Fares Island Resort for Avani Debut in Maldives

Fares Island Resort for Avani Debut in Maldives

Fares Island, Baa Atoll (Maldives) – August 24, 2017 (travelindex.com) – AVANI Hotels & Resorts is thrilled to announce the development of its first resort in the Maldives. AVANI Fares Maldives Resort will be located on Fares Island in the Baa Atoll and is scheduled to open in Q4 2019. Ideal for millennial minded travellers, this untouched, private 12.4 hectare island will provide a natural playground surrounded by a soft white sandy beach and every colour of blue imaginable.

This USD 70-million resort development is a joint venture partnership between Minor Hotels and Cyprea Group. Cyprea Group’s diversified Sri Lanka and Maldives business portfolio includes ownership and operation of Club Med Kani Maldives Resort located in North Male’ Atoll.

Alejandro Bernabe, Group Director AVANI Hotels & Resorts said: “The AVANI design philosophy is interestingly relaxed and contemporary and in tune with the environment of this development, using natural textures, colours and materials that reflect the location whilst incorporating advanced technology and modern conveniences.”

The new upscale AVANI Fares Maldives Resort will comprise 200 guest rooms, including standard rooms and a selection of villas. Every attention will be given to wellbeing. The décor will be a blend of comfort and modernity, soothing materials, textures and hightech equipment such as complimentary WiFi, media hub docking station and 40-inch flat screen TV.

On arrival guests will immediately be welcomed by an arresting view of the Indian Ocean from the open plan lobby. This communal living space will blend reception, lounge, meeting space, all day restaurant and The Pantry, an AVANI hallmark, will serve a mix of comfort food and artisanal deli snacks around the clock.

The resort will also feature a speciality restaurant, AVANISPA, AVANI Kids Club and a large communal swimming pool and pool bar. The nearby Ahivahfushi Beyru dive site offers amazing reef diving with a plethora of sea life including Hawksbill Turtles, Reef Sharks and Manta Rays. It’s an underwater Eden for snorkellers and scuba enthusiasts.

The resort’s secluded northern location is easily accessible and is 45 minutes by sea plane from Male and 30 minutes by speedboat from the newly opened domestic airport on Baa Atoll.

“The Maldives is the ultimate beach destination in the world and we are excited to deliver an alternative hospitality offering in the region. AVANI is a true lifestyle brand. Imaginatively blending genuine hospitality and modernity with savvy design and contemporary style. The AVANI experience is designed to satisfy important guests’ needs,” said Bernabe.

AVANI Hotels & Resorts was launched in 2011 as a sister brand to Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, which currently has three resorts in the Maldives, including Anantara Kihavah which is also located in the Baa Atoll . Offering all the details that matter, AVANI blends genuine hospitality and modern lifestyle features with a passion for design. The brand already has a presence in the Indian Ocean with two resorts in Sri Lanka and one in the Seychelles.

About AVANI Hotels & Resorts
AVANI Hotels & Resorts is the vibrant upscale brand from Minor Hotels. Offering relaxed comfort and contemporary style in city and resort 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 18 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.

For enquiries, please contact:
Jane Warburton
Director of PR & Communications – AVANI Hotels & Resorts
Natasha Rhymes
Group Director PR & Communications, Minor Hotels

Terror Attack Perpetrated in Barcelona Condemned By UNWTO

Terror Attack Perpetrated in Barcelona Condemned By UNWTO

Barcelona (Spain) – August 19, 2017 (travelindex.com) – UNWTO strongly condemns the heinous attack perpetrated yesterday in the city of Barcelona and expresses its heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the innocent victims and to the people and government of Spain.

“We are deeply saddened by this act of terror and the tragic loss of innocent lives. In these difficult times, our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims” said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. “This is again a cowardly attack against all of us and a strong reminder that we need to be united, as an international community, in fighting these forces of darkness and all acts of terror”, he added expressing UNWTO’s full solidarity with Spain, headquarters of UNWTO, and its people.

Contacts:
UNWTO Media Officer
Rut Gomez Sobrino
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100
Fax: +34 91 567 8218

What Asia Pacific Travellers Want by Amadeus

What Asia Pacific Travellers Want by Amadeus

Singapore (Singapore) – August 17, 2017 (travelindex.com) – Asia Pacific today sits at the heart of the global travel industry. It’s already the world’s largest travel market, even though the vast majority of its population have never crossed their country’s borders. Consider that in China, the world’s leading outbound market, less than 9% of its population owns a passport.

This makes the Asia Pacific traveller a force to be reckoned with – one that presents the greatest opportunity for the travel industry, but also many challenges.

According to Albert Pozo, President of Amadeus Asia Pacific, “Travellers are the bedrock of travel, and there is no traveller today quite as important as the Asia Pacific traveller. Yet the irony is that even as we talk about the ‘Asia Pacific traveller’ – it doesn’t exist. The diversity we see across nationalities, gender and generation in this region is astounding. More than that, our research has showed us that the preferences, behaviours and demands of travellers vary enormously from one country to another. The industry must come to grips with this. The one-size-fits-all approach is a thing of the past.”

Amadeus today publishes a new Asia Pacific traveller study, “Journey of Me Insights: What Asia Pacific travellers want” that will move the industry towards a closer understanding of travellers in the region. From when and how travellers plan and book their trips, to how and why they want to stay connected while travelling, to how frequently they use sharing economy services, and the types of new technologies they would be most interested in, the study takes a multi-faceted look at what Asia Pacific travellers want. The findings unveiled four themes for travel providers to focus on:

The personalisation-privacy paradox – 64% of Asia Pacific travellers interviewed are open to sharing personal data for more relevant offers and personalised experiences. But anomalies exist. While Indonesians (80%) and Taiwanese (78%) are largely open to sharing their personal information, Japanese travellers are not – with 69% of them indicating they were not open to sharing their data with travel providers. The mandate for travel providers is clear – personalisation must be carefully balanced against rising privacy concerns. Some boundaries must be maintained and at all times travel providers must respect and protect personal data and the need for privacy. And above and beyond adhering to legislation, travel players must be able to articulate ‘what’s the value?’ to get travellers to share their data.

Get real: Recommendations they can trust – Travellers take their lead from other travellers. Inspiration is the doorway to opportunity for travel providers, but authenticity is the key to unlocking it. Rather than the glossy pictures of travel brochures or the carefully curated Instagram feeds of celebrities, Asia Pacific travellers seek what’s genuine, and turn to their fellow travellers for inspiration. The research found that online booking sites, travel review sites, along with word of mouth, have the largest influence on Asia Pacific travellers’ trip planning. These were also ranked as the top three sources from which Asia Pacific travellers have received relevant travel recommendations.

The right content, through the right channel, at the right time – In the world of travel, every engagement point matters. Beyond personalisation, connecting with travellers in a timely and intuitive manner is equally important. The good news is that the vast majority of travellers would be interested in receiving travel recommendations from the moment they consider a trip all the way up to while they are on the trip. But what recommendations they want, and how they want to receive it varies by country. Recommendations that help them save money was the top choice for Malaysian travellers, while Vietnamese travellers prefer recommendations that help ensure their safety. In terms of channels, 62% and 70% of Australian and New Zealand travellers respectively prefer to receive updates and recommendations about their trip through e-mail, while Chinese travellers on the other hand, are most likely to prefer to be contacted via messaging services like WeChat (41%). Interestingly, almost half of all Thai travellers would want to be contacted through social media.

There are many Asias within Asia – The most dominant observation from the study is that there is no consistent profile for the Asia Pacific traveller. Stark contrasts in behaviours, needs and preferences were observed across all geographic and demographic lines. For example, while 70% of Japanese travellers have never used a sharing economy service for trip accommodation, almost half of all Indian travellers say they do so ‘often’ and ‘very often’. Separately, while 84% of Singaporean travellers think it’s important to find service staff at the destination that speak a language they understand, only 4% of Hong Kong travellers think the same.

Pozo added, “At Amadeus we believe that the travel industry can only thrive if we put the traveller at the centre of everything we do. The first step to doing so is to better understand who our travellers are, and what they want. This is no mean feat. Traveller expectations are a moving target, and we must keep pace. That’s why we continue to invest in research like the Amadeus Journey of Me Insights, so that we can help our customers and partners shape a future of travel that travellers want.”

Journey of Me Insights: What Asia Pacific travellers want was conducted in collaboration with YouGov across 14 markets in Asia Pacific including Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

All figures, unless otherwise stated, were provided by YouGov. Total sample size was 6,870 adults across Asia Pacific who have travelled internationally in the last 12 months. Fieldwork was undertaken between 8th and 17th May 2017. The survey was carried out online.

Hotel Tech Conference On The Implementation Of Latest Tech In Hotel Industry

Hotel Tech Conference On The Implementation Of Latest Tech In Hotel Industry

Hong Kong – August 15, 2017 (travelindex.com) – Hotel Technology Conference, organized by powerhouse conference producer Questex Hospitality Group, announces its return to Hong Kong on 7 Sep 2017 at The Mira Hong Kong. Every year, over 120 hotel IT leaders make Hotel Tech their preferred platform for peer sharing, innovation, and planning purposes. Specialized experts and delegates from across the region gather to exchange insights on the adoption of technologies in the hotel industry. This year’s conference focuses on impending revolution of guest experiences, with featured topics spanning from voice-activated guestrooms to guest check-ins, from new generation Wi-Fi to biometrics and facial recognition, and from augmented reality to artificial intelligence – all of which make this year’s Hotel Tech worthwhile to attend.

Hotel Tech provides hoteliers a neutral stage to strategize and plan for the near future, and gain the necessary know-hows for implementing the technologies that could be disrupting the hotel experiences in years ahead.

Senior hotel executives, IT leaders, leading technology suppliers, consultants and trend strategists will also have the opportunities to have network with well-rounded hoteliers with Hotel Tech’s co-location with Hotel Management Asia Summit, a thought leadership forum for Hotel General Managers and operation/ Finance/HR/S&M heads.

About Questex Hospitality Group
The Questex Hospitality + Travel Group of Questex LLC serves the worldwide hospitality, travel and related industries that together contribute over $6 trillion to the global gross domestic product. Through an innovative platform of targeted solutions, the group serves the sector’s entire ecosystem, from tourism and hotel development and investment to hotel design, purchasing, management and operations.

The Questex Hospitality + Travel Group supports every B2B segment of the industry, from investment and development to management operations, sales and marketing of hospitality and travel products to destination development and marketing, via proven demand generation, learning, loyalty and rewards solutions as well as a network of live events.

This division of Questex is aligned around three broad market segments – hospitality, travel, and meetings – and supported by its digital media staff.

For further information, please contact:
Jefferson Mendoza
Marketing Executive
Questex Hospitality + Travel
Tel: +852 2589 1331
E-mail: jmendoza@questexasia.com
Website: www.questexevents.net/hoteltechhk

Alain St Ange on World Bank’s First Country Diagnostic on Seychelles

Alain St Ange on World Bank’s First Country Diagnostic on Seychelles

Victoria, Mahe (Seychelles) – August 15, 2017 (travelindex.com) – The World Bank has issued its first Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD) on Seychelles. The report says that the challenge now for Seychelles is to sustain its growth by raising productivity. Raising productivity in a country so dependent on tourism is to ensure that the island’s tourism industry is consolidated for the long term. Many Seychellois have invested their life savings into tourism and they need the security for their investments. Others are employed in this industry and they are breadwinners for their families.

The World Bank issued its first Systematic Country Diagnostic (SCD) on Seychelles on 2nd August 2017. Its findings will inform the World Bank’s operational work in the country and contribute to public debate, including as an input to the currently ongoing new national development planning process.

According to the SCD, Seychelles’ economic growth performance has been strong, both over the long term and recently, and employment rates are high. However, as this analysis demonstrates, that growth has been driven mainly by factor accumulation. Although Seychelles is considered to have a high-income economy, our challenge now is to sustain growth by raising productivity.

“While absolute poverty levels in Seychelles are low, inequality is significant,” said Alex Sienaert, Senior Country Economist and the report’s main author, “Increasing Seychellois’ direct participation in an increasingly skills-intensive, sophisticated economy is the paramount challenge for the country’s social sectors.”

The report indicates the need for a development model that fosters strong economic inclusion. In Seychelles, the labour market is increasingly rewarding workers with scarce technical and job-relevant skills. The pressure is on for the education system to equip graduates with the tools they need to reap the benefits of the growing opportunities offered by the Seychelles’ increasingly sophisticated economy. Additionally, social spending is already at generous levels, and needs to be better targeted, to shore up the sustainability of this spending, boost its impact on protecting the vulnerable and empower Seychellois to get high quality jobs.

The report also suggests that increasing state performance is another of the key challenges facing Seychelles today. A high-performing economy requires a public sector that is efficient enough to deliver high quality public services, agile enough to respond to emerging priorities, and small enough not to divert scarce financial and human resources away from the private sector.

The report adds that Seychelles has made much progress on this front and can build on this further to position government and the state-owned enterprises to support a high-performing, high participation economy.

It is to be recalled that this report follows recent insights shared by Maliki Jivan in ‘Today’ Newspaper, where she proposed a series of measures to sustain growth by raising productivity, including a commitment to business, to stimulate FDIs, to encourage FOREX earning businesses and exports, and for Government to be a facilitator of business.

The time to move ahead and look at the tourism and hospitality operators is now. We can restate what has been said over and over again –
“Seychelles businesses are not competing among themselves. They have to be seen as the preferred holiday in advertised tourism publications. Our Seychelles packages need to be noticed and the businesses need to be able to afford to be remain visible.”

Original Document at />
release/2017/08/02/world-bank-systematic-country-diagnostic-on-seychelles-meeting-the-productivity-participation-and-performance-challenge

Exciting new Excursion to Cousine Island

An up-close encounter with nesting seabirds, endemic bird species, giant land tortoises, and depending on the season, a nesting sea turtle — these are what conservation lovers are being invited to discover by visiting the small Seychelles’ island of Cousine.

Located some eight kilometres off the west coast of Praslin — the Seychelles’ second most inhabited island — Cousine is now offering day visits for small groups. The new excursion experience on the secluded island, also home to a small boutique hotel, is open to both Seychellois and tourists.

Describing what the excursion has to offer, the Guest Relations Manager on Cousine Island, Michelle Pretorius, said visitors would be welcomed by the conservation team upon arrival, who will brief them on the island’s conservation programme.

The visitors would then be taken on a guided tour of the island’s plateau to encounter and learn about the various species that call Cousine their home, while all precautions are taken to minimize any disturbances to the wildlife.

“To minimize any disturbance to the wildlife and guests on the island we can accommodate up to a maximum of six visitors per day,” Mrs Pretorius said.
The visit takes around 5 hours, including a three-course lunch and time for the visitors to relax and enjoy the scenery, including the clear azure waters surrounding the island.

“As we are a conservation island with strict invasive species protocol we only allow our boat to beach the island. We therefore can collect visitors from Praslin or we can arrange a helicopter transfer both at an additional rate,” said Mrs Pretorius.

Cousine spans 25 hectares in size, 1.4 kilometres in length and 800 metres in width. Although small in size the island has a big heart for conservation.

Rich in natural habitat, it boasts an array of endemic vegetation, which creates the perfect habitat for land, sea and migratory bird species that call the island their home. Nesting sea birds that can be found on the island include the white-tailed tropic birds and fairy terns.

A thriving population of 40 Seychelles Magpie Robin, listed as endangered on the IUCN Red list of Threatened species due to its small population, can also be found on Cousine.

Visitors can also expect to meet one of the 80 giant Aldabra tortoises roaming around freely on the island. And if one is lucky to be on the island during the nesting season, the unique sight of a Hawksbill turtle laying its eggs on the beach will come as a special treat.

Aside of the newly introduced day visits, Cousine also has the capacity to welcome an intimate compliment of up to 12 adults & 6 children at its small boutique hotel, which underwent major renovations in 2011, reopening in April 2016.

The hotel boasts 4 luxury villas and a new stately Presidential villa that have been built to blend in well with the island’s lush tropical vegetation.

“The Seychelles tourism industry needs new attractions and tours for its visitors. The yield from tourism will only increase when there is more to do. Congratulations to Cousine Island for being proactive and coming up with this new excursion for visitors to Seychelles”- Alain St.Ange

Changing the face of Entertainment in the Seychelles

There are many reasons to go to the Seychelles today, but quality entertainment venues with class and style have until recently not been one of them.
The Seychelles; tropical green islands set in the sparkling turquoise blue waters of the Indian Ocean, welcome the traveller to discover this country often styled as “unique by a thousand miles” – where the houses hug the lower slopes of majestic mountains smothered in green velvet, the dark forest broken by spectacular granite outcrops and where the white beaches fuse into the turquoise seas. These beaches are the glory of the Seychelles and each beach has its distinct character.

Mahé is the main island of the Seychelles and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and impressive islands in the world, with most of the population of the Seychelles concentrated in the north around the capital, Victoria. Away from the bustling little capital and its business and hotels, there is extraordinary beauty to be found along the coast of Mahé, particularly in the south and over the mountains to the west.

Come to the Seychelles for a romantic vacation, come to stay in a world-class resort, come to dive in crystal-clear waters, come for the deep-sea fishing, come to chill out under a palm tree on a natural beach, come to drink a rum punch by the poolside, come to get a taste of Creole culture and cuisine – these are daytime activities, so what do you do in the evening if you want to get away from your hotel?

There are of course a few entertainment venues open in the Seychelles, but these, even though some are located in major hotels, are in general merely a minor part of the hotels’ entertainment offers, with no attraction for the more sophisticated person who might be drawn to come to the Seychelles to stay in one of the exquisite luxury resorts.

There has always been the demand to have a quality entertainment offer that will match the expectations of the tourists, and new and repeat visitors who love the Seychelles for its tropical uniqueness but who expect to have access to a quality night life experience which lacks in the Seychelles, especially on the South coast of Mahé. Now there is something new.

To find this new and exciting place, take a 20-minute drive from Victoria over the mountains to the southwest coast of Mahé, to Petit Anse, where the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles is located. Situated on a lush hillside, it is the perfect setting, with inspired tropical villas verdant with mango, jackfruit and coconut trees, cascading down towards sugary white sands. Here, right next to the Four Seasons Resort, is the first of the new style entertainment experiences – the Club Liberté.

The operators of the Club Liberté are determined that this venue will be that which “changes the face of entertainment in the Seychelles”. With a combination of contemporary and tropical influences, the Club Liberté resembles a colonial plantation house, and the plantation house “spirit” is there as soon as the door opens into the luxurious interior. The Club Liberté is not big, but it raises the bar of the Seychelles entertainment offer to new heights.

The unique offer in the Club Liberté is the Sushi Bar, which is food as entertainment. Be ready to be dazzled by the skills of the sushi chef as he prepares your order right in front of you. Everything is made to order as you wait. This is probably with little doubt the best sushi in the Seychelles.

There is a quality restaurant offer, offering a small but tantalizing menu, influenced by rich and vibrant Creole cuisine or international classics. When you want your food fast but don’t want fast food, check out the restaurant for appetising light bites. The chef utilises the very best of Seychelles produce to prepare a creative and innovative cuisine with tropical accents. The restaurant stays open until late to satisfy those early morning cravings.

Or you can just sink into a comfy chair as you enjoy a coffee or try one of the exotic cocktails prepared by the renowned cocktail barman. Relax with a beer and a snack and watch the world’s leading sporting events with live and recorded action on the big screens, or where cocktails and snacks can be savoured anytime you wish, while watching the entertainment shows. Live music and theme nights, themed to different international as well as local events are designed to attract a wide range of guests.

The Club Liberté is the place to be for entertainment and dining. This is a world-class entertainment venue, ideal for a night out, boasting unrivalled food outlets and bars, and entertainment. Experience all that’s new at the Club Liberté.

Saudia launches its flights to Mauritius in September

Saudi Arabia Airlines (Saudia) has announced the launch of its three-times-weekly flights to Mauritius on the 14th September 2017. The flights will leave Riyadh with a one-hour stop in Jeddah before heading to Mauritius. These will be operated with a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner with a total capacity of 298 seats, of which 24 in Business Class. Mauritius is the third new destination for the company this year, and the 87th overall.

Giant Migrations through the Seychelles

With the South-East monsoon in full swing in the Seychelles, activities such as boating, charter fishing, diving and snorkeling are not quite favorable for the tourists wanting to experience the best that Seychelles has to offer. On the other hand, the windy season also brings with it humpback whales.

The Humpback whales make their long and arduous annual migration from the cold Southern Waters of the Antarctic, which is also their winter feeding grounds, to the warm waters around the equator. Interestingly, humpback whales show high site fidelity, and Seychelles is lucky to be one of these common spots which they frequent. The humpback whales come to the tropics to give birth. There are many theories for their northward migration but still remains inconclusive to researchers. One hypothesis suggests that they use the tropics as refuge from killer whale predation of their calves. Another is that the calves benefit from thermoregulation being in warmer waters.

Normally, most sightings of humpbacks around the Seychelles occur around the Aldabra atoll and the Outer islands. The Aldabra team has had 23 sightings in July alone with the whales seen to be moving northwards. The team took advantage of a rare calm Sunday to dive along an adult female and her calf. They described the experience as overwhelming, thrilling and quite emotional. They released the following video on social media to share with the world their indescribable encounter.

Although, one will need to venture to the Outer Islands of Seychelles for the best chance of encountering these gentle giants, locals and visitors on Cerf Island had an unexpected encounter. They witnessed a humpback swimming from between St. Anne and Mahe, coming across to a mere 100 metres from shore. The whale was then seen passing Ile Cachée before it headed out to the open sea just before the airport on Mahe. This is indeed a rare occurrence, and it remains a mystery as to why the whale came so close.

Humpback whales are not the only giants that use Seychelles as a hub during the South-East Monsoon. The windy season also brings with it whale sharks. Seeing a whale shark, or even swimming with one, remains one of the most ultimate bucket list experiences by travelers. There are only a handful of destinations around the world where in-season sightings of whale sharks are almost guaranteed, and Seychelles remains one of these destinations. In fact, some of the earliest scientific whale shark records came from the Seychelles. Whale sharks can be seen throughout the Inner Seychelles Islands from July right till the end of October, with common occurrences around Cocos Marine National Park, Curieuse Island, Baie Ternay Marine National Park etc. Although most of the sightings occur off the southern tip of Mahe Island. Article contributed by Ameer Ebrahim, Environmental Consultant

Seychelles to welcome the Four Seasons Private Jet

Seychelles will once again be welcoming the Four Seasons Private jet in October next year as part of its new 2018 ‘World of Adventures’ private jet experience.
The Four Seasons Private jet landed in the Indian Ocean archipelago for the first time in November 2016 as part of its ‘Cultural Escape’ tour.
For the 2018 expedition, guests joining the hotel industry’s first fully-branded private jet, will be spending three weeks touring countries across multiple continents.

Starting off in Seattle on October 19, they will travel to Kyoto, Bali, Seychelles, Rwanda, Marrakech, Bogotá, and the Galápagos Islands before their voyage comes to an end in Orlando on November 11.

In Seychelles, guests of the Four Seasons Private Jet will spend three days at the Four Seasons Resort Seychelles located at Baie Lazare, in the south of Mahé, the main island. The General Manager of Four Seasons Resort Seychelles Adrian Messerli said: “Seychelles is a true island paradise – remote and untouched, yet experienced with all the luxurious comfort and caring service of Four Seasons.”

“We can’t wait to welcome Four Seasons Private Jet guests for three memorable days,” he added.

A packed schedule has been designed to allow the visitors to explore the wonders of the island destination – both on land and at sea. They will be able to choose among snorkelling trips, day tour around Mahé, visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site of Vallee de Mai on Praslin where grows the legendary coco de mer – the biggest nut in the world – and having a relaxing time at the beach.

A special evening featuring a creole-style dinner on the beach accompanied by locally made island rum and traditional music performances is also planned for the whole group.

Launched in 2015, the Four Seasons Private Jet, which carries up to 52 guests, is a culmination of a vision to deliver a fully immersive Four Seasons Private Jet Experience both in the air and on the ground.

Each journey includes air travel aboard the Private Jet, ground transportation, planned excursions, all meals and beverages throughout the trip and luxurious accommodations at Four Seasons hotels and resorts.

The Four Seasons Jet itinerary prices for the new 2018 world of adventures experience begin at $138,000.

Madagascar airports to undergo major revamp

Madagascar airports are all set for improvement and expansion with the help of the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund (EAIF). The $245m project is expected to create opportunities and promote changes across the continent.

The upgrade construction work is ongoing on the runways, passenger terminal facilities and related infrastructure of the Ivato international airport in Antananarivo and the Fascene international airport in Nosy Be.

EAIF Chairman David White commented that the Madagascar airports projects represent a step change for the country’s economic development drive. He also referred to the same as important employers in their own right and promoters of growth.

Investec Asset Management (IAM), is one of the largest third-party investors in private equity, credit, public equity and sovereign debt across the African continent and manages EAIF. EAIF is a member of the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG).

Additionally, four international development banks have come together to support the growing projects. The four include the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC), Proparco Economic Cooperation (PPP), the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).

Mauritius-Eclectic retro-chic meets barefoot luxury

A completely reimagined luxury resort in Mauritius-Eclectic retro-chic meets barefoot luxury. With innovation at their core, LUX* has done it again. This December, they will unveil a fresh new perspective on Mauritius with a reimagined resort unlike anything else on the island. A pioneering vision from designer Kelly Hoppen delivers a lifestyle that is effortlessly sophisticated, yet blissfully informal.

Amidst lush tropical gardens, LUX* Grand Gaube is enveloped by undulating coves, the calmest of lagoons and is blessed with two tranquil beaches and three spectacular swimming pools.

From generously proportioned rooms with balconies or terraces, to romantic junior suites and showstopper villas with private pools and gardens – all come complete with Indian Ocean vistas and the legendary LUX* hospitality.

As a true destination resort, they also spoil you with space. There is an abundance of places to relax or refuel and extensive sports and wellness facilities featuring a sensational new spa, fitness, tennis academy, golf and water sports. To tempt you from your lounger they also invite you to join them at inspirational classes and expert-led workshops.

About Saint Ange Consultancy
Alain St. Ange, tourism Consultant for the Saint Ange Consultancy. Former Seychelles Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine. Founder and former President of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands. Former Seychelles Candidate for the position of Secretary-General of the UNWTO. Email:
alain@saintange.com.au

Thailand Live Gastronomy, Gateway to Thai Tourist Destinations

Thailand Live Gastronomy, Gateway to Thai Tourist Destinations

Bangkok (Thailand) – August 17, 2017 (travelindex) – Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with Siam Square would like to invite you to “THAILAND LIVE GASTRONOMY” Flavors to the world. Let the creative culture of Thai food be the gateway to all the tourist destinations in Thailand. The event will be held on August 25-27, 2017 from 11.00-21.00 at the center of Siam Square, Bangkok.

TAT would like to invite you to “THAILAND LIVE GASTRONOMY” Flavors to the world on 25-27 August 2017 from 11.00 to 21.00 at the center of Siam Square, Bangkok.

During the event, enjoy many activities in the following zones such as

  • The Original Zone, a selection of delicious foods more than 30
  • Food Street, a selection of delicious street foods from the 7 famous street in Bangkok more than 47 booths.
  • Seafood, a selection of fresh seafood from Southern Fishermen’s village more than 6 booths
  • Thailand Signature, consists of Thailand’s signature dishes, Tom Yum Goong, Pad Thai, Som Tam, Curry (Green Curry, Massaman Curry, Tom Kha Gai) and 4 Tuk Tuk Food Truck.
  • Gastronomy Innovation, the usage of science and technology on Thai foods cooking by Molecular Gastronomy experts such as Chef Jacobo Astray, Chef FABIO FIORELLI and Chef Nutthapol (Nick)
  • Thai Fruit, total of not less than 6 booths, a variety of fruits and rare local Thai fruits from the fruit gardeners.
  • Organic Food, total of not less than 6 booths, chemical-free agricultural products that produce truly from natural growth.
  • All About Rice, total of not less than 6 booths, consists of Thai rice in the form of polished rice, Thai rice menu and Thai rice exhibition.
  • Live Performance, consists of four activities which are Muay Thai (Ong Bak) performance, singing performance, band performance and fun performance.

For more information, Tel. 1672 one pack one number or www.tourismthailand.org/thaifest

 

A Cloud Based PMS That Will Help Your Business

A Cloud Based PMS That Will Help Your Business

Bangkok (Thailand) – August 15, 2017 (travelindex) – No hotel can afford to go a day without a Property Management System if the intention is to keep the business running smoothly – but even when your system is fully operational you may still be facing several issues. The system may lack flexibility, limiting your payment options and stopping you from creating promotions. You might not have the technological knowledge necessary to get the best out of your system. The system may not be suitable for your own particular hotel, or group of hotels. All too often, there might be a lack of efficient customer support.

Rei Matsuda, Founder & CEO of Kokotel, faced similar problems when his group previously relied on a server-based system which was based on the conventional model of a ‘stand-alone five-star property’.

“That technology needed a complete overhaul to drive revenue opportunities. The on-premise system was becoming too time-consuming, limited, and lacked integration and automation capabilities,” Rei pointed out. With three hotels to run, time is a valuable commodity for Rei, so wasting it on a failing PMS isn’t an option.

The most important thing is to have user-friendly software which offers simplicity and is not constrained by technological boundaries, but from the business perspective, hoteliers today are not only looking for a basic system that helps them manage rooms, but also a system that can help maximize revenues and increase occupancy rates.

“I was convinced to choose Hotelogix because of its affordable pricing, multi-property management function, and flexibility to develop the product to meet our specific requirements. Management of multi-functional properties is the biggest thing, with single sign-on, multiple-property reports, and many other features. Another advantage is dynamic pricing based on occupancy rates for each room type. Now we are flexible and can automatically change our rates for each room type thanks to Hotelogix. That gives us an opportunity for much better revenue management,” said Rei.

Another key benefit to using the latest Hotelogix PMS is that managers no longer have to be on the premises to be effective. “Due to cloud PMS, we now have access to our properties from practically anywhere. Even if I am somewhere in a remote location, I can still handle the operations of my hotel,” added Rei.

The results from using a quality PMS quickly become apparent as Rei revealed that Kokotel can now up-sell and cross-sell across their groups and centralize their real-time rate management. With the central reservation system, Kokotel can maintain central control of room types, rate codes, market segments, and the various sources of business for their properties. The real-time inventory management control has also helped to improve sales, as well as eliminate overbooking.

“Being a start up, we want to maximize everything we do,” explained Rei. “We were looking for a scalable system that could grow with our evolving property needs and with a solid support team that can assist us whenever we need them. I think Hotelogix is a perfect match for us.”

About Kokotel
Kokotel is a newly developed bed and café concept from Thailand-born. It will create a unique guest experience by thoughtfully prepared offerings and services. Kokotel started as a small, 40-room hotel and café in Bangkok, Thailand. Kokotel welcomes many guests from around the world with wholehearted hospitality. Kokotel is the name inspired by some Japanese words which well-represent Kokotel concept. The most important word is “Kokoro (heart)”. This is a symbol of our commitment to provide heart-warming service with Thai hospitality and Japanese quality. Whether you come with close friends or family to enjoy a fantastic trip, we can take you beyond just sightseeing and eating great food. We help you discover and share wonderful things about yourselves. Read more about Kokotel at www.kokotel.com

Empowering Youth Through Tourism

Empowering Youth Through Tourism

Madrid (Spain) – August 15, 2017 (travelindex.com) – The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Hilton and the WYSE Travel Confederation will join forces ahead of International Youth Day at the Youth General Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters to highlight tourism’s capacity to empower youth.

The New York event is part of the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017 framework, and will focus on the tourism industry’s potential to create jobs, provide entrepreneurship opportunities, and deliver a more responsible tourism sector for today’s Youth.

Young people represent around 23% of the 1,235 million tourists travelling internationally each year. The event will discuss the contribution of this influential to world peace and a better future through sustainable tourism.

“Youth can be a powerful catalyst to advance the contribution of tourism to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 8 on economic growth and jobs, and Goal 12 on sustainable consumption and production as they can lead a transformation into a more responsible way of travelling” said Sandra Carvao, Chief Communications at UNWTO.

Hilton and the International Youth Foundation plan to preview the latest Global Youth Wellbeing Index, revealing that young people are “plugged in,” and yet disconnected from vital skills, economic opportunities, local communities and governments. Reconnecting Youth is an urgent need at this moment in history when half of the world’s population is under 30.

“Our future depends on resilient and thriving societies, and this starts with young people. To help better understand the challenges facing Young people, Hilton collaborated with the International Youth Foundation to commission the Global Youth Wellbeing Index,” said Daniella Foster, Senior Director of Global Corporate Responsibility, Hilton. “To better equip today’s Youth for the workforce, Hilton has committed to opening our doors to one million young people by 2019. As of today, we are more than half way there.”

The Global Report on the Power of Youth Travel by UNWTO and the WYSE Travel Confederation shows that youth and student travel markets are increasingly important and resilient. It also concludes that youth travel spend more on local communities and thus represent a growing opportunity for socio-economic development.

The event will also highlight the role of tourism in the accomplishment of the SDGs, in particular for Youth, through job creation, entrepreneurship and social inclusion. It will also look into the future of tourism jobs and skills development.

Participants include leaders and influencers including:

Sandra Carvao, Chief, Communications, UNWTO
Daniella Foster, Senior Director of Global Corporate Responsibility, Hilton
Russ Hedge, Representative of WYSE Travel Confederation and Hostelling International
Susan Reichle, President, International Youth Foundation
Kelley Louise, Executive Director, Travel SocialGood and Travel Blogger
Shoaib Rizvi, Youth Assembly Awardee 2017

The Youth Assembly (YA) is a unique platform for fostering dialogue and generating partnerships between exceptional youth, civil society, the private sector, and the United Nations.

Session: “The Power of Youth: Making a Difference Through Sustainable Tourism”
Date: Friday, August 11
Time: 10:00am to 11:30am ET
Livestream:

Contacts:
UNWTO Media Officer Rut Gomez Sobrino
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
rgomez@unwto.org
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100
Fax: +34 91 567 8218
comm@UNWTO.org

First Class and Red Carpet all the Way at Plaza Athénée Bangkok

First Class and Red Carpet all the Way at Plaza Athénée Bangkok

Bangkok (Thailand) – August 13, 2017 (travelindex) – Staying in the lap of luxury in Bangkok is much more achievable with a “1st Class All The Way” package at Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Méridien Hotel.

While pocketing a remarkable 10% discounted rate, enjoy VIP privileges and perks enhancing the art, conveniences and indulgences of Athénée and Royal Club suites, including:
– One-way BMW 5 Series airport transfer
– Daily Breakfast Buffet or breakfast in bed
– 3,000 SPG points per stay
– Le Royal Club Benefits:

Choose an Athénée Suite located on floors 18 – 23 with scenic views of the Bangkok cityscape and blending traditional Thai artefacts and fabrics with contemporary amenities. Or elect for a Royal Club Suite located on floors 24-26 with Bangkok at your feet. The spaciousness and sophistication of separate bedroom, bathroom and living area characterize these stylish sanctuaries in the sky.

Starting from only THB 6,350++ per night.

Explore resort-like pool, fitness + spa, and award-winning modern French, Thai, Japanese, Cantonese and International dining. At the city’s vibrant heart, nearby fashionable malls and entertainment and steps from the skytrain, tune into the Bangkok buzz.

Earn triple Starpoints on weekends and double Starpoints on weekdays.
Stay two or more nights from now through September 4, 2017 and all this and more is yours to explore.

Register now through August 30, 2017 at SPG.com/takethree
Valid for bookings and stays until 28 July 2018.

Le Royal Club Benefits:
– Access to Le Royal Club Lounge, open from 07:00 to 22:00 daily
– All day tea, coffee and non-alcoholic beverages
– Afternoon tea from 15:00 to 17:00 hrs
– Evening cocktails, including an open bar with a selection of drinks and hors d’œuvres, from 18:00 to 20:00 hrs
– 02 hours use of meeting or appointment rooms (per one guestroom per stay, subject to availability)
– Personalised check-in at Le Royal Club or Guest Room, personal concierge services attending to all your business, leisure and travel requirements and priority check-out at the Le Royal Club
– Laundry (two pieces per guest, per stay)
– Full International buffet breakfast at The Rain Tree Café
– High-speed Internet (WiFi) for up to 03 devices, available in the room and all public areas

For more information or to make a reservation, please contact +66 2 650 8800 Ext. 4050 or e-mail us at Reservations.Bangkok@lemeridien.com or visit

Contact:
Virinya Maytheepattanachat
Director of Marketing Communications
Virinya.maytheepattanachat@lemeridien.com
Tel: +66 2650 8800 ext. 4047
Tipawan Jitman
Marketing Communications Manager
tipawan.jitman@lemeridien.com
Tel: +66 2650 8800 ext. 6243
Wilasinee Wichienrut
PR Executive
pr.bangkok@lemeridien.com
Tel +66 2650 8800 ext.6250

Make Your Summer Stays Twice as Rewarding with Best Western Hotels

Make Your Summer Stays Twice as Rewarding with Best Western Hotels

Bangkok (Thailand) – August 11, 2017 (travelindex) – Staying at Best Western’s collection of hotels and resorts in Asia will be even more rewarding this summer, following the launch of the exciting new Double Points promotion!

From July 1 through September 30, 2017, Best Western Rewards members will earn twice as many reward points when they book a stay at any participating Best Western hotel in Asia. Bookings must be made either directly with the hotel or via our website, www.bestwesternhotelasia.com.

This exciting promotion covers some of Asia’s most desirable destinations, from mega-cities such as Tokyo, Bangkok, Manila and Jakarta to world-class beach resorts including Bali, Boracay, Phuket and Okinawa. Alternatively, guests seeking a true taste of Asian culture can choose to explore destinations like Mandalay, Vientiane, Buriram or Malang.

All guests booking stays at Best Western’s hotels and resorts in Asia this summer will also be guaranteed complimentary in-room Wi-Fi.

Still haven’t signed up for BWR? Simply visit www.bestwesternhotelasia.com/create-account to register, and you could earn double points on your next Best Western booking! For more information about Best Western’s Double Points offer in Asia, please visit www.bestwesternhotelasia.com/offers/double-point-asia.

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 seven hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market: Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, BW Premier Collection® and GLō®. 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 nearly sixty percent of the brand’s North American hotels earning a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award in 2016, Business Travel News® ranking Best Western Plus and Best Western in the top three upper-mid-price and mid-price hotel brands for three years in a row, and Best Western receiving five consecutive Dynatrace® Best of the Web gold awards for best hotel website. Best Western has also won eight AAA®/CAA® Lodging Partner of the Year awards, recognizing the brand’s commitment to providing exceptional service and great value to AAA’s 56 million members in the U.S. and Canada. Nearly 30 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.
– Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

Contact:
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