Latest news with #MahJongg
Forbes
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
A Niche Travel Agency Creates Memorable Mah Jongg Vacations
Close up of Mah Jongg tiles getty It was their shared love of Mah Jongg that brought two female entrepreneurs together. Jill Fox and Susan Bishop, both of whom lived in Parkland, Florida, are co-owners of a boutique travel agency called Crak Your Bags (Crak is a playful nod to one of the game's tile suits). For the past five years, this unique business has created memorable travel experiences for enthusiasts of the game. Crak Your Bags Co-Founders Susan Bishop and Jill Fox Courtesy Jill Fox When they first met, Jill was writing local news for NBC and started 'dipping her toes into the Mah Jongg world,' she says. She was passionate about the game and began hosting moms' nights out in her community as a hobby. Susan was an experienced travel advisor who not only planned bespoke trips for her clients but had also personally visited more than two dozen countries. Also a devotee of the game, she always took her Mah Jongg set on her travels as a way to meet people. Living in the same suburb, the two women had crossed paths over the years but weren't close friends until the pandemic. 'I was hosting a Mah Jongg night at a neighborhood coffee shop, and in walked Susan to check it out,' says Jill. Susan confessed to Jill that she always dreamed of combining her love of the game with her travel expertise. 'Lucky for me, I got to come along for the ride,' says Jill. Riding The Wave Of Mah Jongg Mania Mah Jongg players on AmaCerto Courtesy Jill Fox Mah Jongg is currently enjoying a renaissance. A version of the game had its roots in 19th-century China, but the American game of Mah Jongg (as it is played today) has been around since the 1920s, writes Nicole Wong, author of Mahjong: House Rules from Across the Asian Diaspora . Once played primarily by mothers and grandmothers in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, Mah Jongg is now enjoyed by women and men of all ages and ethnicities. Games and lessons are held in libraries and community centers, as well as at coffee shops, hotels, resorts, and country clubs, on cruise ships, and in private homes across the U.S. Pop culture has contributed to the game's popularity. The 2018 romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians , which broke box office records, featured a memorable scene involving a Mah Jongg game between the movie's star, Rachel, and her boyfriend's mother. Whether mentioned on TV or published in People Magazine , the list of celebrities fawning over the game keeps growing, including Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager (of the Today Show), Julia Roberts, Jessica Parker, Mindy Kaling, Amy Poehler, Meagan Markle and more. Technology has also helped spread the word, too. The game is trending on TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. Eventbrite data shows Mahjong searches on its site are up 365 percent. Gen Z and Millennials are embracing Mah Jongg as one of several 'hands-on, nostalgic activities in search of community, analog joy, and a break from digital fatigue,' says Paige Dudley a spokesperson of the ticketing platform. The Launch of Crak Your Bags Bespoke Mah Jongg tiles and table pads Courtesy Jill Fox As people yearned for in-person connections during and after the COVID pandemic, Mah Jongg's popularity surged, virtually going 'viral.' Simultaneously, the travel industry was experiencing a spike in 'revenge travel' as people sought to catch up on lost time. Jill and Susan decided to start small by hosting a trip to an all-inclusive Club Med about two hours from their home in South Florida. 'We floated the idea to our friends and friends of friends,' says Jill. 'With the help of social media, we booked 50 women within a week, and that's when we knew we were on to something.' Since that time, Crak Your Bags has hosted dozens of cruises, ranging from Fall Foliage cruises in Nova Scotia to sailings throughout the Caribbean. Who comes on these trips? Mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughters, neighbors, coworkers, friends and cousins. Solo travelers who have never traveled alone. Couples, some with husbands who play the game and others who don't. Participants generally range in age from their 40s to 80s. The trips aren't competitive like Mah Jongg tournaments, but they aren't geared toward teaching the game, per se. Most participants already have some basic knowledge of how to play. Some trips offer strategy sessions for those seeking to improve their game. Every trip allows for informal games for guests who prefer to skip other planned activities. While participants can count on nightly Mah Jongg games and mini-tournaments, the specific inclusions on these mostly-inclusive getaways vary. They typically include meals, beverages, activities, excursions (on ships), gratuities, and creative extras tailored to the group's interests and the destination. Mah Jongg sets and tables are set up in public spaces, so the only game gear someone has to bring is their up-to-date Mah Jongg card. Jill and Susan ensure that the ambiance is festive with themed decorations and prizes. Crak You Bags chartered the AmaWaterways river ship, AmaCerto , last May, taking a group of 140 Mah Jongg players on a tulip cruise in Amsterdam. 'We removed the furniture from the lounge and added 25 tables complete with tulip-themed Mah Jongg mats and commemorative dice to match,' says Jill. These Mah Jongg packages take the hassles out of travel planning, offering participants not only convenience but a chance to recharge and connect with like-minded people. 'Our guests love the convenience of unpacking once on a floating hotel with the opportunity to play Mah Jongg whenever their hearts desire,' she says. Upcoming Crak Your Bag Mah Jongg events in 2025 and 2026 include cruises on Oceania Allura , Celebrity Edge, and Celebrity Beyond , as well as an AmaWaterways river cruise to Paris and Normandy, and trips to Miraval Austin Resort & Spa. Forging Friendships One Game At A Time AmaWaterways Mah Jongg Tulip Cruise Crak Your Bags Although Mah Jongg is relatively easy to learn, it is an engaging game because it couples luck with strategy. Once they start, many players find it 'addictive.' Each game is typically played with four participants, so it is inherently social in nature. Annalise Heinz, author of Mahjong: A Chinese Game and the Making of Modern American Culture, explains that different generations play Mah Jongg for various reasons. Retirees, for instance, are drawn to the game as a means of social reconnection after leaving the workplace. For some others, the appeal lies in the nostalgia of playing a game they heard about or recall from their childhood. Young mothers may seize it as an opportunity for restorative 'me-time' when they can interact with other grown-ups and relax from the stresses of parenting. 'Having an affinity group on a trip where everyone shares the same passion is very special. The group comes together organically, creating memorable experiences, friendships, and connections along the way,' says Jill Fox of Crak Your Bags. Anna Rosen of Winter Park, Florida, an avid traveler, has been playing the game for more than three decades. 'Your Mah Jongg friends become your friends for life, forming a bond that is close and hard to break,' she says.
Forbes
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Move Over Pickleball And Padel: Make Way For Mah Jongg At Posh Resorts
Mah Jongg tiles Given the most recent wave of interest in Mah Jongg, it's not surprising that the game has become a coveted amenity at luxury hotels and resorts. Mah Jongg has been featured on morning talk shows, with Savannah Guthrie and Jenna Bush Hager (of the Today Show) professing their love for the game. Celebrities like Julia Roberts, Jessica Parker, Mindy Kaling, Amy Poehler and Meagan Markle have publicly talked about playing Mah Jongg. It even appears on Instagram and TikTok threads, and there has been an explosion of Mah Jongg games in app stores. Boutique Mah Jongg set at The Dunlin The Dunlin, an Auberge Resort, is a coastal property with southern charm on the Kiawah River on Johns Island, South Carolina. The luxury resort's immersive location lends itself to outdoor adventures, including canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, birding, fishing, picnicking, swimming, and more. But on alternating Thursday afternoons, many guests head to the Dunlin's Willet Room bar to learn how to play Mah Jongg or to join 'open play' games with other devotees. Locals often join them, creating a unique opportunity for guests to mingle with the resort's neighbors. The resort sets up tables with eye-popping pastel Mah Jongg sets with racks, custom mats, and tiles from Bam Bird Boutique. The $25 per participant fee to play includes a complimentary signature cocktail. Instructor-led introductory lessons are $135 per person. 'The Dunlin is meant to move and feel like an eternal summer home for our guests and visitors and the Willet Room is a natural gathering place for conversation and great cocktails,' says Michael DeCanio, the resort's general manager. 'Adding Mah Jongg felt like an extension of us and a new way to invite guests to connect, learn something new, and enjoy the simple pleasures of good company, as they would at a friend's home,' says DeCanio. Not only has the popularity of Mah Jongg grown in numbers, but it has also expanded widely across different ages and ethnicities. Annelise Heinz, an assistant professor of history at the University of Oregon, is the author of Mahjong: A Chinese Game and The Making of Modern American Culture, an encyclopedic history of the game and its multicultural roots. In an interview with Heinz emphasized Mah Jongg's multigenerational appeal. New retirees turn to the game as a way to socialize, connect and build community. Baby boomers and millennials, often drawn by childhood memories and stories of mothers and grandmothers playing, appreciate its nostalgic appeal. Young mothers view the game as an opportunity to relax and socialize with other grown-ups. 'Mah Jongg isn't only a game, it's a way of life,' says Anna Rosen of Winter Park, Florida. Rosen has taught Mah Jongg for over 30 years to new players as young as ten to over 90. 'My students have included women, couples, businessmen, doctors and dentists of all backgrounds' Cover of Mahjong: A Chinese Game and The Making of Modern American Culture 'There is a rhythm to the game,' says Heinz. 'A game lasts about 15 minutes and it takes more time to rebuild the wall than it does to play.' This hiatus allows people to chat and check in with one another. Mah Jongg combines elements of luck and strategy. Several studies have cited its cognitive benefits, particularly among older adults. 'Learning the basics of the traditional game does not take long—like gin rummy, it can be learned in the span of an afternoon,' she writes in her book. 'Mastering the scoring and strategy, however, can take a lifetime.' Jill Fox, a travel advisor and co-founder of Crak Your Bags, a boutique woman-owned travel agency specializing in Mah Jongg, says the game spreads like wildfire through word of mouth. 'Every game has four players and each one tells a group of their friends about it,' says Fox. Mah Jongg at Bowie House, Fort Worth, Texas A recent study by Marriott Bonvoy found that nearly all U.S. travelers (96%) want to explore their personal hobbies while traveling. Mah Jongg programming at hotels and resorts is geared both to novices and devotees of the game. Lake Austin Spa Resort in Texas Hill Country is an all-inclusive wellness resort. Set on the picturesque lake, guests can enjoy indoor and outdoor fitness classes, boating and lake activities, curated wellness programs, and personalized skin and body treatments. 'The resort's newest programming celebrates the rich tradition of Mah Jongg, complete with friendly competition, wellness vibes and a touch of playful luxury,' says JoAnn Lenhardt, the resort's general manager. 'Classes range from beginner, which introduces the strategy and joy behind the timeless tile game, to those for experienced players, with a Spa-jong twist, held inside the LakeHouse Spa.' Bowie House, also part of the Auberge Collection, is a Western-style, urban retreat with a keen sense of place in Fort Worth, Texas. The hotel is a social hub for the community, with communal dining spaces and on-site social activities that facilitate people gathering together. It also offers bespoke guest experiences in and around the city. Mah Jongg is offered at Bowie House's Billet Room every Monday evening. It features introductory lessons by a skilled instructor or the opportunity to play with other experienced players. It's become a popular draw for the community, creating a loyal following. The lessons ($78) and open play ($30) are ticketed events that contribute ancillary revenue while enhancing the overall guest experience. Rancho La Puerta, in Tecate (Baja California, Mexico), has been family-owned and operated since 1940. The wellness resort and spa is considered one of the pioneers of the contemporary fitness and spa industry. It offers guests who return year after year transformative experiences and a sense of community. The resort and spa have also become a Mah Jongg mecca. Toby Salk, who teaches Mah Jongg in the Bay Area, leads beginner retreats at Rancho La Puerta. Over the course of four 60-minute sessions Sunday through Wednesday, guests learn the basics of the game, focusing on tile recognition, rules, and strategy. A Mah Jongg table in aozy corner of the Willet Room, The Dunlin, Johns Island, SC Hotel and resort guests are rediscovering engaging pastimes like pickleball and Padel. Similarly, Mah Jongg, a game with roots in the U.S. that stretch back more than a century, is experiencing renewed popularity. Not only is the game relaxing and fun, but it connects people, fosters friendships, and creates memorable moments—making Mah Jongg an appealing addition to any vacation itinerary.
