from 6pm to 9pm at Wine Boutique. Fresh oysters Majestic / Utah Beach / Marenne D’Oleron (fine de clair from Ireland and France will be served with carefully selected wines from vineyards in Spain, France and South Africa including LePetit Cochonnet Pays d’oc Grenache Rose – France, Oude Kaap Western Cape Chenin Blanc – South Africa, Bodegas Piqueras Black Label Almansa, Syrah, Monastrell – Spain and many more.
Saturday 6th October, 6pm to 9pm Priced at THB 1,350 ++.

On Saturday 20 October the hotel presents an exciting opportunity for wine lovers to attend a very exclusive ‘Five Continents’ Dinner Party featuring carefully selected labels and cuisine from around the globe.

Executive Chef Mark Hagenbach’s menu includes highlights of Smoked Duck “Boerewors” Fried Polenta, Chanterelles paired with Bellingham The Bernard Series Chenin Blanc – South Africa, and a Tasmanian Loin of Lamb, Pettit pois, wild Garlic, Anchovies, Tomato Tart paired with Mitolo Jester McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016. The dinner and wines will be served at a long table seating all 20 guests in the style of a traditional at-home dinner party, The décor at Wine Boutique, coupled with the top quality food and wines, will ensure that this will be a truly memorable and spectacular event.

Saturday October 20th, from 630pm Priced at THB 2,100++ (Early Reservations Advised)

On Wednesday the 31st of October the Sofitel Wine Days season will conclude with a final event with special guest Joan Carreras Asia Pacific & Middle East Director, who will present their DOMO brand and philosophy highlighting the amazing variety of wines produced in the province of Valencia in Spain.

The featured wines will be served with artisan cheeses throughout the evening.
Wednesday 31st October, 7pm to 9pm Priced at THB 990 net.

For bookings or more information please contact h5213-fb7@sofitel.com

Sofitel, World Class Hotels & French Elegance
Sofitel is the only French luxury hotel brand with a presence on five continents with 120 addresses, in almost 40 countries (more than 30,000 rooms). Sofitel offers contemporary hotels and resorts adapted to today’s more demanding and more versatile consumers who expect and appreciate beauty, quality and excellence. Whether situated in the heart of a major city like Paris, London, New York, Shanghai or Beijing, or nestled away in a country landscape in Morocco, Egypt, French Polynesia or Thailand, each Sofitel property offers a genuine experience of the French “art de vivre”.

Sofitel Legend and & Sofitel So are two labels that come to enrich Sofitel Luxury hotels.
Sofitel Legend hotels are iconic and mythical; they are often centuries-old listed heritage buildings: Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam and Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena

Sofitel So hotels are new « boutique hotels » characterized by a stylish focus on contemporary design by famous architects and/or embellished by international celebrities from the world of fashion, design or art: Sofitel So Mauritius Bel Ombre, Sofitel So Bangkok and Sofitel So Singapore.

Nakhon Phanom (Thailand) – August 29, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office has become known for innovative ways of organizing conferences in sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally friendly ways. During the 2017 Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR, topical mini-seminars matched with non-conventional venues across town, such as restaurants, river cruise boats, botanical gardens and rice fields, as well as museums and golf courses, making the event highly inclusive and experiential.

The 2018 MTF stepped toward inclusivity yet again by conducting its thematic strategy sessions in eight different rural villages with an aim to include local residents in discussions.

The innovative idea came as part of this year’s ambitious theme titled ‘Transforming Travel – Transforming Lives’ and was conceived by 2018 MTF organisers, which included the Thailand Ministry of Tourism & Sports, the Nakhon Phanom Provincial Government, and the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO).

Jens Thraenhart, Executive Director of the MTCO, said this initiative was put forth to compliment the higher mission of encouraging a sustainable, inclusive and environmentally-friendly planning platform. This initiative is also aligned with the ‘Greater Mekong Subregion Tourism Sector Strategy 2016-2025’, a ten-year strategy framework created and published by the MTCO in conjunction with each member county’s ministry of tourism with support from the Asian Development Bank.

“We believe that tourism can be an important catalyst in changing people’s lives for the better through mutual understanding,” said Thraenhart. “Organising workshops in ethnic villages surrounding the city of Nakhon Phanom was an idea focused on bringing delegates to areas where tradition still shapes people’s daily life.”

Host villages were Tai Ka Lerng, Tai Nyaw, Tai So, Phu Tai, Tai Guan, Tai Kha, Tai Seak, and Tai Isan respectively. Each village – located on Thailand’s side of the Mekong River in Nakhon Phanom province – hosted different strategic planning workshops with specific themes including organic tourism, gastronomy tourism, adventure tourism, religious tourism, festival tourism, wellness tourism, eco tourism, and heritage tourism. Workshops were led by subject matter experts to offer relevant knowledge to engage in discussion with MTF delegates and village residents.

“Nakhon Phanom fitted particularly into a cultural ethnic experience,” said H.E. Itthiphol Kunplom, Vice Minister of Tourism & Sports of Thailand.

“The city is at the crossroads of many cultures and thus became a place for settlements, traders and migrants over the centuries. The province is home to a dozen ethnic groups including Laotian and Vietnamese people,” said the Vice Minister.

“It was so refreshing to see the efforts the villagers made to engage with the theme of transforming travel,” said Jeremy Smith, one of several keynote speakers for this year’s MTF.

Through conducting years of research for his book ‘Transforming Travel – realising the potential of sustainable tourism’, Smith has collected a wealth of knowledge about how to optimise tourism opportunities in the twenty-first century.

“The way the village sessions immersed us in the communities really epitomises the impactful approach that’s needed to help shape and transform tourism in the future,” he said.

MTF delegates of each workshop were greeted with traditional food and welcoming ceremonies from village residents. This experience was meant to inspire creative tourism ideas that highlight and respect the rich culture of these rural villages.

Encouraged by the success of the idea, Thraenhart said: “We started breaking down barriers to create a truly immersive experience. Having villagers as part of the discussion in addition to being the true hosts provided a shared respect and understanding.”

For most villagers, it was the first time they had interacted with international guests. Each host village received support and coaching to prepare for their respective workshop by the Thai Ecotourism and Adventure Travel Association (TEATA), which in Thailand helps two dozen local villages to develop sustainable tourism solutions.

“This event was truly what I was expecting from a village experience,” said Nathalie Gütermann, Editor in Chief of the German-language magazine ‘Thai Zeit’. “The people’s welcome was so intense and spontaneous. They were so happy to welcome us and I personally felt very moved by their eager sense of hospitality.”

“Being Khmer, my experience at the organic tourism seminar was extremely enlightening,” said Chanrasmey Koam, Video Production Manager for Cambodian news outlet the Phnom Penh Post. “Our facilitator was so passionate and gave a sense of inspiration for local farmers to shift towards organic practices. His expertise and skill to engage with session participants inspired me to learn more and push organic tourism in my own country,” Koam concluded.

The next Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF 2019) will take place in Dali, in Yunnan Province in PR China. Dali is famous for its beautiful mountainous landscapes along Erhai Lake as well as its old town dating back to the Ming Dynasty.

About the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office


The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), located in Bangkok, was set up with funding from the governments of the six Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries – Cambodia, the People’s Republic of China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The MTCO, which operates on annual financial contributions from each GMS country, acts as the secretariat for the GMS Tourism Working Group, comprising of senior officials of the six GMS countries’ National Tourism Organizations, to coordinate and facilitate sustainable tourism development of the GMS in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and promotion of the Mekong region as a single travel and tourism destination, in collaboration with the public and private sectors. The MTCO manages its award-winning MekongTourism.org digital platform as a one-stop platform to promote responsible and sustainable tourism in the region, as well as the annual Mekong Tourism Forum, whose hosting is rotated among GMS countries.

About Destination Mekong
Destination Mekong was created in 2017 to promote the Mekong region, comprising of Cambodia, PR China (Provinces of Guangxi and Yunnan), Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam as a single tourism destination to stimulate responsible and sustainable development and investment, and drive inclusive growth. Endorsed by the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office and aligned with the mandate of the regional collaborative tourism framework of the six-member governments of the Greater Mekong Subregion, Destination Mekong executes targeted projects and initiatives via public-private partnership investment structures, including Mekong Moments and Mekong Trends.

Singapore (Singapore) – August 28, 2018 – JTB Corporation’s Asia Pacific Headquarters will make their exhibiting debut at IT&CMA 2018, engaging with buyers and media through an additional hosted luncheon and Association Day destination presentation slot, to showcase their global MICE capabilities and PCO services for Japan and the region. JTB Thailand and Kobe Convention Bureau will also exhibit alongside.

Elaborating on their goals for the Asia-Pacific MICE market and what they are looking to achieve from IT&CMA 2018, Mizuho Hara, Manager for Events & Promotions at JTB APHQ said, “JTB is more than just a travel agency as it has a long-standing history in Japan within the MICE arena as well. We are actively establishing relationships and promoting our event management services and business travel solutions in the Asia-Pacific and global markets to become top-of-mind when it comes to doing business events in Japan.”

The largest and oldest travel agency in Japan with over 100 years of history, JTB’s ethos to advance and facilitate international tourism to Japan is unwavering.

JTB is able to provide bespoke MICE experiences unavailable from other providers, encompassing a corporate profile that delivers total solutions including travel & logistics for meetings and event organisers, proven expertise and experience administering big and small scaled projects, full services that free the client from organisation and operational tasks, a code of conduct and quality exemplified by omotenashi – the philosophy behind Japanese hospitality, and a connected network of partners and suppliers.

By hosting a targeted networking luncheon and destination presentation for associations at IT&CMA 2018, JTB is eager to display these competencies. Added Ms Hara, “We already have a well-established MICE programme & network in Japan and wish to raise the awareness of our MICE and DMC solutions to the Asia-Pacific market. Leveraging on the luncheon and presentation will allow us to connect with our target audience within exclusive settings.”

JTB serves Japan’s tourism industry with offices in all 47 prefectures in Japan and from over 1,100 offices in 38 countries, with the group’s global corporate business faction functioning as a leading DMC and PCO for MICE and Business Travel Management in Asia. The corporation is part of government projects such as the G20 Summit, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Rugby World Cup Japan 2019, and the World Masters Games 2021 Kansai, to drive consumer and corporate travel-related hospitality services into and within Japan.

To meet many more brands like JTB at IT&CMA 2018, join us from 18 – 20 September at the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld. The leading MICE event is co-located with CTW Asia-Pacific – The Leading Corporate Travel Management Conference for the Asia-Pacific.

About IT&CMA 2018
18 to 20 September | Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld, Bangkok, Thailand
Established in 1993, IT&CMA is at the forefront of fostering MICE growth opportunities for the Asia-Pacific and beyond. Its multi-faceted programme engages regional and international industry suppliers and buyers in the realms of business, education and networking. IT&CMA also features dedicated platforms designed around the interests of valuable MICE niche segments, enabling the event to consistently deliver a delegate profile that is both relevant and dynamic. IT&CMA remains uniquely positioned as the only global event with the largest exhibition showcase of Asia-Pacific MICE suppliers. The show has been incorporating Luxury Travel since 2012, and is part of the IT&CM Events series.

Co-located with CTW Asia-Pacific, IT&CMA is part of the IT&CM Events series organised by TTG Events, a business group of TTG Asia Media. IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific is Asia-Pacific’s Only Doublebill Event in MICE and Corporate Travel. Both events have been co-locating since 2004, offering its delegates an unparalleled platform to do business, learn and network.

Contact information:
TTG Events
A Business Group of TTG Asia Media
1 Science Park Road, #04-07, The Capricorn
Singapore Science Park II, Singapore 117528
Tel: (65) 6395 7575
Fax: (65) 6536 0896
Website: www.ttgasiamedia.com