Category: Latest Travel News

Bangkok, Thailand, May 19, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / InterContinental Bangkok Hotel is set to rise again with a stunning comeback in June. Boasting a bold new vision and a commitment to unparalleled service and innovation, the iconic property will usher in a new era after a multimillion-dollar renovation and spectacular makeover.

Under the leadership of Stephen Gould, a seasoned luxury hotelier with a reputation for pushing boundaries and delivering exceptional guest experiences, the InterContinental Bangkok will draw heavily on the property’s 20 years of handcrafted hospitality inspired by Thailand’s rich culture a gateway to the glamour of The InterContinental Life. Stephen’s 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality as an accomplished hotelier, including vast experience in the Asia Pacific region, is key to helping the hotel deliver this level of hospitality.

Stephen said about the InterContinental Life:
“At InterContinental Bangkok, we believe travel should always be alluring and we are dedicated to those who appreciate and enjoy The InterContinental Life. With our 20-year heritage, our prime location in the heart of Bangkok and our elite network of internationally acclaimed concierges with rich local knowledge, we offer guests an opportunity to elevate and enrichen their experience in one of the most desired destinations for travellers worldwide.”

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts is the world’s first international luxury travel hotel brand and has been pioneering international destinations for decades. The InterContinental Bangkok has been a pillar of Bangkok history for the past two decades and following a multimillion-dollar renovation and spectacular makeover positions the hotel like never before to welcome Thailand’s revived travel and leisure sector that is expected to receive between 25 million and 30 million foreign guests into the country this year.

The newly renovated InterContinental Bangkok will deliver a heightened level of sophistication, style, luxury and lavish design that embodies Thailand’s rich culture. Guests can enjoy curated culinary experiences from global cuisine offerings, including the debut of Bangkok’s first California-inspired restaurant, SoCal, or they can indulge their senses at SPA InterContinental, with a wide range of treatments that use HARNN and Elemis products. These characteristics, when combined, also deliver the InterContinental Life and create unforgettable experiences for guests and travellers from all over the world.

“I am confident that our talented team will introduce a new standard of luxury in Bangkok, creating truly exceptional experiences and delivering moments that matter for our guests. Thailand is a country with a rich history and shines as a beacon in global hospitality and reopening the InterContinental Bangkok after this makeover is one of the highlights of my career,” added Stephen.

InterContinental Bangkok is the ultimate destination for avid explorers and guests seeking traditional Thai luxury and curated experiences. Serving as an ultimate landmark, the hotel offers guests a sanctuary from Bangkok’s busy, urban lifestyles with an opportunity to ‘Discover More’.

About InterContinental Hotels & Resorts
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts makes travel alluring, with insights from over 75 years of experience. Each of our properties provides a gateway to the glamour of The InterContinental Life. As a brand, we aim to embody global sophistication through our superior, understated service and exceptional amenities. What makes us truly different is the genuine interest we show our guests through personalised and attentive services. We offer our most valued guests signature VIP services through a dedicated InterContinental® Ambassador programme and an exclusive Club InterContinental experience. We connect our well-travelled guests to what’s special about a destination, so they enjoy authentic local experiences that will enrich their lives. For more information and to book, visit intercontinental.com, and connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.

About IHG
IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.
With a family of 18 hotel brands and IHG One Rewards, one of the world’s largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in over 100 countries, and more than 1,900 in the development pipeline.
– Luxury & Lifestyle: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Vignette Collection, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo
– Premium: voco hotels, HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels
– Essentials: Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels
– Suites: Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites
– Exclusive Partners: Iberostar Beachfront Resorts
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 345,000 people work across IHG’s hotels and corporate offices globally.

Bangkok, Thailand, May 23, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is now accepting submissions for the PATA Face of the Future 2023. The deadline for submissions is July 15, 2023.

PATA is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. As part of its activities, the Association is dedicated to human capital development (HCD) across the travel and tourism industry value chain. The primary focus of the Association’s HCD programme is the development of future leaders in the tourism industry.

To highlight PATA’s commitment to HCD, the Association presents a special award and prize to an exceptional ‘rising star’ in the industry. All recipients of this prestigious award have exhibited initiative and leadership in the advancement of tourism as well as demonstrating commitment to the sustainable development of the Asia Pacific travel industry in line with PATA’s mission.

The PATA Face of the Future 2023 will be recognized as the PATA Face of the Future 2023 at PATA Travel Mart 2023 in New Delhi, India.

Other benefits include:
– Full sponsorship for participation at PATA Travel Mart 2023 (air ticket, accommodation, and event registration).
– A speaking opportunity at the PATA Youth Symposium during the PATA Travel Mart 2023 to share your story about your passion and journey to success (may be replaced with a Virtual PATA Youth Symposium).
– Opportunities to speak at other PATA events or partner events on behalf of PATA.
– Global media exposure via PATA’s far-reaching communication channels.
– Opportunity to build their profile as a mentor for the PATA Youth Mentorship Programme to help develop young tourism professional students in the region via speaking and mentoring opportunities at PATA Youth webinars and other youth events.
– One blog post on the PATA Blog to share their passion and journey to success.
– Seat on the PATA Board to represent the PATA youth community.

PATA Chair Peter Semone said, “Through the PATA Face of the Future award we are able to identify young people making a meaningful contribution to the sustainable development of the travel and tourism industry across the Pacific and Asia Region. As an invited speaker at PATA events and a member of the PATA Board, the winner serves as the voice of young tourism professionals and the future of tourism. PATA is committed to engaging youth; and together co-creating a sustainable tourism future.”

For information about how to enter, eligibility, and judging criteria, please visit www.pata.org/pata-face-of-the-future or email PATA Youth Ambassador, Mr Nick Chun at fof@PATA.org.

PATA Travel Mart (PTM) is Asia Pacific’s international travel trade exhibition featuring unparalleled networking and contracting opportunities to help travel and tourism organisations access decision makers, meet new clients, expand their networks, establish new relationships and consolidate existing business partnerships. This year’s event is generously hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and consists of the Travel Mart, PTM Forums, PTM Talks and the PATA Youth Symposium.

More information about the event can be found at www.pata.org/pata-travel-mart-2023.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, which includes government, state and city tourism bodies; international airlines and airports; hospitality organisations, and educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism of the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing and London.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, May 18, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO has launched a new report to determine the status of rural tourism in its Member States and identify the main challenges and opportunities of tourism as a driver for rural development from a policy perspective.

“Tourism and Rural Development: A Policy Perspective – Results of the UNWTO Survey on Tourism for Rural Development to Member States” represents the first baseline document of UNWTO on tourism and rural development with the participation of Member States worldwide.

Key Findings: Rural Tourism for Opportunity

• More than half of all Member States (59%) stated that rural tourism is a priority
• Almost all Member States (96%) foresee a better future for rural tourism in the upcoming years
• The creation of new jobs, improvement of livelihoods and fighting depopulation were the most frequently-cited opportunities offered by tourism for rural areas
• Member States also identified the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage and environmental protection as among the biggest potential benefits of rural tourism

Main Challenges in Rural Areas  

The UNWTO research also identified three main challenges associated with realizing the potential of tourism for rural development:

• The “infrastructure gap” in rural areas. Deficiencies in roads, ports, airports and other infrastructure that allow access to rural areas remain a challenge for the surveyed countries.
• Rural depopulation. Seasonality and farming product competitiveness add to this challenge, increasing the instability of rural businesses, which prevents the retention of population and human resources.
• The lack of education and training, as well as skills development, in addition to the capacity to attract and retain workforce talent.

Other challenges include limitations in accessing financial systems, restrictions in the development of innovative tourism products in rural areas, managing the impacts of degradation of natural resources, and limitations in handling data, digitalization, and knowledge management.

UNWTO: Advancing Tourism for the SDGs

In terms of how tourism can help in supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNWTO Member States emphasized the potential of rural tourism for advancing SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

The report was launched during the 118th Session of the UNWTO Executive Council in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.  It forms part of the work of UNWTO’s Tourism for Rural Development Programme, established to develop initiatives and programmes to grow the sector in size and relevance as well as to monitor it in destinations worldwide.

Bangkok, Thailand, May 18, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Situated in the heart of Bangkok’s Sukhumvit 11, Finch offers a memorable night out, captivating guests with its dynamic atmosphere and exceptional experiences – a unique blend of international cuisine, cutting-edge mixology, and unparalleled entertainment options. Say hello to Finch, Bangkok’s newest and most sought-after lifestyle destination. Nestled in the vibrant Sukhumvit 11, Finch offers an enticing blend of international cuisine, world-renowned mixology, and unparalleled entertainment options, creating the ultimate lifestyle experience for tastemakers and partygoers alike.

Deepak Mishra, the founder of Finch Inter Company Limited, sharing his vision for the brand, said, “Finch is an essential destination, establishing a new benchmark for exquisite cuisine, mixology culture, and nightlife entertainment on Bangkok’s Sukhumvit 11. Designed for the discerning aesthete, Finch’s youth-centric vibe and modern ambience make it perfect for relaxing and unwinding after a long day. Finch is a unique destination where food enthusiasts and Bangkok’s party crowd converge to revel in an exceptional experience driven by our dedication to innovation and excellence.”

With an investment value of 75 million-baht, Finch has already found success in India, with locations in Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Ludhiana. Finch Bangkok is the brand’s first foray into Southeast Asia, with plans to expand in the region. “We chose the Sukhumvit 11 location and Bangkok because Thailand is a wonderful country, with people enjoying freedom. It is a bustling modern city, rich in culture, and its unique charms attract tourists worldwide. In addition, the city is known for its food scene, vibrant nightlife, and entertainment districts, making it a prime opportunity for investing in the restaurant and bar business,” explained Mishra.

Finch’s lively decor is immersive and captivating. A harmonious blend of vibrant reds and blues contrasts with bold black elements, paying tribute to the colourful bird that has inspired the venue. As you step inside, you’re welcomed by an eye-catching birdcage display featuring a finch replica, setting the scene for a truly unforgettable experience. The inventive design continues with a birdcage-themed sofa and stunning faux stained-glass images of finches, adding a whimsical touch to the atmosphere.

The first impression is vibrantly strong from the décor, the music, and the friendly service that welcomes you. Then indulge in an extraordinary culinary journey as you savour gourmet delicacies, each meticulously paired with a mocktail, signature cocktail, or alcoholic beverage from their extensive list. Finally, immerse yourself in the live music performances that you cannot afford to miss.

Finch aims to provide its patrons with the most compelling dining and nightlife experience by combining modern rhythms, world cuisine, and mixology culture. Witness the theatrical art of mixology as it unfolds, fulfilling Finch’s mission to lead the fine art of mixology in Bangkok.

The restaurant’s menu (Culinary Discovery) boasts an eclectic selection of delectable dishes, each inspired by global flavours and crafted with the finest ingredients. The artful presentation of each dish is sure to make every dining experience Instagram-worthy. A must-try is the succulent Mutton Rogan Josh prepared with Kashmiri spices and flavourful garlic, ginger, and aromatic spice gravy. The famous Delhi 6 Chicken Curry, served with Malabari paratha, mint sauce, and onion salad, is a nod to Old Delhi’s culinary traditions. Patrons can also savour the fiery JD Wings, marinated in Finch’s secret recipe and flambéed with Jack Daniel’s, or delight in the tangy and crispy Karela Salad, featuring crispy bitter gourd, onion, chilli, and tamarind dressing.

The unique Activated Charcoal Dumplings, filled with broccoli and almonds, are an innovative addition to the menu, while the Indo-Chinese Chilli Paneer combines cottage cheese chunks with chilli, ginger, peppers, and spring onions. The Chicken Tikka Our Way features a spicy peri-peri chilli and cilantro pesto marinade, cooked in a traditional clay oven and is served with a yoghurt dip and masala onions. The Moroccan Soya Kebab, made with soya, couscous, mint, Moroccan spices, and cheese, is served with soft pita, tzatziki, and hummus for a must-try fusion dish. Palak Patte Ki Chaat offers deep-fried baby spinach coated with gram flour batter and topped with tangy chutneys, creamy yoghurt, an assortment of crispy snacks and fresh pomegranate. Finally, indulge your sweet tooth with a live table-side dessert creation – Master Chef Big Bang featuring a chocolate sphere filled with white chocolate brownies, nuts, fruits, and a medley of sauces.

As the night unfolds, Finch also provides a delectable late-night dining experience to complement Bangkok’s vibrant nightlife, serving a mouth-watering assortment of dishes for supper. From 1 am to 4 am, indulge in the Finch Supper Menu designed to satisfy even the most discerning palates and elevate the night out. The immensely satisfying offering includes Gucchi Biryani is a flavourful combination of rice, gucchi (Himalayan morel mushrooms), spices, meat, vegetables, condiments, and Indian herbs. Tandoori Chicken, another Indian favourite, features chicken marinated in yoghurt and spices, grilled to perfection in a traditional tandoor oven.

Tom Yum Kung, a popular Thai dish, boasts fresh shrimp, mushrooms, Tom Yum paste, coconut milk, bird’s eye chilli, and lime for a sour, spicy, and aromatic experience. The Chicken Cashew Nut is a flavourful festival of garlic, onions, sweet peppers, fried chicken, and cashew nuts. Finally, the translucent Crystal Dumplings reveal a colourful medley of ingredients (water chestnut, bok choy & sprouts), artfully combined for an unforgettable taste sensation.

Finch’s inventive mixology is sure to be at the forefront of Bangkok’s nightlife scene. The expert mixologists create handcrafted cocktails, each boasting a unique flavour profile and presentation that will surely raise the bar in Sukhumvit 11 Bangkok, redefining the art of mixology.

Indulge in the eye-catching Bird Cage, featuring blue agave spirit, orange liqueur, rosemary-infused honey, and chilli ice cubes. The Song Bird blends cold-infused spices, vodka, lychee and passionfruit macerated in white wine, bitters, and cedar wood smoke for unforgettable sips. Other options include the enchanting Bird Nest – red wine macerated stone fruit, cold-infused smoked whisky and raisins. While Harmony: Ice Series offers gin and tonic options. Then there is Cuban Mojito and the iconic Singapore Sling.

Non-alcoholic choices that tempt lead with the aptly named Temptation, a mix of passion fruit, mint leaves, lime wedges, and a splash of carbonated water. Option for the refreshing Pleasure featuring green apple, cucumber, and ginger beer or ale or quench your thirst with the invigorating Desire, blending peppermint, coconut, pineapple, and blue curacao. Finally, succumb to the allure of the Seduction, a harmonious blend of lychee, lime juice, mint leaves, and vanilla syrup for a sweet and sour delight.

Entertainment is the heartbeat of Finch, with a diverse line-up of live music from solo artists, across genres, renowned bands, high-energy residential DJs, themed music events, and old-school nostalgia in a modern setting with on-point acoustics – catering to every preference. Whether you’re in the mood for an intimate live performance or a high-octane dance party, Finch delivers an unrivalled entertainment experience that keeps the energy pulsing all night.

Finch is the place to dine, sip a drink, enjoy the music, and party all night long on Sukhumvit 11 in Bangkok. With its unique culinary offerings, avant-garde mixology, and dynamic entertainment options, Finch is designed to help its guests break free from the mundane and embrace the unforgettable at Bangkok’s newest premium hangout destination.

About Finch
Finch is a new premium hangout destination in the heart of Bangkok’s bustling Sukhumvit 11. Offering a unique medley of world cuisine, innovative mixology, and unparalleled entertainment options, it transforms into a late-night lounge and serves supper dishes late into the night. www.finchbangkok.com

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, May 17, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that the Focus Africa Conference will delve into six priorities under IATA’s Focus Africa initiative to strengthen aviation’s contribution to the continent’s economic and social development and improve connectivity, safety and reliability for passengers and shippers. Focus Africa is taking place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 20-21 June 2023, with Ethiopian Airlines as the host airline.

“Over the next 15 years, Africa’s passenger traffic is expected to double. The continent stands out as the region with the greatest potential and opportunity for aviation. But this potential is limited by infrastructure constraints, high costs, lack of connectivity, regulatory impediments, slow adoption of global standards and skills shortages, among other factors. The Focus Africa Conference will bring together the continent’s key stakeholders to address these challenges,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.

Mesfin Tasew, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, will deliver an Opening Keynote Address. “We are delighted to host IATA’s Focus Africa Conference and welcome the aviation industry to our home, Addis Ababa. Advancing the air transport industry is critical for Africa’s economic growth. The conference will allow industry leaders to join forces and drive the Focus Africa initiative,” said Tasew.

Speakers & Sessions

Walsh, Tasew, and Kamil Alawadhi, IATA’s Regional Vice-President for Africa and Middle East will be speaking at the event along with:

• Yvonne Makolo, CEO RwandAir and Chair of the IATA Board of Governors (2023-2024)
• Adefunke Adeyemi, Secretary General, African Civil Aviation Commission (AFCAC)
• Abdulrahman Berthe, Secretary General, African Airlines Association (AFRAA)
• Aaron Munetsi, CEO, Airlines Association of Southern Africa (AASA)
• Rodger Foster, CEO Airlink
• Poppy Khoza, Director General Civil Aviation, South African Civil. Aviation Authority (SACAA)
• Bradley Mims, Deputy Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

Session tracks will address:

• Safety
• Aeronautical information management
• Intra-African connectivity
• Airport infrastructure
• Biometrics and security
• Modern airline retailing
• Sustainability
• Skilled workforce

View the program and register here.

Phuket, Thailand, May 17, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Phuket Hotels Association, the nonprofit organisation of hoteliers focused on promoting a positive image of Phuket, is inviting members of the public to take part in its “Absolutely Fabulous Online Travel Sale” – an online auction with great prizes that will fund scholarships for talented young people in Phuket. This forms part of the Phuket Hotels Association Benefit (PHAB) 2023 campaign, an important fundraising initiative which also includes “PHAB 5”, a charity gala dinner at Angsana Laguna Phuket on Saturday, 20th May 2023.

Bidding in the online auction is open until midday (Thailand time, UTC+7 hrs) on 15th June, with prizes in dream destinations all around the world! Participants can bid for spectacular five-star stays and exciting experiences generously donated by sponsors in various destinations such as Dubai, Sydney and the Maldives, as well as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Koh Samui – all potentially available with big discounts for the highest bidder. In addition to hotel stays, the auction includes a range of exhilarating activities such as yacht charters, golf, tennis, surfing classes and gym memberships.

Proceeds from the auction will sponsor at least 20 hospitality scholarships and internships, exclusively for the benefit of young Phuket residents who would be otherwise unable to fund their education. To date, the association has successfully sponsored over 30 students studying hospitality and tourism in Phuket.

The PHAB 5 online auction is being continually updated with new prizes. Bidders can check back on their progress, make new offers and see what other exciting prizes are coming up! To learn more about the PHAB 5 online auction and to place your bid in the “Absolutely Fabulous Online Travel Sale”, please visit phab.phukethotelsassociation.com/silent-auction.

Great prizes are up for grabs in the online auction, including five-star stays and experiences in Thailand, Singapore and the Maldives to name a few. Members of the public can make bids in the online auction from now until 15th June 2023, and new prizes are being added all the time!

“By taking part in our online auction, not only will you be bidding on great prizes and five-star hotel stays worldwide; you will also be benefiting the local community by helping young people to discover a new career that could raise their standard of living and even support an entire family,” explained Bjorn Courage, President of the Phuket Hotels Association.

Hosted at Angsana Convention & Exhibition Space (ACES), the world-class event space at Angsana Laguna Phuket,“PHAB 5” is an upbeat fundraising event. The evening will commence with welcome cocktails and live music, followed by an indulgent international buffet dinner featuring live cooking stations by some of the top chefs from Phuket’s best hotels, and drinks prepared by the island’s most creative mixologists. A lively MC will keep the fun flowing throughout the night!

Musical highlights include a live band, Feelsion, plus in-demand Phuket DJ CAMMUK, and dazzling dancers who will get the party started with their performances. The event is being supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Tickets are priced at THB 4,900 (premium) or THB 5,900 (VIP), with the proceeds also funding the hospitality scholarships. CLICK HERE to book your tickets!

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, May 16, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / As part of work on tourism for rural development, UNWTO has concluded its first Executive Training for the Middle East Programme.

Under the theme ‘Tourism for Rural Development: A Practical Approach to Strategy and Product Development‘, the three-day session was held at the UNWTO Regional Office for the Middle East in Riyadh to address the underlying needs for continuous skills development for ensuring up to date learning, adaptation, and innovation.

Sultan AlMusallam, Deputy Minister for International Affairs, Saudi Ministry of Tourism said: “This training programme demonstrates how determined and keen the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and UNWTO are to promote the role of the Regional Office for the Middle East, and to provide every support and assistance possible to the Member States of the Organization in the region.”

Opening the programme, Zoritsa Urosevic, UNWTO Executive Director said: “In the post-pandemic world, the role of tourism in rural development is more relevant than ever. Rural tourism has a high potential to empower local communities, stimulate local economic growth and social change.”

“Our Member States see rural tourism as a priority and we trust this training will support them for continuous learning, adaptation, and innovation. It aims to provide them with the adequate knowledge and capacities to plan and manage tourism in rural territories in a way that contributes to inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development,” she added.

Building skills to support tourism and rural development   

The training session was aimed at managers in charge of rural tourism in National Tourism Administrations from across the region. Around 35 participants from 10 countries joined present, representing Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

Sessions focused on issues such as incorporating sustainability dimensions in tourism planning, setting indicators to measure rural tourism strategies, dealing with the specificities of the rural tourism offer and demand, understanding the concept of community engagement through community-based tourism and conducting practical exercises on experiences related to gastronomy, adventure, cultural and ecotourism.

UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme

The UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme was designed with the vision of making tourism a driver of rural development and well-being. It aims to advance the role of tourism in valuing and safeguarding rural territories along with their associated landscapes, knowledge systems, natural and cultural diversity, local values, and activities. The Programme also aims to promote innovative and transformative approaches for the development of tourism in rural destinations that contribute to the three pillars of sustainability – economic, social, and environmental – in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Bangkok, Thailand, May 16, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / BWH Hotels has announced the opening of Best Western Ratchada Hotel, Bangkok, a brand-new hotel that lets guests discover a new side of Thailand’s dynamic capital city.

Located in the heart of the rapidly-emerging Ratchada district, just a few minutes from the Embassy of PR China and the Stock Exchange of Thailand, this modern, 120-key midscale hotel is surrounded by commercial towers, restaurants and retail malls. With excellent connectivity via Phra Ram 9 MRT subway station and Thailand Cultural Centre MRT subway station, the bustling Sukhumvit district is just a few stops away, making the highlights of Bangkok within easy reach.

The hotel is also easily accessible from Bangkok’s two major airports – Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang – both of which can be reached in approximately 30-40 minutes via the city’s elevated expressways.

Guests can stay in a selection of comfortable and contemporary rooms, including double, twin or family options, each of which comes fully equipped with the latest amenities. The outdoor swimming pool is a great place to unwind and the onsite restaurant serves daily breakfast in a cozy atmosphere.

For business travelers, Best Western Ratchada Hotel features a boardroom that is ideal for intimate meetings or strategy sessions. High-speed internet is complimentary throughout the property, ensuring that every guest can stay connected.

“It gives me great pleasure to introduce Best Western Ratchada Hotel, situated in one of Bangkok’s most exciting and up-and-coming downtown districts. Comfortable, highly convenient and fully connected, this outstanding midscale hotel demonstrates the power of the BWH Hotels brand to open up new parts of the city and cater to the needs of every traveler. Offering contemporary accommodation with exceptional amenities, we are confident that this hotel will become a popular option for visitors to Bangkok,” said Mr. Olivier Berrivin, Vice President – APAC, BWH Hotels.

The opening of Best Western Ratchada Hotel reaffirms BWH Hotels’ position as one of the leading hospitality companies in Thailand’s capital city. The company now offers nine hotels across Bangkok, covering five of its diverse brands.

For more information about BWH Hotels in Asia, please visit www.bestwesternasia.com.

About BWH Hotels
BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay® Hotels. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*. With 19 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotels suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.

*Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

Bangkok, Thailand, May 15, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The new city landmark in the heart of Bangkok. Kamkoong Property Co., Ltd. together with Absolute Hotel Services Co., Ltd. are delighted to announce the opening of Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai as the second Eastin Grand branded hotel in Thailand.

The hotel features 494 beautiful rooms and suites ranging from 34-370 sqm. including luxurious penthouse suites. Other facilities include a 1,200 sqm. all-day dining market-style restaurant, a specialty Mediterranean restaurant, fitness centre, spa, executive lounge and two large outdoor swimming pools. The striking interior design of the hotel was inspired by Phaya Thai Palace, which served as King Rama V of Thailand’s recreational residence.

With a total area of 4,570 sqm., the function and event spaces at Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai are one-of-a-kind and feature the latest modern technology to serve all kinds of functions and special events. The hotel also has a 720 sqm. multi-purpose wedding space that can be transformed into any couple’s dream celebration.

The hotel features 2 restaurants. The Market@5 is an international all-day dining and buffet restaurant inspired by street food style food trucks and features an eclectic choice of international cuisine focusing on the classic dishes of each country. For something different, Trattoria@22 offers diners the opportunity to dine on remarkable Mediterranean cuisine with a modern twist.

Eastin Grand Hotel Phayathai is located at The Unicorn building, a mixed-use complex with office space and retail stores. The hotel is conveniently located with direct access to the Phayathai BTS Skytrain Station and is only 5 minutes’ walk from Airport Rail Link Phayathai Station, making it easy to get anywhere in Bangkok.

About Eastin Grand
Eastin Grand Hotels & Resorts is 5-star luxury brand created on relevance to the market and targeted customers’ needs and desires. The brands provide value and consistency through flexible venues and services with added value to serve the desires of business and leisure travellers.

Eastin Brand’s target customers are value hunters looking for luxury, comfort, efficient service and attention to detail and convenience at the right price with maximum flexibility to serve the purpose of their visit, whether for business or pleasure.

Eastin Grand’s unique services include free Wi-Fi, extended breakfast hours till 11:30 hrs., Room Ready Guarantee, complimentary a daybed with breakfast for Children 16 years old and below, a complimentary drink anywhere in the hotel during the stay, 24/7 access to the executive lounge experience (for executive floor guest only) and double your spending money (deposit money on arrival for food and beverages, we top up, up to 100%, no refunds).

Guangzhou, China, May 15, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Dr. Jigang Bao has been named as the winner of the 16th Ulysses Prize, awarded by UNWTO for excellence in the creation and dissemination of knowledge in tourism.

As Professor and Director of the Center for Tourism Development and Planning Research at Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China, Dr. Bao has played an instrumental role in growing domestic tourism in both size and significance and in establishing his country as a leading tourism destination. Alongside his pioneering role in advancing tourism education and research across China, Dr. Bao also serves as the Director of the UNWTO Monitoring Center for Sustainable Tourism Observatories and has been engaged as an expert consultant for numerous destinations and projects, with a particular focus on theme parks, urban tourism and community participation.

Recognition of excellence and leadership

The formal presentation of the Ulysses Prize will be made at the 25th session of the UNWTO General Assembly, to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan (16-20 October). Here, Dr. Bao will join a long list of Ulysses Prize Laureates recognized by the United Nations specialized agency for tourism for their vital contributions to knowledge creation and education. Among the 11 criteria for the Prize are demonstrated excellence and originality of scholarship, academic leadership in their chosen field, a record of supporting sustainability, inclusiveness and innovation through their work, as well as serving as a role model to present and future generations of tourism scholars and leaders.

Dr. Bao was selected according to the established long practice of the Prize. The selection process was conducted in a rigorous, transparent and unbiased manner and an extensive evaluation was made by Previous Laureates of the Prize.. Dr. Bao was then recommended to the UNWTO Secretary-General by the special Ulysses Prize Coordinating Committee, composed of three previous Laureates and one representative of UNWTO in his capacity as ex-officio.

About the 16th Ulysses Prize Laureate

Dr. Bao is credited with introducing Western concepts and approaches to tourism research and teaching to China and has translated several relevant books into Chinese. He pioneered tourism education and research at Sun Yat-sen University, and has held numerous high administrative positions, including Assistant Principal of the university. As a researcher, he has published more than 200 papers and more than ten books and holds editorial positions on several leading journals in his field. Dr. Bao has also worked with UNWTO to establish Sustainable Tourism Observatories in Huangshan, Guilin, Zhangjiajie, Kanas, Henan, Chengdu, Xishuangbanna, and Changshu.