Category: Latest Travel News

Cat Ba Island, Vietnam, June 5, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / Nestled between towering limestone karsts and verdant island mountains, Hôtel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba – MGallery welcomes travellers to a world of tranquil beauty, unhurried exploration and home-grown delights in the picturesque Lan Ha Bay.

Offering guests sublime views of Lan Ha Bay and the ecologically diverse Cat Ba National Park, the hotel is the first international luxury property on Cat Ba Island. Set in the alluring Gulf of Tonkin, Cat Ba is a destination that offers a rich treasure trove of nature easily accessible by car and ferry.

“We are delighted to announce our 34th Accor property in Vietnam with the opening of our seventh MGallery in the country that will join a unique collection of boutique storied hotels. The design of Hôtel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba – MGallery, brings a cosmopolitan touch that celebrates the spirit of Indochine Vietnam,” said Patrick Basset, Chief Operating Officer of Accor, Upper Southeast and Northeast Asia and the Maldives.

Surrounded by spectacular cliffs and offering exclusive access to its own private beach,
Hôtel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba – MGallery encourages well-heeled travellers, families and couples to explore the charm and elegance of yesteryear. The sophisticated twist of classical style is enshrined in every corner of the hotel, from the charming ambience of the guest rooms to decorative pieces handpicked to evoke the essence of a bygone era.

Featuring an open-concept layout modelled after traditional Vietnamese homes, each of the 121 guestrooms at Hôtel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba – MGallery are designed with neoclassical furnishings to encapsulate the spirit of the heyday Indochine era. From high quality hardwood floors, old-style claw foot bathtubs, rattan wicker chairs, and traditional ceiling fans to intricate wall tiling patterns, each guestroom reflects a luxurious yet authentic design.

The hotel’s two restaurants and three bars offer the largest variety of cuisine on the island. Overlooking the ocean from a colonial-inspired terrace, the all-day dining restaurant Indochine Kitchen serves both local fusion and internationally-inspired dishes. Its in-door space features elegant interior touches. For an indulgent fine dining experience on the island, relish the exquisite Japanese cuisine at Akoya. Light bites and inspired cocktails can be enjoyed at the al fresco Rock’s Bar where a laid-back atmosphere encourages diners to soak up expansive views of Lan Ha Bay. Breathtaking sea views can also be enjoyed from the serene rooftop Vitality Bar. For a more casual but no less luxurious experience, the Indochine Lounge delights senses with high tea, stylish aperitivo and a selection of signature cocktails.

Hôtel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba – MGallery features an array of state-of-the-art facilities including an ocean-themed Kid’s Club with engaging indoor and outdoor activities for the little ones. Fitness enthusiasts can enjoy the gym located on the ground floor. On the hotel’s rooftop, a stunning wellness centre with an outdoor pool, and spa that offers a range of facial and massage treatments using local medicinal healing herbs. At sunrise and sunset, guests can unwind with rooftop yoga classes.

For unforgettable weddings and events, the Crystal Ballroom can host up to 190 guests, while the Tonkin Room can accommodate small meetings and private functions for up to 26 guests.

Cat Ba is considered the adventure tourism capital of Vietnam, known for its sporting activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, trekking and mountain biking. The nearby Cat Ba National Park is home to a diverse cross-section of plant and animal life, with over 160 species of birds, as well as numerous reptiles, fish and sea turtles. Cat Ba National Park is well-known for eco-tourism, with many tour operators offering trek packages to explore the park.

“Hôtel Perle d’Orient aims to redefine the new concept of luxury tourism on the island. Part of the MGallery collection of boutique hotels, the hotel features a classical design with a sophisticated twist and an inviting charm in a modern atmosphere. We look forward to sharing the enchantment of timeless design and memorable experiences with our guests,” said Michael Melzer, General Manager of Hôtel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba – MGallery.

Enjoy a memorable getaway at Hôtel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba – MGallery at VND 2,350,000 ++ per night. Normal rates start at VND 3,260,000++ per night.

From Hanoi, Cat Ba Island is accessible by a two-hour drive to Hai Phong and a 15-minute ferry transfer. Flights are also available to Cat Bi International Airport (located in Hai Phong) from
Ho Chi Minh City, Buon Ma Thuot, Can Tho, Da Lat, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Pleiku and Quy Nhon as well as the international hubs of Bangkok, Kunming and Seoul. Alternatively, guests can transit via Halong City to Tuan Chau Island and take a 1-hour ferry transfer to Cat Ba Island.

About MGallery
MGallery is where captivating stories are lived and shared. With more than 100 storied boutique hotels around the world, each MGallery tells a unique story inspired by the destination. From bespoke design and sensorial mixology to wellbeing dedicated to women, MGallery hotels are places where guests can discover the very best the world has to offer. MGallery guests are inspired and enriched through their delightful visits to these stylish, thoughtful and decidedly singular hotels. Well-known properties in the MGallery collection include Hotel Molitor Paris, INK Hotel Amsterdam, Queens Hotel Cheltenham in England, Santa Teresa Hotel Rio de Janeiro, Hotel Lindrum Melbourne in Australia, Muse Bangkok Langsuan in Thailand, and Hotel des Arts Saigon in Vietnam. MGallery is part of Accor, a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique experiences in 5000 hotels and residences across 110 countries.

London, Great Britain, June 5, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / Gloria Guevara, WTTC President and CEO, said: “Once again, we call on the UK government to remove the 14-day quarantine as soon as possible. Quarantines should not be necessary if appropriate and effective containment measures are in place at departure and arrival points.

“While the UK government has managed well the overall response to the COVID-19 crisis, we believe the 14-day quarantine will put the UK at a distinct competitive disadvantage. While we understand protecting public health is paramount, this measure, which affects international visitors and those arriving back into the UK from abroad, will have a significant and long-lasting negative effect on the Travel & Tourism sector.

“We’ve no doubt these measures will deter both business and leisure travellers from visiting major hubs throughout the country.

“It will worsen an already critical situation and delay the much-needed recovery of the UK economy. So, it’s vital that ‘air corridors’ to low-infection countries are opened as soon as possible.

“WTTC data shows the COVID-19 crisis has led to more than 1.2 million Travel & Tourism jobs being at risk in the UK, with substantial losses already.

“As the sixth largest economy in the world, and the third largest in Europe in terms of the Travel & Tourism, it is critical Travel & Tourism sector drives the economic recovery, as its contributes 9% of UK GDP and is responsible for 11% of total UK employment.”

Madrid, Spain, June 5, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) continues to steer global tourism towards a more sustainable future, partnering with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to green the sector and promote recovery and responsible growth.

Under the new Investment Readiness for Green Finance Mechanisms initiative, the United Nations specialized agency for tourism will work alongside IFC, a member of the World Bank Group and the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector in developing countries, on a series of training programmes. These will focus on both stimulating tourism’s recovery from the current crisis, while at the same time promoting green financing to enhance sustainability across the whole of the tourism value chain.

UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Sustainable tourism should no longer be considered a special niche. Instead, this pause in global travel offers us a chance to rethink tourism and make the whole sector more sustainable as we grow back better and stronger. This new initiative with IFC will provide valuable guidelines on Sustainable Tourism Investments that enhance tourism’s contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Facilitating Investments in Sustainability

At present, there are 200,000 hotels providing 18 million beds worldwide, with a further 2.4 million rooms in the pipeline. These alone account for 1% of global greenhouses gas (GHG) emissions and so increasing the sustainability of this part of the global tourism sector can make a significant contribution to climate-related Sustainable Development Goals. This new initiative is aimed at furthering this.

One of the main focuses will be working with private sector partners to promote green finance and share experience in resourcing sustainable buildings. The initial cooperation will consist in a series of trainings to promote green investments for a long term recovery of the tourism sector. The first training is planned to start on June 4th, 2020 in a webinar format, and it will culminate with an accreditation training for EDGE Experts. Government officials, hospitality investors, aggregators and tourism investment consultants are all invited to register their interest at

About IFC
IFC—a sister organization of the World Bank and member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work with more than 2,000 businesses worldwide, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities where they are needed most. In fiscal year 2019, we delivered more than $19 billion in long-term financing for developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity.

About EDGE
An innovation of IFC, EDGE helps property developers to build and brand green in a fast, easy and affordable way. EDGE is supported by free software that encourages solutions to reduce energy, water and the energy used to make building materials by at least 20 percent, which is the standard for EDGE certification. The program has been generously supported by the following donors: Austria, Canada, Denmark, ESMAP, EU, Finland, GEF, Hungary, Japan, Switzerland and the UK.

London, United Kingdom, June 4, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has unveiled the second phase of measures to rebuild global consumer confidence to encourage the return of travelling.

The latest protocols are designed to drive the return of safe travel and enable industries, namely tour operators and convention centres, meetings and events to thrive once again.

Detailed discussions took place with key stakeholders and organisations to ensure maximum buy-in, alignment and practical implementation, to set clear expectations of what travellers may experience in the ‘new normal’.

Those relating to airports and airlines have been devised following close consultation with WTTC Members such as Iberia, Emirates Group, Etihad and Oman Aviation Group among others, as well as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Airports Council International (ACI), to rebuild trust and provide reassurance that airports and airlines will offer safe environments in which to fly once travel restrictions are relaxed.

The welfare of travellers and the millions of people employed throughout the Travel & Tourism sector at the heart of this new comprehensive package of Safe Travels protocols.

They also provide consistency to destinations and countries as well as guidance to travel providers, airlines, airports, operators, and travellers, about the new approach to health and hygiene in the post COVID-19 world.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: “For the first time ever, the global private sector has rallied around our Safe Travels protocols which will create the consistency needed to allow a re-invigorated Travel & Tourism sector re-open for business.

“Among the most important of these measures are those which will enable the aviation sector to take-off. Aviation’s return is critical to help repower the global economic recovery.

“WTTC aviation protocols were created in close collaboration with ACI and IATA. We thank them and their leaders Angela Gittens and Alexandre de Juniac for their guidance, as it is vital we restore consumer confidence to get people travelling and flying safely.

“The expertise from large and small tour operators, contributed to define the new experience via tour operators and visiting event venues again, and were defined in coordination of experts from this segment, through these robust global measures which have been embraced by businesses around the world.”

Angela Gittens, ACI World Director General said: “Our industry has been brought to a standstill. A balanced and effective restart and recovery of the global travel and tourism sector depends on collaboration among the key participants in this ecosystem and we welcome the ambitious approach taken by the WTTC.

“Collaboration will help to establishing a globally-consistent approach to recovery which will be the most effective way of balancing risk mitigation with the need to enable travel and foster economic recovery while also reassuring the travelling public that health and safety remain the overall priorities.”

Alexandre de Juniac, Director General and CEO at IATA said: “COVID-19 is a gamechanger for the travel and tourism sector, requiring us to enhance our approach to health and safety to protect our travellers and workforce. Aviation is the business of freedom and it is vital to enable its restart on a safe basis. IATA is delighted to lend its framework and collaborate

with WTTC on the Aviation Protocols as part of its Safe Travels initiative. This is an excellent example of the industry solidarity and cooperation that will be so vital to ensuring a strong recovery for travel and tourism.”

Yuji Akasaka, Japan Airlines President, said: “We would like to thank WTTC for their deep understanding of the aviation industry and for their worldwide support.

“At this moment I think the most important issue is that all members involved in tourism join forces and cooperate to overcome this crisis. Through WTTC’s widespread initiatives,

we would like to work not only with the aviation sector but also with the tourism industry as a whole.”

Deborah Flint, Greater Toronto Airports Authority President and CEO, said: “Airports are one part of many organisations that form the travel and tourism ecosystem, to serve business and humanity’s need to connect.

“Together, we must work towards recovery from this crisis. That is why collaborating with partners like the WTTC on protocols for the new travel experience is important to us. A standardised approach, led by governments with input from industry, will allow us to ensure all safety measure are in place and is a critical step in building confidence in travellers, governments and ensuring resiliency for our industry.”

Greg Webb, Travelport Chief Executive Officer, said: The global travel industry is united in its desire to support a safe, healthy and responsible return to travel. However, for this to be achieved, the industry and governments across the world must now unite around a consistent set of clear practical and meaningful protocols, which are backed up by medical evidence and give travellers the confidence they need to once again take to the skies.

Gordon Wilson, WorldReach President, said: “The new Global Protocols provide an important framework to facilitate government and industry collaboration via a consistent set of guidelines to restore traveller confidence.

“The WTTC’s Seamless Traveller Journey initiative has greater urgency and an expanded role due to COVID-19. Health safety becomes a critical factor and combines the previous seamless travel goals with touchless processes, thereby helping the recovery of global travel.”

Miguel Leitmann, Vision-Box Chief Executive Officer, said: “As a leading forum of the travel and tourism industry, we are fortunate to have WTTC taking an important role in the formulation of trusted and clear travel standards in a post COVID-19 environment.

“Travel has become such an essential component of our daily lives, whether on business, vacation, or for personal reasons, that I am certain that we will soon be growing and thriving again. In the meantime, Vision-Box works closely with our clients and industry stakeholders to implement touchless identification and contactless clearance solutions that will enhance the safety and security of all travellers and staff members throughout the travel and tourism sector.

“Moving forward in this unprecedented time, the strength of our ongoing partnership with WTTC is key to recovery and success. Integrity, values and expertise drives our shared commitment to make our world a better place and we look forward to our mutual support, both personally and professionally.”

Aileen Clemente, Rajah Travel Corporation Chairman and CEO, said: “Restoring travel confidence is a major pillar to the recovery of our industry. Rajah Travel Corporation fully supports the WTTC in its leadership in engaging the private sector for the development of Safe Travel protocols across the value chain.

“We all benefit from WTTC’s strong advocacy with global and national institutions to prioritise travel and tourism in the recovery plans. The WTTC initiatives during this crisis are instrumental in how we re-shape our product offerings, business solutions and service to ensure and promote safe, secure, and seamless experience among our global customers and stakeholders.”

Darrell Wade, Intrepid Group Chairman said: “Safety and collaboration have never been more important, so its outstanding to see the travel industry work together as one, to ensure the health and wellbeing of travellers, workers and community members.“

Last week, WTTC unveiled Safe Travels protocols for hospitality and outdoor retail, which were widely endorsed and supported by top CEOs and business leaders globally.

However, earlier this week, WTTC’s unveiled its landmark new global safety stamp to encourage safe travels and the reopening of the Travel & Tourism sector.

Backed by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the new protocols will recognise businesses and governments worldwide which have adopted them to rebuild confidence among consumers, encourage the return of ‘Safe Travels’ and enable the Travel & Tourism sector to reopen for business.

Drawn up by WTTC Members and based on the best available medical evidence and following guidelines from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the new Safe Travels protocols and avoid the emergence of multiple standards, which would only confuse the consumer and delay the sector’s recovery.

Detailed discussions took place with key stakeholders and organisations to ensure maximum buy-in, alignment and practical implementation, to set clear expectations of what travellers may expect during their next flights in the ‘new normal’.

Evidence from WTTC’s Crisis Readiness report, which looked at 90 different types of crises, highlights the importance of public-private cooperation to ensure that smart policies and effective communities are in place to enable a more resilient Travel & Tourism sector.

WTTC divided the new guidance into four pillars including operational and staff preparedness; ensuring a safe experience; rebuilding trust and confidence; innovation; and implementing enabling policies.

Measures announced today include:

Airports

• Enhanced cleaning including to self-service equipment, baggage trolleys, counters, buggies, security checkpoints, washrooms, elevators, handrails, boarding areas, and common areas with a specific focus on high-frequency touch points
• Provide personal protection equipment (PPE) to staff, such as masks
• New signage and announcements to limit interaction and queuing at touchpoints
• Possible pre-arrival health risk assessment to prevent delays upon arrival
• Reduce passenger touchpoints through online check-in before departure, use of self- check in kiosks and bag drop, home-printed bag tags, greater use of biometric e- gates and boarding card reading at gates
• If entry-exit screening is mandated, it should be carried out in a non-intrusive, walk through manner, through full body infrared scanners using handheld infrared thermometers, and ear gun thermometers
• Enhanced food safety and hygiene at restaurants, with prepacked foods to avoid handling of food at buffets
• Possible redesign of immigration halls together with governments and airlines to speed up procedures
• Where declarations are required upon arrival, electronic options should be used to minimise contact; ideally using contactless processes.

Airlines

• Provide personal protection equipment (PPE) to staff such as masks
• Reduce passengers’ touchpoints through online check-in before departure, use of self-check in kiosks and bag drop, home-printed bag tags, greater use of biometric e- gates and boarding card reading at gates
• Provide approved hand sanitizers as appropriate based on high-traffic areas, such as check-in and boarding areas
• Revisited guidance for cleaning teams for all areas of the plane including washrooms, as well as check in and boarding areas, with a specific focus on high-frequency touch points
• Consider boarding from back of the plane to the front, window to aisle
• Limit movement in the cabin as much as possible
• Retrain crew and frontline staff regarding infection control and hygiene measures

Tour operators

• Enhanced sanitation, disinfection, and deep cleaning practices for coaches and other vehicles
• Focused cleaning on high-frequency touch points, including handrails, door handles, tables, onboard toilets, air conditioning filters, overhead lockers and headsets
• Pre-allocated seating plans with no rotation
• Limit physical contact and queuing where possible
• Explore staggered timing for access to venues, hotels and restaurants among others
• Health, sanitation, disinfection and hygiene and food safety protocols at partner restaurants
• Establish with partners and suppliers including shops, showrooms, tasting venues/shops, museums, shows theatres, concert halls, factories and farms, that they follow likely protocols

Convention Centres, Meetings & Events

• Implement physical distancing for seating distribution and aisles, utilizing government guidance if available. Create visual support to show intent as appropriate.
• Reduce venue capacity limits for participants as appropriate and required by local legislation
• Distinguish between different areas of risk in the venue
• Consider pre-arrival risk assessment questionnaire for participants
• Limit physical interaction and possible queuing at reception and registration using advance registration to enhance participant flow
• Create isolation units outside the venue where possible for those showing COVID-19 symptoms

Additional and separate measures for the Cruise sector and insurance businesses, among others, are currently in development and will be announced in due course.

According to WTTC’s 2020 Economic Impact Report, during 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs (330 million total), making a 10.3% contribution to global GDP and generating one in four of all new jobs.

WTTC has created nine overarching principles & objectives for the Travel & Tourism Sector in the post-lockdown and recovery stage.

1. 1. Have the sector lead the definition of industry regulation as Travel & Tourism moves from crisis management to recovery
2. 2. Put the safety, health and security of travellers and the Travel & Tourism workforce at the core of the development of global standards
3. 3. Ensure coherence in the approach and development of new global standards through a coordinated, collaborative, and transparent approach within the Travel & Tourism sector
4. 4. Share harmonised and consistent standards and guidelines across destinations and countrie
5. 5. Collaborate with key actors across the Travel & Tourism supply and value chain to ensure readiness to restart operations
6. 6. Ensure standards and guidelines implemented are aligned with governmental and public health requirements and supported by medical evidence
7. 7. Rebuild trust and confidence with travellers through effective communication & marketing; letting them know the protocols and guidelines implemented and assurances available to keep them safe
8. 8. Relax and lift travel restrictions once the public health threat has been contained
9. 9. Advocate for the implementation of enabling policies from financial relief to visa facilitation and incentives to destination promotion to support the recovery and demand re-generation for the secto

Madrid, Spain, June 4, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / At both the local and the global level, the crisis we have faced up to together has shown the importance of making the right decisions at the right time.

The time has come to restart tourism!

We do so on the back of many weeks of hard work and commitment. This crisis has affected us all. Many, at every level of the sector, have made sacrifices, personally or professionally. But in the spirit of solidarity that defines tourism, we united under UNWTO’s leadership to share our expertise and abilities. Together, we are stronger, and this cooperation will be essential as we move onto the next stage.

Our research shows that several countries around the world are starting to ease restrictions on travel. At the same time, governments and the private sector are working together to restore confidence build and trust – essential foundations for recovery.

In the first stage of this crisis, UNWTO united tourism to assess the likely impact of COVID-19, mitigate the damage to economies, and safeguard jobs and businesses.

Now, as we change gears together, UNWTO is taking the lead again.

Last week, we convened the fifth meeting of the Global Tourism Crisis Committee. Here, we launched the UNWTO Global Guidelines to Restart Tourism. This important document outlines our roadmap and priorities for the sector in the challenging months ahead, from providing liquidity for vulnerable businesses to opening borders and coordinating new health protocols and procedures.

At the same time, we continue to promote innovation and sustainability. These must no longer be small parts of our sector, but instead must be at the heart of everything we do. This way, as we restart tourism, we can build a sector that works for people and planet.

Governments and businesses are increasingly on our side as we work to build this new tourism.

UNWTO is also working to make sure that tourists too share in this vision.
Our partnership with CNN International will take our positive message to millions of people around the world. The #TravelTomorrow message, embraced by so many, is one of responsibility, hope and determination.

And now, as we do get ready to travel again, we remind tourists of the positive difference their choices can make.

Our actions can be meaningful and highlight the road ahead, travelling again to restart tourism.

Zurab Pololikashvili
UNWTO Secretary-General

Barcelona, Spain, June 4, 2020 / TRAVELINDEX / The most exclusive golf club in Barcelona reopened its doors on Monday, 25 May, after being closed for 10 weeks due to the coronavirus. Over 1700 rounds were played throughout last week. Golfers respected the safety measures implemented by the Club.

Real Club de Golf El Prat reopened its doors on Monday, 25 May, after being closed for 10 weeks due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Throughout last week, over 1700 rounds were played and golfers enjoyed the course, which was in perfect conditions thanks to the maintenance works that continued throughout the time the Club was closed.

The famous Spanish venue golf club has implemented over 70 safety measures in order to protect the health and wellbeing of its members, visitors and staff. This safety protocol has been set up to ensure social distancing and exhaustive cleaning and disinfection of its services (buggies, electric trolleys and clubs). Furthermore, the club has set up disinfection points around the course’s 36 holes, further improved the online booking system so players don’t have to pass through the reception and can go straight to the course, and has relocated pick-up and drop-off areas for its services, in order to avoid crowding, among many other measures.

Ariana Martín, director of Real Club de Golf El Prat, highlighted “the satisfaction of welcoming players again. The whole Club staff has worked very hard to ensure anyone who comes to the Club will be protected. Thanks to the security protocols designed to ensure social distancing, disinfection and cleaning of all materials, our members and visitors only have to worry about having fun on the golf course.”

About Real Club de Golf El Prat

• Dating back to 1912, Real Club de Golf El Prat is one of the most renowned clubs in Spain and was granted ‘Real’ or royal status, by King Alfonso XIII after his visit.
• The renowned club has hosted the Spanish Open on 10 occasions: 1956, 1959, 1963, 1971, 1978, 1981, 1998, 1999, 2011 and 2015.
• The current 45 holes were designed by Greg Norman over an exciting mix of five highly acclaimed loops: Abajo, Arriba, Piscina, Bosque and Valles. The Pink course – ranked the fourth best in Spain by Golf Digest magazine – comprises the Arriba and Bosque nines, while the Yellow Course is made up of Piscina and Abajo.
• Real Club de Golf El Prat has created stay-and-play packages to suit everyone. The onsite La Mola offers a complete Resort experience while each of the tree other hotels partners ensure visitors have the perfect base from which to experience its fabulous courses and the historic and cultural sights Barcelona and its surroundings has to offer.
• El Prat is listed 16th in Golf World magazine’s coveted ‘Top 100 Resorts in Continental Europe 2018’ rankings and 19th in National Club Golfer magazine’s ‘Top 100 Golf Resorts in Continental Europe 2018/19’.
• The multi-award-winning El Prat has been granted Spain’s Golden Plaque of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit.
• It has played host to more than 250 top-level national and international championships, including European Tour events, with top stars of the calibre of Sergio Garcia, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, José María Olazábal and Tommy Fleetwood taking part.
•The club has hosted some of the biggest names in golf, with Spanish legends Severiano Ballesteros and José Maria Olazábal, eight-time Major winner Tom Watson and European Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjørn among its roll call of previous winners, while Masters champion Sergio Garcia and Pablo Larrazábal are both members.