Category: Latest Travel News

Victoria Falls, Zambia, July 29, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / UN Tourism successfully held its inaugural Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, marking a significant step forward for both the continent and the host nation. The Forum also highlighted Zimbabwe’s commitment to leveraging gastronomy as a catalyst for sustainable tourism development across the country and Africa.

Under the patronage of the First Lady of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Dr. Auxillia C. Mnangagwa, and in collaboration with the Basque Culinary Center, the forum brought together around 200 delegates from 33 countries, including 11 Ministers and Deputy Ministers, the African Union, the Southern African  Development Community (SADC) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

It is only right we now meet in one of the world’s most exciting gastronomy regions – Africa!

Opening the landmark event, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “It is only right we now meet in one of the world’s most exciting gastronomy regions – Africa! We leave Victoria Falls with a roadmap that will enable us to build an Agenda for Gastronomy Tourism in Africa, to ensure that we do work to make gastronomy tourism benefit people and planet.”

Travelindex Group announced the launch of its TOP25 Restaurants Africa Awards and Restaurant Guides, Africa’s inaugural AI-powered restaurant guides. Building on the success of its groundbreaking, and world’s first, AI-guides in Asia, Travelindex Group is expanding into Africa. This initiative seeks to celebrate the continent’s diverse and vibrant culinary scene while promoting gastronomy as a key driver for sustainable tourism development across Africa.

Leveraging the power of gastronomy 

The discussions at the forum emphasized the transformative power of gastronomy tourism in enhancing local communities and economies throughout Africa. Participants explored the role of gastronomy in elevating Africa’s presence on the global tourism stage, as well as strategies for integrating gastronomy into national tourism policies. There was a strong focus on showcasing Africa’s rich culinary heritage to the world, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among chefs, policymakers, and other stakeholders.

Participants discussed the need for effective funding and the significance of combining tradition, innovation, and quality to create unique food tourism experiences. The forum also highlighted the importance of changing mindsets to value local gastronomy and instil pride in Africa’s diverse culinary traditions. This includes working with the African diaspora in promoting African cuisine globally, as well as stepping up education and vocational training.

Promoting innovation in gastronomy 

The event also featured UN Tourism Regional Gastronomy Pitch Challenge – driving innovation in Africa, in which five entrepreneurs presented innovative solutions to improve the gastronomy and tourism value chains. Gracia Bvute from Zimbabwe won the competition with her project Pabvute Gourmet. On the occasion, UN Tourism and the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry of Zimbabwe recognized the winners of the Youth Photo Contest “A Journey through Zimbabwe´s Gastronomy” – Nokutenda Tombindo, 1st place winner with the photo titled “MAGURU (TRIPE)” and David Sadindi, 2nd place winner with the photo titled “Family meal (sadza nemufushwa)”.

Additionally, four new African UN Tourism Ambassadors for Responsible Tourism for their efforts in promoting national cuisines and advocating for sustainable culinary practices: Chef Yohanis Gebreyesus from Ethiopia, Chef Adenike Adefila from Nigeria, Chef Mounir El Arem from Tunisia, and Chef Carl Joshua Ncube from Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe to host Academy for Culinary Arts 

In addition, the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding marked the establishment of the Zimbabwe International Tourism Academy for the Culinary Arts, in partnership with UN Tourism. This initiative underscores a strong commitment to skills development and education, reinforced by the announcement of 100 UN Tourism Academy online scholarships aimed at nurturing culinary talent across the continent.

The second edition of the Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa will be held in Tanzania.

UN Tourism has announced a major step forward in its work to grow education and skills development in Africa with the establishment of the first collaborative Academies in the region.

With African tourism experiencing significant growth, there is now an urgent need to train a wide range of skilled professionals, all equipped with the skills modern tourism businesses need. Reflecting this demand, UN Tourism has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Tourism of Zambia to establish the ZITHS Mukuni International Academy for Tourism and Hospitality in collaboration with UN Tourism. The Academy will offer a range of courses, all focused on equipping students both new to the sector and establish tourism workers the skills they need to find work or advance in their careers.

Africa’s tourism sector is growing and diversifying at a tremendous rate

Laying the foundation stone in Livingstone, Secretary-General Pololikashvili said: “Africa’s tourism sector is growing and diversifying at a tremendous rate. These new Academies in Collaboration with UN Tourism will help train the tourism workers of tomorrow in a range of specialisms, giving African tourism the talent it needs to thrive.”

Joining the Secretary-General in signing the agreement, the Minister of Tourism of Zambia, Rodney M. Sikumba, said: “ through the adoption of the UN Tourism Education Guidelines, Zambia has been able to reposition the role of education in tourism development. The establishment of the Academy is a game changer of how we will bridge the evident skills gap for the existing and future workforce of our tourism sector.”

Culinary Arts Academy planned for Zimbabwe  

UN Tourism has also agreed to establish the Africa International Tourism Academy for Culinary Arts in collaboration with UN Tourism. The specialist centre will be hosted in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and focus on training skilled professionals in culinary arts both within the country and right across Africa. The announcement coincides with the celebration of the first UN Tourism Gastronomy Tourism Forum for Africa, an event showcasing the region’s diverse gastronomy and set to bring together leading players from the public and private sectors.

Zimbabwe’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi said: “We are excited to be working closely with UN Tourism to grow gastronomy tourism in our country and across the wider region. The new Academy in Collaboration with UN Tourism signals our shared commitment to empowering tourism workers within the field of culinary arts, putting Zimbabwe firmly on the global gastronomy map.”

Nairobi, Kenya, July 26, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Travel & Tourism Council’s (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) has today revealed a record-breaking year for Travel & Tourism in Kenya, contributing KES1TN to the national economy in 2023.

Sector jobs grew 6% to reach a record 1.55MN, accounting for one in 13 jobs across the country.

While domestic visitor spending reached more than KES 466BN last year, almost 15% over the previous peak and setting a new record, spending by overseas visitors continued to trail the highpoint of 1999 to reach just KES 266BN.

Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO, said; “The recovery of Kenya’s Travel & Tourism sector is a testament to its resilience. Achieving record-breaking growth across economic contribution, jobs, and domestic visitor spending highlights the sector’s vital role in the nation’s economy.

“Although international visitor spending is currently lagging behind its high point, the future of Travel and Tourism in Kenya looks strong, with substantial opportunities for growth and development over the next decade.”

What Does This Year Look Like?

According to the global tourism body’s latest research, Travel & Tourism’s contribution to Kenya’s economy is forecast to grow 9% year-on-year to reach almost KES 1.15TN.

Jobs supported by the sector are projected to reach more than 1.6MN, representing almost 8% of jobs in Kenya.

Domestic visitor spending is expected to continue driving the sector to reach KES 521BN, but spending by travellers from overseas is forecast to remain below the previous high to reach KES 289.5BN.

What Does the Next Decade Look Like?

With the right government support, WTTC is forecasting that the sector could grow its annual GDP contribution to KES 1.7TN by 2034, representing 7.4% of Kenya’s economy, and could potentially employ more than 2.2MN people across the country.

Lusaka, Zambia, July 25, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / UN Tourism has united its Member States to focus on promoting “Brand Africa” and exploring new opportunities for growth and diversification across the region.

Held within the framework of the Regional Commission for Africa, “Promoting Africa to Unlock Tourism Investments and the Sector’s Growth Potential”, brought together public and private sector leaders to identify new opportunities and find shared solutions to the most pressing challenges. The Forum formed part of UN Tourism’s wider emphasis on empowering its Members to advance a new, positive narrative for the sector across the continent.

Celebrating uniqueness of African tourism  

Welcoming the high-level participants, UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili stressed the importance of working closely with African Member States on promoting both the uniqueness and the diversity of tourism in the region. His sentiments were echoed by Executive Director Natalia Bayona, who also emphasized the urgent need to grow investments into the sector to fuel innovation and creativity, thereby putting African destinations more firmly on the global tourism map.

Alongside key UN Tourism experts, stakeholders included the CEO of Zambia Tourism Agency, as well as the heads of Africa Tourism Partners, and key figures from leading civil society actors and businesses from the region, including Meta. Discussions focused on strengthening Brand Africa, including through greater public-private collaboration. Delegates also shared their insights into revolutionizing the image of African in order to drive greater tourism competitiveness, while top media thinkers provided their insights into Think Tank discussions on “shifting the narrative” of African tourism.

Investments to advance Brand Africa  

Reflecting the importance of investments for advancing Brand Africa, the event also saw the official launch of the latest in UN Tourism’s series of Investment Guidelines. The latest publication, focused on Zambia, again provides vital information for international investors, identifying key areas of growth and other opportunities within Zambia’s burgeoning tourism sector.

Diversifying tourism across Asia and the Pacific, alongside promoting more and better education, will be key to building a more resilient and sustainable sector.

According to UN Tourism’s data, the sector is experiencing a rapid recovery in Asia and the Pacific, with arrivals reaching 82% of pre-pandemic levels in the first quarter of 2024, boosted by the re-opening of many destinations throughout 2023. Now, with full recovery on the horizon, the latest joint meeting of UN Tourism’s Commission for Asia and the Pacific (CAP) and its Commission of South Asia (CSA), focused on the challenges and opportunities for creating a positive and lasting transformation.

As our data shows, tourism’s recovery is close to complete here in Asia and Pacific. We worked together to face the crisis head on.

Guiding transformation and building resilience  

The 36th meeting of the CAP-CSA welcomed more than 130 delegates from 25 countries and territories. All Members were provided with a comprehensive overview of UN Tourism’s work and achievements since the last meeting, with key priorities then presented for the years ahead.

UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “As our data shows, tourism’s recovery is close to complete here in Asia and Pacific. We worked together to face the crisis head on. And now we must work together to focus on our priorities for the future. That means supporting education, driving investments into our sector and further strengthening the ties between public and private to build resilience and advance sustainability and inclusive growth.”

Education the top-level tourism priority  

Reflecting the high-level support given to tourism and to UN Tourism’s mission to guide the sector forward, Commission host the Philippines was represented by President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, at the meeting. In his opening remarks President Marcos commended UN Tourism’s focus on education and training for the sector and stressed his commitment to wider sustainability efforts. “Education is always going to make any industry better and certainly tourism is no different,” President Marcos said. “We need to raise the standards and practices in this crucial sector by investing in education, training, and skills upgrading of all the personnel who are working in this industry.”

Emphasising his Government’s recognition of the importance of education, President Ferdinand Marcos expressed interest in opening a new Academy in Collaboration with UN Tourism in the Philippines. The institution would add to UN Tourism’s growing network of Academies, with education centres focusing on the specific needs of regions or on key skills needed for the future of tourism.

Resilience via green transformation  

Within the framework of the joint Commission meeting, Member States in the region tabled a thematic discussion on product development emphasizing the need for green transformation to enhance the tourism sector’s competitiveness, while bolstering its resilience through the promotion of innovative and green solutions.

Untapping Gastronomy Tourism’s Potential   

In Cebu, the spotlight was put on gastronomy tourism as one of the sure routes to progress product diversification to add value to the sector and accelerate  recovery in the region. Here, UN Tourism hosted its first Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific, connecting public and private sector leaders with top entrepreneurs and leading chefs from the region and beyond. Discussions concluded with the Cebu Call to Action on Gastronomy Tourism, urging public and private leaders to integrate gastronomy tourism into policy, foster cross-sector cooperation, namely with agriculture and creative industries, support small businesses, and promote sustainable practices.

Secretary-General Polikashvili challenged tourism players to further capitalize on the region’s growing reputation as both a destination and leader in the field of gastronomy tourism. “My proposal is to leave a legacy… to create something an education center or gastronomic center here in Cebu,” he said.

Looking ahead to Indonesia 

The meetings concluded with Members agreeing to accept Indonesia’s offer to host the 37th Joint Meeting of UN Tourism’s 2 Asian Commissions in 2025. The exact dates will be confirmed in due course.

Jayapura, Indonesia, August 9, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / BWH Hotels, the global hospitality enterprise comprising WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels, has continued its international expansion with the launch of the Best Western Sagita Hotel Jayapura, the brand’s inaugural hotel in the Papua province.

Nestled in the center of Jayapura, the province’s largest city which lies on the north coast of the island of Papua, the Best Western Sagita Hotel Jayapura is a modern midscale hotel comprising 72 rooms and suites with interiors that blend contemporary design with indigenous cultural elements.

Throughout their stay, guests can unwind in the social lobby lounge, and savor local, pan-Asian, and international cuisine at the all-day dining restaurant, with its vibrant open kitchen concept. Business travelers can also host productive meetings in one of the six outfitted meeting rooms.

The Best Western Sagita Hotel Jayapura is surrounded by the city’s main landmarks and attractions, including Hamadi Beach, lush mangrove forests, and Jayapura City Tower’s viewing platform. Sentani International Airport which offers direct flights to Jakarta and other Indonesian cities – is just 30 kilometers away, and the border crossing between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea can be reached in just 2.5 hours by road.

“We are excited to announce the opening of the Best Western Sagita Hotel Jayapura, which represents a significant milestone in our Indonesian expansion strategy. We have made a commitment to provide our brand’s quality standards and services to guests all across this diverse country. As our first property in Papua, this reflects the ability of BWH Hotels’ diverse brands to cater to the needs of owners and travelers in every market,” said Olivier Berrivin, Vice President – APAC, BWH Hotels.

With the opening of the Best Western Sagita Hotel Jayapura, BWH Hotels now offers 17 hotels and resorts all across Indonesia, ranging from key cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, and Bandung to the resort islands of Bali, and regional hubs such as Palangkaraya, Manado, Makassar, Palu, and Singaparna.

About BWH Hotels
BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay® Hotels. The global enterprise boasts approximately 4,300 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*. With 19 brands across every chain scale segment, from economy to luxury, BWH Hotels suits the needs of developers and guests in every market.
*Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, August 9, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / With the desire to contribute to the promotion of sustainable tourism development and to call for the active participation of all units to create a better future for the tourism industry and society as a whole, the organizers of ITE HCMC officially announce the brand identity of ITE HCMC 2024.

Inspired by the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the brand identity of ITE HCMC 2024 is a symbol of strong commitment to sustainable development. Each element in the logo carries a meaningful message, closely linked to the sustainable criteria of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and global sustainable tourism trends.

Meaning of the Logo Elements

Colorful Circle:
Represents the 17 SDGs of the United Nations, from ending poverty to climate action. This circle signifies diversity and ITE HCMC’s vision for promoting sustainable tourism.

City and Landscape Symbols:
Features iconic buildings of Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong region architecture, reflecting the connection between culture, history, and modernity, and affirming tourism’s role in preserving cultural heritage.

Airplane and Hot Air Balloon:
Symbolize the continuous growth of the tourism industry and encourage travelers to explore destinations in a responsible manner.

Message “Sustainable Tourism, Creating the Future”:
Highlights ITE HCMC’s commitment to responsible tourism and creating long-term value for the environment and society.

ITE HCMC 2024 is committed to pursuing these goals through organizing educational activities and events, encouraging tourists and tourism businesses to adopt sustainable practices in their operations!

Don’t miss out! Save the date and register now to be one of the 220 international buyers at ITE HCMC 2024: Register Here

Event Details for ITE HCMC 2024:
Date: September 5th – 7th, 2024
Location: Saigon Exhibition & Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City
Website: ITE HCMC

Contact Information:
Ms. Linh Pham
Deputy Head of Overseas Tourism Promotion, Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center
Mobile: +84 903 252 364 | Email: ptplinh.sdl@tphcm.gov.vn

Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong
Public Relations Manager, ITE HCMC 2024 Expo
Mobile: +84 93 927 1211 | Email: phuongnt.pr@lebrothers.com

Bangkok, Thailand, August 8, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / H.E. Mrs. Sibille de Cartier d’Yves (3rd from left), Ambassador of H.M. the King of the Belgians to Thailand, graciously bestowed the “Officer of the Order of Leopold” Royal Decoration, the highest of the three national orders of Belgium, upon Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe (3rd from right), founder of the world renowned Blue Elephant Group, and her husband Mr. Karl Steppe (4th from right) at a cocktail reception at the Ambassador’s residence recently. Amongst the many distinguished guests in attendance was Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt (2nd from right), Bangkok Governor.

The “Officer of the Order of Leopold” honour has been conferred upon Master Chef Nooror and Mr. Karl Steppe for their over 40 years of meritorious service to the Belgian state and society and for Master Chef Nooror’s spreading the soft power of Thai cuisine and Thai culture across the globe from Belgium to Thailand since the opening of the first Blue Elephant Restaurant in Brussels in 1980.

Named in honour of its founder King Leopold 1, The Order of Leopold, Belgium’s oldest and highest honorary order of knighthood, was established on 11th July 1832.

Pictured from left are: Mr. Kim Steppe, CEO of Blue Elephant Group; Ms. Ines Chardonnet, Managing Director of Blue Spice Co., Ltd.; H.E. Mrs. Sibille de Cartier d’Yves; Mr. Karl Steppe; Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe; Mr. Chadchart Sittipunt; and Mr. Thaviseuth Phouthavong, Vice President of Blue Elephant Group.

About Blue Elephant
Blue Elephant’s story began with the passion of Master Chef Nooror Somany Steppe, founding Chef and Director, who opened the first restaurant in Brussels in 1980. Since then, Blue Elephant has been a torchbearer of Thai cuisine globally, emphasizing health-conscious recipes using premium, locally sourced ingredients. Master Chef Nooror’s dedication has made Blue Elephant a significant cultural ambassador, promoting Thai cuisine worldwide. The Blue Elephant Cooking School and Restaurant in Bangkok opened in 2002 and in Phuket in 2010, continuing to celebrate and evolve Thai culinary traditions. In 2006, Blue Spice Company Limited was established to manufacture and export Premium Thai Products, curry pastes and sauces amongst others under the Blue Elephant brand for retail and food service.

Kyoto, Japan, August 1, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / Located near Kyoto Station in the heart of Japan’s ancient former capital, Dusit’s first luxury hotel in the country has been officially recognised for offering ‘A very special stay. Dusit Thani Kyoto, a luxury urban oasis operated by Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has been named among the first hotels in the world to receive a coveted Michelin Key from the Michelin Guide 2024.

Similar to the Michelin Star system for exceptional culinary experiences, the Michelin Key acknowledges hotels that deliver outstanding stays with One, Two, and Three Key distinctions. Introduced by the Michelin Guide in April 2024, Michelin Keys are awarded only to establishments demonstrating the ‘best of the best’ across five key areas – excellence in architecture and interior design, quality and consistency of service, overall personality and character, value for the price, and a significant contribution to the neighbourhood or setting.

To date, Michelin Keys have been awarded to hotels in France, Italy, Spain, and select locations in the United States. Japan is the first Asian country to receive Michelin Keys, and Dusit Thani Kyoto is one of only 85 hotels in the country to be named a One Michelin Key establishment. It is also the first Thai-branded hotel in Japan to receive this accolade.

Opened in September 2023, Dusit Thani Kyoto is located in the ancient former capital’s peaceful Hanganji Monzen-machi district, only 850 metres from the bustling Kyoto Station. Uniquely blending Thai-inspired gracious hospitality with Japan’s deep-rooted culture of omotenashi (meaning to wholeheartedly look after guests), the elegant hotel also features a distinctive design that masterfully blends the rich heritage of Kyoto with subtle Thai influences. This includes chedi-inspired motifs referencing the ancient Thai city of Ayutthaya, alongside the clean lines, natural materials, and subtle colour palette for which Kyoto is renowned. This unique fusion extends to the 147 meticulously appointed guest rooms, offering a harmonious balance of timeless elegance and contemporary charm.

Set around a serene and beautiful courtyard, Dusit Thani Kyoto offers a tranquil oasis for business and leisure travellers alike. Alongside elegant event spaces accommodating up to 240 guests, the hotel features the signature Devarana Wellness centre, where expert therapists deliver a unique fusion of ancient Thai massage therapies and traditional Japanese rituals. Additional well-being focused facilities include a well-equipped fitness centre and an inviting indoor swimming pool.

Contributing to the hotel’s ‘outstanding’ Michelin Key distinction is a diverse range of unique culinary experiences. Guests can embark on a vibrant and interactive omakase journey at Kōyō, where the finest ingredients celebrate Kyoto’s unique 24 ‘micro-seasons.’ For a sophisticated evening experience, Den Kyoto beckons with its handcrafted cocktails served in a stylish ambience.

A truly one-of-a-kind experience awaits at Ayatana, the hotel’s signature Thai fine-dining restaurant, which features a unique multi-sensory culinary journey inspired by the rich cultures of both Thailand and Japan. This immersive concept was created exclusively for the hotel by acclaimed Thai chefs Duangporn ‘Bo’ Songvisava and Dylan Jones – a husband-and-wife team who earned global recognition, including a Michelin Star, at their former Bangkok restaurant, Bo.Ian.

The hotel’s dining experiences are further elevated by Dusit’s commitment to supporting local suppliers and destination-specific initiatives. This includes collaborating with TeaRoom Inc., a renowned sustainability-focused tea manufacturer, to set up the Dusit Tea Garden in Wazuka, a town on the southern edge of Kyoto Prefecture, to produce organic tea for the hotel’s restaurants. Dusit has also teamed up with OHARA FARMY, which supports the development of organic farms and sustainable land use, to create Dusit Farm, an expansive organic farm just 20 minutes by car from Kyoto. Alongside growing vegetables for use in the hotel’s restaurants, it also serves as a venue for memorable and meaningful guest activities, including hands-on vegetable harvesting experiences.

“Dusit Thani Kyoto is honoured to be among the first hotels in the world and the first Thai-branded hotel in Japan to receive One Michelin Key for the quality of service and experiences offered,” said Mr Gilles Cretallaz, Chief Operating Officer, Dusit International. “This recognition is a tribute to the dedication of the hotel team and our unwavering commitment to exceeding guest expectations at every touchpoint. This award also serves as a testament to the refreshed Dusit Thani brand, and a promise of the same high standards to be expected at our reimagined flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok, reopening on 27 September 2024, and other luxury Dusit Thani properties worldwide. As we follow our vision to uniquely deliver Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world, we look forward to pursuing further Michelin Key success at other Dusit destinations in the future.”

Dusit’s portfolio now includes 301 properties operating across 18 countries, including 57 properties operating under Dusit Hotels and Resorts and 244 luxury villas under Elite Havens, the leading provider of luxury villa rentals in Asia, which Dusit acquired in September 2018. More than 60 Dusit Hotels and Resorts are in the pipeline.

About Dusit Hotels and Resorts
Dusit Hotels and Resorts is the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies. With a heartfelt belief and commitment to introducing Thai-inspired gracious hospitality to the world, Dusit Hotels and Resorts offers guests a uniquely special stay in high-style surroundings and a personalised approach to service. The group’s portfolio of hotels, resorts and luxury villas includes more than 300 properties operating under a total of eight brands (Devarana – Dusit Retreats, Dusit Thani, Dusit Suites, Dusit Collection, dusitD2, Dusit Princess, ASAI Hotels, and Elite Havens) across 18 countries worldwide.

About Dusit International
Established in 1948, Dusit International or Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT) is a leading hospitality group listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Its operations comprise five distinct yet complementary business units: Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Hospitality Education, Dusit Foods, Dusit Estate, and Hospitality-Related Services.

Dusit International’s diversified investments in real estate development, hospitality-related services, and the food sector are part of its long-term strategy for sustainable growth, which focuses on three key areas: balance, expansion and diversification.

Phuklet, Thailand, August 1, 2024 / TRAVELINDEX / One of the world’s most inspirational green advocates will headline PHIST this year as Asia’s pioneering sustainability event enters its 8th year.

Unsung hero of sustainability Andrew Dixon, former banker turned green activist, owner and operator of two private island resorts in Indonesian waters – Nikoi Island and Cempedak Island – will discuss his broad sustainability platform that takes in not only conservation – but critically culture, community and commerce.

Register here

Stories will cover everything from micro-financing and cultural integration to a school that now numbers over 600 students – providing vital support and development systems that go much further than tree planting and the banning of single use plastics. He will be interviewed by David Johnson, former journalist and founder of Delivering Asia, one the region’s leading integrated communications firms and a keen proponent of the travel industry as a force for positive social change.

Other highlight speakers include Jerawan (Blue) Srepetchdanond, a formidable green champion and Director of Intrinsics, the pioneering firm behind the Magnolia Quality Development Corporations ground-breaking of Forestias in Bangkok.

As well as the leadership sessions and range of 18 workshops and learning platforms, is an exhibition space showcasing the region’s best-in-class innovators in sustainability. These include Winnow, leading exponents on the opportunity food waste provides in terms of driving efficiencies and margins by using AI; Diversey, a global firm excelling in hygiene and cleaning solutions, and outdoor accommodation experts Escape Nomade.

“We are excited to broaden the learning experience this year – and establish ourselves as a leading regional platform for the industry to educate themselves about not only positive social and environmental change – and how they can make a contribution – but learn how this can have a positive impact on their bottom line,” said co-founding partner Bill Barnett, Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks.