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Centara celebrates Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 

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TTR WEEKLY
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BANGKOK, 23 MAY 2025: Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, proudly announces that 18 of its global properties have been recognised in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2025, with four of these earning the prestigious “Best of the Best” distinction — a mark of excellence reserved for the top 1% of listings on Tripadvisor worldwide.

Among this year’s ‘Best of the Best’ honourees, Centara Reserve Samui was recognised in both the Top and Luxury categories in Thailand, celebrating its elevated design, personalised experiences, and consistently outstanding guest reviews. Also in Thailand, the iconic Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin was recognised in the same two categories, reinforcing its position as one of the country’s most cherished heritage beachfront resorts.

In Japan, the sleek and stylish Centara Grand Hotel Osaka also received double accolades in the Top and Luxury categories, reflecting its sophisticated urban appeal and impeccable service. Rounding out Centara’s top-tier achievements is Centara Mirage Beach Resort Dubai, named “Best of the Best” in the Family-Friendly – World category — a recognition that not only highlights the resort’s imaginative experiences for all ages but also reflects Centara’s continued success in the Middle East, one of the world’s most dynamic and increasingly in-demand travel destinations.

Additional Centara properties that received Travellers’ Choice Awards this year include popular destinations in Thailand, the Maldives, and Laos, underscoring the brand’s enduring appeal and commitment to delivering unparalleled guest experiences.

The Travellers’ Choice Awards are based on a full year of reviews and ratings submitted by travellers worldwide. Properties honoured in the “Best of the Best” category represent a select group of hotels that consistently receive outstanding feedback and demonstrate the highest levels of guest satisfaction.

“We are incredibly honoured to see 18 Centara hotels and resorts recognised by Tripadvisor, with four properties achieving ‘Best of the Best’ status,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts. “This recognition is a true reflection of the passion and commitment shown by our team members across the globe, and we are deeply thankful to our guests whose voices and support have made this possible.”

As Centara continues to grow its regional and international presence, these awards reinforce its mission to deliver heartfelt Thai-inspired hospitality, world-class service, and memorable stays in every destination across Thailand, Asia, the Middle East, and beyond.For more information about Centara’s award-winning hotels and resorts, visit www.centarahotelsresorts.com.

Sunway Group teams up with GHA

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUALA LUMPUR, 23 MAY 2025: Sunway Hotels & Resorts, a diverse portfolio of hotels, resorts and integrated attractions across Southeast Asia, has joined Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), an alliance of like-minded independent hotel brands.

Effective mid-May 2025, all 11 of Sunway’s hotels and resorts in Malaysia, Vietnam and Cambodia are part of GHA Discovery, the alliance’s global loyalty programme with 30 million members. 

Sunway Hotels & Resorts, visit www.sunwayhotels.com

When they book and stay with Sunway, GHA Discovery members will be rewarded with instant benefits, experiences, and Discovery Dollars (D$1 equals US$1). 

With Sunway Discovery, guests can look forward to rewarding stays at nine hotels and resorts in Malaysia. The newly-transformed five-star flagship Sunway Resort Hotel, along with Sunway Pyramid Hotel and Sunway Lagoon Hotel, are all co-located in the spectacular Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, an integrated resort complex along with world-class retail, MICE, entertainment and leisure experiences.

A wealth of attractions in Johor Bahru surrounds the group’s latest property in Malaysia, Sunway Hotel Big Box. Sunway’s hospitality can also be enjoyed in two of Southeast Asia’s most vibrant capital cities: Sunway Hotel Hanoi in Vietnam and Sunway Hotel Phnom Penh in Cambodia.

Sunway will continue to expand this portfolio in future, with new landmark projects set to rise in Ipoh and Penang, as well as a luxury resort nestled amid the mangrove forests of Johor, as it moves into an exciting new era of expansion and internationalisation.

GHA, which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024, has grown to a collection of more than 45 brands with over 850 hotels, resorts and palaces in 100 countries. The GHA Discovery loyalty programme now generates USD2.7 billion in revenue and 11 million room nights per year. GHA also shares Sunway’s deep commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

As part of the Sunway Discovery launch, all GHA members will earn double D$ when they book their stay at Sunway properties. The booking period is open until 30 September 2025, while the stay is until 30 April 2026. The D$ earned will be valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.

WTTC names Chair-Elect ahead of Summit

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 MAY 2025: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has named Manfredi Lefebvre as its Chair-Elect, who will take the top post in the association this September. 

In the commercial travel world, Lefebvre is the chair of Heritage Group and co-chair of luxury travel company Abercrombie & Kent.

(Photo credit AirAsia Move). Manfredi Lefebvre named Chair-Elect of WTTC.

Lefebvre, who will take over the WTTC chair in September during the global tourism body’s 25th Global Summit in Rome, Italy, has been a Member of WTTC for more than 20 years.

He will follow the current Chairman, Greg O’Hara, Founder and Senior Managing Director of Certares Management LLC (“Certares”), who has been in the position since November 2023.

One of the most recognised names in Travel & Tourism, Lefebvre brings over four decades of experience in the cruise and leisure industries.

A visionary entrepreneur who transformed Silversea Cruises into a global leader, today, he leads diversified investments through Heritage Group, active across biotechnology, medical technologies, energy transition, real estate, information technology, and premium spirits.

Greg O’Hara, who continues as WTTC Chair until the Global Summit in September, said: “I am delighted to announce Manfredi Lefebvre as the Chair-Elect. His experience and dedication to a sector he loves mark him out as a great future chairman.

“Serving WTTC and our members has been a privilege, and I am delighted to be handing the baton to Manfredi, a renowned force in the global Travel & Tourism sector.” 

Manfredi Lefebvre said: “As the longest-serving member of the World Travel & Tourism Council, I am elated to be appointed to this esteemed position.”

WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said: “Firstly, I would like to thank Greg for his immense and continuing contribution to WTTC, his unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership during his tenure. 

“I am delighted to welcome Manfredi as our new Chairman. A powerhouse in our sector, he brings with him decades of experience. Under his stewardship, I am sure we will achieve unprecedented success in a sector outpacing the global economy for many years.”

Bakuun and HBX Group step up partnership

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 MAY 2025: HBX Group, an independent B2B travel technology marketplace, and Bakuun, a leading travel technology provider, have joined forces to roll out a new integration that simplifies hotel connectivity and helps scale accommodation supply across key markets. 

The partnership brings Bakuun’s Channel Manager Aggregator, B-Aggregate, into HBX Group’s distribution ecosystem, creating new opportunities for hotels to connect and grow faster and with less complexity.

With this integration, HBX Group gains access to Bakuun’s over 200 Channel Managers and Property Management Systems through a single connection. This means that hotels which previously didn’t have the tech setup to connect with global distributors will now have a new tool to reach demand, unlocking faster onboarding, better efficiency, and stronger visibility.

“We’re thrilled to partner with a global travel powerhouse like HBX Group,” said Bakuun. Group Chief Commercial Officer Doros Theodorou. “This integration reinforces our commitment to simplifying connectivity for the travel industry. With one seamless connection, HBX Group can now unlock direct connectivity to a broader, more diverse accommodation inventory, enabling faster time-to-market and enhanced booking potential.”

HBX Group Senior Vice President Sourcing Paul Anthony added: “Through this partnership with Bakuun we’re removing technical barriers and making it easier for hotels of all sizes to connect to HBX Group and access our global client base. We are simplifying the process and eliminating unnecessary complexity, ensuring a more seamless experience for both sides. This is an important step in strengthening our supply strategy and delivering greater value to our network of partners and clients.”

The integration helps streamline the technical side of hotel onboarding and improves the flow of content, rates and availability — enhancing the overall booking experience for travel distributors. It opens up new revenue opportunities for thousands of hotels that, until now, haven’t had the infrastructure to engage with HBX Group’s platform directly.

About HBX Group
HBX Group is a leading global independent B2B travel technology marketplace that owns and operates Hotelbeds, Bedsonline, and Roiback. HBX Group is active in 170 countries, employs more than 3,600 people worldwide and is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange.

Star Of The Seas embarks on trials

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 MAY 2025: Sailing one step closer to its debut, Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas takes to the open ocean for the first time this week for a series of sea trials.

It marks a key milestone before the new Icon Class ship makes its way to Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, for its August 2025 debut.

Royal Caribbean’s highly anticipated Star of the Seas sets sail to the open ocean for the first time.

Over 11 days, over 2,000 experts from the naval architecture, engineering, navigation and design spaces are putting Star to the test across various technical examinations to ensure it’s in ship shape. 

From testing how the ship moves through the open water to pushing its engine performance to the limits and more, Star’s journey will cover hundreds of miles before the ship enters its final construction phase at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Turku, Finland.

Star will deliver eight neighbourhoods that are destinations in themselves for families and vacationers of all ages to make memories with a lineup of thrills like the fastest and tallest waterslides, seven pools and more than 40 ways to dine, drink and be entertained. 

The ship will serve up seven-night vacations visiting Eastern or Western Caribbean destinations, including the vacation brand’s top-rated destination, ‘Perfect Day at CocoCay’ in The Bahamas.

CX reports robust April traffic

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TTR WEEKLY
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HONG KONG, 23 MAY 2025: The Cathay Group reached a new passenger milestone while expanding its global network, according to its latest traffic figures for April 2025.

Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Lavinia Lau said: “April was a good month for our travel business. The various holidays in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and elsewhere in Asia helped drive strong leisure travel demand, and over the Easter travel peak, we were pleased to once again set a new post-pandemic record with Cathay Pacific and HK Express carrying more than 115,000 passengers combined on 18 April.”

The airline group continued to add routes to its passenger network, having launched flights to five new destinations in April, including Dallas-Fort Worth and Urumqi for Cathay Pacific, and Nha Trang, Ishigaki and Komatsu for HK Express. 

Looking forward, the group is confident it will reach 100 passenger destinations to be introduced in the coming weeks and months.

On the cargo front, Lau commented: “The latest announcements regarding the tariffs between China and the US will provide some reassurance to the market in the near term. We will continue closely monitoring the market conditions and leverage our built-in flexibility to adjust freighter capacity.”

Cathay Pacific 

Cathay Pacific carried 36.3% more passengers in April 2025 than during April 2024, while Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) increased by 27.1%. In the first four months of 2025, the number of passengers carried increased by 26.6% compared to 2024.

Lavinia noted: “Following a quieter month in March, leisure travel demand experienced a boost in April. The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens and the festive period in Indonesia generated strong demand for return traffic early in the month, followed by a notable increase in travel demand over Easter. Then, towards the end of April, we observed robust pre-holiday demand from the Chinese Mainland and Japan, coinciding with the respective ‘Golden Week’ holidays in those two markets.

“Together with our newly launched services to Dallas-Fort Worth and Urumqi, which have been met with enthusiasm, our network achieved a load factor of over 86.4% in April, the highest yet of any month this year. Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome Rome and Munich to our network in June as we continue to add more destinations and flights for our customers.”

Cathay Cargo

Cathay Cargo carried 13.6% more cargo in April 2025 than in April 2024. Available Freight Tonne Kilometres (AFTKs) increased by 8.9% while the load factor decreased by 1.1 percentage points year-on-year. In the first four months of 2025, the total tonnage increased by 12.4% compared to 2024.

“Tonnage in April was 10.4% lower than in March, primarily due to the traditional first quarter-end peak in March and the various holiday periods in April. However, our specialist solutions maintained their growth momentum. We saw increased demand for our Cathay Priority solution on the Asia Pacific-United States trade lane ahead of the implementation of trade tariffs. Demand for our Cathay Expert solution continued to grow, supported by robust exports of semiconductor machinery from North Asia and ad hoc demand out of Europe to Hong Kong,” Lau commented.

“Turning to May, we have seen steady replacement cargo from other parts of our network, including Southeast Asia, during the first half of the month amidst reduced demand from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. We will closely monitor the ongoing developments in the second half.”

HK Express

HK Express carried more than 690,000 passengers in April, marking an increase of 47.4% year-on-year, while Available Seat Kilometres (ASKs) grew by 42%. In the first four months of 2025, the number of passengers carried increased by 37.6% compared to 2024.

Buoyed by the long weekend holidays in April, HK Express achieved record passenger traffic and flight sectors while continuing to expand its network. Extra sectors to popular destinations like Bangkok, Seoul and Phu Quoc were added over the Ching Ming Festival and Easter amidst strong demand.

Vietjet expands services to China

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 23 MAY 2025: Vietjet has unveiled two new direct routes from Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, to Chengdu and Xi’an in China, with inaugural flights taking off on 1 July and 6 July 2025, respectively. 

Each route will offer four round-trip flights per week. These new services bring the airline’s total number of Vietnam–China direct routes introduced in the first half of 2025 to seven, further strengthening its expanding flight network. 

Photo credit: Vietjet.

For Singaporean travellers, this opens up a more seamless journey to China via Vietnam’s Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, offering more flexible and affordable travel options across the region. 

To celebrate the launch, Vietjet is offering promotional fares for new services, available at its website and on the Vietjet Air mobile app.

These new services follow Vietjet’s recent launch of flights connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Beijing and Guangzhou, as well as the Hanoi-Shanghai route introduced in March and April. 

The two additional services will strengthen comprehensive air connectivity between Vietnam and China, promoting tourism and trade while offering greater access between China, Southeast Asia, and beyond.

Vietjet has been rapidly expanding its international flight network, particularly between Vietnam and China, with direct routes now linking Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to major Chinese cities such as Shanghai, Chengdu, Xi’an, Beijing, and Guangzhou. Beyond China, the airline is also boosting regional connectivity with a new direct service between Singapore and Phu Quoc to be launched on 30 May. During Q1 and Q2, Vietjet also launched new services to India, linking Ho Chi Minh City to Hyderabad and Bengaluru and Japan’s Nagoya and Fukuoka. These strategic expansions reflect Vietjet’s strong commitment to enhancing international cooperation and making travel across the Asia–Pacific region more accessible and affordable.     

Timetables: Vietnam-China routes
(Local times, using 24-hour format)

Time for a cuppa on International Tea Day

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TTR WEEKLY
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DUBAI, UAE, 22 MAY 2025: To celebrate International Tea Day on 21 May, Emirates and Dilmah Tea presented complimentary packs of luxury leaf artisan teas to customers on all flights.

It also marked a successful 33-year partnership, and more than 33 million cups of tea are served yearly. Emirates Lounges worldwide will also offer crafted Dilmah tea cocktails, mocktails, and traditional hot teas with sweet treats.

On International Tea Day, 21 May, customers in all classes on flights over 2.5 hours received the special edition gift box inflight,  containing three of Dilmah’s most celebrated teas — the Emirates Signature Tea, Moroccan Mint Green Tea and Ceylon Tea with Strawberry.

Across all Emirates Lounges worldwide, First and Business Class customers sampled cocktails and mocktails crafted with Dilmah tea and expertly paired with delicious desserts. In the Dubai lounges, an exclusive Dilmah Elixir mocktail and cocktail were paired with a fragrant coconut vanilla cake, lemon cake and moreish apple tart. Until 31 May on flights from Dubai to the UK, Emirates’ cabin crew will offer Dilmah tea pairing tips for the Afternoon Tea service in First and Business Class.

Tea Artistry with Emirates and Dilmah

Emirates brews more than 33 million cups of tea annually for customers in-flight and serves a range of teas in Emirates’ airport lounges worldwide. In First Class, Emirates offers a selection of six Dilmah gourmet blends, from the energy-boosting Original Earl Grey, to a mellow Pure Chamomile Flowers, healthy and antioxidant Sencha Green Extra Special, to intense and majestic Brilliant Breakfast, the most popular option in First Class – Moroccan Mint Green Tea, as well as Emirates’ Signature Tea – Dombagastalawa Estate Ceylon FBOP1 grade, with safflower, marigold flowers, rose, ginger and almond.

In Business Class, Emirates offers five luxury leaf teas, Earl Grey – a deliciously fragrant gourmet tea with natural bergamot, as well as Ceylon tea, Pure Camomile Flowers, Green Tea Natural and Green Tea Moroccan Mint. Customers can choose Ceylon or Natural Green Tea in Premium Economy and Economy Class.

The Importance of International Tea Day

The UN General Assembly’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development marks 21 May annually as International Tea Day. The day is designed to ‘raise public awareness of the importance of tea for rural development and sustainable livelihoods and to improve the tea value chain to contribute to the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.’

Emirates has partnered with family-owned Dilmah Tea, the celebrated Sri Lankan tea company, for 33 years. Dilmah is the first producer-owned ethical tea brand globally, where the tea is cultivated, handpicked and packed at its origin to preserve its natural goodness and ensure its unrivalled position as one of the finest teas in the world.

The Dilmah tea estates sit majestically amidst impressive views of abundant waterfalls, rising mountain tops and lush landscapes, producing exceptional Ceylon Tea. Ceylon Tea is made from the finest quality tea leaves in pristine estates at the highest elevation, and the tea gets its characteristics and flavours from the rich biodiversity of the surrounding forest. Handpicked in the central hills of Sri Lanka, the tea leaves are withered, rolled, fermented, and fired to produce tea with sophisticated aromas, tastes, and textures, fresh from plantation to cup.

For flight and airline information visit: www.emirates.com.

Rainforest World Music Festival countdown begins 

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TTR WEEKLY
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KUCHING, 22 MAY 2025: The countdown begins for the 28th edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), transforming the Sarawak Cultural Village into a global celebration of rhythm and unity. 

The Rainforest World Music Festival 2025 in Sarawak will be held from 20 to 22 June 2025.

Now in festival countdown mode, Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) hosted a Sponsors’ Appreciation Day last week at the Imperial Hotel Kuching, highlighting 15 key sponsors from different sectors.

The appreciation event brought together RWMF’s invaluable ecosystem of collaborators — from aviation and media to beverage, hospitality, and finance — whose collective commitment has helped RWMF evolve into one of the world’s most iconic and eco-conscious music festivals.

YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak, YB Datuk Sebastian Ting Chiew Yew, Deputy Minister for Tourism Sarawak, Sarawak Tourism Board’s Board of Directors, and STB’s Chief Executive Officer, Puan Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor presided over the event.

As anticipation for RWMF 2025, themed “Connections: One Earth, One Love,” builds up, the Sponsors’ Appreciation Day served as a meaningful moment to recognise the connections that

make the festival’s global impact possible, from cultural diplomacy and creative synergy to climate action and community empowerment.

YB Dato Sri Haji Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah shared: “The success of RWMF is neither built overnight nor by one entity alone. It is built by those who believe in Sarawak’s potential. It is built by our dedicated sponsors, partners, and supporters.

“The Rainforest World Music Festival has always reflected who we are – vibrant, diverse, inclusive, and future-forward. And our partners are central to that story. You help connect Sarawak to the world. You help bring the music to life. And you help to ensure that our values — sustainability, creativity, authenticity — remain at the heart of everything we do.” Puan Sharzede added.

In line with these efforts was the Sarawak Tourist Guides Association’s (SkTGA) official Responsible Tourism Proclamation, a landmark initiative reinforcing Sarawak’s commitment to sustainability, cultural preservation, and ethical guiding practices. The proclamation aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Sarawak Government’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, amplifying the tourism sector’s role in building inclusive and regenerative growth.

This year, STB proudly recognises several top-tier partners whose contributions have been instrumental in shaping the festival’s reach and experience:

With MAG returning as the Official Airline Partner, getting to Kuching has never been easier. Enjoy exclusive flight discounts from Malaysia Airlines and Firefly using the following promo codes:

• Use promo code MHRWMF25 (Malaysia Airlines) or FYRWMF25 (Firefly).
• Booking period: 12 March – 22 June 2025.
• Travel period: 14 – 29 June 2025.

From immersive workshops and international showcases to The Green Ruai’s sustainability activations, RWMF 2025 promises its most inclusive and environmentally aligned edition yet. With over 200 performers from 20 countries, including headliners Earth, Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay (USA), Otyken (Russia), and Sarawak’s very own At Adau.

The list of sponsors for Rainforest World Music Festival 2025:

For more information on Sarawak and its tourism, visit Sarawak Tourism Board 

For information on the Rainforest World Music Festival, visit Rainforest World Music Festival

Ayana Komodo names Lovotti as GM

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TTR WEEKLY
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SINGAPORE, 22 May 2025: Ayana Komodo Waecicu Beach has appointed Jean Philippe Lovotti as its new general manager in a move by AYANA Hospitality to accelerate its sustainability initiatives.

With over 25 years of global hospitality experience, Lovotti has a track record of leadership in luxury and upscale hotels across Europe, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific. The appointment places Komodo National Park on the global map of luxury nature tourism. 

Jean Philippe Lovotti GM Ayana Komodo.

Before joining Ayana Komodo, he was the general manager of Caravelle Saigon, where he led a transformative multi-phase renovation that modernised the historic property while maintaining full operations. 

Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles with AccorHotels, Pan Pacific Hotels Group, and the Leading Hotels of the World hospitality group, overseeing flagship properties across Southeast Asia, the Pacific, and Europe.

Located on the shores of Labuan Bajo in East Indonesia, Ayana Komodo Waecicu Beach is the premier luxury gateway to the UNESCO-listed Komodo National Park. The five-star resort features 205 ocean-facing rooms and suites, seven signature dining venues, and access to Ayana Cruises, a fleet of five vessels including the flagship 54-meter Lako D’ia. Guests enjoy immersive experiences from marine conservation activities and sailing adventures to wellness programmes inspired by local traditions.

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