DUBAI, 4 January 2024: Beond, a premium-only leisure airline home-based in the Maldives, will launch flights from Malé to Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport starting 7 July 2024.
Initially, it will fly twice weekly, departing Malé (flight B4580) at 1645 and arriving at Bangkok’s Don Muang International Airport (DMK) at 2300 on Thursday and Sunday.
Photo credit: Beond. A319 fitted out for 44 passengers.
The return flight (B4581) will depart DMK at 0655 and arrive in Malé at 0915 on Friday and Monday.
Beond’s chief commercial officer, Sascha Feuerherd commented on the new route: “Our travel agent partners in Thailand are strong supporters of the Beond premium offer, and so we believe the Beond experience will resonate with customers. We anticipate this will be our first origin city in Asia.”
Established in November 2022, the airline began commercial operations a year later in November 2023, flying to the Maldives from Munich, Zurich, and Riyadh using an Airbus A319 aircraft fitted with 44 lay-flat seats.
Beond says it will acquire 32 aircraft and serve 60 destinations over the next five years, mainly in Asia, Australia and Europe. It previously announced routes from Munich, Zurich, Riyadh, Milan and Dubai.
Unlike other airlines, it flies with a business-class cabin fitted out to deliver a “luxurious and hassle-free flying experience.”
It’s a joint venture between Emirati investment firm Arabesque and Maldivian hospitality company SIMDI Group and claims to be the “world’s first premium leisure airline.”
SINGAPORE, 3 January 2024: Jetstar Asia launched flights from Singapore to Wuxi during December’s festive season as demand for China holidays recovers in Singapore’s outbound travel market.
The new flight from Changi Airport marks the start of the Singapore low-cost carrier’s second direct route to mainland China.
The flight to Wuxi’s Sunan Shuofang International Airport makes Jetstar Asia the only airline serving the Chinese city from Singapore. Wuxi is historically, culturally, and commercially an important gateway city in China’s southern Jiangsu province.
Using an Airbus A320, the airline started with two weekly flights and will increase to four weekly services from 15 January 2024 to meet growing demand. The airline will offer more than 70,000 low-fare seats annually between the two destinations, Wuxi and Singapore.
Jetstar Asia CEO Barathan Pasupathi commented: “China is a critical market for Jetstar, so it’s great to start flying to Wuxi, our second Chinese port following the successful launch of flights to Haikou early in 2023.”
Wuxi is located in the southern Jiangsu province, just over 100 km from Shanghai and sits on the banks of Lake Taihu.
Wuxi attractions
Lingshan Grand Buddha: This colossal bronze statue, the tallest in China, offers panoramic views and serene Buddhist rituals.
Yuantouzhu (Turtle Head Isle): Explore this scenic island park adorned with gardens, pavilions, and a charming Ferris wheel.
Huishan Old Town: Stroll through this ancient district, boasting historic bridges, temples, and traditional architecture.Lake Taihu: Cruise the vast freshwater lake, a photographer’s paradise, and enjoy water sports like boating or cycling its shoreline paths.
BANGKOK, 3 January 2024: TAT suffered a memory lapse when it posted what was supposed to be Mastercard’s latest Global Destination Cities Index, placing Bangkok at the top of the pile with 22.78 million visitors in 2023.
It turned out to be a rerun of the Mastercard’s index for 2019, covering data collected in 2018. The Tourism Authority of Thailand correctly posted the Mastercard index findings on its news website on 10 September 2019. So how did the same index findings get resurrected in December 2023 and floated on the TAT Facebook page masquerading as the gospel truth? Has something gone wrong with TAT’s newsroom’s fact-checking?
Photo credit: Khaosod English
‘Home for human stories’ Medium.com was apparently the first culprit to resurrect the 2019 index data to an imaginary 2023 Mastercard index release. TAT then appears to have picked it up without fact-checking or even looking back through its own newsroom archives, where it would have discovered it had successfully covered the story four years earlier.
The Mastercard Global Destination Cities Index dropped out of sight since the 2019 edition for obvious reasons — the pandemic and its devastating aftermath. But in the good times, Mastercard typically releases the new index sometime in the first half of the calendar year, usually between April and June.
We can expect Mastercard to return with its destination cities index in mid-2024. For the record, the 2019 index is shown below.
SINGAPORE, 3 January 2024: Singapore Airlines will introduce direct flights between Singapore and London’s Gatwick Airport on 21 June 2024, operating five weekly services using the long-haul variant of its Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
Together with its current four-times daily services to London’s Heathrow Airport, this will raise flights to the UK capital to 33 weekly services, up from the present 28 weekly services. SIA also operates five weekly services to Manchester Airport.
Gatwick schedule
Flight SQ310 will operate on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, departing Singapore for Gatwick Airport at 2355 and arriving in London at 0625 the following morning.
The return flight, SQ309, will operate from Gatwick Airport to Singapore on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, departing at 1015 and arriving in Singapore at 0620 the following morning. The early morning arrival will offer customers connections to SIA and Scoot flights to destinations across Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.
SIA’s long-haul A350-900s feature 253 seats in three cabin classes: 42 in Business Class, 24 in Premium Economy Class, and 187 in Economy Class.
The addition of Gatwick increases European destinations in the SIA network to 141*, reflecting its firm commitment to enhancing its connectivity to this key region.
Tickets for SIA’s flights to London’s Gatwick Airport have been on sale through various distribution channels since 19 December 2023.
* The 14 destinations are Amsterdam, Barcelona, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Istanbul, London (Heathrow), London (Gatwick), Manchester, Milan, Munich, Paris, Rome, and Zurich.
VIENTIANE, 3 January 2024: Laos returns to familiar campaign ground, introducing a rehashed “Visit Laos Year 2024” campaign, confident it will help the country reach a targetted 2.7 million visitor arrivals.
The country has a long history of employing Visit Laos Year campaigns to boost tourist arrivals since 1999. Similar initiatives followed in 2004, 2011 and 2018, adopting different themes linked to popular national festivals, mostly linked to Buddhist ceremonies.
The official launch of Visit Laos Year 2024.
The latest version of the Visit Laos 2024 campaign invites tourists to “safely explore a paradise of nature, history and culture through 79 cultural events including national festivals in the annual calendar.
During the recent launch ceremony, Director General of the Tourism Marketing Department, Khom Douangchantha, expressed confidence that the Visit Laos 2024 campaign will stand out on the global stage.
“While hosting several high-profile events, this tourism campaign holds significant importance as a crucial step towards revitalising our economy and boosting the tourism industry,” he told the audience.
“Embodying the essence of the well-known Lao phrase ‘Sabai Sabai,’ which encourages visitors to feel comfortable and take it easy, this campaign extends a warm invitation to all travellers to make themselves at home as they explore our cultural, natural, and historical paradise.”
However, there are ambitious goals for the tourism industry, such as the benchmark that aims to attract over 2.7 million international tourists in 2024 and generate over USD400 million in revenue while setting the stage to welcome 2.9 million visitors in 2025.
At a launch ceremony held at Vientiane Capital’s That Luang Esplanade, Lao Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Suanesavanh Vignaket said: “Tourism plays a key role in Laos’ economy and growth. In 2022, our service sector was the fastest-growing in the country, accounting for 37% of GDP.”
To ensure success, the Lao government is pulling out all the stops, with plans underway to enhance infrastructure, diversify tourism products, and elevate service quality. A focal point of these efforts is the promotion of Visit Laos Year 2024 through various media channels and international tourism exhibitions.
In addition to the Visit Laos Year festivities, Laos assumes the ASEAN chairmanship in January 2024. This will involve hosting significant events, such as the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, the ASEAN Tourism Forum( late January) and various other ASEAN-related meetings during the year.
Must-visit festivals
Bolaven Coffee-Tea Festival: Held in Champasak province on 19 February, this festival celebrates the region’s renowned coffee and tea production with tastings, workshops, and cultural performances. It’s a delight for coffee and tea enthusiasts.
Wat Phou Festival: From 22 to 24 February in and around the ancient pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features traditional dance, music, and light displays, revealing a captivating mix of history and culture.
Lao New Year Festival (Pi Mai Lao): Nationwide from 14 to 16 April and in Luang Prabang from 11 to 20 April. This vibrant festival celebrates the Lao New Year with water splashing, street processions, traditional games, and religious ceremonies.
Boun OK Phansa: Marking the end of the Buddhist Lent, the festival runs from 17 to 18 October. Celebrations in Vientiane include the popular traditional boat races on the Mekong River that flows through the capital, Vientiane. The boat races in Luang Prabang will be held earlier on 2 September.
That Luang Festival: Held 11 to 15 November around the iconic That Luang temple in Vientiane, this grand festival features religious ceremonies, parades, and cultural performances. It’s a showcase of Lao history and heritage.
SINGAPORE, 4 January 2024: Vistara, a joint venture between India’s TATA Sons and Singapore Airlines, will fly double daily on the Mumbai-Singapore route, effective 1 February 2024.
The airline currently offers a daily direct flight between Mumbai and Singapore, with flight (UK105) departing the Indian city at 0055 and arriving in Singapore at 0915. The return flight UK106 departs Singapore at 1030 and arrives in Mumbai at 1345. Flight time is five hours and 50 minutes using an A321. Fares start at around USD145 to USD156 one-way.
Photo credit: Aerowanderer. Vistara A321.
The new daily flight (UK107) scheduled to start on 1 February will depart Mumbai mid-morning at 1050 and arrive in Singapore at 1845. The one-way fare starts at around USD120. The return flight (UK108) will depart Singapore at 1945 and arrive in Mumbai at 2335.
Indian aviation reports speculate the airline could increase flights to popular international destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Bangkok to accommodate the surge in travel demand through to the end of March 2024.
Doubling up on flights from Mumbai to Singapore is one example of catering to the increase in Indian travellers booking overseas holidays during its winter timetable ending 31 March using its recently acquired fuel-efficient A321neo aircraft.
However, competition on the Mumbai to Singapore route is tough, with airlines such as Singapore Airlines (an equity partner in Vistara), IndiGo and Air India all vying for the attention of Mumbai’s affluent leisure travellers.
Meanwhile, the airline introduced direct flights from Pune in India to Singapore starting on 17 December 2023, offering a six-weekly service departing Pune at 0210 and arriving in Singapore at 1030
The return flight to Pune departs Singapore at 1140 and arrives in Pune at 1510. Flights are scheduled on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday using an A321. One-way fares start at around USD202.
Vistara taking delivery of A321neo aircraft and that is providing capacity to serve route expansion. However, competition on the Mumbai to Singapore route is tough with airlines Singapore Airlines (a partner in Vistara) IndiGo and Air India competing for leisure travellers in the Mumbai outbound travel market.
BANGKOK, 29 December 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts, a leading hotel operator headquartered in Thailand, reflects on a highly successful year celebrating several major milestones and achievements.
2023 marked 40 years since Centara first introduced its family-centric Thai hospitality to the world, and this year was also one of the most significant in the company’s history. With three new hotels, including its inaugural property in Japan, a newly refreshed brand, a key executive appointment and multiple awards, Centara has advanced its five-year goal of becoming a top 100 global hotel operator by 2027.
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Centara created a series of mega marketing campaigns to thank guests for their support and stimulate demand. This was not the only milestone for Centara in 2023; Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin turned 100 with a special centenary offer to help commemorate this iconic, century-old Thai heritage hotel.
Centara opened three new properties comprising 899 keys in 2023, taking its total portfolio to 95 hotels and resorts that are open or in the pipeline. These included Centara Grand Hotel Osaka, a 33-story urban landmark that marked the group’s debut in Japan. With its stylish and spacious rooms, modern MICE venues, five-star facilities, and eight world-class bars and restaurants, this hotel has already become popular among business and leisure travellers. Centara also reaffirmed its leading position in Thailand with the launch of two new properties: Centara Ubon, its first hotel in the northeastern gateway city of Ubon Ratchathani, just a few steps from the Central Ubon lifestyle mall, and Centara Ayutthaya, a new all-in-one leisure and lifestyle destination located next to the Central Ayutthaya mall and less than 15 minutes from this historic city’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples.
Thirayuth Chirathivat, Centara’s CEO, celebrates several major milestones and achievements in 2023.
To accelerate its future growth, the company has rebranded Centra by Centara as Centara Life, revealing a fresh and exciting new brand identity. Centara Lifewill retain its core “Elevating the Essentials” concept to help guests travel and stay seamlessly. The rebranding process will involve the complete and vibrant refresh of the brand’s visual identity, which will permeate the brand’s physical and digital presence, plus a series of new signature guest experiences such as extra sleeping comforts, complimentary local delicacies, flexible breakfast hours and more!
To help drive the growth of its six diverse brands, Centara recently announced the appointment of Michael Henssler as its new Chief Operating Officer.
A hotel industry expert with almost 30 years of experience, most recently as Kempinski’s Chief Operating Officer for Asia, Henssler will help Centara move into dynamic destinations and exciting new international markets.
Centara also achieved a series of prestigious awards. Brand Finance’s annual Thailand 50 report named Centara Grand, the flagship five-star brand, as the “Strongest Brand in Thailand,” based on factors including its brand equity, trust and value, while the Investment Analysts Association (IAA) Awards for Listed Companies 2022-23 presented the “Outstanding CEO” award to Centara’s Thirayuth Chirathivat, the “Outstanding CFO” prize to Gun Srisompong, and the “Best Investor Relations” award to Central Plaza Hotel PCL (CENTEL), Centara’s parent company. Centara was also proud to be named the “Best Employer – Thailand 2023” in the Kincentric Best Employers Awards and to achieve sustainability certification by Vireo SRL, which means that Centara’s corporate office and 12 of its hotels are now GSTC certified, with the balance certified by 2025.
The Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023 honoured three of Centara’s hotels. Roukh Kiri Khao Yai, a member of Centara Boutique Collection, was chosen as one of Thailand’s finest “Upcountry Hotels,” Centara Grand Island Resort & Spa Maldives won second place in the “House Reefs” category for the Maldives. Centara Reserve Samui was selected as one of Thailand’s best “Beach Island Resorts” — one of nine awards this stunning property achieved this year.
“2023 was an exceptional year for Centara. As the travel and hospitality industry regained strength, we took several important steps to position our company for a strong and sustainable future. With the addition of multiple hotels, the refreshed Centara Life brand and the arrival of Michael Henssler, we are perfectly placed to accelerate our development. To also win a series of prestigious awards reaffirms our confidence that we are moving in the right direction,” said Centara’s CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat.
BANGKOK, 25 December 2023: Centara Hotels & Resorts and Kornsiri Hospitality Management Limited Partnership have signed a Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) for Tiva Ao Makham Resort Phuket, a new resort focused on health and wellness to be added to the Centara Boutique Collection.
Senior management teams from both companies officially executed the agreement at a signing ceremony at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld.
The project marks Centara’s 11th hotel in Phuket and the first hotel management agreement signed with Kornsiri. It is due to open on 1 September 2025. The event was attended by Centara Hotels & Resorts CEO Thirayuth Chirathivat, COO Michael Henssler, and CFO Gun Srisompong, along with Kornsiri Hospitality Management Limited Partnership Managing Director Arthasin Kawinkij, and Directors Nakarin Kawinkij, and Paweenpongse Kawinkij.
Strategically located along Phuket’s stunning southeastern coast, this greenfield project is poised to be a go-to destination for health-conscious individuals seeking a rejuvenating escape with facilities including yoga, cycling, and a Pilates reformer studio, as well as a sauna, steam room, and onsen available to all guests.
In addition to 68 contemporary rooms and villas, Tiva Ao Makham Resort Phuket will also offer an array of unparalleled experiences that cater to every lifestyle, from its outdoor swimming pool and pool bar, delectable restaurant with a breathtaking sky bar, spa with sea view treatment rooms, and Kids’ Club plus E-Zone with table tennis.
“We look forward to welcoming Tiva Ao Makham Resort Phuket to the Centara Boutique Collection. This venture underscores our commitment to curating exceptional experiences that seamlessly blend world-class hospitality with the growing wellness sector, catering to the evolving preferences of our discerning guests,” said Thirayuth Chirathivat, Chief Executive Officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts.
“Our vision for Tiva Ao Makham Resort Phuket is to create an oasis for wellness enthusiasts, providing a sanctuary that fosters rejuvenation and well-being,” continued Arthasin Kawinkij, Managing Director of Kornsiri Hospitality Management Limited Partnership and owner of Tiva Ao Makham Resort Phuket. “We are thrilled to partner with Centara Hotels & Resorts to bring this vision to life and grow together toward a brighter, more holistic future.”
Tiva Ao Makham Resort Phuket is one hour from Phuket International Airport and a two-minute drive from Visit Panwa Pier.
VIENTIANE, 26 December 2023: “You have such a beautiful country; please preserve it as much as possible,” a group of Spanish tourists observed as they chatted to a Laos tourism promotion team.
During the brief encounter, they commented on the country’s unspoilt beauty while visiting a spectacular viewpoint in Ban Hang Khon, far south of Don Khon Island, where the Mekong River delineates the Cambodian border.
Their message was simple, sincere, and clear, reflecting their experiences at tourist stops as they journeyed from northern Laos towards Cambodia, their next destination.
It underlined the importance of having a sustainability vision that is always top-of-mind when today’s travellers research their next travel experience. It reminds stakeholders in the tourism industry to embrace sustainability ahead of driving profit and boosting visitor arrivals.
In the upcoming year, Laos’s tourism treasures will take centre stage under Visit Laos Year 2024, themed “Laos: A Paradise of Culture, Nature, and History.” Gearing up to showcase the country’s tourism potential, the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism organised a FAM trip for Thai media and influencers in early December.
The aim was to highlight the rich tourism resources of southern Laos, focusing on nature and authentic Laotian experiences.
There are no direct flights from Bangkok to Pakse, the gateway city to the southern provinces of Laos. You must first fly to Vientiane, then connect with domestic flights to Pakse. Or take the overland route crossing at the Chong Mek Border Checkpoint between Thailand and southern Laos. The distance between the border checkpoint and Pakse is approximately 43 km. You can fly or take the train from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani and then transfer by bus or taxi to the border, a distance of 95 km (one hour and 20 minutes by car).
During the first nine months of this year, Champasak province in Laos welcomed 206,914 visitors. The southern region is best known for the charm and spectacular views of the Mekong and 4,000 river islands, but there are trekking options to waterfalls for those who love soft adventures. Among the top heritage attractions is Vat Phou, the pride of Laos, which has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The province features 244 tourist attractions, including 139 natural, 62 cultural, and 43 historical sites.
The FAM trip showcased the beauty of southern Laos’ nature, particularly waterfalls and rivers, as part of Champasak’s tourism development while highlighting four areas: Si Phandon; the Champasak World Heritage Cultural Zone; the Bolaven Plateau in Paksong, and the cultural and natural areas located in different districts.
The journey from Vientiane began late in the morning with a one-hour flight on Lao Airlines, landing in Pakse by lunchtime. The overland journey to Don Det followed, covering approximately 130 km.
At Nakasang, the last stop and the nearest village to Don Det, we board boats to transfer to Don Det. Upon arrival, it presented a glimpse of the scenery bathed in the sunset along the Mekong River. Here, riverside resorts and bungalows offer a perfect base to explore a riverine archipelago of islands, creating a natural awe-inspiring spectacle on the broad and fast-flowing Mekong River.
Don Det and Don Khon islands are perfect spots for those exploring Si Phan Don, including the famous Li Phi Waterfall. Don Det is linked with Don Khon by a bridge. The road around these river islands has recently been improved and is in good condition year-round. Visitors can use local tourist vehicles or bicycles to explore island attractions.
After an overnight in Don Det and a half-day excursion, the group left the island and visited Khon Phapheng Waterfall before heading north of Champasak for Paksong, a city in Laos on the Bolaven Plateau.
The area enjoys a year-round cool climate and is renowned for its coffee and tea, which has a distinctive flavour due to the plateau’s volcanic soil. It also boasts numerous waterfalls.
The Paksong Excursion Day began at Tad Koo Waterfall. This picturesque spot offers convenient access to the two-steam waterfall, with a restaurant and tourist facilities. It’s a perfect lunch stop where visitors can enjoy a meal in a simple raft shed or right next to the waterfall, where local speciality dishes are served on a table while you dip your feet in the refreshingly cool water.
Approximately 8 km from Tad Koo, Tad Tayicseua Waterfall provides soft adventure activities that explore the area around the site of seven waterfalls cascading from rocky ledges high above the pristine forest. Trekkers can spend a day here. Visitors can also observe one of the major waterfalls, Tad Kob, 70 metres high, from the viewpoint area.
Among the seven falls, Tad Phueng takes the spotlight with a 700-metre hike along fairly steep rocky inclines—a potential challenge in the rainy season. The morning is the prime time to visit, with sunlight reflecting on the waterfall, creating a rainbow effect amid wildflowers.
Another famous waterfall, Tad Gneuang, some 50 km away, is the target destination in the afternoon. Along the way, a few stops made for a taste of Lao coffee. Highlights include Paksong Highland Coffee Estate – where coffee drinkers can observe coffee plantations, and CC1971 – a famous check-in spot along the route. The CC1971 café is located in a vintage bombed-out building dating back to the civil war 1971. It serves coffee from roasted beans sourced in local family-run plantations. Its unique décor features remnants of artillery guns and even downed jets, adding a historical touch to the ambience.
The journey covers approximately 12 km, leading to Tad Gneuang Waterfall. At the entrance, the site features restaurants and tourist facilities overlooking the waterfall’s ridge. Visitors can relish a panoramic view of lush greenery from the waterfall’s lofty prominence, or they can descend the steep steps and walkways to gain a close-up experience of the waterfall’s base.
A trip to Champasak wouldn’t be complete without exploring Vat Phou, one of the country’s renowned UNESCO World Heritage sites. Constructed during the Khmer Empire era, the Hindu temple stands at the base of Mount Phou Khao, symbolising a connection between nature and humanity. Vat Phou was listed as a UNESCO site in 2001. The other UNESCO World Heritage sites in Laos are the town of Luang Prabang and the megalithic jar sites in Xiengkhuang – Plain of Jars.
As our FAM trip to Champasak concludes, the destination is abuzz with preparations for Visit Laos Year 2024. It will feature a lineup of 12 exciting activities. The anticipation adds an extra layer of excitement, inviting travellers to immerse themselves in the southern charm of Laos.
Champasak beckons with open arms to explore the region’s pristine nature or ancient temples, indulge in local flavours or connect with vibrant traditions. It promises an unforgettable experience for those who venture south beyond popular tourist destinations to Pakse, where the mighty Mekong flows fast over vast stretches of rapids to the border with Cambodia.
Salana Boutique Hotelis located on Chao Anou Road, Vientiane. In close proximity to the hotel, visitors can explore the night market and delight in the local atmosphere while trying street food along the Mekong River. The hotel is conveniently located around 5 km from Wattay International Airport.
Eastin Hotel Vientiane is situated right on the shore of the Mekong River, on Khaemkhong Road. The hotel offers 93 rooms and suites. The overall design is contemporary throughout its interior. Highlight facilities include an all-day-dining restaurant, pool bar, and rooftop bar.
Golden Hotel Don Det allows visitors to enjoy a stay and panoramic views of the Mekong River in the Si Phan Don Archipelago. Rated with 3 stars, the property provides guests with standard facilities, including a riverside restaurant and on-site pool.
Sabaidee Valley is located on Km.33 of 16E road, gracefully landscaped in the highlands of Champasak. The complex comprises a resort, restaurant, coffee shop, and souvenir store. Situated on 40 rai of land, 800 meters above sea level, it offers 26 villas and two buildings with 16 rooms each. The outdoor swimming pool area affords a picturesque view of the Bolaven Plateau.
Considered one of the top hotels in Pakse, the 4-star Champasak Grand offers a prime location and comfortable accommodation. Set next to the Mekong River with the Lao-Nippon Bridge in sight, the hotel in Pakse is a 15-minute ride from Pakse International Airport.
BANGKOK, 25 December 2023: Elite Havens, Asia’s leading luxury holiday experience provider and a subsidiary of Dusit International, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in the company’s journey from a Bali-based business to a renowned curator of extraordinary escapes across the most coveted destinations.
From the birth of travel tech to the rise of travel bloggers, Elite Havens has consistently adapted to changing consumer preferences and technological advancements. Notably, Elite Havens played a pioneering role in nurturing the trend of peer reviews, leveraging guest feedback to enhance services and guest experiences continuously, and setting the benchmark for service excellence within the industry.
Today, Elite Havens offers a curated portfolio of nearly 300 private luxury villas and chalets across India, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. More locations are in the pipeline.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate 25 years of providing exceptional luxury holiday experiences,” said Rigg. “Throughout our journey, we have embraced technological innovations while maintaining the human touch that sets us apart. Our commitment to delivering bespoke, unparalleled experiences remains unwavering as we continue to cater to the evolving needs of today’s luxury travellers.”
For more information about Elite Havens and to explore its collection of extraordinary properties, please visit www.elitehavens.com.
