Hotels & Resorts

4 reasons to join the celebrations of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon first anniversary

Kristin Mariano Jul 19,2023

The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon is celebrating its first birthday on July 29, 2023, with a special room deal, discounts on dining, and a chance to win free stays at the hotel. To share the joy and success with its patrons, The Standard is offering an irresistible package that includes exclusive room deals, discounts on dining, […]

Features

Novotel debuts in Rayong, Thailand

Kristin Mariano Jul 19,2023

Novotel, one of the world’s most renowned midscale brands, has opened a city hotel in Rayong, Thailand. Novotel Rayong Star Convention Centre brings the brand’s signature experiences to life with naturally intuitive design and spacious modular rooms, nutritious food, and a wide range of rewarding experiences for business guests and families alike. With a firm […]

Northern Ireland

Luxury by Cruise Plus expanded product & enhanced rewards

Kristin Mariano Jul 19,2023

Cruise Plus, the sister brand of Gold Medal, are delighted to bring their agents their latest development, which showcases the luxury cruise market within their portfolio including enhancements across product, service, marketing content and rewards.  The ‘Luxury by Cruise Plus’ portfolio features specially selected market-leading luxury cruise lines – including Seabourn, Silversea, Explora Journeys, Azamara, […]

Features

Dusit Thani Maldives enhances guests journeys with luxurious seaplane lounge experience

Kristin Mariano Jul 19,2023

 Dusit Thani Maldives, a luxury Thai-inspired resort on Mudhdhoo Island in Baa Atoll, has elevated its arrival experience by opening an exclusive seaplane lounge at the Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) terminal at Velana International Airport in Malé.  Designed to deliver unmatched comfort and tranquillity to guests as they anticipate their connecting flight to the island, […]

Interviews

Aboard the luxurious and sustainable Le Commandant Charcot

Kristin Mariano Jul 18,2023

They say cruising and sustainability is like oil and water. PONANT’s latest addition to the fleet, Le Commandant Charcot – the very first luxury hybrid electric polar exploration ship powered by liquified natural gas, is the epitome of a more responsible and sustainable sailing. The ship focuses on safe and low-impact polar navigation, taking advantage […]

Features

Banyan Tree Group expands Sustainable Food Journey

Kristin Mariano Jul 18,2023

Banyan Tree Group, a leading player in sustainable tourism and a founding signatory of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) in Singapore, has long been committed to its ethos of “Embracing the Environment, Empowering People” and actively implementing sustainability practices ever since its founding. In recognition of the fact that a significant portion of environmental […]

Sports Tourism

Central Vietnam offers visiting golfers a stay/play bonanza

Kristin Mariano Jul 18,2023

Vietnam Golf Coast (VGC) clubs are showcasing the broad appeal of Central Vietnam via a range of stay/play options. Layouts such as Laguna Golf Lăng Cô, a Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design, and Ba Na Hills Golf Club, laid out by British current Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald over rolling foothills, are ranked among Asia’s […]

Features

Conrad Hotels & Resorts expands its presence in APAC with new luxury hotel in Shenzhen, China

Kristin Mariano Jul 18,2023

Hilton has announced the opening of Conrad Shenzhen in the city’s Qianhai business district,  expanding the brand’s global portfolio of elevated luxury offerings. Artfully imagined by world-renowned design firm YABU Pushelberg to embody “A Story of a Dreamer,” the 300-room hotel takes guests on a reflective journey through modern art and calming aesthetics – lending […]

TDIWTA

Inspiring Women in Travel – Asia calls for inspirational women to participate in IWTA Stories

Kristin Mariano Jul 17,2023

Inspiring Women in Travel – Asia (IWTA), a journey that highlights the incredible stories of women in travel who are successful in their own right, is calling for inspiring women to participate. Each journey has a story and is shared as an interview which feature women from all levels of the travel industry, from prodigious […]

Features

BWH Hotels’ mid-season savvy sale

Kristin Mariano Jul 17,2023

In need of an energizing mid-year escape? Don’t miss the exciting 7-day sale from BWH Hotels! Guests can enjoy up to 25% off the Best Rates at the “Mid-Season Savvy Sale”, at participating hotels and resorts* across Asia. And that’s not all; Best Western Rewards® members will receive an additional 10% discount and extra benefits!  […]

UK

Mandarin Oriental announces new luxury hotel and branded residences on London’s South Bank to open in 2028

Kristin Mariano Jul 17,2023

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group will open its third London hotel in the British capital in 2028. Situated on London’s South Bank with dramatic views over St Paul’s Cathedral, Mandarin Oriental Bankside, London is positioned ideally to access both the City of London and the West End theatre and shopping districts, offering a perfect base for leisure […]

Features

Halekulani Okinawa becomes first and only Virtuoso member in Okinawa

Kristin Mariano Jul 17,2023

Halekulani Okinawa has announced its recent acceptance into the prestigious Virtuoso luxury travel network as the first and only member in Okinawa. This new affiliation represents recognition and approval of the services and experiences provided by Halekulani Okinawa catering to luxury travelers. Members of Virtuoso consist primarily of international travel agencies and travel advisors specializing […]

Features

Shangri-La Rasa Ria’s Sarimpak Robe Initiative: For a Sustainable Stay

Kristin Mariano Jul 17,2023

Shangri-La Rasa Ria, a sustainable, 5-star resort located in beautiful Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, has announced its new Sarimpak Robe initiative, which not only aligns with its sustainability vision but also seeks to create a positive influence on the local Tuaran community. Available for both adults and children staying in the Ocean Wing, the robes are […]

Insurance

Unleashing the potential of embedded protection to revolutionize the travel industry

Kristin Mariano Jul 14,2023

With the rise in tourism, the global travel protection market has witnessed significant growth from US$19.14 billion in 2022 to US$22.44 billion this year. This growth is especially prominent in Asia, where fares are about 50% higher than they were in 2019. As the industry continues to see this increase in demand, it’s paramount that […]

Features

Thailand’s first ‘INNSiDE by Meliá’ hotel celebrates grand opening

Kristin Mariano Jul 14,2023

Towering over Bangkok’s trendy On Nut neighbourhood, INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit has cut the ribbon on a host of remarkable facilities ranging from integrated co-working spaces to a sky-high transparent infinity pool and rooftop tapas bar. Reaching 34 floors, the 208-room hotel celebrates its grand opening on July 7th, 2023. It is Thailand’s first […]

Features

Three of Japan’s finest luxury resorts that go above and beyond

Kristin Mariano Jul 14,2023

With its culture firmly rooted in ancient culinary, artistic and religious traditions, Japan offers an incredible experience to any traveller. Located in many of Japan’s main cultural hubs, Marriott Bonvoy’s selection of luxury resorts are designed to reflect the sophistication and beauty of Japanese culture, while offering guests an incomparable taste of luxury. The Ritz-Carlton, […]

Features

Get inspired for your next vacation with Rosewood hotel openings list for 2023 & 2024

Kristin Mariano Jul 13,2023

Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort: Opening date: 1 July 2023 Located on the Kohala Coast of the Big Island of Hawai‘i, Kona Village, A Rosewood Resort will debut in Summer 2023 as the latest incarnation of its iconic namesake. Spanning 81 acres of stunning geologic landscape and richness, the reimagined resort will draw inspiration from […]

Tourism Boards

Frasco inaugurates first ever DOT Tourist Rest Area in PH

Kristin Mariano Jul 13,2023

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the inauguration of the first ever completed tourist rest area (TRA) on Monday (July 10).  The facility, located in Medellin, is the first to be completed out of the initial batch of 10 TRAs that the DOT broke ground on since last year. The TRA, flagship […]

Features

10 places that will pay you to move there

Kristin Mariano Jul 13,2023

With more people working remotely than ever, it’s perhaps no surprise that there are increasing numbers of people keen to experience the expat or digital nomad lifestyle. However, with moving abroad being an expensive ordeal, it can be stressful even starting to think about where to go. That’s where the following list comes in. Due […]

Canada

Canada’s top Instagrammable cities to live in

Kristin Mariano Jul 13,2023

Toronto has been revealed as Canada’s most Instagrammable city, with #toronto surpassing over 55.6 million posts. Other popular hashtags related to the city are #torontocity, with over 113,000 posts and #torontocityvibes, with over 19,000 posts. Toronto is known for being extremely vibrant and friendly so many choose to relocate and involve themselves in the city’s hustle and bustle. The […]

Features

7 reasons why Vilnius, host of NATO Summit, is more than politics

Kristin Mariano Jul 12,2023

On July 11-12, Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, will be hosting global officials for the NATO Summit 2023. Although the world will have eyes on the Summit, Vilnius has some unique qualities that extend beyond politics. Here are seven main takeaways that offer a glance at the host of the NATO Summit. 700 years young […]

Features

Hotel JAL City Bangkok, the first Hotel JAL City property outside Japan

Kristin Mariano Jul 12,2023

Hotel JAL City Bangkok, the 16th property to operate under the Hotel JAL City brand, one of the most renowned hotel brands in Japan, has opened on July 3, which had been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Located on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok’s Thonglor tourist and business district and currently operating as “Hotel Verve […]

Features

See Japan’s cherry blossom before it’s too late – expert

Kristin Mariano Jul 12,2023

It’s top of everyone’s travel bucket list, however, a stark warning has come from the UK travel industry advising that travelling to see the world-famous ‘Sakura’, the magnificent Japan cherry blossoms, is going to get much harder in years to come. Since Japan reopened in 2022, and with pent up demand from three years of […]

Features

Alipay and SEA countries broaden payment and marketing partnership

Kristin Mariano Jul 12,2023

Chinese travellers on average spent 24% more on Alipay when being abroad during the first half of 2023 compared with H1 2019, which signals new growth trends in China’s outbound tourism, said Alipay, China’s leading open platform under Ant Group. “As tourists revisit their favourite destinations, Ant Group continues to innovate our offerings to enhance […]

Hotels & Resorts

5 reasons to stay at the new Centara Grand Hotel Osaka

Kristin Mariano Jul 11,2023

Centara Grand Hotel Osaka has opened its doors on July 1, 2023. This long-awaited milestone marks Thailand’s leading hotel operator’s first-ever foray into the vibrant Japanese market and comes after months of meticulous planning – from the exquisite architecture and sophisticated design to crafting impeccable menus and preparing to welcome guests from around the world […]

United States

Epic outdoor adventures in Texas

Kristin Mariano Jul 11,2023

The dynamism, scope and sheer vastness of Texas offer unparalleled outdoor adventures throughout the state. Whether in the desert, the hill country, on the coast, or even in the cities, there are ample opportunities for exciting open-air experiences. Adrenaline-inducing obstacles at rock-climbing hotspot, Hueco Tanks State Park With an epically diverse landscape and a host […]

Features

DOT launches Hop-On-Hop-Off tour for Manila

Kristin Mariano Jul 11,2023

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the launch of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Philippines Hop-On-Hop-Off (HOHO) in the country’s capital introducing Manila’s “Cultural Hub” tours on July 6. Joining Secretary Frasco were officials of the City Government of Manila led by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, and tourism stakeholders. Dubbed as “the country’s first ever […]

Features

Chef takeover at Ojo for 12-Hand Dinner at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon

Kristin Mariano Jul 11,2023

This 22 July, Ojo – a slick Mexican cuisine on the 76th floor of The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon – is turning into a creative playground for the restaurant’s head chef and Mexican culinary sensation Francisco “Paco” Ruano, who will be hosting five chef friends for an eclectic 12-hand dinner. Brought together by the Thai capital’s vibrant culinary scene and their friendship with Chef […]

Features

Jamaica’s biggest music festival returns with a week of activities

Kristin Mariano Jul 05,2023

Jamaica’s biggest summer music festival, Reggae Sumfest, returns to the country’s tourist capital, Montego Bay with a week of activities from the 16-22 July 2023. The week of activities kicks off with a family funday, a street dance, two nights of parties and a global sound clash leading up to the final nights of musical […]

Features

Niigata Prefecture, center of Japanese culinary culture, hosts its first Gastronomy Awards

Kristin Mariano Jul 05,2023

Niigata Prefecture established Niigata Gastronomy Awards in September 2022 to identify and recognize restaurants, accommodations, alcohol products, and local specialties in the prefecture that actively engage the local community. Selected 160 winners in the restaurant, accommodation, and local specialty categories received the awards. – Niigata Prefecture, distinguished for rich food culture in Japan, and interest […]