Category: Latest Travel News

Bangkok (Thailand) – May 21, 2018 (travelindex.com) – As the old saying goes “There are fish in the waters. There is rice in the fields”, this saying truly reflects the greatness of Thailand, the kingdom of food. Thailand’s rich culture, art, and tradition that passed down from generation to generation have selectively created the unique taste of Thai cuisine.

R-HAAN restaurant focuses on the heart of Thai cookery. Each menu is seasoned and cooked by highly experienced Thai food chef with only the best ingredients as strictly prescribed by traditional recipes. No wonder each dish is filled with the charm of Thai cuisine.

Each dish served on the table not only represents the true taste of Thai food, but also reflects the art of royal utensils during the Rattanakosin Era. Every single menu is presented on a beautiful and hand-crafted utensil made by professional crafters. This truly shows how R-HAAN is committed to the best. The real traditional Thai cuisine and the happiness from every single delicious bite are what R-HAAN strives for.

From inspiration to reality, Chef Chumpol Jangprai, or widely known as the “master chef” of Thai cuisine, has spent his entire life learning, experimenting, and developing his Thai recipes including researching and sourcing the best local ingredients. Today, Chef Chumpol and his partner, Mr. Piti Bhirombhakdi, Thailand’s famous Food and Beverage company heir, are ready to pursue their dream of presenting the essence of authentic Thai food and the charm of Thai cuisine. From the profound love for authentic Thai food, the fine-dining Thai restaurant called R-HAAN was finally launched and is ready to serve you the best experience of Thai cuisine.

The Wisdom of Thai Cuisine

The Wisdom of Thai Cuisine comprises 5 elements.
Thailand is fortunate to have abundant “local food ingredients”. R-HAAN selects only the best ingredients from every corner of Thailand such as Red Snapper from Bang Pakong, Flower Crab from Pak Nam Bangtapoon, “Kam Pang San” specially-fed Thai Beef, chilies from Ratchaburi, and jasmine rice from both the northeastern and the northern parts of Thailand.

The best ingredients are then mixed with seasonings using heating process to blend all ingredients and seasonings together at perfect timing. The heat does not only cook the ingredients, but also helps the dish look colorful.

With the balance of ingredients, seasonings, timing and heat, the signature well-rounded taste of Thai food which includes the basic five tastes of sourness, sweetness, creaminess, saltiness, and spiciness is created. In addition to these 5 basic tastes, the true authentic Thai cuisine also gives distinctive tastes of slight bitterness and zesty that usually linger on your taste buds. This combination of signature tastes is the charm of Thai cuisine.

This is where the chef’s passion and fresh ingredients come together to create the perfect menu at R-HAAN.

Thai Samrub (a set of a variety of dishes) – the balance and sharing
R-HAAN restaurant focuses on the wisdom of Thai cuisine which combines Thai culture and abundant local ingredients with both old-school and modern cooking procedures. In R-HAAN’s kitchen, the traditional charcoal stove and modern cooking machines are both used. A set of variety of dishes (Samrub) is served at the center of the table to be shared among diners as per Thai dining tradition. At least 18 menus are included in one meal and may include special seasonal menu from the chef. This set of menus is carefully created to balance a variety of flavors and tastes from each dish, which are designed to complement each other, just the way Thai food should be.

There are three Samrubs at R-HAAN. Each samrub is named after the Thai intonation marks. (more details can be found on the menu)
1.Samrub Eak
2. Samrub Tho
3. Samrub Tri

This is part of the menu created from the best of local ingredients from every corner of Thailand. The menu is changed every season according to the date of the changing of the Emerald Buddha’s seasonal costume.

Samrub Eak
The best of Thai Samrub starts with “Kanom Krok Cream Tom Kha Caviar Krongkarn Luang Doi Indhanon”. This extraordinary Amuse-Bouche is made from Coconut cream infused with galangal and comes in a Thai Takoyaki style. The seasonal Indhanon caviar on the top makes a perfect crunchy topping.

The sensation from Amuse-Bouche is followed by three kinds of appetizers served on a golden tray. The first one is freshly-made Thai rice noodle to be eaten with Great Grand Mother Sa-Guan Sri’s recipe chili dip. Another authentic Thai appetizer is Royal Thai crispy vermicelli rice noodle coated with edible gold leaf. The last appetizer is “Thod Mun Pla Grai Pak Naam Pho” which is fish cake made from Pak Naam Pho river fish served with three flavors Sphere.

The main course comprises dishes representing the best menu of Thai culinary such as contemporary river prawn Tom Yam Soup, mango tree ant’s eggs and wild star gooseberry mixed with herbs and local vegetables, “Pak Naam Bang Ta Boon” blue crab stir in creamy coconut milk and shallot, Crispy “Bang Pakong” sea bass with sticky red curry and ground crispy Pork, Bird’s eye chilli green curry with “Kam Pang San” special-fed Thai beef accompanied with chilli and fish sauce made from Ratchaburi’s bird’s eye chilli and Rayong’s fermented fish sauce, Steamed Hom Mali Rice from 2 provinces (Chiangrai and Ubon Ratchathani), and steamed five kinds of brown rice (Rice Berry, Gaba Rice, Sangyod Rice, Hill Tribe Brown Rice and Hom Mali Brown Rice)

This course (Royal Thai Samrub Eak) finishes with Thai desserts and the finale Petit Fours which are freshly made daily according to Royal Thai’s sweets recipe.

The taste of the wisdom of Thai Cuisine is here, the one and only R-HAAN at Sukhumvit 55, Thong Lo Soi 9. Grand Opening: May 23, 2018

Bangkok (Thailand) – May 17, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Three quarters of Thai consumers are making online purchases, with Beauty and Fashion and Electronics being the top categories. However, as consumers continue to look towards convenience, fraud exposure will likely increase – these are the findings of the Digital Consumer Insights 2018 by the world’s leading information services company Experian, co-authored with leading ICT market research and advisory firm IDC.

The Digital Consumer Insights 2018 report is based on a consumer survey across ten APAC markets including Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. It looks at how businesses fare in fraud management, through their customers’ eyes and is a complementary report to the Fraud Management Insights 2017 report which looked at fraud management through the eyes of enterprises.

The report found that there was an interplay between convenience and fraud. With the growth of convenient interaction and transaction platforms such as frictionless payments, and a continuous goal to provide better and seamless customer experiences, opportunities for fraud increases.

“Thailand’s e-commerce market is rapidly growing, with 73% of respondents having made online purchases,” said Dev Dhiman, Managing Director, Southeast Asia and Emerging Markets, Experian Asia Pacific. “However, fraud rates are also high, with an average of 19% of Thais having experienced fraud across various e-commerce and services segments, and more than half of our respondents (51%) intending to switch service providers when fraud occurs.”

“Unfortunately, the reality is that greater digital convenience is linked to higher fraud exposure. However we also found that greater fraud exposure may lead to consumers being more likely to adopt convenient security measures like biometrics – which will allow businesses to ensure a seamless customer experience while managing fraud.”

While the Thai government has begun pushing out biometrics registration (e.g. fingerprinting, facial and voice recognition) nationwide for sim card signups to combat electronic fraud and enhance mobile banking security, only 15% of respondents in Thailand indicated they were willing to adopt biometrics in commercial applications. Thais rank fourth in their willingness to adopt biometrics, after the other developing economies of India, China, and Vietnam.

The Vicious Cycle of Fraud Response: Managing the Fraud Response Cycle and Negating Business Risks

The research found that mismanagement of fraud response results in two different types of losses for companies, due to differing reactions from consumers which are based on their risk attitudes and perceptions. The report identified two groups of consumers, the Digital Voyagers and the Digital Pragmatists. Digital Voyagers dominate in mobile-led, emerging economies and they are more convenience-driven and less risk-averse. On the other end of the spectrum are Digital Pragmatists who tend to come from mature economies and are more cautious and concerned about security.

“Understanding the difference between Digital Voyagers and Digital Pragmatists is important for companies as they react differently to fraud,” said Dhiman. “In the case of Digital Voyager centric countries, like Thailand, companies may face escalating fraud costs as digital consumption continues and companies absorb fraud losses to retain customers. In Digital Pragmatist centric countries like Hong Kong, people are more likely to avoid digital transactions in fear of fraud and this results in a loss of digital revenue for businesses.”

Consumer’s Willingness to Share Data
One of the ways companies can help protect against fraud is to have high quality information about their consumers so that they are able to properly verify transactions. When asked, 51% of Thais are willing to have their personal data shared with businesses specifically for better fraud detection.

Consumers are also selective in the information they share with companies, with 3.8% of Thais saying that they have provided inaccurate information to avoid disclosing personal data. This is lower than the APAC average of 5%. Thais are also the most likely in the region to supply inaccurate information to companies, with 35% having made mistakes in basic personal details like addresses, phone numbers and names, 25% having made mistakes in providing highly guarded personal information like payment details, and 30% having given wrong information relating to their age, gender, income and education level.

“Across the region, we found that there is a trust gap between people and organisations,” said Dhiman. “Consumers are submitting inaccurate data or purposely omitting important information to companies. This, unfortunately, results in it being more difficult for businesses to identify their customers online and fight fraud effectively. With the acceleration of the digital economy, fraud challenges will only grow and companies must ensure they leverage the right technologies and solutions to address the complexities of the digital age.”

About Experian
Experian is the world’s leading global information services company. During life’s big moments – from buying a home or a car, to sending a child to college, to growing a business by connecting with new customers – we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and organisations to prevent identity fraud and crime.

We have more than 16,000 people operating across 37 countries and every day we’re investing in new technologies, talented people and innovation to help all our clients maximise every opportunity. We are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.

Victoria, Mahe (Seychelles) – May 21, 2018 (travelindex.com) – This coming week, Mauritius is hosting the “International Conference on Digitalisation and Sustainable Tourism”, which will be held on the 23rd & 24th May at Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa. I have been invited by Minister Anil Gayan and will be part of many tourism professionals travelling to Mauritius for this event. Mauritius needs to be congratulated for staging this International conference which will put the spot light on the island and on the Vanilla Islands Region as a whole. Visibility is always important because it ensures relevance for any destination dependent on tourism.

Air France officially welcomed back to Seychelles

The official welcome of Air France JOON on Tuesday the 15th May at Seychelles International Airport was led by Minister Didier Dogley, Seychelles Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, which was followed the same evening by a cocktail at the French Ambassador’s Residence where three successive Tourism and Civil Aviation Ministers (Didier Dogley, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne & Alain St.Ange) were present showing the Seychellois appreciation of the resumed service by Air France.

Cabo Verde Tourism & Transport Minister on Official Visit to Seychelles

Jose da Silva Goncalves, Minister of Tourism & Transport of Cabo Verde made time during his official visit to Seychelles to meet with me to exchange ideas and discuss the years, when as Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine of Seychelles, I worked closely with him at CAF, the UNWTO and at International Forums. The good relations between Cabo Verde and Seychelles have existed for many years as two small groups of mid-ocean islands saw the necessity to share ideas and to be supportive of one another. President Jorge Carlos De Almeida Fonseca of Cabo Verde has also visited Seychelles. During discussions Minister Jose da Silva Goncalves also discussed opportunities for Seychellois Pilots for their growing Aviation network among other tourism related matters of mutual interest.

Female travellers feel less safe than they did five years ago

AIG Travel reported last week on the results of a travel trend survey that revealed that 45 percent of female travellers feel less safe or much less safe about traveling than they did five years ago. This is a worry for world tourism because travel as an industry must be for all without any discrimination, and the responsibility or duty of care must be a prerequisite for all tourism destinations wanting to be featured in Tour Operator Programs.

Results of the travel trends survey, commissioned by AIG Travel, a worldwide leader in travel insurance and assistance services, also show that safety is top of mind for women while they are evaluating potential destinations as well as during their travels. Seychelles and the Vanilla Islands have always emphasized safety and security as key Unique Selling Points (USPs) of the Indian Ocean Islands. Our region is still able to boast about its safety and security label, something which many other tourism destinations worldwide are unable to do.

Sri Lanka Chef launches the “Festival of Flavours” at Avani Seychelles

A “festival of flavours” from all over Asia made its way to AVANI Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa this month in their Tamarind Restaurant. The Resort welcomed Sri Lankan Guest Chef Lasantha de Silva to kick off the culinary tour before confirming that he will be followed by other Guest Chefs every month. To facilitate the local population wanting to appreciate the ‘Festival of Flavours”, Avani Seychelles Barbarons Resort & Spa have extended a special rate on rooms for those wanting to stay the evening.

Air France dedicates its Inflight Magazine to Seychelles

An important plus for Seychelles tourism is on display right across the world with Air France. Their Inflight Magazine for the month of May is dedicated to Seychelles. It is no coincidence that the month of May is also the same month when the Company’s JOON Brand introduced their flights to Seychelles. This Magazine, in addition to being available on all Air France flights, will also be on offer in all of the airlines’ lounges and travel agent shops. This is fantastic exposure for Seychelles!

Oil prices climbed above $80 a barrel

It has been confirmed by Reuters in New York that oil prices climbed above $80 a barrel last Thursday for the first time since November 2014. Global inventories of crude and fuel have dropped sharply in recent months owing to robust demand and OPEC-led production cuts. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and non-OPEC global producers, that have curbed output since the start of 2017, will next meet to discuss supply policy in Vienna in June.

Seychelles has been seeing its fuel prices at the pump increase to a record high and this is having an adverse impact on the island’s cost of living. Seychelles has no control over the new price of oil on the world market, but it has total control over the Government imposed duty of about Rupees eight per litre, which can be readjusted to mitigate further cost burden on the people of Seychelles.

Rainbow Flag flies proudly at British High Commission in Seychelles

Last week on the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia, the British High Commission in Seychelles was flying the rainbow flag in support of inclusion, diversity and tolerance. The message being emphasized is that every person should be able to live a life free of discrimination and persecution. A post by H.E. C. Rohsler, the British High Commissioner in Seychelles said:- “Proud that today British High Commission flies the rainbow flag (representing LGBTI pride) today against discrimination against people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex”.

Krabi (Thailand) – May 19, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) has announced that Maya Bay in Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park will not allow visitors during a much needed four-month rejuvenation period from 1 June to 30 September, 2018.

The DNP announced at a press conference held on 15 May that access to Maya Bay will be strictly off limits during the four-month rejuvenation.

It will not allow boats to enter the bay in front of the beach, or even drop anchor at nearby Loh Samah Bay, as visitors and their vessels will not be allowed to enter Maya Bay.

Travellers can still catch a glimpse of the Bay’s stunning beauty, made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie ‘The Beach’ at a 400-metre distance, or between the two cliffs that form a natural entrance to the lagoon. But this will be strictly supervised and carefully monitored by the DNP.

During the four-month period, the DNP will undertake a coastal and marine environment quality evaluation study on the condition of reef and beach resources, environmental control, and tourism management. This is to properly determine measures for environmental sustainability of Maya Bay during future off-tourist seasons.

Temporary closings of natural attractions are not new to Thailand. Each year, the DNP closes several national parks for a period to allow for ecological recovery time. Depending on weather and park conditions, dates vary as the closures are often due to extreme weather, especially during the rainy annual monsoon that may create unsafe conditions.

International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
1600 New Petchaburi Road, Makkasan, Ratchathevi
Bangkok 10400 Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2250 0246

Bangkok (Thailand) – May 18, 2018 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels & Resorts is celebrating after BluPhere Pattaya, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, its spectacular new seafront property being developed by the Habitat Group, was honored at the Asia Pacific Property Awards 2018-19.

This impressive upscale hotel won the “New Hotel Construction & Design – Thailand” award at this year’s Asia Pacific Property Awards. Organized by IPAX Asia Pacific, this prestigious event celebrates architectural excellence and showcases the region’s finest hospitality and real estate developments.

This award marks the latest in a series of accolades for BluPhere Pattaya and Habitat Group, Thailand’s leading real estate developer. Mr Chanin Vanijwongse (pictured left), the company’s Chief Executive Officer, and Ms Sasivimol Sutthibut (right), Chief Operating Officer, were at the event to receive this prestige award.

Scheduled to welcome its first guests in 2020, BluPhere Pattaya, BW Premier Collection by Best Western, is a stunning new project being constructed by the Habitat Group in Na Jomtien, the beautiful beachfront destination on Thailand’s popular Eastern Seaboard.

The development’s contemporary design concept blends perfectly with nature, including the sky and sea, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the blissful seafront surroundings.

“We are delighted to see the Habitat Group won this fantastic accolade at the Asia Pacific Property Awards,” commented Olivier Berrivin, Best Western’s Managing Director International Operations – Asia. “BluPhere Pattaya, BW Premier Collection by Best Western is a truly impressive project and we are delighted to be working with our esteemed partner, the Habitat Group, to bring this hotel to life.”

“One of the most important elements of hospitality is developing lasting relationships. In the Habitat Group we have a fantastic partner that is able to create inspirational projects. We look forward to deepening our relationship with them in future and seeing BluPhere Pattaya and other exciting projects come to life,” Olivier added.

BluPhere Pattaya has won several awards for its architecture and design, including “Best Low-Rise Condo Architectural Design (Resort)” at the Thailand Property Awards 2017. It was also highly commended in the “Best Condo Interior Design” and “Best Condo Landscape Architectural Design” categories. It then won the “Best Condo Architectural Design (Thailand)” title at the Asia Property Awards 2017.

Currently under construction, BluPhere Pattaya will become the second BW Premier Collection by Best Western hotel in Thailand. Located just 100 meters from the golden beach, the hotel will feature 199 spacious apartment-style units and an array of upscale amenities.

Best Western and Habitat Group are also working together on Best Western Premier BayPhere Pattaya, which is scheduled to open in 2019.

About Best Western Hotels & Resorts:
Best Western Hotels & Resorts headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, is a privately held hotel brand with a global network of 4,100* hotels in more than 100* countries and territories worldwide. Best Western offers 10 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®, and BW Premier Collection®; as well as its recently launched franchise offerings: SureStay®, SureStay Plus® and SureStay Signature Collection®. 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 in the top three upper-mid-price and mid-price hotel brands for three years in a row, and Best Western receiving seven consecutive Dynatrace® Best of the Web awards for its leading hotel website. Best Western has also won eight consecutive AAA®/CAA® Lodging Partner of the Year awards, recognizing the brand’s commitment to providing exceptional service and great value to AAA’s 56 million members in the U.S. and Canada. Over 30 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.
– Numbers are approximate, may fluctuate, and include hotels currently in the development pipeline.

Contact information:
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

Macao (Macao SAR) – May 17, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Led by Ms. Pansy Ho, Secretary-General and Vice Chairman of the Global Tourism Economy Forum (“GTEF” or “the Forum”), the Delegation of China Business Leaders Visiting European Union (“Delegation”) recently completed an important mission in the EU. The objective of the mission was three-fold: to introduce GTEF to tourism stakeholders in the public and private sectors in the EU; to engage them in exchanges on tourism policy, business environment and investment opportunities; and to invite them to GTEF 2018, an official partner of the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year (“ECTY2018”), where the EU will be presented as the Partner Region and Guangdong Province as the Featured Chinese Province with a special focus on the Greater Bay Area.

In Brussels, Belgium, the official seats of the European Commission (“EC”), Council of the European Union and European Council, as well as a seat of the European Parliament (“EP”), the Delegation visited the EP and met with Mr. Istvan Ujhelyi, Chairman of Tourism Task Force, EP; Mrs. Anna Athanasopoulou, Head of Unit Tourism, Emerging and Creative Industries, EC; Mr. Eric Philippart, Special Counsellor for the ECTY2018 and Director of Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SME Department, EC; Mr. Eduardo Santander Executive Director and CEO, European Travel Commission (“ETC”); Mr. Bernard Tyttens, Secretary General of Belgian Travel Organization (BTO); Ms. Ilse Meyers, Secretary General of Association of Belgian Tour Operators (ABTO); Mr. Bernard Dewit, Chairman of Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (BCECC); Mr. Michel De Blust, Secretary General of The European Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Association; and Mr. Tom Jenkins, Chief Executive Officer of European Tourism Association (ETOA).

In The Hague, The Netherlands, the Delegation attended a lunch meeting with Mr. Frank Oostdam, President and Director of Dutch Association of Travel Agents and Tour Operators (ANVR); Mr. Jochum Haakma, Chairman of the EU China Business Council and former Dutch Consul General in Hong Kong and Shanghai; and Mr. Henri Remmers, Founder and Director of Corpus Museum in Leiden. The Delegation later visited the world-renowned Hotelschool The Hague where Ms. Regine von Stieglitz, President of Board of Directors, gave a brief introduction of the school’s curriculum, followed by group discussion of topics like hospitality training and education, as well as facilitation of EU-China tourism cooperation through educational means. The visit in The Hague concluded with a tour of the headquarters of citizenM, a pioneer of innovative hospitality experience for millennial travelers, where the Delegation learned about the hotel’s project development and operation. The Delegation then travelled to Amsterdam and joined a guided tour at Rijksmuseum conducted by Mr. Taco Dibbits, General Director of Collections, on the museum’s history, development and collections.

In Vienna, Austria, the Delegation met with Dr. Angelika Liedler, Head of International Tourism Affairs of Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs of Austria; Dr. Petra Stolba, Director General of Austria National Tourist Office; Mr. Norbert Kettner, Chief Executive Officer of Vienna Tourist Board; Mr. Christoph Plank, Head of Tourism of Advantage Austria of Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKO); Ms. Julia Mauk, Expert of International Tourism Affairs Division of Ministry of Sustainability and Tourism; and Mr. Karl Wöber, President of University Board of Modul University and tourism expert. The Delegation later experienced Austria’s diversified cultural and tourism offerings through visits to the prominent Spanische Hofreitschule, the centuries-old Hotel Sacher, a concert of masterful music by Mozart and Strauss at Schonbrunn Palace Orangery, and Swarovski Kristallwelten at Innsbruck.

In addition, the Delegation paid courtesy calls on Chinese ambassadors in the EU countries visited. Mr. Zhang Ming, Ambassador, Head of the China Mission to the EU; Mr. Wang Hongjian, Minister of the Chinese Mission to EU; Mr. Wu Ken, Ambassador of China to the Netherlands; and Mr. Li Xiaosi, Ambassador of China to Austria, received the Delegation and generously shared the latest news and updates on tourism, cultural and economic relations between China and the respective EU member states.

Co-organized by GTEF, China Chamber of Tourism and China Women’s Chamber of Commerce, the 17-member strong delegation was led by Ms. Pansy Ho, and comprised influential Chinese business leaders in various sectors of tourism economy and key Forum members including Mr. Jean Claude Baumgarten, Vice Chairman of GTEF; Ms. Wang Ping, Chairman of China Chamber of Tourism (“CCT”) and Vice Chairman of GTEF; Ms. Liu Ting, Chairman of China Women’s Chamber of Commerce; Ms. Chen Shiyou, Vice Chairman of CCT and Managing Director of China International Capital Corporation Limited; Ms. Zhong Fei, Vice Chairman of CCT and President of Hunan Huaxia Investment Group and Ms. Li Xiaomei, Delegate of Vice Chairman of CCT and Chairman and General Manager of Mekong Tourism Co. Ltd.

As a partner event of ECTY 2018, GTEF is a perfect platform to bring two of the world’s most vibrant economies, EU and Guangdong Province, together to advance economic, cultural and people-to-people exchanges through tourism. Set to be held at MGM COTAI on October 23 and 24 under the theme “Strategic Partnership in a New Era, Rising Momentum for a Shared Future”, GTEF 2018 will explore how the EU, the second-most popular destination for outbound Chinese tourists outside Asia in 2017, and the GBA, which will be the seventh largest economic bloc in the world, can combine their collective effort to create a new catalyst for global economy. GTEF will also offer tourism promotion, investment and cooperation opportunities through bilateral trade meetings, business matching, networking, workshops, exhibitions, etc.

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 Former China National Tourism Administration, 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, 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 more than 8,000 participants from 83 countries and regions, including delegations from 106 provinces and cities of Mainland China; and 437 internationally
renowned speakers.

For enquiries, please contact Mazarine Asia Pacific:
Ms. Esther Chan
Tel: +852 3678 0109
Email: esther.chan@mazarineap.com
Ms. Zita Leung
Tel: +852 3678 0102
Email: zita@occhk.com

Phoenix (Arizona) – May 16, 2018 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels & Resorts is celebrating A Rewarding 30 Years with the milestone anniversary of Best Western Rewards. Since its inception in 1988, Best Western Rewards (BWR) has grown from 180,000 members to more than 32 million today. With points that never expire and access to the richest promotions in the hotel industry, BWR has been frequently recognized as an innovator, achieving a top five ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s 2017-2018 Best Hotel Rewards Programs and ranking one of the top three Best Hotel Rewards by WalletHub in 2017. With each year, the program continues to raise the bar, and now offers the industry’s lowest point threshold, free nights with no blackout dates and unique seasonal promotions.

In honor of the 30th anniversary of BWR, Best Western Hotels & Resorts today announced that it will gift lifetime Diamond Select Status to all 1,859 members who have remained a loyal part of the program since its inaugural year. Diamond Select Status offers 50% bonus points per stay, a choice of a thank you gift or points upon arrival and guaranteed free night availability.

“Year after year, our priority is to enhance overall guest satisfaction and tailor our rewards program to the travel aspirations of our members,” said Dorothy Dowling, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “We wanted to find a unique way to reward the members who have been with us since the beginning, and we are thrilled to celebrate with them by providing lifetime elite to them as a thank you for their continued loyalty.”

BWR has successfully evolved over three decades, demonstrating a commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences with a renewed focus each year to offer easily redeemable and tremendously valuable benefits.

Top-Ranked, Rich Rewards
BWR is the only loyalty program in the industry where points never expire, and members have access to the richest promotions in the industry. Reward redemption begins at a lower point level requirement relative to industry competitors, and free nights earned can be redeemed at any Best Western branded hotel worldwide, with no blackout dates. Additionally, members have access to special rates and can receive up to 10% off on every night and redeem free nights that count towards attaining elite tiers. Finally, members can earn gift cards from some of the most popular shopping, entertainment, gas, and airline partners.

Instant Enrollment, Instant Rewards
Members are given instant rewards and gratification on every stay. Additionally, the Status Match…No Catch® program allows members to have their status matched with other hotel loyalty programs immediately upon enrollment.

Elite Members, Elite Rewards
In addition to enjoying the perks and benefits of BWR, elite members also receive elite rewards. Upon arrival elite members are given a choice of a “Thank You” gift or bonus points. Additionally, Best Western hotels provide guaranteed free nights for Diamond and Diamond select members at properties with availability.

BWR guests are also given a digital membership card that helps them simply and conveniently access their membership number, point balance, current tier level and exclusive deals and offers. These enhanced benefits, combined with the lowest free night redemption threshold in the industry, enable travelers to maximize stays across all 11 Best Western brands.

For more information on BWR and to sign up, please visit BestWestern.com/Rewards.

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 CollectionSM by Best Western, 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:
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

Koh Samui (Thailand) – May 16, 2018 (travelindex.com) – From 26th May until 2nd June 2018, the Samui Regatta will attract marine sports enthusiasts from around the world to Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui on the island’s idyllic Chaweng Beach. The now legendary annual yachting event showcases the skills of top international racers and regional yachting veterans over five days of exhilarating competition in the azure waters of the Gulf of Siam.

Now in its 17th year, the Samui Regatta has been hosted by award-winning Centara Grand Beach Resort Koh Samui since its inception, prompting members of the regional yachting community to refer to the resort as the ‘Home of the Samui Regatta’. Each year, a fleet of spectacular yachts sails in to Koh Samui, arriving with crew and yachting fans to experience some world-class sailing and enjoy the island’s glamorous social scene. The resort provides the perfect base for spectators, competitors and crew members to stay, relax and dine while also enjoying a full line-up of regatta parties during the event.

“We’re proud to be the host of this truly international event as we welcome visitors from around the globe to enjoy our fabulous facilities and stunning island environment,” says Voytek Klasicki, General Manager Centara Grand Samui Beach Resort.

“Koh Samui is Thailand’s most popular boutique island with good reason and the Samui Regatta has become part of its modern heritage with people returning year after year to enjoy the fun on and off the water,” he added.

In the last decade, the Samui Regatta has grown to become one of Asia’s leading regattas and one of the best sporting and lifestyle events in Thailand, attracting strong racing, cruising and multihull fleets with around 500 participants from over 20 countries taking part. In the final event in the Asian Yachting Grand Prix Championship, the event generates around THB 18 million for the local Koh Samui economy annually.

“It’s great to see such a competitive line up again this year across all the sailing classes. There are some very evenly matched boats and crews so I’m sure everyone will enjoy the five days of racing we have planned for them,” added Race Director, Simon James.

As well as action on the water, the Samui Regatta attracts spectators and vacationers for its onshore social scene. Centara Grand Beach Resort, as host venue, ensures everyone from the crew to visitors, enjoys the resort’s facilities, services and world class cuisine.

The official opening party is traditionally held at Centara Grand Beach Resort with free-flow drinks, snacks and great entertainment. During the competition, the Regatta Tavern, right in front of the host resort, opens for beachfront sundowners from 5-7pm runs Race Day Happy Hour with an open bar serving Samui Regatta signature cocktails, a huge range of isotonic drinks, canapes and more. It is a go-to meeting spot to check-out the day’s race results and presentations.

The Samui regatta ends in style with an exclusive Gala Dinner for 500+ guests on the beachfront lawn at Centara Grand Beach Resort, with a delicious buffet, live music and awards presented by a guest MC. Tickets are included in the crew fees with some available to purchase, along with one-day social passes.

Centara Hotels & Resorts have been welcoming visitors to Koh Samui for over 20 years and the Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui is the ideal regatta host venue. Sophisticated, and with a wonderfully nostalgic seaside air, the beachfront resort boasts chic bars and restaurants as well as stunning rooms and suites, including private-pool suites, as well as a spa; a timeless resort that is classic yet gloriously modern and reflects the contemporary culture of yachting tradition.

For more information: www.samuiregatta.com

About Centara Hotels & Resorts:
Centara Hotels & Resorts is Thailand’s leading hotel operator. Its 58 properties span all major Thai destinations plus the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Laos, China, Oman, Qatar and the UAE. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands – Centara Grand Hotels & Resorts, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Centara Boutique Collection, Centra by Centara, Centara Residences & Suites and COSI Hotels – ranging from 5-star city hotels and luxurious island retreats to family resorts and affordable lifestyle concepts supported by innovative technology. It also operates state-of-the-art convention centres and has its own award-winning spa brand, Cenvaree. Throughout the collection, Centara delivers and celebrates the hospitality and values Thailand is famous for: gracious service, exceptional food, pampering spas and the importance of families. Centara’s distinctive culture and diversity of formats allow it to serve and satisfy travellers of nearly every age and lifestyle. Over the next five years Centara aims to double its size with additional properties in Thailand and its new international markets, while spreading its footprint into new continents and market niches. As Centara continues to expand, a growing base of loyal customers will find the company’s unique style of hospitality in more locations. Centara’s global loyalty programme, Centara The1 Card, reinforces their loyalty with rewards, privileges and special member pricing.

Baa Atoll (Maldives) – May 16, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Summer is coming and what better way to welcome our guests than joining forces with other resorts in Baa Atoll to offer our best, as a destination? With this thought in mind, resorts namely – Soneva Fushi, Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru, Dusit Thani, Amilla Fushi, Vakkaru Maldives and Finolhu, all located in Baa Atoll have come together to celebrate the Summer Festival with a bang in Baa Atoll calling it the “Baa Atoll Summer Festival 2018”.

This first ever and one-of-its-kind festival will be held from 20th July to 3rd August 2018, bringing the best each resort has to offer in the dining scene. Guests from each resort will have the opportunity to experience the varied cuisines Baa Atoll has to offer as a destination, on dedicated nights. This will give them a taste of our creativity and service, with a chance to explore other islands during their stay.

As per MATATO (Maldives Association of Travel Agents & Tour Operators), Destination Marketing is the new trend Maldives is aiming for. Stats show that the tourism industry has welcomed more than 1.3 million tourists in 2017 and this number will grow for the market this year and in the years to come.

“The Baa Atoll Festival is a brilliant concept and opportunity, and hopefully becomes an annual event that resorts and guests look forward to. And I hope this festival will be marketed to tourists around the world through all these resorts PR channels”, says MATATO President Abdulla Ghiyas.

On Wednesday, 9th May 2018, all participating resorts came together in Soneva Fushi Sandbank to bring this festival to light with an official announcement during a gathering with Chefs, Marine Biologists and the leaders.

The Baa Atoll Festival will officially launch on Friday, 20th July 2018, with a cocktail event in each of the resorts where the teams will celebrate with their guests the opening night. From Saturday, 21st July, each resort will welcome the guests from other resorts with a special set menu for dinner in their featured dining restaurant, for two consecutive weeks on a designated night.

This gives the resort the opportunity to showcase its ‘Dining Scene’ to the guests of the resort itself and those visiting from the other islands for dinner, transportation will be organized by the respective resorts to the featured resort on a daily basis, for a minimum charge of $25++ per person. If the guests would like to repeat their experience in a specific resort, then special arrangements will be made to accommodate the same. Each resort will present a set menu for $120++ per person on food with a special menu for kids. Therefore the price of the menu in each featured restaurant will remain the same. This is compiled with an aim to create an experience for the guests as the talented chefs unveil their dishes.

This destination dining concept aims to tantalize the taste buds of our guests in all participating resorts and make Baa Atoll location in Maldives a ‘must visit’ Atoll during summer. Moreover, during this summer festival, each resort will offer a calendar of activities to keep the entire family entertained, from water sports to kids’ activities and more. It is fun time for all!

The team have come together to show the strength in the form of a dedicated website and social media account that will be constantly updated with beach activities, events and water experiences. With this first ever event, Baa Atoll destination has created a benchmark for itself and aims to be more creative in the years to come with the support of Maldives Media.

The Baa Atoll Festival closing ceremony will once again bring the teams together in celebration, on a Sandbank for a Catamaran Regatta competition on Sunday, 3rd August 2018.

Schedule for the Baa Atoll Festival 2018:
– Saturday, 21st July & 28th July: Amilla Fushi
– Sunday, 22nd July & 29th July: Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru
– Monday, 23rd July & 30th July: Finolhu
– Tuesday, 24th July & 31st July: Dusit Thani
– Wednesday, 25th July & 1st August: Soneva Fushi
– Thursday, 26th July & 2nd August: Vakkaru Maldives

Visit: www.baaatollfestival.com for more information and follow us on Instagram: @Baa_Atoll_Festival #SummerFestival #DineAroundinBaa #TourDeBaa #ItsBetterInBaa #DineAround

About the resorts and participating restaurants:
Soneva Fushi (resort):
The original Soneva. The No News, No Shoes blueprint for all desert island barefoot luxury hideaways, located within the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the Maldives. Soneva Fushi inspires the imagination with 61 spacious beachfront villas, ranging in size from one to nine bedrooms, hidden among dense foliage.

Out of the Blue (participating restaurant):
Once Upon a Table, which opened in May 2018, is one of the five new outlets in Soneva Fushi’s ‘Out of the Blue’ dining complex; a two-storey overwater structure with beautiful views of the sunset. A culinary theatre showcasing some of the biggest names in fine dining, Once Upon a Table’s horseshoe shaped table seats just eight diners for an intimate dining experience. In 2018, more than 30 of the world’s top chefs, most with one or two Michelin stars, will cook at the outlet.

Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru (resort):
Combining innovation, wellness and conservation, Landaa Giraavaru is a 44-acre wonderland of pristine tropical beauty in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Exotic jungle greenery is flanked by immaculate white beaches and one of the Maldives’ largest natural lagoons.

Blu (participating restaurant):
Overlooking a 1.2 mile lagoon, Blu embraces the essence of the Maldives as the place where the ocean meets the sky. This contemporary Italian restaurant serves light Mediterranean fare during the day and offers a fine dining experience in the evening, serving up vibrant dishes with a Southern Italian accent.

Dusit Thani (resort):
Dusit Thani Maldives blends graceful Thai hospitality with the unparalleled luxury setting of The Maldives, encircled by white sandy beaches and a stunning 360-degree house reef full of marine life.

Benjarong (Participating restaurant):
Benjarong, the signature overwater Thai restaurant, takes diners to the Land of Smiles with authentic delicacies bringing Royal Thai cuisine to Baa Atoll.

Amilla Fushi (resort):
The name itself translates to ‘island home’ – effortlessly welcoming in the most idyllic ways. A comfortably elegant retreat in the UNESCO Biosphere of Baa Atoll, Amilla Fushi stands apart from the crowd with its minimalist white villas and its appreciation for the avant-garde.

Feeling Koi (participating restaurant):
Crystal waters lap below Amilla Fushi’s signature restaurant. Japanese minimalism on an open deck, chefs performing in a theatre kitchen – culinary magic with exquisite presentation. Izakaya-style dining comes to life with openhearted service and shared ‘tapas’ plates. Umami works of art in a spectacular setting. Downstairs, a lounge bar for post-dinner drinks. Smooth sounds from the DJ, moon reflecting off the seas.

Vakkaru Maldives (resort):
Within the UNESCO BIOSPHERE RESERVE of Baa Atoll in the Republic of the Maldives lies a reef island composed entirely of sediment produced on the surrounding coral “faru” (or reefs), 85% it is thought, by parrotfish, the fish grinding up coral during feeding and, after digesting the edible content, excrete the rest as sand, creating the powder soft, brilliant white sands that encircle the island.

ONU (participating restaurant):
ONU means Bamboo in Dhivehi. An elegant bamboo fashioned culinary theatre within a tropical plantation offering a dining experience inside and out, seasoned with a tropical ambiance, idolising the finest from our organic farm. A designed space with showcase kitchen, counter dining, garden pavilions and lounge areas.

Finolhu (resort):
Where do the cool cats go to catch some rays? Finolhu, of course. Let us clue you in on what’s shakin’ at the grooviest resort in the Maldives. Whether you want to be thrilled or be chilled, tune in or tune out, Finolhu’s your bag, baby. Welcome to the Grooviest Island in the Maldives.

Kanusan (Participating restaurant):
Kanusan’s deck dips you into a dazzling dining experience. Whet your whistle on classic favourites such as Mandarin roasted duck and larb gai – with a refreshing Kanusan twist. Kanusan features a totally fresh overwater bar area and two dining areas. There’s a chilled indoor dining space, and an open lower deck which provides the archetypal Maldivian experience of being surrounded by the sights and sounds of the sea.

For any enquiries, please contact:
Brinda Hora, Director of Communications
Amilla Fushi & Finolhu Resorts
The Small Maldives Island Co
brinda@tsmic.mv
+960 7922 343

Phuket (Thailand) – May 14, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij savoured his first professional victory in front of his family after closing with an even-par 70 to win by six shots in the final round of the Singha Laguna Phuket Open on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Thai displayed great form all week as he traded two birdies against as many bogeys on Sunday to secure his wire-to-wire Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory on 18-under-par 262 total at Laguna Golf Phuket.

Compatriot Pawin Ingkhapradit returned with an impressive 66, but he was unable to overhaul Varanyu’s lead. He took second-place on his own at the ฿2 million (approx. US$64,000) event co-sanctioned by the ADT and the All Thailand Golf Tour.

South African Mathiam Keyser signed for a 69 to take third place, marking his best finish on the ADT this season. Nitithorn Thippong of Thailand, who started the final round in second, struggled with nerves and dropped two places after carding a 71 while Sweden’s Oscar Zetterwall (67) and Thailand’s Worrasorn Suwanpanang (68) share fifth place on 272 at the Tour’s eighth leg of the season.

Playing in the final group for the first time in his professional career, Varanyu was surprised by his father and sister who flew down from his hometown of Phetchaburi, Thailand, to watch him play.

“It feels like a dream! I have worked so hard all year and to finally get a win and in Thailand is amazing. My mother has been following me all four days and I didn’t know my father was going to come. It makes me so happy that they got to see my first win,” said Varanyu who also had his brother on his bag this week.

Varanyu dropped a shot on the first hole but would soon recover with a birdie on hole three. He maintained a steady momentum with nine pars, before dropping another shot on hole 13 due to an errant drive. He would finish out his last five holes with a birdie on 14 when he made an up-and-down from 15 yards followed by four more pars.

“After I made bogey on hole one, my brother just told me to stay calm and not speed up my tempo. I was nervous but having my whole family there to support me helped. He would distract me from the scores and I just stuck to the game plan of playing like I did the past three days,” added Varanyu.

Sticking to his tee-to-fairway-to-green game plan, Pawin fired four birdies in a bogey-free round to match his low round one score.

“The highlight of today’s’ round would have to be hole 16 when I missed the green to the left and chipped-in for birdie from 15-yards. I hit everything well today and my tempo was good. I am pretty happy with my second-place finish especially since I played all four rounds under par this week. I felt like I was really focused on my game plan and not thinking about other people today.” said the 26-year-old Pawin.

After this win, Varanyu took up membership on the ADT and is currently 10th on the merit rankings. He took home a winner’s prize purse of US$9,450 and six Official World Golf Ranking points while the top-six players and ties earned points on a sliding scale.

The leading five players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.

Leading round four scores
262 – Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij (Tha) 62 61 69 70
268 – Pawin Ingkhapradit (Tha) 66 69 67 66
270 – Mathiam Keyser (Rsa) 66 67 68 69
271 – Nitithorn Thippong (Tha) 64 66 70 71
272 – Oscar Zetterwall (Swe) 64 67 74 67, Worrasorn Suwanpanang (Tha) 68 67 69 68
273 – Tawan Phongphun (Tha) 68 69 70 66, John Michael O’toole (Usa) 65 71 69 68
274 – Itthipat Buranatanyarat (Tha) 73 68 68 65

Laguna Golf Phuket
Laguna Golf Phuket is an 18-hole, par 71 golf course situated in the heart of Asia’s first integrated resort – Laguna Phuket, conveniently accessible by complimentary shuttle service from the surrounding hotels. Thoroughly redesigned and reopened in 2015, the new landscaping with great emphasis on natural surroundings and wildlife provides golfers a whole new golfing experience. During the game, a tranquil journey into the native cultural experience with infused local elements creates a unique sense of place. The Thai villa design clubhouse offers a host of luxury facilities, including a well-stocked Pro Shop and international dining option. The course also features Southeast Asia’s first PGA-branded golf academy, offering a holistic learning experience by PGA instructors with a wide range of teaching packages, and extensive practice facilities including dedicated swing rooms with Trackman video analysis, as well as a purpose-built fitness studio with private sessions designed to improve your performance on the course.

Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

For more on golf in Thailand, visit Top25GolfCourses.com