PLEASE TAKE NOTE of Travel Restrictions & Advisory News due to COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. #StayHome
Banyan Tree Holdings Marks Earth Day 2020 With Launch of 25th Anniversary Commemorative Book - Rooted in Sustainability
Banyan Tree Holdings, one of the world's leading independent, multi-branded hospitality groups, marks Earth Day 2020 with the launch of Rooted in Sustainability, its commemorative book traversing the emotional architecture underpinning Banyan Tree's 25-year sustainability journey. Its story is one of transformation: a promise that became a commitment, turning an idea into an ideal and impacting many lives made better by the organisation's core philosophy: Embracing the Environment, Empowering People.
Named after one of the most venerated trees in Asia, banyan trees can live for centuries, standing firmly, resilient against time and tide, a symbol of constancy in an ever-changing world. Its vast canopy provides shelter for weary travellers whilst its roots are deeply entrenched in its foundation, holding true to meaningful heritage with the memories of a time gone by.
The book highlights not only the journey of Banyan Tree as a company, but the realisation of a concept, which at first is unbeknown to its founders, Executive Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Senior Vice President Ms Claire Chiang and Senior Vice President Mr Ho Kwon Cjan. Their single-minded ideal became intertwined with their vision for the brand, through an organic process of developing their own values and beliefs: tourism, as a powerful force for driving positive change in this world.
Nominate a Medical Professional for an All-Inclusive Luxury Escape – a Message of Thanks from Walk Into Luxury
Walk into Luxury is giving away two places on its Cape to Cape Walk for use after COVID-19 travel restrictions lift, and it needs your help nominating front-line Australian medical workers to go in the draw.
The prize valued at $5500 includes 2 places on Walk into Luxury's award-winning 4 day Cape to Cape Walk – one of the Great Walks of Australia – for an Australian medical worker and a guest of their choice for use until the end of 2021. “It's our way of thanking Australia's front-line medical community and giving them something to look forward to once this challenging time has passed”, says Nikki King, Managing Director of Walk into Luxury.
The lucky winner and guest will stay in an ocean-view pool villa at Injidup Spa Retreat and enjoy Margaret River food and wine experiences and 4 days of guided walking on the Cape to Cape with the opportunity to swim in secluded bays. Feature experiences such as dinner at acclaimed Yarri restaurant, a private chef dinner and winery lunch at multi-award-winning Wills Domain are also included, along with return transfers from Perth.
“We firmly believe in the restorative power of time in nature, and the luxury inclusions on our Cape to Cape Walk make for an extra special escape in a beautiful part of Australia; perfect for a medical worker who has been through a trying time fighting COVID-19.”
To nominate, simply visit Walk into Luxury's Facebook Page and tag a deserving Australian doctor, nurse or other front-line medical worker in the competition post. The winner will be announced on 30 June 2020.
World Travel & Tourism Council Launches #TogetherInTravel Campaign to Inspire the Global Tourism Community
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a new marketing campaign, #TogetherInTravel, aimed at galvanizing the global travel and tourism community and showing how the sector is a vital part of our zest for life.
Now live, the campaign encourages travellers from around the world to share the hashtag, #TogetherInTravel, along with a videosimultaneously uniting everyone in solidarity.
The marketing campaign comprises three key elements; a highly visual and emotive video; a hashtag, #TogetherInTravel, to stimulate the conversation across social platforms; and a microsite, TogetherInTravel.com, to host the video and user generated content and stories.
WTTC has developed the campaign in conjunction with one of its Members, marketing and communications firm MMGY Hills Balfour.
Gloria Guevara, President & CEO of WTTC, said: “Dreaming is part of our zest for life and our new campaign encourages thoughts of the brighter days ahead. Travel & Tourism is a critical sector to the global economy, accounting for one in four of all new jobs worldwide and contributing 10.3% to GDP.
"Our sector touches everyone. It builds communities, reduces poverty in the world and improves the social impact of everyday lives. Yet we are uniquely exposed at this time due to Covid-19.
Rediscover New York City Through Television and Film
NYC & Company, the official destination marketing organization for New York City, continues to spotlight ways armchair travelers can find an NYC-themed escape from the safety of home during the current global Covid-19 situation. On the heels of introducing Virtual NYC, the organization invites past and future travelers to enjoy countless stories in television and film for which the City has served as a backdrop. Whether it be an unplanned holiday trip, drama at an iconic museum, heroic battle in the shadow of NYC landmarks, friends experiencing daily life throughout the five boroughs, or anything in between, fans of any genre can get lost in a story set in the City while practicing social distancing.
“In countless landmark films and television shows, New York City plays a starring role,” said NYC & Company President and CEO Fred Dixon. “As people all over the world stay home and stay safe, they can still engage with the City through this powerful medium and be thoroughly entertained until it's time to visit again."
To plan a future TV-inspired trip, visit nycgo.com. When travel to NYC is again possible, curated experiences by On Location Tours experts will make exploring TV and movie locations a reality.
Los Angeles Tourism Shines a Light on L.A.'s Fabled Magic Hour
Known in Hollywood for the captivating period just around sunset when the sun casts golden hues of warm light in a stop-in-your-tracks intoxicating way, “magic hour” has always been a little more special in Los Angeles, luring filmmakers, artists and visitors to chase, capture and sing about it. Beginning today, everyone is welcome to (virtually) join Magic Hour, thanks to a new campaign from the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board. Daily, Los Angeles Tourism will celebrate the people and places that make L.A. magical, featuring live streaming sunsets from Venice Beach, a virtual location tour with a professional location scout, a local photographer's tips on capturing L.A.'s epic light and more on its socialchannels and at discoverlosangeles.com/magichour.
“Collectively, we are on our couches, at our kitchen tables, peering out our windows and dreaming for the day we are on the other side of this pandemic. Whether a form of escapism or driving inspiration for a future trip, wanderlust is at an all-time high, and we want to bring a taste of Los Angeles to these dreamers while also providing the opportunity to learn something new,” stated Don Skeoch, chief marketing officer for Los Angeles Tourism. “So many of our museums, fitness studios and chefs are developing incredible virtual content and we want to shine a light on their great work while also celebrating something so special in L.A. – Magic Hour.”
Daily, Los Angeles Tourism will livestream the sunset from Hotel Erwin in Venice Beach beginning at 6:30 p.m. PST. While watching the sun sink into the glittering Pacific Ocean, followers of @discoverLA's social channels will be invited to recreate cocktail and other recipes from the local restaurant community or listen to the sounds of L.A. via curated playlists.
