Category: Latest Travel News

Tokyo, Japan, May 5, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) has launched a new Insider Guide to Japan, celebrating the country’s many traditions, innovations, natural wonders, and off-the-beaten-track adventures.

JNTO’s “Experiences in Japan,” is a website that showcases activities based on Seven Passions (nature, outdoors, tradition, cuisine, relaxation, art and cities). This collection of curated experiences offers a window into the heart and soul of Japan, a series of exciting – and largely unknown – activities and destinations.

While preparing these attractions in anticipation of inbound travel resuming once again, JNTO is also taking a number of COVID-19 measures to ensure absolute peace of mind for international visitors. These new initiatives are available on our website. Steps include multilingual pictograms to summarize information on the country’s precautions against COVID-19 infection as well as emergency response contacts and procedures.

Japan is an archipelago of around 6,852 islands; a country that not only offers breath-taking scenery, great wildlife, a rich cultural heritage, fast-paced city life, world-class cuisine, a reputation for warm hospitality, but – crucially in this time – also has a long-standing tradition of wellness, cleanliness and hygiene. Japan has one of the healthiest populations in the world, ranking second globally in terms of life expectancy (Source: United Nations, “World Population Prospects 2019″).

It is no coincidence that the Japanese word for clean (kirei) also means beautiful: a notion so deeply ingrained in the national psyche that it permeates every aspect of everyday life from greeting one another with a respectful bow to leaving shoes on the doorstep. Japan ranks as the fifth largest “wellcation” destination in the world (Source: Global Wellness Institute, “Global Wellness Tourism Economy Report” November 2018): a land of tranquil temples and shrines, inspiring landscapes, delicious healthy food and of course the time-honored tradition of onsen (hot springs).

And so for those excited to travel again in the future, Japan offers the perfect balance of adventure, freedom, solitude, and intrigue: an opportunity to finally tick off that bucket-list destination and immerse yourself in another culture, comfortable in the knowledge that Japan has gone above and beyond in terms of due diligence for visitor safety.

2021 is a landmark year for Japan – as the country gears-up to host the postponed Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games – and it is anticipated that Japan will be one of the top travel destinations after international travel resumes.

Bangkok, Thailand, May 4, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to welcome Expedia Group as its newest corporate member. “As the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the world to adapt and evolve, technological innovations will continue to be a key driver in the recovery of the travel and tourism industry post COVID-19 and beyond That is why we are excited to welcome Expedia Group to the PATA family,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy. “As Expedia Group has one of the world’s largest full-service travel sites, it is important that we are able to add this voice to our discussions in the renewal of a responsible and sustainable travel and tourism industry.”

Expedia Group powers travel for everyone, everywhere through its global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, they help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. They provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while facilitating memorable experiences for travellers. The Expedia Group family of brands includes Expedia®, Hotels.com®, Expedia® Partner Solutions, Vrbo®, Egencia®, trivago®, Orbitz®, Travelocity®, Hotwire®, Wotif®, ebookers®, CheapTickets®, Expedia Group™ Media Solutions, Expedia Local Expert®, CarRentals.com™, and Expedia Cruises™.

“Working with leading organizations like PATA is crucial in helping us achieve our mission of powering global travel for everyone, everywhere,” said Senior Director at Expedia Group Media Solutions, Andrew van der Feltz. “Collaboration is especially important during this challenging period for the travel industry and we are excited to be joining the PATA family. Our membership will bring opportunities for greater engagement with the travel sector in Asia Pacific, which will be vital as we continue to reinvigorate global tourism and drive recovery.”

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its more than 650 member organisations, including 82 government, state and city tourism bodies, 14 international airlines and airports, 71 hospitality organisations and 75 educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing and London.

About Expedia Group
Expedia Group helps knock down the barriers to travel, making it easier, more enjoyable, more attainable and more accessible. We are here to bring the world within reach for customers and partners around the globe. We leverage our platform and technology capabilities across an extensive portfolio of businesses and brands to orchestrate the movement of people and the delivery of travel experiences on both a local and global basis.

Geneva, Switzerland, May 3, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / A new World Economic Forum/IPSOS survey found three in four people support COVID-19 vaccine certificates for travelers entering their country. Two in three think these certificates would also be effective in making large events safe and expect they will be widely used.

Arnaud Bernaert, Head of Health and Healthcare at the World Economic Forum said: “Most public opinions in high- and middle-income countries are looking at vaccination certificates as indispensable tools for travel to resume and large public venues to reopen. Outdated international health regulations will need to adjust.”

Some 78% agree that travelers entering their country should be required to have a vaccine certificate; a majority agree in each of the 28 countries surveyed – from 92% in Malaysia and 90% in Peru to 52% in Hungary and 58% in Poland.

Support drops when it comes to accessing parts of daily life only recently re-opening. Only half agree vaccine certificates should be required for shops, restaurants, and offices. Counties showing wide support for these kinds of measures are mostly in South Asia and Latin America.

Globally, 55% support these kinds of requirements – ranging from strong support in India (78% agree), Chile (75%), and Peru (70%) to widespread opposition in Russia (72% disagree), Hungary (59%), Poland (55%), the United States (52%), and Belgium (52%).

Ensuring certificates do not create two classes of global citizens

“Three conditions will need to be met for such certificates to not do more harm than good,” said Bernaert. “First, certificates will need to leverage technologies securing the authentication of vaccine credentials. Second, privacy concerns need to be addressed and only trusted verifiers provided access. Third, and above all, vaccines certificates should be made available to everyone that wishes to use one – meaning that universal access to vaccines in low-income countries should be pursued to not create two classes of global citizens.”

Trust for governments over businesses

Overall, people are more comfortable with their employer accessing their personal health data and vaccination records than their government.

India (78%), China (77%), and Saudi Arabia (74%) show the highest levels of comfort with allowing employers access to personal health data while France (27%) and the Netherlands (29%) show the lowest.

Only 40% say they are comfortable allowing private companies, such as technology companies, airlines or hotels, to access their health data and vaccination record while 53% are not; the only countries where at least 50% are comfortable with it are India (68%), China (67%), Saudi Arabia (66%), Malaysia (57%), and Turkey (50%) while discomfort is most prevalent in the Netherlands (77%) and France (74%).

About the study
The survey was conducted online among over 21,000 adults between March 26 and April 9, 2021 on Ipsos’ Global Advisor online platform. Where results do not sum to 100 or the ‘difference’ appears to be +/-1 more/less than the actual, this may be due to rounding, multiple responses or the exclusion of don’t knows or not stated responses.

In the 28-country survey, Ipsos defined a COVID-19 vaccine certificate as a record or health data certificate that would prove whether an individual has been vaccinated against COVID-19 or has recently tested negative for COVID-19, and that would be accessible electronically (e.g., on mobile phone apps) or as a printed document or card.

About Ipsos
Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

Sydney, Australia, May 2, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Two tourism bodies have signed an agreement to put culture, heritage and communities at the forefront of the post-Covid travel recovery. The World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH), based in Sydney, with offices in Europe, and the Culture Heritage Economic Alliance (CHEA), headquartered in Washington D.C., signed an MOU April 27.

The new partnership will see the two organisations work together to boost best practices, deliver education and training and advocate for better conservation, equity and access.

“WTACH and CHEA are experts and global leaders in culture and heritage tourism,” said Chris Flynn, CEO of WTACH. “With CHEA, we aim to help destinations and the tourism sector present the unique aspects of their cultural heritage in a way that celebrates and respects host communities, while delivering more meaningful visitor experiences.”

Stephanie Jones, Founder & CEO of CHEA, added: “In partnership with WTACH, we aim to deliver capacity building and tourism readiness training for local stakeholders, cultural preservation and tourism marketing and development consultancy — in short, a full support program to destinations and industry, big or small, new or old, that want to get culture and heritage tourism right.”

Pre-Covid, culture and heritage tourism was bruised by over-tourism at famous attractions, while financially neglected at the local level, especially in emerging economies.

Evidence by MyTravelResearch.com, a strategic partner of WTACH, shows that culture and heritage tourists [pre-Covid] spent up to 38% more per day and stayed 22% longer compared to other kinds of travellers.

MyTravelResearch.com CEO Carolyn Childs observed that when culture and heritage tourism is done right the advantages are many: social capital, civic pride, economic benefit, cultural stewardship and a clear case for protecting assets.

With the MOU operational, WTACH and CHEA said that they are now ready and eager to work with businesses and institutions around the world which seek to put responsible culture and heritage tourism at the forefront of the revival of travel.

“The aim is to benefit host communities in ways that serve to protect and preserve the uniqueness of place,” said Flynn.

Both WTACH and CHEA are committed to advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

About World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage
WTACH seeks to establish clear goals, objectives and strategies for the protection of cultural heritage through responsible and sustainable tourism practices. Working in collaboration with public, private and specialist academic sector organisations, WTACH determines best practice ethical principles and standards in line with the most robust global research available. WTACH was established in 2018 by Chris Flynn, formerly Director – Pacific, at the Pacific Asia Travel Association. WTACH is based in New South Wales, Australia.

About Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance
The Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance, Inc. works in partnership with destination marketing organisations, governments, travel brands and associations to create inclusive and equitable opportunities for under-served tourism businesses and attractions. Also, CHEA facilitates tourism readiness, marketing and development, local stakeholder engagement and sustainable tourism initiatives to best position destinations to amplify cultural heritage assets and attract multicultural audiences.

Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles, May 1, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Labour Day 2021 must be a time for deep reflection. We know that Africa, and the world at large for the matter, continues to be ravaged by the effects of Covid-19 that has resulted in serious job losses. The inability of families to find work in these time of Covid must remain in our thoughts.

Workers Day must this year be marked by reflection of the situation on hand and the hardship being felt by the most vulnerable.

Covid-19 is going nowhere soon and implementing mitigating approaches to stimulate the business world and at the same time extend a safety net to hold those in need must be a priority.

The time for distractions from the reality on the ground will be seen as an insult to all those suffering from the pandemic on hand.

I remain committed to work with all 54 States that makes Africa the great continent it is. Together we shall see the light at the end of the dark Covid-19 tunnel.

Happy Labour Day 2021

Koh Samui, Thailand, May 1, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Kamalaya has launched the Immunity & Resilience holistic wellness program, created specifically for this moment in time. The world-renowned holistic wellness sanctuary has provided a safe space for guests over the last year. During this period Kamalaya founder Karina Stewart and her team of wellness professionals have developed this program that is tailored to the changing needs of our world.

Challenges are often powerful catalysts for growth. But the ability to embrace difficulties requires strength, balance and inner-reserves. Kamalaya’s Immunity & Resilience Program supports exactly this.

How does it work? One step is to identify biochemical imbalances or nutritional deficiency with functional blood testing. Based on the results, guests then receive tailored support to bolster their immune system with nutritional guidance, herbal supplements and Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Bioresonance therapy, mindfulness training, meditation and a variety of holistic activities like yoga, pranayama breathing and Qigong establish a new inner equilibrium. And there is plenty of time to relax: the lush tropical gardens, views of the turquoise ocean, a secluded beach and two beautiful pools, Kamalaya’s healthy cuisine and comfortable accommodations invite guests to follow their own rhythm. The result is more confidence, a better mood and an overall new sense of happiness and wellbeing.

Kamalaya has special rates for anyone travelling from Thailand. A seven-night stay in a Hillside room including the Immunity & Resilience Program starts at 88,839 Thai Baht for one guest or 160,178 THB for two guests. This offer is also available for nine, 14 and 21 nights and is valid for a stay from now until 21st December 2021. Booking period is from now until 30th June 2021. Please check the latest official travel restrictions in your province prior to making your reservation.

Guests can also choose from Kamalaya’s full menu of holistic wellness programs including Basic Detox & Rejuvenation, Basic Optimal Fitness, Ideal Weight, Asian Bliss and Relax & Renew with a 20-percent discount.

About Kamalaya Koh Samui
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa is a multi-award-winning wellness sanctuary located on the southern coast of Koh Samui, Thailand. Founded by John and Karina Stewart in 2005, Kamalaya offers a synergistic wellness experience that helps people reconnect to life’s potential and achieve optimal wellbeing. It integrates healing therapies from East and West, a beautiful natural environment, inspired healthy gourmet cuisine and a variety of results-oriented wellness programs ranging from Detoxification to Stress & Burnout, as well as Healthy Lifestyle, Yoga Synergy and Emotional Balance. Kamalaya’s latest wellness programs ‘Beauty & Glow’ and ‘Immunity & Resilience’ were respectively launched in November 2020 and April 2021.

For enquiries please visit www.kamalaya.com or email info@kamalaya.com.

Singapore, May 1, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Asia is back and on track for a physical event from 27 – 29 October 2021 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre, in Singapore. The annual three-day B2B trade show and convention is designed to connect the key travel industry leaders in the region from the MICE, Leisure, Corporate Travel and Travel Technology segments. The in-person event will bring travel industry professionals back for meaningful business, networking and learning through face-to-face interactions. The organiser will ensure a trade show with robust safe management measures in place to provide a safe environment for all ITB Asia attendees.

With six months to go before it opens its doors, the show is attracting unprecedented demand from a total of over 600 international exhibitors from Tourism Organisations, Hospitality and Travel Technology companies.

Confirmation from over 600 international exhibitors till date

Celebrating its return to an in-person event, the trade show already records high demand for exhibition space from industry Tourism Organisation heavyweights. Participants can look forward to seeing key industry players including Azerbaijan Tourism Board, Inspired by Iceland, Korea Tourism Organization, Malta Tourism Authority, Moscow Project Office for Tourism and Hospitality Development, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, Penang Global Tourism, Saudi Tourism Authority, Shizuoka Prefectural Government, Singapore Tourism Board, Visit Finland, Visit Maldives, Visit Monaco, Zagreb Tourist Board and more.

ITB Asia 2021 will also welcome a number of leading companies form the Hospitality and Travel Technology sectors, including Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited, BWH Hotel Group, Juniper, Meliá Hotels International, Oakwood Worldwide Asia, Open Destinations, PKFare, Qtech Software, Traveloka Services, Trip.com Group, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Inc. and more.

MICE Show Asia 2021 and Travel Tech Asia 2021 will take place in parallel to the show.

“It has been a difficult year, but the travel industry is best known for its resilience. More and more signs of the industry’s return are emerging. With the worldwide vaccination roll-outs, the industry is right to be optimistic. After ITB Asia went completely virtual for the first-time last year, I am more than pleased that we are returning to an in-person event this October. Drawing from the lessons and past experiences, the ITB Asia Team will ensure a trade show with robust safe management measures in place to provide a safe environment for all ITB Asia attendees.”, said Katrina Leung, Managing Director of Messe Berlin (Singapore), the organiser of ITB Asia.

Prioritising safety without compromising on the event experience

ITB Asia 2021 is set to be among the various business events with an international audience to help pave the way for the gradual resumption of larger-scale trade shows and leisure travel in Singapore. The ITB Asia Team will work with the Singapore Tourism Board to facilitate the entry of short-term international MICE travelers to attend ITB Asia 2021 in Singapore. Health and safety measures will be put in place for all attendees.

Under the Ministry of Health’s current guidelines, selected groups of travellers are allowed to enter for essential business, official or work purposes and will not be required to serve a Stay Home Notice (SHN). However, they are required to undergo COVID-19 tests during their stay, including before departure and upon arrival, and to follow a strict, controlled itinerary, limiting interactions with the wider community for the first 14 days.

Key Safe Management Measures (SMM)* in place at ITB Asia 2021:

– Dedicated transport provided for overseas attendees upon arrival and departure at Changi Airport and between locations within the event itinerary
– All attendees are required to download the TraceTogether Mobile App for contact tracing and Safe Entry purposes
– All attendees are required to practice 1 metre safe distancing between individuals at all times
– Temperature screenings will be conducted at venue and event entrances.
– All attendees are required to wear a face mask at all times, except when eating and drinking
*The above guidelines are subject to changes as the COVID-19 situation develops globally.

About ITB Asia
ITB Asia is organised by Messe Berlin (Singapore) Pte Ltd and supported by the Singapore Exhibition & Convention Bureau. The annual three-day B2B trade show and convention will feature hundreds of exhibiting companies from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, covering not only the leisure market, but also MICE and corporate travel. Exhibitors from every sector of the industry, including destinations, airlines and airports, hotels and resorts, theme parks and attractions, inbound tour operators, inbound DMCs, cruise lines, spas, venues, other meeting facilities and travel technology companies are all expected to attend.

ITB Asia is the premier meeting place for the travel trade industry for forging new partnerships and strengthening existing business relationships with the most important players in the region. ITB Asia 2020 Virtual concluded with a record-breaking participation of almost 35,000 travel professionals.

Cancun, Mexico, April 30, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The world’s leading private and public sector Travel & Tourism leaders took a united stand to safely restart international travel at the closure of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Global Summit.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

They used the prestigious forum to share their experiences from the last 12 devastating months, which had ravaged the Travel & Tourism sector, and discussed how together they could safely restart international travel, whilst looking to an even more sustainable and inclusive future of the sector.

WTTC announce the Philippines as the next Global Summit host and Carnival Cruise CEO Arnold Donald named as WTTC’s new Chair. Global Summit in Cancun Mexico was hailed as a success as world’s first face-to-face meeting of global tourism leaders takes place post-COVID-19

The Global Summit also named Carnival Corporation President and CEO, Arnold Donald, as new Chair of WTTC, which represents the global private Travel & Tourism sector.

Donald took over from outgoing Chair, Chris Nassetta, President and CEO of Hilton, after three successful years at the helm of WTTC.

Following the huge success of the three-day Cancun Global Summit, WTTC announced Manila, capital of the Philippines, will be the host of its next Global Summit, with dates to be confirmed.

Hundreds of the world’s foremost business leaders, government ministers and key decision-makers from across the global Travel & Tourism sector gathered together in Mexico, to discuss the road to recovery for the embattled sector.

In a world-first, WTTC organised the event for the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic – with tens of thousands more joining virtually – while complying with strict world-class health and hygiene protocols.

Regular testing was made available for all delegates attending for the duration of the summit to ensure their safety was paramount.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO said: “WTTC brought together exceptional leaders from across the private and public sectors throughout Travel & Tourism at our Global Summit, united in their desire to safely revive international travel.

“Our very presence here, shows that we can resume international travelling once more, by observing the latest health and safety protocols, which WTTC has helped develop for businesses large and small throughout the sector.

“Together we have shown that with a united front, both the private and public sectors in Travel & Tourism can drive change and get the world moving again so that we can start travelling, exploring and sharing our experiences face-to-face.

“We concluded our Global Summit here in Cancun, confident that together we can revive a sector which will generate the world’s economic recovery and bring people back together thanks to the amazing benefits international Travel & Tourism can bring.

“I would like to thank Chris Nassetta for his dedication and commitment over the past three years. He has been instrumental in making WTTC what it is today. 

“Now we embark on a new chapter with Arnold Donald as WTTC’s next Chair and look forward to our next Global Summit which will take place in Manila in the Philippines later this year.”

Under the theme of ‘Uniting the World for Recovery’, Tourism Ministers from around the world and senior Travel & Tourism business leaders agreed that the need for greater public and private collaboration.

At WTTC’s Global Leaders Dialogue session they debated how the sector could tackle the pressing issues of protecting jobs, saving businesses, and supporting the global economy through the safe revival of international travel.

• Read all the latest WTTC News and Updates here.

The growing importance of using digital technology, such as biometrics, a major force in the post COVID-19 world, was recognised as being critical to creating a contactless, safe and seamless traveller journey.

WTTC also committed to work towards a more inclusive and sustainable future. It pledged to advocate and advance gender equality and equity, and boost female representation in leadership roles by launching its Women’s Initiative with the help of 18 Grand Slam singles title winner, Martina Navratilova.

The Global Summit saw the signing of the WTTC Women’s Initiative Declaration, which recognised the contribution of women around the world and the importance of an equal equitable environment for women to thrive as leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

Rayong, Thailand, April 29, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Resort Villa, three times winner of the prestigious World Luxury Hotel Award, is opening its doors to the public again in mid-2021.  After an extensive renovation to meet the challenges of present-day tourism and Covid 19, the resort is offering its unique facilities and activities especially for guests living in Thailand.

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. The Resort Villa opened for the first time in 2018.

Its 8 luxury villas are only available to a single group of up to 18 guests to ensure utter exclusivity and privacy. Amenities at the resort include indoor and outdoor home theatres, a games room, and a fully-equipped gym, and a full-service spa – the Serenity Spa – with treatments ranging from traditional Thai and hot-stone massage to deluxe facials and manicures.  The entire property is interconnected by 1,000 square-metres of salt water infinity pools with built-in fiber optic lights.The unique feature of the resort is its dramatic 15-metre/ 80-cubic metre aquarium with over 800 fish of 50 different species.  Guests are welcome to swim alongside.

On the culinary front, French Head Chef Laurent Renaud and Sous Chef Stephane Smargiassi are on hand to create a fine-dining experience with Thai, Japanese, French and Moroccan cuisines. The Resort Villa’s signature items on the menu  include ‘coral grouper on barley risotto in coconut and tamarind sauce with julien vegetables’and ‘braised and reduced beetroots in balsamic soy with fresh local herbs and garlic topped with goat cream cheese.’

“We do introduction of the beautiful local products before serving imported products,” says Head Chef Laurent.

The Resort Villa‘s extensive wine cellar houses a fine collection including Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand and a large selection of imported Italian wines. There is the total of 9 dining areas, 4 different bars including a rooftop bar, a custom pizza oven and 3 separate kitchens.  Special-themed events are often organised by the staff such as Thai Night with traditional dinner and dance, Italian Night with dinner and movie, and Moroccan Night with DJ and belly dancing. Beach barbecues, formal dinners on the viewing deck with a jazz band as well as wedding parties or private gatherings for up to 350 guests are all available on the property.

The Resort Villa is surrounded by wondrous nature and is accessible to many nearby attractions.  45 minutes away from the resort is Kao Chamao-Khao Wong National Park.  Covering 84 kilometres, the area is surrounded by lush rain forests and has been designated Thailand’s 13th national park in 1975 and is home to a spectacular waterfall that stretches 3 kilometres  and more than 8 caves within the limestone mountains.  Season permitted, the resort hosts a firefly dinner trip at the national park, in which guests board a traditional Thai houseboat and enjoy a Thai dinner amidst the mangrove forest and hundreds of blinking fireflies.  Other local attractions include Kohl’s Man Nai, a sea turtle preservation sanctuary, 5 kilometres from Lam Mae Phim, and the Coca Cola beach, 8 kilometres away. For fans of ships and a bit of history, the HTMS Prasae Memorial, an old captured US navy ship, is located at the mouth of the nearby Prasae River.  There is also the Kru Kung Museum, which recreates life in the 1950s Thai village including a school, a bar, a cinema and a salon, and the famous Sunthorn Phu Memorial, in honour of the 19 century Thai poet.  Situated in the middle of a large public park with gardens and fountains, it also features many statues of mythical characters from Phu’s poems and his epic saga Phra Aphai Mani.

Guests who feel the need for more adrenaline-driven activities can enjoy a range of aquatic sports such as jet surfing, fly boarding, and water skiing with a PADI-certified staff.  Island-hopping around the Gulf of Thailand is offered on any one of the resort’s four speed boats, which include a super-speed 40-ft rigid inflatable boat (RIB). Six all-terrain vehicles (ATV) are also available to resort guests.

The Resort Villa has recently undergone an extensive renovation and stepped up its already strict and preventive anti-Covid measures.  Guests who are seeking a private getaway with their extended family members or close friends can rest assure of the resort’s safety and hygiene standards. The resort is proud to announce it has been a COVID-free zone since day one. Ultra-private and isolated location at the tip of Lam Mae Phim, far away from any commercial structures and activities, has contributed greatly to such results. Being only a few hours drive from Bangkok, guests can leave their homes by car and check in at the resort without having to go to the airport and share a plane ride with other people. The whole experience is a direct and hassle-free door-to-door travel. Highly effective disinfectants and ozonised water have been used to sanitise the entire premises both indoors and outdoors.  The gyms, sauna and jacuzzis undergo a disinfecting process after each usage.  All bedrooms and common areas are equipped with hydro-alcohol hand wash gels and the air-conditioning system has been fully sanitised throughout the resort.  All linens including bedsheets and towels are washed in high temperatures with environmentally friendly bleach.  The entire staff including chefs are required to wear masks, safety goggles and full sanitary gowns and social distancing is to be observed among the staff themselves as well as in the presence of guests.

“The Resort Villa has in the past been graced by the likes of Hollywood stars, royalties, and international business figures.  As travels begin again, The Resort Villa hopes to have the trusts and confidence of the local guests to choose the resort among their first destinations for a luxurious and concern-free holiday with friends and family,” said Benjamin Tellenbach, general manager of The Resort Villa.  “We very much look forward to welcoming guests both from within Thailand as well as from around the region in the months to come.

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 60 full-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.

Bangkok, Thailand, April 29, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Liz Ortiguera as its next Chief Executive Officer effective May 17, 2021, succeeding Dr. Mario Hardy who will finish his term at the end of May. The announcement was made at the Association’s Board Meeting held earlier today.

PATA Chair Soon-Hwa Wong said, “We are delighted to welcome Liz to the PATA family, especially as she will be the first Asian American female CEO in PATA’s 70 year history. Her extensive leadership experience across different industries in the Asia Pacific region is what PATA needs to lead the Association to new heights. The Executive Board looks forward to working closely with her as we rebuild a more resilient, responsible, sustainable and stronger travel and tourism industry.”

Commenting on her new appointment, Ms. Ortiguera said, “I am honoured to be selected as the next PATA CEO. I am confident that PATA, with its diverse member base of industry leaders, will continue to help catalyse our industry’s recovery and growth. From crisis comes innovation and from community comes strength. PATA is even more critical as a business community today to support new partnerships, innovation, and the adoption of sustainable business practices.”

Liz Ortiguera is a senior executive with over 25 years of global experience and expertise in general management, marketing, business development, and partner network management. Liz is passionate about innovation, business transformation, and community building. Her career spans several industries – travel/lifestyle, technology, financial services, and pharmaceuticals. She has experience in working at both multinational corporations including American Express and Merck and start-up environments in software as a service (SaaS), e-commerce, and ed-tech. For 10 years she was the General Manager for Amex’s Travel Partner Network in Asia-Pacific, managing partnerships with top travel management companies, MICE, and leisure agencies in the region. She is able to adeptly work across cultures and business environments to catalyse opportunities and drive growth.

In her personal life, she has been a continual advocate for poverty eradication programmes and education initiatives across the region. Liz is an alumna of the Stanford University Graduate Business School, Columbia University Business School, New York University, and The Cooper Union in New York.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for-profit membership association that acts as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its more than 650 member organisations, including 82 government, state and city tourism bodies, 14 international airlines and airports, 71 hospitality organisations and 75 educational institutions, as well as thousands of young tourism professional (YTP) members across the world. The PATA network also embraces the grassroots activism the PATA Chapters and Student Chapters, who organise numerous travel industry training programmes and business development events across the world. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 32 local PATA Chapters worldwide, while hundreds of students are members of the 28 PATA Student Chapters globally. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing and London.