Category: Latest Travel News

Bangkok, Thailand, April 6, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Part of the Artists In Residence campaign, the Jim Thompson X Nakrob Moonmanas collection features men’s and women’s wear in linen and silk, as well as a line of accessories in printed canvas. The launch event, which includes a fashion show and artist talk, takes place at the Jim Thompson Art Center. Jim Thompson, the iconic global lifestyle brand from Thailand, is proud to announce the launch of its second collection under the Artists In Residence campaign. This 2023 collection is a collaboration between Jim Thompson and Nakrob Moonmanas, the famous Thai collage artist and illustrator.

The Jim Thompson X Nakrob Moonmanas collection is the second collection under this campaign, and is inspired by antiques and fine arts from various eras on display at the Jim Thompson House Museum. The collection features men’s and women’s wear in linen and silk and includes a line of accessories in printed canvas.

Nakrob Moonmanas’ distinctive work invites limitless interpretation. By masterfully blending elements of local history and culture, Moonmanas creates striking compositions with a modern aesthetic. His upbringing in the heart of old city Bangkok, amidst bustling streets, ancient temples, contrasting architecture, and royal palaces, has shaped his passion and artistic vision. This unique blend of influences has led to a complex relationship with his cultural roots, which is vividly reflected in his artwork. He brings this energy to this latest Jim Thompson Collection.

Says, Nunnapat Verojanavat, Marketing Director of Jim Thompson, “The Artists In Residence initiative offers an exceptional opportunity for three renowned Thai artists to create their individual collections in collaboration with Jim Thompson. Perfectly timed to coincide with the vibrant Songkran celebrations, these exclusive collections beautifully capture the spirit of the festival through unique designs, intricate patterns, and trendy styles. By blending traditional elements with contemporary fashion sensibilities, the Artists In Residence campaign creates a stunning showcase that highlights the talent and innovation of Thai artists and designers. Not only will this year’s collection – Jim Thompson X Nakrob Moonmanas – pay homage to the exhilarating fun of Songkran, but it will also serve as a testament to the immense creativity and ingenuity within Thailand’s flourishing fashion industry.”

For this collection Nakrob Moonmanas takes inspiration from the antiques and fine arts on display at the Jim Thompson House Museum. In particular, the Brahmachat picture book as well as illustrations, engravings, drawing and sketches by foreign travellers who visited the kingdom, capturing aspects of Ayutthaya, such as its architecture, people, culture, and daily life in their art.

These artworks motivated Nakrob Moonmanas to develop a captivating, central print for the collection that is a symbolic bridge uniting the East and the West, and connecting the realms of reality and fantasy. In addition, the print encompasses elements of Siamese-American history, such as the journey of the Siamese twins. These historical aspects are interwoven with cosmic and space exploration themes, reflecting the transformative global movement that occurred during the time Jim Thompson settled into his cherished Thai home. Consequently, the artist invites the viewer to embark on an exploration of diverse universes through this visually striking and thought-provoking collection.

Regarding the inspiration and ideas behind the new collection, Nakrob Moonmanas said, “I wanted to create a print that would transport people to another world, a world that combines different eras and cultures. The print represents a connection between the east and the west, the past and the future, and the real and the imaginary. I believe that this collection will inspire people to explore their imagination and creativity.”

The printing process for this collection is unique and symbolic too. The printing is done using the batik technique, where wax is used to block the dye from penetrating the fabric. The process creates a unique texture and pattern that is different for each piece.

The impactful men’s and women’s wear lines are built around the understated monochrome print in blue and red. The women’s collection is highlighted by the batwing sleeve dress, sleeveless maxi dress, and the signature zip fisherman pants. Tops feature a sleeveless mandarin collar shirt and a boxy shirt. For men, there is the choice of a Hawaiian-style linen shirt or a half-sleeve silk, slim-fit collar shirt, as well as cotton tees and fisherman pants. The unisex canvas beach bags and reversible bucket hat are given a sense of drama through the addition of a bold, colourful print. Like the monochrome print, this one too, straddles fantasy and reality and the east and the west.

The launch event on April 4th will feature a fashion show with models showcasing the new collection. At the event Nakrob Moonmanas will also speak about his inspiration and the designs he has created. Guests will have the opportunity to purchase the new collection at Jim Thompson Iconic Store located next door at the Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter and meet the artist.

Jim Thompson and Nakrob Moonmanas invite you to visit the Jim Thompson stores and experience the new unique collection.

About Jim Thompson
No brand spells heritage like Jim Thompson, the Thai Silk Company founded in 1951by James H.W. Thompson, an art collector, a socialite, and an entrepreneur who has been famously recognized as the driving force behind the revival of the Thailand’s silk industry. Jim Thompson’s disappearance remains the largest mystery in South East Asia until today. Today, Jim Thompson is the iconic global lifestyle brand from Thailand with a reputation for beautiful silks and “Beyond Silk”.

Bangkok, Thailand, April 4, 2023 / TRAVELIDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Visa are delighted to announce the completion of the Informal Workers Programme in Bali, Indonesia. The programme was created in 2021 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support one of the most important – but often overlooked – stakeholders in the tourism industry: the informal workers. Having been successfully implemented in Bangkok, Thailand, PATA and Visa came together to expand the programme in another important destination in Southeast Asia: Indonesia.

The programme took place in Bali throughout March, and April and will continue in Jakarta in May. On International Women’s Day, March 8th, the first capacity building session began in Bali, at Kedonganan Beach, south of the island. The session was attended by 24 informal workers, including street food sellers, freelance photographers, parking attendants and fishermen. Participants learned about basic principles of service delivery, cross-cultural communication, and health and safety standards.

In the following days, the informal workers received training on business skills, financial management, business marketing and communication. They also learned the basics of mobile photography to better promote their services and products online.

The Informal Workers Programme in Indonesia is developed by PATA and Visa and implemented by our valuable member Wise Steps Consulting. Wise Steps is a consulting firm that works on national and regional projects to support sustainable development and responsible tourism.

According to PATA Chair Peter Semone, “We are delighted to be collaborating with Wise Steps again following the successful development and implementation of the Tourism Destination Resilience Programme. PATA sees great value in building the capacity of informal workers in Indonesia and across the Pacific Asia Region. After all, tourism is everybody’s business and with improved skills, livelihoods of marginalized people can grow.”

About the training programme in Bali, Riko Abdurrahman, Country Manager, Indonesia at Visa, adds, “Visa is proud to provide digital literacy and financial education specifically tailored to the needs of informal tourism workers, such as tour guides and transport drivers, who are an integral part of Bali’s tourism industry. As travel and tourism continue to accelerate post-COVID-19, our partnership with PATA will help enable individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive and deliver on our purpose to uplift everyone, everywhere by being the best way to pay and be paid.”

Pavnesh Kumar, PATA’s Sustainability and Social Responsibility Programme Head, who attended the programme in Bali, noted, “We are very excited to be able to assist in the recovery of the tourism sector in Bali by empowering these crucial players in the industry, which are the informal workers. It is also great to see that despite all challenges faced during this time, the informal workers are enthusiastic about learning new skills and reinventing themselves for the post-COVID tourism era.”

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.

Athens, Greece, April 5, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The first Dusit-branded property in Europe features 36 elegant rooms in one of the most spacious upscale properties in Glyfada, an affluent Athens suburb renowned for its stunning beaches, upscale shops, and vibrant nightlife. Dusit Hotels and Resorts, under Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has continued its global expansion with the opening of Dusit Suites Athens – the first Dusit-branded property in Europe – in Greece’s stunning capital.

Bringing Dusit’s unique brand of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to one of Europe’s most popular tourist destinations, Dusit Suites Athens puts guests in the heart of Glyfada, a picturesque suburb in the Athens Riviera renowned for its beautiful sandy shores, vibrant shopping and dining scene, trendy bars and cafes, and great location just 30 minutes by car from the city centre and only 20 minutes from Athens International Airport.

Set over four floors and offering stunning views of the sea and distant mountains, the luxury low-rise property is designed to meet the needs of business and leisure travellers seeking a highly comfortable base for short or extended stays.

Decorated with inspiring artworks and featuring high-end fixtures and fittings, each well-appointed suite boasts a private balcony, a king-size bedroom, a living room or seating area with kitchenette, and a marble bathroom with a walk-in rain shower. The larger suites also have a bathtub and plush sofa bed ideal for guests with children.

Alongside Dusit’s highly personalised service, guests will find a wide range of five-star facilities to enhance their stay. This includes, amongst others, a stylish rooftop Mediterranean restaurant and bar with a stunning panoramic sea view called O Live; a distinctive pan-Asian restaurant named DAO; a heated Vitality Pool with adjoining sauna and steam room; and a signature Namm Spa, with six elegant treatment rooms. All guests receive one complimentary massage treatment per stay.

Designed to become must-visit destinations for food lovers, the hotel’s restaurants work with top local suppliers to source the finest and freshest ingredients, and they aim to delight the eyes as well as the palate with exquisite presentation and atmosphere. A carefully curated selection of the finest Greek wines adds to their distinct appeal.

Dusit Suites Athens’ location in the heart of Glyfada, close to the beach and marina, is another major draw. Numerous bistros, bars, cafes, and shops are all within walking distance from the property, and trips to nearby attractions, such as Piraeus Port, Glyfada Golf Course, Lake Vouliagmeni, the world-renowned Acropolis Museum, and other iconic sites, can be easily arranged, with recommendations from Dusit’s expert concierges.

“We are delighted to bring Dusit Hotels and Resorts’ Thai-inspired, gracious hospitality to Athens, Greece, and officially make our debut in Europe,” said Mr Gilles Cretallaz, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “With its gorgeous rooms, atmospheric restaurants, bespoke wellness offerings, excellent location, and exceptional service, we are confident that Dusit Suites Athens will leave guests with lasting memories and a deep appreciation for the community we serve. This is another significant milestone in our journey for global expansion, and we look forward to making this beautiful property a resounding success as we continue to open doors to new destinations in the months ahead.”

Dusit’s property portfolio spans 16 countries and comprises 48 hotels operating under Dusit Hotels and Resorts and more than 300 luxury villas under Elite Havens. More than 60 Dusit Hotels and Resorts are in the pipeline worldwide.

About Dusit International
Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: hotels and resorts, hospitality education, food, property development, and hospitality-related services.

The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under a total of seven brands (Dusit Thani, Dusit Devarana, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, Dusit Suites, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 16 countries worldwide. The group also operates culinary schools and hospitality colleges in Thailand, plus catering companies for the education sector in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Dusit International’s diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification.

Bangkok, Thailand, April 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels and Resorts is helping every guest to discover their ultimate summer vacation in 2023, with a bright and sunny new promotion that offers generous discounts in dream destinations all across Asia.

Under the “Summer Days Sale” guests who book between Monday April 3rd to Sunday April 9th, 2023, will receive up to 25% off the best rates at Best Western’s hotels and resorts in nine captivating countries: Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

And that’s not all; Best Western Rewards® members will receive an extra 10% off, for a full discount of 35%! Not a member yet? Click here to join for free today.

Simply pick your perfect hotel and make your reservation during this seven-day flash sale, for stays taken between April 3rd and June 30th, 2023 (or May 6th to June 30th, 2023 for hotels in Japan).

This enticing offer is valid in an amazing array of destinations all across Asia, including Bangkok, Bali, Tokyo, Phuket, Hua Hin, Palawan, Phu Quoc, Ha Long Bay and many more! So, whether you’re planning a blissful beachfront break with your family and friends, a stylish city escape with your partner, or any other type of vacation, Best Western’s “Summer Days Sale” will help you find your sunshine in 2023.

For more information about Best Western Hotels & Resorts in Asia, please visit www.bestwesternasia.com

About Best Western Hotels and Resorts
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel company within the BWH Hotel Group® global network. With 18 brands and approximately 4,500 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*, BWH Hotel Group suits the needs of developers and guests in every market. Brands include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, Aiden®, Sadie®, BW Premier Collection® and BW Signature Collection®. Through acquisition, WorldHotelsTM Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Distinctive and WorldHotels Crafted collections are also offered. Completing the portfolio are SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, SureStay Collection® and SureStay Studio® franchises**.

* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

Macau, Macao SAR, April 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Wing Lei Palace wins “Best Restaurant in Macau” award for the first time and Sichuan Moon earns a place on the list again. Golden Flower once again ranks on the extended list. Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023 revealed its latest list of the 50 most influential restaurants in Asia at its awards ceremony in Singapore today (March 28). Once again, Wynn is the only integrated resort operator in Macau to rank on the coveted list, as two Chinese restaurants at Wynn Palace – Sichuan Moon and Wing Lei Palace earn recognition from Asia’s 50 Best this year. Earning a spot on the list for a fifth consecutive year, Wing Lei Palace received the “Best Restaurant in Macau” honor for the first time this year, and elevated its ranking to #39. Sichuan Moon has also returned to the Asia’s 50 Best list, ranking #43 this year. Prior to the awards ceremony, Asia’s 50 Best announced that Golden Flower, the Chinese restaurant at Wynn Macau has made the 51-100 extended list for a second consecutive year.

Celebrating the success of this year’s Asia’s 50 Best winners, Wynn is hosting a cocktail event on March 29 in Singapore after the awards ceremony. Head chefs from three award-winning Wynn restaurants – Wing Lei Palace Executive Chef Tam Kwok Fung, Sichuan Moon Culinary Director André Chiang and Executive Chef Wilson Fam as well as Golden Flower Executive Chef Henry Zhang Zhi Cheng – are uniting to create canapés inspired by their signature dishes for the event. Their delicious delicacies will showcase the diversity of the dining experience at Wynn, giving culinary leaders and media from around the world an opportunity to connect after the event.

Kristoffer Luczak, Executive Vice President of Food & Beverage for Wynn Macau, Limited said: “We are very pleased that our Chinese restaurants have once again been recognized on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The rankings are a tremendous encouragement for our Wynn culinary teams who consistently provide services of the highest standard each and every day. These accolades especially recognize the efforts Wynn has made toward promoting the culture of Chinese cuisine and showcasing Chinese culinary on the global stage, further building on Macau’s international reputation as a ‘Creative City of Gastronomy’.”

For five consecutive years since 2019, Wing Lei Palace has earned a place on the coveted Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The award-winning Cantonese restaurant is also the recipient of one Michelin star, two Black Pearl Diamonds and five stars from Forbes Travel Guide. Wing Lei Palace Executive Chef Tam Kwok Fung, recipient of the “Best Chef of the Year” honor from the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide earlier this year, creates beautiful works of art on a plate that are boldly innovative, yet honor the traditions of Cantonese cooking. He is committed to carrying on the tradition of Cantonese cuisine, giving guests the opportunity to experience both the traditional and contemporary flavors of Cantonese cuisine in Macau.

The award-winning Sichuan Moon, recipient of two Michelin stars and the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Restaurant honor, embodies the essence of Sichuan cuisine in a refined and artful way. Globally renowned celebrity Chef André Chiang who received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants in 2018, serves as the restaurant’s Culinary Director. Wilson Fam, the Executive Chef of Sichuan Moon, and Chef André have put their creative minds together to design artfully presented dishes and cook each of their dishes with perfection to express the profound complexity of Sichuan cuisine. Shortly after its opening, Sichuan Moon received the “Highest New Entry” award in 2020 from Asia’s 50 Best. This year, Sichuan Moon ranks on the list once again.

Golden Flower debuted on the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 51-100 list last year, and is back on the list for a second year in a row. At the helm of Golden Flower is the famed young Executive Chef Henry Zhang Zhi Cheng, who presents modern Imperial cuisine in innovative ways for guests to experience the flavors of China’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

Port Louis, Mauritius, April 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Dr Vanessa Gaitree Bheekhoo Gowreessunkar, a tourism expert on the tourism island of Mauritius has come out strongly to advocate the need for the island to relook at the Vanilla Islands concept for their marketing. The Doctor and tourism expert published a comprehensive study alongside Maximiliano Korstanje (Argentian) and Shem Wambugu Maingi (Kenyan) which stated that Mauritius forms part of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Island Group alongside Seychelles, Reunion, Madagascar, Comoros and Mayotte Islands and that this concept needed to be embraced. It is known that ever since the change from Alain St.Ange, as the Minister of Tourism of Seychelles, who was the driving force behind the regional organisation, this Indian Ocean Islands grouping has been operating in a low-key approach and reduced speed.

Dr Vanessa Gaitree Bheekhoo Gowreessunkar, the tourism expert of Mauritius has said that as the island is small with not much to offer apart from the beach and some cultural attractions it needs to work with its neighbours to be more attractive for potential visitors. The Tourism Expert in her document “Tourism in Crisis” stated that Mauritius also needed to push forward the concept of good governance saying that too often tourism enterprises were subject to a cartel of important personalities. She cited the issue of production of fruits and vegetables seeking consultants as examples where it was always the same personalities who benefited.

Dr Vanessa Gaitree Bheekhoo Gowreessunkar, said that Mauritius could also seek the assistance of the UNWTO as has been done by several other countries as she stated that the tourism crisis across the word was not finished and that the world was experiencing a mutation of the tourism industry.

The words by the editors of this tourism document that was published by Nova Science Publishers in the United States on the merit of the Indian Ocean Vanilla islands are the exact same words echoed by Alain St.Ange, the former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine of the Seychelles at the launch of the regional body that brought together Mauritius, Seychelles, Reunion, Madagascar, Comoros and Mayotte. The organisation was formed in Reunion in 2010 and in 2012 its first President Alain St.Ange was elected at a tourism Minister’s Meeting held in Seychelles. St.Ange was President of the Vanilla Islands for two consecutive years before passing the presidency to President Didier Robert of Reunion in 2014 and the Mauritius Deputy Prime Minister Duval in 2015.

Bangkok, Thailand, April 3, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit invites couples to take their next big step in life at their hotel for a seamless experience. In addition to its attractive ambience, the hotel has recently partnered with Chef Wai Yin Man aka Chef Man, a Hong Kong culinary expert with over 30 years of experience, to offer exclusive Chinese set menus for wedding banquets. Chef Man has long been renowned for his exceptional Chinese cuisine and the outstanding quality of ingredients he uses in his culinary creations. The set menus, the first of their kind, are designed to offer the bridal couple and their guests the opportunity to celebrate with exquisitely prepared traditional Chinese food.

To provide couples with an even more delightful experience, the hotel has unveiled its All-Inclusive Wedding Package. Designed to add more excitement, this package is thoughtfully crafted to cover all essential elements of a dream wedding celebration.

Mr. Sammy Carolus, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, said, “Finding the ideal venue with exceptional food and service is crucial to making the couple happy and leaving a lasting impression on their guests. At Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, we aim to be the preferred wedding destination in Bangkok that meets the couples’ memorable aspiration for their lifetime love celebration. In collaboration with Chef Man, we offer a variety of delectable Chinese menu set banquet options that will delight the taste buds. Chef Man’s approach to Chinese cuisine is simple – using only the freshest, high-quality ingredients to guarantee an outstanding dining experience for our guests. Moreover, our seasoned events team knows how to make dream weddings come true and will do so for every couple.”

Chef Wai Yin Man is delighted at being able to create these memorable experiences. He said, “It’s an honor to be part of the Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit’s memorable wedding celebrations and we thank the hotel and the couples who trust us to craft a unique Chinese culinary experience. The wedding banquet is traditionally a way for the couple’s families to demonstrate their prosperity and generosity, and the menus must reflect this. Designing a Chinese course menu for wedding banquets is always a challenge, but it’s one that I embrace with passion. We use superior quality, mouthwatering ingredients from various locations in our dishes, such as premium dried abalone, fresh fish, and carefully sorted shrimp. My goal is to create flavorful dishes that satisfy the guests and convey blessings of prosperity, longevity, and fertility to the newlyweds. Collaborating with the five-star Hyatt Regency Sukhumvit Bangkok is a good opportunity to showcase and combine our culinary artistry with the hotel’s excellent service to make each wedding banquet a marvelous experience.”

The three sophisticated Chinese set menus created by Chef Man, Silver, Gold and Platinum, are priced between THB 20,000 to THB 28,000 per table of 10 persons. The specially designed menus feature dishes that represent happiness, good luck, prosperity, fertility, and longevity through the food’s names, colors, and flavors. The significance of certain dishes in Chinese cuisine goes beyond taste and presentation, especially in wedding banquets. Fish and Pork dishes are integral to the meal as they symbolize wealth and prosperity. Seafood dishes, such as abalone and scallops, are chosen for their auspicious names and serve as blessings for the couple’s future. The long strands of noodles represent longevity, and rice represents fullness implying the blessing that the couple will always have plenty. Desserts like Sweetened Ginkgo Nuts in Syrup and Sweetened Red Beans Soup with Ginkgo Nuts are served to symbolize the sweet relationship of the couple and the happiness that they share with their guests.

As weddings come back in full force after two years of downsized or delayed nuptials, couples are looking for inclusive wedding plans that manage their budget while ensuring their family and guests are treated well. Ms. Parichart Puangniyom, Associate Director of Events at Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit says, “Couples prioritize three important factors at weddings: professional venue arrangements, hospitality service staff, and food. In response to these trends, Hyatt Regency Sukhumvit Bangkok has also launched the All-Inclusive Wedding Package valued at 1 million baht, which includes an engagement ceremony, wedding reception, and after-party package, a two-night stay in a Presidential Suite, a honeymoon package as well as other special privileges from co-partners.”

“Couples nowadays are not solely focused on following the latest wedding trends. Rather, they are seeking all-inclusive wedding packages that provide value for money while ensuring that their family and guests are treated well. This allows them to manage their wedding budget wisely without compromising on the overall wedding experience. At Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit, we’re not just offering a wedding package but will cater to all their needs to create the best memories on their big day. We want to ensure the Bridal couple has everything they need at one venue,” Ms. Parichart concludes.

Beyond its central location in the heart of Bangkok, an elegant design and five-star service, Hyatt Regency Bangkok has a wide range of event venues that make it a fitting choice for a celebration of any size. Overall, the hotel offers 1,359 square meters of versatile event space. The largest of all the venues is the 617 square meter Regency Ballroom, which can be adjusted to cater to intimate ceremonies and grand parties of up to 700 people. In addition to six-meter-high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows that allow plenty of natural light to stream in, a contemporary design rich in copper and rose gold tones, and diamond patterns dressing the ceilings and floors, the ballroom has been fitted with all of the latest audio-visual technology that can add even more color to the event.

Couples interested in booking the wedding package can contact Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit for more information or reservations us at +662 098 1234

About Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit
Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit is a modern Thai house designed to foster connection – a place where guests can share, socialize and collaborate. The 273-room hotel features 21 suites and recreation facilities such as outdoor swimming pool surrounded by lush vegetation and 24-hour fitness center as well as 14,628 square feet (1,359 square meters) of meeting and event space to host business conferences and social gatherings.

The hotel is located near the Nana neighborhood – meaning “meeting place” – which has traditionally been a multicultural marketplace where people from around the world connect and exchange ideas. Today it offers travelers an immersive experience of Bangkok’s vibrant street markets. The hotel is also easily accessible, as it is only 15.5 miles (25 kilometers) from Bangkok Don Mueang International Airport and 20.5 miles (33 kilometers) from the Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca, Spain, April 1, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The Government of Mallorca, Consell de Mallorca, and the Mallorca Tourism Foundation and UNWTO have hosted the second edition of the Sustainable Destinations Summit, gathering leading experts, organizations and companies to share best practices and perspectives on environmental, social and economic sustainability in destinations.

The Summit emphasized tourism as a force for good, with momentum building towards a regenerative and nature-positive future. UNWTO and the Government of Mallorca welcomed more than 400 delegates at this year’s event, which showcased the latest developments in sustainability for destinations. Discussions highlighted the interdependence of tourism on natural and cultural resources and the potential mutual benefits, while also providing unique first hand perspectives such as from Chief Frank Antoine from the Bonaparte First Nation, or the view from outer space, as told by Pedro Duque, the first ever Spanish astronaut.

The President of Mallorca Government Ms. Catalina Cladera affirmed that “sustainability is a shared will of Mallorcan society and the axis that marks all the policies of the Consell”. Cladera pointed out that Mallorca and the rest of the islands in this community “are taking firm steps not only to continue being the reference destination in the Mediterranean, but also to lead the tourism of the future.”

In her keynote address, UNWTO Executive Director Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic emphasized the vital “transition of the sector into a force for good that has a positive impact on the Sustainable Development Agenda and our shared global challenges”. She added: “If managed well, tourism can be an agent for change, but such a transition towards a green, regenerative and nature-positive tourism sector is needed can be achieved in a collaborative manner.”

Big ambitions and big data

During the two-day Summit, UNWTO provided updates on several of its key sustainability-related activities, including the Glasgow Declaration for Climate Action in Tourism which has so far seen more than 800 businesses, destinations and governments commit to achieving a Net-Zero tourism sector by 2050 at the latest. The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative and the Food Waste programme were similarly highlighted as effective instruments for accelerating this transition.

UNWTO also made tourism data and destination management a central part of the conversation at the Summit. The Measurement of Sustainable Tourism (MST) Framework and the International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO), which counts among its Members the Mallorca Observatory, will play a crucial role in monitoring the sector’s impact on all three sustainability pillars, enabling an evidence-based and informed decision-making.

Private sector importance

The Mallorca government, through its Tourism Foundation and the Sustainable Tourism Observatory, has established a public-private cooperative network across the island and works closely with UNWTO to advance shared goals.

Representing the private sector, Maria Frontera, President of FEHM, (Mallorca´s Hotel Federation) joined Carmen Riu Güell, owner of the RIU Hotels & Resorts chain, to discuss bridging generational perspectives in the pursuit of sustainable tourism development. The event also emphasized the importance of collaboration and circularity in transforming the sector. Additionally, Andreu Serra, Mallorca’s Minister for Transition, Tourism and Sports, the president of FEHM, María Frontera, Mark Tanzer, Executive Director of ABTA, Miguel Sanz, Director General of Turespaña, and Thomas Ellerbeck, Member of the Group Executive Council and Chief Sustainability Officer of TUI Group discussed how destinations committed to sustainability can find a balance between marketing and storytelling.

Closing the Summit, Mrs. Rosa Ana Morillo Rodríguez, Secretary of State for Tourism in Spain, emphasized the crucial role of sustainability for the nation during her closing statement. She acknowledged that tourism is one of the key sectors driving Spain’s economy and stressed the need for resilience and competitiveness within the sector

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 31, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Chinese exhibitors and travel professionals are making a welcome return to Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2023 which is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) for its 30th edition from 1-4 May, for the first time in three years.

China lifted its covid-related travel restrictions on 8th January 2023, allowing Chinese tourists to travel abroad, without having to quarantine upon their return. Bookings for overseas travel during Chinese New Year, soared by 540% compared with the same period in 2022, according to data from the Chinese travel site Trip.com.

• Chinese exhibitors back at ATM 2023 for the first time in three years
• Dragon Trail to share survey data on Chinese travellers’ plans and preferences during conference session on the recovery of Chinese tourism in Middle East
• Six million outbound tourists per month from China estimated by summer 2023
• China was the top source market globally in 2019 with 155 million tourists

Furthermore, in a CNN report, Steve Saxon, a partner at McKinsey, based in Shenzhen, predicted the Chinese outbound market would recover to around six million per month by the summer of 2023, driven in part by the pent-up demand especially from young, affluent Chinese.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market commented, “China became the world’s top source market in 2019, with 155 million tourists spending more than $250 billion overseas. However, its isolation from the global market over the past three years has set the industry back by an estimated $840 billion, equivalent, to 16% of the $1.7 trillion spent annually on global tourism, according to UNWTO.”

Dubai received almost one million Chinese visitors in 2019, which was an increase of over 15% compared with 2018. And while the 154,000 Chinese visitors Dubai welcomed over the first 11 months of 2022 was down 83% compared to the same period prior to 2020, it was up 115% year-on-year, which bodes well not only for Dubai, but also for the wider Middle East tourism sector.

Popular destinations such as Dubai, Saudi’s AlUla, Egypt and Jordan, which have consistently marketed to Chinese outbound business-to-consumer and business-to-business, should be in a strong position to benefit from the predicted rebound of Chinese visitor numbers.

“We have noticed a considerable amount of enquiries recently from travel professionals in China. Although we would not expect the same volume of Chinese exhibitors and visitors we received in 2019, we are confident of healthy participation numbers this year,” she added.

Considering the short notice, ATM 2023 has already confirmed the participation of key Chinese exhibitors such as FLIGHTROUTES24 Travel, Shenzhen GoodLuck Trip International and Travel World China, with many more bookings anticipated ahead of the show.
ATM is also organising a dedicated conference session on its Global Stage, entitled ‘China is back on the map: Macro and micro impacts’, in partnership with Dragon Trail International.

An expert panel of speakers including Sienna Parulis-Cook, Director, Marketing and Communications for Dragon Trail International, Peggy Li, CEO & Chief Trouble shooter at sps:affinity and Winnie Chiu, President, Dorsett Hospitality International, will discuss the latest trends that are driving the recovery of Chinese tourism to the Middle East.

Business travel will be integral to the tourism revival. According to a recent survey by the Shanghai Institute of International Studies and PwC China, over 75% of Chinese businesses polled were looking to enter or expand their presence in the Middle East over the next three to five years, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia top destinations for investors.

“I am convinced that the Middle East will experience a surge in Chinese tourism, reminiscent of the rebound we witnessed from Europe and India in late 2021 and early 2022,” said Curtis.

Other highlights at ATM 2023 include exploring the future of sustainable travel in line with its theme of ‘Working Towards Net Zero’. Having officially initiated its journey to net zero, the conference programme will explore how innovative sustainable travel trends will likely evolve. It will enable delegates to identify growth strategies within key vertical sectors while providing a platform for regional experts to explore a sustainable future ahead of COP28, which will take place in November 2023 at Expo City Dubai.

The conference will also feature a sustainability category at its annual exhibitor awards for the first time. Exhibiting organisations will be recognised based on the extent to which they have considered the environmental impact of their stands and their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.

ATM 2023 is held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre, and its strategic partners include Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) as the Destination Partner, Emirates as the Official Airline Partner, IHG Hotels & Resorts as the Official Hotel Partner and Al Rais Travel as the Official DMC Partner.

To register for ATM 2023, please log on to: https://www.wtm.com/atm/en-gb/enquire.html.

About Arabian Travel Market (ATM), now on its 30th year, is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2022 attracted over 24,000 visitors and hosted over 31,000 participants including 1,600 exhibitors and attendees from 151 countries, across 10 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre. Arabian Travel Market is part of Arabian Travel Week. About Arabian Travel Week is a festival of events taking place within and alongside Arabian Travel Market 2023. Providing a renewed focus for the Middle East’s travel and tourism sector, it includes ILTM Arabia, ARIVAL Dubai, Influencers’ events and activations, ITIC, GBTA Business Travel Forums, as well as ATM Travel Tech. It also features the ATM Buyer Forums, ATM Speed Networking Events as well as a series of country forums.

Siem Reap, Cambodia, March 31, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Destination Mekong (DM) and Siem Reap Tourism Club (STC) co-hosted their first Destination Siem Reap networking day under the theme ‘Together Smarter Stronger’. Designed as a creative and interactive event, Destination Siem Reap was primarily dedicated to the community of professionals in travel, tourism, hospitality and related sectors, especially existing and potential members/partners of DM and STC. It mainly aimed to promote business collaborations and public-private partnerships and help generate tourism income and job opportunities in Siem Reap, Cambodia, and more widely in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.

Destination Mekong and Siem Reap Tourism Club also intended to facilitate a dynamic and inclusive platform to share stories, experiences, and good practices while giving a voice to those too often excluded from mainstream conversations.

Destination Siem Reap took place under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism of the Kingdom of Cambodia and was sponsored by AZ Group as key partner, and Sapathana Bank. This local networking day was the first joint action of DM and STC, giving life to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) they had signed during the 2022 Destination Mekong Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The Destination Siem Reap program’s main part occurred in the morning at Memoire Angkor Palace. It started with a multiplayer networking breakfast in the garden followed by a workshop featuring two sessions on 1. Promoting Siem Reap as a Sustainable Tourism Destination, and 2. Promoting Siem Reap as a Smart Tourism Destination.

After opening remarks by Catherine Germier-Hamel, CEO of Destination Mekong and Philip Kao, President of Siem Reap Tourism Club, Mr Sieng Neak, Deputy Director-General of the Tourism Development and International Cooperation Department of the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism, gave congratulatory remarks. Mr Erkan Bilal, Managing Director of AZ Group, then gave a speech before the signing of the MoU between Destination Mekong and AZ Group. Through this MoU, both parties expressed their will to ‘align their visions and core values and enter into a strategic collaboration towards promoting travel, ECO-Tourism, sustainable projects and hospitality of Mekong Region at local, regional & global levels and in other related fields’.

During the two morning sessions, ten speakers from a variety of backgrounds shared their positive experiences and inspiring stories to stimulate sustainable tourism recovery and resilience in Siem Reap. Ms. Katrine Solhaug, Owner and General Manager of Babel Guesthouse, explained how her business succeeded in surviving the COVID pandemic. She also raised concerns over noise pollution issues in Siem Reap and insisted that the support of the public sector was crucial to solving them. Ms. Sophany Mao, Director of Spoons Cambodia Organization, which provides hospitality training to disadvantaged young Cambodians, mentioned the difficulty of securing funds to train enough students in spite of many applications.

Other speakers were (by alphabetical order):
Clemy Balasoto, Founder & CEO of The Better Cambodia, who introduced the latest trends in e-marketing and how Siem Reap business can be prepared;
Ty Chea, Head of Sales, Urban Living Solutions, who shared his love for Siem Reap and encouraged all to join the ‘We Love Siem Reap Campaign’;
Jean-Pierre Gagnon, DCEO of Sathapana Bank, spoke about the key role of FINTECH as an important mechanism to support sustainable tourism development and briefly presented the cutting-edge services offered by Sathapana bank;
Vannak Hang, General Manager of Angkor Green Gardens by Dara, talked about the property as a smart and eco-friendly accommodation;
Nicolas Hatz, Tourism Development Expert at GIZ ICONE, highlighted the findings of a recent GIZ study on travel trends and travellers’ profiles in Siem Reap, urging all local operators to take advantage of it,
Philippe Kao, President of STC, stressed the importance of working together and actions over words, as well as addressing labour shortage with a training project initiated by STC through funding from the Cambodian Ministry of Finance;
and Torsten Munther, Managing Director of Fair Trade Village who stressed the necessity to include older people in the local tourism workforce and especially when t comes to handicrafts, so that they can also get a sustainable income and participate in community development and empowerment efforts.

The workshop was attended by 120 representatives from the public and private sectors, including high-level officials from the Ministry of Tourism, travel operators and agents, accommodation and travel experience providers, tourism-related social enterprises, investors, developers, representatives of the academia, international development organisations and NGOs, consultants, media representatives, etc.

In the afternoon, participants were offered the opportunity to join a two-hour cycling tour co-organized by LoLei Travel and EHT Paul Dubrule and visit handicraft workshops. This dense networking day ended with an evening party at Spoons Restaurant and Café, where guests celebrated the WWF Earth Hour 2023 with candlelight to raise awareness about the importance of saving energy.

One of the highlights of the event was Destination Mekong’s signature cocktail, Mekong Morning, which was served to the panellists of the workshop and to all guests at the evening party. Philip Kao, President of STC, stressed that ‘we all know that a dream without action is a fantasy and cannot be true! That’s the reason why we are here!’

Catherine Germier-Hamel, CEO of DM, mentioned that ‘to achieve tourism recovery and resilience, building trust and strong connections is crucial. Through our networking events and together with our partners, we are willing to help the industry regain confidence and bet on cooperation rather than competition. She added that it was vital to transform intentions and ambitions into concrete actions.