[ad_1]

The post Vanuatu says Welkam Back! to Australian visitors as first flight lands in Port Vila appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

The first flight since Vanuatu reopened its borders to international travellers landed in Port Vila today, with visitors now able to travel freely throughout the country’s islands and provinces without any quarantine. The people of Vanuatu gave the first Australians to make the trip the warmest of welcomes, with official events and activities organised at Sydney and Port Vila airports to mark the occasion.

The sold-out Air Vanuatu flight from Sydney to Port Vila landed today, carrying Aussie guests eager to soak up the country’s sunshine and enjoy its beautiful island chain. Visitors boarding the flight in Sydney enjoyed festivities at the gate and were invited to take pictures within a Vanuatu-themed pop-up installation to mark the beginning of their trip. Guests were also accompanied on the voyage by a VIP delegation including Vanuatu’s Prime Minister, the Honourable Bob Loughman Weibur.

Upon arrival in Vanuatu, guests were welcomed with a water salute, enjoyed a meet and greet with local cultural dancers and were surprised with goodie bags packed with Vanuatu Made gifts.

Vanuatu’s border has remained closed since March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The reopening signifies the restarting of the country’s tourism industry, which is one of its biggest economic drivers.

A new marketing campaign showcasing the best of Vanuatu’s tourism offering has been launched ahead of the reopening to urge Australians to visit the archipelago. The new Welkam Back! campaign encourages Aussies to “Answer the Call of Vanuatu” and visit the country to experience its array of incredible moments.

“We are so happy this day has finally come,” said Vanuatu Tourism Office CEO, Adela Issachar Aru. “Pre-COVID, Australia was Vanuatu’s largest inbound tourism market and we have always shared a strong bond with our Aussie neighbours. Vanuatu is just a short flight from Australia’s east coast, yet it feels like a world away. It’s the perfect getaway close to home.

“Vanuatu’s tourism industry has been busy preparing for the reopening, taking the time to upgrade or even introduce new products to ensure guests have the best possible experience upon arrival. Visitors will be greeted with a Vanuatu smile and feel welcomed from the moment they touch down.”

Vanuatu’s High Commissioner to Australia, Samson Vilvil Fare, said, “A visit to Vanuatu is full of life-changing moments, and we’re encouraging Australians to come explore our stunning landscapes, connect with our rich kastom and culture and experience the warmth of the Vanuatu people.  

“Vanuatu lives and breathes tourism, so we hope this first flight heralds a new beginning for this all-important industry. We are excited to welkam back our Aussie friends and show them a more exciting way to relax on our shores.”

Moorings Hotel Vanuatu Assistant Manager, Anita Tahi said, “We’ve had two challenging years, but the team has kept operations open and is ready and excited to welcome back international visitors. Vanuatu has remained beautiful without losing its happiness and authentic welcoming smiles and today is an exciting day for everyone in the Vanuatu tourism industry.”  

Travellers can now enter Vanuatu with just a certified negative RAT from within 24 hours of departure, or a certificate of infection and recovery from within 28 days of travel.

Flights are available to book now, with Air Vanuatu resuming its services with five non-stop flights from Sydney, one direct service a week from Melbourne, and three non-stop flights a week from Brisbane to Port Vila, with onward connections within Vanuatu. Virgin Australia will also resume flights from Brisbane to Port Vila, up to five times a week from March 2023.

The post Vanuatu says Welkam Back! to Australian visitors as first flight lands in Port Vila appeared first on Travel Daily.

[ad_2]

Source link

[ad_1]

The post Hilton’s flagship brand makes highly anticipated debut in the Maldives appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

Hilton has announced the opening of Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa, marking the expansion of  Hilton’s award-winning flagship brand into the Maldives. The all-villa resort features an array of thoughtful amenities which are new to the archipelago, setting a new benchmark in hospitality that will captivate the next generation of travellers.

Hilton Maldives Amingiri is the fourth resort under the company’s portfolio of brands in the country, complementing Waldorf Astoria Maldives  Ithaafushi, Conrad Maldives Rangali Island and SAii Lagoon Maldives, Curio Collection by Hilton,  bolstering Hilton’s ability to take care of different travellers and their unique needs in one of the world’s most sought-after destinations. The hotel is owned by Amingiri Holdings Pvt Ltd and managed by Hilton. 

“The Maldives is one of the most desired vacation destinations for travelers around the world – seeing a continued pace of bookings even throughout the last two years when it was the first country to open its borders to international travellers during the pandemic. The expansion of our flagship brand here underscores our commitment to bringing our world-class brands to key locations, and we are confident Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa will build on our legacy of delivering an exceptional stay to delight and inspire our guests,” said Alan Watts, president, Asia  Pacific, Hilton.

“Today’s milestone launch is a celebration of our shared vision with Hilton to deliver the most exceptional levels of service and hospitality in the Maldives. At Amingiri Holdings, we are committed to continuously contribute to the Maldivian economy and further strengthen its tourism industry, and Hilton Maldives Amingiri Resort & Spa will enable us to continue with this mission,”  said Daniel Welk, Amingiri Holdings Pvt Ltd.

Nestled in Amingiri Island in the North Malé Atoll, Hilton Maldives Amingiri is directly accessible from Velana International Airport via a scenic 20-minute premium speedboat ride. The resort features 109 expansive beach and overwater villas, each offering a private pool and enticing views of the surrounding turquoise lagoon. Embodying a harmony of Maldivian accents and contemporary touches, the villas invite an abundance of natural light through its floor-to-ceiling windows, enhancing a refreshing colour palette that mirrors the warm hues of the sea and sky.  Designed to immerse guests in nature’s wonders, the overwater pool villas are outfitted with stairs to lead directly to the island’s lagoon, and a hammock by the pool to enjoy the melody of waves;  while beach villas feature direct access to sparkling white sand, a deck swing and a gazebo on the shore. All villas boast generously proportioned bathrooms with ocean-facing bathtubs, as well as indoor and outdoor rain showers that create a sense of relaxation.

A key highlight of Hilton Maldives Amingiri is the six-bedroom Amingiri Residence, the ideal escape for larger groups of travellers looking for privacy in its truest sense. Set apart on a landscaped cove,  the residence will welcome guests with its own arrival pier and a dedicated sundeck with uninterrupted 360-degree views of the Maldivian horizon when it debuts in November 2022.  

“Hilton Maldives Amingiri represents what we continually strive for in our brand portfolio – innovative offerings and exceptional stays complemented by our signature hospitality. Introducing several new concepts to the Maldives, such as a rooftop lounge exclusive to teenage guests, a  cocktail lab and the six-bedroom residence, Hilton Maldives Amingiri is set to capture guests of all ages looking to reconnect during their stay with their selves, nature or close ones,” said Alexandra  Jaritz, senior vice president, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton.

Home to six distinctive dining concepts, Hilton Maldives Amingiri will take guests on a culinary sojourn. From Origin, a dining experience that celebrates sustainable seafood sourcing, ageing techniques and a food-upcycling approach, to all-day dining restaurant Habitat, to rustic beach restaurant Beach Shack with its feet-in-the-sand dining experience, the resort’s dining offerings are thoughtfully curated to satisfy every palate.  

Celebrating tea cultures from all over the world, modern-day tea house Sip Tea Lounge’s extensive tea collection allows guests to refresh and relax over rare flavours and perennial favourites.  Champagne and gin are on showcase at the adults-only overwater bar Eden, while poolside bar  Aura features a cocktail lab dedicated to the art of mixology. 

A slew of inspiring experiences awaits seasoned holidaymakers and junior explorers: Krakengiri  Kids’ Club features an outdoor children’s play pool and mini splash park, while rooftop bar Re:Fuel offers teenage guests a tranquil retreat and a hidden entrance designed exclusively for them.  Purposefully designed as a sanctuary, Amingiri Spa offers an extensive menu of rejuvenating treatments and purifying hammam rituals that bring an enlightened sense of wellbeing.

The post Hilton’s flagship brand makes highly anticipated debut in the Maldives appeared first on Travel Daily.

[ad_2]

Source link

[ad_1]

The post Ascott acquires Oakwood worldwide to fast-track growth to over 150,000 units globally appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily.

The Ascott Limited (Ascott) has announced it is acquiring Oakwood Worldwide (Oakwood). The acquisition increases Ascott’s global portfolio by 81 properties and about 15,000 units. Oakwood’s approximately 8,500 operational units are expected to immediately contribute to Ascott’s recurring fee income streams upon completion of the transaction slated in 3Q 2022.

Ascott’s acquisition of Oakwood will leapfrog Ascott’s global presence to more than 150,000 units in about 900 properties across over 200 cities in 39 countries. It will add new markets which include Cheongju in South Korea; Zhangjiakou and Qingdao in China; Dhaka in Bangladesh as well as Washington D.C. in the United States of America (USA).

Recently named the ‘Best Serviced Residence Brand’ in DestinAsian Readers’ Choice Awards 2022, Oakwood’s award-winning portfolio includes flagship properties Oakwood Premier Tokyo and Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul which were ranked top 10 properties in their respective countries in the DestinAsian awards. New properties such as Oakwood Premier Melbourne and Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto, will also add to the group’s destination highlights.

Mr Kevin Goh, CLI’s Chief Executive Officer for Lodging, said: “This acquisition of Oakwood is part of Ascott’s roadmap to playing a bigger role in the lodging market. There are significant synergies between Ascott and Oakwood, given our complementary footprint and product offerings. We intend to build on the strong reputation and heritage of the Oakwood brand, especially in markets across Southeast Asia, North Asia and North America. Oakwood will continue to grow alongside Ascott’s current portfolio of global brands as we continue to build growth momentum for our lodging business. We will be able to leverage Ascott’s extensive expertise as a global lodging player to deliver greater value to our expanded network of loyal customers and property owners.”

“Besides strategic alignment, this acquisition is also notable to Ascott commercially. Ascott’s acquisition of Oakwood brings about an immediate boost to our units under management and franchise contracts. The Oakwood portfolio will accelerate the growth of our asset-light business, with added recurring fee income streams, expanded lodging offerings and increased customer base. The strategic moves we have made in the last few years, such as our investments in Quest, Synergy and TAUZIA have charted an unprecedented growth path for Ascott,” added Mr Goh.

The post Ascott acquires Oakwood worldwide to fast-track growth to over 150,000 units globally appeared first on Travel Daily.

[ad_2]

Source link