Category: Latest Travel News

Brussels (Belgium) – March 1, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Advancing sustainable tourism across Europe is at the centre of an agreement signed today between the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the European Parliament. During his first official visit to Brussels (27-28 February), UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, met with the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, the European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Elżbieta Bieńkowska as well as the Vice-Chair of the Committee on Transport and Tourism and Responsible for the Tourism Task Force, Istvan Ujhelyi and the representatives of the European Tourism Manifesto. Addressing the Tourism Task Force of the European Parliament Mr. Pololikashvili highlighted the need to enhance integration, connectivity and technology to maximize the role of tourism in creating jobs and stimulating growth in the European Union (EU).

Europe is the world’s leading tourism destination receiving half of the world’s 1.3 billion international arrivals. In 2017, international tourism in Europe grew 8%, one percentage point above the world average, totalling 671 million tourists.

During the signing of the agreement, Mr. Pololikashvili stressed how “the best way to ensure tourism’s positive impact for its people is by working closely with the European Parliament as the representative of the people of Europe”. “Today we are becoming stronger partners in our work to make tourism, and cultural tourism in particular, a driver of prosperity, opportunity, and better livelihoods across the EU”, he added.

UNWTO and the EU Parliament will work on promoting good practices and the sharing of knowledge and experiences on the ground. The agreement coincides with 2018 as the European Year of Cultural Heritage and is an opportunity to highlight the relevance of cultural tourism, which is an outstanding travel asset in the EU countries.

“Over the next 10 years, tourism can create more than 5 million new jobs, not least because the number of tourists is set to double to more than 2 billion. Europe must not let this opportunity pass by. Through the growth of tourism, we can offer real prospects for the new generations and boost strategic sectors of the economy, such as transport, trade, luxury goods, shipbuilding, construction, agri-foodstuffs and the cultural and creative industries” said Antonio Tajani. “We can’t just wait for this to happen by itself. We must work, including with UNWTO, to improve our competitiveness and our skills, to face the challenges of digitalisation and to promote Europe as the world’s number one tourist destination”, he added

EU tourism and the EU-China Tourism Year
The UNWTO Secretary-General met with the European Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Elżbieta Bieńkowskaand exchanged views with the members of the Tourism Task Force of the European Parliament and withthe public and private stakeholders assembled around the European Tourism Manifesto.

On the occasion, UNWTO Secretary-General stressed the importance of working in collaboration with the European institutions on key priorities: sustainability; innovation and technology; safety and security; and education and job creation.

Addressing the EU–China Tourism Year Parliamentary Day, which celebrated the EU-China Tourism Year, Mr. Pololikashvili said “This year comes as an opportunity to make Europe the best global destination for Chinese tourists and to use tourism to increase understanding between Europe and China”.

According to the European Travel Commission, 12.4 million Chinese tourists visited the EU in 2017. With an average above one million per month and considering the prospects of growth, the impact of Chinese tourists on EU tourism is relevant factor for European tourism development and bilateral relations with China.

Contacts:
UNWTO Senior Media Officer:
Marcelo Risi
mrisi@UNWTO.org
Tel: (+34) 91 567 81 60
UNWTO Communications & Publications Programme
comm@UNWTO.org
Tel: (+34) 91 567 8100
Fax: +34 91 567 8218

Biel/Bienne (Switzerland) – February 26, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Five years after unveiling Ahton, his now legendary sculpture, master jeweller Andreas Altmann is applying his creativity and expertise to watches suffused with Haute Horlogerie. Timepieces that appeal not only for their style but also their watchmaking mechanisms. Like an extension of the Giberg Swiss Noble Forge, the new Giberg Haute Horlogerie brand is an elegant demonstration of its mastery of time, just as Ahton was proof of its artistic dexterity, and is a worthy guardian of unique expertise. Andreas Altmann’s exceptional and original watches will be unveiled at the forthcoming Baselworld show.

Primal, wild, a master of chaos, for many civilisations the dragon was symbolic of evil. For others, it was a protector or an emblem of life and power. Ahton himself symbolises the rebirth of ancient mystical powers. His name, of Nordic origin, signifies “he who sees, he who thinks”. His creator, the Swiss artist Andreas Altmann, has bestowed him with powers of interior conviction founded on the knowledge of his own strength. Ahton is a masterpiece of the most exceptional craftsmanship imaginable, and a unique sculpture entirely hand-crafted by the artist and his Giberg Swiss Noble Forge team over a period of almost five years. Five kilograms of solid gold were required to produce the mystical beast, which is studded with 7739 diamonds weighing a total of 108 carats. As if captured in action, the dragon exudes the full power of his ferocity, with the eye drawn to his gleaming armour, his outspread wings, and the phantasmagoric fire he breathes from his savage mouth. Such power in Ahton’s artistic expression is due to the painstaking attention to detail, the strict use of materials and the undeniable expertise of Andreas Altmann’s team. The mythical beast Ahton is a worthy representative of Giberg Swiss Noble Forge, which strives to create unique pieces of the highest quality

Devoted to Art
A trained goldsmith and gemsetter, Andreas Altmann endeavours to create individual pieces in highly limited editions, for which he has no limits when it comes to meeting a customer’s desires. The master jeweller uses the most precious materials available to create incredible sculptures, each influenced in one way or another by history. Wisdom, power, the strength and courage of heroes, or the virtues are some of the subjects he chooses to give remarkable physical form. With its cutting-edge technical innovation and keen artistic vision, Giberg Swiss Noble Forge has become one of the world’s most accomplished specialists in handling and crafting the finest materials. This recognition is already a powerful affirmation of the haute horlogerie and joaillerie credentials of existing and future watches produced by the Giberg watchmaking brand.

Giberg Renaissance
Giberg Swiss Noble Forge has imbued its new Giberg Haute Horlogerie brand with its artistic expertise and brought a new vision of the art of reading the time. The company’s static art is thus brought to life by the calibre of Giberg Haute Horlogerie watches. This hand-wound mechanical movement, entirely designed in-house by the brand, offers a 72-hour power reserve provided by two barrels that drive the flying tourbillon positioned at 6 o’clock. The transparent sapphire dial reveals the beauty of the watch’s mechanism, as it dances the light and gentle dance of time.

Brand Contact:
Giberg Ltd.
Mattenstrasse 135, 2503 Bienne
Switzerland
T +41 32 333 12 12
andreas.altmann@giberg.com
www.giberg.com

Bangkok (Thailand) – February 26, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Hotel Management Thailand Summit (HMT), the region’s leading hotel industry conference produced by international conference producer Questex Hospitality Group, is set to return to Bangkok on 7 June 2018. Over 150 international senior hoteliers will gather to discuss on how to generate revenue and boost operational efficiency to thrive.

Themed, “Enabling Innovations for Enhanced Profitability in the Age of Margin Compression,” the latest edition of the acclaimed conference will set the stage for leading hoteliers to explore the latest consumer trends, strategize to grow peripheral revenue, and navigate changing distribution landscape to ensure continuous successes.

While Thailand welcomed a record breaking 35-million visitors in 2017, the growth of hotel RevPAR remains immensely challenging. Local hoteliers expect room rates to grow at a modest 2-3%, lagging behind inflation.

Set against this backdrop, topics to be discussed at HMT 2018 include “Rethinking the Revenue Growth Strategies in a Competitive Environment” , “Diversifying and Growing the Source markets: Conquering the New Frontiers” , “Diversifying and Growing the Source Markets: Conquering the New Frontiers”, “Securing Owner Approval and Capital Investment for Renovations and Upgrades”, and “How will Blockchain Technology Enable Distribution and Loyalty?”, among others.

“HMT was an excellent opportunity for me to understand Thailand’s hotel market better especially since I am quite new to this region. The Summit provided a platform for like-minded hotel professionals to network and engaged and I definitely gained a lot from it. The insights were rich and the speaker selection was outstanding,” said Anand Jindal, Cluster Director, Revenue Management of W Bangkok, who attended HMT in 2017.

HMT is a neutral one-stop strategy platform where Corporate CEOs/ Presidents, COOs and CFOs, VP operations Property GMs, Financial Controllers, Director of operations property owners, and managing directors will directly address all key management, operational, commercial, and financial challenges that impact corporate and property P&L.

HMT Summit 2018 is part of the Hotel Management Asia summit Series, Asia’s only truly regional hotel management conference series. The series will rotate through Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Indonesia this year by leveraging regional experiences, insights, and innovations to address market-specific challenges.

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

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

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

About Hotel Management Thailand Summit (HMT Summit)
The leading conference in Thailand that directly addresses all operational/management challenges, the Hotel Management Thailand Summit provides a platform for hotel executives from both corporate level and property level to discuss key operational, branding and financial issues directly impacting corporate and property P&L.

CEO, COO, CFO, VPs, GMs, Financial Controllers, and executive committee members will gather to strategize and debate on essential topics including brand equity, cash-flow management, cost control, innovation and staff retention and development. Industry leaders will share their best practices and recommendations with their peers.

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

Hua Hin (Thailand) – February 27, 2018 (travelindex.com) – A glittering grand opening ceremony has been held for Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin, Asia’s first Holiday Inn water park resort, which is set spectacularly on Thailand’s Gulf coast, just 2.5 hours’ drive from Bangkok.

More than 400 guests, including many celebrities and VIPs, attended the event, which took place on Saturday night. They included owners Proud Real Estate, who are the developers of Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin as well as the adjacent Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle, and senior executives from InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).

Guests were treated to an action-packed evening of live entertainment, including a show from popular Thai actress Jenny Tienposuwan, and an exclusive concert by iconic Thai pop star Tata Young. These performances were followed by an extravagant, extended firework display that lit up the night sky, watched from the resort’s towering Sky Deck.

“We are delighted to celebrate the grand opening of Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin in such spectacular style,” said Franck Rodriguez, the resort’s General Manager. “We are proud to set a new quality benchmark with a fully-integrated hospitality offering extensive facilities, cutting-edge technology and breath-taking views over the Gulf of Thailand.”

Easily accessible from Bangkok and two international airports, Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin is perfect for all types of stays, from fun-filled playcations to couples’ breaks, family holidays and unique business events.

The hotel is part of a larger mixed use development that is Vana Nava Hua Hin. It is right next door to Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle that first opened its doors to the public in 2014 with overwhelming success. Boasting 20 world class slides and attractions surrounded by over 200,000 trees under the concept of a “water jungle”, the waterpark has welcomed close to a million visitors since and it is one of the biggest names in waterparks in Thailand. The project will also feature premium residences, expected to be launched later this year. Linking all components of the project together and ensuring a seamless customer experience is the unique RFID Technology, which can be used to unlock hotel rooms, access the waterpark and pay for food and entertainment within the compound.

Proud Real Estate Executive Director Proudputh Liptapanlop said: “Hua Hin has long been a beloved destination among the Thai aristocrats and high society since the 1920s when it was hand picked to be the first resort town of Thailand by H.M. King Rama VI. Because of its sandy white beaches along with stunning mountainscape, its long history and its charms and heritage as a seaside fishing village, Hua Hin over the years has attracted many tourists both Thai and International. Now with the addition of a truly integrated resort-entertainment like Vana Nava Hua Hin, we are confident that Hua Hin will be able to attract even more visitors and establish its credentials as a leading resort destination worldwide.”

As the highest hotel in Hua Hin, Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin is expected to become an iconic destination. With 360 degrees views from the rooftop, guests can watch stunning sunrises over the Gulf of Thailand in the east, and enjoy golden sunsets over the hills in the west. Clarence Tan, Managing Director Southeast Asia and Korea, IHG added: “We are delighted to be extending our partnership with Proud Real Estate. They have been a valued partner of IHG for a number of years since we opened InterContinental Hua Hin Resort in 2012. We are proud to work with partners who have such commitment to bringing our brands to life and with a strong vision to build innovative resorts that put guests first.

The hotel features 300 rooms and suites, including a series of inter-connecting rooms and KidSuites®, with special ‘secret’ rooms decked out with bunk beds and play areas. Children aged 12 and under can stay and eat for free, and all guests are offered free Wi-Fi and unlimited access to Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle. When they are not playing in the Vana Nava Hua Hin Water Jungle, guests can unwind in the resort’s own extensive facilities, including a dramatic 26th floor infinity pool, the Tea Tree Spa, a 24-hour fitness centre, kids’ club and children’s pool.

Dining and entertainment options include the all-day Plamong Restaurant, casual Pool Bar, and the stylish Vana Nava Sky Bar, Restaurant & Observation Deck, which offers spectacular views across the Gulf. Designed by Bangkok-based consultant Ashley Sutton, the mastermind behind some of Asia’s most famous bars, including Maggie Choo’s and Iron Fairies in Bangkok and Ophelia in Hong Kong, this dazzling destination also features a dramatic glass-bottomed deck 110 metres above ground and is set to become a “must-visit” destination for visitors to Hua Hin.

Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin is also an attractive new option for event planners. With five function rooms and one of Hua Hin’s largest ballrooms, the resort is likely to become an important destination for the Thailand’s MICE industry. The grand opening party for Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin marks the arrival of a new landmark on Thailand’s Gulf coast, and a new era of hospitality in Hua Hin.

 

About Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts:
Started over 65 years ago and with over 1,200 hotels worldwide today, the Holiday Inn® brand is the most widely recognised lodging brand in the world. Holiday Inn® believes the Joy of Travel is for everyone. The brand stands for delivering an affordable, enjoyable hotel experience where guests are always welcomed warmly.

The first Holiday Inn opened its doors in 1952, and today the Holiday Inn® Brand Family is the largest hotel brand in the world, with the largest development pipeline.

The ‘Kids Eat & Stay Free’ programme, available at every Holiday Inn® property, demonstrates the long-standing commitment of the Holiday Inn® brand to serve family travellers.

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

IHG franchises, leases, manages or owns nearly 5,300 hotels and more than 785,000 guest rooms in almost 100 countries, with more than 1,500 hotels in its development pipeline. IHG also manages IHG® Rewards Club, our global loyalty programme, which has more than 100 million enrolled members.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group’s holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. More than 350,000 people work across IHG’s hotels and corporate offices globally.

Victoria, Mahe (Seychelles) – February 26, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Seychelles has long earned bragging rights concerning its leadership in the field of environmental protection, and our proactive efforts in sustainable practise. Last week’s article by Sasha Lekach on Travel Wire News pertaining to Telsa providing “Wall Connectors” to offices free of charge so that employees can charge their electric vehicles while they work has reinforced the ideal that we ought to be moving towards environmentally-friendly transport if we are to do our part for a better and cleaner world.

Seychelles offers tax reduction incentives for electric or hybrid vehicles. With the move towards environmentally-friendly transport, it would be beneficial if Taxi services and the Tourism Industry could embrace this movement for a greener Seychelles. Incentives could include providing a charger to hotels, Taxi Ranks, the Ferry Port and the SCAA at the airport. Businesses and Government would need to take steps to install chargers at key points where staff and members of the public may recharge their electric vehicles as needed. With the rising costs in petrol and diesel, and the alarming duty on non-electric or hybrid vehicles, it is an accepted fact that Seychelles will have little option but to move down this path sooner rather than later.

Work permit politics

Work permits are invaluable for the smooth running of any business operation, especially in the tourism industry where skilled and willing Seychellois staff may be lacking. When a hotel operation is faced with work permit difficulties with the Government, despite being within their agreed quota of foreign versus the local workforce, the system starts to break down. No hotel company or owner would, or should really be forced to, employ someone just for the sake of it. Moreover, local politics or domestic issues within companies cannot and should never be considered as mitigating factors for approval or refusals of work permits for the position of General Managers or any senior management staff for that matter.

There are many known cases of disgruntled staff members or vindictive minority shareholders of a company calling immigration to have a work permit refused or revoked. Alarmingly, in many cases it would appear that these requests are honoured without hesitation. Proper procedure must be duly followed at all times by Government workers, otherwise their decisions will continue to be perceived as arbitrary and questionable.

Bicycle safety on La Digue

The use of bicycles as a means of transportation on the island of La Digue is a way of life for the locals, and a novel experience for many tourists.

A recent horrific bicycle accident on La Digue has prompted many to voice their concerns regarding the lack of regulation for bicycle users or businesses who hire or rent out the bicycles to visitors to the island. Renting a bicycle on La Digue should be no different to renting a car on Praslin or Mahe. Clients must be made aware of the inherent risks in riding a bicycle along the cobbled roads, especially when they share the pathways with ox carts and other vehicles. An aggravating factor is that the clients are not provided with safety equipment, such as helmets, nor are businesses compelled to provide them by law with each bicycle hire.

On 14th February 2018, a well reputed surgeon by profession, visitor to the island, fell from his bicycle after pedalling down a steep incline. He was not wearing a helmet. The injuries he sustained were life threatening and he had to be airlifted out of the country with spine and neck injuries. We met the wife of the injured and, as much as she was thankful for the care her husband received in the Intensive Care Unit at the Seychelles Hospital, her thanks and appreciation went to Anny Esparon, the Front Office Manager of Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie Resort, who went beyond the call of duty to display her devotion to the island’s tourism industry, and her unrelenting kindness to two tourists in their time of need.

Business Community meeting on La Digue

This recent meeting on La Digue with the members of the island’s business community was chaired by PS for Tourism, Anne Lafortune. Demands were made for further consultation with the business community to empower them as partners for the development of their island. They emphasised that oftentimes decisions are made by desk officers on Mahe, and implemented without the input of the Diguois; businesses on La Digue consequently struggle with the ramifications of such decisions, which tend to be unrealistic and unnecessarily inconvenience business owners.

A case in point is the prevention of hotel golf buggies from carrying the hotel’s small 14kg gas bottle or small cartons of food stuff, an impractical embargo especially considering that the island has restricted the presence of pickup trucks. We have recently learned that this situation may soon be changed for the benefit of the islanders. Had this absurdity been allowed to continue, Diguois would have been forced to walk about with cartons of milk balanced on their heads, with a gas bottle clutched in one hand and a bag of groceries in the other, while the desk officers on Mahe snicker from afar.

Another example of absurdity is that of a small business which was granted permission to import a golf buggy, but authority to transport it to La Digue was denied until the opening of the hotel, ignoring the pertinent fact that the vehicle was meant to assist the hotel owner with the pre-opening stage of the operation. This is an example of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing, and a possible explanation for Seychelles’ poor ranking in the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ table.

The Assumption Island saga continues

The uproar surrounding the deal between India and the Government of Seychelles continues unabated because of the closeness of this proposed military base by a foreign power to Aldabra, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the conscious decision to continue to militarise the India Ocean at the time of heightened tension between super powers.

On 24th February, after weeks of peaceful protests in the heart of Victoria, a panel was set up to address the people on the rationale behind this deal. Mr. Barry Faure from the Department of Foreign Affairs, and incidentally the brother of the President of the Republic, vehemently tried to defend the project, amidst open criticism and backlash from the gathered crowd. He claimed that India needs Seychelles, and further stated that the military base on Assumption Island would be a gift to our small Nation (prompting a dramatic walk-out by a lawyer in attendance and much derisive laughter by the congregation).

A unanimous request for a referendum on the matter was called for at that meeting, to give the People of Seychelles a say before our small Nation throws away the “friends of all and enemies of none” status it has diligently maintained since 29th June 1976. Mr. Faure later gave an interview on SBC news, thereby quashing this request by the people.

Phuket (Thailand) – February 22, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Over the course of the next few days, some of the world’s most prestigious marine lifestyle brands will be present at Ao Po Grand Marina in Phuket for the third edition of the Thailand Yacht Show, taking place from Thursday 22nd to Sunday 25th February.

The growing destination for the world’s high-spending yachting community, Phuket will host thousands of nautical lifestyle enthusiasts, including potential buyers and charterers who are invited to climb aboard and experience an impressive display of watercraft featured in the Show. Available to try out will be yachts, superyachts, catamarans, sailboats, sports-fishers, dinghies, tenders, water sport boats and day cruisers, in addition to exclusive activities and alluring social events.

The Thailand Yacht Show (TYS), presented by Verventia Pte Ltd, organisers of the Singapore Yacht Show, and sponsored by the Tourism Authority of Thailand under the supervision of the Ministry of Tourism & Sports, is fast becoming an event of truly international standing, bringing together leading brands and dealers to present their most popular products at the Show.

This year’s exhibitors include Asia Marine, Asia Yacht Agency, Azimut Yachts, Boat Lagoon Yachting, Cholamark Boat Co, Fraser Yachts, Lee Marine, Multihull Solutions, Northrop and Johnson, Princess Yachts, Sky Marine, Sunreef, and Sunseeker, amongst many others. Visitors will also be able to admire and even get on board stunning superyachts from some of the world’s biggest and best-known brands in the industry, including Feadship, Ferretti, Heesen, and Perini Navi.

Unlike any other boat show in the region, TYS is a “Try-it-and-See” event which offers an immersive experience for both seasoned aficionados and newcomers alike. Morning cruise trips, live demonstrations and electric parties will allow visitors to discover the luxurious yachting lifestyle. Interactive activities – hopping on board for a quick cruise at sea or trying out the latest in water toys – will let interested visitors try everything out first hand. Sustainable mobility and some of the latest developments towards mindful conservation at sea will also be part of the show at TYS, with electric boats and cars presented by sponsoring partners Torqeedo and BMW.

Asia’s Biggest SuperYacht Fleet
The stellar line-up at this year’s show includes some of the world’s biggest and best superyachts, including the 90m Cassens-Werft-built Lauren L, the biggest yacht ever to be exhibited at any show in Asia and presented by Titan Fleet Management, alongside Feadship’s 60m motor yacht M/Y Paraffin which will be presented by Fraser Yachts. For those looking for an exquisite and timeless yacht, this is one of the most luxurious yachts available for charter or sale on the market. She can accommodate 12 guests in six staterooms and has ample interior and exterior space for relaxing and entertaining. Her wine cellar is as enviable as is the range of toys and tenders on board.

Ferretti Group’s Custom Line 47m M/Y Happy Days will be available for private viewings with Lee Marine. A powerful motor yacht with a top speed of 28 knots, this is the perfect yacht to discover the Andaman Sea.

Also included in a fleet of some 15 superyachts is the 38m classic sailing yacht S/Y La Numero Uno, the very first yacht built by one of the most elite names in the industry, Perini Navi. One of the most luxurious sailing yachts available for viewing at the Show, she is available for charter through broker Asia Marine.

Catamarans Are Here To Stay
Multihulls remain popular at the Thailand Yacht Show due to their fantastic interior and exterior space, as well as the great stability they provide while underway and at anchor. Visitors to the Show will be treated to look at some of the world’s most prestigious brands – Fountaine Pajot presented by Multihull Solutions, and Sunreef exhibited by Northrop and Johnson.

The ITAC 54, designed by world-renowned Italian naval architect Riccardo Bulgarelli, will make its world debut at the Show. Presented by Multihull Solutions, Asia Pacific’s leading multihull specialist, this new long-range passage-making catamaran delivers the features and performance of a 70ft monohull with the benefit of being easy to handle without additional crew. Offering the finest in luxury appointments and finishes at a price that challenges production power catamaran models, the ITAC 54 combines impressive power with economical range.

Northrop & Johnson will be presenting the 18m sailing catamaran S/Y In the Wind, built by Sunreef Yachts, producers of some of the best catamarans in the market. With the space to accommodate eight guests, her saloon opens seamlessly into the cockpit offering the space of a larger vessel. Set up for adventure chartering, guests have access to stand-up paddle boards, dive equipment, and wakeboard amongst other activities.

For those looking to trial a Catamaran at sea and get a feeling for the enormous space and stability they provide, the ever-popular HYPE will be hosting a series of morning cruises around Phang Nga Bay and some of its iconic limestone islands. Guests will be able to venture out and enjoy some swimming and snorkelling before the Show opens.

Yacht Toys and Live Demonstrations
The Thailand Yacht Show offers something for everyone and every budget – from superyachts and charter holidays to all other aspects of the leisure marine lifestyle. The latest marine toys and water sports such as stand up paddle boarding by Sea-Doo, and the latest cool water craze, the Schiller water bike, will all be available for trials at the open Demonstration Platform. Visitors can chill while floating on bean bags from Soo Santai or attend live demonstrations and be amazed by professionals showing JetBlade and JetSurf equipment.

Lifestyle Destinations
Complementing the Show will be a glamorous social calendar which includes electric private parties on board superyachts, a floating VIP Lounge, supercar parades and VIP morning and dinner cruises.

Visitors can start the day enjoying panoramic ocean views by cruising around the Bay’s paradisiacal islands on board the luxury catamaran HYPE, which will depart every morning from the marina to offer the perfect initiation to yachting in Thailand.

During the day, those considering hiring or purchasing a yacht or a boat or any of the latest water toys will be able to fully appreciate the products and enjoy Thai hospitality, as well as experiencing the fun of yachting, by joining scheduled cruises or sea-trials on board selected yachts and boats on display.

Guests can expect sumptuous food and wine to be offered throughout the day on and off the water. Thai cooking lessons, street food vendors, night markets, sommelier-led wine tastings and chef demonstrations will complete the experience. The youngest members of the family will also be able to enjoy a day out at the Show at the TYS Kids Club, where dedicated activities will be offered just for them whilst their parents discover the best of the yachting world.

To end each day the best way, visitors can board the lavish catamaran HYPE to party till late or head to Sunbrella’s D’Deck Bar to groove to live DJs over sunset cocktails. Yoga lovers can join Friday and Saturday evening Full Moon Yoga sessions at the Wellness Pop-up Spa.
Get your tickets here!

The Thailand Yacht Show
Phang Nga Bay, with its emerald green waters and stunning limestone islands, once again plays host to the third edition of the region’s premier experiential yachting event, The Thailand Yacht Show (TYS), staged in partnership with the Thai government.

Returning to Phuket’s AoPo Grand Marina from 22nd-25th February 2018, the Thailand Yacht Show is unlike any other boat show, with visitors being able to actually get out on the water and try out a whole range of watercraft. Held during the Lunar New Year, one of the busiest times on Phuket when it is buzzing with regional visitors, the Show will place an emphasis on the experience guests will have and how it will enhance their ongoing yachting lifestyle.

Combining the best aspects of yacht charter, the boating industry and luxury lifestyle events, the Thailand Yacht Show attracts industry professionals and consumers alike and is fast becoming the focal point of the developing luxury charter yacht business in Asia Pacific.

Verventia Pte Ltd
Verventia is a business catalyst, providing marketing platforms for introducing suppliers to distributors, and global audiences to lifestyle products and services. The company’s portfolio of events and extensive connections facilitate the integration of networks to stimulate industry growth and business development.

Well-versed in the implementation of successful event and project management, the experienced and professional team at Verventia are fully dedicated to deliver world-class events in unique venues around the world.

Verventia’s current portfolio comprises the Singapore Yacht Show, the Thailand Yacht Show, the Asia Pacific Superyacht Conference, the Asia Boating Forum, and – new in 2018 – the Singapore Collection and the Asia Pacific Waterfront & Property Forum.

Bangkok (Thailand) – February 22, 2018 (travelindex.com) – MGC-Marine (Asia) Co., Ltd. has announced it will display the Azimut Flybridge 66 and Azimut Atlantis 43 at the Thailand Yacht Show (TYS) 2018 in Phuket later this month.

Mr. Chanyo Manakulsawasd, operations director of MGC-Marine (Asia) disclosed that the company has successfully gotten the done deal with Flybridge collection at Phuket Rendezvous 2018, and the TYS, to be held on 22-24 February at Ao Po Marina is an ideal event to launch the Flybridge 66.

“This will be the first time the Flybridge 66 makes its appearance in Thailand therefore I strongly encourage aspiring yacht owners and visitors to take note so they will enjoy an exclusive preview of this stunning state-of-the art craft. Azimut’s uniquely successful heritage in the Flybridge segment, with more than 300 Azimut 62 and 64’s sold around the world since 2002. ” said the beaming Chanyo.

Hailed as the most technologically advanced yacht in the world, the 20-meter carbon fiber boat features an impressive innovation of electronic power steering, integrated control system and home automation system.

Furthermore, you will also meet the New Atlantis 43, an Italian sports yacht with sleek design and easy to operate, while offering a high level of comfort. It is a perfect blend of beauty and performance, with a top speed of 35 knots. You will be surprised that the 43-foot yacht is able to answer all requirements for those who love the Italian-styled marine experience that can be described as – “Simply Perfect”.

He added that Phuket has continually showed strong upside potential for yacht sales thanks to its sizable number of keen and experienced international and Thai yachtsmen. He praised the Thai government’s strong supports which provides investment opportunities for those in the yachting industry to promote growth for the boom.h

Naypyidaw (Myanmar) – February 21, 2018 (travelindex) – Myanmar is a truly breathtaking land, where stunning scenery, exquisite cultures and iconic images combine to create an exciting and enchanting destination for international travelers.

However, in a country larger than Thailand, where there are so many different wonders to explore, travelers can often be overwhelmed by the array of choices on offer. Fortunately, Best Western Hotels & Resorts has developed a collection of hotels in some of Myanmar’s most magical destinations, allowing guests to experience this diverse country in style and comfort.

Yangon:
The country’s largest city and commercial capital, Yangon displays a charming blend of colonial architecture, parks, lakes and temples, including the spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda which dominates the skyline. The world’s oldest Buddhist temple, this is a “must-see” attraction for any visitor to Yangon. Guests can also explore the hustle and bustle of Chinatown, shop at the famous Bogyoke Market, or take a leisurely stroll around Kandawgyi or Inya lakes.

Nestled in the green heart of the city, just a short stroll from Kandawgyi Lake,
Best Western Green Hill Hotel offers 187 rooms, a restaurant, business center, fitness center and complimentary Wi-Fi, making it the perfect base for any urban adventure.
To learn more or book your next stay at Best Western Green Hill Hotel, CLICK HERE.

Alternatively, Best Western Chinatown Hotel is ideal for guests who want to keep their finger on the pulse. Just a few minutes from Strand Road and the golden Sule Pagoda, this superb city hotel offers 91 rooms, a restaurant, business center, meeting rooms and free Wi-Fi, ensuring that all travelers are kept fully connected. To discover more or to book Best Western Chinatown Hotel, CLICK HERE.

Inle Lake:
Myanmar has far more to offer than urban exploration, however. In the hills of Shan State, Inle Lake is one of Asia’s most alluring destinations. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this spectacular lake is home to an incredible array of natural and cultural wonders, including the famous “one-legged” Intha fisherman who live and work on its waters.

Nestled on the banks of the Nyaung Shwe River, which flows into Inle Lake, Best Western Thousand Island Hotel is perfectly positioned for guests seeking to explore this enchanting body of water. With 48 modern rooms, a restaurant, cocktail lounge, free Wi-Fi, a billiard room, riverfront café and even a rooftop bar, this exceptional hotel also provides a wonderful place to unwind after your days or discovery. To learn more about Best Western Thousand Island Hotel and to book your next stay, click here.

Whichever part of magical Myanmar you choose to explore, Best Western is offering the chance to spend even longer discovering this captivating country. With our “‘Best Deals” promotion, guests can book two consecutive nights any Best Western hotel in Myanmar and get 20% off throughout 2018! Find out more or make a reservation at

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

Victoria, Mahe (Seychelles) – February 19, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Tourism is getting ready for the upcoming ITB tourism trade fair in Berlin in early March. I am thankful to those who are making it possible for me to once again be in Berlin, but this time wearing a tourism consultant’s hat. Germany has overtaken other countries as a key tourism source market, making this tourism trade fair more important than ever. Germany is Seychelles’ primary source market today; CONDOR has two weekly flights directly from Frankfurt and Austrian Airline has a weekly flight out of Vienna. This will be further enhanced with the programmed arrival of Edelweiss Airline in the coming weeks.

Saint Ange Consultancy has now been approached to be the agent for some Tour Operators to monitor Standards and Operating Performance of hotels in Seychelles and, in due course, for the region. We have completed the first inspections and verified some of the claims for compensation from disgruntled visitors. The meetings set for ITB in Berlin will continue to open these partnerships opportunities.

The Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), custodians for Aldabra, the UNESCO World Heritage Site, has voiced its opinion on the proposed Military Base on the island of Assumption. Aldabra is proudly owed by Seychelles, and is often termed the ‘Galapagos of the Indian Ocean’. The SIF said in a communique issued this week:-

“SIF’s mandate is to protect and conserve Aldabra Atoll and the Vallée de Mai. Similarly, the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change (MEECC) has a mandate to implement the laws and policy of Seychelles. The MEECC is fully aware of the environmental issues of the outer islands. With respect to the possible development on Assumption Island, SIF has not seen the agreement; however is hopeful that with the two visits that have taken place the decision makers will take into consideration all circumstances. This includes the implementation of the Aldabra Management Plan 2016 – 2026 which was submitted to Government and approved. It is anticipated that this will be taken into account during the Environment Impact Assessment which will be undertaken as part of the implementation of the agreement”.

SIF knows that no military base was ever envisaged next door in their 2016 – 2026 Management Plan and this should by itself be a cause for concern.

As the Assumption Island Saga continues, with some interested parties set to see the project done, super powers are already flexing their muscles in the Indian Ocean Region. Last week, China, in no uncertain terms, put India on notice if it decides to move into the Maldives in its current period of turmoil. The call to leave military bases out of the region is resonating with the neighbouring Islands. Bringing super power rivalry on one’s doorstep is not a desirable prospect, despite what a few ambitious local politicians may claim.

The recent press reports republished in “Le Defi’ Newspaper of Mauritius paint a gloomy picture for Seychelles (see link below). These reports shed light on the reasoning for having a military base on Assumption, and outlines who really stands to gain from such a deal. In amongst all this uncertainty, local politicians have been heard calling for the abolition of the Seychelles Army. As a former Seychelles Judge once nostalgically quipped, “The more we change, the more it remains the same.”

Seychelles has over the years advocated that it is “friends of all and enemies of none”. When the Seychelles founding President, Sir James Mancham, echoed these words, he was working to safeguard the security of the peace-loving Seychellois people. Sadly, we are now as a Nation taking sides, and India is the chosen super power set to have its military base a mere stone’s throw away from Aldabra, the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today, the member States of the region are united in a pact where Navy Ships of respective countries are expected to have open port access for their navy ships in Seychelles waters. It remains to be seen how this pact will be affected with the establishment of a new port on Assumption Island.
In other news, Africa has lost three Heads of State in less than three months. Zimbabwe, South Africa and Ethiopia have all seen resignations from their highest office. Some will call them forced resignations, or a coup d’état in the case of Zimbabwe, but change is here. The African Union (AU) also changed its ‘Head’, showing clearly the wind of needed change is blowing at last.

Phuket (Thailand) – February 19, 2018 (travelindex.com) – Phuket-based International TV presenter, News Anchor and MC Able Wanamakok, the driving force behind the recent Inspired Phuketian series of motivational talks, has embarked her next venture in the booming life-coaching industry with the launch of Find Your Voice Asia. Through Find Your Voice Asia, Able is offering tailor-made coaching solutions for both groups and individuals who want to improve their self-confidence and communication skills, as well as promote their professional advancement and improve relationships with both clients and colleagues.

Able says the idea behind the creation of the company arose from her work with experienced life-coaches Darren Scherbain, Alan Yip and Jay Jay Yankomut, each of whom gave Inspired Phuketian talks and are now collaborating with Find Your Voice Asia to offer their coaching services.

“Inspired Phuketian enabled me to meet Alan, Darren and Jay Jay, and of course, other people. But I didn’t know that they were coaches until afterwards… I just thought they were really cool people who had something to share,” says Able.

Able says that the company is the next step in the evolution of her 13-year career as a presenter and public speaker – one which she struggled to build against the odds. Growing up in the US state of Ohio, as the child of immigrants from Hong Kong, Able was the only Asian student at her school and faced racism and discrimination on many fronts.

But rather than become bitter, Able says these challenges made her all the more determined to succeed and create a meaningful life for herself, though it was never easy.

“I’m an immigrant, so my life hasn’t been easy… so to get everything I have today, it’s been a struggle, but I’m happy I have reached this level of success, because many people said I could not grow a successful career doing what I wanted from Phuket,” she says.

“One of the main reasons I started [Inspired Phuketian] is because it had healing that I needed. From myself, from my insecurities… growing up in the States as someone who didn’t speak English. Prejudice and racism still very much exist in the world today… that encouraged me to not allow anybody to tell me what I can and cannot do,” says Able.

It is precisely this can-do, positive attitude that Able wants to inspire in other people to help them reach their own dreams and goals.

“I started Find My Voice Asia because it took me a while to find my own voice and what I wanted to do. I tend to help other people too much, I help my parents, I help my husband and I often times I put their needs ahead of mine while neglecting my own needs and my own path,” she says.

Able says that the team of experienced coaches will enable her business to offer a range of services, from seminars for hotel staff on improving guest interactions and their English skills to one-on-one executive coaching for career and relationship development as well as group activities for kids to help develop their communications and story-telling skills.

“Darren is a triathlon coach and all about positivity and motivation, Jay Jay is aimed at the Thai market only, Alan is more academic and about performance and memory and I’m more about public speaking and confidence – so we all have different things to offer,” she says.

“Basically, we are a team of coaches and trainers who wants to help you to achieve your goals in life. Whether you are a student looking for a fun and stress-free way to achieve academically, the parent of a child looking for activities that would help them develop better life skills or an executive looking to improve your influence and relationships, we can help.”

Originally written by: Mark Knowles

For more information visit: findyourvoice.asia

About Able Wanamakok:
With over a decade’s experience, Hong Kong-born, US raised Able Wanamakok is a media talent with the ability to work across a wide range of platforms, including TV Hosting, news presenting, Mc’ing for any type of functions, script-writing, voice-over work and movies. She has recently launched her branch off from hosting into the life-coaching sector with FindYourVoice.Asia.

Contact her to host your next event/video project, production or show in Asia:
Able Wanamakok
TV Host/MC/Public Speaking Coach
Tel: 66 (0) 85 889 9930
Email: Able.FashionOne@gmail.com
Email: FindYourVoiceAsia@gmail.com