Category: Latest Travel News

Male, Maldives, February 16, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / S Hotels and Resorts and Singha Estate announce that CROSSROADS Maldives has achieved Green Globe Certification, reinforcing environmental commitment. Group reaffirms its vision of sustainability, balanced diversity and social responsibility as the Maldives’ first and only world-class integrated tourist destination is recognised for its international environmental standards.

CROSSROADS Maldives, the Indian Ocean’s first and only multi-island, integrated leisure destination featuring three award-winning resorts – Hard Rock Hotel Maldives and SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton, and SO/ Maldives, which is opening in late 2023 – and The Marina @CROSSROADS, a luxury yacht marina, lifestyle area, and culinary experiences, has been awarded the internationally renowned Green GlobeTM Certification (GGC) following a recent sustainability audit, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability.

Developed by S Hotels & Resorts Public Company Limited, the hospitality arm of Singha Estate Public Company Limited, Thailand’s leading real estate company, in partnership with Boon Rawd Brewery Co., Ltd., CROSSROADS Maldives has adopted environmental best practices in accordance with Green GlobeTM standards, which are recognized worldwide as the highest benchmark in the tourism and hospitality industry. Successfully attaining Green GlobeTM Certification shows that CROSSROADS Maldives integrates sustainable, socially-responsible and environmentally-friendly processes throughout its daily operations.

This is the latest honour for CROSSROADS Maldives and its resorts, which also won the 2022 TTM Awards for Best MICE Destination and South Asia Travel Awards for Leading Yacht Marina Hotel/Resort.

CROSSROADS Maldives’ comprehensive Environment Policy covers four key pillars: Sustainable Management, Social & Economic Development, Environmental Practices and Cultural Heritage. Each of these strategies has been carefully designed to conserve the Maldives’ national resources and preserve the local way of life.

Two key facilities – the expert-led Maldives Discovery Centre and Marine Discovery Centre – are helping to drive to CROSSROADS Maldives’ social and environmental efforts.

Maldives Discovery Centre is designed to provide in-depth information about the Maldives’ culture, people, history, and unique environment and climate struggles. The facility is fully-equipped with interactive displays and staffed by knowledgeable, experienced guides.

Marine Discovery Centre is a pioneering conservation hub that aims to highlight environmental issues and showcase the destination’s phenomenal beauty. It features a marine biology laboratory and coral nursery, and regular initiatives include fish identification, coral propagation and more.

Dirk De Cuyper, CEO, S Hotels & Resorts, said; “S Hotels & resorts is a subsidiary of Singha Estate, which has passed down its vision of sustainable development and integrating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially marine biodiversity (SDG 14: Life Below Water), into its business operations. Our company aims to balance big business with the integrity of marine biodiversity to create a balanced, diversity and sustainable growth strategy. This is very challenging, so we have to carefully monitor every aspect of our operations to ensure that it enhances the guest experience but does not impact the environment.”

“CROSSROADS Maldives is S Hotels & Resorts’ flagship project that can generate significant income for the group. In 2023, we will launch SO/ Maldives, the stylish new resort from Accor’s luxury lifestyle brand, which will offer guests a fun and vibrant vacation experience with a wide range of leisure options. All three resorts will have distinctive and different styles, resulting in the company expanding into more diverse market segments,” he continued.

“We are delighted to achieve Green GlobeTM Certification, which is considered the highest global standard for sustainable tourism and hospitality providers. At S Hotels & Resorts and Singha Estate, we are committed to operating in accordance with the philosophy of sustainable development throughout caring for the environment and community is integral to every aspect of our business. We understand that we are only the guardians of our destinations and that we have a responsibility to protect and preserve them for future generations. Receiving this important accolade shows that we are succeeding. The Maldives is a truly breathtaking destination, and we look forward to showcasing its natural beauty to the world’s travellers for many years to come,” Mr. De Cuyper concluded.

About S Hotels & Resorts
S Hotels & Resorts, a subsidiary of Singha Estate Public Company Limited, is a new-era Thai-inspired personalised hospitality company that caters to upscale travellers with an independent spirit. The group offers guests a portfolio of 38 properties in 5 countries with a total of 4,552 keys and provides guests with the opportunity to experience the best destinations from a unique perspective while enjoying world-class facilities and tailored services. S Hotels & Resorts’ properties are located in attractive, unspoiled locales to provide an exclusive playground built around nature, culture, wellness and adventure, with luxurious amenities and fine cuisine. Each property boasts its own distinctive, destination-sensitive designs and unique signatures while also providing consistency thanks to a well-defined brand philosophy and a service culture that focuses on exceptional guest experiences backed up by Thai-inspired hospitality and global quality standards.

About CROSSROADS Maldives
Crafted from tales of the past, designed to inspire the present, CROSSROADS Maldives is the next chapter in the story of one of the world’s most amazing destinations. The archipelago’s only “one-stop, non-stop” lifestyle destination invites adventurous travellers from the four corners of the globe to cross paths and explore a treasure trove of iconic oceanfront resorts, upscale lifestyle outlets and endless entertainment offerings, as well as the stunning natural, cultural and nautical attractions that have lured maritime travellers to the Maldives for centuries. CROSSROADS Maldives is where cultures meet.

Bangkok, Thailand, February 16, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels and Resorts (BWHR) has expanded its footprint in Bangkok with the opening of Best Western Chatuchak, an exciting new hotel that puts guests just steps from the iconic Chatuchak Weekend Market, in one of the city’s most exciting emerging districts.

Perfectly positioned in North Bangkok, just 100 meters from Kamphaeng Phet MRT subway station, Best Western Chatuchak is easily accessible from all parts of this dynamic city. Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, Bangkok’s new main rail terminal, and Don Mueang International Airport are just a short distance away, making this a convenient place to stay for domestic and international travelers alike.

Guests can unwind in a selection of 192-stylish rooms and suites, each of which comes fully equipped with signature king or twin beds, contemporary interiors, a working desk and views of the city. Modern amenities include a 43-inch HDTV and entertainment system, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a bathroom with a rainfall shower.

Best Western Chatuchak is set to become a major hub for meeting planners. This highly accessible hotel features world-class function space including a naturally-lit ballroom with 280 square meters of pillar-free floorspace and soaring 8.4-meter-high ceilings, allowing it to accommodate 300 guests. This sophisticated venue also extends out onto a 3,200-square meter outdoor terrace and garden, which sets the stage for glamorous alfresco receptions, and a separate meeting room can accommodate up to 100 people. This makes the hotel ideal for all types of corporate and social gathering, including weddings. The excellent local transport and large onsite parking lot mean that all delegates can come and go with ease.

“We are delighted to introduce Best Western Chatuchak to our guests from around the world. Located on the doorstep of Chatuchak Market, which attracts more than 200,000 visitors every weekend, this is a great option for retail lovers and culture seekers. It will also become an important venue for conferences, events and weddings, establishing a new frontier in Bangkok’s thriving meetings, incentives, conferencing and exhibitions (MICE) sector. Just moments from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal and fully connected with urban transport links, Best Western Chatuchak represents another important milestone in the development of this up-and-coming urban district,” said Olivier Berrivin, Vice President of International Operations – APAC, BWH Hotel Group®.

The opening of Best Western Chatuchak reaffirms BWHR’s position as one of the leading hospitality companies in Bangkok. The company now offers eight hotels in Thailand’s dynamic capital city, covering six of its diverse brands.

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

About Best Western Hotels and Resorts
Best Western Hotels and 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.

Orlando, Florida, United States, February 16, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today revealed Orlando is predicted to be the largest U.S. Travel and Tourism city destination in 2022 with an economic contribution of over $31 billion, representing 20% of the city’s total GDP and recovering above 2019 levels by $2.7 billion.

The Cities Economic Impact Report, sponsored by Visa and researched in partnership with Oxford Economics, analyzed key Travel & Tourism metrics across 82 cities around the world, including contribution to GDP, employment and traveler spend.

The report studied the sector’s impact in Orlando, Las Vegas, Miami, Chicago, New York City, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Honolulu.

Las Vegas followed Orlando as the second largest Travel & Tourism market in the U.S. with a direct GDP contribution of $23 billion last year, surpassing the 2019 baseline by 5.3%.

Miami made the top city destinations list with a heroic GDP comeback last year of $11.1 billion that exceeded pre-pandemic contributions by 5% despite a devastating 56% drop in economic contribution from the sector in 2020.

New York City and Los Angeles also landed in the top U.S. rankings for 2022 with Travel & Tourism GDPs valued at $21.1 billion and $11 billion respectively, showing strong signs of closing the gap to 2019 levels.

“It was a fightback year for cities across the country in 2022. Destinations like Orlando, Miami, Chicago and Las Vegas are back stronger than ever before thanks to the relaxation of pandemic restrictions and a strong rebound of consumer confidence.” said Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO.

“Other popular holiday destinations like San Francisco, Honolulu and Washington D.C. are following suit with growing sector GDP contributions that are well on their way to recovering from peak pandemic lows as they build up their industry workforce and cultivate a flourishing base of international travelers.”

Domestic Travelers Dominate Visitor Spending in Major U.S. City Destinations

In 2019, domestic travelers made up an 84.6% share of Travel & Tourism spending in the U.S. – that number increased to more than 95% in 2021. Travel hubs like Orlando, Miami and Las Vegas continued to benefit from strong domestic spending last year to surpass 2019 marks by 19% on average.

In Washington D.C., domestic visitors provided $5.27 billion to the local economy in 2022, 85% of pre-pandemic revenue. Honolulu and San Francisco were not far behind with spending reaching $4.7 billion and $3.41 billion, respectively.

Despite a strong domestic traveler market, pressure created by the slower-than-expected international traveler spending return in the U.S. continued to drive a performance gap in the overall economic recovery of many city destinations last year. The combined international visitor spend across the nine US cities analyzed was 35% below 2019 levels.

Orlando was the only major city destination to maintain its industry edge with international visitors, surpassing 2019 spending by almost 20% in 2022.

Positive Trends for Travel & Tourism Employment in 2022

New York City’s direct contribution of Travel & Tourism to jobs grew by almost 32% between 2020 and 2022, representing an increase of more than 59,200 filled positions.

Las Vegas displayed equally impressive employment gains year-over-year, climbing out of a record low of 163,800 jobs in 2020 to round out 2022 with more than 206,000 industry positions.

While employment across Travel & Tourism in major city destinations continues to rise after the devastating loss of thousands of jobs in the industry throughout the country in 2020, many top markets are still struggling to meet or exceed 2019 job levels despite positive macro-GDP growth.

In 2022, Chicago was the only major city destination with direct contribution of Travel & Tourism jobs outstripping 2019 employment levels, reaching 178,200 jobs last year (a more than 20,000 increase from 2019).

The Travel & Tourism sector overcame significant long-haul hurdles and is poised to emerge even stronger going into 2023 as a critical driver for economic prosperity. By fostering private and public sector collaboration to reintegrate the workforce and attract new talent that meets consumer demand while encouraging open borders, the industry can continue to meet and exceed record economic development.

Bangkok, Thailand, February 15, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Following strong annual percentage increases in international visitor arrivals (IVAs) in 2022, predictions now are for a peak in that growth momentum in 2023 year-over-year, before slowly moderating in strength to 2025, as pent-up demand gradually eases.

The latest scenario forecasts from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) for international arrivals into 39 Asia Pacific destinations covered in the Executive Summary report released today, predict that under the mild scenario, the return to pre-COVID levels of IVAs will occur in 2023; under the medium scenario that is projected to occur in 2024, while under the severe scenario, even by the end of 2025, arrival numbers are predicted to still lag the 2019 benchmark by around 12%.

In absolute terms, the number of international arrivals estimates for 2023 range from 713 million under the mild scenario to 512 million under the medium scenario and 383 million under the severe scenario.

While the forecasts for annual increases in international visitor numbers into and across Asia Pacific are strong for each year from 2023 to 2025 under all three scenarios, there are still significant variations under each of those scenarios for individual destination regions and within those, the destinations themselves.

The annual growth rate for IVAs into and across Asia, for example, is predicted to be of the order of 254% in 2023 under the mild scenario, 171% under the medium scenario and 127% under the severe scenario. Such performances are supported by the recent news that China is slowly returning to international travel for both inbound and outbound.

The other destination regions of Asia Pacific are not forecast to grow as strongly as Asia, but still have significant growth rates and absolute volume increases, which, importantly, are predicted to remain positive from year to year between 2023 and 2025.

In addition, when evaluating the annual percentage gains, it must be remembered that while triple-digit annual growth rates look powerful, they translate into quite different absolute increases in IVAs; the annual percentage increases need to be tempered against the absolute increases in visitor numbers.

“Overall, while the trends in these latest forecasts are extremely positive, there are still significant challenges ahead, not the least of which will be managing the impacts of the various variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and whatever else might appear. Add to that the continually looming possibility of a global recession, ongoing geo-political conflicts, a persistent trade-war and changing landscapes in the face of climate change, and it seems advisable to at least consider the possibility of more years of uncertainty and to prepare accordingly,” said PATA Chair Peter Semone. “We were warned with SARS in 2003/2004 but did not fully heed it and consequently paid an enormous humanitarian and economic price with COVID-19. Lessons must be learned and remembered.”

“International travel has already returned to and across the Asia Pacific region to some degree, however, growth over the next few years will largely be uneven for various sub-regions and destinations, in the face of their own local disruptions. The need for a mindset shift from merely marketing a destination to managing visitor demand in a responsible and sustainable manner remains a critical issue for the travel and tourism sector. While the lure of revenue is seductive after years of losses, it should not be the only driving force behind the rebuilding of the supply-side elements of international travel and tourism,” added Mr. Semone.

Mr. Semone concludes by noting that, “Another critical issue for the travel and tourism sector is staffing; we need appropriately trained and motivated personnel and that in turn necessitates education, realistic salaries and benefits, and a transparent promotion pathway for those staff. The sector lost millions of workers during the COVID-19 years and luring them back will be a difficult task unless conditions improve. Developing a more harmonious and equitable tourism system of necessity, involves destinations, suppliers, local communities, and workers. Get that mix right and we will be on the road to a sustainable and equitable long-term future.”

What you will learn from this report:

– Forecast international visitor numbers for Asia Pacific between 2023 and 2025 by destination region, sub-region, and destination, highlighting changing demand preferences in the post-COVID era; and
– Forecasts for 39 individual destinations facilitating the development of appropriate strategies over the next three years.

The PATA Asia Pacific Visitor Forecasts Executive Summary 2023-2025 is now available at https://www.pata.org/research-q1v63g6n2dw/p/asia-pacific-visitor-forecasts-2023-2025.

PATA International members have exclusive access to the Forecast webinar recording, “How Would the Opening of China Impact on Demand for Tourism in the Asia Pacific Region” which was held on Thursday, January 26, 2023. The webinar included expert speakers from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Euromonitor International, and OAG. The speakers provided an overview of the forecasts for international arrivals to Asia Pacific between 2023 and 2025 from their unique positions of forecasting arrivals, monitoring changing consumer sentiment, and aviation capacity.

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.

Bangkok, Thailand, February 15, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has announced the appointment of Pornchanok Thongrungrot as its new Corporate Public Relations Director. Pornchanok or Pao, as she is better known, has worked with Centara since 2015 when she joined the company as Assistant Corporate Public Relations Manager. Since then, her talent and professionalism have helped her to achieve the series of promotions and she is now more than ready to lead the group’s Corporate Public Relations division.

Pao gained strong marketing and communications experience with local and global brands across multiple industries, including Boots Retail Thailand, Yum Restaurants International (KFC and PizzaHut Thailand), and TTMWM – an affiliate of Toyota Motor Thailand. This gave her the perfect platform upon which to build her career with Centara.

Since joining Thailand’s leading hotel and resort company, she has supported several major PR campaigns and marketing initiatives, including the launch of Centara Reserve, the personalised luxury lifestyle brand, and the expansion of the family-focused Centara Mirage concept in Vietnam and the Middle East. She successfully implemented Centara’s international PR strategy in 2018 and tripled brand’s media value through several media and influencers trips over the past few years. Pao also helped to skilfully guide the company’s corporate PR strategy through the global pandemic.

Fluent in Thai and English, Pao has become a well-known and highly respected figure among the local and international media, with excellent contacts among journalists, editors, bloggers and influencers in Thailand and overseas.

“Ever since Pao joined Centara in 2015, we have been hugely impressed by her ability and expertise. She has a natural understanding of the PR industry and excellent inter-personal skills, which enables her to build and maintain strong relations and generate positive media coverage. Also, being of the millennial generation, she is at the forefront of all the latest media trends and social media platforms. I am delighted that Pao has been promoted to the role of Corporate Public Relations Director and look forward to continuing to see her flourish for many years to come,” said Tom Thrussell, Vice President Brand, Marketing & Digital, Centara Hotels and Resorts.

About Centara
Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 92 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Cambodia, Turkey, Indonesia and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara and COSI Hotels – ranging from luxurious island retreats to family resorts and affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. It also operates state-of-the-art convention centres and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travellers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Over the next five years Centara aims to become a top 100 global hotel group, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty programme, Centara The1, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, February 13, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / G Adventures in the US has partnered with Jerne, the world’s leading platform that connects content creators to experience providers, to streamline the creator/experience relationship from start to finish.

As travel begins to reach and exceed pre-2020 levels, G Adventures has revamped the process with which it will work with creators, focusing on specific geographical areas, themes, and experiences that dovetail into larger marketing strategies. Jerne offers an easy-to-use platform that ensures both sides – creators and providers – are matched in a mutually-beneficial relationship, clearly defining goals and responsibilities, and providing useful metrics and measurable results.

“We know that creators are a key piece in our marketing plan, and Jerne’s seamless platform will allow us to work more efficiently with new audiences to amplify how traveling with G Adventures can help make the world a better place,” Alex Sanchez, consumer marketing manager for G Adventures in the US.

According to a recent study by Adobe*, there are hundreds of millions of influential creators around the world who are focused on sharing and engaging with their community of followers across a plethora of online platforms. Nielsen, in another recent study**, found that 71% of consumers trust advertising opinions and product placement from content creators.

“When you combine the volume of creators around the world and the documented influence they have on buying decisions with a world-class product like G Adventures, the sky is truly the limit,” said Tim Morgan, Jerne’s CEO.

“As the pioneer in community tourism, G Adventures has long understood that building, sustaining, and growing a community is one of the most important ways that travel can be a force for good,” said Sanchez. “And it’s no different when working with the creator community.”

“As a leader in building community within its travelers as well as in its destinations, G Adventures is perfectly poised to realize the marketing opportunities associated with this fast-growing distribution channel,” said Morgan.

About G Adventures
Founded in 1990 by social entrepreneur Bruce Poon Tip, G Adventures is a pioneer in community tourism and small group travel, offering more than 750 trips in 100 countries, on all seven continents. G Adventures’ award-winning trips support local communities, giving travelers meaningful experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, while offering them the freedom and flexibility to explore on their own. G Adventures’ responsible approach to travel is demonstrated through its ‘G for Good’ social impact commitments, which include travel guidelines for children, wildlife and Indigenous people, community-based Planeterra projects travelers can experience on their trips, and the industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’ assessment which measures how many traveler dollars stay in the local economy. G Adventures offers life-changing tours for people of all ages, interests and budgets, because our world deserves more you.

About Jerne
Jerne is the world’s leading platform connecting thousands of influential travel creators and experience providers – hotels, cruise lines, tour operators, restaurants, spas, and every experiential product in between – forming a new channel for travel distribution. Notably, Jerne is the official creator economy partner of Forbes Travel Guide, the global authority on luxury hospitality. Jerne was co-founded in 2021 by Tim Morgan and Ryan McElroy who have a combined 35 years of travel industry experience, both having worked with or served on advisory boards of some of the world’s leading travel companies. Formerly overseeing Canada & EMEA for Virtuoso, Morgan also co-founded The 1000, a $3 billion club for the world’s most influential travel advisors. McElroy also co-founded Travel Agency Tribes, a provider of B2B2C travel marketing technologies used by thousands of travel companies and consumers every day.

Phuket, February 13, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / With Thailand having decriminalized marijuana, The Slate Phuket is inviting guests to say BONG Appetit to a special dining experience by Steven John of Empty Plates Bangkok. Chef John has incorporated cannabis leaves, flower, stems and seeds into an innovative menu that will not only bring the flavours of the plant to the fore, but provide health benefits due to being rich in anti-oxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds. This special dining experience will be offered at the hotel’s sexy Rivet & Rebar on 10 and 11 March, with only 40 tickets for at each exclusive event.

Coqoon Spa will also offer specially designed treatments using CBD oil, which has been shown to enhance well-being and alleviate pain.

Public attitudes to cannabis have changed dramatically in the past few years, with numerous studies showing the plant to have beneficial effects on health and well-being. It has been legalized in numerous countries for recreational and medicinal use, with Thailand the latest to recognize its benefits.

The global cannabis market is set to reach $200 billion by 2030, according to research by GlobeNewsWire, with numerous studies showing the health benefits of consuming cannabinoids like THC and CBD.

“At The Slate, we are always looking for new ways to surprise our guests and we can see there is huge demand for cannabis tourism,” says The Slate Phuket’s owner, Krystal Prakaikaew Na-Ranong. “This is a sophisticated way for guests to try cannabis in a culinary form, in a relaxed and elegant setting by creating high-end menus with cannabis-infused dishes by the masterful Steven John.”

Krystal says that curated cannabis experiences have the potential to bring more visitors to Thailand, helping the industry recover after the impact of Covid.

“The Slate Phuket is known for its BOLD events and Bong Appetit is the first in a series of gastronomic journeys curated by The Slate to showcase a different side to Thailand and immerse our guests in new experiences,” she said.

The dinner is inspired by BONG Appetit, a TV show that follows Abudllah Saeed around the world as he visits chef preparing meals in a kitchen stocked with a huge selection of marijuana ingredients.

From crushed powder form to oils, butters and resins, cannabis is added carefully to different dishes to complement the flavours of the natural produce and offer a mild relaxation effect.

Chef John says that cannabis should be considered similar to wine, in that different plants will have different flavour profiles based on their cultivation, production and origin.

“When cooking with cannabis, we try to pair the flavours of the plant with the right ingredients, just as a sommelier chooses the perfect wine to complement or enhance a dish,” he said. “I think of it as another herb that adds to the flavour profile and experience of fine dining.”

Dinner price Baht 3,800++

Bong Appetit package
– 1-night stay in Private Pool Suite @THB22,100+++(THB26,232.70) for 2 people
– 2-night stay in Private Pool Suite @THB34,000+++(THB40,358) for 2 people

Package includes
– Daily breakfast at Tin Mine
– 90-minute Cannabidiol spa treatment at The Nest, Coqoon Spa
– BOLD dinner at Rivet
– Priority early check-in and late check-out
– Complimentary roundtrip airport transfer
– 10% discount at KRU Precision Wellness

Bong Appetit amalgamate with Sunday Brunch package
– 1-night stay in Private Pool Suite @THB28,500+++(THB33,829.50) for 2 people
– 2-night stay in Private Pool Suite @THB40,600+++(THB48,192.20) for 2 people

Package includes:
– Daily breakfast at Tin Mine
– 90-minute Cannabidiol spa treatment at The Nest, Coqoon Spa
– BOLD dinner at Rivet
– Sunday Brunch with selected free-flow wine, sparkling wine, cocktails, beers, spirits, soft drinks, fruit juices, and mocktails
– Priority early check-in and late check-out
– Complimentary roundtrip airport transfer
– 10% discount at KRU Precision Wellness

About The Slate
Nestled on the shores of Nai Yang beach, The Slate plays tribute to Phuket’s past through the painstaking artistry of Bill Bensley, manifesting the owning family’s rich tin mining history with the island’s true soul. Decadent suites mix exposed beams, polished concrete and custom furniture and fittings to bring the owners’legacy to life. There are 8 restaurants and bars including the Michelin-recommended Black Ginger, which floats atop its own lake and is accessible by rope-pulled raft. Facilities include Coqoon Spa, KRU Precision Wellness, three outdoor pools, two tennis courts, a full gym, Heliconia Flower Gallery, The Wine Room, Tin Box Kids Club, The Stockroom onsite boutique; and Shades Gallery, a collaborative art space which promotes cultural exchanges through art and fashion. Weddings and events are well catered for, with state-of-the-art meeting rooms and expansive spaces. www.theslatephuket.com Ph: +66 (0) 76 327 006

Madrid, Spain, February 13, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO has announced the winners of its Awake Tourism Challenge, celebrating the start-ups that are reshaping the sector in every global region.

The Challenge was the second edition of the UNWTO Global Startup Competition focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Entrants were judged on how they are contributing to the development of an inclusive, resilient and sustainable tourism sector, with a focus on six core themes:

• Local Community Involvement
• Green and Blue Economies
• Ecological and Sustainable Capital Creation
• Tourism Tech for Good
• Tourism Education
• Women Empowerment

UNWTO Seceratry-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism startups have the power and agility to transform the sector in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. The winners of the UNWTO Awake Tourism Challenge all have the potential to help build a more inclusive and resilient sector and we look forward to supporting them as they grow in size and influence.”

Tourism startups have the power and agility to transform the sector in line with the Sustainable Development Goals

Winners from every global region

The competition attracted more than 2,000 entrants from 120 countries worldwide. The most submissions were from Europe, the Americas and Africa, followed by Asia and the Pacific and the Middle East. From these, an expert jury selected 30 finalists and then 15 winners.

Reflecting the broad talent of the global tourism sector, the winning start-ups are Coastruction (the Netherlands), Noytrall (Portugal), SmArt Tourism and Hospitality Consulting (Panama), Quantum Temple (USA), Socialbnb (Germany), Instituto de Accesibilidad (Spain), Kamatjona (Namibia), Baahdy & Birdy (Norway), WeavAir (Singapore), r3charge (Germany), Impact Innovations Institute (Armenia), NomadHer (South Korea), Murmuration (France), Evelity by Okeenea Digital (France) and Accessible Qatar (Qatar). The projects were recognized for offering innovative service with high customer value, most notably with high levels of youth engagement and the involvement of local communities. Start-ups were also recognized for their use of technology to monitor and manage the environmental impact of tourism activity. More information on the winners and finalists can be found on the competition website.

A winning network

The winning start-ups will be offered an incubation period of three months at SPARK Crans-Montana, the Innovation Hub of Les Roches from the Sommet Education group, where they will be participating in mentorships, networking activities and have access to a VR lab, Digital Studio, and a dedicated co-working space. In addition, they will also receive scholarships for the UNWTO Tourism Online Academy, be included in the UNWTO Catalogue of top innovators, be featured in a global communications campaign to showcase each winner and invited for mentorships with project partners.

The competition was organized in collaboration with Wakalua, the first global innovation hub for tourism, powered by Ávoris, and counted with great support from renowned tourism experts and partners, including; SPARK, the Innovation Hub of Les Roches from the Sommet Education group, Amadeus, IE University, NEST, KPMG, MasterCard, Telefonica, Wayra, ClarkeModet, The FarCo, BBVA, MentorDay, Finnova, Google for Startups, the Valley Digital Business School, the Future Food Institute and the Inter-American Development Bank and the Singapore Tourism Board.

Innovation as priority

In 2022, UNWTO celebrated five years of its Department of Innovation, Education, and invesment. In that time, UNWTO has made innovation one of its main priorities for the sector, holding 23 competitions and challenges, as well as holding nine Tourism Tech Adventures, and creating an innovation network of more than 11,500 stakeholders drawn from every part of the diverse sector.

Bangkok, Thailand, February 13, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / Centara Hotels and Resorts, announced its approval for certification by Vireo SRL, a GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) – Accredited certification body, for meeting global standards for sustainable travel and tourism known as GSTC criteria. This certification represents a major milestone in Centara’s ongoing commitment to sustainability.

The Centara Hotels & Resorts corporate office and 12 hotels are currently approved for certification, and the organisation is continuing to work toward its long-term goal of achieving full certification by 2025.

The 12 hotels which are recognised for meeting the GSTC Criteria are:
– Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld
– Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok
– Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Krabi
– Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin
– Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya
– Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket
– Centara Villas Samui
– Centara Villas Phuket
– Centara Hotel Hat Yai
– Centra by Centara Government Complex Hotel & Convention Centre Chaeng Watthana
– Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives
– Centara Ras Fushi Resort & Spa Maldives

Being certified means that Centars’s product and services comply with the highest social and environmental standards. The 4 main GSTC criteria for hotels include:

• Demonstrate effective sustainable management

• Maximize social and economic benefits to the local community and minimize negative impacts

• Maximize benefits to cultural heritage and minimize negative impacts

• Maximize benefits to the environment and minimize negative impacts

In honour of this prestigious certification, Centara hosted a celebratory handover ceremony between Dr. Luigi Mazzaglia, Group CEO of Vireo, and top Centara executives, including Supatra Chirathivat, Senior Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs & Social Responsibilities of Centara Hotels & Resorts. This special event took place on 7th February 2023 at Centara Grand CentralWorld.

“We are honoured to be recognised by Vireo SRL for our continued efforts in working to meet GSTC Criteria and achieving an international sustainability standard throughout the entire Centara Hotels & Resorts organisation. With our corporate office and 12 hotels already approved for certification, we are more than optimistic that we will reach our goal of 100% certification by 2025. By adopting sustainable, green practices, we are actively choosing to be more aware of our environmental impact and aligning our values and vision for a more mindful and ecologically conscious future,” said Supatra Chirathivat, Senior Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs & Social Responsibilities of Centara Hotels & Resorts.

“At Vireo, we are focussed on proposing the best and most credible certifications to promote sustainability and social responsibility in tourism. This is why we are proud to certify Centara Hotels & Resorts and 12 of their hotels for GSTC certification. We believe that Centara has made impressive efforts in their commitment to sustainability and look forward to following their continued successes as they continue to work toward certification across their entire organisation,” said Dr. Luigi Mazzaglia, Group CEO of Vireo SRL.

About Centara
Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 92 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, China, Japan, Oman, Qatar, Cambodia, Turkey, Indonesia and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara and COSI Hotels – ranging from luxurious island retreats to family resorts and affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. It also operates state-of-the-art convention centres and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for including gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travellers of nearly every age and lifestyle.

Over the next five years Centara aims to become a top 100 global hotel group, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty programme, Centara The1, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

Bangkok, Thailand, February 11, 2023 / TRAVELINDEX / MUU Hotels & Resorts is pleased to announce that Christian O. H. Zunk, a seasoned hospitality professional, has taken over as the Group General Manager of MUU Hotels, a hospitality company committed to providing a truly special and personalised experience for guests.

● Christian brings over 29 years of experience in the luxury hotel industry to MUU

● His career has included stints with the Four Seasons Hotel Group, Sofitel, Kempinski Hotels, Rocco Forte Hotels, Shangri-La Hotel Group, Anantara Hotels and Resorts, and Akaryn Hotel Group

● Christian is dedicated to putting the romance back into travel and creating a welcoming environment for guests at MUU

With a demonstrated history of working in the luxury hotel industry around the globe, Christian brings a wealth of experience to MUU. From a hotel family background, Christian has worked in the five-star luxury hotel industry for over 29 years across Asia, Germany and the United States, including six years with the Four Seasons Group in New York, Berlin and Hawaii, four years with Rocco Forte Hotels as part of the executive “pre-opening” teams in Frankfurt and Munich and seven years in leadership roles with Anantara Hotels and Resorts in Asia and the Middle East.

A hotel management school graduate, Christian has a unique view of the industry having grown up in hotels until he was 18 years old; his father was general manager at several legendary European and International hotels. Having seen the industry up close and personal he is passionate about it and is dedicated to putting the romance back into travel and creating a personalised and welcoming environment where guests can feel at home and be themselves.

At MUU, the team is focused on providing guests with a memorable experience by going above and beyond to accommodate their needs and preferences. Whether it’s offering all-day breakfast or accommodating the guest’s desire to dine on their private terrace, the MUU ethos is about making every stay a life-enriching and enjoyable experience. The company also places a strong emphasis on creating a happy and comfortable work environment for its team members, ensuring that they are able to bring their best selves to work every day.

Christian and the MUU team are excited to share their unique approach to hospitality with guests and look forward to welcoming them to the MUU family.

Based in Bangkok with his wife and two young children, Christian explains his take on hospitality in the Q & A below.

What inspires you?
What inspires me daily is the opportunity of being able to provide excellent services and unique experiences to our guests and trying to exceed their expectations whenever possible. At MUU, our goal is to always focus on our guests first, ensuring they have a memorable and enjoyable stay with us.

In what ways do your personal experiences assist you in your role?
My father was a general manager of a number of legendary luxury hotels and I spent most of my childhood staying in them. I have always been passionate about the hospitality industry and want to bring back the personalised, enjoyable experience for guests and associates alike. While we must keep up with technology and offer convenient options like automatic check-in, we should not lose sight of the importance of making each guest’s stay personalised, special and memorable.

How is MUU making this special experience happen?
MUU is dedicated to creating a comfortable, welcoming environment for both our guests and our team members. We encourage every team member to be themselves and to enjoy their time at the hotel. A happy and strongly motivated team is essential for providing a special, memorable experience for our guests. I am passionate about my work and strive to foster that same enthusiasm in my team. At MUU, we believe that every person is special and deserving of respect, regardless of their status as a VIP or not. Our goal is to create a comfortable space for our team so that they can share their happiness and passion with our customers.

Describe the MUU experience?
MUU is a place where everyone can feel relaxed and comfortable, whether they are guests enjoying their vacation or team members working hard to create a welcoming environment. We strive to create a home-away-from-home experience where our guests can be truly themselves with their every need taken care of.

How does MUU differentiate itself?
At MUU, we have four pillars that guide our approach to hospitality. Firstly, we strive to surprise and delight our customers by constantly renewing ourselves and offering new experiences every time they visit us. Secondly, we aim to introduce our guests to the local neighbourhood and provide truly authentic, local experiences. Our third goal is to ensure our guests are satisfied. Lastly, at MUU, we believe in a natural and organic form of luxury, with a strong emphasis on quality and sustainability.

What has been the greatest influence on you?
Growing up in the hotel industry as the son of a hotel general manager, I was always fascinated by the world of hospitality. From a young age, I had the opportunity to experience what it was like to work in a hotel, riding in housekeepers’ trolleys and dressing up to eat in fancy restaurants.

Instead of starting right away in a management position I decided to start from the ground up. I completed my apprenticeship at the renowned Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten in Hamburg, where I worked in every department and learned what it takes to run a successful hotel. Now, as a general manager myself, I understand that the most challenging jobs in a hotel are often those held by the line staff like housekeepers and bellmen. It is because of my appreciation for these roles and the people who perform them that I am able to be an effective leader today.

How is MUU positioning Bangkok as a destination? How does MUU make the experience of Bangkok different?
Bangkok is a dynamic destination and our home district of Thong Lo is really vibrant. At MUU, we aim to position Bangkok as a welcoming and homely destination for our guests.

We want to show them our Bangkok, our Thong Lo. We strive to create a relaxed and free atmosphere, where guests can feel authentic and individual, rather than feeling like they are part of a mass experience. We believe that our personal touch and warm welcome make the experience of visiting Bangkok unique and memorable. The experiences that we create for them are unique to MUU.