PATA Explores the SDGs in the Context of Youth and Tourism

PATA Explores the SDGs in the Context of Youth and Tourism

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 18, 2018 (travelindex.com) – University students along with representatives from the travel and tourism industry came together at the Asia-Pacific Youth and Sustainable Tourism Workshop to examine how the industry can help in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Asia-Pacific Youth and Sustainable Tourism Workshop, organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and supported by the Global Peace Foundation and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), took place on Wednesday, March 14 at the United Nations Building in Bangkok, Thailand. Under the theme ‘Setting the Stage for Peace’, the workshop took place in conjunction with the Global Peace Youth Exchange Thailand 2018.

The students, who came from various universities in Macao SAR, Austria and Thailand to name a few, began the day with an introduction to the SDGs by Marco Roncarati, Social Development Division – Social Affairs Officer at UNESCAP. He highlighted that the one of the primary focuses of the SDGs was to address the issue of inequality.

This was followed by round table discussions between the students and the workshop speakers regarding five SDGs: Zero Hunger, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Partnerships for the Goals. The morning session ended with the groups presenting their results and ideas.

The afternoon sessions began with PATA CEO Mario Hardy providing an overview of the travel and tourism industry and the upcoming challenges the industry will face, especially regarding human capital development and the future of jobs. The session, under the title Your Ticket to the Theatre of Sustainable Tourism – Setting the Stage for Peace, closed with Dr. Hardy highlighting the importance of supporting the education and training of youth in travel and tourism.

The remainder of the workshop was divided into three sessions: The Cast: Ambitious World Explorers, where the speakers shared their reasons and passions in supporting local communities; The Directors: Behind the Scenes of Sleeping, Travelling and Flying, which highlighted the current CSR work of various organisations; and The Indie Producers: Let’s Get Techie, Earthy and Artsy, with speakers giving ideas how new technology can support the SDGs, how education and hands on practices can improve Responsible Consumption and Production, and how important it is that everyone is taking part in responsible actions.

Speakers during these sessions included Arrut Navaraj, Managing Director – Sampran Riverside; Gili Back, Sustainability Manager – Khiri Travels; Ivan Cintado, VP Sales and Marketing APAC Region – Smartvel; Kulkanda Pokasem, Director – Alliance Management – Thai Airways International; Madeleine Recknagel, Sustainability Consultant – The Sustainable Self; Mark Wiens, Travel Eater – Migrationology; Michael Biedassek, Explorer/Connector – Bangkok Vanguards; Pai Somsak Boonkam, Founder – Local Alike, and Siradej ‘Champ’ Donavanik, Director – Wonderfruit.

Moderators included Mr Roncarati and two Committee Members of the PATA Thailand Dusit Thani College Student Chapter: AnnMarie Kongglang and Warat ‘Moc’ Dittapongpitch, who also acted as the Master of Ceremonies for the day.

The workshop ended with the launch of the “BUFFET for Youth”, a challenge targeted at the next generation of tourism leaders that builds on the BUFFET Initiative – a PATA food waste campaign. The announcement was made by PATA Young Tourism Professional (YTP) Ambassador, Ms JC Wong, and PATA Sustainability and Social Responsibility Associate, Ms. Veronika Forstmeier.

Photos from the event are available to view and download on the PATA Flickr page, while presentations are available at www.PATA.org/event/asia-pacific-youth-sustainable-tourism-workshop.

About PATA
Founded in 1951, PATA is a not-for-profit membership association that acts a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region. The Association provides aligned advocacy, insightful research and innovative events to its member organisations, comprising 95 government, state and city tourism bodies, 25 international airlines and airports, 108 hospitality organisations, 72 educational institutions, and hundreds of travel industry companies in Asia Pacific and beyond. Thousands of travel professionals belong to the 36 local PATA chapters worldwide. The chapters organise travel industry training and business development events. Their grassroots activism underpins PATA’s membership in Uniting Travel, a coalition of the world’s major Travel & Tourism organisations dedicated to ensuring that the sector speaks with one voice and acts in unison on the major issues and includes ACI, CLIA, IATA, ICAO, WEF, UNWTO and the WTTC. The PATAmPOWER platform delivers unrivalled data, forecasts and insights from the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre to members’ desktops and mobile devices anywhere in the world. PATA’s Head Office has been in Bangkok since 1998. The Association also has official offices or representation in Beijing, Sydney and London. Visit www.PATA.org.

Contact information:
PATA
Paul Pruangkarn
Director – Communications & Marketing
communications@PATA.org
+66 (02) 658-2000
Bangkok, Thailand

Best Western Launches New Campaign, Today’s Best Western with Behind the Brands Series

Best Western Launches New Campaign, Today’s Best Western with Behind the Brands Series

Phoenix, Arizona (United States) – March 15, 2018 (travelindex) – When Best Western Hotels and Resorts launched a transformative brand refresh in 2015, the primary objective was to signal that Best Western is a contemporary and relevant brand, worthy of today’s travelers. It is also intended to enhance the brand’s image as an innovative, forward-thinking industry leader. Now, with the introduction of a “Today’s Best Western” campaign that will run throughout 2018, including a “Behind the Brands” series, travelers are getting a look at the evolution of this powerhouse hospitality brand.

“Best Western has been undergoing a brand resurgence during the past ten years,” said David Kong, President and CEO of Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “Our brand refresh with new logos showcases our exciting brands and positions Best Western as a leader in its respective chain scale segments. We are proud of our continuous innovation, which has enabled us to achieve record RevPAR Index, unrivaled industry recognition, and unprecedented guest satisfaction.”

Best Western Hotels & Resorts continues to experience tremendous growth in both size and scale, as well as penetration in diverse markets globally. Recent achievements for the company, in large part due to the success of the brand refresh, include:

Distinctive Brand Portfolio – To add to the iconic brands – Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, and Best Western Premier® – the company has launched eight new global brands since 2015. This includes a series of cutting-edge concepts catering to a new generation of travelers with the new-build Vīb® and GLō® brands, as well as soft brand options for most chain scale segments – upper economy and midscale (SureStay Collection® by Best Western), upper midscale (BW Signature Collection® by Best Western) and upscale and upper upscale (BW Premier Collection®). With a focus on providing unique, dual-branded properties combining the best of the Best Western Plus and Executive Residency by Best Western® brands.

Growth Around the World – In addition to an impressive pipeline of 296 hotels in North America, Best Western is also growing across the globe. In particular, Best Western opened nine new hotels in Asia in 2017 – with locations in Myanmar, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. These have included two brands that are entirely new to the region – BW Premier Collection and SureStay Plus® Hotel by Best Western. The company received recognition as the “Best Debut Hotel Chain” at the 2017 India Hospitality Awards, with plans to open six hotels in India and three in Bangladesh in 2018.

Rising Guest Satisfaction – Best Western has enjoyed significant increases to guest satisfaction ratings in the past 10 years, with scores doubling since 2007. This stems from the award-winning I Care® Every Guest, Every Time hotel staff training program, the $2 billion spent on strategic renovations following the Design Excellence program and the rollout of the descriptor program. In 2017, Best Western announced an impressive 1,956 Best Western-branded hotels globally received the 2017 TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence recognition, yielding the brand’s highest level of guest satisfaction to date.

Continuous Innovation – With the 2017 global launch of the new Best Western Mobile Guest Engagement Platform – which includes web-based guest communications tools pre-arrival, on property and at check-out – Best Western continues to show its commitment to implementing new technology that enhances the customer journey. Named one of Fast Company’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies in AR/VR for 2017, Best Western’s brand refresh has encompassed a number of technological advancements including the Best Western Virtual Reality Experience (BWVRE), which gives guests an immersive 360-degree look into all of the brand’s North American hotels – making Best Western the first major company of its size and scale to utilize this cutting-edge technology in this way. The reimagined BestWestern.com optimizes customer interactions across all digital channels, while incorporating highly visual, interactive elements.

Award-Winning Loyalty Program – Best Western has continued to make valuable enhancements to its award-winning loyalty program Best Western Rewards. By offering more rewards and recognition for Elite members and generous promotions for members of all levels, BWR’s membership has grown to more than 32 million members globally – representing gains of nearly 14 percent annually, since the beginning of the refresh. BWR achieved a top five ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s 2017-2018 Best Hotel Rewards Programs and runner-up status in WalletHub’s 2017 Best Hotel Rewards Program. With a goal to bring real value to today’s travelers with instant rewards and gratification, BWR offers a lower point level threshold relative to other hotel brands, enables members to redeem free nights at any of Best Western’s 4,200+ hotels worldwide, and awards points that don’t expire and don’t have blackout dates. On top of this, the newly unveiled Experiences by Best Western Rewards now provides members with exclusive, one-of-a-kind experiences in some of the most sought-after destinations around the world.

Awards Across the Board – Best Western continues to set industry records regarding awards and accolades. Several notable distinctions received in 2017 include: a Top Breakfast Ranking from J.D. Power’s 2017 Guest Survey; Best Western Plus and Best Western ranking number one in upper-mid-price and mid-price hotel brands respectively by Business Travel News®; 65 Adrian Awards for excellence in digital marketing, advertising and public relations; the company’s ninth consecutive AAA®/CAA® Lodging Partner of the Year award; and a gold Recommend Readers’ Choice Award in the Hotels/Resorts category.

Today’s Best Western features 11 brands, each with its own logo and distinctive personality. The company’s new “Behind the Brands” series will dive deeper into each individual brand, further illustrating the differences for travelers. Best Western rolls out the “Behind the Brands” series later this month, with a sneak peek into the continued evolution of Best Western Premier.

For more information on Best Western Hotels & Resorts, please visit BestWestern.com

About Best Western Hotels & Resorts:
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of 4,200* hotels in more than 100* countries and territories worldwide. Best Western offers 11 hotel brands to suit the needs of developers and guests in every market: Best Western®, Best Western Plus®, Best Western Premier®, Vīb®, GLō®, Executive Residency by Best Western®, BW Premier Collection®, and BW Signature CollectionSM by Best Western; as well as its recently launched franchise offerings: SureStay® Hotel by Best Western, SureStay Plus® Hotel by Best Western and SureStay Collection® by Best Western. Now celebrating more than 70 years of hospitality, Best Western provides its hoteliers with global operational, sales and marketing support, and award-winning online and mobile booking capabilities. Best Western continues to set industry records regarding awards and accolades, including 64 percent of the brand’s North American hotels earning a TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence award in 2017, Business Travel News® ranking Best Western Plus and Best Western number one in upper-mid-price and mid-price hotel brands, and Best Western receiving seven consecutive Dynatrace® Best of the Web awards for its leading hotel website. Best Western has also won nine consecutive AAA®/CAA® Lodging Partner of the Year awards, recognizing the brand’s commitment to providing exceptional service and great value to AAA/CAA’s nearly 58 million members in the U.S. and Canada. Best Western-branded hotels were top ranked in J.D. Power’s 2017 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study – ranking first in breakfast (food and beverage category) for midscale; and second in overall guest satisfaction. Over 32 million travelers are members of the brand’s award-winning loyalty program Best Western Rewards®, one of the few programs in which members earn points that never expire and can be redeemed at any Best Western hotel worldwide. Best Western’s partnerships with AAA/CAA and Harley-Davidson® provide travelers with exciting ways to interact with the brand. Through its partnership with Google® Street View, Best Western is the first major company of its size and scale to launch a virtual reality experience for customers, setting a new industry standard and reinventing how guests view hotels.
– All Best Western and SureStay-branded hotels are independently owned and operated.
– Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

Contact information Asia:
Marketing Communications Department
Best Western Hotels and Resorts – Asia
Tel: +66 2 656 1260
Sirimanas Maungrod
Email: sirimanas.maungrod@bestwestern.com
Orapan Sornnuwat
Email: orapan.sornnuwat@bestwestern.com

IHG Acquires Majority Stake in Regent Hotels and Resorts

IHG Acquires Majority Stake in Regent Hotels and Resorts

Hong Kong (Hong Kong SAR) – March 15, 2018 (travelindex.com) – InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced that it has agreed to acquire a 51% stake in Regent Hotels and Resorts (Regent) for $39 million in cash. IHG will have the right to acquire the remaining 49% interest in a phased manner from 2026.

IHG will bring Regent into its brand portfolio at the top end of the luxury segment and will accelerate its growth globally, supported by IHG’s powerful enterprise. IHG’s intention is to grow the brand from six hotels today to over 40 hotels in key global gateway city and resort locations over the long term.

Book your InterContinental hotel in Hong Kong and around the world in 55 countries at best rates available. Pay at the hotel. Book now at HotelWorlds.com!

Synonymous with timeless modernity, understated luxury and intuitive service, the Regent brand has set the benchmark for luxury hotels globally since it was founded in 1970. It has a world-renowned heritage, built around the elegant, timeless design of its hotels and rooted in its focus on delivering a truly unique and superior luxury experience for guests.

IHG is already a global leader in the luxury segment with the world’s largest luxury brand,
InterContinental Hotels & Resorts. The acquisition of Regent is part of one of IHG’s new strategic initiatives focused on continuing to expand its footprint in the fast-growing $60 billion luxury segment.This initiative is supported by the creation of a new dedicated division to further enhance our capabilities in this area and will be funded by IHG’s efficiency programme, as outlined at our Full Year Results on 20 February.

IHG also announces today that following an extensive refurbishment due to commence in early 2020, InterContinental Hong Kong will become a Regent Hotel in early 2021. The hotel originally opened its doors in 1980 as one of the most iconic hotels to ever carry the Regent brand.

Keith Barr, Chief Executive Officer of IHG, commented: “IHG is already one of the world leaders in luxury with our InterContinental Hotels and Resorts brand, but we see significant potential to further develop our global footprint in the fast-growing luxury segment. As one of the pioneers in defining luxury hotels both in Asia and around the world, Regent is an excellent addition to IHG’s portfolio of brands. We see a real opportunity to unlock Regent’s enormous potential and accelerate its growth globally. In addition, by creating a dedicated luxury division, we will be bringing together some of the most experienced and respected people in the industry who will help drive our luxury offer, ensuring that our existing luxury brands continue to evolve and allowing us to bring in new brands such as Regent to enhance our brand portfolio.”

Steven Pan, Executive Chairman of Formosa International Hotels Corporation commented:
“Regent was founded by legendary hotelier Robert H. Burns, who sought to combine Asian hospitality and Western elegance to create a leading luxury hotel brand. The brand has an unrivalled heritage at the very top end of the luxury segment and the flagship Regent Hong Kong was consistently voted the world’s best hotel in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Returning the property to its original roots as a Regent hotel is symbolic of our ambition to return the brand to its former glory and will go down in history as one of the greatest brand comebacks in the hotel industry. IHG shares our vision for the brand and has the ability to make our ambition a reality. IHG has a deep understanding of how to protect what makes the Regent brand so unique and special, whilst at the same time ensuring that the brand can grow and thrive on a global scale.”

Goodwin Gaw, Chairman of Gaw Capital Partnership, commented: “The InterContinental Hong Kong is internationally acclaimed as one of the world’s best hotels and is prized for its unrivalled views of the Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong Island. Originally built as The Regent Hong Kong in 1980, the hotel was rebranded to InterContinental Hong Kong in June 2001. The hotel is primed to undergo a spectacular transformation that will position it as one of the top hotels not only in Asia, but also as one of the world’s most iconic hotels. We are absolutely delighted that after the refurbishment, we will be opening our doors once again as The Regent Hong Kong, a flagship property for the Regent brand, returning the property back to its original roots.”

Book your Regent hotel in Hong Kong and around the world in 55 countries at best rates available. Pay at the hotel. Book now at HotelWorlds.com!

Transaction Overview
1. IHG is to acquire a 51% interest in a joint venture with Formosa International Hotels Corporation to acquire the Regent Hotels and Resorts brand and associated management contracts.
2. The 51% interest will be acquired for $39 million in cash, paid in three tranches of $13 million, the first upon the date of completion, the second in 2021 and the third in 2024. These amounts will be funded within IHG’s existing capital expenditure guidance of up to $350 million gross, and $150 million net, per annum into the medium term.
3. IHG has the option to acquire the remaining 49% stake in a phased manner from 2026. This will be via a combination of put and call options, is capped, and is based on a trailing twelve-month multiple of joint venture income, which based on our current projections would result in a payment of less than $100 million.
4. There are currently 6 hotels (2.0k rooms) in the Regent system. The annual fee income of those management contracts acquired by IHG will be offset by costs associated with the JV.
5. There are currently 3 hotels (0.9k rooms) in the Regent pipeline.
6. IHG expects to grow the brand to more than 10,000 rooms (40 hotels) over the long term.
7. The transaction is expected to close during the second quarter of 2018 upon satisfaction of certain customary conditions.

About IHG
IHG®(InterContinental Hotels Group) [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global organisation with a broad portfolio of hotel brands, including InterContinental® Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton® Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo® , EVEN® Hotels, HUALUXE® Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza® Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn® , Holiday Inn Express® , Holiday Inn Club Vacations® , Holiday Inn Resort® , avid™ hotels, Staybridge Suites® and Candlewood Suites®.

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns more than 5,300 hotels and nearly 800,000 guest rooms in almost 100 countries, with nearly 1,700 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG® Rewards Club, our global loyalty programme, which has more than 100 million enrolled members.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. More than 375,000 people work across IHG’s hotels and corporate offices globally.

Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference Returns to Bangkok

Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference Returns to Bangkok

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 15, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Questex Hospitality Group, a powerhouse international conference producer, will stage the much anticipated return of Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference (APHIC), on 4-6 Jun 2018. The three-day event will be held at the JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok, Thailand.

Set in one of Asia Pacific’s key tourism gateway, APHIC provides hotel investors, owners, operators, and stakeholders with the perfect platform to explore and initiate their next deals.

In the past two years, noticeable changes to the hotel investment landscape in Asia Pacific have been observed. New challenges hindering the industry include scarcity of assets for sale, high land prices in key destinations, industry consolidations, brand proliferation, changes in distribution landscape, and new government policies.

In this challenging pursuit of ROI, APHIC will facilitate dialogues amongst 200 hotel owners/investors, operators, real estate developers, bankers/ financiers, policy makers, designers/architects, and master planners in Asia Pacific.

Gracing this year’s upcoming event are international speakers from key industry players including FICO Corporation, TCC Land Asset World, Royal Group of Companies, Ascendas Hospitality Trust, Ireka Development Management, ARCH Capital Management, Origin, property PCL, Lodgis Hospitality, HKR international, CIMB Investment Bank, Zerin Properties, and Ovolo Group.

These industry leaders will share their expert insights and experiences in driving premium yields across a wide spectrum of risk profiles. The discussion at the three-day Conference will revolve around the themes: Investment Intelligence – overviews on trends & opportunities; Investment Strategies – partnerships, products & positioning; Tactical Investment – all about numbers; and, Market Outlook – Capitalizing on opportunities and overcoming the hurdles.

Gavin Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International, said: “APHIC in Bangkok was another successful event and was a great opportunity to meet investors and also other professionals related to the hotel industry. For Swiss-Belhotel International, we made some valuable contacts and we have had a number of leads which will result in profitable business relationships being developed. We could not have done this without APHIC.”

About Questex Hospitality + Travel
The Questex Hospitality + Travel Group of Questex LLC serves the worldwide hospitality, travel and related industries that together contribute over $6 trillion to the global gross domestic product. Through an innovative platform of targeted solutions, the group serves the sector’s entire ecosystem, from tourism and hotel development and investment to hotel design, purchasing, management and operations.

The Questex Hospitality + Travel Group supports every B2B segment of the industry, from investment and development to management operations, sales and marketing of hospitality and travel products to destination development and marketing, via proven demand generation, learning, loyalty and rewards solutions as well as a network of live events.

This division of Questex is aligned around three broad market segments – hospitality, travel, and meetings – and supported by its digital media staff.

About Asia Pacific Hotel Investment Conference (APHIC)
APHIC – together with key partners – will present an opportunity for investors to gain access to new projects and new contacts from hotel owners/ investors, operators, developers, policy makers, design/architect, and master planners in Asia Pacific.

For further information, please contact:
Jefferson Mendoza
Marketing Executive
Questex Hospitality + Travel
Tel: +852 2589 1331
E-mail: jmendoza@questexasia.com
Website: ihif.questexevents.net

lebua Hosts Glamorous Celebration of Partnership with Pernod Ricard

lebua Hosts Glamorous Celebration of Partnership with Pernod Ricard

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 15, 2018 (travelindex.com) – lebua Hotels and Resorts is hosting a grand event celebrating their 12-year partnership with Pernod Ricard. The event marks Mezzaluna’s Michelin Two Star Award and the anniversary of lebua’s successful collaborations with Pernod Ricard including the creation of Flute – A Perrier-Jouët Bar, which brought lebua exclusive vintages of Perrier-Jouët champagne, and last year’s launch of Alfresco 64 – A Chivas Bar, which marked the creation of lebua’s own exclusive whisky blend by Chivas Regal. The event will close with a preview of lebua’s newest additions to The Dome at lebua – the upcoming Japanese restaurant and bar, Sukai Omakase and Bar Sukai.

The event will be a celebration, ending at midnight, and will traverse The Dome at lebua beginning with a champagne tasting at Flute and ending at the State Room on the 67th floor, the venue for the upcoming Japanese restaurant and bar.

“Pernod Ricard have been amazing partners throughout the years and have been instrumental in building The Dome at lebua into what it is today. We’ve had a number of monumental occasions in collaboration with Pernod Ricard and hope to have many more in the years to come. This event is a celebration of everything we have already accomplished and all we have yet to do,” said Deepak Ohri, CEO of lebua Hotels and Resorts.

Guests will be invited to join lebua and Pernod Ricard at Flute – A Perrier-Jouët Bar to enjoy a champagne tasting featuring exclusive vintages from Perrier-Jouët to mark Flute’s two-year anniversary. From Flute, guests will move to Alfresco 64 – A Chivas Bar to commemorate Alfresco 64’s first anniversary. The evening will feature premium Chivas Regal whisky and whisky cocktails, a gourmet selection of snacks and music from a live DJ.

The piece de resistance of the evening will be the unveiling of the venue for the upcoming Japanese restaurant, Sukai Omakase, the State Room on the 67th floor of lebua’s State Tower. The State Room will be transformed into a nightclub featuring world-class DJs and a premium spirits selection.

“Our strong partnership with lebua has resulted in an amazing business expansion on Pernod Ricard brands with a double digit sales growth every year”, said Quentin Job, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Thailand. The partnership between lebua Hotels and Resorts has been incredibly successful. In the 12 years since the partnership began, the collaboration has made its mark on the Bangkok skyline and resulted in international acclaim following the launch of Flute – A Perrier-Jouët Bar and Alfresco 64 – A Chivas Bar.

About lebua Hotels and Resorts
lebua Hotels and Resorts is a growing international luxury brand that operates distinctive hotels, fine restaurants and bars. Led by visionary CEO Deepak Ohri, Bangkok-based lebua takes a unique approach to hospitality that aspires to tap into a deeper level of exchange with guests to illicit emotional connections. lebua’s award-wining lodging collection includes Bangkok’s best-performing luxury hotels, four boutique hotels in India and an exclusive property in New Zealand. The Dome at lebua, the group’s collection of restaurants and bars atop its Bangkok hotels, include Breeze, Sirocco, Sky Bar, Flûte – A Perrier- Jouët Bar, the signature Mezzaluna restaurant, which was recently awarded two Michelin stars, and the newly launched Alfresco 64 – A Chivas Bar, the highest whisky bar in the world. lebua is currently exploring hotel management contracts in city and resort destinations worldwide.

About Pernod Ricard
Pernod Ricard is the world’s No 2 in wines and spirits with net sales of €9,010 million in 2016/17. Pernod Ricard holds one of the most prestigious brand portfolios in the sector: Absolut Vodka, Ricard pastis,Ballantine’s, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martellcognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Kahlúa and Malibu liqueurs, Mumm and Perrier Jouët champagnes, as well St.Hugo, Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Campo Viejo, Graffigna and Kenwood wines. Pernod Ricard Thailand is one of 85 market companies globally and was established in 2002. Pernod Ricard Thailand has been the wine andspirits partner of lebua since 2006, collaborating to create the world’s highest al fresco champagne bar, Flûte – A Perrier-Jouët Bar, and now partnering again on the world’s highest outdoor whisky bar: Alfresco 64 – A Chivas Bar.

lebua Hotels & Resorts – Bangkok Team
Rawiwan Boonmaparsit
Public Relations Manager
T: +66 (0) 2624 9999
Email: rawiwan@lebua.com

Pavarin Hotrabhavananda
Public Relations Manager
T: +66 (0) 2624 9999
Email: pavarin@lebua.com

The Philippines to Showcase its Golf Courses to a Worldwide Audience

The Philippines to Showcase its Golf Courses to a Worldwide Audience

Manila (Philippines) – March 15, 2018 (travelindex.com) – More than 200 golf tour operators from around the world will participate in the largest series of golf familiarisation tours ever undertaken in Asia when the Philippines hosts the region’s annual gathering of golf tourism professionals, the Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC), in April.

The Asia Convention is organised by global golf tourism industry body IAGTO, and Chief Executive Peter Walton commented: “One of our objectives with AGTC each year is to ensure that the destination benefits directly from the event in a really significant way.

“As an emerging golf destination, only 21% of our 424 golf tour operators selling golf vacations to Asia feature the Philippines, so we were determined to get as many tour operators to really experience golf in the Philippines first-hand either before or after the Convention itself. I am delighted to announce that as a result of these efforts, sponsored by the country’s Tourism Promotions Board, 215 golf tour operator delegates from 35 countries have already committed to the AGTC Fam Tours making this the largest golf fam trip to have ever taken place in Asia.”

Tour operators will visit the three main golf destinations: Tagaytay Highlands, Clark-Angeles City and Boracay Island. They will also experience golf in metro Manila itself at the iconic Southwoods and Wack Wack golf clubs during the AGTC Golf Tournament, which will follow two days of meetings between seller companies and organisations across Asia – including destination tourist boards, golf resorts, golf clubs, hotels, transportation companies and other golf tourism service providers – and the golf tour operator buyers.

Most courses in the Philippines are located south of Manila. The Tagaytay Highlands lie at the heart of this region, a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. The quiet resort town of Tagaytay sits alongside a volcanic lake amidst a stunning backdrop of volcanoes, with golf courses close by and near Lipa, an hour away.

Pre-AGTC fam destination Boracay is a small but popular tropical resort island a short flight and ferry ride from Manila with a golf course, private beach coves and extensive facilities and activities at the Fairways & Bluewater resort, which takes up 15% of the island.

Three hours by road from Manila and only 20 minutes apart, the twin cities of Clark and Angeles host another AGTC trip. They could not be more different – Clark is a freeport zone offering quiet, tree- lined avenues and casino hotels while Angeles City is a vibrant 24-hour city – but together they comprise a compelling Philippine golf destination with excellent golf courses nearby.

The Philippines golf tourism industry is coordinated by the Association of International Golf Tour Operators Philippines (AIGTP) and its President, Connie Mamaril, said: “The Philippines has a hundred golf courses throughout the archipelago of 7,100 islands with varying designs overlooking the ocean, rivers, volcanoes and mountains with standards enticing to the international market and competitive green fees. The added charm of English-speaking caddies makes the entire golfing experience unforgettable.”

AGTC 2018 will take place in Manila from 22-25 April and has already attracted a record number of buyers, with 75% emanating from the country’s principal Asia Pacific markets.

Recognising the impact that AGTC will have on its golf tourism industry, Philippines Tourism Promotion Board Chief Operating Officer Cesar Montano said: “The Department of Tourism (DOT) through the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) is looking forward to a most successful tourism convention. Hosting the AGTC 2018 is an impetus for Philippine golf tourism and our other sports industries. We warmly welcome partnering with institutions and agencies to bring forward the Philippines as the preferred sports destination in Southeast Asia. It is my pleasure to welcome the most influential golf tour operators selling Asian golf destinations to our beautiful islands through the AGTC. I invite you all to enjoy our fairways and treat our beautiful golf courses as your own home courses. Mabuhay!”

In a clear sign that all pillars of The Philippines’ golf tourism industry are pulling together to attract golf visitors, Philippine Airlines has been appointed as the AGTC 2018 Official Airline.

Find out more about the Best Golf Courses and the Top 25 Golf Courses in the Philippines here!

About IAGTO
Established in 1997, IAGTO is the global trade organisation of the golf tourism industry, and has over 2500 members in 98 countries including over 670 golf tour operator members in 65 countries, which control more than 87% of golf holiday packages sold worldwide and which collectively have annual sales of more than €2.1 billion. IAGTO runs annual Asia and North America Golf Tourism Conventions, along with regular Destination Conventions. IAGTO established the International Golf Travel Market, now owned and operated by Reed Travel Exhibitions, in 1997 and the Internatio nal Golf Travel Writers Association in 2000. IAGTO also runs the prestigious annual IAGTO Awards and the IAGTO Excellence Awards.

IAGTO Ltd is registered in England as a Professional Membership Organisation.
Registered No. 3507678 – UK SIC 9112, Concorde House, Grenville Place, London NW7 3SA, United Kingdom.

Global Tourism Economy Forum Continues Sino-European Tourism Cooperation

Global Tourism Economy Forum Continues Sino-European Tourism Cooperation

Macao (Macao SAR) – March 15, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (GTERC) just made its annual presence at ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel trade show, to promote the 2018 edition of the Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF or the Forum), the first forum to discuss global tourism economy in the context of China’s far-reaching Belt and Road Initiative.

Pioneering topics at the top of the public-private agenda, and focusing on creating opportunities for tourism promotion, investment and cooperation, GTEF 2018 will be held in Macao on October 23 and 24 under the theme of “Strategic Partnership in a New Era, Rising Momentum for a Shared Future”. An official event supporting the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year (ECTY 2018), GTEF 2018 will present two of the most vibrant economic regions of the world. Besides showcasing the European Union (EU) as Featured Partner Region, this edition will also highlight the Guangdong Province as Featured Chinese Province in support of the Central Government’s plan for the development of a city cluster in the Greater Bay Area. GTEF 2018 will use its pragmatic tourism exchange platform to drive discussions on strengthening EU-China commercial and cultural exchanges, and to provide opportunities to build EU-China cooperation and partnership through bilateral trade meetings, business matching, networking, workshops, exhibitions, etc.

Entering into its 52nd edition, ITB Berlin provides a platform for over 10,000 exhibitors from over 180 countries to connect with global tourism peers and explore cooperation opportunities. During ITB Berlin, GTERC representatives met with tourism and economy officials and industry leaders from numerous European countries including Ms. Nikolina Angelkova, Minister of Tourism of Bulgaria; Mr. Gari Cappelli, Minister of Tourism of Croatia; Mr. Tarmo Mutso, Director of Estonian Tourist Board of Estonia; Mr. Zoltan Kovacs, Director General of Tourism Section, Ministry of Transport and Construction of the Slovak Republic; Mr. Ricky Wohl, Director General of Tourism, Ministry of Economy of Luxembourg; Mr. Filipe Silva, Board Member of Turismo de Portugal; Ms. Alessandra Priante, Head of International Relations for Tourism Policy and Italian Cultural Expert for the Gulf Region, Directorate for Tourism, Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Italy; Mr. Alexander Stedtfeld, Deputy Head of Unit, Tourism Policy, Department for SME Policy, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (DZT) of Germany; Mr. Burkhardt Kieker, Chief Executive Officer of VisitBerlin; representatives of Visit Holland, Visit Finland and Visit Sweden; as well as Mr. Eduardo Santander, Executive Director of European Tourism Commission; Mr. Norbert Fiebig, President of The German Travel Association (DRV) of Germany; and Mr. David Axiotis, General Manager of ITB China.

These meetings served to introduce cooperation opportunities offered by the Forum, and to enhance the European stakeholders’ understanding of Macao’s reinvented international image and its world-class MICE capabilities.

Stay tuned for more information via www.gte-forum.com and wechat ID: GTEForum

About Global Tourism Economy Forum
The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) is hosted by the Secretariat for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, co-organized by the China Chamber of Tourism under the authorization of All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce (ACFIC), and coordinated by GTERC in collaboration with UNWTO. GTEF’s supporting units include the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR, China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), European Travel Commission (ETC) and Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO).

Since its inception in 2012, GTEF has successfully established itself as an influential high-level cooperation platform to promote sustainable development in the global tourism industry with a focus on China. To date, GTEF had received 3 more than 8,000 participants from 83 countries and regions, including delegations from 105 provinces and cities of Mainland China; and 437 internationally renowned speakers.

For media enquiries, please contact Mazarine Asia Pacific:
Ms. Esther Chan
Telephone:+852 3678 0109
E-mail:esther.chan@mazarineap.com

Art In Motion, The New Rolls-Royce Phantom

Art In Motion, The New Rolls-Royce Phantom

Bangkok (Thailand) – March 12, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the pinnacle purveyors of super luxury, will debut the all-new Phantom Extended Wheelbase to regional audiences at the 39th Bangkok International Motor Show 2018. At the same time, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will also reveal a one-off Bespoke piece of art inspired by Thailand, made by porcelain craftsmen Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg.

The grand debut of this top-of-the-range model reaffirms the brand’s commitment to Thailand, the only South East Asian country with three Rolls-Royce showrooms, as an important market in the Asia-Pacific region with truly discerning patrons of luxury.

Power and Presence
For 93 years, only one car has continuously earned the title of being ‘The Best Car in the World’, and had the privilege of conveying some of the world’s most influential and powerful men and women to the most defining moments in history.

With an all-new design language that embodies power and presence, New Phantom promises to be a rare and magnificent sight around downtown Bangkok.

Rolls-Royce’s famed Magic Carpet Ride is enhanced thanks to a new four-corner air suspension system, an intelligent stereo camera system that reads the road ahead, and more than 130kg of soundproofing material padded into the car.

The result is an overall driver and occupant experience 10% quieter than the previous generation Phantom – a car already critically-acclaimed for its near-silent ride quality.

The beating heart of New Phantom is an all-new twin-turbocharged V12 that produces 563bhp and 900Nm, with maximum torque generated from just 1,700rpm. Power is delivered silently and effortlessly, further enhancing the Magic Carpet Ride.

One of One
The all-new Rolls-Royce Phantom brings with it a host of new technological innovations and effortless power, whilst taking Rolls-Royce’s signature hallmark of Bespoke handmade luxury and automotive art to levels never before seen.

Inside the new Rolls-Royce Phantom, an uninterrupted application of glass across the front fascia provides an unprecedented opportunity to present artwork, within your motor car.

An understanding that the super-luxury marque’s patrons are increasingly collectors of fine and contemporary art led the Rolls-Royce Design Team, fronted by Design Director, Giles Taylor, to create a space behind this glass in which patrons can commission and curate art, a space aptly named ‘The Gallery’.

“As patrons increasingly commission a Rolls-Royce for its aesthetic power, they trust in the knowledge that only the finest materials fashioned at the hands of a collective of skilled artisans will produce a motor car that transcends its primary role as a means of conveyance, to become a meaningful and substantive expression of art, design and engineering excellence. ‘The Gallery’ is an innovation that furthers Rolls- Royce’s unparalleled Bespoke capabilities. Patrons are now invited to commission artworks for their own personal Gallery within Phantom, in essence, bringing art, within art.” Torsten Müller Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said.

Rolls-Royce’s standing as creator of the most celebrated objects in the world is informed by an intimate understanding that true luxury is personal. This philosophy has driven the marque’s collective of designers, artisans and engineers to constantly evolve the canvas from which patrons of luxury can express their tastes and lifestyle requirements.

An intrinsic part of the Rolls-Royce Design team’s responsibility is to understand and immerse themselves in a world of luxury far beyond automotive horizons. Drawing inspiration from the worlds of fashion, art and design, the collective continually examines the work of experts in their fields, furthering skills and knowledge in order to push the boundaries beyond the limitations car designers are usually confined to.

From a simple application of wood or metal, to a more complex use of materials not normally viable in an automotive context and enhanced by incorporating relief, ‘The Gallery’ extends the patron’s experience of curation with the marque to a new realm.

In this spirit, Alex Innes, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Designer and Creative Lead Designer of ‘The Gallery’ Artist. Commissions, has invited artists and master artisans from around the world to interpret ‘The Gallery’.

The result? A collection of unique and artistic creations, free from the constraints of automotive design, to inspire the marque’s patrons, in a way that only Rolls-Royce can.

Thorsten Franck – Digital Soul
A truly Bespoke commission, Thorsten Franck’s Rolls-Royce Phantom Gallery, Digital Soul, is an artistic interpretation of its Patron’s DNA. Thorsten, from Munich, Germany, is a product designer who acts as a conduit between computer-generated design, additive manufacturing and hand-craftsmanship. Thorsten’s fusion of human endeavour with technology results in a work which juxtaposes the pre-

disposed expectations of additive manufacturing and computer generated design by creating an alluring and visually complex fascia for New Phantom, adapting the use of technology to render an artwork as unique as a fingerprint.

Franck begins by capturing the patron’s character in a unique algorithm. This data is then transcribed using the art of 3D printing, forming the largest piece of 3D printed stainless steel featured in a production car, made possible only by this use of additive manufacturing.

Here, traditional artisanal craft blends exquisitely with tomorrow’s production methods. More than one day of polishing produced a work worthy of being plated in 24 carat gold. The work interacts with the changing light of the day, reflecting brilliance whilst casting shadows. The visual characteristics of gold ensure each observer’s experience will be a personal one dictated by their physical position in Phantom and the strength of the sun’s rays or soft glow of the up-lit stage lights on the gold, set within ‘The Gallery’.

Thorsten Franck said of the commission, “Additive manufacturing is often viewed as a convenience or solution. My work embraces this technology and manipulates it to produce a unique work of art that could not be created by man alone. I have mapped an algorithm to interpret your soul. The visual aesthetics of gold change throughout the day by reflecting the light; there is life in this sculpture.”

Porzellan Manufaktur Nymphenburg – Immortal Beauty
A truly individual rose, conceived and bred exclusively for Rolls-Royce in the English countryside by award-winning Harkness Roses, was flown to the Nymphenburg Palace in Bavaria, Southern Germany, to awaiting master artisans from world-renowned porcelain manufacturer Nymphenburg. Here, the rose was examined in its varying stages, from bud to lush flower in full bloom, and crafted freely by hand in the finest of porcelain for the elegant sanctuary of ‘The Gallery’.

For this collaboration, a new porcelain formula was developed in the manufacturer in Munich, Germany.

The development process alone lasted three months in order to create porcelain as fine as the petal of the rose itself. The range of roses depicted shows the varying stages of the life of this rose, with some of the most elaborate blossoms consisting of up to 80 individual elements freely shaped by hand.

The delicate aesthetic is accented in a contemporary way by the marriage of black and white, a pairing uniquely perfected for this artwork. Until now, the processing of white and black porcelain paste has been strictly separated in the manufactory’s production process, as even the smallest residue of black paste on a craftsperson’s tools, invisible to the naked eye, leads to impurities that only become visible after firing. Black porcelain had previously been held for the preserve of casting, meaning the black paste had to be developed to ensure it was as malleable as its white counterpart. For this unique design, white and black paste has been created in parallel, in the same soft state, at the workstation of Anton Hörl, a master craftsman for Nymphenburg for over 40 years.

But each individual blossom only acquires its final appearance when it is fired. Since the porcelain changes during the firing process, and also shrinks by 17 per cent, individual firing supports have had to be made. Also made from porcelain, these supported the blossoms and leaves, preventing the draw of gravity. The white and black bisque porcelain has been fired in a single process for the first time, requiring the expert knowledge of the Nyphenburg kiln foremen, who have developed a process with different firing curves, which achieve an optimal result in just one firing process.

Anton Hörl, Master Porcelain Maker, Nymphenburg, commented, “Nature is simply perfect and imitating it is a challenge. We as artists have to ensure that our emulation does nature justice. I wanted to feel the tension of each individual blossom. The observer must be able to recognise not only the variety, but also its unique character.”

The rose, bred for Rolls-Royce by Philip Harkness of Harkness Roses, was developed for its strength, resilience and intricate bloom. The flower is large, opening from a plump rounded bud into a large cupped bloom. The rose is strong with an admirable resistance to disease.

Sina Maria Eggl, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Designer, said, “Our search for the quintessential English rose led us to award-winning Harkness Roses. Here we collaboratively bred a rose worthy of its newly found immortal being. Nymphenburg and Rolls-Royce engaged in an artistic dialogue, allowing an advancement of existing methods of manufacture and shifting the limits of what’s possible.”

Rose breeder Philip Harkness of Harkness Roses, added, “A rose has the ability to captivate you on many levels. It is a thing of beauty, it can stimulate the senses with wonderful perfume, the soft touch of the petals or the rasping pain from a thorn. It touches our emotions, signifies love and appears in some of our finest poetry. How can a simple flower live up to this expectation? The new rose that Rolls-Royce has commissioned makes easy work of the task. Observe the glory of the bloom. There can be few more enjoyable experiences, thanks to the unending generosity and diversity of nature captured in one single rose.”

Helen Amy Murray – Whispered Muse
British artist Helen Amy Murray reinterprets an icon. On visiting the Home of Rolls-Royce, Helen encountered the figurine of the Spirit of Ecstasy which led her to an exploration of the line drawings of its creator, sculptor and illustrator Charles Sykes. The Spirit of Ecstasy, based on Sykes’ original bronze statue

‘The Whisper’, has graced the prow of every Rolls-Royce motor car since 1911 and in doing so, has become a muse to artists around the world for over 100 years.

Helen is an artist with a natural affinity with fabric. Her work masterfully sculpts textiles, most frequently leather, suede and their faux counterparts, into unique three-dimensional decorative surfaces and compelling works of art. With a wide portfolio ranging from large-scale wall hangings to unique pieces of furniture, Helen’s work captivates in its sculpted textural form.

With a Masters Degree in Textile Design from London’s Central St Martins, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Colour and Trim Designer, Cherica Haye, was perfectly placed to collaborate with Helen. Together, they experimented, developed and refined various iterations of this Gallery’s design.

Helen has skilfully created a work for New Phantom’s Gallery with a dual illusion. On first glance, a serene landscape emerges from a delicate organic form. The sculpted silk appliqué provides a mesmerising aesthetic with a linear style, from which, on closer examination, a subtle draped female form appears, the wing of the elusive Spirit of Ecstasy. Even then, she appears shrouded in mystery, with the design only hinting at her form through the delicate silhouette of the line of her neck that emerges from the edge of

By creating different planes to the design through directional sculpting, Helen has created individual contours, beautiful in their own right, that fuse together to form a larger cohesive figural form.

Helen Amy Murray, artist, said of the design, “I was inspired by the ethereal quality of the illustrations of The Spirit of Ecstasy by Charles Sykes. They led me to incorporate the female form into my work; I wanted my Gallery commission to look soft and organic. The subtle spacing of lines brings the draped figure into perspective.”

Cherica Haye, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Colour and Trim Designer commented, “The Spirit of Ecstasy extends her graceful wing to enrapture her passengers and convey them to a serene sanctuary, where the whisper of flight imbues calmness and tranquillity in Helen Amy Murray’s Phantom Gallery. A true connection can be felt between Helen’s materials and the subject, enhancing the graceful ambience of the Phantom’s calm interior.”

Based Upon – A Moment in Time
“The sweet spot of luxury is a beautiful crafted object, but somehow at the core of the object, is something that is personal to the client.” Ian Abel, Co-founder, Based Upon.

It is a resonant understanding of this belief that led Rolls-Royce to Based Upon, a collective of artists located in the heart of London’s East End. A desire to commission an item so personal it becomes a treasured legacy, surpassing superficial material acquisition to become true luxury, is epitomised in A Moment in Time. The work beguiles, speaking of the perceived control on time that Phantom commands. Time stands still as you encounter the presence of the motor car.

Considered storytelling is at the heart of Based Upon’s ethos. The collective journeys the world uncovering rich narratives to inform works ranging from public sculpture to finely crafted surface applications for private residences, which have aesthetics at the fore, blurring the lines of function and meaning.

Personal significance lies at the core of both Based Upon and Rolls-Royce’s endeavour. The former, with tales of the patron interwoven to the heart of its being, the latter, an item which transcends its original role, to become an aesthetic representation of personal endeavour.

On exploring the foundations of the world’s most celebrated brand, Based Upon uncovered a marque that was founded on experimentation, bold excitement and a desire to accomplish feats that were deemed impossible. “This, excited us”, commented Ian Abell, Based Upon’s co-founder. “When you get a brand like Rolls-Royce that has a brand value that’s so heavy and so weighty in the consciousness of design, of luxury, of Britain, of innovation, combined with The Gallery’s specific brief and parameters of project, we got excited with that.”

“The spirit of Rolls-Royce, namely, speed with silence, absence of vibration, the mysterious harnessing of great energy, and a beautiful living organism of superb grace…”, the prose of Claude Johnson, Managing Director of Rolls-Royce at the time of the Hon. Charles Rolls and Sir Henry Royce. Based Upon sought to encapsulate this spirit which is still found at the heart of the marque today, alive in the Spirit of Ecstasy as she graces the prow of each motor car made at the Home of Rolls-Royce.

This led to Based Upon’s interpretation of New Phantom’s Gallery. Lex Welch, Co-founder of Based Upon, commented, “We tried to capture a moment as though the Spirit of Ecstasy’s shawl was allowed to drape over the car at high speed, capturing that moment that leaves time standing still, as the Spirit of Ecstasy trails all in her wake.”

The creation of A Moment in Time is as remarkable as its muse. A swath of silk was pulled through a tank of water, weighted and suspended, controlling this moment. Captured on camera, the resulting fluid form was then analysed by the Rolls-Royce Design team and the artists of Based Upon, before being remastered in clay. A malleable wax sculpture was then reworked to optimise the impact of ‘The Gallery’s’ space. This final interpretation was machined from a solid billet of aluminium, polished to accentuate the curvature of the alluded fabric.

Alex Innes, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Designer, said of the collaboration, “Based Upon incorporate the essence of true luxury into every element of their work. From the research and development, to materials and execution, theirs is a perfect art of intellect and skill, melded with an abundance of creativity. Their interpretation of ‘The Gallery’ is a truly emotive adaptation of the presence of Phantom.”

Richard Fox – Astrum
Phantom has been the canvas for some of the most opulent expressions of true luxury in recent years. From handwoven, hand-embroidered and hand-painted silk, to elaborate depictions of cityscapes made from thousands of individually set pieces of marquetry, Phantom embodies the Bespoke wishes of patrons like no other.

British Designer and Goldsmith, Richard Fox, has himself been part of Phantom’s rich history. The allure of gemstones and the desire of Phantom’s patrons to furnish their interior cabin with precious metals and captivating stones has led Richard Fox to embellish many personal Rolls-Royce commissions with precious and semi-precious jewels including diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, rubies and Tanzanite.

Astrum, meaning star, constellation, glory, immortality and Heaven, was a concept produced by Alex Innes of Rolls-Royce Bespoke Design and Richard Fox of Fox Silver for New Phantom’s Gallery.

Inspiration was sought from artists who had explored the starburst formation in both the natural and man-made world. Sea urchins and plants, explosions and skyscapes, all had influence on Astrum’s final design.

A star burst emanates from a centrally placed single brilliant cut diamond, encased in platinum. Each solid silver spear, filed, soldered, shaped and hand-polished, has been created to carry pear-cut amethysts, evoking a precious jewel-like quality to the artwork. The backing has been engraved with a guilloche effect, a technique found in the finest of jewellery, formed to incorporate the curvature of the dashboard and to provide visual depth to ‘The Gallery’. A rich amethyst lacquer, named Violet de Nuit, is used to reflect and intensify the colour of the stones carried at the ends of the spears.

The clock, viewed by many patrons as the jewel of the interior, carries an additional guilloche design in sterling silver with the same amethyst tint complementing that of the main body of work. Fine wires have been laser-welded to the spears, positioned so the stones stand proudly against the resplendent backdrop.

Alex Innes, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Designer, said of the commission, “Richard Fox’s work can be found in some of our recent most highly Bespoke iterations of Phantom. It is fitting therefore that he has turned his hand to ‘The Gallery’, a space in which patrons are invited to commission unique works of art, to bring objet d’art to the centre stage of their New Phantom.”

Richard Fox MDes RCA commented, “The Gallery offers patrons of Phantom an unparalleled level of Bespoke opportunities. The use of natural gemstones and a brilliant cut diamond will bring movement to ‘The Gallery’, as light refracts, accentuating the depth of the design. This work brings an entirely new interpretation of diamonds to the dashboard.”

Nature Squared – Iridescent Opulence
Wings of flight transcend the worldly stage to cosset Phantom’s occupants in rich, iridescent, sumptuous luxury.

Swiss-based Nature Squared creates beautiful things for beautiful spaces. Applying heritage artistic crafts to ethically sourced and sustainable natural materials, Nature Squared embrace technical innovation to transform nature’s beauty. In a move that echo’s the views of Rolls-Royce, Nature Squared embraces artisanal skills which are the antithesis of mass production. Their work can be found in the upper echelons of many industries where a desire to be surrounded by objects of outstanding natural beauty prevails.

Alex Innes, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Designer and Creative Lead Designer of the artistic Gallery commissions, commented, “Nature Squared is an established materials specialist which creates astoundingly beautiful finishes using the latest technology to transform sustainable natural materials. A desire to redefine expectations of the use of these natural sources leads Nature Squared to an unrivalled realm with luxury at its core.”

For their Phantom Gallery commission, Nature Squared was inspired to work with items that have until now been impossible to incorporate into a motor car. Feathers, which exude luxury, are a bold and progressive aesthetic to incorporate into an automotive context. Extensive research was carried out to identify a sustainable species of bird with a rich dense plumage which would provide an opulent and decadent interior to adorn Phantom’s Gallery. Over 3,000 tail feathers were selected for their iridescence,

individually shaped to accentuate the sheen and rich hue of the natural feathers and hand-sewn onto an open pore fabric in a design that originates from the heart of ‘The Gallery’, the clock. Additive manufacturing was used to emulate the musculature of a natural wing to bring life to the creation, creating an atmospheric artwork that brings both movement and fragility to this Gallery.

The clock alone is a work to be revered. Continuing their exploration of organic materials, the centrepiece is inlaid with ethically and sustainably sourced Jade green abalone, which emphasises the lustrous texture of the feathers.

Martin Ehrath, Head of Research and Development for Nature Squared, commented, “The inky iridescence and sumptuous texture of the feathers provide a sense of true luxury. Phantom’s clock has been softly cossetted by feathers, their fragility protected by ‘The Gallery’s’ glass fascia. The timeless beauty and elegant grace of this Gallery is preserved in the sanctity of Phantom’s interior.”

Liang Yuanwei – Autumn Palette
Liang Yuanwei is a widely acclaimed and internationally exhibited Chinese artist. In her commission for the New Phantom, she ponders the Autumnal tones of the English countryside that surround the Home of Rolls-Royce in West Sussex, which she encountered during her time with the marque. The atmospheric countryside of England, with fertile soil and abundant vegetation and differing layers of colours from green to yellow, even red, are redolent in her artwork for ‘The Gallery’.

Liang Yuanwei said of the commission, “My artwork for ‘The Gallery’ is reflective of the impression that I get from the marque, having seen the human and natural environment of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ headquarters. I wanted to capture the atmosphere and reproduce it. That feeling is sophisticated, a sophistication that envelops you.”

Liang Yuanwei applies paint so thickly that it appears almost sculpted, carving floral and geometric patterns whose fissures are filled with additional layers of paint to create a finish resembling silk or satin. Her work masterfully captures the impression and texture of fabric through her application of paint. Here, from seemingly random strokes applied from left to right, come exquisite forms. In a serene and meditative scene, the closer you observe, the more you find.

Alex Innes, Rolls-Royce Bespoke Designer commented, “The landscape in which artists present their work is evolving. Liang Yuanwei embraces the opportunity presented by the New Phantom Gallery to create a mesmerising painting that is reminiscent of the countryside surrounding the Home of Rolls-Royce.”

“I saw that it was possible to combine my artistic vision with the vision of Rolls-Royce. I have found a common ground between my own creative system and what I feel is the culture of Rolls-Royce. My work references this. commented Liang Yuanwei.

She continued, “Like painting, the many aesthetic details of a car represent the brand’s values and heritage.

In each historical era, a brand must choose a particular direction over other options. This choice represents its view of the world in that era. Over time, a brand’s culture is passed on to the present. Some things persist, some things elapse, some things are abandoned, and some things evolve. This is the way of inheritance with a sense of responsibility, like the detailed strokes of a painting. This is also the approach to my work.”

Contact information:
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Bangkok
999, Rama 3 Road, Bangkhlo, Bangkholaem
Bangkok 10120 Thailand
Telephone +66 (0)2 670 6060
https:// www.rolls-roycemotorcars-bangkok.com/

Regional – Asia Pacific – South
Hal Serudin
+65 6838 9675
hal.serudin@rolls-roycemotorcars.com

Brendan Mok
+65 6838 9687
brendan.mok@rolls-roycemotorcars.com

Miss Vietnam Crowned Miss International Queen 2018

Miss Vietnam Crowned Miss International Queen 2018

Pattaya, Cholburi (Thailand) – March 9 2018 (travelindex.com) – Tiffany’s Show Theatre Pattaya, the management of the world-class transgender pageant – Miss International Queen 2018 – this year has its focus on True Identity, with 27 contestants representing 27 countries. The beauty camp was from 27 February – 1 March. The final round, the crowning day of Miss International Queen 2018 was held on Friday, 9 March 2018 at Tiffany’s Show Theatre Pataya, Cholburi province, with the following awards presentation:

Miss International Queen 2018 : No.28 Nguyen Huong Giang, Vietnam
– First runner-up No. 2 Jacqueline, Australia
– Second runner-up Rinrada Thurapan Thailand
– Best Evening Gown . No.27 Michel Epalza Betancourt, Venezuela
– Best National Costume. No. 9 Dinda Syarif, Indonesia
– Miss Photogenic. No.3 Izabele Coimbra, Brazil
– Most Popular Introductory No.28 Nguyen Huong Giang, Vietnam
– Best Talent . No.28 Nguyen Huong Giang, Vietnam
– Miss Congeniality. No.7 Amelia Vega, Honduras

About Miss International Queen
Miss International Queen is the world’s largest and most prestigious beauty pageant for transgender women from different parts of the world. It is held annually in Pattaya City, Thailand since 2004. The mission of the pageant aims towards LGBT and Transgender awareness and equality in both society and workforce, while all the monetary profits of the actual televised show goes to the Royal Charity AIDS Foundation of Thailand.

The contestants must have been born male, can be pre or post-operation and between the age of 18 to 35. In addition, participants can only represent their country of birth or that listed in their passport and must not have previously joined any magazine publication/website/adult film/prostitution showcasing total frontal nudity. Previous winners or runner-up contestants are not allowed to join again. Repeat non-placement candidates are allowed to re-submit their credentials and application.

Only about 25 semi-final contestants chosen would go on to compete in the final round and are required to participate in 2 weeks activities: photo shoots, luncheons with city’s officials, dinner with the press, visit sponsors and community outreach, similar conditions to competitors in the female beauty pageant. The final show will be aired on live broadcast Thailand’s television as well as live online streaming.

Contact information:
PITON Communications
Cholawon – Tay
Tel. 0897809948
Email: taywongin@gmail.com
Buranii – Ton
Tel. 0994196324
Email: buranii@piton.biz

Tiffany’s Show Pataya
Tel. 038 421 700-5
Duanghatai (Poyjai)
Tel. 0818549878
Email: pr@tiffany-show.co.th

Balloons at Sunrise in the Skies over Chiang Mai at Balloon Festival

Balloons at Sunrise in the Skies over Chiang Mai at Balloon Festival

Chiang Mai (Thailand) – March 12, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The Thailand International Balloon Festival in Chiang Mai celebrated it’s 10th anniversary of Thailand’s first and only International Balloon Festival, from 2 to 4 March at the Cowboy Army Riding Club, Chiang Mai.

Thailand International Balloon Festival is considered top of the most popular balloon events in Thailand and South-East Asia, with participants from as far as the United Kingdom and Germany.

The exciting sensation of hot air balloons rising serenely into the morning skies, creating a sense of adventure and a sense of freedom that draws visitors to the Thailand International Balloon Festival for the last 10 years.

Visitors enjoyed spectacular sights of colourful hot air balloons gracefully drift through the air, and the festival’s signature, sensational balloons night glow decorated Chiang Mai’s sky at night. This year was the first time ever in the world that “The Sparkling Glow” of the balloon nightglow created by Sornchat Krainara, the Festival’s Owner and her Boon Companion Composer, Bringkop Vora-Urai. The night glow was synchronised with specially composed music with the Lanna Orchestra combine The Tiger Drum and Opera which has never performed anywhere before.

The spectacular Thailand International Balloon Festival is more than hot air balloons but a fun-loving festival held over three days, combining plenty of special attractions, activities for the whole family and delicious food from top hotels and restaurants in Chiang Mai.

One of the special guests was Thai celebrity chef Som Chanakarn, displaying his talents. Guests could also enjoy the coffee carnival showcasing some of the best coffee that Thailand has on offer and many other events as art exhibitions and workshops as well as Thai fashion and jewellery shows from famous Thai designers.

Mark your calendars early and make sure you don’t miss next year’s International Balloon Festival in Chiang Mai.

For more information please contact:
Ms. Napat Sonto (Joy)
Mobile: 081 3068914
Email: napat.sonto@gmail.com
Line ID: mena29