Category: Latest Travel News

Chiang Mai, Thailand, November 25, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX /  Meliá Chiang Mai is getting the mulled wine ready for its exciting Christmas and New Year’s festivities including sky-high parties, vibrant buffets, and exquisite four-course dinners.

Situated in the heart of Chiang Mai, with the city’s highest rooftop bar affording spectacular views, the award-winning hotel will celebrate its third festive season with a program filled with jolly good cheer including:

• Ruen Kaew Lounge serving ‘Vino Caliente De Bayas’ (mulled berry wine), ‘Vino Caliente Con Especias’ (mulled wine with spices) and ‘Vino Caliente Clasico’ (classic mulled wine) to a backdrop of classic holiday melodies from 5-10pm from Dec. 1, 2024 – Jan. 31, 2025. THB 299 net per glass.
• A gift-toting Santa Claus and live band at Laan Na Kitchen’s ‘Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet’ on Dec. 24 from 6-10pm. Highlights include whole roasted turkey, beef shawarma, unlimited Japanese poke bowls, and an array of Christmas desserts. THB 2699 net per person. THB 1499 net per child aged six to 12 years. THB 1999 net extra per person for two-hour free flow soft drinks, chilled juice, draught beer, house wine and sparkling wine.
• Eye Styles band, that appeared on The Voice Thailand taking to the stage with acoustic tunes under the stars at MAI The Sky Bar on the hotel’s 22^nd ‘Christmas Eve Sparkles in the Sky’ staged from 5-12am is THB 500 per person – redeemable as credit for food and drinks during the night.
• A four-course Northern Thai set dinner marking Christmas Day on Dec. 25 at 21^st floor Mai Restaurant & Bar from 6-10pm. The feast starts with a Christmas platter featuring creamy chicken choux, golden shrimp spring roll and citrus crispy noodles, followed by a milky hot and sour soup with locally raised turkey and farm-fresh ingredients. The main course is a choice between slow and tender roasted beef fillet steak with spicy toasted rice gravy, root vegetables, and potatoes or wok-fried tiger prawns, New Zealand mussels, squid, and lotus stems serve with salted egg rice, topped off with a Christmas treasure box of desserts. THB 1999 net per person with a glass of house red or white wine.
• Laan Na Kitchen’s lively ‘New Year’s Eve Buffet’ taking diners on a culinary journey around the globe from 6-10pm, accompanied by live entertainment. The smorgasbord will feature roast prime ribs, locally raised roast turkey, a BBQ combo of roast duck, char sui pork and crispy pork, potato gratin with truffle oil, grilled river prawns, steam snowfish, kaisen don bowls, locally produced artisan cheese board, desserts and more. THB 2888 net per person. THB 1599 net per child aged six to 12 years. An extra THB 1999 net per person for two-hour free flow soft drinks, chilled juice, draught beer, house wine and sparkling wine. All kids have complimentary access to KIDSDOM on the hotel’s second floor.
• Ringing in 2025 with a bang as fireworks light up the sky at MAI The Sky Bar’s ‘Sky High New Years Eve Countdown Party’ from 7pm-1am. The entertainment line-up features band 3D, DJs and drag queens from Blow Entertainment. Guests will have the chance to win prizes throughout the night. Tickets are THB 2500 net per person on the Lower Rooftop including THB 1000 net of credit for food and beverages and THB 3000 net per person on the Upper Rooftop with THB 1500 net of F&B credit.
• Starting 2025 on a delectable note with Mai Restaurant & Bar’s ‘New Year’s Day Dinner’ from 6-10pm. The four-course Thai set dinner begins with a platter of Green rice-crusted shrimp cake, Northern-style pork salad, and galloping horses. After Tom Kha soup with crabmeat, young coconut, and fresh turmeric, the main course is a choice between grilled sirloin beef steak with scented gravy and tamarind-glazed vegetables or grilled Andaman yellow curry tiger prawns with crab roe brown rice. The dinner is rounded off with a ‘New Year’s treasure box of desserts. THB 2568 net per person with a glass of house wine.

About Asset World Corp Public Company Limited
Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC) is Thailand’s leading integrated lifestyle real estate group and a member of TCC Group, with the focus on hospitality, lifestyle destinations, and commercial workspaces.  Driven by the philosophy of “Building a Better Future,” AWC strives to grow and expand beyond the norms with a diverse array of quality projects, providing responsible and sustainable solutions for all our stakeholders. The company has two main businesses. Hospitality business managed by top hotel executives of world-renowned hotel brands such as Marriott, The Luxury Collection, Okura, Banyan Tree, Hilton, Sheraton, and Melia, and Commercial properties whose projects include 1) Retail and Wholesale such as lifestyle travel destinations, community shopping malls, community markets, and wholesale business real estate. Popular real estate projects consist of Asiatique the Riverfront Destination, Gateway at Bangsue, AEC FOOD WHOLESALE PRATUNAM, and Tawanna Bangkapi, and 2) Commercial buildings including the famous ‘The Empire’ and Athenee Tower located in Bangkok’s central business district. AWC is committed to integrating its sustainability strategy in every part of its operations to create long-term sustainable value for all stakeholders. The sustainability strategy consists of three key pillars: Better Planet, Better People and Better Prosperity, while the framework has created numerous long-term initiatives including the ReConcept, The GALLERY and other projects.

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts
Meliá has 125 hotels in Europe (56), America (18), Cuba (16), Africa (5) and Asia (30). We are present in 32 countries and currently have 21 hotels under development in 11 countries. At Meliá Hotels & Resorts, we stand out for our unique Spanish style in the hospitality industry and for our warmth, closeness and passion for service. This means that we offer our guests a unique wellness experience. Our Spanish warmth and spontaneity are part of our Mediterranean roots and are always present in the Meliá experience. An experience that is enriched by providing thoughtful extra services. Paying attention to the smallest details and providing personalized experiences for each guest. How do we interpret wellness in the MELIÁ brand? We see wellness from an innovative perspective. It is not wellness applied only to nutrition or wellness services, it is 360º wellness. The wellness we want to convey is global. You can find it in all aspects of the brand from different perspectives: physical wellness, spiritual wellness, leisure wellness, social wellness, occupational wellness, environmental wellness, financial wellness and nutritional wellness.

About Meliá Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has more than 400 hotels open or in the process of opening, in more than 40 countries, and a portfolio of nine brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Sol by Meliá, and Affiliated by Meliá. The Company is one of the world’s leading hotel chains in the leisure segment and its experience in this area has allowed it to consolidate itself in the growing market of urban hotels inspired by leisure. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led it to be recognised as the most sustainable European hotel company in the world (chosen as “Sustainability Yearbook Member” in 2024 by S&P Global), as well as being a “Top Employer 2024” brand in Spain, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy, Germany, France and Vietnam.

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Zurich, Switzerland, November 28, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The Trip Boutique is an AI-powered solution designed to help travel agents gain efficiency, reduce the time and effort required to close sales, drive revenue growth, and increase customer lifetime value by leveraging a personalized relationship with each client. After successfully launching this solution in October 2023 and experiencing strong demand in the European and North American markets, The Trip Boutique AI has taken a significant step forward. The company announces a global commercial partnership with Amadeus, a leader in travel technology.

Through this agreement, The Trip Boutique AI will be offered alongside Amadeus’ portfolio of solutions to its vast network of customers in the travel sellers segment,

such as travel agencies and other global travel players. This will enable travel professionals worldwide to deliver exceptional, personalized experiences at scale.

“Partnering with Amadeus is a monumental milestone for The Trip Boutique AI,” says Fernanda Barrence Mutz, CEO of The Trip Boutique AI. “It underscores the value and potential of our solutions in reshaping the travel advisory experience for agents and their clients. Our platform complements Amadeus’s solutions very well, making this partnership a significant opportunity for both companies to deliver unparalleled value to the industry. Together, we are poised to empower travel professionals to serve travelers more effectively, gain deeper insights into their needs, and streamline operations for maximum impact.”

Noureddine Hajji, Strategic Alliances & Partnerships Manager, Amadeus, states: “Our mission at Amadeus is to improve the traveler experience for everyone, everywhere. We do that by focusing on innovation and industry collaboration. We first came across The Trip Boutique AI thanks to the Amadeus Launchpad program for start-ups. Today, we’re excited to be combining The Trip Boutique’s AI-powered tools with our global market reach and industry expertise, giving our customers access to solutions that enhance service quality, deepen client relationships, and unlock new revenue streams”.

The Trip Boutique AI is working towards further integrating Amadeus’ products into its platform, with an expected launch in 2025. This integration, alongside other integration partners, will provide clients with seamless access to a comprehensive range of travel services within a single solution. The combined capabilities will enable advisors to accelerate bookings and to make personalized recommendations with real-time availability and pricing throughout the travel journey, thus transforming the overall customer experience.

“The Trip Boutique AI is eager to work closely with Amadeus to implement our solutions and support travel professionals in meeting the evolving needs of their clients on a global scale,” says Barrence Mutz.

About Amadeus
Amadeus is a global leader in travel technology, providing software solutions to airlines, airports, hotels, and travel agencies across 190 countries. Its offerings streamline essential workflows – such as booking, payment processing, customer management, and analytics – helping travel providers connect efficiently within the ecosystem. Amadeus also operates the world’s largest global distribution system

About The Trip Boutique AI
The Trip Boutique AI is on a mission to help travel brands boost efficiency and grow revenue with personalization at scale. As an AI assistant, its B2B solution includes the modules Client Profiling, Knowledge & Supplier Management, Marketing Automation, Itinerary Builder, Data Insights, and, coming soon, Booking Agent. It helps businesses leverage travel expertise, identify top suppliers, better understand clients, and serve them more efficiently with the most relevant recommendations and actionable insights. From bespoke itineraries to personalized marketing and destination intelligence, The Trip Boutique AI elevates how travel brands connect with their clients.

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Bangkok, Thailand, November 27, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / BWH Hotels, the global network comprising WorldHotels, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay® Hotels, has strengthened its commitment to providing a broad range of accommodations to all guests in Bangkok with the opening of the SimpleStay Chatuchak, SureStay Collection by Best Western.

This new 50-room hotel allows guests to explore a rapidly emerging area of North Bangkok. Located just steps from the entrance to the popular Chatuchak Weekend Market, it is close to Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, the Thai capital’s main railway station, and a short drive from Don Mueang International Airport. Kamphaeng Phet MRT subway station is only 100 meters away, putting the entire city within easy reach.

Reflecting the brand values of SureStay® Collection, the new hotel introduces a new era of affordable, individual hospitality to this dynamic district. It will appeal to guests who like to travel casually but appreciate the additional touches that elevate their stay. The Standard and Family Rooms all feature comfortable beds, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, working areas, TVs with international channels, and refreshing bathrooms with eco-friendly amenities.

Throughout their stay at the SimpleStay Chatuchak, SureStay Collection by Best Western, guests can enjoy Thai and international cuisine at The Market Restaurant. For travelers seeking additional entertainment, they can unwind, socialize and sip cool drinks at the stylish Plot Twist Bar, which is perched on the 6^th floor and overlooks the Central Terminal through a panoramic glass wall. The onsite Wellness Studio also offers yoga, Pilates, sound healing and spa services to soothe the body, mind and soul.

“Bangkok is the world’s most-visited city, so we are delighted to introduce another exceptional hotel to this key market. Comfortable, convenient and fully connected, the SimpleStay Chatuchak, SureStay Collection by Best Western perfectly complements the popular Best Western Chatuchak hotel and makes it simple for guests to experience everything the Thai capital has to offer,” said Olivier Berrivin, Vice President – APAC, BWH Hotels.

With 13 hotels now operating in Bangkok under seven distinct brands – WorldHotels Elite, Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Vīb®, SureStay® by Best Western, SureStay Plus® by Best Western, and SureStay Collection® by Best Western – BWH Hotels offers a comprehensive range of accommodations in Thailand’s capital city.

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Bangkok, Thailand, November 28, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / ICONSIAM, the global landmark on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, has earned the prestigious ICONIC THAI BRAND AWARD and Blue by Alain Ducasse, its Michelin-starred French fine dining restaurant, has been listed among Asia’s Top 100 Restaurants at the Tatler Best 2024 awards ceremony organized by Tatler Asia, the region’s leading luxury, fashion, and lifestyle media outlet.

These accolades underscore ICONSIAM’s success in becoming a top destination for both locals and international visitors, uniting the best of Thailand with global excellence. ICONSIAM also showcases Thailand’s unique identity in every dimension. Blue by Alain Ducasse, a luxurious fine-dining restaurant, has consistently held one Michelin star from 2021 to 2024 at ICONSIAM. This recognition further highlights ICONSIAM’s commitment to delivering extraordinary experiences and bolsters Thailand’s reputation as a premier global culinary destination.

ICONSIAM, a flagship development by Siam Piwat, under a joint venture with Charoen Pokphand Group (CP) and Magnolia Quality Development Corporation (MQDC), continues to set new standards with innovative concepts designed to elevate customer experiences. With over 38 international awards in just six years since its operation, ICONSIAM stands as a global destination and a beacon of Thai excellence along the Chao Phraya River. It serves as a model for pioneering developments that drive economic growth and sustainability in Thailand.

In addition, Tatler Asia and ICONSIAM together provide a unique culinary experience featuring two world-renowned chefs: Chef Wilfrid Hocquet, who has received a one Michelin star from Blue by Alain Ducasse, and Chef Joris Rousseau of Feuille, a Michelin-starred and Green Star-awarded restaurant in Hong Kong. Together, they crafted an innovative menu blending premium French cuisine with exquisite local flavors, offering an exclusive dining experience at Blue by Alain Ducasse for distinguished guests and customers who are interested in experiencing the best of Thailand and the world at Blue by Alain Ducasse, ICONSIAM.

The Tatler Best 2024, hosted by Tatler Asia, celebrates outstanding excellence in Asia’s hospitality and culinary sectors. The event recognizes 100 hotels, 100 restaurants, and 100 bars, alongside the Best in Class Awards, which honor the best hotel, restaurant and bar in Asia with 27 distinct awards.

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Almaty, Kazakhstan, November 27, 2025 / TRAVELINDEX / Alain St.Ange, who travelled to Almaty in Kazakhstan at the invitation of ‘Visit Almaty’, the Almaty Tourism Department of Kazakhstan, was working alongside local Kazak tourism training personality and official guide Mrs Zhanar Gabit and Mr Tom Buncle, the Managing Director of ‘Yellow Railroad’ International Destination Consultancy to speak at training sessions, an event totally dedicated to the Tourism Industry in Kazakhstan organised for tourism related or industry support managers working in different fields of government i.e. tourist police, rescue, destination management, museums, customs and border guards.

Alain St.Ange, Head of Saint Ange Tourism Consultancy. He was a former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine of the Seychelles and was a candidate for the post of Secretary General of the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organisation) now rebranded as UN Tourism and was one of three candidates vying to be President of the Seychelles in the island’s 2020 Presidential Elections.

These training sessions in Kazakhstan concentrated mainly on managers to empower them to follow up with training of their department’s personnel on better ways to work with tourists in a manner to show the country is attractive for tourism.

The organisation rallied some 300 government delegates divided into 10 groups with 30 people for all day sessions spread out over two days.

“The knowledge of international tourism is average. The employees understand what tourism is in general. And Kazakhstan is a new destination on the world tourism map so many people do not understand how to deal with foreigners. The format is the Facilitation training that will end with an extensive Q&A session” said a representative of the organisers before adding: – “Mainly, the goal of this government organised training program is: To firm up the understanding of International standards implementation importance in hospitality industry to create “friendly” environment for international visitors and to train people the high standards of behavioural norms towards visitors. Which can be addressed to Global awareness of Kazakhstan as friendly tourist destination”.

Alain St.Ange took on his sessions with “What is Tourism” and how each and every Manager in attending the sessions can help tourism in Kazakhstan to be consolidated. He also encouraged the Kazakhstan authorities to work with its Central Asia countries and to develop a new ‘Central Asia Tourism’ as a new destination.

“I was amazed by what Kazakhstan has to offer the discerning travellers looking for a new destination. The have the most incredible mountains just 30 minutes for Almaty City centre with ski-slopes offering four feet of snow now and this at very high altitudes, they have the rivers offering incredible white-water rafting and they have lakes and a desert. They have canyons, great nature as a remarkable asset and they people and culture remain unique as they are not Asia and they are not Europe, but well established as a tourism centre in Central Asia and are Eurasian” St.Ange said as he encouraged the authorities to embark on a cooperation that can help open up tourism to become a solid pillar of the economy after oil and gas that they are so blessed with.

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Bangkok, Thailand, November 26, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The stage is set for one of the most anticipated events in the tourism industry calendar: the Annual SKAL/PATA Christmas Charity Luncheon. This festive gathering of industry leaders and innovators takes place on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Bangkok’s Grand Ballroom.

The event begins with check-in and networking drinks from 11:00 AM, followed by a formal luncheon at 12:15 PM sharp. As the year winds down, this luncheon offers a unique opportunity to connect, celebrate, and reflect, while also giving back to the community.

A Festive Feast for All

Appetizer: Seared pepper tuna with chopped salad

Soup: Creamy mushroom soup

Main Course:

Slow-roasted turkey with bread stuffing, Brussels sprouts, and cranberry sauce OR grilled pork chop with roasted potatoes and prune sauce

Vegetarian: Grilled halloumi cheese starter, mixed vegetable Wellington, and all the festive trimmings

Dessert: Christmas pudding drizzled with caramel sauce

Raffles, Auctions, and Networking

The event will also feature a Christmas raffle and a silent auction, offering guests the chance to win exciting prizes while contributing to meaningful causes. Networking opportunities abound, as tourism leaders gather to exchange ideas, forge connections, and look forward to the opportunities of 2025.

This year’s proceeds will support two impactful charities:

The Good Shepherd Sisters Centre, dedicated to helping vulnerable communities.

Kusa Panyarachun Scholarship, providing opportunities for hotel and tourism students.

A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors

This year’s event is made special by the generous support of: Paulaner Beer, Serenity Wines Asia, Bangkok Vodka, Move Ahead Media, Chalong Bay, and Prunk & Partners.

Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the holiday season, reconnect with industry peers, and contribute to a brighter future.

Reserve Your Spot Now. Seats are limited—book your tickets online today! For inquiries, contact: secretary@skalbangkok.com or register here.

Celebrate, connect, and contribute this holiday season. Join us for the SKAL-PATA Christmas Charity Luncheon and help spread the joy!

Mark your calendars—this is the holiday event of the year.

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Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, November 24, 204 / TRAVELINDEX / UN Tourism’s Executive Council has met again to jointly advance the transformation of the sector. With the latest UN Tourism Data showing that the sector is on track to reach 96% recovery of pre-pandemic numbers by the end of the year, the 122nd Session of the Executive Council looked to the future, with investments and innovation high on the agenda. The Session welcomed representatives of 47 countries, including 21 Ministers and Vice-Ministers of Tourism, alongside key strategic partners from the private sector, civil society and international finance.

Opening the session, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili welcomed the example set by Colombia in “betting on tourism” to provide a better future for the country, including for previously-marginalized groups. He said: “Colombia has chosen to invest in tourism, not in weapons or war, and as the only country to have hosted every major UN Tourism event, including two General Assemblies, it is a testament to the power of tourism as a force for change.”

The Secretary-General then presented his report to Members. The report sets out the progress made in advancing the Organization’s work since the Council last met, again with a special emphasis on the shared priorities of investments into tourism, education and accelerating innovation across the sector.

Colombia has chosen to invest in tourism, not in weapons or war, and as the only country to have hosted every major UN Tourism event, including two General Assemblies, it is a testament to the power of tourism as a force for change

Advancing shared goals

In Cartagena, the Members of the Executive Council advanced plans to build a more inclusive, resilient and forward-looking sector, with a focus on:

• Innovation: UN Tourism is the global leader in innovation in the sector. Executive Council Members were given an overview of key achievements in this area, including the continued success of its Challenges and Competitions, designed to identify and support the best new ideas and talent. In Cartagena, the winners of two new competitions, the Green Projects Challenge and the Community Tourism Challenge, were formally announced.
• Investment: In Cartagena, UN Tourism will present its Tourism Doing Business Guidelines: Investing in Colombia. The publication series continues to grow, with a further 28 editions, each focusing on investment opportunities in a specific destination, now planned. Also in Cartagena, UN Tourism will host a landmark Global Forum on Investment and Innovation to conclude the Executive Council meeting.
• Education: Executive Council Members were brought up-to-date with UN Tourism’s leading work in promoting tourism education and training at every level. Key advances include the continued rolling out of the Education Toolkit, designed to help Member States introduce tourism as a subject in high schools, as well as the ongoing success of the UN Tourism Online Academy and the growing global network of International Academies in Association With UN Tourism.

Strengthening strategic partnerships

Within the framework of the 122nd Executive Council, UN Tourism further advanced its work building strong partnerships around shared goals. A special networking session of the UN Tourism Affiliate Members focused on Tourism of the Future: Moving Towards the Sustainable Development Goals, bringing together destinations, private sector leaders and civil society stakeholders.

Best Tourism Villages 2024 announced

During the Executive Council, UN Tourism announced the latest additions to its growing Best Tourism Villages network. For the 2024 edition, a further 55 rural destinations were awarded the title, recognizing their leading work in harnessing the power of tourism to create local opportunities as well as preserving and celebrating natural and cultural heritage.

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Krabi, Thailand, December 1, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Gabrielle Mendoza, a renowned trainer in restorative yoga and the creator of the Uncovering the Oasis Within concept, has been specially invited to hold classes at Banyan Tree Krabi resort in southern Thailand from December 6 – 15, 2024.

During her 10-day residency as visiting practitioner, Gabrielle will be offering a plethora of mindful and holistic practices, including Vinyasa Yoga, meditation and sound healing, as well as her signature classes of restorative yoga, where one maintains deep breaths and maintains asanas (yoga poses) for longer – a technique accredited with alleviating stress, and helping with sleep, flexibility, and overall wellbeing.

Based in Singapore, Gabrielle says that she “crumbled under the stress of the corporate world” and later only reclaimed her lost self through yoga. She says she now follows her dharma to help others manage stress through the means of mindfulness, meditation, and the discipline of yoga.

Her appearance at Banyan Tree Krabi is another step forward in the hotel’s “Wellbeing Sanctuary” programme, which was initiated in 2021 and allows guests an option to combine a leisure vacation with a tailor-made daily itinerary designed to enrich mind, body and soul — from meditation and spa treatments to Thai boxing and nature trails —  complemented with a nutritious diet and personal consultations.

The Wellbeing Sanctuary programme is based on Banyan Tree’s own “8 Pillars” principle (Nourishment; Movement; Mindfulness; Rest; Groundedness; Growth; Connection; and Practice).

Banyan Tree Spa Krabi was recently singled out by the prestigious MICHELIN Guide as one of the seven most luxurious spas in Thailand. MICHELIN also accredited the hotel with 2 Keys in its inaugural hotel listings for Thailand.

Located on tranquil Tubkaek Beach, some 25 km west of the town of Krabi, Banyan Tree Krabi has 72 pool suites and villas, among them seven two-bedroom options, one three-bedroom villa, and a majestic seven-bedroom Presidential Beachfront Pool Villa. The resort backs into a lush forested national park, and each of the 72 rooms faces westward towards uninhabited islands in the Andaman Sea.

Facilities at this 5-star hotel include two restaurants and a beach bar, a beach club, a kids’ club, a fitness centre, meeting rooms, and the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa Krabi.

ABOUT BANYAN TREE
Banyan Tree offers a Sanctuary to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul in awe-inspiring locations around the globe. Rediscover the romance of travel as you journey to iconic destinations where authentic, memorable experiences await. An all-villa concept often with private pools, Banyan Tree provides genuine, authentic service and a distinctive, premium retreat experience.

ABOUT BANYAN GROUP
Banyan Group (“Banyan Tree Holdings Limited” or the “Group” – SGX: B58) is an independent, global hospitality company with purpose. The Group prides itself on its pioneering spirit, design-led experiences and commitment to responsible stewardship. Its extensive portfolio spans over 70 hotels and resorts, over 60 spas and galleries, and 14 branded residences in over 20 countries. Comprising 12 global brands, including the flagship brand Banyan Tree, each distinct yet united under the experiential membership programme withBanyan. The founding ethos of “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People” is embodied through the Banyan Global Foundation and Banyan Management Academy. Banyan Group is committed to remaining the leading advocate of sustainable travel, with a focus on regenerative tourism and innovative programmes that elevate the guest experience.

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Da Nang, Vietnam, November 30, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Reflect, Reconnect, and Rejoice is the mantra at TIA Wellness Resort this New Year’s with activities designed to put guests in a blissful state of mind for 2025, while also celebrating the important day. Across the first day of the year and the last day of 2024, the wellbeing-focused property is running a Reflection & Intention Setting Creative Workshop and a Sunrise Meditation, along with offering a festive 6-course New Year’s Eve dinner and the option to celebrate in-villa with a champagne and strawberries package.

TIA’s Reflection & Intention Setting Creative Workshop is an extension of its daily creativity classes that are an essential part of the resort’s wellbeing toolkit. There will be two one hour-long sessions on New Year’s Eve at 2pm and 3pm that are complimentary to all guests. During the session one of the property’s wellness guides will use art as a tool to help each participant celebrate (or let go of) 2024 and set intentions for the year ahead.

Later that evening, in the recently renovated Dining Room, guests can enjoy a six-course dinner with a fully plant-based option available. Seafood lovers will enjoy course items like the freshly-caught broiled lobster tail, and salmon & caviar vol au vents truffle nest. Each dish has also been creatively re-interpreted for vegans and vegetarians, such as a carrot salmon & vegan caviar vol au vents truffle nest, or the beet filet with peri peri and chimichurri sauce instead of the wagyu filet mignon on the regular New Year’s Eve Feast menu. The highlight of both menus is a decadent dessert buffet. Mellow live music will accompany the meal and the dinner seating will run from 6:30pm – 10:30pm. Plant-based menus start from VND 1,400,000 ++ per-person or VND 2,600,000 ++ with organic wine pairing. The regular menu starts at VND 2,200,000 ++ per person or VND 3,400,000 ++ with organic wine pairing.

For those who want to continue the festivities the resort has three options for when the clock strikes midnight: a private in-villa celebration with Taittinger champagne and fresh strawberries (starting at VND 2,090,000 ++ for a 375 ml bottle), an intimate gathering at the Art Lounge with a glass of sparkling wine at midnight, or a complimentary shuttle from TIA to Da Nang at 10pm and a shuttle back at 1am.

The new year starts early at the property with a sunrise meditation season on the beach in front of the resort running from 6am – 6:30am.

TIA Wellness Resort recently landed two coveted spots on the annual Readers’ Choice Awards for Condé Nast Traveler (USA). The property was recognized as the number ten spa resort globally in the ‘Top 20 Destination Spa Resorts in the World’ category and came in at number 17 in the ‘Best Destination Spas in the US & Around the World’ list.

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Bangkok, Thailand, December 1, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced that PATA Travel Mart 2025 will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from August 26-28, 2025. This announcement, made by PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid during the closing of the PATA Destination Marketing Forum 2024, marks the second consecutive year the event will take place in Bangkok.

PATA Travel Mart has long been a key platform for industry stakeholders to gain firsthand insights into the dynamic Asia Pacific market, establish new relationships, and seize emerging opportunities. To be organised at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), the event will feature a one-day conference, a two-day business-to-business travel mart, and numerous networking opportunities. Building on the success of past editions, the event will bring together buyers and sellers from across the region and beyond, with thousands of expected business appointments and a broad representation of destinations across six regions.

Reflecting on the success of PATA Travel Mart 2024, which brought together more than 900 buyers and sellers in Bangkok, Noor remarked, “The Asia Pacific region continues to be a global leader in tourism, both as a major destination and a source of outbound travel. Bangkok, with its rich cultural heritage, spirit of resilience, and innovative edge, captures the essence of this vibrant region, making it an ideal setting for stakeholders to convene, collaborate, and celebrate the myriad opportunities and partnerships shaping the future of tourism.”

He added, “PATA Travel Mart 2025 reaffirms the Association’s commitment to driving sustainable growth, fostering innovation, and promoting partnerships within the Asia Pacific region—advancing the industry’s reach and impact. We are excited to welcome industry professionals worldwide to PTM 2025 to share their unique offerings, explore new partnerships, and contribute to a thriving tourism landscape.”

As one of Asia Pacific’s most established travel trade shows, PATA Travel Mart 2025 is designed to connect global tourism and travel leaders in an environment dedicated to growth, collaboration, and opportunity. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers, explore new market opportunities, and strengthen relationships that drive the industry forward.

Further details about PATA Travel Mart 2025 will be shared in due course.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (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, which include government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as youth members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism of 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 31 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 15 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts, and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has an official office in Beijing. Visit www.PATA.org.

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