Category: Latest Travel News

Luang Prabang, Laos PDR, December 7, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Accor Live Limitless is inviting its members to reunite with friends and loved ones over well-loved meals and beverages, with more rewards than ever. Residents of Laos can enjoy a range of gastronomic experiences at restaurants and bars under Accor’s Sofitel, MGallery, and Pullman brands. Members of Accor’s lifestyle loyalty programme will now earn triple ALL rewards points when dining at the hotels during December 2021, which can be used to redeem hotel stays and other select experiences.

• Discover Lao’s Best Luxury Hotels with Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

ALL members will earn triple loyalty points for a minimum of a EUR 10 spent in restaurants and bars at Accor’s hotels across Laos from 1st – 31st December 2021. ALL Members can also earn Loyalty points year round for a minimum spend of EUR 1.

Culinary highlights across Laos include Governor’s Grill at Sofitel Luang Prabang, featuring a Farm to Table concept with a Lao twist in its creations. All ingredients are locally sourced, such as the feta from the nearby Buffalo Dairy farm and vegetables from nearby organic farms. Diners can enjoy sumptuous dishes with excellent wines and cocktails in the unique dining atmosphere. Located in the 100-year-old UNESCO world heritage houses complex with a stunning blend of vintage French architecture and classic Lao design, 3 Nagas Restaurant at 3 Nagas Luang Prabang – MGallery serves up refined Lao cuisine in a cosy indoor bistro and al fresco courtyard. For one of the best dining experiences with idyllic views of rice paddies and majestic mountains in Luang Prabang, L’Atelier at Pullman Luang Prabang welcomes dinner throughout the day to its stylish dining room or on the covered terrace. Its private outdoor dining experience with a sumptuous 4-course set menu (30–45 USD net per couple) or 5-course set menu (60 USD net per couple) in the private cabana is perfect for a romantic dinner or small private events.

• Discover Lao’s Best Luxury Hotels with Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

About Accor
Accor is a world leading hospitality group consisting of more than 5,200 properties and 10,000 food and beverage venues throughout 110 countries. The group has one of the industry’s most diverse and fully-integrated hospitality ecosystems encompassing more than 40 luxury, premium, midscale and economy hotel brands, entertainment and nightlife venues, restaurants and bars, branded private residences, shared accommodation properties, concierge services, co-working spaces and more. Accor’s unmatched position in lifestyle hospitality – one of the fastest growing categories in the industry – is led by Ennismore, a creative hospitality company with a global portfolio of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with purpose at their heart. Accor boasts an unrivalled portfolio of distinctive brands and approximately 260,000 team members worldwide. 68 million members benefit from the company’s comprehensive loyalty program – ALL – Accor Live Limitless – a daily lifestyle companion that provides access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. Through its Planet 21 – Acting Here, Accor Solidarity, RiiSE and ALL Heartist Fund initiatives, the Group is focused on driving positive action through business ethics, responsible tourism, environmental sustainability, community engagement, diversity and inclusivity. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACCYY) in the United States.

London, United Kingdom, December 7, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / A simplified and interoperable digital solution is vital to fully achieve the recovery of the Travel & Tourism sector. Key WTTC recommendations will remove current patchwork of policies and processes. Following comprehensive analysis and research, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a new groundbreaking report which provides clear recommendations to governments and identifies four key digital solutions to restore international mobility.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

The inaugural report provides guidance and calls on governments to adopt a more internationally coordinated response to COVID-19 for the Travel & Tourism sector and implement digital solutions that will facilitate the resumption of safe and stress-free international travel.

Following World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, WTTC has identified four of the most widely used digital COVID vaccination certificates (EU Digital COVID Certificate, ICAO Visible Digital Seal, DIVOC, and SMART Health Cards), and urges governments to accept these major international standards as proof of COVID-19 status, whilst working towards a single global solution.

The report, ‘Digital Solutions for Reviving International Travel’, shows how international travellers, whether fully vaccinated or testing negative, would then have a globally recognised digital COVID certificate that would enable them to travel freely and safely anywhere in the world.

This critical report addresses the current global challenge posed by the existing patchwork of policies and processes, which are not only complex and unsustainable, but also further hinder the recovery of an already struggling sector.

To address this governments should create their own ‘Digital Travel Portal’, allowing travellers to electronically share their digital COVID vaccination or test certificates with their destination before they begin their journey.

After booking their trip, travellers would simply go to the online portal managed by the destination, where their digital COVID certificate would be uploaded, verifying the status online and in seconds, avoiding confusing processes and long queues.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said: “WTTC has been calling on governments to implement a globally coordinated response since the beginning of the pandemic. Today’s report offers the key to harmonise and safely reopen international travel.

“It is governments’ responsibility to ensure there is a safe, secure, simple and digital system in place to restore international mobility. WTTC is recommending a single global portal that recognises the main digital passes currently in use worldwide and acts as a one stop shop for travellers and governments.

“We can use the pandemic to leapfrog technologies and allow contactless travel with embedded data on vaccination and testing status”.

Along with WHO, this innovative report and recommendations also draws on guidance from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD) and commitments made by Governments at the G7 and G20 for solutions to revive safe international travel.

According to WTTC’s research, in 2020, when the pandemic brought international travel to an almost standstill, more than 62 million jobs were lost, and the sector’s contribution to the global GDP fell by a staggering US$ 4.5 trillion.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

These losses have affected the many millions of livelihoods who rely on thriving Travel & Tourism, while also significantly impacting the global economy and development.

Bali, Indonesia, December 7, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels and Resorts is celebrating the restart of international travel by giving globetrotters and loyal guests even more opportunities to stay in style this winter, with a “Double Points” promotion for members of Best Western Rewards!

Available for stays between December 6, 2021 and February 6, 2022, this rewarding new offer guarantees double Best Western Rewards points on every stay, with no limit! Based on the standard 10 points for every dollar spent, every member will now earn 20 points per dollar spent on their hotel room, minus any taxes and fees. This comes on top of the recent extension of member’s elite status and benefits, ensuring that guests can enjoy exclusive benefits all around the world.

In addition to earning double points, Best Western Rewards is offering up to 50% off the number of points required for a free night. During the December 6, 2021 to February 6, 2022 promotional period, members can redeem points for a free night at a deeply discounted rate of 10,000, 20,000 or 40,000 points depending on the hotel and the night. This is just another way Best Western Rewards is showing gratitude to its most loyal guests.

All Best Western Rewards members, whether long-standing or newly-enrolled, can take advantage of the Double Points promotion for their next stay in Asia – and many other regions around the world, including the USA, Canada, Caribbean and Scandinavia. This offer is also valid for qualifying stays at all SureStay® Hotel Group properties and participating hotels and resorts under the WorldHotelsTM Collection, so every guest can find the ideal hotel or resort to suit their unique travel needs.

Best Western Hotels & Resorts offers a global network of hotels in nearly 100† countries and territories worldwide. From our traditional hotel brands to our extended stay or unique boutique and upscale options, you’re sure to find the perfect property to satisfy your travel needs, all around the world.

SureStay Hotel Group delivers exceptional value-driven experiences for travelers who desire international accommodation at affordable prices. Comprised of four distinctive brands, SureStay Hotel Group ensures that all travelers can stay in comfort while away from home.

WorldHotels Collection is a curated portfolio of the finest independent hotels and resorts around the world. All WorldHotels properties are as exquisite as the destinations in which they are found, creating unforgettable experiences from the moment you walk through the door.

Best Western Rewards continues to elevate the travel experience for its guests by enabling all members to retain their elite status for another year. Every member worldwide is eligible for this latest tier extension, which is valid through March 31, 2023. No action is required; you can just sit back, relax and rest assured that Best Western is taking care of you!

Best Western Rewards is also the only loyalty program in the industry where points never expire, so members are not impacted by unpredictable circumstances that could prevent them from using their hard-earned points.

About Best Western Hotels and Resorts
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand 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 is 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.

Mumbai, India, December 5, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Indian Hotels Company has been recognized across categories at the global Worldwide Hospitality Awards 2021. The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai was awarded Best Iconic Asset while Qmin, IHCL’s culinary and food delivery platform, and the IHCL Goa team were awarded Best Team Achievement; and INNERgise by Jiva Spa achieved the Best Wellness Experience award.

• Discover the World’s Best Luxury Hotels with Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

Speaking about these achievements, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, said, “We are delighted to be recognized on a global platform once again. Coming on the heels of Taj being rated as the World’s Strongest Hotel Brand, these awards are also a testament to IHCL’s unrelenting commitment towards excellence. We are honoured to be acknowledged by the Worldwide Hospitality Awards.”

IHCL’s flagship hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai has been recognized for being a global icon with over a century’s legacy. The awards also honoured the team at Qmin, IHCL’s youngest brand that was launched in 2020, for their significant contribution towards business performance through innovation. The IHCL Goa team has been awarded for strengthening IHCL Goa’s position as India’s premier leisure destination. INNERgise by Jiva Spa was acknowledged for its endeavour to promote holistic wellness.

For over two decades, the Worldwide Hospitality Awards has been shining a light on innovative initiatives by hospitality brands across the globe and celebrating them for their corporate achievements.

• Discover the World’s Best Luxury Hotels with Prestigious Hotel Awards at Top25Hotels.com

About The Indian Hotels Company Limited
The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) and its subsidiaries bring together a group of brands and businesses that offer a fusion of warm Indian hospitality and world-class service. These include Taj – the iconic brand for the most discerning travelers and the World’s Strongest Hotel Brand as per Brand Finance 2021, SeleQtions, a named collection of hotels, Vivanta, sophisticated upscale hotels and Ginger, which is revolutionising the lean luxe segment.

Incorporated by the founder of the Tata Group, Jamsetji Tata, the Company opened its first hotel – The Taj Mahal Palace, in Bombay in 1903. IHCL has a portfolio of 227 hotels including 55 under development globally across 4 continents, 12 countries and in over 100 locations. The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) is India’s largest hospitality company by market capitalization. It is primarily listed on the BSE and NSE.

Bangkok, Thailand, December 5, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Just in time for the glamour and glitz of the season ahead, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel has partnered with Saxit Pisalasupongs of the Tube Gallery fashion house to offer makeover mavens and wannabe fashionistas a luxe staycation experience to burnish their style credentials.

Whether you want formal styling tips for the back-to-office season, looking to build a capsule wardrobe or need help acing a bold evening look, the two-hour sharing session with one of Thailand’s biggest names in fashion will have you covered. In addition to styling tips, Saxit Pisalasupongs, who has a decades-long career as a fashion and costume designer, will be offering shopping guidance and recommendations before kicking off a shopping marathon at the nearby Siam Paragon Mall.

Armed with insider knowledge and a gift card from Siam Paragon, guests will be able to apply their new skills at the flagship stores of the world’s most prestigious fashion houses, as well as browsing Tube Gallery’s latest collection. As part of the package, a much-needed foot massage and other relaxing face and body treatments will be offered at the spa, followed by a delicious tea service served at Kasara Lounge — a sophisticated space reserved exclusively for the use of suite guests and offering gourmet treats including hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and premium beverages.

Super Style Me Weekend Offer includes:
– One-night luxury accommodation in Siam Suite for two persons
– Daily breakfast for two persons
– Spa treatments at Anantara Spa for two guests
– Two-hour style workshop with Saxit Pisalasupongs
– Gift card and “swag bag” courtesy of Siam Paragon
– Kasara Lounge access.

Offer starts at THB 9,999++ per night and is available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights only. For more information about this special offer or to make a reservation, contact Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel telephone +66 (0) 2126 8866.

Bangkok, Thailand, December 6, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Best Western Hotels and Resorts announced today that it has appointed Jay Pricher as General Counsel. Pricher joined the organization in 2009 and previously served as Vice President of Legal. In his new role as General Counsel, Pricher will provide counsel, leadership and guidance on all legal issues relating to Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ corporate environment and membership.

“Jay is a strategic leader who has a deep understanding of our unique organizational structure and the needs of our hoteliers,” said Larry Cuculic, President and Chief Executive Officer, Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “He has a proven track record of supporting our members and hoteliers across a variety of legal issues related to international operations, intellectual property matters and business litigation. I have great confidence that Jay will continue to deliver exceptional leadership as he takes on this expanded role.”

Pricher will be responsible for setting and managing strategic direction, and providing guidance on corporate legal issues, to include board and governance matters. Additionally, he will offer advice and assistance to the board of directors and to the company’s membership regarding the company’s regulatory documents, and membership rights, duties and obligations.

“I am honored to be following in Larry’s footsteps as I take on my new role within our thriving organization,” said Pricher. “Best Western Hotels & Resorts has become one of the most innovative brands in the hotel industry, and it is truly a privilege to lead our legal department as we embark on our next chapter. I look forward to continuing to work alongside our exceptional senior leadership team to deliver even greater success to our hoteliers in the years ahead.”

Prior to joining Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Pricher served as Vice President and Associate General Counsel for Financial American Corporation, a real estate focused private equity firm. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Legal Studies and Politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He also earned a Master of Business Administration from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, with an emphasis on International Finance.

About Best Western Hotels and Resorts
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand 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 is 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.

Madrid, Spain, December 6, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Innovation, youth empowerment and tourism and rural development took centre stage as Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez Pérez-Castejón joined UNWTO for the third day of its General Assembly in Madrid.

With the opening days of the most important meeting in global tourism focused on UNWTO’s response to the impacts of the pandemic and uniting Members behind its leadership and Programme of Work, the third day looked ahead to a more sustainable and inclusive future for the sector. Addressing a special Thematic Session, “Building for the Future: Innovation, Education and Rural Development”, Prime Minister Sánchez recognized the importance of the sector for providing opportunities outside of cities, both in Spain and worldwide, while also reaffirming his Government’s support for UNWTO’s mission.

Also addressing delegates, UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “If we are serious about ‘leaving nobody behind’, then we must get serious about innovation, about education and about advancing tourism as a tool for rural development. That means empowering youth, supporting tourism talent, and also giving the best solutions the political and financial support they need to scale up and transform our sector.”

Ministers Advance Shared Vision for Sector

If we are serious about ‘leaving nobody behind’, then we must get serious about innovation, about education and about advancing tourism as a tool for rural development.

The session included a Ministerial Debate on ‘Politics to Foster Tourism for Rural Development’, with insights and inputs from the Ministers of Tourism for Colombia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Paraguay, Slovenia, Tanzania, Spain and Turkey. This was followed by a roundtable on entrepreneurship and innovation in innovation. Representing Members States were Ministers of Tourism from Chile, Greece, Japan, Jordan, Nigeria, Portugal and the United Arab Emirates, while the private sector was represented by winners of the UNWTO Global Rural Tourism Startup Competition. Concluding, a discussion on empowering the tourism leaders of the future, with reference to the UNWTO Students’ League, featured contributions from the Ministers of Tourism for Bulgaria, Lebanon, Maldives and Oman, as well as students themselves.

As well as looking to the future, the General Assembly also celebrated destinations that are already leading the way in making tourism a pillar of rural development and opportunity. From hundreds of entries, 44 villages from 32 countries were named as Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO.

Uzbekistan to host 25th General Assembly

In addition to the Thematic Session, the third day of the 24th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly once again saw Members meet to discuss and approve the Programme of Work for the next two years. On the agenda was the UNWTO leadership’s determination to move the Secretariat closer to Member States, as exemplified by the first Regional Office for the Middle East, opened in June this year and ratified by Member States at the General Assembly. Several Members expressed a wish to host future Regional Offices and so serve as hubs for UNWTO’s work in their regions.

Members voted for Uzbekistan to host the 25th UNWTO General Assembly, scheduled to be held in 2023 and agreed to examining plans to create a new taskforce to ‘Redesign Tourism for the Future’. Additionally, Bali in Indonesia was confirmed as host for World Tourism Day 2022, to be held around the timely theme of ‘Rethinking Tourism’, while the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia were similarly confirmed as the host country for World Tourism Day 2023, to be held around the year of ‘Tourism for Green Investments’.

The General Assembly also fulfilled its obligation with regards to elections, with Member States supporting nominations for new members to serve on the World Committee on Tourism Ethics. Furthermore, 17 countries were confirmed to sit on the UNWTO Executive Council from 2021 to 2025, with Puerto Rico to serve as the representative of Affiliate Members.

Madrid, Spain, December 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The best examples of villages embracing tourism to provide opportunity and drive sustainable development have been celebrated at the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly in Madrid. The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative was launched to advance the role of tourism in safeguarding rural villages, along with their landscapes, natural and cultural diversity, and their local values and activities, including local gastronomy.

A total of 44 villages from 32 countries across the five world regions were granted the recognition in 2021. All of them stand out for their natural and cultural resources as well as for their innovative and transformative actions and commitment to the development of tourism in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This initiative recognizes those villages committed to making tourism a strong driver of their development and wellbeing

The villages were evaluated by an independent Advisory Board based on a set of criteria covering nine areas:

1. Cultural and Natural Resources
2. Promotion and Conservation of Cultural Resources
3. Economic Sustainability
4. Social Sustainability
5. Environmental Sustainability
6. Tourism Potential and Development and Value Chain Integration
7. Governance and Prioritization of Tourism
8. Infrastructure and Connectivity
9. Health, Safety and Security

All of the 44 chosen villages scored a total of 80 or more points or more out of a possible 100.

Tourism as a driver of rural development and inclusion

“Tourism can be a driver of social cohesion and inclusion by promoting a fairer distribution of benefits throughout the territory and empowering local communities,” says UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili. “This initiative recognizes those villages committed to making tourism a strong driver of their development and wellbeing”.

The Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO initiative includes three pillars:

1. The ‘Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO’: Recognizes villages which are an outstanding example of a rural tourism destination with recognized 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 will benefit a number of villages that do not fully meet the criteria to receive the recognition. These villages will 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’ Network: The Network will provide a space for exchanging experiences and good practices, learnings, and opportunities. It will include representatives of the villages recognized as the ‘Best Tourism Village by UNWTO’ , the villages participating in the Upgrade Programme, as well as experts, public and private sector partners engaged in the promotion of tourism for rural development.

A total 174 villages were proposed by 75 UNWTO Member States (each Member State could present a maximum of three villages) for the 2021 pilot initiative. Among which 44 were recognized as Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO. Another 20 villages will enter the Upgrade Programme of the Initiative. All 64 villages enter to make part of the UNWTO Best Tourism Villages Network.

The next edition will open in February 2022.

List of Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO 2021:

• Bekhovo, Russian Federation
• Bkassine, Lebanon
• Bojo, Philippineshe
• Caspalá, Argentina
• Castelo Rodrigo, Portugal
• Cuetzalan del Progreso, Mexico
• Cumeada, Portugal
• Gruyères, Switzerland
• Batu Puteh , Malaysia
• Kaunertal, Austria
• Le Morne, Mauritius
• Lekunberri, Spain
• Maní, Mexico
• Misfat Al Abriyeen, Oman
• Miyama, Japan
• Mokra Gora, Serbia
• Morella, Spain
• Mustafapaşa, Turkey
• Nglanggeran, Indonesia
• Niseko, Japan
• Nkotsi Village, Rwanda
• Old Grand Port, Mauritius
• Olergesailie, Kenya
• Ollantaytambo, Peru
• Pano Lefkara, Cyprus
• Pica, Chile
• Pochampally, India
• Puerto Williams, Chile
• Radovljica, Slovenia
• Rijal Alma’a, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Testo Alto, Brazil
• Saas Fee, Switzerland
• San Cosme y Damián, Paraguay
• San Ginesio, Italy
• Sidi Kaouki, Morocco
• Solčava, Slovenia
• Soufli, Greece
• Taraklı, Turkey
• The Purple Island, Republic of Korea
• Ungok Village, Republic of Korea
• Valposchiavo, Switzerland
• Wonchi, Ethiopia
• Xidi, China
• Yucun, China

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

• Ordino, Andorra
• Khinalig, Azerbaijan
• Koprivshtitsa, Bulgaria
• Kaštelir Labinci, Croatia
• Agros, Cyprus
• Fuwah, Egypt
• Western Samos, Greece
• Hollókő, Hungary
• Biei, Japan
• Capulálpam de Méndez, Mexico
• Godinje, Montenegro
• Gornja Lastva, Montenegro
• Oukaimeden, Morocco
• Barangay Tenani, Philippines
• Gasura, Rwanda
• Gostilje, Serbia
• Gorenja Vas, Slovenia
• Cantavieja, Spain
• Bo Suak, Thailand
• Ruboni, Uganda

Bangkok, Thailand, December 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Produced both digitally and in print, the prestigious bilingual Thai and English culinary guide will see amazing destinations and a new service award added. The Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) are pleased to announce that the success of The MICHELIN Guide Thailand over the past five years, since its launch in 2017, has resulted in the project being extended for another five years from 2022 to 2026 guaranteeing continued promotion of gastronomy tourism in Thailand to the highest international level.

• Discover the Thailand’s and Asia’s Best Restaurants at Top25Restaurants.com

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “The MICHELIN Guide Thailand in its four editions so far has been received tremendously well, and has been instrumental in bringing Thailand’s world-class culinary scene to the world. The next five editions to come under TAT’s expanded partnership with The MICHELIN Guide will aim to build on that success and promises a number of new elements. This will see its search extended to three more provinces, including one in the Northeast, and the introduction of a new award category – the MICHELIN Guide Thailand Service Award presented by TAT will recognise outstanding service personnel in the culinary and hospitality industries.

“At the same time, The MICHELIN Guide Thailand will play an important role in helping drive the government’s Creative Economy policy under the Bio-Circular-Green or BCG Economic Model. It will do so by enhancing the image of Thailand globally as a leading tourism destination through the promotion of Gastronomy Tourism, and in a sustainable development manner.”

• Discover the Thailand’s and Asia’s Best Restaurants at Top25Restaurants.com

Mr. Manuel Montana, President of Michelin East Asia and Australia, said, “The extended partnership will allow us to provide further support and contributions to Thailand’s gastronomy and tourism sectors – a much-needed morale booster for local entrepreneurs, especially during and after the pandemic. With the MICHELIN Guide’s active presence through both traditional and digital channels on a global scale, we will continue to enhance the exposure of Thailand as a world-class culinary destination, as well as help amplify the rebound of Thai tourism after the Covid-19 crisis. Additionally, in line with the Thai government’s policies around the Bio, Circular and Green economy, The MICHELIN Guide’s efforts to raise awareness and promote sustainability in the culinary and hospitality sectors, will benefit not only the country’s economy and its people, but also the planet as a whole.”

Jakarta, Indonesia, December 2, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Sabre Corporation, a leading software and technology provider that powers the global travel industry, today announced a new, long-term strategic relationship with Archipelago International to enable the fast-growing operator to extensively grow geographic reach as it focuses on ongoing global expansion plans.

With this agreement, Archipelago Hotel Group’s inventory will be available to hundreds of thousands of travel agents globally across all major Global Distribution Systems (GDSs) through Sabre Hospitality Solutions’ innovative SynXis platform. The deal will also enable Archipelago, Indonesia’s largest hotel chain, to reach out to major corporations and consortia travel agencies, thereby improving access to lucrative corporate and leisure travel markets.

“As one of the fastest growing hotel groups in the world, it is imperative to us that we have the right technology partner with far-reaching, robust and reliable solutions to support us in our ambitious growth strategy so we can reach travellers across all segments and geographic markets, while focusing on our overarching aim of exceeding guest expectations across all of our hotels,” said John Flood, President & CEO, Archipelago International.

Archipelago is the largest privately owned and independent hotel operator in Southeast Asia, with more than $4bn assets under management globally, comprising 150+ properties across 60+ destinations and 10 brands from budget to luxury, including its best-known ASTON brand. Already the market leader in Bali, where international travel has now re-opened for certain destinations, Archipelago is also continuing to expand further afield, including making investments in the Middle East and Caribbean with more destinations to follow.

“Sabre certainly hasn’t hit the pause button during the pandemic. And, Archipelago has also been very proactive during these challenging times by continuing to focus on global expansion plans as well as, of course, ensuring it has the right technology at its fingertips to capture recovery,” said Frank Trampert, Global Managing Director, Sabre Hospitality Solutions. “We’re delighted Archipelago has selected Sabre to open up a new world of distribution for the group at this key time for its own brands and the wider travel industry.”

About Sabre Corporation
Sabre Corporation is a leading software and technology company that powers the global travel industry, serving a wide range of travel companies including airlines, hoteliers, travel agencies and other suppliers. The company provides retailing, distribution and fulfilment solutions that help its customers operate more efficiently, drive revenue and offer personalized traveller experiences. Through its leading travel marketplace, Sabre connects travel suppliers with buyers from around the globe. Sabre’s technology platform manages more than $260B worth of global travel spend annually. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries around the world.

About Archipelago International
Southeast Asia’s largest privately owned and independent hotel management group, operating over 150 hotels with a further 50+ under development across Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Trusted hotels with a long track record and 20,000 rooms in more than 60 destinations with brands including ASTON, Collection by ASTON, The Alana, Huxley, Kamuela, Harper, Quest, NEO, favehotels, and Nordic.