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Jumeirah Thanda Island offers the ultimate multi-generational mega trip

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With 42% of British travellers prioritising unforgettable experiences this year, and Harper’s Bazaar citing multi-generational mega trips as one of 2025’s key luxury travel trends, now is the perfect time to book a dream getaway to Jumeirah Thanda Island.

The latest addition to Jumeirah’s global portfolio, Jumeirah Thanda Island is an exclusive-use villa in Tanzania’s Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve, providing an extraordinary backdrop for a once-in-a-lifetime family retreat. Offering accommodation for up to 18 guests across a villa and two duplex Tanzanian Bandas which feature locally hand-carved furniture and fabric from Mafia Island, Jumeirah Thanda Island is the ultimate private haven for guests looking to create cherished memories with loved ones.

Embracing a wellness-focused ethos, the island invites guests to unwind with yoga sessions and bespoke spa treatments against the breathtaking backdrop of the Indian Ocean, inducing a sense of peace and total wellbeing. As well as offering guests the opportunity to embrace the slow pace of island life, the island also offers plenty of activities to keep families busy on their dream getaway, both on land and at sea. Water lovers can try their hand at kayaking through vibrant reefs, sailing on traditional Arab fishing Dhows, stand-up paddleboarding, and more, while on land, guests can keep fit on their very own tennis and volleyball courts, before enjoying the island’s special Egret Walk, taking guests along a white-sand trail to visit the white, grey and black Egrets that inhabit the island.

Guests looking to delve deeper into Tanzania’s incredible culture can embark on excursions to the legendary Spice Island of Zanzibar and Mafia Island’s eleventh century ruins, offering an insight into times gone by. Jumeirah Thanda Island also provides exclusive access to the Shungimbili Island Marine Reserve – the largest protected marine area in the Indian Ocean – where families can enjoy guided snorkelling and scuba diving experiences, joining majestic whale sharks on a swim through Tanzania’s magical underwater world.

Jumeirah Thanda Island’s curated selection of culinary experiences is thoughtfully crafted to bring families together to celebrate life’s special moments and create lasting memories. The island’s private chefs source the freshest local ingredients to create bespoke dishes tailored to each guest’s tastes, which are then served in the most spectacular settings, whether that be on the beach under a starry night sky, or in the form of a poolside picnic as the sun goes down.

Offering the perfect blend of barefoot luxury, tranquillity, and natural beauty, Jumeirah Thanda Island is the dream destination for a multi-generational mega trip, providing the perfect setting for families to spend time together and forge lifelong bonds.

 

 

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Nasher Miles launches heartwarming campaign to send parents on Their Dream Honeymoon

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Nasher Miles, India’s new-age luggage brand forming strides of style in India, is all set to launch a heart-warming campaign on Parent Honeymoon. The brand is going to focus on letting parents have their moment and thus offering an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai. The bride and the groom can register their parents in the contest by telling the brand why their parents deserve that trip; Nasher Miles will pick the lucky couple and help them get on their flight to the city of fortune. The brand is going all out with the campaign by launching an ad-film that supports the vision alongside offering brands that sponsor the fashion, travel, tech, luxury, skincare and lifestyle aspects of the trip for the parents.

It is no surprise that parents pour their hearts out on their children’s wedding and after the event is wrapped – they feel a hollow, a void that is hard to explain. After all that cheery chaos, the silence settles in and that is where the brand intends to bring a culture-shift. With all the hard-work and devotion that parents put in the kids’ wedding, they deserve to be celebrated for their unwavering support and love too. Their unconditional “let us do it for you” spirit is now being reciprocated with a Parent Honeymoon by Nasher Miles. The brand intends to weave warmth with its new initiative where Nasher Miles rewrites the narrative and will gift a honeymoon to Dubai for the bride and groom’s parents because as they planned our wedding. We can also plan their parent honeymoon.”

The key highlights of the campaign starts with a vision of the brand that encourages the society to change the culture norm by acknowledging parents’ effort in their children’s wedding. Nasher Miles also strives to create a shift in the conventional lens of viewing weddings by inspiring the newly-wedded couple to register their parents for the contest that leads them to an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai. Children just need to enroll their parents and share why their parents deserve this special trip to have a moment that is theirs and theirs alone.

The entire campaign kickstarts with an ad-film that showcases an elderly couple, parents, being intensively involved in their kids’ wedding and finally looking back after its conclusion to feel the quiet after the event. The newly-married couple then surprises their parents with two tickets to Dubai, because parents deserve their moment too. The heart-warming campaign is meant to melt the hearts of the people in India while creating emotional resonance and setting a new approach in motion where parents gift their kids a perfect wedding and kids return the favor affectionately by gifting them a parent-honeymoon.

With this campaign, Nasher Miles is also inviting brands to collaborate and sponsor different aspects of the trip that feel organic to them. Including renowned names like Burger Bae, Midnight Angels by PC and Damensch for fashion, boAt for tech, Skininspired and FAE Beauty for skincare and lifestyle – Nasher Miles is all geared up to make this trip memorable.

This initiation by Nasher Miles is not only going to change the lens one sees their parents from but also establish a culture of acknowledgement and appreciation for all their love and efforts. Creating emotional resonance and speaking to the hearts of many in the country, this campaign will prove itself as a movement that celebrates the true MVPs of the wedding. By this campaign, Nasher Miles is not only promoting Parent Honeymoon but also positioning itself as the go-to brand for all your wedding luggage needs and trousseau packing, standing by you and your partner as you embark on this special journey.

 

 

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Air India appoints Airesources, Inc. as passenger GSA in the Philippines

The post Air India appoints Airesources, Inc. as passenger GSA in the Philippines appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Air India has announced the appointment of Airesources Incorporated as its General Sales Agent (GSA) for passenger business in the Philippines. Airesources, Inc. will oversee reservations & ticketing, support marketing efforts, and provide comprehensive passenger sales support in the region on behalf of Air India, ensuring streamlined and personalised service delivery to travel agents and customers.

The collaboration will help to strengthen passenger traffic feeding into Air India’s flights from and to Southeast Asia and beyond. “It is an honor for us to represent Air India in the Philippines. We are fully committed to utilizing Air India’s extensive network, our profound industry knowledge, and our customer-centric approach to showcase Air India’s offerings and strengthen its presence in the Philippine market,” said Ella Sanchez, President of Airesources, Inc.

Air India’s growing fleet and transforming on board experience, combined with Airesources’ commitment to excellence, will provide a world-class travel experience to passengers. Air India operates non-stop flights between India and six destinations in Southeast Asia: Singapore, Bangkok and Phuket (Thailand), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), Bali (Indonesia), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Air India’s services to these points in Southeast Asia also offer convenient one-stop connections to destinations across Europe, United States and Canada via its hubs in Delhi or Mumbai, and vice versa.

Air India is modernising its fleet and introducing new products and services. Air India recently confirmed an order for 100 widebody and narrowbody Airbus aircraft, adding to its previous orders for 470 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing announced in 2023, thus taking the total number of new aircraft ordered to 570.

 

 

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American Express and Singapore Airlines offer limited edition rewards for 25 years of partnership

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American Express and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer celebrate 25 years of partnership by offering exclusive limited-time rewards for new and existing American Express Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card Members.

These rewards are designed to elevate their travel experiences.

As part of this milestone, new and existing KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card Members can accelerate their journey toward attaining KrisFlyer Elite Gold membership. 

With this limited-time reward, which starts 1st February and ends 31st July, they can now attain this membership by spending S$16,000 on eligible everyday purchases like groceries, travel accommodation, dining and more, including a minimum of S$6,000 on eligible Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights.

More in store

In addition, the first 250 KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card members who spend S$16,000 including a minimum of S$6,000 on eligible Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights will receive a S$150 eCapitaVoucher.

The first 250 KrisFlyer Ascend Credit Card Members who spend S$20,000 or more with at least S$6,000 on eligible Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights will receive a 28-inch Samsonite luggage. 

Card Members who are eligible for the luggage will not be eligible for the eCapitaVoucher.

American Express’ country manager in Singapore Marlin Brown said: “Our Card Members are avid travellers. The accelerator programme allows a fast track to KrisFlyer Elite Gold membership. This will not only bring more convenience, but also peace of mind when they are exploring and enjoying new experiences on one of the best airlines in the world.”

KrisFlyer Elite Gold members can enjoy benefits such as priority check-in, priority boarding, priority baggage handling, extra check-in baggage allowance, access to over 1,000 airport lounges, accelerated upgrade to higher membership tiers with selected hotel loyalty programmes and more.

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SITA and Cathay Pacific sign agreement to boost network bandwidth

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Air transport technologies provider SITA and Cathay Pacific entered a new agreement that supports substantial increases in network bandwidth at its airports, improving current capacity by up to five times while maintaining cost efficiency. 

This initiative aligns with Cathay Pacific’s strategic direction of increasing adoption of Cloud applications while ensuring optimal performance for legacy systems.

SITA president for the Asia Pacific Sumesh Patel said: “This agreement with Cathay Pacific is a true testament of how we are able to help airlines maximize their network infrastructures which are key for their ongoing operations. The fact that Cathay Pacific was one of our first clients for SITA Connect and is now one of the first adopters of SITA Connect Go is a clear sign that our technology is delivering valuable results. Airlines and airport networks in APAC are facing challenges with legacy network infrastructure. SITA Connect Go offers a robust, scalable, and secure SD-WAN platform to meet the need for the growing bandwidth demand and helps airlines shift their focus towards their customers.”

Shifting to a new technology

Cathay Pacific was an early adopter of the original SITA Connect solution, and this renewed agreement demonstrates its confidence in SITA as it moves to the newly launched SITA Connect Go service. 

This new collaboration will provide Cathay Pacific with enhanced network connectivity across 51 global airports through the SITA Connect Go at Airports product, which will combine dual Internet connectivity to provide bandwidth ranging up to 300 Mbps. 

The new contract includes a planned 12-month design, build, test, and implementation period to cover all airports involved in the project.

What does SITA Connect Go do? 

SITA Connect Go will facilitate a substantial bandwidth increase of up to five times the current capacity. 

This improvement will ensure enhanced efficiency and connectivity while maintaining cost optimization. 

Using the new SITA airport infrastructure will allow Cathay Pacific to continue its smooth transition to Cloud applications, enhancing overall operational efficiency and scalability.

Connect Go also includes three Gateways specifically designed to ensure optimal performance for legacy applications, facilitating the continued use of existing systems while achieving improved performance and connectivity globally.

SITA Connect Go has an ultrarapid deployment thanks to SITA’s pre-connected and resilient APH-V infrastructure. 

This will allow swift implementation of necessary infrastructure and connectivity across Cathay Pacific’s network, reducing downtime and disruption; all this while offering flexible packaging and customizable options, allowing Cathay Pacific to tailor their connectivity requirements based on specific needs, optimizing network services while maintaining cost efficiency.

According to Cathay Pacific general manager for IT infrastructure and security Rajeev Nair: “Airlines across the world have a clear need for strong and robust airport infrastructure so that we can center our attention on providing the optimal passenger experience. SITA Connect has been helping us deliver efficient operations at airports for several years and we are confident that this renewed partnership with SITA will allow us to significantly increase the network capacity of our existing network in the most cost-effective way, enabling us to further enhance our operational efficiency and allowing us to continue focusing all our efforts on our customers.”

The implementation phase, which began in April 2024, is expected to be completed in early Q2-2025 and become fully operational across 51 airports on the same date.

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ATIA head welcomes Federal Government’s acquisition of Rex Airlines debt

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Dean Long, chief executive of the Australian Travel Industry Association, made a statement regarding the Australian Federal Government’s recent acquisition of AU$50 million of Rex Airlines’ debt. 

Long hailed the acquisition as an important measure to ensure the future of a competitive domestic airline sector in Australia.

In a statement released today, 23rd January, he said: “We welcome the announcement that the Federal Government has taken this step to become the principal secured creditor of Rex. It’s great news for travelling Australians, the communities who rely on Rex and for the health of the Australian Aviation sector. Rex is too important to be allowed to fail.”

Long pointed out that Australia’s domestic aviation sector needs a third airline, and if Rex is allowed to fail, the reality is that even if another airline decides to enter this market, it will take so much longer for them to come into play. 

He added that such a delay would hit regional and rural Australia hard as well as the hip pocket of travellers.

Long said:  “Allowing the company to continue means there’s also an increased likelihood that our Members, the travel businesses who are owed money as a result of having sold Rex tickets, are more likely to get at least some of their money back.”

At present, 98 percent of Australia’s domestic passengers have a choice between just two airlines.

This is seen as a severe disadvantage, given how the country has the most concentrated air market in the world. 

Long concluded by saying: “Ensuring the future of a third airline in Australia means we have competition in the skies as well as access for regional and rural Australia.”

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Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort is a tropical oasis that’s a destination in itself

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Nestled ideally in the popular tourist centre of Patong, Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort is the Patong beach hotel that effortlessly blends comfort, fun and business. Delightful accommodation, great dining and facilities for adults and kids are all at hand, while the vibrant nightlife and tourist activities of Phuket’s most visited spot are just steps away.

Just opened in December 2024 at the resort is the Endless Summer Beach Club. Perfectly positioned facing Patong Beach, in a remodelled area of the beachfront, this exciting new locale beckons guests to ‘embrace the allure of endless summer days while sipping on cocktails’ and enjoying vibrant entertainment and exceptional cuisine. Visit www.endlesssummerbeachclub.com to find out more.

Fresh from extensive renovations in 2023 and 2024, the resort in December also opened two new signature restaurants and has a third new venue coming soon – further diversifying the food and beverage options on offer to guests.

Available for stays right now through until 31 October 2025 are two great deals at Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort:

Kids Eat Free

The ideal package to enhance a family holiday on beautiful Phuket, kids under 12 eat free when accompanied by paying adults. The package also includes daily breakfast for two persons, and daily 3-course lunch or dinner with one soft drink for two persons at The Phuket Eatery restaurant.

Book your Kids Eat Free package now by visiting the hotel’s website, or by calling +66 07-634-9888. Use the promotional code ES7. For toll-free numbers outside the US, go to Global Reservation Numbers.

Buy 1 Get 1 Deal

Enjoy twice the flavours with the Buy 1 Get 1 Deal. The package includes breakfast for up to two adults and children 12 years and under, and a Buy 1 Get 1 offer on food at participating outlets – The Phuket Eatery, The Lounge and The Pool Deck. Higher priced dishes incur a charge, while lower priced dishes are complimentary. This rate is eligible to earn Marriott Bonvoy Points/Miles and Elite Night Credit.

Book the Buy 1 Get 1 Deal today by visiting the hotel’s website, or by calling +66 07-634-9888. Use the promotional code M96. For toll-free numbers outside the US, go to Global Reservation Numbers.

Delectable Dining from Indoor Comfort To Poolside Relaxation

The dining choice at Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort includes enticing international cuisine, light snacks, scrumptious pizzas, succulent BBQ & grill favourites and ever-popular café goodies.

The Phuket Eatery

Open throughout the day from 6.30am til 11pm for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the casual and welcoming atmosphere at The Phuket Eatery makes it the ideal spot for enjoying a variety of international dishes. Dishes that can be savoured indoors or outdoors.

The Lounge

Great for unwinding after a fun-filled day of island happiness, The Lounge overlooks the pool and with its atmosphere of tropical sophistication is one of the best spots for sipping on your favourite beverage. It’s open all day from 8am til 12am.

The Pool Deck

Offering a wonderfully laid-back exotic feel and open from 10am til 7pm, The Pool Deck serves a selection of light bites and drinks that can be enjoyed alongside the pool.

Below 23 and Below 47 Swim-up Pool Bars

Below 23 is the resort’s central swim-up pool bar with refreshing drinks to sip on while soaking up the sun. Below 47 is an exclusive swim-up bar situated amid the pool access rooms. Both are open from 10am til 7pm.

The resort’s delightful food and beverage offerings recently increased in delicious fashion, with the opening in December 2024 of two new signature restaurants – Goodfellas Pizzeria and The Smokestack BBQ & Grill. A third new signature venue – ES Café – is due to open in Q1 2025.

Goodfellas Pizzeria

Destined to quickly become one of the must-try Patong restaurants for pizza lovers, Goodfellas Pizzeria serves delectable pizzas cooked to perfection in an authentic wood-fired oven and complimented by views of Patong Beach. Chef Marco, an award-winning chef from Rome who is recognized globally for being among the Top 50 Pizza Chefs, brings the authentic taste of Italian pizza to Thailand – a signature feature of the restaurant.

The Smokestack BBQ & Grill

Likewise destined to become a top choice for those who love a good grill, is The Smokestack BBQ & Grill. Also facing Patong Beach, this venue offers fantastic fare that’s succulent and sizzling. Here, guests can enjoy the pioneering element of a distinct smokey flavour that sets The Smokestack apart from traditional steakhouses focused purely on grilling.

ES Café

A lovely spot to start each day will be ES Café, a beachfront coffee shop and bakery where guests can pick up a freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked pastry before taking a morning walk along the beach, heading to the pool or setting off on a sightseeing adventure.

Rooms And Suites For Couples And Families Alike

Fresh from the resort’s renovation, the 445 rooms and suites feature a stylish decor of earth-coloured tones and clean lines that create an inviting feel. These boast a private balcony, terrace or pool access, and feature a living/sitting area, writing desk and marble bathroom.

Spacious and comfortable, they’re ideal for couples on a romantic getaway and families on holiday, and come in a choice of room categories. Some allow rollaway beds and/or cribs, and connecting rooms are available.

The rooms and suites are well appointed with a 55-inch digital Smart TV featuring premium movie channels and cable/satellite, complimentary wireless internet, mini fridge, in-room safe, hairdryer, and Nirvae bathroom amenities.

Family Fun For All The Gang

One of the best choices among hotels in Patong for family holidays, Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort offers plenty of things to do and heaps of fun to have for all the gang.

There’s plenty of scope for splashing, swimming or just relaxing in the resort’s three pools – the serene pool, main pool, and children’s pool with fun waterslides and play structures. Whether it’s for a spur of the moment workout or to keep up a regular routine, guests will find the 24-hour fitness centre fully equipped with cardio and weight machines as well as free weights, elliptical machines, exercise bikes, rowing machines, stair climbers and treadmills. The Kids’ club is a fun, adventurous and safe environment for younger guests, with toys, games and awesome activities to enjoy.

A Great Choice For Events

Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort is also one of the great hotels in Patong for meetings and events, with three event rooms available that together amount to 529 sq m of total event space. Expert planners can help in arranging various events, from small intimate gatherings to larger occasions, and the most romantic of weddings.

The Merlin Ballroom is ideal for any event, able to accommodate 350 people theatre/reception-style or 250 people for a banquet and offering a unique experience with its majestic Sino-Portuguese decor that celebrates Phuket’s rich history. Perfect for social events and celebrations is the Summer Social room, which faces the Patong beachfront and can accommodate over 100 people.

Other event spaces are the Garden Room and the Boardroom, both of which are designed to handle up to 30 people.

Visit the Courtyard by Marriott Phuket, Patong Beach Resort website today to book a stay or arrange an event at this much-loved Patong beach hotel, or call +66 76-349888.

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Discovery World Corporation breaks ground for Kip&Kin Siargao

The post Discovery World Corporation breaks ground for Kip&Kin Siargao appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

Discovery World Corporation, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Lucky Cloud 9 Resort, Inc (LC9), and its property management company, Discovery Hospitality Corporation (DHC), makes its mark in the Surfing Capital of the Philippines as it recently broke ground for Kip&Kin Siargao last 10th January.

Partners from the Land Bank of the Philippines, Sterling Struktures Inc, H1 Architecture, Design HQ, and AVAC Project and Construction Managers Corporation graced the ceremonial breaking of the ground, marking the beginning of construction works for the latest addition to DHC’s renowned managed properties in the Philippines.

This exciting development will be built on approximately 7,000 sqm out of the company’s 2.6 hectare lot area in General Luna, Siargao, Surigao del Norte, and is near Cloud 9, one of the island’s most famous tourist sites. 

It will house 34 hotel rooms, 48 hostel beds, and retail spaces, providing options for different preferences. The rest of the property is being planned for future expansion phases of additional rooms and retail spaces.

The new development is slated to open in 2027.

What is Kip&Kin?

According to Discovery World Corporation chair and CEO John Y Tiu Jnr: “Kip&Kin is more than just a place to stay; it’s a lifestyle brand where guests can immerse themselves in the energy of Siargao’s vibrant culture and natural splendor. We are excited to have Discovery Hospitality’s expertise to create an experience that captures the essence of Siargao and makes a significant contribution to the local economy.” 

Under DHC’s dynamic brand portfolio, Kip&Kin exemplifies the philosophy of Live Unbound, a brand that celebrates kinship, community, and connection. 

Designed for the younger generations of millennials and Gen Zs, it provides areas that encourage both solo and group activities while allowing visitors to easily connect with the places they are visiting. 

With its dual concept of hotel rooms and hostel stays, Kip&Kin appeals to this new generation of tourists looking for lively, meaningful stays while also providing the ideal getaway for families and mature travelers looking to make lifelong memories.

Where free spirits roam

That said, Siargao is the perfect spot for Kip&Kin’s first-ever establishment. 

The teardrop-shaped island, known for its top-notch waves, vibrant culture, and close-knit community, epitomizes everything Kip&Kin stands for. 

This location offers the ideal setting for meaningful adventures, a community of kindred spirits, a sustainable and engaging environment, and appreciating the charms of free-spirited life. 

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Synthesis and Kita Food Festival hold first session of The Future of Food

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The Future of Food Series 2025, organised by Synthesis and Kita Food Festival, launched the first in a series of seminars on Monday, 20th January.

The series consists of a novel format including three test-kitchen seminars and a symposium exploring what we are likely to be eating ten years from today. 

Synthesis is a Singapore-based brand strategy consultancy that creatively brings together public data in unexpected ways to expose opportunities and help prepare businesses for the future. The  Kita Food Festival is an exploration and celebration of food in Southeast Asia that brings together some of the region’s leading chefs and culinary minds. 

The Future of Food aims to reveal how populations and climate change will dramatically reshape our diets in the next decade and spotlight future solutions. 

This year’s event built upon Synthesis’ research, Menu 2034, which modelled 100,000 possible versions of the world in 2034 to spotlight two possible futures: radical transformation, where we turn to tradition and regenerative agriculture to live within planetary boundaries, and resilient adaptation, where innovation, science and technology help us create novel foods to thrive in changing environments.

Dealing with evolving resources 

The first test kitchen with the theme of Source took place at the Synthesis Creative Data House, focusing on where to source food to raise production in a resource-challenged world. 

Currently, more than 50 percent of the world’s calories come from three plants: rice, wheat, and corn. 

Considering that about 30,000 plants are edible by humans, diversifying our nutrition is crucial to build resilience in a world where food systems are increasingly under pressure due to climate change-induced extreme weather events.

Polycropping also helps enhance soil health in the long term. 

Around 75 guests from across the food chain explored various immersive stations and sampled foods of the future including seaweed and cricket hazelnut madeleines, Vertical Ocean prawn milk rolls, crudités with climate-resilient plants from the Singapore wet market and Blueyou Selva Shrimp oat congee. 

Chef Christopher Kong of Dearborn and his team crafted creative future-resilient dishes for the guests and chef Oliver Truesdale-Jutras introduced climate-consequential wines, offering guests a taste of what to come. 

The event also included an engaging panel discussion featuring René Benguerel, CEO at BlueYou (Switzerland); Enzo Acerbi, CTO at Vertical Oceans (Singapore); Nithiya Laila, culinary anthropologist (Hong Kong, Singapore); Didier Chanove, innovations lead at Kerry Group (Singapore); and BE WTR managing director Christian Lukey (Singapore). 

Benguerel said: “We need to go back to local knowledge and cultural heritage to innovate nutrition habits and become climate resilient.

Laila, on the other hand, underlined the importance of avoiding the temptation to chase perfection from ingredients by being flexible and experimental when eating and cooking.”

Immersion into the future of food

Reflecting on the success of the event, Synthesis founder Lee Fordham said: “Knowledge and data are important, but knowledge doesn’t change behaviour. Our mission of this Series, in partnership with Kita, is to immerse people in the future, and through dialogue and collaboration, spark change through clarity and shared vision.” 

The  upcoming test kitchens will explore the biggest impact areas; ‘Stretching’ the food we already have and ‘Finding Sustenance’ in the future of food. 

Fordham added: “We’re also very excited about the Symposium, which will take place at New Bahru, with the participation of industry leaders from scientists and food innovators to farmers and anthropologists.”

Kita Food Festival co-founder Darren Teoh remarked: “I think it’s fascinating that we’re at a point in human history where the very systems we’ve created to sustain ourselves are now causing so much harm. The recent Synthesis and Kita dialog surrounding food sourcing really brought this to light. The world is grappling with issues like monocropping, the loss of biodiversity, and access to truly nutritious food; and, in many cases, just food itself. What stood out to me was seeing the panelists, each in their own way, tackling these challenges. It’s encouraging to witness people working through these complexities and contributing to what is, ultimately, a collective effort: a jigsaw solution that we’re all piecing together.”

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Philippines seeks to draw tourists in from Europe, India, and Middle East

The post Philippines seeks to draw tourists in from Europe, India, and Middle East appeared first on TD (Travel Daily Media) Travel Daily Media.

The Philippines is refocusing its tourism efforts for 2025 in order to woo tourists from Europe, India, and the highly-coveted Middle East luxury market.

Measures related to this are meant to compensate for the low number of Chinese tourist arrivals in 2024.

The Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) recently reported that the low turnout of Chinese arrivals which totalled at just over 300,000 was one of the factors that kept the country from hitting its 2024 arrivals target.

To mitigate this, tourism secretary Christina Frasco said: “Visa liberalization is critical. And so, with the challenges that we are facing pertaining to the Chinese market, we are now looking at India.”

Frasco added that the DOT will ramp up initiatives to tap into the Indian outbound market, of whom five million travelled to Southeast Asia in the past year, though only 79,000 came to the Philippines.

Considering other key markets

Furthermore, the DOT will continue and ramp up its ongoing marketing efforts in Europe and the Middle East.

Frasco remarked that the department saw increased market recovery in the region as well as Europe, possibly due to the global Love the Philippines campaign.

She said: “As far as the Middle East is concerned, we’re seeing very, very encouraging growth, with recovery rates averaging from around 500 percent. Qatar, for example, is now recovered at over 800 percent, so we’re also going to be quite aggressive in terms of marketing to that region, even as we continue our aggressive marketing strategies in Asia and the ASEAN.”

In order to draw in European tourists, on the other hand, the DOT will conduct a focused marketing campaign in France and neighbouring countries to capitalise on the new Manila-Paris direct flights by Air France.

Amid new measures to attract other markets, Frasco said the agency would continue to advocate to recover the Chinese market as far as tourism is concerned and ensure that the Philippines remains a top-of-mind destination to travelers.

Talks, she said, are in progress with the Department of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies to relax the visa policies for the Chinese.

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