Category: Latest Travel News

Madrid (Spain) – February 26, 2020 (travelindex.com) – As the current outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) continues to develop, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) are committed to working together in guiding the travel and tourism sectors’ response to COVID-19.

On 30 January 2020, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak of COVID-19 to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and issued a set of Temporary Recommendations. WHO did not recommend any travel or trade restriction based on the current information available. WHO is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to rapidly expand scientific knowledge on this new virus, to track the spread and virulence of the virus, and to provide advice to countries and the global community on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak.

Cooperation is key

The tourism sector is fully committed to putting people and their well-being first. International cooperation is vital for ensuring the sector can effectively contribute to the containment of COVID-19. UNWTO and WHO are working in close consultation and with other partners to assist States in ensuring that health measures be implemented in ways that minimize unnecessary interference with international traffic and trade.

Tourism’s response needs to be measured and consistent, proportionate to the public health threat and based on local risk assessment, involving every part of the tourism value chain – public bodies, private companies and tourists, in line with WHO’s overall guidance and recommendations.

UNWTO and WHO stand ready to work closely with all those communities and countries affected by the current health emergency, to build for a better and more resilient future. Travel restrictions going beyond these may cause unnecessary interference with international traffic, including negative repercussions on the tourism sector.

At this challenging time, UNWTO and WHO join the international community in standing in solidarity with affected countries.

UNWTO Website: www.unwto.org
WHO Website: www.who.int

Padua (Italy) – February 26, 2020 (travelindex.com) – Safilo, a worldwide leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of eyewear, today announces the introduction of ECONYL regenerated nylon in its eyewear collections, thanks to a pioneering partnership with Aquafil, a recognized global player with over half a century of expertise in creating synthetic fibres.

ECONYL is a regenerated nylon obtained through the regeneration and purification process of plastic waste, such as fishing nets, old carpets, and fabric scraps. ECONYL, obtained through a process of depolymerization and re-polymerisation, performs exactly the same as brand new nylon and it can be recycled, recreated and remoulded again and again, with no loss of quality.

The choice of this material is a tangible sign of Safilo’s further progression in its sustainability strategy and its commitment to bring innovation to a consolidated industry. “Our investment to using recycled materials highlights our continued efforts towards promoting a responsible business,” explains Angelo Trocchia, CEO of Safilo Group. “This sustainable material will allow us to make our contribution and create products without using new resources. Our intention is to expand the use of ECONYL as much as possible in order to decrease our carbon footprint.”

“Safilo has a long history of creating high-quality eyewear products, and we are happy to partner with such a strong player in the eyewear industry,” said Giulio Bonazzi, Aquafil’s CEO. “It is a completely new sector in which our ECONYL® material is now used, and it is this pioneering spirit that most unites us with a company like Safilo, which, like us, has innovation in its DNA.”

The new TOMMY JEANS eyewear collection, recently launched by Tommy Hilfiger, one of the licensed brands in Safilo’s portfolio, is the first that features styles made of ECONYL® regenerated nylon.
Safilo will progressively introduce this material also in its other brands’ collections.

About Safilo Group
Safilo Group is a worldwide leader in the design, manufacturing and distribution of sunglasses, optical frames, sports eyewear and related products. Thanks to strong craftsmanship expertise dating back to 1878, Safilo translates its designs into high-quality products according to the Italian tradition. Through an extensive wholly owned network of subsidiaries in 40 countries and more than 50 distribution partners in key markets throughout North and Latin America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and China, Safilo is committed to quality distribution of its products in nearly 100,000 selected points of sale worldwide. Safilo’s portfolio encompasses its own core brands Carrera, Polaroid, Smith, Safilo, Privé Revaux, and licensed brands Dior, Dior Homme, Fendi, Banana Republic, BOSS, David Beckham, Elie Saab, Fossil, Givenchy, havaianas, HUGO, Jimmy Choo, Juicy Couture, kate spade new york, Levi’s, Liz Claiborne, Love Moschino, Marc Jacobs, Max Mara., Missoni, M Missoni, Moschino, Pierre Cardin, rag&bone, Rebecca Minkoff, Saks Fifth Avenue, Swatch, and Tommy Hilfiger.

Listed on the Italian Stock Exchange (ISIN code IT0004604762, Bloomberg SFL.IM, Reuters SFLG.MI), in 2018 Safilo recorded preliminary net sales for Euro 939 million.

About Aquafil
Aquafil is a global company that produces polymers and synthetic fibers. Since 2011, as part of an ambitious circularity project, it has implemented a regeneration system where nylon waste, such as fishing nets, old carpets, and scraps are transformed into ECONYL® regenerated nylon. To date, this product represents more than one-third of the entire Aquafil’s production.

The ECONYL® ingredient is used by hundreds of fashion, carpet and home design brands in their creations. Through its direct presence in 8 countries and 3 continents, Aquafil has been able to activate a virtuous network of partners, along the value chain, which aims to pursue sustainability for each production activity, in the unceasing attempt to decrease the impact of human activities on the environment and the planet.

Ulan Bator (Mongolia) – February 25, 2020 (travelindex.com) – Sabre Corporation announced a new alliance with national carrier MIAT Mongolian Airlines. The long-term agreement to implement Sabre’s Market Intelligence Global Demand Data solution will provide robust market insights as the airline moves forward with highly ambitious growth plans.

“We are thrilled to announce our new relationship with Sabre at such a key time for our airline. Our plans to grow our fleet and routes, our passenger numbers and our revenue are directly in line with the exponential growth that the country’s tourism industry is currently witnessing,” said Mr. Battur Davaakhuu, President & CEO, MIAT Mongolian Airlines. “To realize our exciting objectives, we must leverage the most innovative technology platforms, and that’s why we have selected Sabre Global Demand Data. The solution will ensure that we have strong data right at our fingertips, providing accurate and complete market information to make well-informed decisions,” he added.

Mongolia continues to be one of the world’s fastest growing travel destinations.1 The adoption of Sabre’s Global Demand Data solution will connect the national carrier to robust market data while providing advanced data capabilities across numerous commercial planning areas including revenue management and sales. Sabre Global Demand Data is a comprehensive and detailed database of origin and destination traffic for airline markets worldwide, encompassing GDS, government, and industry data sources – calibrated and processed on a regular basis. The solution will allow MIAT to gain insights for intelligently developing new routes and revenue-driving strategies within current markets while also uncovering potential new opportunities.

“MIAT’s expansion plans have the potential to increase revenue for the airline and to have a meaningful impact on the Mongolian travel and tourism industry as a whole,” said Dasha Kuksenko, vice president and regional general manager – North Asia, Sabre Travel Solutions. “We are very proud to support them in their endeavours by providing our Market Intelligence Global Demand Data solution. Sabre’s solution helps airlines identify revenue opportunities as a result of having the crucial, innovative tools necessary to make intelligent, data-driven decisions,” she added.

Mongolia has set a goal of attracting one million foreign tourists and earning one billion US dollars from tourism during 2020, according to a previous announcement by the Mongolian Ministry of Environment and Tourism. This latest agreement with Sabre will ensure that MIAT is well-positioned to play a crucial role in this ambitious tourism drive. It follows the launch of MIAT flights in 2019 linking Mongolia to the key Chinese markets of Shanghai and Guangzhou, as well as the announcement of plans for further long-haul routes, including a drive to develop a US route.

About Sabre Corporation
Sabre Corporation is the leading technology provider to the global travel industry. Sabre’s software, data, mobile and distribution solutions are used by hundreds of airlines and thousands of hotel properties to manage critical operations, including passenger and guest reservations, revenue management, flight, network and crew management. Sabre also operates a leading global travel marketplace, which processes more than US$120 billion of global travel spend annually by connecting travel buyers and suppliers. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, USA, Sabre serves customers in more than 160 countries around the world.

About MIAT Mongolian Airlines
MIAT Mongolian Airlines (MIAT), the national flag-carrier of Mongolia, was founded in 1956 and is operating 11 scheduled international destinations (includes Seoul, Busan, Tokyo, Osaka, Beijing, Guangzhou, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Moscow, Berlin and Frankfurt) out of the capital city Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The core business activities comprise of passenger and cargo air transportation, engineering and maintenance services, air charter and ground handling services. Its fleet of six aircraft includes four Boeing 737-800 and two Boeing 767-300ER planes. MIAT is proud to become the first carrier in Mongolia to be awarded with 3-star rating by SKYTRAX and with highest 7-star safety ranking from AirlineRatings.com. MIAT has consistently passed all regulations and requirements from the Mongolian Civil Aviation Authority as well as from ICAO.

Bangkok (Thailand) – February 24, 2020 (travelindex.com) – A platonic relationship which spanned over 14 years, Chef Justamas “Som” Theantae and Chef Monthep “Thep” Kamolsilp’s friendship has lasted the test of time. It began with meetings at culinary training school in Bangkok, through to working at 5-star hotels in Thailand, and even travelling the world together by luxury cruise where they cooked alongside some of the greatest chefs of multiple-starred Michelin restaurants, for wealthy cruise-faring diners.

After going their separate ways socially and professionally to focus on developing their skills, since 2018 (TAAN) and 2019 (Karmakamet Conveyance) the chefs have been at the helm and in charge of their own fine restaurants in Bangkok, and by serendipity reconnected somewhere in between. The chef buddies thought it would be the most opportune time to cook together again, for a first-time collaboration featuring the both of them, and that’s how ‘Friendship’ – A Reunion of Tastes was born.

The menu will be inspired by their journey, from their first meeting, throughout their shared experiences to where they are at in their lives now. Little may people be aware that French cuisine was at the core of their training and work-life and where they particularly excelled before adopting Asian flavours into their restaurant menu concepts. This collaborative menu will reflect their respective French cuisine skills, whilst incorporating locally grown produce with dishes that highlight French and Asian techniques.

Some of the dishes you will find on the special menu are the Oyster of poached oyster, burnt stingy beans, green chili and nut with brown butter veloute. A collaborative dish between the chefs will be the Chestnut in the form of a chestnut soup with onion duck ball and shallot mousse. A classic French dish but with a distinct Asian twist will bring forth the Frog legs with deep-fried coated cricket, smoked frog’s legs, parsley ginger and a water bug emulsion. The Eel with hot oil tea-tare sauce, marinated eel, lotus stems, avocado and lotus root will be another coming together of French technique melding with the flavours of the the East, and lastly a fine example of flavourful friendship, the Pigeon of grilled corn marinated pigeon with okra Mexican kale puree, pickled clam and pink pepper jus.

About TAAN:
TAAN presents fine-casual Thai dining that honours the country’s food artisans and their unique ingredients. It prides itself on working closely with independent local farmers, whose high-quality, seasonal ingredients provide the inspiration for the ever-changing menu. On the menu, familiar flavor profiles meet with unexpected combinations and timeless techniques for dishes that are new but proudly Thai. Believing that behind every ingredient there is an important story to be told, TAAN’s goal is to connect Thailand’s tireless food artisans with an adventurous new generation of diners. TAAN’s ingredient-driven menu highlights familiar Thai flavours, inspired by local ingredients and prepared using timeless cooking techniques, but brought into the present day through unexpected combinations and creative presentation.

Chef Monthep Kamolsilp – Modern Thai Cuisine
TAAN Executive Chef Monthep Kamolsilp discovered his passion for cooking at 18 years old while enrolled to study Hospitality Management at Silpakorn University, Bangkok. Filled with curiosity from spending 12 hours a day in the demonstration kitchen, Monthep soon picked up an after-school job as a cook’s helper. Monthep’s previous experience at high-profile hotel restaurants like Le Normandie at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, La Terrasse at Domaine de Divonne in France and The Eugenia Bangkok is reflected in his French cooking techniques and vast knowledge about imported ingredients.

However, a visit to one small village in Chiang Rai where the hill-tribe took every measure to work in harmony with the natural environment put Monthep on the path to inspiration. From this trip, the idea for TAAN was born, and in the process Monthep rekindled his underlying interest in sustainability, which once won him second prize in Vatel University’s World Sustainability Hotel Concept Competition in Lyon, France, in 2009.

Led by Monthep, TAAN’s kitchen team is dedicated to seeking out unique ingredients from sustainable sources across Thailand. Rebellious yet respectful of tradition, the team’s philosophy is that Thai food is always evolving.

Chef Jutamas “Som” Theantae – New Asian Cuisine
Some trips in life are about destinations. Others are about learning along the way. The journey of Chef Jutamas “Som” Theantae, familiarly known as Som, is as much about discovering the world as it is about learning about herself and sharing her generosity with others.

But before the dream of having a restaurant could become a reality, Chef Som decided to travel the world. She went to India, as much for the challenge of living without the creature comforts of home as for her art studies. She spent six years there and graduated with a diploma in lithography. Afterwards, Chef Som moved to San Francisco, where she further turned her attention to her passion for food, beginning at the very bottom of the restaurant business. “I started scrubbing grills”. She worked her way up through some of the city’s most critically acclaimed restaurants, learning about local produce, classical technique and the importance of creativity as she went. After San Francisco, she found herself back in Thailand, honing her skills in hotels and restaurants, in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Samui.

The dream with her childhood friend became a reality when Karmakamet Diner opened in 2013. Today with Karmakamet Conveyance, Chef Som completes that dream, creating a space that crystallizes who she is as a chef and as a woman. Karmakamet takes the diner on a journey of flavours that opens the diners’ eyes and palate, transporting them to new experiences. “If you compare it with art it’s like an oil painting. You put layers after layers. And that’s the taste you have in your mouth.”

It’s that honesty and desire to share that drives Chef Som today. Her journey of happiness and heartbreak, discovery and pleasure of the senses is one that she conveys to you today, through her dazzling menu at Karmakamet Conveyance.

Friendship – A Reunion of Tastes
20th March at Karmakamet Conveyance
10 courses menu 3,500 THB ++ / person
Wine by the glass and bottles available
Booking times: 6:00pm, 6:30pm, 8:30pm and 9:00pm

For further information Tel: +66 2-004-3997
Reservation: contact@karmakametconveyance.com

Victoria, Mahé (Seychelles) – February 24, 2020 (travelindex.com) – Seychelles marine scientist, Ameer Ebrahim, recently published his research in the Journal of Fish Biology, a prestigious global research database. This publication follows four years in the field, where Ebrahim targeted herbivorous fish species, such as parrot-fish and rabbit-fish, and examined what role these species may have on coral reef resilience.

His research considered specifically the movement patterns of the shoemaker spine-foot (Siganus sutor), known locally as ‘kordoyen blan’. This species is of vital commercial importance throughout the Western Indian Ocean region. In Seychelles they comprise of the bulk of the annual artisanal catch, and is steadily becoming over fished.

Ebrahim, under the supervision of Dr. Jude Bijoux, another Seychellois Marine Scientist, carried out an extensive study using highly specialized methodology, namely acoustic telemetry technology, around Denis island. The team surgically implemented internal tags into several rabbit-fish and monitored their movements for just over six months.

The data revealed integral links between networked habitats, which should assist the relevant authorities in their efforts to effectively manage marine protected areas. Ebrahim expressed his desire that Government considers incorporating sea-grass meadows, which are currently overlooked, into management discussions.

He has another paper that is currently under international review, and hopefully will be published within the next few months. He is adding to the modest body of research available on our marine environment.

Ebrahim has expressed his gratitude to Denis Private Island for their hospitality and support, and to the Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) for facilitating his research.

It is hoped that the SFA, which has decades worth of unpublished accumulated data from countless sponsored research initiatives, will soon begin to publish and share their findings with the public as well.

Paper LINK:

Bangkok (Thailand) – February 24, 2020 (travelindex) – This March, Best Western Hotels and Resorts will be rewarding visitors at Thai Teaw Thai #54, Thailand’s biggest travel fair, with a series of exclusive deals in desirable destinations all across the Kingdom. Best Western Hotels and Resorts promises exclusive offers across Thailand at Thai Teaw Thai #54

Guests attending this four-day show can discover a wide range of exciting promotions at the company’s popular Thai hotels and resorts, including discounted stays and packages (starting from just THB 1,200 per room per night), food & beverage vouchers (starting from THB 200) and even a wonderful wedding package in Bangkok!

And that’s not all! Visitors who register at Best Western Hotels & Resorts booth will receive a special benefit at Best Western Premier Bayphere Pattaya, the soon-to-open upscale hotel on Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard, and True customers will enjoy amazing offers at Thai Teaw Thai.

These enticing promotions will be available at ten of Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ properties in Thailand:

– Best Western Plus Nexen Pattaya
– Best Western Premier Bayphere Pattaya
– Best Western Plus The Beachfront, Phuket
– Best Western Patong Beach, Phuket
– SureStay Plus Hotel by Best Western Sukhumvit 2, Bangkok
– Best Western Plus Wanda Grand Hotel, Bangkok
– Vīb Best Western Sanam Pao Bangkok
– Best Western Premier Sukhumvit, Bangkok
– Best Western Plus @20 Sukhumvit, Bangkok
– Tawaravedee Resort BW Signature Collection by Best Western, Prachinburi

So whether you’re planning a stylish city sojourn, a blissful beachfront break or a relaxing upcountry retreat, Best Western has an offer just for you. Brides and grooms can also start planning their perfect wedding day at Best Western Plus Wanda Grand Hotel!

Thai Teaw Thai #54 will be hosted at BITEC Bangna from March 5 to 8, 2020. Attendees can take advantage of these promotions simply by visiting Best Western’s booths, A03 – A04.

Visit our booth at BITEC Bangna from March 5 to 8, 2020

For more information, please email asiasales@bestwestern.com or call +66 (0) 2656 1260. Alternatively, to learn more about Best Western Hotels & Resorts in Asia, please visit www.BestWesternAsia.com.

About Best Western Hotels and Resorts:
Best Western Hotels and Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand within the BWH Hotel GroupSM global network. With 18 brands and approximately 4,700 hotels in over 100 countries and territories worldwide*, BWH Hotel Group suits the needs of developers and guests in every market. Brands include Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, Vīb®, GLō®, Aiden®, Sadie®, BW Premier Collection® and BW Signature Collection®. Through acquisition, WorldHotelsTM Luxury, WorldHotels Elite, WorldHotels Distinctive and WorldHotels Crafted collections are also offered. Completing the portfolio is SureStay®, SureStay Plus®, SureStay Collection® and SureStay StudioSM franchises**. For more information visit www.bestwestern.com, www.bestwesterndevelopers.com, www.worldhotels.com and www.surestay.com.

* Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.
**All Best Western, WorldHotels and SureStay branded hotels are independently owned and operated.

Contact information:
Sirimanas Maungrod (Cake) | Senior Regional Marketing Communications Manager | Asia
Email: sirimanas.maungrod@bestwestern.com

Phanintorn Tangtrongjit (Dream) | Assistant Marketing Communications Manager | Asia
Email: phanintorn.tangtrongjit@bestwestern.com

Best Western Hotels and Resorts
BWI (Thailand) Co., Ltd. | Unit 5A-2 | 5th Floor Gaysorn Place Office Building
999 Ploenchit Road Lumpini Phatumwan | Bangkok | 10330 | Thailand
Phone: +662.656.1260 | Fax +662.656.1252| www.bestwesternasia.com

Valletta (Malta) – February 22, 2020 (travelindex.com) – Under the banner of “A Plan For Our Kids”, Leslie Vella and Prof. Geoffrey Lipman, Chair and President of SUNx Malta (Strong Universal Network), will discuss in open forum the initiative of the Government of Malta, under Tourism and Consumer Protection Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli, to create a global Centre for “Climate Friendly Travel” – measured to manage: green to grow: 2050 proof to meet the Paris 1.50 Climate Targets. The Centre will action the 50-year vision of Maurice Strong, father of sustainable development, for Travel & Tourism to respond powerfully to the climate crisis.

They will also present the results of their first Annual Climate Neutral 2050 Review of the Travel & Tourism Sector co-published with WTTC; as well as the Ambitions Registry that Malta will host to encourage intensified company and community carbon reduction in line with the Paris Accords and the EU Green New Deal.

Because the Climate Crisis is increasingly recognized as eXistential (threatening life on earth) governments are developing incentives and penalties to move all companies, communities and consumers to become climate neutral in the next decades.

This exchange will show the travel community how they can refocus their strategies to meet this new reality.

The session has been designed to be topical, lively and interactive – It will be held in Room Beta5/Hub27, which is connected to Hall 1.2, from 10:00 – 11:30 on Thursday 5th March.

Koror (Palau) – February 20, 2020 (travelindex.com) – PATA is honoured to welcome Palau First Lady Debbie M. Remengesau as the opening keynote speaker for its 2020 annual summit.

As chairperson of the Palau Legacy Project, First Lady Remengesau co-founded and launched the Palau Pledge, an internationally–acclaimed, world–first immigration stamp requiring all visitors entering Palau to take a pledge to protect the environment. This is a modern expression of Palau’s traditional conservation wisdom interpreted in way that all visitors can understand. The Palau Pledge continues to gain world recognition for its innovative approach.

First Lady Remengesau is an active member of a variety of organisations, including the Palau Conservation Society, the global Leading Women for Oceans Network, the International Association of First Ladies for Peace and the Palau Soroptimist International. She passionately utilises all of her memberships to strengthen programs and initiatives that support the Palauan community.

In the opening keynote, First Lady Remengesau will share the success behind the innovative Palau Pledge and why all of us should be asking more of the tourists who visit our places.

Join us on March 31st to April 3rd in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE to together drive forward the sustainable growth of the tourism industry in Asia Pacific and beyond at the PATA Annual Summit 2020 under the theme ‘Partnerships for Tomorrow’.

For more details on Palau and a detailed travel guide go to www.visitpalau.net

Paris (France) – February 21, 2020 (travelindex.com) – Accor, a world-leading hospitality group, and Visa, the global leader in digital payments, announced a global partnership to bring new payment experiences to ALL-Accor Live Limitless loyalty members. Partnership will deliver enhanced payment experiences to ALL-Accor Live Limitless loyalty members.

The partnership will bring together Accor’s loyalty program and Visa’s global payment capabilities to create the new ALL Visa card. Members who apply for the new Visa card will be able to use it for everyday purchases everywhere Visa is accepted. Accor will be collaborating with Visa partner financial institutions and banks in key markets across Europe, North and South America, Middle East and Asia Pacific to issue the new ALL Visa card. It will offer members tailored rewards based on customer preferences and the ability to earn more loyalty points when staying at an Accor property or when making purchases.

Accor boasts a portfolio of strong and iconic brands across all segments in the most promising markets around the globe. Through strategic acquisitions and partnerships with prestigious luxury and lifestyle brands such as Raffles, Fairmont, Sofitel, Banyan Tree, Mondrian and Delano, the Group offers unique experiences through its 39 hotel brands, in more than 5,000 hotels and residences across 110 destinations.

Through the partnership with Visa, Accor is enhancing the benefits of its recently launched loyalty program, ALL–Accor Live Limitless, to its 64M loyal member base and more than 250M customers globally. The introduction of the ALL Visa card will enable the Accor Group to engage customers beyond their stay, via an industry leading loyalty program, offering ALL members the ability to earn points, enjoy new experiences and even more hotel nights.

The introduction of ALL Visa payment cards aims to leverage Accor’s augmented hospitality ecosystem to engage customers beyond their stay via industry-leading benefits and innovative digital, mobile-first experiences.

The cobranded payment cards will generate additional customer engagement in hotels and new member recruitment opportunities for ALL as well as spend uplift.

Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Accor, said:
“Partnering with Visa will be a huge boost to Accor as we embark on the shared journey to develop an innovative co-branded payment card. This new initiative will provide unmatched benefits to our members and reinforce the success of our ALL loyalty program by increasing our member base driving additional engagement and giving each member incentives to stay with us more frequently and easily. The development of ALL is a major milestone for us, and in Visa we are very pleased to have found a partner which shares our passion for delivering everyday rewards and recognition.”

Al Kelly, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Visa, said:
“We are delighted to partner with Accor and support the introduction of a new customer loyalty program. Today’s digitally-savvy consumers expect rewards that are tailored to their needs and offer new and unique experiences. I am extremely excited about the power of Accor’s expertise in hospitality coming together with Visa’s global network and digital capabilities. This combination will translate into attractive loyalty and payment products that will be at the forefront of the hospitality market.”

ABOUT ACCOR
Accor is a world-leading augmented hospitality group offering unique experiences in more than 5,000 hotels and residences across 110 destinations. The Group has been acquiring hospitality expertise for more than 50 years, resulting in an unrivalled portfolio of 39 hotel brands, from luxury to economy, supported by one of the most attractive loyalty programs in the world.

ALL, Accor Live Limitless is a daily lifestyle companion that integrates rewards, services and experiences bringing value to everyday life inventing a completely new aspirational way to live limitless…

Accor is deeply committed to sustainable value creation and plays an active role in giving back to planet and community via its Planet 21 – Acting Here program and the Accor Solidarity endowment fund, which gives disadvantaged groups access to employment through professional training.

Accor SA is publicly listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ISIN code: FR0000120404) and on the OTC Market (Ticker: ACRFY) in the United States.

ABOUT ALL
ALL – Accor Live Limitless is a new daily lifestyle companion. ALL offers benefits, rewards and unique experiences to its most engaged members throughout the world, whether they’re at work or play. A host of new services will make the everyday lives of the programme’s members more rewarding, not least in terms of entertainment, well-being, sport, coworking and mobility.

With ALL, Accor offers more than a mere hotel stay, delivering new services and new ways of laying on bespoke experiences, bringing the Group’s augmented hospitality strategy to life by increasing points of contact with its customers through a network of nearly 5,000 hotels and 50 brands.

ABOUT VISA
Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is the world’s leader in digital payments. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, reliable and secure payment network – enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. Our advanced global processing network, VisaNet, provides secure and reliable payments around the world, and is capable of handling more than 65,000 transaction messages a second. The company’s relentless focus on innovation is a catalyst for the rapid growth of digital commerce on any device, for everyone, everywhere.  As the world moves from analog to digital, Visa is applying our brand, products, people, network and scale to reshape the future of commerce. For more information, visit About Visa, visa.com/blog and @VisaNews.

Macao (Macao SAR) – February 21, 2020 (travelindex.com) – Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) and Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG) announce the inaugural HITEC Asia to take place December 8-10, 2020 in Macau, SAR, China. The two international, nonprofit associations are the sole organizations that bring hospitality professionals together for education, networking, best practices, innovation and exclusive marketplaces.

“The HITEC brand of conferences is celebrating its 48th year and has become known as ‘the’ place to learn about and purchase hospitality technology around the globe,” said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE. “After years of requests from stakeholders to bring the HITEC brand to Asia, HFTP is excited to announce this event and also very pleased to have HTNG as co-producers for this new venture.”

HITEC Asia expects to attract over 300 hoteliers and feature some of the best technology suppliers in the region. It will also feature educational seminars presented by global experts and leading-edge innovation pitches from regional start ups.

“HTNG has been successful in the region for over a decade solving industry standards problems and developing best practices,” said HTNG CEO Mike Blake. Due to the strength of HFTP’s HITEC brand and HTNG’s success and network in the region, we mutually decided that our nonprofit organizations could make a much larger impact by teaming up for a stellar conference and exhibition.”

About HFTP
Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) established in 1952, is an international, nonprofit association, headquartered in Austin, Texas, USA, with offices in Hong Kong, United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Dubai. HFTP is recognized as the spokes group for the finance and technology segments of the hospitality industry with members and stakeholders spanning across the globe. HFTP uniquely understands the industry’s pressing issues and assists its stakeholders in finding solutions to their challenges more efficiently than any organization. It does this via its expert networks, research, certification programs, information resources and conferences/events such as HITEC.

About Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG)
The premier technology solutions association in the hospitality industry, HTNG is a self-funded, nonprofit organization with members from hospitality companies, technology vendors to hospitality, consultants, media and academic experts. HTNG’s members participate in focused workgroups to bring to market open solution sets addressing specific business problems. HTNG fosters the selection and adoption of existing open standards and also develops new open standards to meet the needs of the global hospitality industry.

Currently more than 400 corporate and individual members from across this spectrum, including world leading hospitality companies and technology vendors, are active HTNG participants. HTNG’s Board of Governors, consisting of 22 top IT leaders from hospitality companies around the world, itself has technology responsible for over 3 million guest rooms and world-leading venues. HTNG publishes workgroup proceedings, drafts and specifications for all HTNG members as soon as they are created, encouraging rapid and broad adoption. HTNG releases specifications into the public domain as soon as they are ratified by the workgroups.

HITEC® and HFTP® are registered service marks of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals