Category: Latest Travel News

Budapest, Hungary, November 26, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Anantara Hotels welcomes the Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel to the brand’s growing European portfolio. Located in the heart of the Hungarian capital, Anantara New York Palace is an architectural ode to Europe’s Belle Epoque era and showcases old-world glamour and contemporary luxury.

• Discover Budapest and the World’s Best Luxury Hotels at Top25Hotels.com

Discover the city’s most Instagrammable spots in an old convertible VW Samba, cruise along the Danube on a cosy traditional boat or mingle at one of the most beautiful cafés in the world, the New York Café, host to the city’s poets and artists for over a century and the perfect spot to enjoy a 24-carat-gold coffee and cake.

A glamorous new lobby, stylish guest rooms and the addition of the White Salon, a glitzy new restaurant serving quintessential Hungarian cuisine, will all be revealed in Spring 2022 upon completion of a renovation. A new Anantara Spa will also be launched next year, with treatments touching on the healing philosophies of Anantara’s Thai roots and with elements inspired by the thermal bath heritage of Budapest.

• Discover Budapest and the World’s Best Luxury Hotels at Top25Hotels.com

Phetchaburi, Thailand, November 26, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is pleased to report that Phetchaburi Province has been accepted as Thailand’s latest member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of Gastronomy.

• Prepare for the Visit Thailand Year 2022 and Visit Thailand – Be Happy, at VisitThailand.net

Phetchaburi is the fifth province in Thailand to have earned the UCCN title, after Phuket was named a Creative City of Gastronomy in 2015, Chiang Mai a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts in 2017, Bangkok a Creative City of Design in 2019 and Sukhothai a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Arts in 2019.

Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “The addition of Phetchaburi to the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a Creative City of Gastronomy is much welcomed and could not have come at a better time, with Gastronomy featuring as a key element of the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022’ new tourism marketing campaign.”

Located around 160 km south of Bangkok, Phetchaburi is known for the production of high quality sea salt and key limes, palm sugar, rose apples, pineapples and bananas among other items, giving it the nickname ‘City of Three Tastes’ – for salty, sweet and sour. The farm-to-fork practice is also in use in the province, where farmers deliver fresh produce and seafood direct to food outlets and manufacturers as well as local households.

Phetchaburi is synonymous with a number of local dishes having gained particular popularity and for its production of certain food products. Local recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation, cuisine from the royal courts of Ayutthaya and Rattanakosin, and Chinese and Mon cuisine have combined into dishes unique to Phetchaburi.

Among the well-known dishes that reflect Phetchaburi’s cultural roots are Kaeng Kua Hua Tan (toddy palm curry), Khanom Cheen Thotman (fermented rice-flour noodles with fried fish cake), Khao Chae (rice soaked in water accompanied by a variety of side dishes) and Kuaitiao Nam Daeng (red-soup noodles).

Tourists visiting Phetchaburi can combine the delectable cuisine on offer with exploration of the various attractions. These include Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park or as it’s also known locally Khao Wang (meaning ‘hill with palace’) with its palace and temple buildings on a hill overlooking the city; the temples Wat Mahathat Worawihan, Wat Kamphaeng Laeng, Wat Yai Suwannaram; and picturesque beaches the most famous being Cha-am.

Last but not least, Kaeng Krachan National Park which covers part of Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, and Ratchaburi provinces, at 464,000 hectares is the largest national park in Thailand, and is known for its wildlife watching, hiking and ‘sea of mist’ views during the cooler months of November to February. It is also home to Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex which was recently added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

• Prepare for the Visit Thailand Year 2022 and Visit Thailand – Be Happy, at VisitThailand.net

The UCCN was launched in 2004 to promote cooperation among cities that have identified creativity as a strategic factor for sustainable urban development. There are seven categories of membership in the network – Crafts and Folk Arts, Media Arts, Film, Design, Gastronomy, Literature and Music – which currently numbers around 250 cities worldwide. These cities work together toward a common objective – placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of their development plans at the local level and cooperating actively at the international level.

Brussels, Belgium, November 26, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Council of Europe will work together to develop the opportunities tourism offers to local communities and to enhance the tourist experience along the European region’s Cultural Routes.

The joint actions will be aimed at recognizing the added value that cultural routes offer for sustainable tourism development, cultural heritage safeguarding and intercultural dialogue. The collaboration will also further highlight the routes’ potential for advancing social, economic and cultural development, benefitting both Europe and its partner countries by strengthening cultural and historical ties.

All along the Cultural Routes, tourism has the power to support jobs and create other development opportunities for communities

International Year of Creative Economy 2021

The two organizations will be collaborating first in the sphere of creative tourism, to showcase good practices in line with the International Year of Creative Economy 2021, and further promote destinations encompassed by the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes (EPA) of the Council of Europe.

UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “All along the Cultural Routes, tourism has the power to support jobs and create other development opportunities for communities. It is also a chance to protect and promote cultural heritage and to celebrate creativity.”

Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić adds: “The Cultural Routes programme plays an important role in the promotion of Europe’s rich cultural heritage, in addition to being an effective tool for fostering intercultural dialogue and transnational co-operation.

We are delighted that the UN’s World Tourism Organisation will contribute its expertise to the Cultural Routes programme on the basis of this Memorandum of Understanding.”

Enhancing accessibility

The partnership will also see UNWTO and the Council of Europe harness their individual expertise and technical capabilities to further develop Cultural Routes, through research, training and policymaking. Special attention will be paid to the mapping of Cultural Routes and to promoting greater accessibility for persons with disabilities and specific access requirements.

Guiyang, China, November 26, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Guiyang Art Center Hotel, Emblems Collection, in the heart of China’s Guizhou province, will be the brand’s first hotel. Accor, a world leading hospitality group featuring one of the industry’s most diverse and fully integrated hospitality ecosystems, is delighted to introduce Emblems Collection, a unique global portfolio of boutique hotels and luxurious resorts. Emblems Collection is launching with a magnificent flagship hotel – Guiyang Art Centre Hotel, Emblems Collection in China’s Guizhou province, slated to open in December 2022. The luxury brand is expected to grow to 60 properties around the world by 2030.

• Discover the World’s Best Luxury Hotels in Guiyang and China at Top25Hotels.com

“Emblems Collection adds a fresh and exciting new dimension to Accor’s luxury offerings. A key focus of our growth and development strategy is to add aggressively across our strongest lines and leading business accelerators, which includes luxury as well as collection brands, while ensuring all 40+ brands in our global network continue to grow, evolve and flourish,” said Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO, Accor. “The hotels we will feature in Emblems Collection are those sought out by travelers who appreciate high-end, boutique-style experiences, as well as by hoteliers who cherish the independent brands they’ve built while desiring the benefits that come with a global partner.”

With the creation of Emblems Collection, Accor is broadening its footprint in the collection brands space and will look to replicate the success it has achieved with another of the Group’s brands – MGallery Hotel Collection, a storied portfolio that now counts more than 100 boutique hotels worldwide. With a similar free-spirited approach, yet focused on the luxury segment, Emblems Collection will feature unique hotels that are ‘emblematic’ of their designers, demographics or destinations. Appealing to the stylish and the smart set, signature elements of the brand’s hotels will include luxurious surroundings, Instagram-worthy pools, and vibrant public spaces. Hotels and resorts joining the Emblems Collection will fall into three categories:

– Emblems Collection Heritage – hotels that are landmarks of a destination – the buildings that contribute to the character of a city, place or nation; properties that celebrate the hallmarks of history and classic cultural traditions.

– Emblems Collection Retreat – resort properties along blissful beaches, bucolic countrysides or nestled in the mountains, offering sumptuous spa and wellness experiences with holistic care and enrichment through rituals, serenity and wellbeing.

– Emblems Collection Signature – design-led hotels that embody an aesthetic universe, an ode to the style and signature of the designers or original residents who contributed to the hotel’s unique legacy.

Designed for independent hoteliers
The Emblems Collection brand is designed with the needs of independent and boutique hotel owners in mind. For those seeking to upgrade their property’s luxury status and give their global profile a boost, the hotel brand standards of the collection are flexible, light, and easy to attain, with opportunities to sign franchise agreements – the only Accor luxury brand to offer this option. The new brand will encourage its hotels to retain their unique identities, which is important to hoteliers who have invested in creating a certain style for their hotel and/or market. Moreover, Emblems Collection provides direct ROI and the opportunity to maximize revenue with immediate access to the power of Accor’s sales, distribution and loyalty platform.

“For owners and developers who have created unique luxury hotels, or are looking to develop a new upmarket offering, we offer a collection brand that can boost their property’s status and profile with limited investment in marketing and branding, along with an easy transition process,” said Agnes Roquefort, Chief Development Officer, Accor. “With Emblems Collection, a hotelier can optimize their costs and operations right away by leveraging Accor’s powerful global distribution and supply networks, while expanding their audience reach from the moment they join. We look forward to working collaboratively with more hoteliers and development partners to bring more hotels around the world to this outstanding collection.”

First Stop: China
Guiyang Art Centre Hotel, Emblems Collection is the inaugural flagship of the new hotel portfolio, residing in the city’s famous Guiyang Art Centre. Originally built as an opulent private residence, this crown jewel of the capital city attracts visitors with its lush landscaping, sprawling grounds, and serene wellness ambience.

Guiyang Art Centre Hotel, Emblems Collection
The city of Guiyang is well-known for its lovely warm climate, being centrally located in the province of Guizhou, and enjoys an enviable location along the north bank of the Nanming River. Often referred to as the ‘capital of summer resorts in China’, Guiyang is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, a leading tourism hotspot, and a popular destination for luxury travelers, both domestically and from afar.

• Discover the World’s Best Luxury Hotels in Guiyang and China at Top25Hotels.com

“As one of the most important hospitality markets in the world, China is the perfect location for Accor to launch our newest luxury brand, and we are honored to work with our trusted partner, HLC Group on this landmark project. HLC is a respected business leader in Guizhou province and recognized as one of China’s top private enterprises; we are delighted to partner with them to bring our shared vision of the new Emblems Collection hotel in Guiyang to life,” said Gary Rosen, CEO, Greater China, Accor. “This grand and enigmatic property has long captured the attention of residents and visitors to Guiyang. Emblems Collection will bring a fresh, modern expression of luxury living to this iconic landmark, setting the high standards of hospitality and style that we expect for this brand as it expands to other markets worldwide.”

With 64 extraordinary suites and two magnificent ballrooms, guests will love the new Emblems Collection hotel, with its exciting mix of atmosphere, grandeur, style and innovation. Whether enjoying the serenity of the swimming pool, spa and fitness area, or the social buzz of one of the sophisticated hotel’s stylish bars, lounges and restaurants, the Guiyang Art Centre Hotel, Emblems Collection is certain to become one of the most popular hotels of the capital city of Guizhou province.

With a plan to grow the collection to 60 properties by 2030, Accor is actively seeking new properties to be part of Emblems Collection in targeted destinations across the globe. Paris and Prague are two key cities where luxury heritage hotels might be candidates for Emblems Collection Heritage or Emblems Collection Signature. Other target cities for potential growth include London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Madrid, Marrakech, Cairo, Amman, Doha, Moscow, Bangkok, Seoul, Sydney, Montréal, New York, Havana, Cartagena, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Santiago, among others. For the Emblems Collection Retreat, short-listed destinations include Tuscany, Mykonos, Bodrum, Algarve, Bali, Australia’s Gold Coast and Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

Pattaya, Thailand, November 25, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Honda in partnership with IMG, announced today that the leading women’s golf tournament and sports event in Thailand, the Honda LPGA Thailand 2022, will return in celebration of its 15th anniversary. The tournament is set to come home to Siam Country Club Old Course, Pattaya Chonburi Province from March 10th -13th, 2022. The top-ranking female golfers from around the world are geared up toconquer the course as they compete for a purse of $1.6 million USD (an approximate 53 million Baht). In celebration of a memorable 15 years and to commemorate this milestone, the Honda LPGA Thailand 2022 has also unveiled an exclusive 15th anniversary logo that represents the journey of the tournament over the years that has always aimed for greatness.

Mr. Noriyuki Takakura, President and CEO of Honda Automobile (Thailand) Co., Ltd. said, “In conjunction with the Honda LPGA Thailand’s 15 year anniversary, we are extremely committed to our role of continuously raising the standards of golf in Thailand while empowering young golfers everywhere to pursue their ambitions. As such, we are pleased to introduce our new theme for the tournament titled “Beyond Greatness” that is aligned with our goals of encouraging people across the nation to overcome boundaries and strive for excellence. In the last 15 years of world-class golf at the Honda LPGA Thailand, we have seen our Thai golfers repeatedly accomplish great successes from upcoming and promising golf talents like Atthaya Thitikul, Patty Tavatanakit to Ariya Jutanugarn’s momentous win at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2021 proving that with the right determination, anyone and everyone can go “Beyond Greatness”.

“Despite having to reexamine the procedures and strategies behind the Honda LPGA Thailand due to the current circumstances, we believe that this tournament is still a significant platform that not only acts as an opportunity for top professional golfers but also as a launching pad for young Thai golfers to prove themselves on a world stage. We look forward to once again playing our part in promoting the country as the ideal golf tourism destination.” added Mr.Noriyuki.

Since its debut in 2006, the Honda LPGA Thailand has become one of the most popular women’s tournaments in Asia and on the LPGA Tour calendar, boasting stellar fields annually and an honours list that includes some of the greats of the game including Suzann Pettersen (2007), who has had over 22 professional career wins. Golfing sensations that have had exhilarating wins at the tournament include Lorena Ochoa (2009), a former long-reigning world number one; Yani Tseng (2011 & 2012), five-time Major Championship winner and Inbee Park (2013), former Grand Slam champion and Olympic gold-medalist.

While Honda LPGA Thailand 2021 was held behind closed doors, the tournament still proved to be successful and one of the most iconic sporting events in Thai history. From the word go, the tournament was a celebration of Thai golf talent with Patty Tavatanakit and teenage phenomenon, Atthaya Thitikul slugging it through the opening rounds. In the end, it was another local favourite, Ariya Jutanugarn who rallied in the final round to finally get her hands on the elusive Honda LPGA Thailand crown.

“Winning the Honda LPGA Thailand 2021 was one of my greatest achievements because it was in my home country. I have consistently worked hard and persevered for this very moment, making it the most memorable accomplishment of my career. I am grateful to the Honda LPGA Thailand for continuously serving as a platform for local and international golfers to compete in a tournament that aims to spark greatness at all levels. I am so proud to see just how much Thai golf talent has increased in the last 15 years with many young enthusiasts joining the playing field. I look forward to once again giving my best at the Honda LPGA Thailand 2022 and inspiring upcoming golfers as much as they inspire me,” expressed Ariya Jutanugarn, Honda LPGA Thailand 2021 Champion.

Following the adversities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Thai government has recently shared their new focus to restore confidence amongst locals with several domestic and international projects throughout the country. This comes following the decision from Thai authorities coinciding with the reopening of the country with eased regulations for fully vaccinated travelers from 63 low-risk countries. This is to support the mission to reboot Thailand’s tourism industry as it is on the road to positive recovery after 18 months of COVID-19 restrictions.

In this regard, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in partnership with the Sports Authority of Thailand and related agencies have teamed up to support international sporting events, including the Honda LPGA Thailand 2022, to resume in Thailand. This decision comes with the motivation that these respective events will effectively promote a positive image of Thailand’s internationally acclaimed golf tourism sector. As a trailblazer for sporting events in Thailand, the Honda LPGA Thailand can further spotlight the country’s preparedness in organising sporting events amidst the COVID-19 pandemic while still maintaining strict public health safety requirements and adhering to local government standard operating procedures for all parties involved.

The tournament promoter, IMG Thailand’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Ms. Winnie Heng, said, “As long-time promoters of the Honda LPGA Thailand tournament, we’re excited to be working alongside Honda in propelling women to greater heights on and off the course. Apart from the great and collaborative working relationship IMG has with Honda, it’s an honour to be able to be part of a progressive and passionate team that strives to push boundaries and elevate the sports tourism landscape in Thailand.”

“The 15th instalment of the Honda LPGA Thailand tournament will see efficient hygiene and protocol adherence to ensure best practices are in place at every point for all present and involved. We are extremely grateful for the support of our partners and sponsors that have motivated us to lead the way for the comeback of events as the industry continues to pivot with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic”, Ms. Heng added.

As part of efforts to further connect with the audience through initiatives on and off the course, the Honda LPGA Thailand has partnered up with Thai illustrator Jirayu Koo to exclusively curate tournament merchandise in conjunction with the 15 year anniversary celebration.The collaboration with Jirayu aims to showcase golf as more than just a sport and as a lifestyle that creates bonds and good times. The new design sheds a refreshing light on golf as amusing and fun as an attempt to break the notion of golf as a traditional sport. The overlapping colours between each shape construes how each game of golf also brings different experiences.

The 2-day Honda LPGA Thailand 2022 National Qualifiers will be held in January, as a prelude into the main tournament event. The qualifier rounds offer a unique opportunity for young Thai individuals to go Beyond Greatnesswith the chance to compete among the top female golfers in the world at the prestigious Honda LPGA Thailand 2022.

Thai golf fans will be able to watch the Honda LPGA Thailand tournament live on Official Broadcast Host PPTV HD 36 and their digital platforms across the four tournament days. Fans across the globe can also enjoy high-quality golfing content from the comfort of their homes via global broadcast channels that will be announced at a later date. Updates on the event format and ticketing details for spectators will be announced by the tournament promoter at a later date.

London, United Kingdom, November 24, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Almost 900,000 Travel & Tourism jobs across the EU at risk if restrictions return. Reinstating severe restrictions would cause serious damage to the sector. A staggering €35 billion could be wiped off the region’s economy this year. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the European Travel Commission (ETC), supported by a number of key travel stakeholders, have urged EU Member States to align their responses to the deteriorating COVID-19 situation and avoid imposing any limits to the freedom of movement across Europe.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, November 24, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / UNWTO’s Members from across Asia and the Pacific came together to advance the tourism sector’s contribution to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The UNWTO Regional Conference on the Empowerment of Women in Tourism in Asia and the Pacific – the first event on the topic organized by UNWTO jointly with Malaysia’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture – brought together more than 500 key virtual participants in addition to around 100 local in-person stakeholders. Alongside UNWTO experts, government policymakers, UN Women representatives, high-level representatives of women’s associations and NGOs, joined leading academics to address some of the key challenges and opportunities for women in tourism in the region.

In Asia and the Pacific, women make up 53% of the tourism workforce. However, they remain concentrated in lower paid-positions and tens to have poorer working conditions. As in other regions of the world, high-level and leadership positions seem to be the sole prerogative of men. The aim of this conference was to contribute to international efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5) on gender equality and the empowerment of women, particularly in light of how the pandemic has worsened the socio-economic situation of the female tourism workforce in the region.

In her welcome and opening remarks, H.E. Dato’ Sri Nancy Shukri, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia reinforced this main objective of the conference and said  “As part of efforts to advance a more inclusive recovery for the tourism sector which is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals and particularly SDG 5 on gender equality, I believe this conference will provide us with deep insights on strategies and the future prospects for women in tourism in the Asia-Pacific region.”

The discussions of the conference focused on the six thematic pillars of UNWTO’s Action Plan on Women in Tourism. These include women’s employment and leadership; entrepreneurship; education and training for the realities of post-COVID19 tourism; and data and statistics for an inclusive recovery. Based on these thematic areas, the conference explored how tourism’s immense potential for advancing women’s economic empowerment can be further enhanced through the implementation of the right recovery policies and strategies.

Beijing, China, November 25, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / On Nov. 22, China Tourism Academy released the “Annual Report on China’s Outbound Tourism Development 2021.” The Report was namely released by Dr. Jingsong Yang, Director of the Institute of International Studies (the Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Research Institute.) Here are some key points:

In 2020, China’s outbound tourist trips totaled 20.334 million, a decrease of 86.9% compared to 2019. In February 2020, outbound travel number dropped dramatically to less than 600,000 from over 10 million in January. The outbound group tours came to a complete stop. Outbound tourist trips for 2021 are projected to reach 25.62 million, an increase of 27% from 2020. Compared to the large scale of over 100 million outbound travelers prior to the pandemic, China’s outbound tourism basically remains at a standstill.

Asia continued to be the top destination with 95.45% visitations by Chinese travelers, followed by Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and Africa. Overall, trips to those continents decreased by 70% to 95%, with Asia taking the smallest decrease and Oceania the biggest decrease. Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR and Chinese Taipei remained as the most visited destinations, accounting for more than 80% of visits.

The top 15 destinations were Macau SAR, Hong Kong SAR, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Cambodia, the U.S., Singapore, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, the U.K., Australia, Canada and Indonesia, with a decrease ranging from 66% to 98%. Travel to Macau SAR showed an obvious recovery.

The survey shows that safety, short-distance, and companionship are the focal points for outbound travel. 82.8% of respondents would travel to a destination where there are no longer COVID infections. Respondents are more inclined to avoid crowded destinations. 81.6% indicate that for a while, they would opt for domestic travel rather than outbound travel. 71.7% are reluctant to travel abroad by air due to the COVID infection uncertainties.

For outbound travel, the majority of the respondents would rely on social media and travel websites, only 25.08% would use tour operators, which shows a decrease of 37.79% compared to 2019. Most respondents choose “travel with entire family” and “travel with partial family,” and fewer choose “travel alone” and “travel with strangers.” As to travel duration, less than 10% choose more than 15 days and more than 60% plan for 1 to 7 days, of which nearly 50% choose 4 to 7 days.

Outbound tourism continues to be affected by the global pandemic, and both international and Chinese domestic situations are still unstable. In the future, public health control measures will likely become normalized, and Chinese outbound tourists will desire better safety and health protection. The outbound tourism industry is adapting to a new normal through technological innovations and improvements, including vaccinations, rapid PCR testing, digital health codes, etc. Additionally, 5G, Big Data, A.I., etc., are being integrated into the tourism industry practices, which would positively aid outbound tourism in the future.

The Report states that the Chinese citizens still have a desire for outbound travel, supported by the large population base, urbanization, and better economic conditions. The Report also contains a section outlining the industry’s efforts/innovation in transitioning from outbound tourism to domestic tourism to meet the market demand. The final section of the Report includes an analysis of the 2022 outlook.

(Note: This is an unofficial summary in English and serves as a reference only. Please refer to the official Chinese document for precise wording and meaning.)

About Haybina Hao
Haybina is former Regional Director – Greater China for World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC, headquartered in London). Previously she also served as V.P. International Development for National Tour Association based in the U.S. She is an expert on China outbound tourism and has worked extensively with the Greater China travel trade, tourism organizations and governmental agencies. She is currently an international travel industry reporter and has been reporting in both Chinese and English. Linkedin

Paris, France, November 23, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Michelin Guide’s hotel selection, created by Tablet Hotels experts and its community of travellers – puts the quest for excellence, the enhancement of uniqueness, the promotion of local know-how and the art of living at the same pace as its selection of restaurants. The continuously updated selection, now available in digital format, can be viewed, booked and shared on the Michelin Guide website and apps.

For more than a century, the Michelin Guide has accompanied gourmands and travellers by sharing its best restaurant recommendations as well as convenient places to stay around the world.

In the Michelin Guide’s restaurant selections, the establishments promoted are not just invitations to enjoy a meal, they are also true destinations. Today, the Michelin Guide sets a new standard for a selection of hotels.

The hotels recommended on the Michelin Guide’s digital platforms are selected with the same high standards as the restaurants, to fulfil the same promise: to strive for excellence, promote uniqueness, and highlight local know-how and the art of living. If Michelin Guide hotels and restaurants selections are bounded by the same exact values, the way they are made is different.

Where restaurants are selected by the renowned anonymous Michelin Guide inspectors, the hotel selection is carried out by the passionate team at Tablet Hotels – the Michelin Guide’s hotel experts since 2018 – and by its community of travellers. By listing hotels that inspire discovery or adventure, the Michelin Guide’s historical commitment to offer only memorable experiences is upheld.

“By making our hotel selection even more rigorous and focusing only on the strongest, most unique and most memorable experiences, the Michelin Guide aims to bring the know-how and expertise of its teams to travellers and gourmets around the world. In doing so, and by offering new digital services to our users, we are pursuing a clear ambition: to become the benchmark for high-level hotel and restaurant recommendations,” said Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of Michelin Guides.

A hotel selection made with travellers that presents new features

The Michelin Guide’s collaborative hotel selection invites all verified guests who booked a stay through Tablet to assist with validation of the selection by sharing their feedback. Any hotel with a less than satisfactory rating will be evaluated for removal, ensuring that the Michelin Guide’s recommendations are always worthy of its users’ trust.

The Michelin Guide’s digital hotel selection allows travellers to benefit from the best online booking platform developed by Tablet. The trusted selection of extraordinary hotels — places that stand out for their style, service, and personality — is the first step in planning for a memorable experience, regardless of price. From checking availability to booking a room and getting away from it all, thanks to a seamless, sophisticated booking experience and industry-leading service and support, discerning adventurers are offered a new approach to the art of travel that is so dear to the Michelin Guide.

« For over 20 years, Tablet has been the go-to resource for finding and booking the world’s most extraordinary hotels online. Today, as the hotel experts at the Michelin Guide, we are committed to the same ambition as the Guide’s restaurant selection: showing travellers only places that are worth their time — place that will contribute something meaningful to their journey. And, like we do for restaurateurs, we are pleased that our selection will shine a light on the talent, expertise and personality of passionate hoteliers who help make the world’s great destinations so eternally attractive”, adds Lucy Lieberman, CEO of Tablet Hotels

The Michelin Guide is fully aware of the impact of the health crisis on the travel, gastronomy, and lifestyle sectors. Through its selection of hotels and restaurants, the Guide is committed to actively promoting the industry and meeting the expectations of travellers and gourmets who are more eager than ever to enjoy authentic culinary experiences and unforgettable getaways.

The Michelin Guide and Tablet Hotels are following in the footsteps of the TOP25Hotels.com and TOP25Restaurants.com by Travelindex, presenting a curated list of the world’s best luxury boutique hotels.

Rayong, Thailand, November 23, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Resort Villa, one of the most exclusive and luxury retreats in Asia with 8 private villas that can house up to 20 guests at the same time, is a well-known destination among the European royal families and Hollywood stars. Known for its tailor-made hospitality and environmental awareness, the Resort Villa is also one of the top supporters of local artisans from all parts of Thailand and believes in giving constant exposure of their works to its international clientele.

Recently, The Resort Villa commissioned Jirawong Wongtrangan, one of the top designers of ceramic art from Northern Thailand, to create an exclusive collection of tableware for the resort. Reflecting the different shades of blue of the waters of the Gulf of Thailand and the 1,000 square metres of infinity pool that connects all of the resort’s 8 private villas, this exclusive collection of ceramics is made up of clay from diverse sources that come together through the artist’s unique design and glazing techniques.

It is The Resort Villa’s hope to showcase works of local Thai artists to the rest of the world. For more information on handmade ceramics by Jirawong Wongtrangan, please contact: inclaystudioppottery@gmail.com

About The Resort Villa
The Resort Villa is one of Asia’s most luxurious private retreats situated amidst the quiet fishing villages and tropical rain forests and pristine beaches of Rayong province.

The story of this haven on earth began with a Swedish businessman, who fell in love with Rayong’s natural beauty and transformed the 14,000 square metres of land with both a resort and private retreat in mind. To ensure utter exclusivity and privacy, the resort’s 8 individual villas are only available to a single group of up to 18 guests. Guests of the resort, frequently Hollywood stars, Swedish royalties, and international business figures, are in the hands of 60full-time staff members whose mission is to make sure every aspect of the guests’ wishes is individually catered to.

The Resort Villa continually strives to be environmentally aware and is known for its social services such as the beach clean ups and a dog-neutering campaign to help control the dog population in the area and for its contributions and encouragement to the local community in preserving the nature of its surroundings.