Dusit International set to unveil latest dusitD2 in Ao Nang Dusit International, Thailand’s global hospitality company, has signed a management agreement with Vogue Pranang Bay Resort Co., Ltd. to operate dusitD2 Ao Nang, slated to open at the end of this year. The hotel will be the second Dusit property in the popular resort area of Krabi. Located 25 kilometres from Krabi International Airport, the new dusitD2 Ao Nang is tucked away amidst lush jungle greenery on a hillside in downtown Ao Nang, yet within walking distance to the beach, providing convenient access to all of Krabi’s main attractions. The downtown location of dusitD2 Ao Nang will also enable guests to be within walking distance to nearby facilities such as supermarkets and convenience stores as well as cafés and fast-food outlets. DusitD2 Ao Nang comprises 173 modern guest rooms and suites with a choice of sea, mountain or pool views. The hotel offers all amenities for a fun and comfortable getaway, including an indoor and outdoor all-day-dining restaurant, a lobby bar, an outdoor swimming pool with a separate kids’ pool, a fitness centre, a spa, and a 200-square-metre ballroom. For families travelling with children, dusitD2 Ao Nang also features an […]

Philippine Airlines and PDOT London host Northern-based agents in Manchester Philippine Airlines (PAL) and the Philippine Department of Tourism London (PDOT) hosted over 80 travel agents from the leisure and corporate sectors at an evening event in Manchester on 8th August. Held at the iconic city centre Manchester Art Gallery, PAL and PDOT, in conjunction with the Tourism Promotions Board presented agents with updates on their respective activities in the UK market. Tourism growth from the UK to the Philippines has grown year on year, with British arrivals to the Southeast Asian island nation up by 9% so far in 2018. Boracay Island will reopen at the end of October after a six-month rehabilitation programme. Palawan and other Philippine islands have meanwhile experienced a surge in growth. Philippine Airlines flights between London and Manila will get a major boost with the introduction of the Airbus A350-900 from October. Its all-new design utilizes the latest technology including a quieter cabin with up to four times less noise. Full flat beds in Business Class, an all-new Premium Economy Class, mood lighting plus temperature and humidity controls to reduce jet-lag make for the most comfortable passenger experience to date. David Cochrane, Country Manager […]

Western Australia set for a bumper wildflower season There’s never been a better time for travellers to plan a springtime wildflower holiday to WA, with recent rainfall indicating a bumper wildflower season in parts of the State. WA’s wildflower season is the largest flower show on Earth and a true spectacle of colour. With more than 12,000 species, more than 60 per cent of which are found nowhere else in the world, they colour the landscapes from coast to forest and city to outback. The six-month flowering season begins in the north in June on the vast outback plains of the Pilbara, Goldfields and Coral Coast where vibrant blooms contrast with pindan earth, rugged canyons and turquoise sea. By September, it will move south and reach Perth’s botanical gardens, nature reserves and national parks, finishing with a flurry in October and November throughout the forests and coastal heaths of the South West. For more information click here.

8 Unique Things to do in India with ICS Travel India is the land of the unexpected, full of incredible and unique experiences. With rich cultures, ancient traditions, mind-blowing cuisine and magnificent landscapes, you can be guaranteed a whirlwind of a ride. Here are a few suggestions to embrace the diversity and colours of India: https://icstravelgroup.com/8-unique-things-to-do-in-india/

The 29th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest Will Light up the Night Sky in September and October The 29th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest will light up the night sky of Macao on 1st, 8th, 15th and 24th September and 1st October. This year’s contest, taking place at the sea area in front of the Macau Tower, will see ten globally-acclaimed pyrotechnic companies from all over the world competing to produce colourful displays choreographed with music. Discover more information here

Win a place on the Hong Kong Specialist Club Incentive trip! The Hong Kong Tourism Board is once again rewarding agents who join the Hong Kong Specialist Club with a chance to win a place on an incentive trip to Hong Kong. To become a member of the Club, complete the three modules of the Hong Kong Specialist programme – an online training programme designed to help travel trade and tourism-related industry professionals broaden their knowledge of this extraordinary destination. Course topics cover Hong Kong’s history, culture, attractions, festivals, events, and much more. Complete all three modules by 31st August 2018 for a chance to win a place on the Hong Kong Specialist Club Incentive trip, taking place in October this year. For those that complete one module from the Hong Kong Specialist programme by 31st August 2018, the Hong Kong Tourism Board will also send some exclusive HKTB merchandise. Other benefits include exclusive travel vouchers for your own Hong Kong trip, including a DukLing Harbour Cruise, a Hong Kong TramOramic Tour and much more! For more information, please visit: www.specialisthk.com/uk. *Applicants must be registered travel agents in the UK.

Learn The Art of Japanese Batto Fighting with Destination Asia It’s hard to think of Japan without also remembering the samurai, feudal warriors who have become synonymous with the art of Japanese sword fighting. Of course, these days it’s hard to find anybody wielding a sword, let alone a true samurai, but fortunately Destination Asia Japan can introduce your clients to “batto”, a ritualized form of sword fighting rooted in samurai traditions. Under the watch of a knowledgeable master, guests will first practice the correct stance and cutting techniques with a dummy sword to get a feel for its weight and movement through the air. The master then demonstrates how to cut a rolled tatami mat using a real curved “katana” blade. Then it is the guests turn to show their prowess with a real sword! They too can experience cutting through a rolled tatami mat before being treated to a ritualized swordfight demonstration by the master and his apprentice. Finally, learn how the master looks after and maintains the delicate blade of the katana.

Introducing Silavadee Pool Spa Resort, Koh Samui Silavadee is an exclusive paradise on one of the world’s busiest islands – nestling high amongst limestone rocks between Chaweng and Lamai beaches, it feels a world apart. Designed in sympathy with its spectacular setting, the hotel is a collection of rooms and villas built from all-natural materials and surrounded by lush palms and the sparkling sea. Dark teak and light cedar wood blend with bamboo and local textiles throughout. Flowing water is a repeated feature, from the fountain at reception to the spa’s wall of water and burbling troughs. Tranquility and relaxation take over from the moment of arrival, and a range of enticing treatments are on offer in the spa for a touch of bliss. Float away in one of the 2 infinity pools and take in the breathtaking views over the azure Gulf of Thailand, or revel in the solitude of the sandy beach. Then linger over delightful food at The Height restaurant or Sun Moon Star (a terrace, a restaurant and a rooftop bar), where Thai specialties and European classics are delivered with equal aplomb. Silavadee goes beyond the expected to create bespoke experiences crafted especially for you. One […]

Celebrate the festive season at The Sanchaya, Bintan The most stylish resort on Indonesia’s Bintan Island, The Sanchaya has unveiled an extravagant program of Christmas activities to see 2018 out with a bang. Located just 50 minutes away from Singapore, the beachfront resort boasts colonial-inspired design features and a stately home atmosphere, complete with breath taking views across the crystal clear ocean. The Sanchaya’s calendar of Christmas and New Year events officially kicks off on 21st December delighting guests throughout the festive season.  In addition to the extravagant program of events, The Sanchaya will be offering special spa packages from 18th December.  For more information please contact jo@kurtzahlers.com or visit www.thesanchaya.com

Journey Beyond with Great Southern Rail, 2019/20 dates now on sale The 2019/20 season, on sale from Monday 16 July, marks a new era for Australian rail holidays, unlocking the breadth and diversity of the continent’s most remarkable experiences. In 21 carefully curated itineraries, guests can explore beyond the tracks combining their rail adventure with other unforgettable Australian experiences including swimming with whale sharks at Ningaloo Reef, flying over Lake Eyre, admiring Kakadu’s waterfalls and wining and dining on Kangaroo Island. Step off The Ghan and get lost in ancient storytelling in the Red Centre or enjoy a luxurious stay at Wolgan Valley having travelled on the Indian Pacific. Alternatively, navigate the Australian coastline on a cruise ship or float over Alice Springs in a hot air balloon – our new holidays take you across sea, skies and land to celebrate Australia’s awe-inspiring diversity. The 2019/20 holidays collection is fully integrated and available for all budgets, featuring overnight stays through to 21-night expeditions. While holidays deliver the scope to explore more of what Australia has to offer, our epic transcontinental rail journeys are also available to book independently. Celebrating The Ghan’s 90th anniversary and the Indian Pacific’s 50th anniversary during the 2019/20 season, these […]

Dusit Thani’s Benjarong restaurant receives a global award from the Thai Government Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi takes great pride in announcing that its Benjarong restaurant has received a global recognition. The city’s favourite Thai restaurant has been accorded the seal of approval for inclusion in the esteemed “Thai Select” premium program. The prestigious certification is issued by the Royal Thai Government and Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce to certify and promote authentic Thai cuisine outside Thailand. It is a seal of approval granted to Thai restaurants overseas that serve authentic Thai food. The objective is to increase the recognition of Thai restaurants in pursuit of raising their quality while maintaining authenticity at an international level. On this moment of pride, Mr. Desmond Hatton, General Manager, Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi said “We are immensely thrilled to have received this international recognition for our Benjarong restaurant. Definitely, it fortifies the positioning of our Thai restaurant in Abu Dhabi and beyond in the GCC region. I would like to congratulate each and every team member of Benjarong team for this milestone achievement. Dusit’s signature award-winning Thai restaurant, Benjarong, serves authentic Thai cuisine in a unique space that fuses contemporary […]

Diethelm Travel Group Expands its Reach with New Partner Representatives Diethelm Travel Group, an award-winning inbound tour operator servicing Asia, today announced partnering with two companies in France and Turkey which will serve as Diethelm Travel representatives in the respective markets. France-based mN’Organisation will be responsible for supporting the French-speaking markets across France, Belgium and Luxembourg. Clients can now contact representatives Murielle Nouchy and Camille Champenois via email at mno@diethelmtravel.com. With a long, intermingled history, Southeast Asia remains a popular region for French market travellers. Today, with increasingly convenient flight connections and Diethelm Travel’s 13 country destinations across the region, Diethelm Travel Group is uniquely positioned to provide guests with a variety of exclusive tours and multi-country journey combinations through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines and beyond. The company also has plans to further enhance its French-language capacity within operation and reservations levels to even better connect with and serve this crucial market. In Turkey, Opus Travel has been named the new Diethelm Travel Group representative. The relationship marks a move into the region which holds a number of high-value accounts and MICE opportunities. Oya Mumcuoglu, owner of Opus Travel and Diethelm Travel’s direct contact, can now be reached at turkey@diethelmtravel.com. The […]