Category: Latest Travel News

Scotland (United Kingdom) – January 16, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Scottish heritage brand, Glenmuir has unveiled its most stylish collection yet for the Spring Summer season with classic designs, fresh colours and innovative high-performance fabrics.

For those favouring natural fabrics Glenmuir offers double mercerised cotton shirts with a lustrous silk like handle and anti-curl collars. The g.Stirling (RRP: £54.85) and g.Ollie (RRP: £54.85) shirts are constructed with an elegant cross dye fabric. Glenmuir’s signature tartan is featured in the g.Wallace (RRP: £54.85) in fresh colour tones. A new addition to the collection is the g.Iberia (RRP: £44.85) made with pure long staple pima cotton achieving an ultra-soft feel and increasing comfort for players.

This collection also sees the introduction of a revolutionary functional fabric made from wicking yarn. This technical fabric delivers thermoregulation by absorbing moisture from the body improving comfort and providing breathability. Some highlights in this fabric are the g.Exeter shirt on the sportswear trend of using marl tones, g.Hatfield uses the latest sublimation print techniques and g.Lawrence uses laser cutting and bonding technology (All RRPs: £44.85). For ladies the g.Formosa and g.Ellora shirts (Both RRPs: £49.95) deliver a striking look with the new tropical print and flattering side shaped panelling.

The g.Cuthberts (RRP: £49.95) trouser is a breakthrough men’s high performance product made from a lightweight stretch moisture wicking fabric. Silicon grip tape is used on the waist to enhance waist rotation and keep your shirt tucked in whilst the tape is used on the back pocket to keep your glove and score card in place.

Claire Woods – Head of Design, Glenmuir adds: “All of us here in Lanark, Scotland are immensely proud of Glenmuir’s heritage of crafting Scottish quality for over 125 years. The Spring Summer 2018 collection is our most forward thinking range to date which combines our expertise in golf wear with contemporary design, innovative fabrics and vibrant colours.”

About Glenmuir
Glenmuir was founded in 1891 in Lanark, Scotland and continues to thrive in the birthplace of golf. Since it’s creation the brand has been committed to creating golf and knitwear with impeccable care, skill and dedication to the craft. With a history rich in prestige the brand is retailed in luxury golf resorts globally in over thirty countries including Switzerland, France, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Australia, South Africa, Japan and Russia and is proud to have produced the European Ryder Cup Team with Shirts and Knitwear for over 30 years. Glenmuir remains a family-run business dedicated to producing the finest golfwear, developing and innovating to maintain its reputation as one of the leading golf brands in the industry.

Phuket (Thailand) – January 18 2018 (travelindex.com) – Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, February’s Thailand Yacht Show (TYS) will attract industry leaders and regional consumers alike by combining the best aspects of yacht charter, the boating industry and the maritime luxury lifestyle.

At a Press Conference in Bangkok today, Prakob Wongmaneerung, Vice Governor of Phuket, Nithee Seeprae, Executive Director of Product Promotion Department of TAT and Andy Treadwell, CEO and Founder of the Thailand Yacht Show, along with numerous officials and key business leaders, gathered to re-confirm their commitment to promoting Thailand as Asia’s premier yachting hub. Their objective is to position Thailand as a new luxury tourism destination for the world’s high-spending yachting community.

The Thailand Yacht Show is conceived to promote superyacht charter holidays, yacht tourism and on-water sporting activities in one of the world’s most beautiful yet virtually undiscovered cruising destinations, to seasoned marine tourists as well as a new, affluent but as yet uninitiated consumer audience from Asia. Unlike any other boat show in the region, TYS is conceived as a “try it and see” event which offers a truly immersive experience for newcomers, with cruises, demonstrations and yacht parties for guests to discover the lifestyle first hand.

TYS boosts Thailand’s image as an international yachting and luxury tourism hub and will attract and engage foreign direct investment, positively impacting the high-end tourism industry in the region. The economic benefits for Thailand’s businesses will include the creation of more jobs and high-end leisure infrastructure and facilities, as well as developing existing first-class natural, cultural and lifestyle assets. All tourism service sectors will achieve positive economic impact and benefits.

Says Treadwell, “Our aim is to make Phuket and Thailand the principal hub for yachting in Asia, and a new winter destination of choice for the global fleet of 5,000 superyachts which are predominantly based in the Mediterranean in the summer. Thailand’s beautiful yachting coastlines, dramatic landscapes, perfect year-round weather, and wonderful hospitality appeal to everyone, and with its excellent infrastructure, facilities, marinas and services to support at least 120 superyachts already, the country is a natural haven for nautical tourism.”

Through its partnership with the Thai government, the Thailand Yacht Show team is undertaking an international destination marketing campaign to bring yacht owners, as well as prospective charterers and buyers, to experience Thailand’s luxury maritime lifestyle first hand. Some tax and immigration issues currently remain unresolved, but Treadwell believes the government’s enthusiastic and proactive stance on eventually changing these reflects their genuine desire to get the world’s biggest superyachts coming to Thailand and the wider ASEAN region to spend their millions of tourism dollars.

Renewable energy and latest developments towards sea conservation will be another highlight during the Thailand Yacht Show. “Advances in sustainable technology in transport – the marine industry as well as the automotive sector – are creating a wave of new green products. These are quickly becoming very “current”, sought-after trends and we are going to be introducing some of the most recent trends at TYS”, says Treadwell.

BMW Thailand and Torqeedo Asia-Pacific will present their latest technology – the BMW i8, BMW i3 and the BMW iPerformance range (740Le, 530e, X5 xDrive40e and 330e) on the car side, and the Full Torqeedo electric drive system for boats. “Our showcase highlights one of the objectives and themes of this year’s Thailand Yacht Show – Sustainable Mobility. We are delighted with our progress and projects with partners such as TAT in assisting to create clean sustainable transport onto the water”, says David Hunter, Managing Director for Torqeedo Asia Pacific Ltd.

“BMW i continues to drive sustainable innovation with its futureproof technology and integrated approach. And now the high-voltage battery developed for the i3 is not only powering emissions-free mobility on the road, but on the water too. The BMW Group is supplying lithium-ion batteries to Torqeedo. The marine drive system manufacturer is using them for energy storage in its high-performance Deep Blue electric drive systems.” further adds Lars Nielsen, Sales & Marketing Director for BMW Thailand.

Thailand Yacht Show 2018
Returning to Phuket’s Ao Po Grand Marina, the third edition of the Thailand Yacht Show (TYS), will take place from 22-25 February 2018.

The lineup for the third edition will feature more of the region’s premier yachting and luxury brands – from stylish superyachts to the latest launches. Local and international visitors will have a chance to view and even try out boats and yachts presented by the country’s leading boat dealers and yacht brokers.

The extraordinary scenery of Phang Nga Bay will serve as a backdrop for electric shows, parties and social gatherings including VIP events on board yachts and floating night-clubs. The popular Demonstration Platform returns again, allowing more intrepid guests to test the latest yachting toys and accessories, and engage in diverse on-water activities.

For enquiries, please contact: info@thailandyachtshow.com or visit: www.thailandyachtshow.com

About Verventia Pte Ltd
Verventia is a global marketing platform and business catalyst, introducing suppliers, distributors, and affluent audiences to new lifestyle products and services. The company’s portfolio of events and extensive connections facilitate the integration of networks to stimulate industry growth and business development.

The dedicated efforts of its experienced team of professionals and partners, well-versed in the implementation of successful event and project management, enable them to deliver with the style, class and discretion required of the buyers and sellers we bring together in unique venues around the world.

Verventia’s current portfolio comprises the Singapore Yacht Show, the Thailand Yacht Show, the Asia Pacific Superyacht Conference, the Asia Boating Forum, the Thailand Yachting Forum, and the Singapore Collection.

For enquiries, please contact: info@verventia.com or visit: www.verventia.com
For press accreditations please register at

Victoria, Mahe (Seychelles) – January 15, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The Editorial this week speaks of the four branches of Government. The coming repayment of external debts by Seychelles. Tourism Arrival figures and transit passengers. Seychelles last week saw its three Branches of Government hosting events that were followed by a large proportion of the islands. The Speaker of the National Assembly, as Head of the Legislative Branch of Government, was hosting the 24th Commonwealth Conference of Speakers. It was President Danny Faure, the Head of the Executive Branch of Government, who Officially opened the Commonwealth Conference of Speakers. The Chief Justice of Seychelles, Mathilda Twomey, as Head of the Judiciary Branch of Government, was during the same week presiding over the re-opening ceremony of the Supreme Court.

President Danny Faure, as head of the Executive Branch, said: “Connecting Parliament with the public; engaging citizens; remaining accountable, open and transparent; and keeping the institution relevant are critical issues to discuss in the 21st Century. All arms of Government – the Executive, the Judiciary and the Legislature…need to be mindful of these responsibilities if they are to uphold our democratic tradition”.

The unofficial fourth branch of Government, the Media, is a powerful broadcaster of information, which cannot be overlooked. Their reach is exacerbated in the digital age, with news snippets readily available at the touch of a button. The Media can be a facilitator of transparency, thwarting the culture of sweeping negative news under the carpet. However, they can also be used to spread discord and to push agendas if there are no checks and balances on their power, much like every other branch of Government.

This year, Seychelles will need to repay its debts and/or external loans that are now due. We may consequently expect our island Nation to dip into its reserves. These difficult times should see tourism as an industry, the pillar of the economy, assume an even greater role of importance.

The 2017 Tourism Arrival figures were assisted heavily by Air Seychelles, with what the official statistics are listing as Transit in the Visitor Arrival figures. Some three thousand arrivals in the country are transits and counted as part of the visitor arrival figures. Many in the country would prefer to see unbeatable point-to-point offers by Air Seychelles for Seychelles. They are after all the insurance for the island’s tourism industry. Air Seychelles will be welcoming its new CEO this coming week and we wish him well.

The quote for this week is on challenges; President Nelson Mandela stated the following when he received the Freedom of the City of London award in July 1996:

“We do face major challenges, but none are as daunting as those we have already surmounted”

Encouraging Seychellois to invest in his or her own country must be the safest way forward. How to continue to do this is in itself a challenge and the country will need to relook at its “ease of doing business” records and correct the obstacles that continue to hamper its progress. Fairness in development should be guided by anti-monopoly laws to ensure everyone can be in competition if he or she so decides.

It is important to again today acknowledge all who are diligently re-posting the Saint Ange Tourism Report weekly. Our Report ranges far and wide, from Australia to the Americas, from the Indian Ocean Vanilla islands to Africa & Asian and Greater Europe, with your continued support, which is greatly appreciated. You are helping us to grow from strength to strength with each new Edition.

Phoenix, Arizona (United States) – January 15, 2018 (travelindex) – In a year marked by giving back, Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ hoteliers have committed approximately $1 million over the next five years in support of the brand’s charitable arm – Best Western for a Better World (BWBW). Portions of these funds were donated to the American Red Cross – the charity’s disaster relief partner – to aid victims in the aftermath of 2017’s powerful hurricanes and wildfires.

“Since our brand’s beginnings, Best Western hotel owners have felt a strong sense of responsibility to the communities in which they work and live,” said David Kong, President and Chief Executive Officer of Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “Our employees and hoteliers were deeply saddened by the wave of disasters that impacted the nation this year. I am inspired by the many heroes, including members of our own Best Western family, who mobilized to support first response efforts and bring hope and healing to disaster victims.”

Members of Best Western’s industry-leading loyalty program, Best Western Rewards® (BWR®), also supported disaster relief efforts this year through the donation of BWR points. As a result, Best Western contributed an additional $250,000 to the American Red Cross to bolster relief efforts associated with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. These funds were used to provide critical services to disaster victims such as meals, emergency shelter and medical assistance. “

The Red Cross relies on the generous donations of our corporate partners to fuel our first-response efforts and provide emergency relief to families and communities impacted by disaster,” said Kurt Kroemer, Chief Executive Officer of the Arizona American Red Cross. “We thank Best Western – along with its hoteliers and BWR members – for their steadfast partnership and financial support, which helps us provide rapid, on-the-ground services when they are most needed.”

In addition to disaster response, BWBW supports initiatives in the areas of education and poverty. Therefore, BWBW partnered with charity: water – a non-profit organization that provides clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations – to fund water projects in the countries of Nepal and Ethiopia. The projects, completed in the spring of this year, included the construction of water infiltration and well systems, which has brought clean drinking water and handwashing stations to local children and families.

BWBW believes in the power of education to transform lives. To this end, BWBW has formed a partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) in support of their Opening Doors to Opportunity campaign. One of the campaign’s primary focal areas is to offer scholarship opportunities to some of the hospitality industry’s brightest students. “We are dedicated to ensuring a strong and thriving hotel industry both now and in the future,” said AH&LEF Interim President Rosanna Maietta. “It’s partners like Best Western that make this critical endeavor possible, allowing us to identify and cultivate the leaders of tomorrow.”

Best Western Hotels & Resorts is committed to leaving a positive imprint on the communities it serves around the world. To make a donation in support of BWBW and its charitable initiatives, visit

About Best Western Hotels & Resorts:
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of 4,200† hotels in more than 100† countries and territories worldwide. Best Western offers 11 hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market: Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Vīb®, GLō®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, BW Premier Collection®, and BW Signature CollectionSM by Best Western; as well as its recently launched franchise offerings: SureStay® Hotel by Best Western, SureStay Plus® Hotel by Best Western and SureStay CollectionSM 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 64 percent of the brand’s North American hotels earning a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award in 2017, Business Travel News® ranking Best Western Plus and Best Western number one in upper-mid-price and mid-price hotel brands, and Best Western receiving seven consecutive Dynatrace® Best of the Web awards for its leading hotel website. 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 32 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 hotel worldwide. Best Western’s partnerships with AAA/CAA and Harley-Davidson® 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:
USA head office
Kelly Dalton
Director, Communications
602.957.5752
Kelly.Dalton@BestWestern.com

Sirimanas Maungrod
Email: sirimanas.maungrod@bestwestern.com
Orapan Sornnuwat
Email: orapan.sornnuwat@bestwestern.com

Macao (Macao SAR) – January 11, 2018 (travelindex.com) – World-renowned singer Celine Dion has announced she will bring her highly anticipated Celine Dion Live 2018 to The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena on June 29 and 30, 2018. Part of a seven-city tour across the Asia-Pacific region kicking off June 26 in Tokyo, tickets for Celine Dion Live 2018 in Macao will go on sale soon at all Cotai Ticketing box offices.

One of the most immediately recognised, widely respected and successful performers in pop music history, Celine Dion has sold almost 250 million albums during her 30-year career, earning five Grammy Awards, two Academy Awards and seven American Music Awards. In 2004 she received the Diamond award at the World Music Awards recognising her status as the best-selling female artist of all time. In 2016, the Billboard Music Awards presented her with the lifetime achievement Icon Award. Celine continues to break records with her ongoing Las Vegas residency which has seen her play over 1,000 shows to more than four million fans.

Ticketing details:
Event : Celine Dion Live 2018 in Macao
Date and Time : June 29 & 30, 2018 (Fri & Sat), 8 p.m.
Venue : Cotai Arena, The Venetian Macao

Ticket Prices:
MOP/ HKD 4,880 (VVIP)
MOP/ HKD 2,680 (VIP)
MOP/ HKD 1,680 (A Reserve)
MOP/ HKD 1,080 (B Reserve)
MOP/ HKD 680 (C Reserve)
MOP/ HKD 480 (D Reserve)

Ferry Packages: Add MOP/HKD 108 to ticket price for a round trip Cotai Water Jet ferry ticket between Hong Kong and Macao.

Ticketing Outlets:
Cotai Ticketing Box offices:
– The Parisian Macao – Main Lobby Box Office (Level 1)
– The Venetian Macao – Cotai Arena and Main Lobby box offices
– Four Seasons Hotel Macao – The Plaza™ Macao box office
– Sands® Macao – Level 1 box office
– Sands® Cotai Central – Sheraton Main Lobby and Holiday Inn Main Lobby box offices
Phone:
– Macao: +853 2882 8818
– Hong Kong: +852 6333 6660
– China toll-free: 4001 206 618

AEG Presents
AEG Presents is one of the largest live music companies in the world. The company is dedicated to all aspects of live contemporary music performances, including producing and promoting global and regional concert tours, music events and world-renowned festivals. AEG Presents promotes more than 8,000 shows annually worldwide.

Entertainment at Sands China Properties
Sands China Ltd. has as a clear vision to establish Macao as Asia’s top entertainment destination. The 15,000-seat Cotai Arena and 1,800-seat Venetian Theatre are the only venues in Asia ranked in Pollstar’s Top 100 Worldwide Arena Venues and Pollstar’s Top 200 Worldwide Theatre Venues based on ticket sales. It is the top entertainment destination in southern China, hosting the world and region’s biggest names in music, sports and awards shows. Superstars frequently choose the venue as the starting point of their Asian tours.

The 1,800-seat, multi-purpose Venetian Theatre is one of the most luxurious entertainment venues in greater China. Featuring ushers in black tie, champagne service, gourmet food and beverage items and other unique, premium amenities, it offers an intimate, luxurious and exclusive venue experience. The Venetian Theatre is playing a key role in bringing the best in international and Chinese entertainment to Macao, with a theatre experience like no other in the region.

The 650-seat Sands Theatre regularly features internationally-renowned singers, performers and artists of the highest calibre. From traditional Chinese-costumed dance to modern performances, everything from Western rock to Cantonese pop is covered.

The 1,200-seat, purpose-built Parisian Theatre is Sands China Ltd.’s latest entertainment venue. The Paris-style theatre offers an elegant experience for world-class entertainment of all kinds.

The latest addition is the impressive new Sands Cotai Theatre. With 1,700 seats, this state of the art venue was purpose built by Sands China Ltd for the arrival of the highly anticipated Monkey King – China Show from the renowned Beijing Huayan Group. Eight years in the making, the stage show combines dance, acrobatics, drama, martial arts, magic, advanced 3D effects, LED screen projections, video mapping and full surround sound, together with creative lighting effects, choreography, music and spectacular costumes.

Offering world-class diversity and quality, Sands China Ltd.’s next generation of live venues is ushering in a new era of entertainment in Macao.

Hokkaido (Japan) – January 10, 2018 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts will arrive at one of Japan’s busiest airports in 2018, with the launch of a brand new upper-midscale hotel. Scheduled to welcome its first guests in May 2018, Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Chitose is situated just 3.2km from New Chitose Airport, the main domestic and international gateway to the island of Hokkaido.

This convenient location places guests within easy reach of some of the island’s most desirable business and tourism destinations, including Sapporo, Hokkaido’s largest city and administrative center; and Niseko, the major ski resort and outdoor adventure hub.

The hotel also becomes one of the closest internationally-branded hotels to New Chitose, Japan’s fifth busiest airport. Handling more than 20 million passengers per year, this major air hub provides direct connections to and from major cities all across Asia and beyond, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur.

“With its snow-capped peaks, national parks and fresh mountain air, Hokkaido is a natural paradise for visitors – especially those from Asia’s most crowded cities. So it is no surprise that the island is welcoming a rising number of international visitors, the vast majority of whom travel through New Chitose Airport,” commented Olivier Berrivin, Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ Managing Director of International Operations – Asia.

“With the launch of Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Chitose in May 2018, we will be able to offer travelers a world-class upper-midscale hotel within easy reach of New Chitose Airport. Suited to both business and leisure travelers, including families, this exceptional new property will be ideal for guests wanting to break up their journey to and from Hokkaido, or those seeking a convenient base for their activities on the island,” Olivier added.

Best Western Plus Hotel Fino Chitose will feature a total of 154 guest rooms, including a selection of Japanese-style family rooms for up to four guests. All rooms come equipped with modern facilities including flat-screen TVs, kettles and complimentary Wi-Fi. The hotel will also feature a 24-hour front desk, daily housekeeping and laundry, supported by Best Western’s world-famous service standards.

The signing of this new hotel comes just weeks after Best Western returned to the island of Hokkaido with the launch of the 60-room Best Western Sapporo Odori-Koen in downtown Sapporo.

Hokkaido hosts a year-round calendar of events, including the famous Sapporo Snow Festival which attracts more than two million people each year. The nearby Niseko area is quickly developing a global reputation for its world-class winter sports, hot spring resorts, golf courses and other outdoor activities.

About Best Western Hotels & Resorts:
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of 4,200* hotels in more than 100* countries and territories worldwide. Best Western offers 11 hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market: Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Vīb®, GLō®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, BW Premier Collection®, and BW Signature CollectionSM by Best Western; as well as its recently launched franchise offerings: SureStay® Hotel by Best Western, SureStay Plus® Hotel by Best Western and SureStay CollectionSM 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 64 percent of the brand’s North American hotels earning a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award in 2017, Business Travel News® ranking Best Western Plus and Best Western number one in upper-mid-price and mid-price hotel brands, and Best Western receiving seven consecutive Dynatrace® Best of the Web awards for its leading hotel website. 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 32 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 hotel worldwide. Best Western’s partnerships with AAA/CAA and Harley-Davidson® 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

Luang Prabang (Laos) – January 8, 2018 (travelindex.com) – AVANI Hotels and Resorts is proud to announce the launch of its first hotel in the historic town of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Laos.

The 53-room hotel is located on a narrow peninsula at the joining of the Nam Khan and Mekong Rivers. Currently known as the Azerai Hotel, the rebrand will be completed in March 2018.

The French neo-classical architectural design resembles the style of the grand villas found in Luang Prabang. The guest rooms offer an open plan living experience with French-styled louvered wooden doors that open out to a balcony overlooking either the pool or a private courtyard. The interior design draws inspiration from its colonial French heritage, yet the design approach is modern, functional and elegant.

The Bistro serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, indoors or outdoors. The menu favours classic Bistro and Lao dishes and the upstairs bar with its street-side veranda offers the ideal perch from which to observe the daily rhythms of Luang Prabang local life.

The AVANISPA offers two single and two double treatment rooms with a communal relaxation area. AVANISPA adopts a straightforward yet individual approach to wellness. Problematic body zones will be assessed and a treatment recommended, chosen from one of four results-driven options; Boost, Balance, Calm and Purify.

AVANIFit focuses on lifestyle elements that promote a healthy body and healthy mind and the hotel’s Gym will offer a range of cardiovascular and strength equipment. Daily Yoga classes will also be offered and there is a 25m swimming pool and pool bar serving smoothies, fresh juices and shared-platters.

An outdoor, covered sixty square metre Pavilion provides a multi-use space, ideal for small wedding ceremonies, social events and casual meetings.

The hotel is situated on the doorstep of the famous night market where guests will find locally made appliqué blankets, Hmong batik fabrics, lamps, wall hangings, silver jewellery and unusual paper.

The Hotel will offer a variety of excursions including a selection of daily and overnight Mekong River cruises and a guided hike up Mount Phousi. Other excursions will include trips to waterfalls, biking, antique shopping, cooking classes and visits to the many different Buddhist temples.

“Luang Prabang has long been a bucket-listed destination for travellers throughout South East Asia with its ancient temples, beautiful French UNESCO listed architecture and stunning riverside scenery,” said VP Operations, AVANI Group Hotel Operations, Alejandro Bernabe. “Plus with the recently launch Mekong Kingdom Cruises, that offer day trips or overnight cruises to the resort from Thailand, the new hotel is a welcome addition to the AVANI brand.

Mr. Andrew Jannson has been appointed as the new General Manager of the property, joining from Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort where he held the position of Hotel Manager.

Launched in 2011, AVANI is a true lifestyle brand, imaginatively blending genuine hospitality and technology with savvy design and contemporary style. The AVANI experience is designed to satisfy important guest needs. When the AVANI Luang Prabang launches in March this year, it will be the ninth AVANI property in Southeast Asia, joining the growing portfolio in the region which already includes five properties in Thailand, two in Vietnam and one in Malaysia.

AVANI Hotels & Resorts currently operates 21 properties in Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, most recently debuting in both Australia and New Zealand. The brand has a strong pipeline of new properties under development including in new destinations such as South Korea, the Maldives, Mauritius, Tunisia and Oman.

To book your Avani Hotels in the Lung Prabang and around the world at best rates available. Pay at the hotel. Book now at HotelWorlds.com!

About AVANI Hotels & Hotels
AVANI Hotels & Hotels is the vibrant upscale brand offering relaxed comfort and contemporary style in city and hotel destinations, AVANI was launched in response to an increasingly influential group of discerning travellers who appreciate stylish design and excellent service, but also demand great value. The brand currently has 21 properties in operation in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Seychelles, Mozambique, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, the United Arab Emirates and Portugal, with a pipeline of further openings in Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Middle East. MH has plans to grow the brand across Asia, the Indian Ocean and the Middle East.

Bangkok (Thailand) – January 5, 2018 (travelindex) – There’s nothing like a luxurious stay at The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok to nourish the love a close couple shares. With a “Luxury Romance” package in particular, it’s got all the ingredients of a relationship-defining experience long remembered.

Spend two or more nights together indulged with champagne and flowers on arrival, breakfast in bed for two persons, Club Access and High Speed Internet.

Choose from Royal Club Room, Royal Club Prestige, Athenee Suite, and Royal Club Suite. Prices start from THB 7,200++ per room per night*, anytime from now until 31 March 2018.

There’s so much to see, do and savor. Located on a leafy boulevard, The Athenee is very handy for all the dynamic pursuits offered by Bangkok. Within walking distance is the luxurious Central Embassy Mall and a short hop beyond are many more glittering malls and unlimited entertainments.

That’s if you feel inclined to leave one of Bangkok’s most beautiful and best equipped hotels. Taking its design cues from the princess who once lived where the hotel now stands, a stay at The Athenee is like travelling to a more elegant epoch when there was plenty of time for life’s little pleasures.

From the rooftop pool garden to the supreme sanctuary of the award-winning spa, and from gourmet dining to world cuisines and a starring bar, every element conspires to strengthen the bonds of love.

– Terms & Conditions apply.

For more information or to make a reservation, please contact +66 2 650 8800 or
e-mail us at reservations.theathenee@luxurycollection.com

About The Luxury Collection Hotels & Resorts
The Luxury Collection®, part of Marriott International, Inc., is comprised of world-renowned hotels and resorts offering unique, authentic experiences that evoke lasting, treasured memories. For the global explorer, The Luxury Collection offers a gateway to the world’s most exciting and desirable destinations. Each hotel and resort is a unique and cherished expression of its location; a portal to the destination’s indigenous charms and treasures. Originated in 1906 under the CIGA® brand as a collection of Europe’s most celebrated and iconic properties, today The Luxury Collection brand is a glittering ensemble, recently surpassing 100 of the world’s finest hotels and resorts in more than 30 countries and territories. All of these hotels, many of them centuries old, are internationally recognized as being among the world’s finest. For more information and new openings, visit theluxurycollection.com or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. The Luxury Collection is proud to participate in the industry’s award-winning loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®. Members can now link accounts with Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® at members.marriott.com for instant elite status matching and unlimited points transfer.

Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of more than 6,200 properties in 30 leading hotel brands spanning 125 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company also operates award-winning loyalty programs: Marriott Rewards®, which includes The Ritz-Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest®. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram.

Contact information:
Virinya Maytheepattanachat, Director of Marketing Communications
Email: virinya.maytheepattanachat@luxurycollection.com
Tel: +66 2 650 8800 ext. 4047
Tipawan Jitman, Marketing Communications Manager
Email: tipawan.jitman@luxurycollection.com
Tel: +66 2 650 8800 ext. 6243
Jidapa Chantavilas, Marketing Communications Coordinator
Email: pr.theathenee@luxurycollection.com
Tel: +66 2 650 8800 ext. 6205

Bangkok (Thailand) – January 5, 2017 (by Bernard A. Metzger) – For those who seek a transcendent experience, a selection of river cruises replete with the colonial romance of river travel but with a modern twist and bespoke itinerariesis set to be launched. Mekong Kingdoms cruises recreates and elevates the concept of river travel with their fleet of five vessels where guests can enjoy first-class services from gourmet meals to plush cabins with unique, curated experiences both aboard and ashore along the way.

Cruising along the mighty Mekong River from Thailand’s Golden Triangle to the ancient Lao capital and now UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang, conjures up images of old Indochina, of languorous days gone by, teeming with river adventure, mystical temples and stunning untouched scenery. Mekong Kingdoms boats offers a new way of river travel with a sense of playfulness and discovery that leaves guests with a truly unique and unforgettable travel experience.

Travellers can join Mekong Kingdoms’ flagship ‘Bohème’, a 42-metre, 13 cabin luxury barge at Luang Prabang or Chiang Khong located near Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort. Decorated with intricate Indochinese-inspired artwork and fitted with sumptuously comfortable furnishings from bow to stern, ‘Bohème’ spoils with phenomenal facilities including an expansive sun deck, wine cellar, and spa.

The journey from Chiang Rai/Chiang Khong to Luang Prabang is two nights as it heads downstream. The upstream cruise takes three nights. Voyagers will be captivated by the languid river lifestyle, soaking in nature’s wonders along the Mekong River Valley, marvelling at encounters with fascinating local cultures.

Itineraries include guided jungle treks, a visit to the Pak Ou caves – with its awesome limestone karst formations, these two caves have been gifted thousands of Buddha images, left by pilgrims over the centuries. Guests can make a friend in the Hmong Village at Pak Beng or be taught traditional weaving at Ban Baw and further discover rural Laos by mountain biking in the stunning village of Ban Houy Phalam.

Even while cruising along the placid waters, guests have a range of diversions onboard. Sunrise yoga, Buddhist meditation, sunset cocktails, cooking demonstrations, jewellery making classes, fishing for giant catfish – there is a wide range of activities to while away the time. Then there’s always gazing at the lush scenery as the boat glides by.

For those desiring a more intimate private cruise, personalised to their tastes, there is ‘Gypsy’ an ultra-exclusive two-cabin cruiser perfect for one or more nights along the Mekong for up to four passengers, Mekong Kingdoms can customise almost every aspect of the itinerary and journey to suit guest’s travel needs.

For shorter day trips in complete privacy, ‘Nomad’ provides couples with an exclusive romantic getaway for sunset cruises in Luang Prabang. ‘Play’ is a floating lounge ideal of private events or family adventure; suitable for up to 15 passengers with sundeck, private room, and a sound system. ‘Monsoon’ is a scheduled touring shuttle to the Pak Ou caves with canapés, coffee, tea and soft drinks, offering a lavish option to visit the sacred site.

“Our guests are travellers who desire not just a unique travel experience, but one that enhances the ambiance of the destinations,” explains Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotels, “Mekong Kingdoms cruises harken back to the days when the journey is savoured as much as the destination.”

Mekong Kingdoms cruises joins Minor Hotels’ existing fleet of Manohra Dining Cruises in Bangkok and Anantara Overnight Cruises that sail from Bangkok to Thailand’s ancient capital of Ayutthaya.

Phuket (Thailand) – January 4, 2018 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts organized an exclusive media familiarization trip to Phuket this month, inviting a series of influential and up-and-coming bloggers to the island for an action-packed three-day itinerary.

Two famous bloggers and one journalist from Travel & Lifestyle’s publications, plus the winners of a Facebook Live contest organized by KTC and Chillpainai, were invited to Phuket from December 14-16, 2017. They were joined by members of Best Western Asia’s marketing team.

Staying at two hotels, the media delegates were able to experience Best Western’s different and distinct products in Phuket. Best Western Patong Beach is a modern midscale city hotel located in the main tourist hub of Patong, while Best Western Premier Bangtao Beach Resort & Spa provides an upscale beach resort experience on the island’s idyllic west coast.

Activities on the fam trip itinerary included a tour of Phuket Town, with its classical Sino-Portuguese architecture, local food tasting sessions and a trip to Mai Ton Island, an exquisite tropical paradise located just off Phuket’s east coast.

The media delegates were also provided with an introduction to Best Western Rewards®, the company’s award-winning guest loyalty program.

“Phuket is one of the world’s most popular resort destinations, attracting an ever-increasing number of domestic and international visitors to its pristine shores every year. But there is more to Phuket than just sun, sea and sand; our immersive fam trip was designed to introduce our media friends to the cultural experiences that make Phuket such a fascination destination,” said Olivier Berrivin, Best Western’s Managing Director of International Operations – Asia.

“Best Western offers an excellent choice of hotels in Phuket which are suitable for all types of traveler, from couples seeking a romantic beachfront break to groups of friends and families who want to be in the heart of the action. This media fam trip will help to spread the word about this enchanting island and the many activities and attractions it has to offer visitors,” Olivier added.

The fam trip forms part of Best Western’s continued efforts to engage with the media and travel trade in Asia, for the benefit of the entire travel industry.

Journalists, bloggers and other members of the media who wish to experience Best Western’s hotels and resorts in Asia can contact us at Marketing Communications Department Tel: +66 2 656 1260 or sirimanas.maungrod@bestwestern.com and orapan.sornnuwat@bestwestern.com.

About Best Western Hotels & Resorts
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of 4,200* hotels in more than 100* countries and territories worldwide. Best Western offers 11 hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market: Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Vīb®, GLō®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, BW Premier Collection®, and BW Signature CollectionSM by Best Western; as well as its recently launched franchise offerings: SureStay® Hotel by Best Western, SureStay Plus® Hotel by Best Western and SureStay CollectionSM 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 64 percent of the brand’s North American hotels earning a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award in 2017, Business Travel News® ranking Best Western Plus and Best Western number one in upper-mid-price and mid-price hotel brands, and Best Western receiving seven consecutive Dynatrace® Best of the Web awards for its leading hotel website. 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 32 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 hotel worldwide. Best Western’s partnerships with AAA/CAA and Harley-Davidson® 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