Following two successful editions of its hunt for the world’s most outstanding tourism villages that are able to drive rural development and local well-being, UNWTO has opened its third call for applications to its Best Tourism Villages initiative.
Launched in 2021, the initiative is one of the pillars of UNWTO Tourism for Rural Development Programme. It has recognised more than 70 tourism villages from almost 40 countries. Qualification is determined by an independent advisory board based on a set of criteria covering nine areas, including Cultural and Natural Resources; Economic Sustainability; Tourism Development and Value Chain Integration; and Health, Safety, and Security.
The 2022 Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO ceremony held in Saudi Arabia’s Al-‘Ula in February 2023 recognised 32 villages from 22 countries
Here in Asia, the tourism villages of Malaysia’s Batu Puteh; Philippines’ Bojo; Japan’s Miyama; Indonesia’s Nglanggeran; India’s Pochampally; South Korea’s The Purple Island, Ungok and Pyeongsa-ri; China’s Xidi, Yucun, Dazhai and Jingzhu; and Vietnam’s Thái Hải were awarded the recognition over the last two years.
Besides recognising tourism villages that meet all nine stringent requirements, the initiative also encompasses an Upgrade Programme, which helps villages just shy of making the cut to address gaps identified in the evaluation process; and the Best Tourism Villages by UNWTO Network, which brings representatives of both recognised villages and those in the Upgrade Programme together to trade experiences and good practices.
UNWTO secretary-general Zurab Pololikashvili said: “Tourism can make a real difference for rural communities, delivering jobs, supporting businesses and celebrating and protecting traditions. Through Best Tourism Villages, UNWTO is recognising those rural destinations that committed to making tourism a pillar of opportunity and well-being.”
UNWTO’s Members States can present up to eight villages through their National Tourism Administrations (NTAs) and via this form.
Applications will close on June 23, 2023, and the winners announced later this year.
Craig Cochrane has been appointed as the new chief people officer of Minor Hotels.
He will oversee people and culture functions for Minor Hotels in his new role, including employee engagement, maintaining a strong company culture and leading learning and development programmes for the group.
Cochrane joins Minor Hotels from Accor Hotels where he served as senior vice president of talent & culture – Turkey, India, Middle East & Africa.
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) have inked a three-year multi-million-dollar Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive increased visitation to Singapore via FCTG’s global network.
This is FCTG’s first global agreement with a destination partner since the pandemic, which will see both partners teaming up to jointly promote Singapore in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Canada and South Africa. In addition to mono-destination holiday packages, dedicated “stayover” packages will be developed to entice visitors to stay and experience Singapore before continuing their longhaul journey.
From left: FCTG’s Graham Turner and STB’s Keith Tan
Aside from joint marketing campaigns, the partnership will also set aside support for FCTG consultants to deepen their knowledge about Singapore through training and familiarisation experiences. These efforts will equip agents with up-to-date information about Singapore and effectively make them tourism ambassadors of Singapore, sharing their experience and knowledge with prospective travellers around the world.
“This MoU underscores just how much FCTG values Singapore as a major player in the Asia-Pacific travel market. Now that more of the region’s carriers have resumed routes through Singapore, FCTG is excited to work with STB to cast the limelight back on the city and remind the world just what a spectacular travel destination Singapore is,” said Graham Turner, CEO of FCTG.
STB’s chief executive Keith Tan added: “STB will be able to showcase the many new hotels, experiences and attractions that have been launched in the past few years, so that travellers can experience even more of our beloved Singapore – our City in Nature.”
Sabre Corporation and American Airlines (AA) have teamed up to make the airline’s NDC offers available to travellers through Sabre’s global distribution system (GDS).
Starting on April 3, Sabre-connected travel buyers, agencies and developer partners will be able to shop, book, and service AA’s NDC content, including paid seats, through Sabre’s Offer and Order APIs, the agency point-of-sale tool, Sabre Red 360, and the online booking tool, GetThere.
American Airlines’ NDC offers will be available to travellers through Sabre’s global distribution system
Thomas Rajan, vice president, global sales at American Airlines, commented: “Through Sabre’s network of travel retailers, we’ll be able to provide our enhanced, rich NDC content to travellers worldwide. This will open new business opportunities to American Airlines as well as our travel retail partners, and deliver a better, more tailored experience to the customers we all serve.”
Travel buyers connected to the Sabre GDS will be able to choose enhanced offers from AA such as the Main Select and Flagship Business Plus fares, ancillary products and the lowest fares available in these channels. They will also have access to more descriptive information on AA’s flight offers as well as seat selection enabled in the booking path.
“While it is still early days for NDC bookings, making this rich NDC content from the world’s largest airline available in Sabre channels is an important step towards the maturing and scaling of NDC distribution,” said Kathy Morgan, vice president, NDC and airline supply, Sabre Travel Solutions.
Travelport and Saudia Airlines have extended their partnership with the signing of a multi-year extension on their distribution agreement.
The agreement will see Travelport continue to provide travel agencies around the world real-time access to Saudia Airlines’ wide selection of travel content, products and services.
Travelport and Saudia Airlines have signed a multi-year extension on their distribution agreement
Travelport will also continue to collaborate closely with Saudia Airlines to execute Travelport Rich Content and Branding initiatives, streamlining service procedures, and delivering a modern travel retail experience.
Arved von zur Muehlen, chief commercial officer at Saudia Airlines, commented: “Travel distribution is under rapid transformation and we are working to widen our network and product offerings. Travelport is an established partner to support Saudia’s growth and product differentiation and personalisation strategy.”
David Gomes, head of commercial, air partners EMEA at Travelport, added: “With our Travelport+ platform, we are committed to work closely with partners like Saudia Airlines to deliver a superior, modern travel retailing experience with a wider range of choice and richer content for our customers.”
Le Méridien Melbourne, Australia
Originally built in the 1850s, Le Méridien Melbourne overlooks the Parliament House, Spring Street, and the east of Melbourne.
The property offers 235 guest rooms including 14 suites, and comprises facilities such as a rooftop pool, gym, café, bar, restaurant, and conference venues.
The hotel also offers on-site parking, and high-speed Internet access.
Capella Sydney
Capella Sydney, Australia
Capella Sydney boasts 192 guestrooms and suites that features a bespoke collection of vegan, sustainable in-room amenities designed in partnership with Haeckels.
The hotel also features a lounge area, known as Aperture, which occupies the original courtyard of the old building, as well as two drink-and-dine venues, spa, and heated indoor pool.
Guests can join the walking tour and hear stories about the history of the Department of Education building, now Capella Sydney, and learn about the culture, crime and convicts that shaped the city.
The Aviary Hotel
The Aviary Hotel, Cambodia
Celebrating the beauty and diversity of Cambodia’s culture, art and wildlife, The Aviary Hotel is a 43-room boutique establishment offering four room types – the Sambok, Tailorbird, Kingfisher, and Sarus Crane.
On-site are two pools, spa, salon, and dining and retail concept, The Aviary Square.
TRYP by Wyndham Pulteney Street Adelaide
TRYP by Wyndham Pulteney Street Adelaide, Australia
TRYP by Wyndham Pulteney Street Adelaide is set in the heart of Adelaide’s central business district.
The 120-key hotel is within walking distance of multicultural restaurants, bars, decorated laneways, and boutique shopping at the Adelaide Central Markets and Rundle Mall.
Just a short drive from Adelaide Airport, the hotel is just minutes away from football and cricket matches at Adelaide Oval, Glenelg Beach, and the Adelaide Zoo.
The Farm at San Benito is offering holistic healing and transformative retreats for families with curated creative activities for the kids – even furry members are welcomed!
Located in Lipa, Batangas, just a 90-minute drive from Manila, families seeking the ultimate getaway can indulge in The Farm’s immersive wellness experience, with medically supervised health programmes carried out by internationally-trained medical doctors and licensed health professionals.
Enjoy a family picnic, furry members included, at The Farm
Both adults and little ones can also enjoy spa treatments, including body scrubs and massages.
Together, families can Indulge in water therapy at the Family Acqua Wellness, or retreat to one of The Farm’s luxury pool villas to relax and cool off by the pool.
With so many activities available, children are kept occupied with creative Mandala Flower Meditation, yoga, kite flying, organic farm tour and vegetable picking, pet feeding, arts & crafts, and more.
For F&B, the vegan restaurant serves up dishes made from all-natural ingredients grown and hand-picked from the resort’s organic garden. An outdoor family picnic in the gardens can also be arranged by The Farm.
ChatGPT is one of the most powerful and exciting communications innovations in recent times, with clear beneficial use cases for travel and tourism companies, says Kurt Weinsheimer, chief solutions officer at Sojern.
In this episode of TTG Conversations: Five Questions, Weinsheimer discusses the potential uses as well as limitations of ChatGPT for travel and tourism companies, how Sojern is harnessing ChatGPT, AI and big data for more precise traveller engagement, how ChatGPT will change the role of content creators and marketers, and more.
Grand Hyatt Jeju boasts Jeju’s largest outdoor pool deck, a 4,290m2 space with a heated infinity pool, relaxing hot tub, kid’s pool, as well as cabanas and sun beds
Grand Hyatt Jeju boasts Jeju’s largest outdoor pool deck, a 4,290m2 space with a heated infinity pool, relaxing hot tub, kid’s pool, as well as cabanas and sun beds
Centrally located in the vibrant heart of Jeju city in South Korea, Grand Hyatt Jeju is the largest Hyatt hotel in Asia-Pacific and the ideal base from which to explore all that the holiday island has to offer. Being the biggest and highest hotel in Jeju, the iconic landmark is visible as soon as the plane lands on the runway.
The 38-storey twin-tower and integrated resort delivers an impressive selection of world-class culinary, leisure and entertainment experiences, featuring 1,600 rooms and suites, 13 restaurants and a bar, as well as a dedicated two-storey retail space, HAN Collection.
The majestic hotel also houses the island’s largest outdoor deck with a heated infinity pool, indoor pool, two premium spas, eight residential-style event spaces and a world-class casino.
Hotel highlights
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Located at the highest 38th floor, Pocha offers modern Korean street food and evergreen favourites
Hotel guests at the heated infinity pool can marvel at awe-inspiring views over the horizon
Lounge 38 is a sky lounge for guests to unwind over tipple against panoramic views of the hotel surroundings
The luxury guestrooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows with breathtaking views of the Halla Mountain, sea and city
The Corner Suite comes with a separate bedroom and living space, walk-in closet, marble bathroom, island bathtub and Grand Club privileges
Double-storey K-fashion mall, HAN Collection, provides hotel guests with a wide range of offerings by over 200 talented local designers
The modern Korean bathhouse experience at Jjimjil Spa offers head-to-toe pampering with four specialty therapy rooms
Noknamu spotlights the finest cuts of Jeju black pork and Hanwoo beef, grilled to perfection
Great connectivity & accessibility Grand Hyatt Jeju is just a 10-minute drive from Jeju International Airport, 15-minute drive from the port and cruise terminals, and within walking distance from shopping and culinary hotspots such as Jeju Dongmun Market and Nuwemaru Street.
Luxurious accommodation with scenic views Offering 1,600 rooms and suites ranging from 65m2 to 260m2, the spacious accommodations feature 2.7m-tall floor-to-ceiling windows with unprecedented breathtaking views of the Halla Mountain, the turquoise sea and the city.
Each luxurious guestroom is also accented with modern Korean art, equipped with a 75-inch flat-screen television, three-seater sofa, marble bathroom with double vanity and an island bathtub.
The popular 130m2 Corner Suite, comes with a separate bedroom and living space, walk-in closet, marble bathroom, island bathtub and Grand Club privileges.
Ideal for intimate celebrations and private events, the lavish 260m2 Presidential Suite is furnished with two super king beds, separate living and dining areas, a massage room, sauna steam room, island bar, Grand Club privileges, Jjimjil Spa access and dedicated butler service.
With eight function and event spaces designed against a warm, residential setting, Grand Hyatt Jeju is also an ideal venue of choice for grand celebrations, destination weddings and intimate gatherings.
Leading culinary destination with 13 restaurants and a bar A culinary powerhouse, the hotel offers the widest selection of cuisines within one destination in Jeju, with an option of 14 dining venues serving fresh seasonal ingredients, local Jeju produce and international cuisine.
Three signature restaurants located at the highest 38th floor include Pocha which offers modern Korean street food and evergreen favourites; Lounge 38 is a sky lounge for guests to unwind over tipple; and The Steak House serves tasty grilled steaks and fresh seafood towers.
Jeju is famous for its fresh abalone, and a local speciality is abalone porridge, a richly fragrant porridge of rice and fresh abalone. Both Jeju black pork and abalone porridge, along with popular Korean fare like haejangkuk, bibimbap, kimchi jjigae can be found in Noknamu. The Korean restaurant also spotlights the finest cuts of Jeju black pork and Hanwoo beef, grilled to perfection.
China House whips up oriental delights such as dim sum, wok, BBQ and Peking duck by a team of world-class Northern Chinese, Shanghainese, Sichuan and Cantonese speciality chefs.
Wellness escape An indulgent modern Korean bathhouse experience at Jjimjil Spa awaits guests seeking some head-to-toe pampering. Complete with four speciality therapy rooms, visitors can enjoy a full-body detox on the Jeju lava-stone floors, relax in the steam room and dry sauna and enjoy healthy snacks and drinks at the juice bar.
The Rosebay Spa offers the ultimate luxurious experience designed to rejuvenate the body, mind and soul. The comprehensive range of face and body treatments combine the latest techniques and premium skincare products to leave guests feeling energised. After a day out exploring Jeju, they can pamper their feet with a lavish foot treatment too.
Non-stop entertainment and recreation Guests staying at Grand Hyatt Jeju can head to Jeju’s largest outdoor pool deck, a 4,290m2 space with a heated infinity pool, relaxing hot tub, kid’s pool, as well as cabanas and sun beds.
With a capacity of more than 200 people, Grand Club, the largest Grand Hyatt club lounge in Asia-Pacific, allows suite guests and World of Hyatt Globalist members to enjoy complimentary access to breakfast, leisurely tea and evening cocktails, as well as personal check-in service.
Fashionistas keen on retail therapy can shop at HAN Collection, a stylish, double-storey K-fashion mall with a wide range of offerings from luxury, contemporary to casual and street wear, as well as shoes, bags and jewellery by over 200 talented local designers.
The integrated resort is also home to the Jeju Dream Tower Casino, a 5,367m2 casino floor with 190 gaming tables and 219 machines, providing round-the-clock entertainment.
Unique explorations nearby For travellers keen to explore natural attractions, stunning coasts and beautiful beaches, Jeju presents a hidden gem with three UNESCO World Heritage Sites within close proximity.
Outdoor adventure seekers will be delighted with the picturesque hiking trails of Hallasan National Park, a short 20-minute drive from Grand Hyatt Jeju. At 1,950m, Hallasan is the highest mountain in South Korea and the park’s volcanic geology, ecosystem and natural biodiversity will appeal to nature lovers too.
To the west of Jeju, another UNESCO site, Seongsan Ilchulbong, is a stunning volcanic crater formed during an undersea volcanic eruption 5,000 years ago. The 600m-diameter crater and its steep cliffs rise 182m out of the ocean, and adventurous visitors can ascend to the top to savour the magnificent scenery and diverse geological structures of the area.
Another UNESCO-listed national treasure on the island is the finest volcanic cave system, Manjanggul Cave, one of the longest lava tunnels in the world, which is accessible for visitors to explore.
Keen to explore Asia-Pacific’s largest Hyatt hotel? Find out how Grand Hyatt Jeju can make your client’s next trip to the holiday island an exceptional one.
Cochrane joins Minor Hotels from Accor Hotels where he served as senior vice president of talent & culture – Turkey, India, Middle East & Africa.
