Category: Latest Travel News

Paris, December 24, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris is pleased to announce the arrival of its new General Manager, Nicolas De Gols. Nicolas De Gols, has just joined the team of Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris and is thus positioned as the youngest General Manager of Palaces. He officially took office on December 1st, 2022, after having led the hotel on an interim basis since June.

• Discover Paris and the World’s Best Luxury Hotels with Prestigious Hotel Awards at TOP25Hotels.com

“I am very happy to become the General Manager of Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris, the most Parisian and contemporary of Palaces. Its strength lies in the different talents that make up its team. I look forward to this new challenge and to making the hotel shine globally through the Raffles brand.”

Epicurean by nature, Nicolas De Gols is graduate of the Lycée Hôtelier Paul Augier in Nice, and a certificate in Hotel Asset Management and Real Estate Investments delivered by Cornell University, where he will teach courses in catering a few years later.Nicolas De Gols began his career in 2011 with Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, where he was successively as Assistant Director of Food and Beverage in Beverly Hills, Director of Food and Beverage in Seattle, and then moved to Paris in 2018.

Today, the Raffles group has entrusted him with its Parisian Palace, a world he knows well for having directed of the restauration of the Four Seasons George V Paris, which has three Michelin-starred restaurants. With international experience acquired mainly in France and North America, Nicolas De Gols most recently oversaw food and beverage operations for Accor’s 50-hotel luxury portfolio in Europe, for which he developed new F&B concepts and supervised a dozen openings.

His excellent knowledge of the ultra-luxury sector, his creativity, combined with his leadership style and business experience will be essential for this new role, and should enable Le Royal Monceau, Raffles Paris to maintain its position as the destination of choice for both international clientele as well as local guests.

• Discover Paris and the World’s Best Luxury Hotels with Prestigious Hotel Awards at TOP25Hotels.com

Madrid, Spain, December 24, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / From Austria to Vietnam, 32 destinations from all around the world have been named as ‘Best Tourism Villages 2022’ by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

The accolade recognizes rural destinations that are embracing tourism as a driver of development and new opportunities for jobs and income, while preserving and promoting community-based values and products. The initiative also recognizes villages for their commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental – and a focus on developing tourism in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

In 2022, a total of 32 villages from 18 countries across the five world regions were awarded the recognition. The villages were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board based on a set of criteria covering nine areas:

The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO showcase the power of the sector to drive economic diversification and create opportunities for all outside of big cities

• Cultural and Natural Resources
• Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources
• Economic Sustainability
• Social Sustainability
• Environmental Sustainability
• Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration
• Governance and Prioritization of Tourism
• Infrastructure and Connectivity
• Health, Safety, and Security

Welcoming the news, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “For rural communities everywhere, tourism can be a true gamechanger in providing jobs, supporting local businesses and keeping traditions alive. The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO showcase the power of the sector to drive economic diversification and create opportunities for all outside of big cities.”

A total of 136 villages were put forward for consideration by 57 UNWTO Member States (each Member State could nominate a maximum of three villages) for the 2022 edition. From these, 32 were recognized as Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO.

A further 20 villages will enter the Upgrade Programme. All 52 villages will also become part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Global Network created in 2021 which from this date gathers 115 villages from the five continents. The Network provides a number of benefits including onsite and online training, sharing of good practices and international brand recognition and awareness.

Tourism as a driver of rural development and inclusion

The Best Tourism Villages initiative is the flagship project of the UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme. The Programme aims to ensure tourism contributes to reducing regional inequalities in income and development, fighting depopulation, progressing gender equality and women’s and youth empowerment, advancing innovation and digitalization, improving connectivity, infrastructure, access to finance and investment, innovating in product development and value chain integration, promoting sustainable practices for more efficient use of resources and a reduction of emissions and waste and enhancing education and skills. The Programme promotes multi-level governance and partnerships and the active involvement and empowerment of communities.

Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO

The Best Tourism Villages initiative includes three pillars:

1. The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’: Recognizes villages that are an outstanding example of a rural tourism destination with accredited cultural and natural assets, that preserve and promote rural and community-based values, products, and lifestyle and have a clear commitment to innovation and sustainability in all its aspects – economic, social and environmental.
2. The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Upgrade Programme: The Upgrade Programme benefits a number of villages that do not fully meet the criteria to receive recognition. These villages receive support from UNWTO and its Partners in improving elements of the areas identified as gaps in the evaluation process.
3. The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’ Global Network: The Network provides a space for exchanging experiences and good practices, learnings, and opportunities. It includes experts and public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism for rural development, as well.

The Award Ceremony will take place in AlUla, Saudi Arabia on 27-28 February 2023 back-to-back with the first presential meeting of the UNWTO Network of Best Tourism Villages.

• Read all the latest UNWTO News and Updates here.

The next edition of the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO will open in February 2023.

List of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO 2022:

• Zell am See, Austria
• Wagrain, Austria
• Puqueldón, Chile
• Dazhai, China
• Jingzhu, China
• Choachí, Colombia
• Aguarico, Ecuador
• Angochagua, Ecuador
• Choke Mountains Ecovillage, Ethiopia
• Mestia, Georgia
• Kfar Kama, Israel
• Sauris-Zahre, Italy
• Isola del Giglio, Italy
• Umm Qais, Jordan
• Creel, Mexico
• El Fuerte, Mexico
• Ksar Elkhorbat, Morocco
• Moulay Bouzerktoune, Morocco
• Lamas, Peru
• Raqchi, Peru
• Castelo Novo, Portugal
• Pyeongsa-ri, Republic of Korea
• Rasinari, Romania
• AlUla Old Town, Saudi Arabia
• Bohinj, Slovenia
• Rupit, Spain
• Alquézar, Spain
• Guadalupe, Spain
• Murten, Switzerland
• Andermatt, Switzerland
• Birgi, Türkiye
• Thái Hải, Vietnam

Additionally, UNWTO will work with the following villages participating in the Upgrade Programme:

• Trevelin, Argentina
• Krupa na Vrbasu, Bosnia-Herzegovina
• Fontainhas, Cabo Verde
• Ninhue, Chile
• San Vicente de Chucuri, Colombia
• Barichara, Colombia
• Kalopanagiotis, Cyprus
• Pissouri, Cyprus
• Adaba, Ethiopia
• Khonoma, India
• Neot Semadar, Israel
• Otricoli, Italy
• Il Ngwesi, Kenya
• Grand Baie, Mauritius
• Bella Vista, Paraguay
• Istebna, Poland
• Ferraria de São João, Portugal
• Castara, Trinidad and Tobago
• Anıtlı, Türkiye
• Cumalıkızık, Türkiye

Applications in 2021 and 2022 were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board. The composition of this multidisciplinary board for 2021-2022 is as follows:

• Federico de Arteaga (PhD, Innovation Sustainability, 2022)
• Joel Callañaupa (Planeterra, 2022)
• Mari Dunleavy (ICCA Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, 2022)
• Ahmed Eiweida (World Bank, 2022)
• Elena García Garrido (ENRD, 2022)
• Christian Gsodam (ECR European Committee of the Regions, 2021-2022)
• Amran Hamzah (CIPD Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 2021-2022)
• Ena Harvey (ICCA Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, 2021)
• Lázaro Israel (Member of the Panel of Experts International Fund for Cultural Diversity at UNESCO, 2021-2022)
• (Dr.) Manal Kelig (ATTA Adventure Travel Trade Association, 2021-2022)
• Judy Kepher Gona (STTA Sustainable Travel & Tourism Agenda, 2021-2022)
• Fergus Maclaren (ICOMOS International Cultural Tourism Committee, 2021-2022)
• Joxe Mari Aizega (BCC Basque Culinary Center, 2021)
• David Mora Gómez (BCC Basque Culinary Center,2022)
• Ximena Muñoz Vivas (Instituto Design Thinking, 2021-2022)
• Fabrizio Angelo Orlando (TripAdvisor, 2021-2022)
• Helena Rey de Assis (UNEP – UN Environment Programme, 2021)
• Jacqui Taylor (Agritourism Africa, 2022)
• Peter Wostner (Researcher and Policy Expert. Chairman of the Working Party on Rural Policy at OECD, 2021)
• (Dr.) Endo Yoshihide (FAO Food and Agriculture Organization, 2021-2022)

Hua Hin, Thailand, December 23, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels and Resorts has continued to expand its portfolio in one of Thailand’s most desirable destinations with the launch of its inaugural property in Hua Hin: Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Hua Hin, a brand-new design-led beachside retreat.

Set around a series of shimmering lagoon pools in the idyllic coastal enclave of Khao Tao, just 10 minutes south of Hua Hin and approximately 2.5 hours drive from Bangkok, this brand-new resort features a free-flowing organic design, a wide range of accommodations and fantastic facilities for leisure and business, making it the perfect place to unwind and be inspired by the beauty of nature.

A choice of 380 contemporary rooms and suites (ranging from 30 to 99 square meters) includes pool access rooms on the ground floor, spacious family rooms and stylish suites, creating options for all types of travelers, from couples to families. Every room is fully equipped with signature bedding, a working desk, LED TV, minibar, electric kettle and complimentary Wi-Fi, along with a balcony or terrace with views of the gardens, pools, mountains or sea.

Guests can cool off in a choice of three refreshing pools while children make a splash in the aqua play area, which features multiple sliders. Light bites and memorable meals can be enjoyed at Biscay, the elegant all-day dining restaurant and Carapace Beach Club is a stunning venue for sunset drinks.

Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Hua Hin is also an exceptional destination for out-of-town events and beachside weddings. The 354-square-meter grand ballroom has over 4.5-meter-high ceilings and a large foyer, making it ideal for lavish gatherings. Alternatively, it can be flexibly divided into two smaller rooms for more intimate meetings. Fully connected and equipped with audio-visual technology, this impressive venue will set the stage for life’s most magical moments.

“We are delighted to unveil the Best Western Plus Carapace Hotel Hua Hin, our first property in Hua Hin. With its secluded setting at Khao Tao, yet still near world-class activities and experiences, from golf courses and water parks to retail malls, cultural sites and more, we are excited to reveal the wonders of the gulf coast to our guests. Thailand is one of our key strategic markets and we look forward to expanding our presence to many more parts of the kingdom in 2023 and beyond,” said Olivier Berrivin, Vice President of Operations – APAC, BWH Hotel Group®.”

Best Western now operates 14 hotels and resorts in Thailand, and this collection is set to reach 17 properties next month, following the highly anticipated launch of two new hotels in Bangkok.

To learn more about Best Western, 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 the 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.

Seville, Spain, December 23, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The GSTC2022 Global Sustainable Tourism Conference that took place on December 12th-15th in Seville, Andalusia, Spain, brought together 350 delegates from 61 countries, along with hundreds of viewers that watched the live broadcasting of the conference. The conference was held at FIBES Sevilla, the city’s Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Participants included international and regional tourism stakeholders involved in the development and promotion of sustainable tourism; including the public sector, hotels, tour operators, academia, development agencies, NGOs, consultants, and more. International participants came from Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

The Conference themes were: (A) Tourism Adaptation to Climate Change; (B) Mainstreaming Sustainability Standards; (C) Destination Stewardship and (D) Green Mobility & Accessibility.

Mr. Luigi Cabrini, Chair, GSTC opened the conference with the question “will tourism become more sustainable after the pandemic?”

“Our organization is now 15 years old. Starting from the first version of the Hotel and Tour Operators Criteria in 2008 we expanded and consolidated a system of standards that is now recognized as the main international reference. The GSTC Industry Criteria and the GSTC Destination Criteria identify the key issues that define tourism sustainability and provide the tools to progress toward a better balance between the positive benefits that a well-managed tourism can generate and its negative impacts. The GSTC membership today includes tourism authorities of over 20 countries, together with leaders of the private sectors, NGOs, universities, destinations and many others. This variety is a strength for GSTC, as different views, experiences and interests guide us to set priorities and strategies aimed at practical responses to real needs,” said GSTC Chair, Mr. Luigi Cabrini.

“The key for a real shift is to build a system where the number of hotels, destinations and other tourism businesses that gained a certification reach a critical number making them effectively competitive in the market. We work closely with some of the more relevant Online Travel Agencies to build a system where travelers can easily identify a product that is truly sustainable and to book it. Many tourists, as responsible citizens, make choices based on their ethical values and are ready to spend more when an hotel or a destination cares to save energy and water, to promote protection of biodiversity or respect for local cultures. But sustainable tourism is also likely to offer better quality products by being more experiential and emotionally engaging. We need to unlock its market potential to effectively mainstream it,” concluded Mr. Cabrini (full speech).

“In my opinion, for the topics that will be addressed in this conference is one of the most relevant events of the year. As you know tourism activity has recovered strongly in many parts of the world. Here in Spain, international tourism expenditure in 2022 will be just under the record levels of 2019. And although the level of uncertainty is high for 2023, we expect to consolidate this recovery,” said Mr. Miguel Sanz, Director General, Turespaña. “However, once the worst effect of the pandemic in the travel industry are hopefully, finally over, we have to confront challenges that were already here in the industry agenda in 2019 and have now accelerated.”

Speakers from across the world shared insights and discussed the following topics: climate change influence on tourism operation, carbon neutral cities, how national tourism bodies use existing sustainable tourism standards, sustainable luxury hospitality, sustainability in corporate & business travel, businesses influencing supply chain, interpretation of cultural heritage, Türkiye Sustainable Tourism Program, the role of standards and certification in destination stewardship, setting sustainability goals by trade association together with national tourism bodies, green mobility & accessibility. During the conference, two workshops were carried out for the development of MICE Criteria and Attraction Criteria. In addition, the GSTC Italian Working Group was formed to discuss the development of sustainable tourism and hospitality in Italy.

Prior to the conference, three GSTC Sustainable Tourism Courses took place in Sevilla, two in English and one in Spanish. 84 industry professionals joined the training from across Europe and globally. Using the GSTC Industry Criteria and GSTC Destination Criteria as the foundation, the training class covered various topics relevant to our industry and the sustainability challenges and opportunities we are facing today. An academic symposium was also held in conjunction with Global Sustainable Tourism Conference for the first time. The symposium provided a forum for researchers and academics to share and discuss current issues in sustainable tourism.

At the closing ceremony, three GSTC Conferences were announced – GSTC2023 Antalya (May 2023), GSTC2024 Sweden (April 2024), and GSTC2024 Singapore (November 2024). The conference ended with a farewell cocktail dinner and private tour at Real Alcazar for GSTC2022 delegates only. After the 2-day conference, participants joined a complimentary tour of Sevilla, including a visit to Las Setas, Santa Cruz, Museo de Bellas Artes, and Plaza de España.

Nicosia, Cyprus, December 21, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / The 9th Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference closed today in Nicosia, Cyprus, with the adoption of a ministerial declaration affirming countries’ commitment to transition to a green economy with sustainable infrastructure at its core.

The declaration also calls on countries to join and commit actions under the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, and underlines the need for more and stronger education for sustainable development.

Fostering sustainable infrastructure and tourism

Sustainable and resilient infrastructure investment should be at the core of green economy policies and commitments, playing a central role in COVID-19 pandemic recovery plans, according to the declaration issued following the conference. New sustainable infrastructure should promote resource efficiency to reduce long-term environmental impacts, as a result of fostering innovation, nature-based solutions and cooperation with the private sector, countries agreed in the Cypriot capital.

Particular attention was given to the importance of infrastructure development and tourism as major sectors concerned in transitioning to a green economy and how therefore it is critical to consider the environmental, social and health concerns of these industries. In the light of this, the declaration also calls on countries to join and commit actions to our partners, the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative that unites the tourism sector behind a common vision of circular economy of plastics, and the Glasgow Declaration: a commitment to a Decade of Tourism Climate Action.

Countries pledged to support efforts to reduce water and energy use and greenhouse gas emissions from tourism, particularly in high-impact sub-sectors (including cruise liners, aviation and accommodation), as well as to improve efficiency in the use of other resources, such as water. They further committed to improve sanitation, wastewater treatment and waste management.

Supporting Ukraine 

The Declaration also “strongly condemns the unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine by the armed forces of the Russian Federation” and recalls the related General Assembly resolutions.

It “recognizes the need to assess the environmental consequences of the military aggression against Ukraine for both the country and the surrounding region”, and “affirms ministers’ support to Ukraine in its reconstruction, including for providing subsequent assistance for restoration”. It goes on to invite the UNECE secretariat, in cooperation with UNEP, OECD and others, to “prioritize assessing the most urgent environmental needs in Ukraine based upon the methodology of the UNECE Environmental Performance Review Programme and on the results of ongoing and planned impacts assessments”. The Declaration further invites the international organizations to make recommendations to advance Ukraine’s sustainable recovery, in line with the Lugano Declaration adopted at the Ukraine Recovery Conference of last July.

Nara, Japan, December 21, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Gastronomy Tourism for People and Planet: Innovate, Empower and Preserve’ was the theme as national and international experts met in Nara for the 7th UNWTO Forum on Gastronomy Tourism.

• Support Gastronomy Tourism and Discover the World’s Best Restaurants for Fine Dining at TOP25Restaurants.com

Organized by UNWTO and the Basque Culinary Center (BCC), the Forum provides a platform to advance the contribution of gastronomy tourism to empower women and youth, and to support sustainability. This edition counted on the participation of more than 450 delegates from 30 countries alongside over 1,000 online participants from 125 countries over the two days of the event.

Opening the Forum, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “This year’s Forum represents a unique opportunity for experts to share their best practices and enhance the role of Gastronomy Tourism in talent, sustainability, innovation, and social inclusion, and highlight its importance for regional and rural development.”

Joxe Mari Aizega, General Manager of the Basque Culinary Center, added: “Gastronomy faces many challenges, but we also have many opportunities. It is a diverse and wide sector, a value chain that includes production, hospitality, tourism, and restaurants. It also integrates cultural, social, and economic dimensions. This forum addressed the complexity of the gastronomy tourism sector, and it also reflected its enormous potential.”

This year’s Forum represents a unique opportunity for experts to share their best practices and enhance the role of Gastronomy Tourism in talent, sustainability, innovation, and social inclusion, and highlight its importance for regional and rural development

The Governor of the Nara Prefecture Shogo Arai said: “I believe that what we discussed here is very important for sustainable development of global and regional societies. I am inspired by the exchanges of new ideas and insights that the Forum provided.”

Tourism for youth and gender empowerment

To ensure that gastronomy tourism can serve as a leverage to promote women and youth empowerment, participants highlighted the need for providing better working conditions and engagement to attract and retain talent. Alongside this, the Forum also focused on the best ways of designing gastronomy tourism strategies and practices that ensure the sustainable use of resources, the promotion of local products and know-how, and on responsible consumption.

Special emphasis was placed on the need to reduce food waste as a means to support a more sustainable global food system. On this occasion, UNWTO launched the public consultation for the Global Roadmap on Food Waste Reduction in Tourism, developed within the framework of the One Planet Sustainable Tourism Programme, to enable consistent action and enhance circularity.

Businesses commit to ethical tourism

Nara was also the host of the 3rd UNWTO Global Gastronomy Startup Competition organized by UNWTO and BCC. Here, six talented entrepreneurs shared solutions for the challenges posed by the Sustainable Development Goals. Byfood from Japan was selected as the winner of a competition that also saw Local Food (Bulgaria), 2492IOneArmenia (Armenia), Tenemos Filo (Colombia), Beyondnext (Republic of Korea) and Soplaya (Italy) shared their innovative proposals.

In this framework, nine companies from Japan signed the Private Sector Commitment to the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism in presence of the UNWTO Secretary-General, the Vice-Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency, the Chief of the UNWTO Regional Support Office for Asia and the Pacific and the Governor of Nara Prefectural Government.

• Support Gastronomy Tourism and Discover the World’s Best Restaurants for Fine Dining at TOP25Restaurants.com

The 2023 Forum will take place in Donostia-San Sebastian, in the Basque Country, Spain.  The farewell dinner offered by Basquetour and the Department of Tourism, Trade, and Consumer Affairs of the Basque Government brought Basque gastronomy to Nara by the hands of the Basque chefs Diego Guerrero (board member of Basque Culinary Center and DSTAgE Concept restaurant), Álvaro Garrido (Mina restaurant), and Gorka Txapartegi (Alameda Restaurant).

Bangkok, Thailand, December 22, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Great Wall Motor (GWM) announces a significant milestone for its intelligent vehicle, the HAVAL JOLION, having been awarded the maximum 5-star safety rating by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) – Australia and New Zealand’s independent voice on vehicle safety. The success reinforces GWM’s mission to introduce automotive products equipped with unparalleled performance, cutting-edge innovation, and safety technology that serves users’ every possible lifestyle while enhancing an EV society.

Carla Hoorweg, Chief Executive Officer of the Australasian New Car Assessment Program, said: “This 5-star ANCAP safety rating for the HAVAL JOLION is the third awarded to GWM under ANCAP’s stringent 2020-2022 protocols. There has been a significant amount of interest in a rating for this model, and it has been shown to offer a high standard of safety.”

The HAVAL JOLION was tested and assessed for its ability to physically protect occupants and other road users in a crash through series of destructive crash tests, and its ability to prevent or minimize the severity of a crash with another vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist through a range of active collision avoidance performance tests. The HAVAL JOLION delivered good levels of protection to the driver in the full width frontal test and the oblique pole test. The vehicle is equipped with a center airbag to protect against occupant-to-occupant contact in side impacts, and it provided a good level of protection to both front seat occupants. Whiplash protection for front and rear seats occupants also scored well, as did the protection offered to child occupants in the side impact test.

In addition, the HAVAL JOLION is capable of avoiding or mitigating the severity of a crash with another vehicle through its Lane Support System (LSS), which achieved full marks, as well as the Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), whose performance was very good. Importantly, where the HAVAL JOLION particularly impressed was in its active collision avoidance capability – achieving an overall safety assistance score of 92%.

Narong Sritalayon, Managing Director of Great Wall Motor (Thailand), said: “We are pleased that the HAVAL JOLION performed outstandingly throughout the safety assessment conducted by one of the most internationally recognized vehicle safety advocates. The result testifies GWM’s commitment to creating and offering quality products to the global automotive industry. Additionally, the HAVAL JOLION has been very much sought after by Thai fans. From its official launch in November 2021 up until November 2022, we delivered 3,218 units of HAVAL JOLION to customers. Recently at the 39th Thailand International Motor Expo 2022, this vehicle also garnered tremendous attention, resulting in a total of 333 test drives taken, and 388 bookings placed at the event. This highlights the consumers’ trust bestowed upon the vehicle itself and GWM as the xEV leader.”

For the Thai market, the HAVAL JOLION comes with a hybrid engine, utilizing a 1.5-liter engine combined with an electric motor to produce a maximum 190 hp and maximum torque of 375 Nm. Its stylish luxurious exterior reflects a futuristic aesthetic. It is equipped with advanced driving technologies, combined with 360° interior décor in a spacious and comfortable cabin, all of which contributes to a more pleasurable driving experience. The vehicle is available for Thai consumers in three variants: TECH (879,000 baht), PRO (939,000 baht), and ULTRA (999,000 baht). These all come in five exterior color options: Burgundy Red, Swarovski Blue, Ayers Gray, Sun Black, and Hamilton White.

As the ‘Global Intelligent Technology Company’, GWM is committed to offering new products, services, and experiences following a customer-centric approach that focuses on listening to consumers’ voices through online and offline channels. The practice ensures that the company is able to better serve different needs of Thai fans while elevating the sustainable growth of Thailand’s automotive industry.

About Great Wall Motor
Great Wall Motor (GWM) is a global SUV and pickup truck manufacturer. The company made its initial public offerings on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 2003 and the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2011. With more than 80 subsidiaries and affiliates, GWM employs more than 70,000 people. Its automobile sales have exceeded one million units per annum for six years running. In addition to China, GWM sells its high-quality automobiles in more than 60 markets through an overseas network that covers more than 500 locations worldwide.

Berlin, Germany, December 20, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Leading speakers and experts from the global travel industry share their knowledge in up to 20 individual tracks – A wide range of topic headings including Travel Technology, Marketing & Sales, Future Travel, Hospitality, Sustainability and Social Responsibility – The programme will be available online in mid-January 2023

In 2023, taking as its slogan ’Mastering Transformation’, the leading convention for the travel industry is again gathering the main international tourism actors under one roof. From 7 to 9 March 2023 at the ITB Berlin Convention, leading speakers and industry experts will discuss the current challenges facing the global travel industry, which go far beyond COVID-19 and local skills shortages. They will share their knowledge on topics such as climate change, energy supply issues and a new global approach to safety, with their wide-ranging impact on the travel and tourism industry. The experts will provide orientation and clear ideas on how to shape the transformation towards a sustainable and successful future.

New in 2023: Themed tracks instead of days

At the leading thinktank of the international travel industry the new Board of Experts is putting together themed tracks, under headings that include Travel Technology, Marketing & Sales, Future Travel, Hospitality, Sustainability and Social Responsibility. Taking place on their respective stages and featuring sessions on individual topics, the tracks will replace the themed days at previous events.

First main speakers confirmed

The following are among those who will be sharing their expert knowledge in the new themed tracks:

• Maria Rocha Barros, vice president and chief legal officer at Booking.com (Marketing & Distribution Track)

• Kurt Ekert, president of Sabre (Marketing & Distribution Track)

• Kevin King, COO of Shiji Group (eTravel Track, Hotel Technology Forum)

• Prof. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, director emeritus, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIC); founder and managing director of Bauhaus Erde (Responsible Tourism Track)

ITB Future Track, Marketing & Distribution Track and eTravel Track

On 7 March 2023 in Hall 7.1, the ITB Future Track will examine future economic and political developments to find out which sustainability trends will bring success for tomorrow’s tourism industry. The event will gather leading figures from business, politics and science in order to drive change in the tourism industry.

At the Marketing & Distribution Track on 8 March 2023 in Hall 7.1, leading figures from the travel and hospitality industry will share their knowledge and views. In inspiring keynote speeches, exclusive interviews and panel discussions they will provide comprehensive updates on how senior executives can master the upcoming transformation process.

From 7 to 9 March 2023 in Hall 6.1, the eTravel Track will focus on tech-driven innovation and the digital transformation in the travel industry and how they can be put to productive use. In a variety of attractive formats and taking practical examples, industry experts will share their views on current trends and developments and talk about practical scenarios.

Responsible Tourism Track, ITB Carrier & Cruise Track and Destination Track

How to master what is now, in the future and the new normal in tourism: that is what the Responsible Tourism Track on 9 March 2023 in Hall 7.1 is about, where among other things discussion will focus on how the industry can keep its promises to protect the environment while transforming into a sector where fairness and equality play a bigger role.

The ITB Carrier & Cruise Track on 7 March 2023 in Hall 7.1 will examine the transformation from the perspective of carriers. Both the aviation and cruise industry are facing major challenges, whose root causes are in the energy crisis as well as the military conflict on Europe’s borders. Industry experts will discuss the impact of the current threat.

Destinations and DMOs are currently having to balance marketing and management, overtourism and lack of tourism, private and public contracts, areas for tourists and locals, analogue business models and digital innovations. On 9 March 2023 in Hall 7.1, the Destination Track will examine corresponding ideas and practical recommendations.

Tour Operator & Travel Sales Track and Youth, Adventure & Outdoor Track

Following a period of far-reaching crises a reappraisal is taking place of business ideas and value creation models. The Tour Operator & Travel Sales Track on 7 March 2023 will highlight how the current transformation process is putting pressure on tour operators and agencies and causing a long-term impact on the market.

Adventure and outdoor tourism is becoming increasingly popular, while youth and student travel still accounts for a large share of the global tourism market. But what has changed? How can one prepare for the future and how can one overcome obstacles in order to make business profitable? These are the topics the Youth, Adventure & Outdoor Track will focus on on 8 March 2023 in Hall 7.1.

Hospitality Track and Future Work Track

The challenges currently facing the hospitality industry demand a hands-on approach, while at the same time agility and transformation are needed. What views do leading figures in the hospitality industry have on these developments? How can they combine step-by-step progress with long-term change? This is the range of topics the Hospitality Track will examine on 9 March 2023 in Hall 7.1.

A new narrative for promoting working in tourism now and in the future. The Future Work Track on 8 March 2023 in Hall 7.1 will define the basics for future success in tourism. At the same time it will provide orientation for the struggle with the skills and labour shortage and loss of expertise and report on the needs and activities of talented newcomers and travel professionals in these times of change.

Information on the following tracks will be announced in early 2023: Diversity & Inclusion Track, Sustainable Destination Track, Business Travel Track, MICE Track and Medical Wellness & Health Track.

A trade visitor pass to ITB Berlin is valid for admission to the ITB Berlin Convention. Selected sessions will be streamed on the supporting platform ITBxplore. Additional information is available at itb.com/kongress. Full details of the programme and further tracks will be available online in mid-January 2023.

About ITB Berlin and the ITB Berlin Convention
ITB Berlin 2023 will take place from Tuesday, 7 March, to Thursday, 9 March, as a pure B2B event. Since 1966, ITB Berlin has been the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show. The internationally renowned ITB Berlin Convention will take place parallel to the show and will be held live on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds – selected sessions will be streamed on ITBxplore. The ITB Berlin convention is the world’s largest travel industry event of its kind. In 2022 it took place as a virtual event on the brand’s website itb.com and registered 60,700 attendees from 125 countries who took part in more than 100 sessions featuring 223 speakers. In 2022, under the heading ’TRVLX by ITB’, ITB Berlin has planned a series of B2B networking events in European markets – the kick-off event took place in May in Georgia. Before the pandemic at ITB Berlin 2019, around 10,000 exhibitors from 181 countries displayed their products and services to some 160,000 visitors, including 113,500 trade visitors.

Paris, France, December 20, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / This guidance, developed within the framework of the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative, focuses on the procurement of plastic items and packaging (and its alternatives) in the tourism sector and aims to provide practical support for procurement practitioners within the range and global reach of tourism businesses that need to address the impact of single-use plastics and packaging within broader sustainable procurement practice.

This tool draws from existing sustainable procurement good practices that, when implemented systematically throughout the whole procurement cycle, will help increase the circularity in the use of plastics. It provides practical support in identifying the potential for eliminating plastic packaging and plastic items where possible (as well as introducing reuse models as alternatives to single-use items and packaging), in addition to reducing the consumption of plastics where avoidance is not possible (including measures for purchasing recyclable and compostable plastics and plastics with recycled content).

This guidance follows the procurement stages from pre-tender actions around planning procurement approaches including the consideration of elimination, reduction in consumption and adoption of reuse models within the operation of the tourism business. The guidance includes practical examples for tendering, including actions relating to supplier engagement and setting tender specifications. It recognizes that procurement is a continuous cycle of action and therefore also covers contract management and performance improvement within the tourism businesses and their supply chains. A key aspect of the guidance is providing practical tools for procurers in tourism businesses. These include model wording for tender criteria; a hierarchical decision tree for informing actions to eliminate and reduce the dependency on plastics within tenders; and a summary of procurement tools such as life-cycle costing and using standards and labels to help verify claims.

This guidance is also relevant to policymakers, as it recognizes that procurement actions play an important role in providing evidence for how to improve the implementation of plastic reduction strategies. Recommendations are therefore provided for key decision-makers in the tourism business to ensure that sustainable and circular procurement fulfils its potential to support the fourth UN Environment Assembly Resolution 6 on Marine litter and microplastics and deliver the Global Tourism Plastics Initiative vision.

The Global Tourism Plastics Initiative launches Plastic Measurement Methodology tools for Accommodation Providers

The GTPI launched two tools for Plastics Measurement Methodology for Accommodation Providers, these are two Excel Tools which can be used at either individual property or whole portfolio level to facilitate the plastic calculation process, and a Reporting Template for GTPI signatories to submit their performance to GTPI for each reporting cycle.
The Tools help to generate the following GTPI performance metrics: (i) annual total weight of plastics (metric tonnes), (ii) weight of plastics (kg) per guest night, and (iii) percentage of plastics which are compostable (%). The tools are the following ones:

• The Property Tool is used by the property to identify plastic items used and consolidate relevant data (e.g. quantity, weight and compostability) to output its GTPI performance metrics.
• The Portfolio Tool consolidates the data inputted within the Property Tools by its properties to output GTPI performance metrics for the entire portfolio. Step-by-step instructions can be found in the respective tools.

You can download calculation tools below:
– https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/knowledge-centre/resources/addressing-plastic-pollution-tourism-through-sustainable-procurement
– https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/knowledge-centre/resources/gtpi-plastic-measurement-methodology-tools-accommodation-providers

Bangkok, Thailand, December 20, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / Central Pattana, Thailand’s no.1 real estate developer and operator of 38 Central shopping centers nationwide is joining hands with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to launch ‘Central World Bangkok Countdown 2023’ at Central World, aka the Times Square of Asia in the heart of the city, with a total investment of 500 million baht. Discover the seven ultimate countdown highlights of all time. Do not miss the first full celebration in recent years with big surprise ‘The World Artist of the Century – The Return of K-POP King ‘RAIN’.

Discover Ratchaprasong City-Scene Synchronization from the synergy of businesses in the country’s strongest commercial and tourism district to co-create a sensational countdown event in the heart of the city featuring spectacular fireworks, laser shows and cutting-edge world-class graphics. Enjoy great fun from the parade of chart-topping popular artists at the landmark of the ‘Times Square of Asia’. Join the ALL-DAY CELEBRATION for ten days and ten nights from 21 Dec 2022 until the night of the countdown. The event aims to bring happiness back to Thai people and welcome tourists from all over the world with strategic locations, convenient transportation under countdown measures that will ensure a fun and safe event. This helps to emphasize Thailand as the ‘world’s best festive destination’ for tourists from around the world.

Celebrate countdown together nationwide in Thailand Countdown 2023 from the collaboration of leading partners from the government and the private sector, including the Royal Thai Police, Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA), Madame Fin Co., Ltd., Suntory PepsiCo Beverage (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Boon Rawd Trading Co., Ltd., Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd., Chang International Co., Ltd., Advanced Info Service plc, Thai Honda Co., Ltd., and BEC World plc. Highlighting the reputation of Thailand’s countdown landmarks at Central shopping centers nationwide: Central Phuket, Central Chiangmai, Central Pattaya, Central Marina, Central Hatyai, Central Ayutthaya and Central Korat to help drive the economy and spur tourism by welcoming the return of tourists from all over the world. Experience countdown entertainment together nationwide through the live broadcast on Channel 3HD from 22.30-00.30 hrs. or watch the Multi View of the countdown event at Central World via Facebook and YouTube from 19.00-00.30 hrs. on the night of 31st December 2022.

Dr. Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana, Executive Vice President of Marketing for Central Pattana plc, said: “This year, we are investing over 500 million baht to bring happiness back to the Thai people by creating the sensational ‘World’s Best Countdown in centralwOrld Bangkok Countdown 2023 at Central World, the Times Square of Asia’. We are coordinating with government and private agencies to prepare convenient transportation and safety measures, limited numbers of people at the event, and convenience of travel, parking and services to facilitate all participants. We intend to highlight the Ratchaprasong District, which is the country’s strongest commercial and tourist district, as the ‘Must-Visit Countdown Destination in a Lifetime’ that people from all over the world are eager to visit. Thai people can be proud that this year, the Central World countdown will be shown on the screen at Times Square in New York to celebrate the countdown moments with people from all around the world. In addition to Central World, we are also emphasizing our reputation as countdown landmarks of the country in ‘Thailand Countdown 2023’ at Central Phuket, Chiangmai, Pattaya, Marina, Hatyai, Ayutthaya and Korat that will help to spur the economy and tourism in the main and secondary cities of Thailand.”

Seven countdown highlights at the ‘Times Square of Asia’ in Thailand

1. Do not miss a big surprise ‘The World Artist of the Century – The Return of K-POP King ‘RAIN’

2. Enjoy unlimited fun from top-awarding artists including: Bowkylion, Violette Wautier, Oat Pramote, Joey Boy, 4 EVE, Phi Phi Krit, Billkin Putthipong, Three Man Down and Non Thanon.

3. Experience the most Gigantic Stage in the heart of Bangkok and cutting-edge laser and graphic shows.

4. 180˚ Musical Firework Extravaganza lasting 15 minutes in the heart of the landmark of the ‘Times Square of Asia’.

5. Discover the first Ratchaprasong City-Scene Synchronization: the synergy of businesses in the country’s strongest commercial and tourism district to co-create a unique sensational countdown event in the heart of the city.

6. World’s Best Festive Destination everyone is waiting for – warm up before the countdown with Central World Countdown Music Festival from ten popular artists for ten days and ten nights (21-30 December 2022), Digital Fireworks Art on the panOramix screen, with state-of-the-art graphics from Rukkit x Pai Lectobacillous, world-class street artists, which will be shown on the screen from 21 December 2022 to 1 January 2023; be amazed by LINE FRIENDS Kingdom to fill your happy moments at Central World Square.

7. Enjoy the fun and entertainment with high-level safety control measures: there are more than ten exits, and nursing staff and ambulances on stand-by as well as increased safety measures such as more security guards to cover all areas of the shopping centers and increased professional security checks running 24 hours a day, police officers, EOD officers and K9 dogs are stationed 24 hours to patrol and control, CCTV throughout the shopping centers, and people and vehicles are checked at every entrance-exit point.

Enjoy unlimited fun in Central World Bangkok Countdown 2023 at Central World , the Times Square of Asia from 21-31 Dec 2022 and Thailand Countdown 2023 at countdown landmarks nationwide: Central Phuket (31 Dec 2022), Central Chiangmai (28 Dec 2022-3 Jan 2023), Central Pattaya (8-31 Dec 2022), Central Marina (15-31 Dec 2022), Central Hatyai (24-31 Dec 2022), Central Ayutthaya (27-31 Dec 2022) and Central Korat (28 Dec 2022-1 Jan 2023).