Category: Latest Travel News

London (United Kingdom) – May 14, 2018 (travelindex) – Rocco Forte Hotels moves from dotPOS to xnPOS, both from Xn protel Systems, to exploit the benefits of the latest POS technologies. Providing greater functionality, flexibility, scalability, security and the performance needed for its growing business. Global hospitality management software company Xn protel Systems proudly announced today that its long-standing POS customer, Rocco Forte Hotels, is moving to its full-service, cloud-hosted, xnPOS Point of Sale solution, after many years of using Xn’s dotPOS system.

The first implementation of xnPOS was at Hotel Amigo, a Rocco Forte Hotel in Brussels, Belgium. Since then it has been implemented in further Rocco Forte Hotels, with the remaining properties planned for 2018. This further formalizes and extends the partnership between Rocco Forte Hotels and Xn protel, to include next generation POS solutions that deliver better performance, more stability, functionality and flexibility for Rocco Forte Hotels’ growing business operations.

Rocco Forte Hotels was established in 1996 by Sir Rocco Forte and sister, Olga Polizzi. With award-winning landmark hotels across Europe such as the Hotel de Russie, Rome, Brown’s Hotel, London, Charles Hotel, Munich and one in Saudi Arabia, Assila Hotel, Jeddah, each of the 11 hotels exude the Forte philosophy: open, intuitive service; elegant design that speaks to its location; and exceptional offerings in food, drink, spas and experiences.

xnPOS provides comprehensive functionality and scalability that meets the needs of hotel F&B, table service restaurants and hospitality foodservice operations. It has proven workflow advantages to manage guest check transactions, order-entry operations and remote kitchen/bar orders, while also providing seamless integration with hotel PMS, Loyalty/CRM and ERP systems.

Toby Herbert, Group IT Director, Rocco Forte Hotels said: “Rocco Forte Hotels is a collection of very high-profile hotels, each one being very individual and unique, which had their own specific requirements for xnPOS. The strong working partnership we have with the Xn team enabled us to fine-tune the implementation to each hotel’s needs.

Toby continues, “Improvements in performance, functionality and flexibility have already started to benefit our F&B operations and support our future requirements for business growth. Our users have also been impressed by the ease of use enabled by front end and workflow enhancements.”

Alan O’Riordan, Managing Director UK & Europe, Xn protel Systems comments: “We’d like to thank everyone involved at each Rocco Forte hotel, along with the executive team, who have helped to ensure our POS systems have been an ongoing success at Rocco Forte Hotels. The next-generation innovations within xnPOS were brought about by listening to our customers and we will continue to do so.”

About Rocco Forte Hotels
Established by Sir Rocco Forte and sister, Olga Polizzi in 1996, Rocco Forte Hotels is a collection of 11 individual hotels and resorts. All of the hotels are landmarks, both old and new, occupying magnificent buildings in exceptional locations. Led by a family who has been in hospitality for four generations, the hotels are united by their distinctive approach to service ensuring guests experience the best of the cities and surrounding areas.

Rocco Forte Hotels comprises: Hotel de Russie, Rome; Hotel Savoy, Florence; Verdura Resort, Sicily; The Balmoral, Edinburgh; Brown’s Hotel, London; The Charles Hotel, Munich; Villa Kennedy, Frankfurt; Hotel de Rome, Berlin; Hotel Amigo, Brussels; Hotel Astoria, St Petersburg; Assila Hotel, Jeddah. Future openings: Rome in 2019, Shanghai in 2019

www.roccofortehotels.com

Rocco Forte Hotels media contact:
Daniela Moore
Group PR Manager
dmoore@roccofortehotels.com
+44 20 7766 3144

About Xn protel Systems
Xn protel Systems is a global hospitality management software company specializing in property management, central reservations, point of sale and activity management solutions. Our business-critical, highly functional, cloud-native and open systems provide the latest technology and flexibility. They help world-class hospitality companies in over 50 countries to optimize revenue generation, simplify service operations and enhance the quality of guest communications.

We are committed to:
– Creating open systems. Working closely with our customers and partners we adopt industry standard protocols to break down traditional integration barriers. Creating truly open, flexible solutions that support guests’ growing appetite to be more in control of their stay.
– Developing cloud-native products. Our newest technologies are born in the cloud. That means our customers benefit from the latest innovations, can take full advantage of mobile and achieve a lower cost of ownership.
– Being easy to do business with. We understand the frustration that comes with unresponsive and inflexible suppliers. We’re not like that. And we don’t take our customers for granted. A customer-centric approach is in our DNA, from preparing quotations through to resolving support calls.

Our next generation, global solutions are backed by outstanding customer service and support. Our dedicated team of highly experienced hotel, hospitality and technology experts work hard to understand customers’ needs and the issues they face. Located across our extensive network of offices, our specialists provide the best advice, solutions and support to make sure customers meet the needs of local markets and achieve their business goals.

The Company was formed in the UK in 2002, as Xn Hotel Systems. It was then renamed in 2015 as Xn protel Systems when protel hotelsoftware became a shareholder.

Xn protel media contact:
Terry Osborne
Head of Marketing
Terry.osborne@xnprotel.com
+44 (0) 7788 280434
www.xnprotel.com

Xn protel sales contact:
sales@xnprotel.com

Victoria, Mahe (Seychelles) – May 14, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Africa’s INDABA 2018 has come and goneIndaba, the well-known tourism trade fair of Africa, has come and gone, and the chance for Africa to showcase itself to the world has passed. Minister Derek Hanekom said, when he opened this latest Indaba, that 1747 Buyers coming from countries all over the world were present to meet and discuss with the 22 exhibiting African countries, half of the States of Africa working to increase the tourism movement to the continent. Today, Africa pulls just about 5% of the total tourism movement. Showcasing the key USPs of the continent and rewriting the narrative of Brand Africa is the responsibility of each Tourism Board and Tourism Minister of the continent. Visibility for the continent and its islands will not, and cannot, happen by itself; Africa will need to do it by itself and for itself.

New tourism minister envisions Seychelles as a model for sustainable tourism to the world

The new Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Didier Dogley, moved into his new office at Botanical House on Friday May 4, 2018. Formerly the minister of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, he was assigned the new portfolio in a Cabinet reshuffle announced by President Danny Faure on April 26.

Minister Dogley has welcomed his appointment as the new minister responsible for tourism, adding that it provides him with an excellent opportunity to shift his efforts, from taking care of the bedrock of Seychelles tourism — the natural environment — to ensuring that discerning visitors get to discover and experience the true qualities of the Seychelles islands as a world class destination. “In a world where unspoiled natural landscapes and seascapes are becoming a rare asset, Seychelles still offers a wide array of unique sites with breathtaking beauty and exceptional experiences,” he said.

“My vision is to use my knowledge and experience in environment stewardship, coupled with a strong partnership with the trade, to ensure that Seychelles becomes a model for sustainable tourism to the world, enriched by the creole culture and the hospitality of our people,” the minister added.

Didier Dogley was first appointed Minister in February 2015, and assigned the Environment, Energy and Climate Change portfolio. He had previously held high level positions in that same ministry including the post of Director General, Principal Secretary and Special Advisor.

Minister Dogley holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Landscape Architecture, from the Erfurt University of Applied Science in Germany and a Masters Degree in Landscape Management from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. He also holds a diploma in Management from the Seychelles Institute of Management.

Minister Didier Dogley is married with three children.

Compensation for flight delays

An important judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union on the compensation of passengers in the case of flight delay brings relief to passengers. The judgment delivered by the Court of Justice of the European Union (“The Court”) on 7 March 2018 handled numerous complex cases (Cases C-274/16, c-447/16 and C-448/16) dealing with the same subject: the compensation of passengers for the delay of a flight and the competent jurisdiction in the case of a dispute which appears between the passenger and the airline responsible for the delay. Passengers are often too vulnerable when faced by long flight delays, especially when the airline management shows a total lack of interest and fails in their responsibility and duty of care.

In conclusion, the Court of Justice of the European Union once again clarifies its case law in the area of “air” disputes. In the light of the Brussels 1 Regulation and this new case-law, the rules established are favorable to passengers and may be unfavorable to airlines. These companies will have to be attentive when they deal with so-called “correspondence” flights. If the companies make a mistake, they might have to defend themselves before a Court in another Member State and that would make their defence more complicated.

Ebola in the northwestern town of Bikoro and surrounding areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo – NOT IN THE 54 STATES OF AFRICA

A problem in a village or region of an African State becomes an Africa-wide problem. The last Ebola epidemic affected the economies of many countries of the African Continent because the press did not take the trouble to say that the epidemic was in that village of that particular country alone, and not in each of Africa’s fifty-four independent countries.

Today, WHO is planning for ‘worst case scenario’ over DRC Ebola outbreak. At least 32 ‘suspected, probable and confirmed’ Ebola cases have been registered in the DRC since April, WHO says. The world has a duty to speak of this latest challenge, but the world must also speak of the northwestern town of Bikoro and the surrounding areas in the DRC and not refer to it as Ebola epidemic in Africa, because it causes confusion in the world of tourism and distant countries from the affected areas also suffer from such adverse misinformation.

Judiciary in Seychelles following a worrying path

It has been confirmed that the Constitutional Appointments Authority (CAA) of Seychelles has initiated proceedings against the sitting Chief Justice, Mathilda Twomey. Judges from foreign lands have been recruited, and are being flown in and duly housed, to hear the complaints levelled against her. The target on the Chief Justice’s back appears to follow the suspension of Justice Karunakaran from office.

The CAA currently has a number of political appointees on its board and this may well set the trend where Judges will change depending on political affiliation, consequently undermining the independence of the three branches of Government, and the doctrine of separation of powers.

From the Maldives we hear:- “Maldives Chief Justice Arrested As President Abdulla Yameen Declares State Of Emergency. The move gives sweeping powers to security forces to arrest and detain suspects, and comes amid a deepening political crisis in Maldives as President Abdulla Yameen defies the Supreme Court”.

In the Philippines the world press reports:- “The Philippines’ highest court on Friday forced out its chief justice, removing a fierce critic of President Rodrigo Duterte and his brutal war against drugs, which has left thousands dead”.

The first woman Chief Justice in Africa was in Lesotho and now the world press are reporting as follows:- “We have received a statement by the Chair of the Southern African Chief Justices Forum – the Hon. Chief Justice Shivute, on plans to remove the Hon. Chief Justice Majara of Lesotho, from office. The SACJF has called on the authorities of the Kingdom of Lesotho to uphold the rule of law and handle the matter in accordance with the principles of natural justice and due process”.

Seychelles appears to be mirroring this concerning trend, prompting a pervasive loss of confidence in Government as a whole. The treatment of the Chief Justice by the State serves as a grim reminder that the Judiciary can be pulled back into line whenever they try to exert their independence from the Executive and the Legislative. Let us learn from the mistakes of the Maldives, the Philippines and Lesotho and allow the Judiciary to manage its branch of Government free from political influences, before Seychelles too is shamed in the international press.

Air Mauritius flights to Seychelles

Many are wondering whether the news that Air Mauritius will commence flights to Seychelles is true. No official notice has been issued as yet, but Air Mauritius has the right to initiate flights to Seychelles when they so wish because of ‘reciprocal agreements’ Seychelles has with Mauritius. With the new announcement that Air Seychelles shall be using only the smaller aircraft on the Mauritius run, the market for more cargo space has opened up. This run has always been a financially profitable one and the interest by Air Mauritius to re-enter the route remains a possibility.

Bangkok (Thailand) – May 11, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Amara Bangkok has been awarded the prestigious MICE Venue Standard Certificate 2018 by Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) for its outstanding meeting facilities that meet internationally recognised standards, making it one of Thailand’s leading MICE venues.

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) initiated the Thailand MICE Venue Standard (TMVS) in 2013 to develop Thailand’s meetings and exhibitions venues. Due to its nationwide success, it is used as a framework adopted by other ASEAN nations in developing a common standard across the region.

‘We are proud that our four dedicated meeting rooms have been officially recognised among the best in Thailand MICE industry. Receiving this MICE Venue Standard Certificate not only demonstrates the strength of our competent events team, top-of-the-class meeting facilities and our ability to successfully accommodate the different needs of MICE groups, it also serves as a guarantee to all event organisers who are seeking to create meaningful and rewarding corporate events in Bangkok that Amara Bangkok is an accredited MICE option in the heart of Bangkok’ said Viranat Silananda, General Manager, Amara Bangkok.

Strategically located in the bustling Silom district, Amara Bangkok offers 250 tastefully appointed guestrooms designed for the discerning traveller, with contemporary furnishings in soothing tones, boasting modern conveniences including luxurious bathrooms featuring rain showers and premium bath amenities. Thai art pieces feature in every guest room and hotel public spaces, creating that local connection in a contemporary space.

The hotel offers innovative dining concepts, including signature Singaporean and authentic Thai cuisine at all-day restaurant Element, fashionable rooftop nightspot AkaAza which offers spectacular views, signature cocktails at The Bar and specialty coffee at Barista, as well as the Minibar Boutique for guests’ convenience. The sky gym and sky pool allow guests to reenergise after a busy day and offer magnificent city views.

Amara Bangkok provides state of the art meeting and event facilities including the Grand Ballroom Tanjong Pagar 1 and 2, named after the neighbourhood where Amara Singapore, the Group’s flagship property is located, and two function rooms Surawong 1 and Surawong 2. An Executive Club Lounge has also been designed with the business travellers in mind.

About Amara Bangkok
Amara Bangkok is an exciting 250-room lifestyle hotel for both business and leisure travellers. The hotel offers spectacular views of the Bangkok skyline.

Located on Surawong Road, parallel to the main Silom and Sathon roads, Amara Bangkok is a stone’s throw away from the city’s main financial hubs. Nestled in the centre of the historic Bangrak district, travellers can find a host of restaurants, world-class bars and the colourful Patpong Night Market at our doorstep. Select from a wide range of well-appointed guestrooms to suit your needs and preferences – be it a Cabana Room with exclusive access to Jacuzzi on Level 9, Deluxe Room, Executive Room and Club Room. Each guestroom features contemporary and modern furnishings with soothing tones.

For additional comfort and extensive amenities and services, opt for our Club Rooms with exclusive access to our Club Lounge on Level 20. Element, the 145 seater hotel’s all day dining restaurant, features indoor dining and refreshing al fresco dining area. Guests can unwind at the rooftop sky pool, AkaAza and a fully-equipped gym.

Bangkok (Thailand) – May 13, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The Management of Azimut Yachts Thailand, sole authorized dealer of Italy’s renowned Azimut Yachts in the country, recently announced the arrival in Thailand of Azimut 77S – a gutsy, state-of-the-art craft with ultimate charm and elegance, and a champion of low fuel consumption – belonging to the distinctive Azimut S sports yachts Collection.

Making its debut at the recent Cannes Boat Show in September 2017, the Azimut 77S once again displays the vertical bow and the steel shield of the Azimut 55S, a true commercial success story with over 40 crafts sold since its launch two years ago. The 77S, spotting many of the distinctive features of the Azimut sport yacht range is poised to match the success of the Azimut 55S, with four boats ordered even before the official launch.

“We are very excited to present the beautifully designed, sporty but spacious 77S to the Thai yachting enthusiasts and existing yacht owners in this region,” said Mr. Chanyo Manakulsawasd, Operations Director of Azimut Yachts Thailand. “In addition to its two very exclusive features – the pivoting stern platform facilitating water sports and the double open air area for private sunbathing – the 77S’s excellent performance of maximum speed up to 36 knots and reduced fuel consumption due to its Volvo Penta IPS 1350 engines (1000 HP each) providing as much as 30% savings are all positive magnets to attract the interest of potential buyers in Thailand.”

The Azimut 77S is family and group excursions friendly boasting two very spacious open air living areas on board: The traditional aft cockpit with a sunbathing area of 8 square metres, a dining table for as many as eight and a kitchen-bar area with a BBQ, refrigerator and icemaker. The fore cockpit is an eating and relaxation area with an eight person sofa, a coffee table and all the space needed to relax in the sun or in the shade thanks to an electrohydraulic bimini cover.

The main deck with its two large windows and the vast crystal entrance door as well as the sliding glass roof is open to natural light. The design and décor highlighting gloss Zebrano wood essences and leather details are all produced by the best Italian craftsmen.

The lower deck comprises the master suite with bulwark windows offering a breath-taking view over the water, a large bathroom and a walk-in wardrobe, two guest cabins laid out in a traditional way with separate beds and over 6 feet 6 inch high ceilings. The spacious and functional kitchen with storage space large enough for medium to long range cruise completes the picture.

“The new Azimut 77S is ultimately not just a study in excellence in terms of design and functionality, but also a technological marvel, made possible thanks to the long standing experience and research that has gone into Azimut Yachts; and on behalf of the Management of Azimut Yachts Thailand, we are indeed very proud and honoured to be associated with such a distinguished brand in the world’s nautical industry,” said Mr. Chanyo.

“With this latest, yet another spectacular Azimut model, we shall continue to strive to augment Thailand’s position as one of Asia’s fastest growing yachting and cruising grounds in this region,” concluded Mr. Chanyo.

For more information about Azimut Yachts, please contact MGC Marine (Asia) Co., Ltd. at 02 931 8300 or info@mgc-marine.com

Bangkok (Thailand) – May 10, 2018 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels & Resorts has appointed Mr Cyrill Czerwonka as its new Regional Director of Development Asia, effective May 4, 2018. Cyrill has enjoyed an impressive career in the hotel investment and development sector with both operators and owners. This has included identifying new hotel opportunities, negotiating deals and conducting financial studies for a number of international hospitality companies.

Having obtained his Master’s Degree in Business & Finance from the Graduate Business School of Management: Audencia Nantes, France, Cyrill entered the hospitality industry with AccorHotels. Based in Bangkok, this role also re-introduced Cyrill to the Asia Pacific region as he focused on Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia and Maldives, and conducted a three-month mission to India.

Following this, Cyrill spent almost five years with Singapore-based serviced apartment specialist, The Ascott Limited, as Business Development Manager for Europe and North Africa. Then in 2013, he joined Dusit International as Assistant Director of Development for EMEA, based in the United Arab Emirates.

Having honed his skills, Cyrill now joins Best Western’s Asia head office in Bangkok, where he will focus on seeking new hotel development opportunities for the company across the region. This appointment comes at an exciting time for Best Western, as the company accelerates its Asian expansion plans.

“We are delighted to welcome Cyrill to the Best Western Asia team,” said Olivier Berrivin, Best Western’s Managing Director of International Operations – Asia. “His talent, experience and financial acumen will be great assets for our company as we continue to grow our portfolio.

“With an expanded collection of 11 hotel brands, including three ‘soft brands’, Best Western is perfectly positioned to meet the demands of any market, from major cities to emerging destinations. With Cyrill now onboard, we expect to see Best Western’s world-famous standards of hospitality introduced to guests in many exciting new locations, all across Asia,” Olivier added.

“I am very excited to be joining Best Western Hotels & Resorts – one of the hospitality industry’s most famous and historic companies,” commented Cyrill. “I have watched their recent brand expansion strategy with interest and have been very impressed by many of the advanced concepts that have been launched, including soft brands and millennial hotels. I look forward to working with the entire team here in Bangkok to bring these innovative brands to guests all across the region.”

Best Western currently operates more than 50 hotels and resorts across Southeast Asia and Japan, covering five of its global brands. This portfolio is expected to expand considerably in the coming years, with at least 30 new properties in the pipeline.

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

Macao (Macao SAR) – May 9, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF or the Forum), an official partner of the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year (ECTY 2018), coorganized the EU-Macao Light Bridge illumination ceremony with the European Union (EU) Office to Hong Kong and Macao at Sai Van Lake Square this evening (May 8) to celebrate Europe Day as part of the ECTY 2018, and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the EU Office to Macao. The city’s landmark Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre (Macau Tower) was illuminated in blue, the colour of the EU flag, representing a symbolic bridge of light connecting with the EU.

The ceremony was officiated by Ambassador Carmen Cano, Head of Office of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao, and Mr. Wong Sio Chak, Acting Chief Executive of Macao SAR and Secretary for Security of the Macao SAR Government. Mr. Ho Hau Wah, Vice Chairman of The National Committee of The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and Chairman of GTEF, Mr. Yuan Hengge, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in Macao, Mr. Ho Iat Seng, President of Legislative Assembly of Macau Special Administrative Region, Ms. Pansy Ho, Secretary-General and Vice Chairman of GTEF, the Consuls General and trade commissioners of the EU Member States to Hong Kong and Macao, Macao SAR government officials, Professor Kit Thompson, Chairman of The Macau European Chamber of Commerce, Mr Rutger Verschuren, Chairman of the France Macau Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Tony Un, Chairman of the German Macau Business Association, and tourism leaders were among the attendees of this special event.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang conveyed this message at the opening ceremony of ECTY 2018 in Venice this January: “ECTY 2018 is an initiative that will expand mutual tourism cooperation and personnel exchanges, promote exchanges between civilizations and establish closer people-to-people ties, drive common development and win-win reciprocity and inject new impetus into the development of comprehensive strategic partnership between China and EU in the new era.”

During the ceremony, Ambassador Cano said:
“This symbolic bridge of light is a reminder of the strong bond which unites the people of the European Union and Macao. We hope it will promote tourism and encourage the people of Macao to learn more about the European Union.”

The EU-China Light Bridge, one of the many exciting ECTY2018 events, is a collaboration among the European Commission, the European Travel Commission (ETC), numerous municipal councils, cultural institutions and tourism boards in Europe. More than 50 landmarks, iconic sites and venues across 18 EU countries, namely Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom took part in early March, coinciding with the celebration of the Lantern Festival in China. Participating sites were illuminated in red to form the EU pillar of the Light Bridge.

Macao was the first Chinese city to celebrate ECTY2018 with a bridge of light from the Macau Tower. Thirty other cities and sites, such as Beijing’s Badaling Great Wall, Summer Palace and Bird’s Nest, Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Hubei’s Yellow Crane Tower, Sichuan’s Qingcheng Mountain and Dujiangyan, and Hong Kong’s Tsim Tsa Tsui Clock Tower, will be illuminated in blue on Europe Day on 9 May.

Following the successful illumination ceremony at the Macau Tower was a dinner hosted by GTEF at MGM COTAI, the venue of GTEF 2018, with a presentation of the Forum to the EU counsel generals and representatives.

As an official partner of the ECTY 2018, GTEF 2018 will be held in MGM Cotai on October 23 and 24 under the theme “Strategic Partnership in a New Era, Rising Momentum for a Shared Future”, and will showcase the EU as the Partner Region. GTEF 2018 will also present Guangdong Province as the Featured Chinese Province with a special focus on the Greater Bay Area. Pioneering topics at the top of the public-private agenda, and dedicated to creating tourism promotion, investment and cooperation opportunities for tourism stakeholders, GTEF 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.

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 105 provinces and cities of Mainland China; and 437 internationally
renowned speakers.

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

Phoenix (Arizona) – May 8, 2018 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts today announced that Vice President of Operations Bruce Wienberg has been named a Gold Stevie Award winner in the Maverick of the Year – Consumer Services category. This year marks the 16th Annual American Business Awards – the premier business awards program in the U.S., with winners selected from a pool of more than 3,700 nominations across all industries. Wienberg’s win is a significant accomplishment for the hospitality industry veteran and for Best Western Hotels & Resorts.

“Bruce’s commitment to enhancing the customer experience has been a driving force behind our brand’s evolution and a catalyst for elevating industry standards,” said Ron Pohl, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “The Maverick of the Year Award is truly fitting for a professional like Bruce, whose forward-thinking and innovative mindset makes an impact on our business daily.”

Since joining Best Western Hotels & Resorts in 2003, Wienberg has demonstrated his commitment to innovation and success. His assistance in rolling out Best Western’s award-winning I Care® Every Guest Every Time training program, which utilizes industry-leading Mursion avatar training simulations, has created the highest guest satisfaction scores in the company’s history. The program has also helped Best Western land a spot on Fast Company’s Top 10 Most Innovative Companies list in the AR/VR category. Wienberg also championed the brand’s new “Build Your Own” breakfast program, which is now available at most Best Western-branded properties and emulated at hotels across the globe. The program was recently awarded a top ranking in J.D. Power’s 2017 Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study in the category of food and beverage for midscale.

“The nominations submitted for The 2018 American Business Awards were outstanding. The competition was intense, and those recognized as Stevie Award winners should be immensely proud of this accomplishment,” said Michael Gallagher, president and founder of the Stevie Awards.

Nicknamed the Stevies for the Greek word meaning “crowned,” the awards will be presented to winners at a gala ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York on Monday, June 11. Tickets are now on sale.

Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2018 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA

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 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

Bangkok (Thailand) – May 7, 2018 (travelindex) – Arnoma Grand Bangkok is much honored to be a host to welcome Mr. Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee and Sheik Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, Olympic Council of Asia president. They were touch down in Bangkok and visit Arnoma Grand Bangkok. Throughout the visit they were accompanied by IOC member in Thailand Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul

They have confirmed to be participating to the SportAccord 2018 in Bangkok. The six-day summit featuring sports organizations and sports-related industries was take place at CentralWorld and host Thailand is ready to welcome all the participants, who, apart from their business, will witness the Thai cultures.

Contact information:
Patompong Wongjaroenkit
Marketing Communications Manager
ARNOMA GRAND BANGKOK
99 Ratchadamri Road
Pathumwan
Bangkok 10330
T : + 662 655 5555
F : +662 655 7888
M : 089 154 5566
E : mc@arnoma.com
W : www.arnoma.com

Buenos Aires (Argentina) – May 7, 2018 (travelindex.com) – The Global Tourism Economy Research Centre (“GTERC”) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Argentina and Brazil, to feature the two nations as Partner Countries of the 2019 Global Tourism Economy Forum (“GTEF” or “the Forum”), further deepening tourism collaboration between China and Latin America.

The MoU was executed during the 2018 World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Dr. Michael Frenzel, Honorary Chairman of GTEF, representing GTERC, Mr. Gustavo Santos, Minister of Tourism of Argentina, and Mr. Vinicius Lummertz, Minister of Tourism of Brazil, were signatories to the tripartite MoU.

The GTERC delegation comprised key members of the Forum’s organization, including Dr. Michael Frenzel, Honorary Chairman of GTEF; Mr. Jean Claude Baumgarten, Vice Chairman of GTEF; and Mr. Jason Wang, Chief Operating Officer of GTEF. Following the signing, the delegation held meetings with Argentinian tourism leaders including Mr. Aldo Elias, President, Argentina Chamber of Tourism (CAT); Mr. Hector Viñuales, President, Federation of Chambers of Tourism of the Argentine Republic(FEDECATUR); Mr. Fabricio Di Giambattista, President, Argentina Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism (FAEVYT); Mr. Camilo Suarez, President, Association of Hotels, Restaurants, Confectioneries and Cafes (AHRCC); and Mr. Fernando Desbots, Vice President, The Gastronomic Hotel Business Federation of the Argentine Republic (FEHGRA). The meeting concluded with CAT’s commitment to send a delegation to GTEF 2018 this October.

Meanwhile, the GTERC delegation attended the WTTC Global Summit in support of the WTTC, summit organizer and one of the GTEF’s supporting units. The delegation held meetings with Mr. Christopher J. Nassetta, new Chairman of WTTC; and Ms. Nikolina Angelkova, Minister of Tourism of Bulgaria, during the Summit to discuss and communicate on cooperation details in GTEF 2018.

Pioneering topics at the top of the public-private agenda, and dedicated to creating tourism promotion, investment and cooperation opportunities for tourism stakeholders, GTEF 2018 will be held in MGM Cotai on October 23 and 24 under the theme, “Strategic Partnership in a New Era, Rising Momentum for a Shared Future”. As a partner event of the 2018 EU-China Tourism Year (ECTY 2018), GTEF 2018 will present two of the most vibrant economic regions of the world. The European Union (EU) will be showcased as the Partner Region, and Guangdong Province will be accentuated as the Featured Chinese Province with a special focus on 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 broaden opportunities for enhanced EU-China cooperation and partnership through bilateral 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 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, former 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 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

Nilai (Malaysia) – May 2, 2018 (travelindex) – Best Western Hotels and Resorts has partnered with the Green Target Group for an exciting new hotel in Nilai, the vibrant university town in Malaysia’s Negeri Sembilan state, just 18 km from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).

“We are excited to debut the Best Western brand in the lively city of Nilai and bring yet another standout property to Malaysia,” said Ron Pohl, Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “This hotel will be a welcome addition to our robust portfolio, as Best Western currently has 56 hotels, comprising more than 8,100 rooms across the Asia Pacific region. With another 40 hotels and over 9,000 rooms in the pipeline, our Asian inventory is on track to double in the coming years.”

The 10-story Best Western Mesa Hotel will form part of Green Target Group’s landmark MesaHill development. This major complex also includes residences and a major retail center, MesaMall, which opened late last year to become the largest shopping and lifestyle mall in Nilai.

Upon completion, Best Western Mesa Hotel will feature 200 contemporary rooms, complimentary Wi-Fi and an array of modern midscale facilities. It will be directly connected to MesaMall, providing unparalleled shopping opportunities for guests.

The agreement for the new hotel was signed in a major ceremony attended by Datuk Tan Hong Lai, Green Target Group’s CEO and Managing Director, and Ketsara Chukhien, Best Western’s Regional Director of Human Resources and Training – Asia.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Green Target Group on this landmark project,” said Olivier Berrivin, Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ Managing Director of International Operations – Asia. “With its perfect location, within easy reach of Kuala Lumpur, KLIA and the Klang Valley, Nilai is a town with a huge amount of potential. Home to many universities and colleges, this is already a young and dynamic destination and the opening of MesaMall has added another exciting new element to the area.”

“Best Western would like to thank Datuk Tan for his vision and leadership, which has made this partnership possible. Malaysia is a hugely important market for Best Western, and the extended Klang Valley area holds many exciting opportunities. We look forward to working with the Green Target Group and welcoming guests to Best Western Mesa Hotel in future,” Berrivin added.

Incorporated in 2007, Green Target Group has already undertaken several major projects in Malaysia, including the MYR300 million Green Hill Residence in Shah Alam, which won two prestigious international awards for its design, and a MYR137 million industrial development in Semenyih. Valued at MYR6 billion, MesaHill in Nilai is the group’s biggest project to date.

Best Western Mesa Hotel will be situated just 18km from KLIA and 50km from Kuala Lumpur. It will become Best Western’s third midscale hotel in Malaysia, following Best Western Petaling Jaya and Best Western i-City Shah Alam, both of which are also located in the Klang Valley – the well-connected commercial and industrial region surrounding Kuala Lumpur.

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 CollectionSM 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