Travel News for June 2015

Pattaya – Sansiri’s Baan Plai Haad Pattaya is now 100% completed and ready to move in with over 20 “special design” units. Baan Plai Haad Pattaya, the brand-new modern-resort-style THB 2,300 million condominium project aims to stimulate Pattaya’s burgeoning property market further. The project is situated right on Wong Amat Beach – one of the most beautiful and peaceful beaches of Pattaya.The project, designed by the internationally renowned architectural firm ‘Steven J. Leach Architect Limited’ and with impressive landscape created by TROP, is expected to impress owners and visitors alike with the very best Pattaya has to offer. Ownership transfers have now started. Baan Plai Haad Pattaya offers more than 20 exclusive units specially designed and furnished with home decorative items inspired by some of the world’s most exotic islands.

To make it easier for customers to make their buying decisions, Baan Plai Haad Pattaya has launched a special campaign that offers a ‘complete waiver of all transfer-day expenses’, plus a Rental Guarantee Promotion, which guarantees steady rental income 7% up to two years. In addition, customers who purchase Sansiri properties are entitled to become valued Sansiri Family members, who enjoy a range of exclusive privileges.

Madrid, Spain — Soneva Resorts and Residences has been selected as the winner in the ‘Environment’ category in the annual World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Tourism for Tomorrow Awards at the WTTC Global Summit, held in Madrid, Spain recently.

The awards recognize the world’s best examples of sustainable tourism businesses and destinations around the world. The council awarded Soneva for its efforts in pioneering environmental sustainability at its two resorts, located in the Maldives (Soneva Fushi) and Thailand (Soneva Kiri).

Hua Hin – Banyan The Resort Hua Hin, in association with Rise Bangkok Thailand, recently organized the “Big Bike Mascarade 2015 for Charity.” The management team of Banyan The Resort Hua Hin, led by GM Sirirat Murphy, welcomed the Big Bikers caravan, composed of members of the Rise Bangkok Thailand group, and led by several distinguished guests and personalities. The event was highlighted by various activities such as displays of Big Bikes, which were open to the public to view; a visit to Baan Tung Yao School. The Rise Bangkok Thailand group donated funds and offered lunch to the school as part of their CSR. There was also a talent show from a big bike expert; a dance performance from an award-winning dance artist and a mini concert from the popular band at a wine dinner event. Part of this three-day charity event’s proceeds goes to Hua Hin Hospital.

Pattaya – To celebrate its fifth anniversary, Hilton Pattaya is introducing its latest corporate responsibility initiative, “The Charity Teddy Bear for Habitat for Humanity Thailand.” The objective is to raise funds to support the Habitat for Humanity Thailand (HFH), the project that reduces poverty by building decent housing, improving the quality of Thai people’s lives and providing response and solution for natural disaster recovery. The adorable teddy bear comes in two limited editions: different characters and outfits – the Joyful Bear in jumper outfits (until July) and the Friendly Bear (Aug-Nov) at only THB 499 net. These adorable teddy bears are available for sale at Hilton Pattaya.

Tokyo – The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), has unveiled the next step in its strategy to boost confidence among Japanese business events stakeholders in Thailand’s MICE industry, positioning the country as a gateway to success in ASEAN.

The bureau is spearheading both global initiatives including the Thailand CONNECT The World and Thailand’s MICE United II campaigns, and other targeted initiatives for Japan.

From Oct. 2013 to Sept. 2014, Thailand welcomed 919,614 business events travelers, contributing more than THB 80.8 billion to the country’s economy. Of these, 31,373 were Japanese MICE travelers, generating THB 2.8 billion, placing Japan in the Thailand’s top 10 source markets.

Pattaya – Royal Cliff Hotels Group has recently announced the appointment of Jason Villarino as the new resident manager of the Royal Cliff Grand Hotel. Of German and Mexican descent, Villarino spent his early years in Los Angeles before leaving for Germany to further his studies in the Hotel Management School of Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Munich. Villarino brings with him at the Royal Cliff Group over a decade of executive F&B management experience in the hospitality industry, underscored by a superlative track record with award-winning hotels and restaurants throughout the United States, Germany and Thailand.

Chiang Mai — The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai has joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts. The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai joins the group’s Legend Collection, a portfolio of exceptional properties in the world’s most remarkable destinations. “Joining Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ world-renowned and superbly respected collection of hotels and resorts is a great opportunity for The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai and one that we are very excited about,” said The Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai’s general manager Andrew Quinlan. “We look forward to adding our distinctiveness, character and charm to the group’s global offerings.” A global leader in the hospitality industry since 1968, Preferred Hotels & Resorts has over 650 properties across its worldwide brands.

Bangkok — Dream Bangkok has announced the appointment of Mathieu Lacabanne as general manager (GM). A native of France, and holding the highest hotel management degree from Biarritz hotel management school in France, Matthieu’s hospitality career spans over 18 years ranging from hotel operations to senior managements. He began his career with Accor in 1997 and has held a variety of assignments in France and USA before relocating to Asia in 2005. He then joined Grand Mercure Park Avenue & Grand Sukhumvit by Sofitel Bangkok, Thailand as a director of rooms. In 2006, Mathieu brought several years of international hospitality experience to his new position as executive assistant manager in Sofitel Saigon Plaza, Vietnam. He was later appointed as GM at Novotel Nha Trang and Grand Mercure Danang in Vietnam before returning to Thailand to work for MGallery B-Lay Tong Phuket.

Bangkok — Nongluck Narkman, a seasoned sales and marketing leader with over 20 years of experience has been appointed director of sales and marketing at Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok. Ms. Nongluck first became a 5-star hotel director of sales in 2006 at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. In 2008, she became director of sales and marketing at Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa and posted to Sheraton Hanoi Hotel, Vietnam in August 2012, giving her over seven years of direct experience in a demanding position. With her extensive experience with hotels under the same Starwood Hotels & Resorts umbrella as The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok, along the way, she has picked up a string of Starwood awards. Nongluck is a graduate of Thailand’s prestigious Srinakharinwirot University where she majored in English, and also of Central Institute of Technology, Wellington, New Zealand.

Bangkok – The Boss Seminar Batch 83 New Era 1st Session, held at the Ta Jeen Room at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok with Dr.Visuth Vitayathanagorn as chairperson. Professor Dr. Prawase Wasi delivered the keynote speech on “Global Vision-Thailand Vision.” Among those who attended the event were (from left) Kwanbyah Byagghanandana, Suphachai Thangvorachai, Dr.Theppasit Pravahanavin, Earth Saiswang, Pichet Vejsupaporn, Chit Sangakulpong and Karin Chupinit.