The post Tourism Authority of Thailand strengthens partnerships with the aviation sector appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted its Airline Focus Partnership Meeting on Monday, 7th July, to coordinate efforts with over 50 airlines and key tourism stakeholders ahead of the peak travel season in the fourth quarter of the year.

Representing TAT at the 7 July meeting were two deputy governors for international marketing Chiravadee Khunsub (Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas) and Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai (Asia and the South Pacific).

Among those in attendance were representatives from the Airline Operators Committee, Airports of Thailand (AOT), International Air Transport Association (IATA), Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT), and U-Tapao Airport Authority.

Participating airlines included Aeroflot, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways (ANA), Air China, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Thai Airways International (THAI), Thai AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, and Nok Air.

Boosting arrival numbers through cooperation

The meeting aimed to boost international arrivals through joint marketing, increased flight capacity, and enhanced connectivity.

This will entail aligning campaigns with traveller behaviour to stimulate spending and support local economies.

From January to June 2025, Thailand recorded over 16.68 million international arrivals, with 24.59 million inbound seats, reflecting a seven percent year-on-year increase and 88 percent above pre-COVID levels. 

Strong growth came from Russia, the UK, Germany, France, the US, Malaysia, China, India, South Korea, and Japan.

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The post Porsche Design Tower Bangkok set to drive into Japan’s ultra-luxury market appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Luxury branded residential development Porsche Design Tower Bangkok recently signed a partnership with List Sotheby’s International Realty.

The latter is now officially the development’s agent representative in the Japanese real estate market, expanding its reach to one of Asia’s most sophisticated ultra-luxury markets.

This strategic alliance introduces Porsche Design’s first residential tower in Asia to potential Japanese clients, offering an unprecedented living experience that embodies exceptional design and functionality. 

With its prestigious network and long-standing expertise in the field of Japanese ultra-luxury real estate, List Sotheby’s International Realty is all set to connect discerning Japanese buyers with this landmark development.

Porsche Design Tower Bangkok, the first of its kind in Asia, represents Thai premier developer Ananda Development’s real estate expertise and the timeless design philosophy of the exclusive lifestyle brand Porsche Design. 

This landmark collaboration sets a new benchmark in ultra-luxury living, merging international design excellence with local market insights.

A roadshow for a one-of-a-kind property

Marking the market entrance, a high-profile roadshow event was held on 25th June, at the Porsche Studio Ginza.

During the event which was attended by a number of distinguished guests, prospective investors experienced immersive presentations highlighting the functional excellence and exquisite designs of Porsche Design Tower Bangkok. 

The ‘Sky Villa’ residences and ‘Passion Spaces’, the ultimate luxury garages, generated significant interest from Japanese connoisseurs seeking unparalleled real estate opportunities. 

The appeal of the high-rise development lies in its world-class specifications, attention to detail, and uncompromising quality, values that resonate strongly with Japanese appreciation for craftsmanship and precision.

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The post Exclusive benefits await Shinta Mani guests at JATI Koh Russey appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The highly awaited JATI Koh Russey in Cambodia announced an exclusive offer for guests at Shinta Mani Hotels in the country. 

Southeast Asia’s most eagerly anticipated island resort of 2025 partners with its sister company under the HMD Asia banner to offer guests an exceptional experience throughout their stays.

As part of this special partnership, guests who combine a stay at the new JATI Koh Russey island resort with either the iconic Shinta Mani Angkor in Siem Reap or the breathtaking Shinta Mani Wild tented camp in the Cambodian rainforest will enjoy the following benefits.

• 10 percent Exclusive Discount: Available during the low season (April to October) for stays across both properties; and
• VIP Amenities: Special privileges extended throughout the year during their visit to both JATI Koh Russey and the Shinta Mani Hotels in Cambodia.

This initiative reflects the shared values of JATI and Shinta Mani in terms of delivering exceptional guest experiences through inspired design, impeccable service, and a commitment to cultural authenticity.

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The post ATIA: nominations for National Travel Industry Awards closes on 13th July appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) announced that they will close the submission of nominees for this year’s National Travel Industry Awards (NTIA) at midnight on Sunday, 13th July.

Nominees who have accepted their nomination may use the Submissions Portal to highlight their achievements over the past 12 months and bolster their chances of receiving one of the travel industry’s most prestigious awards on its night of nights.

Judging will begin in earnest once the Submissions Portal has closed.

According to ATIA chief executive Dean Long: “This year’s NTIA is shaping up as the best ever and the excitement just keeps growing. For those who have been nominated, don’t miss out on your chance to win. I’d encourage anyone who’s been nominated to confirm their entry through the portal. ” 

The who’s who of Australian travel

From corporate and leisure travel to sales executives, advisors, suppliers, training programs and group achievements, the NTIAs showcase the depth and breadth of Australia’s $69 billion travel industry.    

Long said: “It is fantastic to see our members and peers rally behind this prestigious event and I can’t wait to see the fantastic achievements of members of our industry honoured in Brisbane at this year’s awards.’’  

The new and updated categories this year reflect the evolution of the sector and have been guided by NTIA Custodians, respected industry leaders who help maintain the credibility and standards of the program.    

This year’s NTIA features a refined list of 36 categories, providing more opportunities than ever before to shine a spotlight on exceptional individuals, teams, and businesses.  

Winners will be announced at the NTIA Gala at The Star Brisbane on 18th October following he Beyond Borders conference slated for 17th October.

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The post Amy Sykes is new head of wholesale distribution at Gold Medal appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

dnata Travel Group UK’s flagship B2B brand Gold Medal confirmed the further expansion of its Trade Partnerships Team through the appointment of Amy Sykes as their head of wholesale distribution.

This newly created role is field-based within the UK and focuses on identifying and acquiring new business opportunities in this sector.

Trade partnership director Karen Fletcher expressed delight at Sykes coming into the team, as her deep understanding of the wholesale market and technical insight into travel distribution platforms makes her the ideal person to lead this strategic area of the business.

Fletcher said: “Amy has settled into the team well and has already identified paths to grow Dnata Travel Group UK’s B2B wholesale distribution, including scheduled air and ground sales via Groups, flight API, website and GDS self-booking platforms. Amy’s appointment underscores Gold Medal’s commitment to supporting travel businesses with flexible, high-quality solutions tailored to the evolving needs of the market.”

Sykes, who joined Fletcher’s team last month, remarked: “’I’m thrilled to have joined Gold Medal at such a pivotal time for both the business and the wider travel industry, as technology continues to transform the way we distribute and experience travel. The new and upcoming developments within Gold Medal and dnata Travel Group UK, present real opportunities to support our partners in forward-thinking, meaningful ways.”

Meet Amy Sykes

Sykes has worked in the travel industry for 12 years, spending time as head of distribution at VOX Group and, more recently, as strategic sales manager for Hotelbeds. 

She joins Gold Medal with a wealth of expertise and keenness to collaborate with the brand’s trade partnership director to input an updated wholesale distribution strategy.

She said of her appointment: “I’m looking forward to putting my experience as a supplier of multiple product verticals to work, strengthening and expanding our wholesale proposition. Gold Medal has such a strong reputation with UK Travel Agents, and I’m passionate about bringing that same level of commitment and enthusiasm to our wholesale partners.”

Following the addition of Sykes, Gold Medal’s Trade Partnerships team now has 14 team members out on the road across the UK and Northern Ireland.

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The post Dessert master Reynold Poernomo invites guests to Dare to Taste at W Maldives appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

W Maldives turns up the flavour dial to 11 next month through a high-profile culinary collaboration that is equal parts bold, artful, and wildly indulgent.

Masterchef Australia alum Reynold Poernomo comes to the Maldivian resort for Dare to Taste, a part of the Flavours Unscripted series on the 10th and 12th of August.

This one-of-a-kind collaboration with the acclaimed culinary creative stands to redefine the tropical dining experience one plate at a time.

To mark the collaboration, Poernomo will also unveil an exclusive signature dessert, created just for W Maldives, which will be available on the menu for six months following his visit. Daring, decadent, and destined to be the most photographed dish on the island, it is a lasting tribute to this unforgettable partnership.

Poernomo himself said of the upcoming experience: “There’s something electric about the Maldives: its textures, its moods, its light. This menu is my response to that, a dreamscape of flavour brought to life through technique, imagination, and a little island heat.”

W Maldives general manager Amila Handunwala added: “At W Maldives, we’re all about pushing boundaries on the plate, behind the bar, and in the guest experience. Reynold brings a daring, creative energy that aligns perfectly with our vision. This isn’t just a dinner; it’s a story told in flavour.”

This collaboration is part of Flavours Unscripted, W Maldives’ platform for culinary expression where global tastemakers meet untamed island creativity and nothing is ever scripted. 

It is food without rules; flavour without borders.

What to expect

The main event unfolds on 12th August when guests will have the rare opportunity to experience Poernomo’s culinary artistry firsthand at FISH, the resort’s signature overwater venue renowned for its sustainable ocean-to-table fine dining. 

For one night only, the desserts master will present a specially curated three-course dinner inspired by island ingredients, global technique, and his unmistakable visual flair. 

Guests can expect bold plating, layered flavors, and a few unexpected turns: this is Reynold Poernomo unleashed, Maldives-style.

Once in a lifetime indulgence

As part of this exclusive collaboration, W Maldives presents Marriott Bonvoy Moments, a once-in-a-lifetime experience for members to bid on a Private Castaway Dining Experience with Chef Reynold, paired with a luxurious four-night villa stay in a Premier Overwater One-Bedroom Villa from 9th to 13th August.

The package includes roundtrip shared seaplane transfers from Velana International Airport, daily breakfast, and a one-time signature treatment at AWAY Spa for the bid winner and their guest.

The highlight of the stay begins on 10th August, with an intimate starlit dinner on Gaathafushi, W Maldives’ private castaway island, where Poernomo will personally host and curate a bespoke tasting menu. 

On 12th August, lucky guests will receive front-row seats to his culinary showcase at FISH. 

With only one package available, anticipation is high and competition will be fierce.

Meet Reynold Poernomo

Born in Indonesia and raised in Sydney, Chef Reynold is no stranger to pushing culinary boundaries. 

A self-taught prodigy who rose to fame as a finalist on MasterChef Australia, he quickly became known as the nation’s “Dessert King” for his intricate, art-driven creations. 

In 2016, he co-founded KOI Dessert Bar with his family, which has since become one of Sydney’s most iconic culinary destinations with a cult following. 

The brand expanded in 2017 with KOI Dessert Kitchen, a production space that also hosts exclusive masterclasses and guest chef collaborations. 

Poernomo’s approach to food is anything but ordinary: his plates are immersive, imaginative, and unapologetically bold. 

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The post Chiva-Som Hua Hin: Where wellness is a personal experience appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

While there are many spa destinations throughout the world, and especially in Southeast Asia where weary travellers make their way to Thailand and Indonesia to seek a respite from both physical and mental cares, Chiva-Som Hua Hin stands as a destination apart, one where healing and overall wellness become a truly personal experience.

For over three decades, this destination for both luxurious recreation and holistic care has enabled guests to reset themselves to a more ideal state of health through a well-considered blend of traditional healing modalities, contemporary medical science, and a truly relaxing environment right on the seashore.

But what really sets the Chiva-Som experience apart from others in its class is the way that there are no “one-size-fits-all” solutions here; everything from treatment plans to daily meals and activities are specifically tailored to the needs of individuals.

Where it all began

To know the ethos behind Chiva-Som, particularly its flagship Chiva-Som Hua Hin, is to know the story of its founder: former Thai deputy Prime Minister Boonchu Rojanastien.

The late politician may have begun his career in accountancy, but a lifelong fascination for good health and wellness were what drove him later in life to transform what was a holiday home into one of the world’s leading centres for holistic wellbeing.

The Thai province of Hua Hin initially served as a weekend escape for the Rojanastiens who saw it as a restful retreat from the hectic bustle of Bangkok.

In Hua Hin, they and their friends could play their favourite sports, breathe in unpolluted air, and eat meals that were healthier and tastier than their usual urban fare; this ensured that they were fully rested and recharged for the week ahead.

Boonchu Rojanastien’s motto in life was Above all, enjoy your life, and this meant his lifestyle involved an unregimented and deeply personal approach to wellness, leading him to encourage family and friends to adopt healthier habits to transform their own lives.

This ethos spread outside Rojanastien’s immediate circle, paving the way for the transformation of his beachfront residence into a resort specialising in health and wellness that officially opened in 1993.

Rojanastien named the resort Chiva-Som, a Thai phrase that translates as the haven of life.

While its founder passed on in 2007, his message of enjoying one’s life through healthful and transformative experiences remains the ethos that continues to drive Chiva-Som Hua Hin’s operations, guiding individual guests into making expertly-guided changes to their lifestyles, enabling them to live their best lives in the best of health.

One with nature, one with wellness

Today, Chiva-Som Hua Hin is known as one of Southeast Asia’s most awarded spa destinations, and for some very good reasons.

Under the leadership of its current chair and chief executive Krip Rojanastien who took over from his father in 2007, Chiva-Som has also built up a reputation for weaving sustainability principles throughout its operations, ensuring the glowing health of both its guests as well as its natural environment.

Likewise, its location along the coastline enables guests to enjoy balmy sea breezes, the saline air offering numerous health benefits from better breathing after exposure to urban pollution to lower stress levels and calmer nerves and skin; walking along the shore and exploring the surrounding environs in a tropical form of therapeutic shinrin-yoku [forest bathing] also provides a natural way to a hard-reset for the mind and body.

As our chief executive Gary Marshall will attest later in the series, Chiva-Som’s bevy of experts will also craft tailor-made plans for relaxation, rejuvenation, and recovery based on one’s overall health condition on both physical and mental/emotional levels.

In doing so, Chiva-Som is more than just another luxury getaway, but a place where mind and body can heal, build strength, and become better prepared to face the world beyond.

 

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The post Thailand casts spotlight on village tourism with its Village to the World initiative appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Village tourism and Thailand’s sustainable agenda took centre stage as the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET), and private sector partners launched their collective project Village to the World.

This initiative seeks to turn local communities into living, breathing examples of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in action.

Anchored in TAT’s core strategy, the programme positions sustainable tourism as a key driver of Thailand’s long-term development. 

According to TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool: “Village to the World is more than a tourism project. It is a new blueprint for Thailand’s sustainable development, one powered by community, backed by business, and measured by real impact.”

The official launch brought together key leaders including SET’s Soraphol Tulayasathien, Issara Riutrakulpaiboon of the Department of Cultural Promotion at the Ministry of Tourism, senior executives from listed companies, community representatives, and the media.

Building upon a strong ESG foundation

The initiative aligns local development with business objectives under a strong ESG framework. 

Through the concept ESG Partnership for Impact, SET-listed companies are matched with seven prototype communities across five provinces to co-create models that deliver balanced economic, social, and environmental outcomes.

In Chiang Mai, AIS supports digital skill-building in the Mae Soon Noi and Doi Wiang communities. 

In Nan, on the other hand, SCG and Yournique advance upstream circular economy models in the Pa Laeo Luang community. 

In Phitsanulok, BAFS helps the Ban Mung Nuea community connect agriculture, safety, and sustainable tourism; while Chon Buri’s Ban Amphoe community focuses on long-term marine waste solutions. 

Meanwhile, in Lampang, Thai AirAsia and the Department of Cultural Promotion develop new cultural tourism routes in the Tha Ma-O and Pong Sanuk communities.

These seven communities are poised to become national models of Sustainability that Starts at the Local through public-private collaboration. 

Their progress is expected to spark similar efforts nationwide, proving that community-led tourism can grow into a strategic platform for long-term, high-impact partnerships.

The programme marks a shift from traditional CSR to Shared Value, moving beyond giving back to building forward. 

Each initiative is rooted in local potential, with the aim of scaling to national-level sustainability.

TAT’s campaign is also supported by leading travel platforms and airlines, including Gother, Local Alike, Yournique, SiamRise, Friday Trip, Guide Guru, and Thai AirAsia, making these communities more accessible to travellers worldwide.

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The post Juneyao Airlines starts direct flight between Shanghai and Kuala Lumpur appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

 

Malaysia welcomes the launch of Juneyao Airlines’ inaugural direct flight from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), marking a strategic milestone in enhancing connectivity and strengthening tourism cooperation between Malaysia and China.

Operating four times weekly under flight HO1353, the new service deploys the Airbus A320neo aircraft, with a seating capacity of 162 passengers. This route is set to meet the growing demand for travel between the two dynamic cities, improving convenience for both business and leisure travellers.

The establishment of this route also supports Malaysia’s efforts in capitalising on Shanghai’s reputation as a critical market for outbound travel and a global financial hub with expansive international connectivity, thus positioning Kuala Lumpur as a preferred Southeast Asian gateway for Chinese travellers.

The inaugural flight’s arrival at KLIA today was welcomed by Mr Samuel Lee Thai Hung, Deputy Director General of Tourism Malaysia, alongside key representatives from Juneyao Airlines, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) and Pos Aviation.

Samuel Lee stated: “Tourism Malaysia remains committed to working closely with Chinese airlines and trade partners to ensure sustained growth and mutual benefit. This initiative aligns with national strategies to expand market outreach ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), which will focus on promoting cultural and sustainable tourism in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG).

“The enhanced air connectivity with Shanghai also supports regional integration under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) framework, further reinforcing Malaysia’s role as a key player in regional tourism development.”

From January to April 2025, Malaysia recorded 1.44 million visitor arrivals from China – a 37.8% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and 22.6% above prepandemic 2019 levels. The recent extension of visa-free entry for Chinese nationals until 31 December 2026, coupled with enhanced flight access, is expected to further drive visitor growth and yield a significant economic impact across Malaysia’s tourism value chain.

 

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