InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping, Thailand
Surrounded by Chiang Mai’s iconic landscapes and draped in greenery, InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping boasts 240 rooms and suites facing the old town or Doi Suthep mountain.
At its doorstep are a host of iconic landmarks such as Chiang Mai’s walking streets, the night bazaar and the historic Tha-Pae Gate dating back to the 13th century.
The hotel features restaurants and bars, spa, fitness centre, outdoor pool, and event venues.
Jawakara Islands Maldives, the Maldives
Jawakara Islands Maldives is a 290-villa property offering restaurants, three bars, two spas, two infinity pools, a kids’ club, fitness centre, nine-hole golf course.
The resort is just 40 minutes by speedboat from Madivaru domestic airport in Lhaviyani Atoll or 35 minutes by seaplane from Malé International Airport.
Available activities include surfing, diving, motorised and non-motorised water sports, such as kite-surfing, kayaking, snorkelling and more.
Hyatt Place Johor Bahru Paradigm Mall, Malaysia
The 202-room Hyatt Place Johor Bahru Paradigm Mall is attached to Paradigm Mall, the largest shopping mall in the Malaysian city, and offers F&B options, a fitness centre, and event venues.
The hotel is a 15-minute drive from Senai International airport, a 20-minute drive to Tuas Checkpoint Singapore, and a 25-minute drive to Woodlands checkpoint in Singapore.
Nearby are attractions like Legoland Malaysia, Johor Premium Outlets and the newly-built Stadium Sultan Ibrahim, home to the Johor Southern Tigers football team.
The Bus Collective, Singapore
Nestled in the heart of Changi Village in Singapore, The Bus Collective is South-east Asia’s first resort hotel using repurposed buses, which are retired public buses transformed into 20 elegant and eco-conscious luxury suites, boasting features like composite lamination, marble tops, invigorating rain showers, sumptuous beds, and lavish bathtubs.
The Bus Collective allows guests access to attractions such as the Changi East Boardwalk and Changi Chapel & Museum, as well as experiences and tours that look at the history and geography of Changi.
Guests can also savour the rich culinary heritage of the area at nearby restaurants recommended by The Bus Collective staff.
He previously served as the general manager of Hilton Adelaide for nearly five years.
Having been with the SkyTeam Alliance carrier for 17 years, Chang will move to Phnom Penh for his new role. He was previously based at the airline’s headquarters in Seoul where he was in charge of marketing for Europe and South-east Asia.
Planeterra’s work with the Kao Tep Pitak Community Restaurant has been recognised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand for its community-based tourism efforts.
Planeterra’s highly effective model of local regeneration empowers small communities around the world to take control of their lives and conserve their environment and traditions through sustainable tourism.
It helped Kao Tep Pitak Community Restaurant gain public awareness, which used to be elusive despite the villagers’ enthusiasm for travellers and warm hospitality. The few who came would stay only briefly, snapping a quick photo of the area’s main attraction – its elegant suspension bridge – before leaving..
By working with Planeterra to develop its tourism programme, Kao Tep Pitak Community Restaurant was able to incentivise locals by providing them with a reliable income while promoting local entrepreneurs and inculcating a sense of pride and self-esteem among participants.
Planeterra enabled the restaurant’s project to gain traction by providing food and hygiene training, guidance on how to improve the tourism experience, as well as vital funding to complete the construction of a community centre, which first began in 2016. The completed centre includes a communal area, kitchen, dining room, and guest bathrooms.
With Planeterra’s partner, G Adventures, the project has drawn thousands of visitors to the community to sample the Kao Tep Pitak way of life, discover local arts and crafts, sample the incredible cuisine and explore the local landscape.
“We are thrilled to congratulate our esteemed community partners, Kao Tep Pitak, on their well-deserved recognition at the Responsible Thailand Awards 2023,” said Tricia Schers, director, partnerships and development, Planeterra. “Their dedication to community-based tourism exemplifies the positive impact that responsible travel can have on Thailand’s nature, local communities, wildlife, and heritage.”