Latest news with #LuxuryTravel
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Defender Experience Flinders Ranges: Luxury off-road outback adventure
Get behind the wheel of a Defender on this luxury off-road adventure in South Australia.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Where Luxury Meets Local: "Heartbeat of a Destination" by the Luxury Group by Marriott International Celebrates Greater China Hotels Immersed in the Spirit of Place
SHANGHAI, May 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Luxury Group by Marriott International recently launched "Heartbeat of a Destination", a storytelling campaign anchored by a three-part video series that explores Greater China's celebrated destinations through the lens of its most iconic locations. From the cityscapes of Hong Kong and Shanghai to the natural wonders of Jiuzhaigou, each episode follows hotel associates who are front and center in interacting with the locale, representing how each hotel's unique identity is embedded within the cultural fabric of their surroundings. With tailored voiceover and cinematic visuals, the video series presents Luxury Group hotels not only as places to stay but also as cultural bridges, inviting guests to explore the essence of each destination. "True luxury lies not only in unparalleled hospitality, but also in the meaningful emotional bonds we forge with the places we visit," said Bart Buiring, Managing Director, Luxury, Greater China, Marriott International. "Through the 'Heartbeat of a Destination' campaign, we offer a fresh interpretation of each destination's unique charm, reflecting our luxury portfolio's commitment to curating experiences that bridge nature, culture, and self-discovery – ensuring that we cater to the contemporary expectations of luxury travel." A Culinary Snapshot of Hong Kong: If Hong Kong was a Dish…What Would It Be? The series opens with a visual celebration of Hong Kong's vibrant culinary heritage, with Head Chef Luke Armstrong of L'Envol at The St. Regis Hong Kong and Pastry and Bakery Chef Alicia Castillo at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong stepping beyond the kitchen and into the city to discover what truly defines the taste of Hong Kong. From traditional wet markets to independent coffee shops, each chef draws inspiration from Hong Kong's eclectic food culture to craft their own creative interpretation. Their final dishes – charcoal miyazaki waygu with white asparagus from Chef Luke and pistachio egg tart from Chef Alicia – distinctly reflect Hong Kong's status as Asia's gastronomic hub where diverse culinary traditions converge. Upcoming Immersive Destinations to Explore The second episode will dive into the serene beauty of Jiuzhaigou and the rich Zang culture surrounding Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, inviting viewers on a journey where peace, spirituality, and nature intertwine. The third episode will turn its lens toward Shanghai, offering contrasting yet complementary narratives through W Shanghai – The Bund and The St. Regis on the Bund, Shanghai. By blending historic elegance with avant-garde flair, this episode will explore how art and modernity shape the city's unmistakable identity. Starting from May 23, guests can watch the videos on Heartbeat of a Destination series page. May 23: The St. Regis Hong Kong and The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong Aug TBA: Rissai Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve October TBA: W Shanghai – The Bund, The St. Regis on the Bund, Shanghai Click here to watch the first episode of "Heartbeat of a Destination". Campaign assets and imagery are available for download here. Any usage of these images require credit to Morning Studio, South China Morning Post. About Luxury Group by Marriott International With an unrivaled portfolio of eight dynamic luxury brands, Marriott International is creating authentic, rare, and enriching experiences sought by today's global luxurian. Spanning all corners of the world, Marriott International's Luxury Group offers a boundless network of more than 530 landmark hotels and resorts in over 70 countries and territories through The Ritz-Carlton, Ritz-Carlton Reserve, Bvlgari Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, EDITION, The Luxury Collection, JW Marriott, and W Hotels. From the world's most iconic destinations to the ultimate undiscovered gems, the international hospitality leader's collection of luxury brands is focused on elevating travel with highly contextualized, nuanced brand experiences that signal the future of luxury by allowing guests to indulge their passions while sparking personal growth. For more information, please visit About Marriott Bonvoy® Marriott Bonvoy's extraordinary portfolio offers renowned hospitality in the most memorable destinations in the world, with more than 30 brands that are tailored to every type of journey. From The Ritz-Carlton and St. Regis to W Hotels and more, Marriott Bonvoy has more luxury offerings than any other travel program. Members can earn points for stays at hotels and resorts, including all-inclusive resorts and premium home rentals, and through everyday purchases with co-branded credit cards. Members can redeem their points for experiences including future stays, Marriott Bonvoy Moments™, or through partners for luxurious products from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques®. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Marriott International
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Daily Mail
The stunning Portuguese escape that's just 3 hours from London and inspired hit movie Casino Royale
FRIDAY 12pm A 30-minute drive from Lisbon airport and I'm at Penha Longa Resort (from £242, Forget its renowned golf courses, I'm here for the pair of Michelin-starred restaurants and, given its spot in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park, forest walks – plus a monastery. 1.30pm Hammock tested (I have a garden suite), it's Mediterranean tapas time at Arola, in the resort. Port pairings at its artisanal chocolate shop follow. The pastel de nata chocs rock. And the sardine-filled ones? I blame the port for my bravery and verdict: 'Ooh, creamy!' 4pm Time to visit the 14th-century monastery to marvel at its architecture and fancy myself as a monk in its kitchen. Next? An 'hour's walk' to recharge my city-weary soul with the magic of the surrounding natural park. Two hours later I'm back, no longer lost, just exhausted. 7pm At Michelin-starred Lab, the taster menu (from £134) is pure theatre: first up, a ceramic cockerel is moved around a table etched with a map of Portugal – where it stops, regional bites are served. Later, geisha dolls proffer oyster tempura, and cured yolk comes gold leafed. SATURDAY 9am After brekkie it's a 15-minute drive to the Portuguese riviera for a boat tour of Cascais bay. We hear of the town's history as a magnet for European royals and – in the war – spies, including James Bond writer Ian Fleming, who found inspo for Casino Royale here. 12pm On to Cascais's cobbled streets and farmers' market, where crockery, clothes and unfeasibly large tomatoes await. Next – call it my starter! – ice cream at Portugal's best-known spot Santinis, then lunch at the marina's Marisco na Praça to mainline lobster rice (£40 for two). 2pm I've never experienced wind like it – standing at Cabo da Roca, a headland known for its gusts and being Europe's western-most point. I try (and fail) to spy New York across the Atlantic, so head to Boca do Inferno (Mouth of Hell), a cave created by the sea's waves. 7pm Dinner is at the resort's Midori restaurant, Portugal's only Michelin-starred Japanese. Hidden behind a secret door and seating just 18, its Japanese flavours with Portuguese soul warrant a hail of chef's kisses (tasting menu from £134). My usual M&S sushi can't compete. SUNDAY 7am It's early but I can't resist another (short!) walk – just me, birdsong and a few robot mowers out there – before yoga in the meditation garden (above). A massage at the spa, a dip in the pool and, go on then, a round of golf before the airport. Crazy golf, that is.
Trade Arabia
21-05-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Mauritius Tourism Authority targets Gulf travellers for growth
The Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) President, Claire Le Lay, highlighted the growing importance of Gulf and Emirati visitors to the island nation's tourism strategy in an exclusive interview with TTN Magazine. Importance of Gulf Travellers Le Lay highlighted the value of Gulf travellers, stating, "We greatly value the growing importance of Emirati and Gulf travellers to Mauritius." She expressed the MTPA's commitment to enhancing partnerships by offering enriching experiences that align with the aspirations of these tourists. Strategies to Attract Emirati Travellers To attract Emirati travellers, Le Lay outlined a product-driven approach. "Mauritius offers a tourism product of world-class quality," she noted, mentioning luxury accommodations and exceptional service as key factors. The MTPA aims to deliver the high standards of privacy and personalised service that Gulf tourists expect. In addition to bolstering ties with the travel trade, Le Lay stressed the importance of strong consumer campaigns targeting locals, expatriates, and niche markets such as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), sports enthusiasts, and nature lovers. Influencer marketing will play a pivotal role, with collaborations on platforms like Instagram and TikTok to rejuvenate Mauritius's image. Le Lay's vision is clear: to reposition Mauritius as a destination that offers diverse and memorable experiences beyond its beautiful beaches. The MTPA is also preparing a targeted campaign for the Middle Eastern summer, positioning Mauritius as a safe, temperate escape during the region's extreme heat. Growth in Tourist Numbers Tourist arrivals from the Middle East have seen significant growth, with numbers rising from 19,471 in 2017 to 37,063 in 2024. However, Le Lay believes there is still untapped potential in this market. "The MTPA is setting an ambitious goal to grow this segment to 60,000 tourists by 2028," she stated, reflecting on the approximately 420,000 available seats to the destination from Emirates and Saudi Airlines. Participation in Arabian Travel Market Le Lay also discussed the MTPA's participation in the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), one of the world's leading travel exhibitions. She emphasised that ATM 2025 will elevate Mauritius's global tourism profile, showcasing its luxury offerings and unique experiences. The event is expected to facilitate high-value business deals and unlock new opportunities in the dynamic Gulf travel market. With a growing number of Mauritian participants at ATM—from 17 in 2019 to 25 in 2025—the MTPA is clearly prioritising its engagement with the Middle East, aiming to attract more affluent travellers to its shores.
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
United Airlines Will Amp Up Boeing 787 Premium Seating, Starting In Frisco
United Airlines has unveiled ultra-premium Polaris seats for its new Boeing 787-9 aircraft United Airlines, moving to become the leading U.S. airline for super premium travelers, will introduce a new international seating configuration. United is challenging Delta to become for industry leadership, especially in transatlantic and transpacific. Luxury premium seats are not sold in huge quantities, but they can distinguish an airline. Historically, United has never seemed quite able to gain full benefit from having the best transatlantic hub in Newark and the best transpacific hub in San Francisco. But under CEO Scott Kirby, the airline is seeking to boost its appeal to premium travelers. Today, at a Brooklyn press event today, Kirby will show off the new seating configuration called United Polaris Studio, as well as an upgraded menu. Each new 787-9 will have eight of the suites, with seats that are 25% larger than existing United Polaris lie-flat seats. The first installation will come on routes from San Francisco to Singapore and London Heathrow, both planned for 2026. The new seating will be installed on the 140 Boeing 787-9 aircraft that United expects to receive from the manufacturer, starting at the end of this year, with 27 aircraft expected by 2027. The suites are not expected to be installed on the 77 Boeing 787s currently in United's flight. San Francisco-Singapore is an 8,486-mile flight that takes 18 hours, flown by United and Singapore Airlines, both Star Alliance members. For United, the SFO-Singapore flight is already highly populated by premium passengers. The new suites are positioned in the first row of each business class section. They will have privacy doors, an extra ottoman for companions, large 27-inch screens, an extra ottoman seat for companions, new amenity kits with luxury skincare offerings and Ossetra caviar with a wine pairing. Ossetra caviar is expensive and comes from Ossetra sturgeons. So far this year, United has invested more than $150 million in upgrading food and beverage service, as it seeks to distinguish itself from competitors. United also serves Tillamook ice cream. 'We already deliver a superior international experience and fly to the most places across the Atlantic and Pacific - these new innovations provide a more premium experience overall, give customers even more reasons to choose United, and set our airline up to grow into the next decade and beyond,' said Andrew Nocella, United executive vice president and chief commercial officer, in a prepared statement. 'We never stand still and are always looking for more ways to set ourselves apart from other carriers,' Nocella said. The new 787s will have eight Polaris studios, 56 Polaris business class suites, 35 seats in premium plus and 90 seats in economy. The current fleet of 787-9s have 48 United Polaris suites, 21 United premium plus seats, 39 economy plus seats and 149 economy seats. United is currently in the news for the air space problems and Federal Aviation shortcomings at its Newark hub. Late Monday, United emailed its passengers to remind them that it remains safe to fly to Newark, as pilots are trained for the air traffic control communications breakdowns that have recently plagued the airport. While ATC improvements are a long-term goal for the industry, United is taking the lead in calling for the most obvious short-term solution, a cap on operations until other problems are fixed.
