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      Radisson RED to Debut in Thailand with Vibrant New Property in Phuket

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      390-key Radisson RED Phuket Patong Beach will introduce a new era of bold, social and hyper-connected hospitality to this popular destination, as part of a nationwide expansion strategy.
      Radisson Hotel Group will introduce an exciting new era of social and stylish hospitality to Thailand following the signing of Radisson RED Phuket Patong Beach, a vibrant upscale lifestyle hotel that will mark the debut of the Radisson RED brand in the “Land of Smiles.” This forms a key part of the Group’s strategy to double its portfolio of operating hotels in Thailand by mid-2024.
      Slated for opening in late 2023, Radisson RED Phuket Patong Beach marks the conversion of an existing property in the heart of Patong Beach, which will now be fully renovated and relaunched in line with Radisson RED’s bold design and brand standards. Owned by Destination Group, which recently partnered with Radisson Hotel Group to open both the Radisson Resort & Spa Hua Hin and Radisson Resort & Suites Phuket, this signing reaffirms the Group’s ability to meet the needs of guests and owners in a wide variety of markets – including Asia’s most popular destinations – with innovative brands and attractive business models.
      “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Destination Group with this landmark agreement for Thailand’s first Radisson RED hotel. With its striking design, upbeat vibe and the flexibility to let guests seamlessly switch between business and leisure, Radisson RED has the power to inject new life into hotels and destinations. This makes it the perfect fit for Patong Beach, one of Thailand’s most dynamic tourism hubs,” said Ramzy Fenianos, Chief Development Officer, Asia Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group.
      With its smart, upscale lifestyle design, Radisson RED presents a playful twist on the conventional with social spaces that let savvy travelers kick back, relax and feel the buzz of their destination. Positioned in the heart of Patong, Phuket’s main commercial district, just 270 meters from the beach and surrounded by retail malls, restaurants and nightlife, Radisson RED Phuket Patong Beach will let visitors feel the pulse of this lively tourist hub.ADVERTISEMENTA nod to Thailand’s most prominent national icons, guests will be greeted by a life-sized sculpture of a red lacquered elephant wearing earphones that will serve as the hotel’s mascot. As they enter the playful, art-inspired lobby where a red tuk-tuk takes centerstage, guests can easily use the check-in app for a stress-free arrival experience. The 390 rooms are all hyper-connected with high-speed Wi-Fi, streaming services and USB ports while a collection of Family Rooms with bunk beds and Party Rooms with dedicated fun spaces offer a host of options for every type of stay.
      Guests can chill out at the rooftop beach club, enjoy alfresco dining in the Warehouse specializing in rum and wine, or party late in the secret speakeasy lounge. A grab-go kiosk makes it easy to refuel, the power gym is a great place to work out, while wellness amenities like ice tubs and the Himalayan sea salt spa help guests rejuvenate. The resort offers two pools including a rooftop pool, a movie theatre, a video arcade, and a kids’ club which will keep both young children and teens entertained.
      “We are delighted to partner with Radisson Hotel Group once again and proud to introduce Radisson RED to Thailand for the first time. This innovative brand will attract the new generation of ‘always-on’ travelers who crave connectivity above all else. We are confident that this cutting-edge, contemporary concept, combined with the global strength and support of Radisson Hotel Group, will make this hotel one of Patong’s most exciting and coolest places to stay. This is the first hotel to be designed to meet the desires of post-pandemic travelers to Phuket. We are not just selling a room but more so we are selling an amazing Instagrammable experience in our resorts,” said Gary Murray, founder & CEO of Destination Group.
      Phuket is leading Thailand’s post-pandemic tourism recovery, having welcomed approximately 4.3 million international visitors in 2022¹ – more than one-third of the country’s total 11.5 million arrivals last year. The island is expected to attract 12 million domestic and overseas visitors this year, and it has already started the year strongly with the restart of direct flights from China in January.
      Earlier this year, Radisson Hotel Group announced plans to expand exponentially in Thailand, with a multi-brand expansion that will include new hotels and resorts in key destinations such as Phuket. The Group currently operates six hotels in Thailand across four brands in Bangkok, Phuket and Hua Hin.

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      IHG Hotels & Resorts signs management agreement for new Hotel Indigo in Riyadh

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      IHG Hotels & Resorts signs management agreement for new Hotel Indigo in Riyadh

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      IHG® Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading hotel companies, has announced the signing of a Management Agreement with Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City for a new Hotel Indigo within the city near the Irqah area along Wadi Hanifa in Riyadh.Set to open in 2025, with basement works already completed, the new hotel adds to IHG’s robust growth plans across various new developments that align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 tourism strategy.
      The signing of a new Hotel Indigo in Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City is significant, as it is the first nonprofit City of its kind, set to be an incubator for youth and for local and international institutions supporting innovation, entrepreneurship, and future leaders.
      The hotel will be located next to the City’s Al Mishraq Zone and serve as a living laboratory where innovation and social life will thrive, and creativity will meet science and technology. Guests will be able to take advantage of the City’s cultural experiences by using a vibrant pedestrian-only main street as part of the City’s “15 minute” planning concept, with connections to cultural offerings as well as elevated fine dining restaurants overlooking the stunning Wadi Hanifah and views of Riyadh’s city skyline.
      The City will deliver a platform to experiment with new products and technologies, and will offer interactive retail environments providing customers with immersive experiences. The infrastructure will include a comprehenisve mobility solution, supported by a sustainable cooling and shading system. The solution will become a prime example for modern and integrated urban transportation, while delivering a comfortable environment encouraging outdoor activities.
      The new-build Hotel Indigo will feature 234 guestrooms and suites, as well as 138 serviced apartments. The hotel is ideally situated just 15 minutes from Riyadh city center and 10 minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Site, At-Turaif District in Al-Dir’iyah. It also provides easy access to beautiful, diverse landscapes, together with iconic and innovative building structures including the Misk Art Institute, Mohammed bin Salman Foundation “Misk” headquarters, and a conference center, all located within the development.  The lifestyle hotel will boast three dining options for guests, including a neighborhood café, specialty dining venue, and an exquisite lobby lounge.ADVERTISEMENTHotel Indigo Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City Riyadh will also offer state-of-the-art facilities, including four multi-purpose meeting spaces, a contemporary health club and a swimming pool, making it the ultimate destination for a range of guests.
      Speaking on the new signing announcement, Haitham Mattar, Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG said: “We are delighted to partner with Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City, a flourishing community of creative thinkers and innovative pioneers that will build the future of Saudi Arabia. The City is devoted to encouraging youth leadership for a better future in the Kingdom, and our partnership is a wonderful opportunity to continue our support for Saudi youth and Vision 2030.”
      He added: “Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City is an ideal destination, as it represents a vast oasis within the City, and close to the historical capital, Riyadh. The new Hotel Indigo in Riyadh will cater to guests visiting Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City and looking to experience its business innovation, recreational entertainment options, cultural learning opportunities, outdoor destinations, and various other unique activities.”
      David Henry, Chief Executive Officer of Mohammed Bin Salman Nonprofit City commented: “I am very pleased that IHG has selected our City for another world class hotel offering that will be designed to provide a range of services that align with our youth-oriented focus. We are also delighted that the Ministry of Culture will oversee the inclusion of Saudi artwork in the hotel, thereby aligning with the missions of the Foundation’s Misk Art Institute, and the Hotel Indigo brand.
      IHG currently operates 37 hotels across five brands in Saudi Arabia, including: InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Staybridge Suites, and voco, with 31 hotels in the development pipeline set to open within the next three to five years.

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      Marriott International to bring iconic luxury brand, The Ritz-Carlton, to Phuket in 2025

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      Marriott International to bring iconic luxury brand, The Ritz-Carlton, to Phuket in 2025

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      Marriott International, Inc., announced plans to introduce The Ritz-Carlton, its iconic luxury brand, to Phuket, Thailand following the signing of an agreement with Asset World Corporation (AWC). The agreement stipulates plans for the strategic renovation and rebranding of the existing Westin Siray Bay Resort & Spa, Phuket. Expected to open in 2025, The Ritz-Carlton, Phuket anticipates setting a new benchmark for luxury hospitality on the island.
      With its serene and secluded location on the unspoiled east coast of the island overlooking the Andaman Sea, The Ritz-Carlton, Phuket expects to offer guests a spectacular scenery and uninterrupted ocean views. The hotel is a short distance from Phuket’s old town, with its vibrant markets, shophouse restaurants and elegant Sino-Portuguese architecture.
      “We are pleased to strengthen our long-term collaboration with Asset World Corporation to rebrand and reposition our existing property with today’s signing,” said Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific (Excluding China), Marriott International. “We are confident that The Ritz-Carlton, Phuket, once opened, will be well-positioned to meet the increased demand of luxury travel, in line with the Thailand Government’s goal of attracting more discerning travelers to the Thai Kingdom.”
      The resort is expected to undergo an extensive rebranding, ensuring that it reflects the contemporary design and thoughtful amenities that The Ritz-Carlton is known for is known for. Upon opening, The Ritz-Carlton, Phuket anticipates offering 182 stylish guestrooms, suites, and private villas, ranging from a spacious 50 square meters to an expansive 196 square meters. Guests will be able to dine and socialize at a choice of eight restaurants, bars, and lounges, work out at the well-equipped fitness center, or cool off in three swimming pools. Plans also call for a signature Ritz-Carlton Spa with eight treatment rooms, whirlpools, plunge pools, steam rooms, a sauna, and a salon.
      Meeting planners will be able to take advantage of four function rooms with 544 square meters of indoor space, plus a 168-square meter pre-function area and elegant alfresco spaces – ideal for out-of-town events and one-of-a-kind weddings.ADVERTISEMENT“AWC has great confidence in Thailand’s tourism industry, and by partnering with Marriott International to bring the world-renowned Ritz-Carlton brand to the country will not only strengthen Phuket as a world-class tourism destination but also continue the development of Thailand as a global sustainable tourism leader. AWC is firmly committed to positioning the destination as a leader in sustainability, ensuring that we create true value for the environment, surrounding communities, and long-term stable growth. We aim to develop The Ritz-Carlton, Phuket in line with LEED and WELL green building standards, prioritizing energy saving and circular economy on waste management, helping to move Thailand toward becoming a global sustainability destination. The Ritz-Carlton, Phuket will be located close to island’s old town, immersing guests in the area’s rich culture, while it will also be a short distance to the harbor from where they can travel to Thailand’s most popular seaside destination.
      “The debut of The Ritz-Carlton, Phuket will add to AWC’s diverse portfolio of hotels in Phuket, and The Ritz-Carlton, Phuket, will help attract luxury travels and generate MICE demand globally,” said Wallapa Traisorat, Chief Executive Officer and President, Asset World Corp Public Company Limited.
      Thailand’s largest island, Phuket is a tropical paradise with a wealth of attractions, from white sandy beaches and crystal-clear seas to world-class leisure facilities, rich cultural heritage and much more. In Phuket, Marriott International currently operates nine hotels across seven brands, including Marriott Hotels, JW Marriott, Renaissance, Le Méridien, Four Points by Sheraton, Courtyard by Marriott, and The Luxury Collection.

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      Deutsche Hospitality Enhances H Rewards Loyalty Program with More Flexibility and Personalization

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      EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF RESERVATIONS AND PAYMENT

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      Good news for tour operators and booking platforms: dealing with different currencies and cross-border payments has now become much easier thanks to digitalisation.
      Speaking at ITB Berlin, Ted Clements, CEO of WeTravel, offered some ideas to small and medium-sized travel businesses and showed how everyday operations can be managed more efficiently. Reservations and payments in particular can be made easier with tools such as WeTravel.
      The best ideas come from the practical sphere: one of the founders of WeTravel was looking for ways to organise travel bookings and payments more efficiently. He set his company up in 2016 as a bookings and payment platform, which is continually expanding its services for the tourism industry. Ted Clements, CEO von WeTravel, shared some insights from his company‘s “Annual Travel Trend Report” about post-pandemic travel behaviour and the accompanying challenges facing small and medium-sized providers.
      The survey reveals that 70 to 80 per cent of bookings are made by women. It is therefore important to address them in campaigns. Furthermore payment in instalments is becoming increasingly popular. 80 of those questioned make a down payment before the remainder is due. Another piece of advice is that the payment methods should be reconciled on one’s own market. Every country has its own special features, such as the iDeal which is widely used in the Netherlands, or the provider PayPal which is popular in Germany. If an online reservation is interrupted it is worth subsequently enquiring digitally with the client in order to draw conclusions for one’s own business model.
      The pandemic caused many travel companies to reduce staff numbers, which imposes a greater workload on those remaining, Ted Clements observed. This makes it advisable to automate operative tasks and make them more efficient. WeTravel, for example, offers clearly arranged dashboards, providing an overview of reservations and finances at one location. This gives users a reliable picture of money coming in and going out. Individual service providers can also be provided with credit cards for specific uses, such as refuelling vehicles.ADVERTISEMENTTed Clements recommends that small companies that are doubtful about the new technologies now coming onto the market should implement improvements to booking processes in a number of stages. The fragmented nature of tourism processes can make their digitalisation particularly challenging. However, support can be found through an exchange of views with businesses of a similar size and with similar requirements.

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      FROM THE NORTH CAPE TO PORTUGAL BY PEDAL POWER

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      FROM THE NORTH CAPE TO PORTUGAL BY PEDAL POWER

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      How about an 11,500 km long bicycle tour along Europe’s Atlantic coast. The route from the North Cape to Portugal is part of the EuroVelo cycling route network which, driven by European institutions, has been in the making for over 20 years.64 per cent of the more than 90,000 kilometre long network is ready for use, said Agathe Daudibon of the ECF EuroVelo management team on Wednesday at ITB Berlin 2023. She encouraged tour operators to promote it more and develop corresponding products.
      The project covering 17 routes across 38 countries aims to not only make Europe grow closer together. Cycling, whether daily or on holiday, is said to be beneficial in almost every respect. In addition to the well-known effects on one’s health and the environment, a 2018 survey found that cycle tours could potentially generate 44 billion euros in turnover Europe-wide. In 2021, bicycle manufacturing and sales alone totalled 23 billion euros.
      The European Cyclists’ Federation (ECF), a transnational umbrella organisation, was established in 1983. It combines 60 NGOs from more than 40 countries. Among other things it examines and discusses how new developments impact implementation of the cycling route strategy – through the rise in e-bikes for instance. On a positive note, Daudibon noted that e-bikes potentially increased the chances of getting nearly everyone on a bike. This could bring the abilities of tour group members to practically the same level and make their experience together more pleasant. On the other hand the additional weight and dependence on charging points created new challenges.
      Switching transport modes remained a problem for cycle tourists, if for example they wanted to travel across mountains or cities by train. Taking bicycles on a train was not necessarily easy. Daudibon praised Switzerland for its exemplary services. And although the network had been set up in 1997 it was nowhere near completion, in fact it had not even been signposted everywhere. In order to make a start she suggested Route 19 along the river Meuse, which was not as challenging as Route 1 on the Atlantic. It runs for over 1,000 kilometres across eastern France, through Belgium and the Netherlands from Langres to Rotterdam and is signposted throughout.

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      WHEELCHAIR TREKKING IN PATAGONIA AND EDUCATIONAL STAYS IN AN INCA VILLAGE

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      WHEELCHAIR TREKKING IN PATAGONIA AND EDUCATIONAL STAYS IN AN INCA VILLAGE

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      On Wednesday at ITB Berlin two social enterprises represented by women, and the ideas behind their establishment, were presented by Rika Jean-Francois, CSR representative of ITB Berlin, and Prof. Dr. Claudia Brözel from the College for Sustainable Development, Eberswalde.The latter is the founder of the “Social Entrepreneurship Competition in Tourism”, which was launched in 2019. Ancestral Teacher, established by the Peruvian Paola Sota, seeks to enable travellers to acquaint themselves with ancient artisanal skills and wisdom from local people in the areas they are visiting. These activities are always incorporated in sustainable, community-based tourism projects. Joanna Gruau, whose project “Wheel the World” was the winner of the Growth Track competition last year, presented a booking platform for disabled travellers, which also seeks to support destinations in their efforts to develop travel offers for disabled people.
      Paola Sota described how she grew up in Cusco in a family that had always been active in tourism. When she was visiting the Sacred Valley of the Inca with her father and a travel group she became aware of the ´difficulties of arranging more in-depth encounters with the indigenous people. “The few families that made themselves available complained about two problems: limited demand and very short stays”, Sota reported. With her newly established online platform Ancestral Teacher in 2022 she was awarded first place in the competition’s Launch Track.
      Her long term aim is to grant access to high quality, socially responsible projects from all over the world, offering the three categories of Travel, Experiences and Stays. The travellers gain authentic experiences and meet face-to-face with local people – and the “Ancestral Teachers” can preserve and pass on their skills and values. “We can learn a lot from them, not only from their artisanal skills but also from their overall way of life“, Sota explained.
      While this project is still in its early stages, Wheel the World was launched in 2018 and has been expanding ever since. This business idea was developed by two Chileans who were planning a trip through Patagonia in wheelchairs and discovered that it was extremely difficult to find the information they needed for their preparations. Wheel the World now operates an online booking platform for people with or without disabilities. This offers a choice of overnight accommodation, activities and entire round trips, providing specific details about all these offers and guaranteeing complete accessibility.
      “Up until now over 2,500 people have booked with us, 40 per cent with and 60 per cent without disabilities”, explained Joanna Gruau, emphasising that Wheel the World is more like a community than a ”normal“ company. One important area of work for this start-up has become the scrutinising of offers and on-site staff training. It has developed its own app to register whether offers are truly barrier-free.ADVERTISEMENTWithin the scope of the “Social Entrepreneurship Competition in Tourism” its initiators have made contact with some 600 social enterprises since 2019, Prof. Dr. Claudia Brözel reported. In 2023 the initiators of the competition, for which information is available at www.socialtourismcompetition.com, intend to concentrate on the subjects of research and exchanges, and for this reason no prize is being awarded this year.

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      TRAVELLING FOR HEALTH REASONS

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      TRAVELLING FOR HEALTH REASONS

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      Among younger travellers too the pandemic has created a new awareness of health offers. During discussions at ITB Berlin, examples from Romania, India and Croatia show how new target groups can be attracted and even mud baths can be promoted as sexy.
      Since the coronavirus pandemic the subject of health has been high on the list of priorities for many travellers. The demand is not only confined to the treatment of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Ideally, with timely preventive measure, such illnesses do not occur at all, it was pointed out by Dr. Shubada Thorat, director of Fazlani Natures Nest, during the ITB Berlin Convention on the Medical & Health Tourism Pavilion Stage. Based to the southeast of Mumbai, this doctor uses equine therapy, ayurvedic oils and herbs to treat visitors from all over the world. She stimulates a greater awareness of the need to eat healthily, using cookery workshops, at which the participants use fruit and vegetables that they have harvested themselves to prepare nutritious meals.
      On the Romanian Black Sea coast travellers can indulge themselves at establishments operated by the ANA HOTELS group. Whereas previously it older people tended to use these facilities, the clientele has become much younger in recent years, according to the director, Iuliana Tasie. They make use of the hotels for shorter stays to compensate for a stressful everyday life. In addition to the healthy climate there is particular interest in spa gas therapies, for example in Covasna. The gases are volcanic in origin and are reputed to have a number of positive effects including for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
      Health tourism will be assigned greater importance in the Croatian tourism strategy, explained Ivana Kolar, CEO at Julius Rose – Tourism 365. Her efforts to reach out to younger people include successful Instagram campaigns for mud saunas. Younger women will also be convinced by the positive effects on the skin. Glamping sites with wellness applications also provide a low-threshold access to a health-based form of travel. The speakers agreed that there should be state aid for health tourism, for example in the form of more favourable tax rates or voucher systems. In this way governments could play an active part in helping the population to stay healthy.

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      GEORGIA – FULL OF ADVENTURE

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      GEORGIA – FULL OF ADVENTURE

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      For fans of adventure tours and mountains Georgia is the place to be. A modern infrastructure to international standards meets a spectacular natural environment: high snow-covered mountains, ravines with fast-flowing mountain rivers, lush green forests, alpine eco-systems, palm-lined beaches and cliffs and caves.
      At ITB Berlin 2023 tourism experts from Georgia offered an insight into the adventure tours in their country which besides hiking, heliskiing and riding has a lot to offer.
      Mountain guide Nick Phaliani has been fascinated by nature in his home country since he was a child. “Today, I am able to practise a job which is my passion in a strong community of Georgian mountain guides“, he said. Whether heliskiing, alpine ski runs, ski tours or helibiking, everything is possible. “Last year I had around 50 tours with about 300 guests“, Phaliani said. He is glad the Georgian Mountain Guide Association (GMGA), established in 1998, also joined the International Federation of Mountaineering Associations (IFMGA) in 2021. Its president Urs Wellauer from Switzerland recalled that “we began work with Gudauri in 1991. I was particularly impressed with the local mountain guide school where children already learn the basics.”
      In the five large skiing regions Bakuriani, Gudauri, Mestia, Tetnuldi, Hatsvali and Goderdzi in the Adjara region, winter enthusiasts can find pistes and lifts, cable cars, ski jumps, cross-country skiing trails as well as horse-drawn sleighs and snowmobiles. The skiing region in Gudauri on the southern side of the Caucasus plateau is up to 3,279 metres above sea level and has around 60 kilometres of ski runs of varying degrees of difficulty. The resort is also known for freeriding on natural terrain. Deep snow where rocks are few and the risk of avalanches is low have made Gudauri a mecca for lovers of deep snow sports.
      Ia Tabagari of the Lost Ridge Group in Georgia promoted intense riding experiences in her home country. The website Horsebackgeorgia.com offers first impressions of adventure on horseback in fascinating natural surroundings. And when all the adventure tours are over it is still worth noting that Georgia is also an outstanding place for wines. “Winemaking countries like to boast about their history. But we really don’t have to be shy”, said a smiling Tabagari. “Wine has been cultivated in the foothills of the Caucasus for at least 8,000 years, longer than anywhere else in the world.“ADVERTISEMENT

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      Gett and FREE NOW partner on minicab bookings for business clients

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