BANGKOK, 29 May 2023: Thapanee Kiatphaibool confirmed on Facebook last week her latest success in a long and rewarding career at the Tourism Authority of Thailand; her appointment as the next TAT governor.
She will take over from Yuthasak Supasorn, who completes his second four-year term at the end of August.
Thapanee Kiatphaibool
Congratulations poured in on Thapanee’s Facebook fan page, a testament to her popularity and successful endeavours during a 24-year career at TAT that started in 1999 when she was hired as a junior international relations officer assigned to the governor’s office.
Before she steps into the governor’s office on 1 September, all that remains is a round of negotiations to conclude employment terms and salary. She competed with three other candidates, two from the ranks of the deputy governors and one outsider. She becomes the third woman to take the top post, the other two being Juthamas Siriwan (2002 to 2006) and Phornsiri Manoharn (2007 to 2009).
In its report, the National News Bureau of Thailand noted that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Thapanee initiated the Amazing Thailand Safety and Health Administration (SHA) certification programme. It enabled hotels and services to meet specific health and safety standards, and it became a mandatory requirement for hotels seeking to register as quarantine facilities during periods of strict Covid-19 control measures.
One of her first duties in September will be to announce her successor for the deputy governor domestic market post, which will become vacant on 1 September when Thapanee takes over as governor. Another priority will be to ensure Thailand hits its 2023 revenue target; 80% of tourism receipts achieved pre-Covid pandemic era.
KUCHING, 29 May 2023: Sarawak Tourism Board and Sarawak Forestry Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Saturday to formalise a joint five-year tree planting programme under the ecoGreenPlanet programme.
The ecoGreenPlanet programme reflects Sarawak’s aspiration to plant 35 million trees across Sarawak to support Malaysia’s goal to plant 100 million trees under the country’s Reforestation Programme. This ‘greening’ endeavour was first introduced by STB in June 2022, in conjunction with two of Sarawak’s iconic events – the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) and the Borneo Jazz (BJ) festival, and both festivals had been recognised for their efforts to promote environmental awareness and sustainability, a testament to Sarawak’s dedication in preserving its unique biodiversity and rich natural heritage.
Over MYR 47,000 was raised as part of the ecoGreenPlanet programme through contributions by corporate sponsors:
· Canard Media Sdn Bhd
· Harwood Timber Sdn Bhd
· Hornbill Skyways Sdn Bhd
· KTS Mutual Sdn Bhd
· Land Custody & Development Authority,
· My Car
· Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (PETROS)
· Sarawak Energy Berhad
· Sarawak Timber Association
· SKS Airways Sdn Bhd
· Society Atelier Sarawak
· Trienekens (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd
and festival goers from the RWMF and Borneo Jazz Fest in 2022, with 20% of the virtual ticket proceeds donated to tree-planting activities.
The sponsorship and participation by festival goers exemplify how collective efforts can significantly propel environmental sustainability. These funds will be instrumental in enabling the tree-planting programme to help rejuvenate the planet’s ecosystem.
STB chairman YB Dennis Ngau shared that to ensure the sustainability of our natural heritage, Sarawak has actively championed responsible tourism initiatives aligned with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Sarawak’s Post-Covid Development Strategies (PCDS) 2030.
“I am happy to announce that STB is now an affiliate member of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), which will allow us to learn more about sustainability and Responsible Tourism from an international platform and go beyond our current efforts in advancing responsible tourism practices in the region,” he added.
“On behalf of STB, I am proud to emphasise that we will continue to embrace sustainability causes, in line with our aspiration to position the Region as a leading player in Responsible Tourism and a leading destination for ecotourism in Southeast Asia,” Dennis added.
STB CEO Sharzede Datu Haji Salleh Askor said the ecoGreenplanet programme, a joint effort between the STB and the SFC, aims to plant over 1,700 trees for now in the Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary covering an area of 4.25 hectares as part of a broader commitment to promote Planetary Health by advocating activities that foster environmental sustainability, support biodiversity, and combat climate change.
“The Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary, renowned for its rich biodiversity, serves as an ideal location for this initiative, providing a nurturing environment for the newly planted trees to thrive,” she added.
The upcoming RWMF 2023 continues to set a standard for the Sarawak Tourism Board’s efforts by demonstrating Sarawak’s dedication to Sustainable Development Goals and Responsible Tourism as the festival presents another opportunity to enhance general consciousness about sustainability through implementing eco-friendly.
The ecoGreenplanet programme is more than just a tree planting programme as it represents the ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability and a testament to the belief in the power of collective action and the role that everyone plays in safeguarding the planet’s future.
Some of the activities undertaken by STB at RWMF to advocate sustainability include banning single-use plastics, encouraging upcycling of used materials, exploring innovative solutions to waste management, and providing free shuttle buses to ferry festival-goers from the city and nearby locations to festival grounds to alleviate carbon emission and prevent congestion – all towards placing STB as a key player in advocating Planetary Health through its Responsible Tourism practices.
SINGAPORE, 26 May 2023: Holland America Line officially opened bookings on Wednesday for its Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole cruise departing in January 2025 on the cruise ship Volendam sailing from Fort Lauderdale.
Photo credit HAL. Volendam cruising Alaska.
2025 Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole Highlights — Volendam 133 days. Departing 25 January 2025, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.
Follows a south-north-south route through the Panama Canal, down along the west coast of South America to Antarctica, and then up along Argentina and Brazil to the heart of the Amazon River. The ship then crosses the Atlantic Ocean to Africa, sails north to Europe and up to the North Cape before heading west across the northern Atlantic Ocean via Iceland and Greenland and finally down the eastern shores of North America.
Pole-to-Pole: Down south, Volendam spends four days of scenic cruising in Antarctica and up north, the ship crosses the Arctic Circle to the North Cape.
68 ports across five continents and 28 countries.
Eight overnight calls: Fuerte Amador, Panama; Callao (Lima), Peru; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Barcelona, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal; and Reykjavik, Iceland.
Early booking bonus benefits
Guests who book the full 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole-to-Pole by 3 June 2024 receive onboard spending credits and amenities valued at up to USD8,800 per person. Cruise fares for the 2025 Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole begin at USD26,399, per person, double occupancy. Taxes, fees and port expenses are additional.
DUBAI UAE, 26 May 2023:Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has committed USD200 million to fund research and development (R&D) projects focussed on reducing the impact of fossil fuels in commercial aviation.
This is the biggest single commitment by any airline to sustainability, with funds to be disbursed over three years. Emirates will identify partnerships with leading organisations working on solutions in advanced fuel and energy technologies.
Emirates Airline president Sir Tim Clark said:”We are ring-fencing USD200 million to invest in advanced fuel and energy solutions for aviation, where airlines currently face the biggest impediment in reducing our environmental impact. We looked long and hard at the reality of commercial aircraft and engine technology, the fuel supply chain, and our industry’s regulatory and eco-system requirements. It’s clear that with the current pathways available to airlines regarding emissions reduction, our industry won’t be able to hit net zero targets in the prescribed timeline.
“We believe our industry needs better solutions, and that’s why we’re looking to partner with leading organisations on R&D. We aim to contribute meaningfully to practical solutions for the long-term sustainability of commercial aviation.”
Sir Tim added: “Until viable solutions can be found, Emirates will continue implementing environmentally responsible practices throughout our business, including uplifting SAF where feasible, ensuring efficient fleet operations, and inducting modern aircraft into our fleet. Our US$ 200 million fund is earmarked for R&D, not for operating costs like the purchase of SAF or carbon offsets to tick regulatory boxes – activities we consider business-as-usual.”
Emirates’ Environmental Sustainability Executive Steering Group will oversee disbursements from the fund, with support from technical experts.
Emissions reduction initiatives at Emirates
Emirates’ long-standing environmental policy and strategy focuses its activities on three areas: emissions reduction, responsible consumption, and the conservation of wildlife and habitats.
In January, Emirates completed the first 100% SAF-powered demonstration flight with Boeing and GE. Since its first flight powered by SAF in 2017, the airline continues to participate actively in the SAF market and seek opportunities in its network to use SAF where feasible.
However, bio-based SAF, currently the only type of commercially available SAF, is extremely limited in supply. IATA estimates that the entire world’s annual supply of SAF meets less than 0.1% of airlines’ needs.
Emirates participates in various industry working groups and stakeholder engagements on sustainable aviation fuel. In recent months, the airline contributed to the development of the UAE’s power-to-liquid (PtL) fuels roadmap, launched in July 2022 and prepared jointly by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the World Economic Forum, as well as the UAE’s National Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap launched in January 2023 by the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure.
Emirates’ investment in flying a young and modern aircraft fleet remains its biggest commitment to reducing emissions. The airline currently has 200 of the latest Airbus and Boeing wide-body aircraft on order, including A350s and 777Xs.
The airline has a comprehensive fuel efficiency programme that actively investigates and implements ways to reduce unnecessary fuel burn and emissions wherever it is operationally feasible. Some of the program’s most significant initiatives include:
The operation of “flex tracks” or flexible routings where it partners with air navigation service providers to create the most efficient flight plan for each flight, taking advantage of natural tailwinds while avoiding headwinds and weather systems. These efforts have been ongoing since 2003, and Emirates has also been working with IATA to extend this routing system worldwide as a standard operating procedure where possible.
Introducing fuel-efficient practices while the aircraft is on the ground, such as using ground power units instead of the aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and switching one or two engines off while taxiing in after landing.
Emirates also invests in renewable energy initiatives, including the installation of solar panels to power some of its operational buildings in Dubai and the use of electric vehicles both airside and landside.
Read more about Emirates’ environmental initiatives.
LANGKAWI, 26 May 2023: Langkawi’s Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre is hosting the 2023 Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace Exhibition this week, underlining the island’s ability to cater to large-scale events and incentive groups.
LIMA 2023 opened on 23 May with a spectacular aerobatic performance led by 36 aircraft from the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Malaysian Army and Air Force Special Forces flying in formation over Langkawi’s International Airport in Padang Mat Sirat.
Five countries – China, Indonesia, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates and Russia participated in the air show.
The grand opening ceremony of LIMA 2023, held at Resorts World Langkawi, was presided over by Malaysia’s Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim. The event closes on 27 March.
The aerospace and maritime industries have long been key focus areas for Malaysia due to its geographical and strategic position. It is among the top 30 trading nations with world-class airports, ports infrastructure, and ecosystem.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that Malaysia could continue to grow the industry through the Malaysia Shipping Master Plan and the Malaysian Aerospace Industry Blueprint 2030.
The Langkawi International Maritime & Aerospace 2023 Exhibition (LIMA) 2023 also solidifies Malaysia’s reputation as the destination for aerospace and maritime investments.
During the LIMA 2023 conference sessions at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre, the Malaysian Space Agency signed two Memorandums of Understanding and three Letters of Intent to help boost space technology in Malaysia.
For the entire week ending 27 May, the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2023 (LIMA 2023) transforms the beautiful island of Langkawi into a strategic hub of innovative technology and networking opportunities for the shakers and movers of the maritime and aerospace industries.
And it underscores the island’s resources to host MICE events and trade shows with the potential to combine incentive tours that use cruise ships visiting Langkawi with the vast array of onshore resorts and attractions. LIMA 2023 illustrates Langkawi’s vast potential for incentive holidays and corporate events of all sizes.
ABU DHABI UAE, 26 May 2023: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) calls on governments worldwide to “get serious” on incentivising Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production and set ambitious targets to produce adequate quantities.
Without meaningful quantities of SAF, the global tourism body says the aviation sector cannot decarbonise on a scale that will allow it to reach Net Zero by 2050, as committed to by the industry and supported by ICAO member states.
Julia Simpson.
The aviation industry expects to reach net zero carbon emissions by adopting the following measures.
Deliver the maximum reduction in emissions at source through SAF and innovative new propulsion technologies like hydrogen and electric. Deploy modern fuel-efficient aircraft fleets. Achieve operational efficiency improvements (in air navigation, for example). Adopt out-of-sector solutions such as offsetting or carbon capture.
SAF is expected to deliver most greenhouse gas reductions needed to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Unfortunately, SAF production rates are insufficient to meet demand, and prices remain high, despite the recent exponential increase in production.
The time for action is now. Without SAF, governments will struggle to meet their climate goals set by the Paris Climate Agreement and their commitments to economic growth, which relies heavily on aviation for tourism, trade, and connectivity.
What governments should do
Provide strong incentives to encourage investment in SAF production, including tax credits, grants or other financial incentives. Work with the sector to set ambitious SAF production targets. Coordinate their actions through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the specialised UN agency for aviation, to ensure global uniformity in SAF regulations, sustainability standards, procedures, and organisation.
WTTC President & CEO Julia Simpson said: “It is time for governments to take bold action and prioritise the production of sustainable aviation fuel. We are calling on all governments to act now.
“The demand for SAF has never been higher. Airlines worldwide want to use SAF and have used every molecule ever made. However, current SAF production only meets 0.1% to 0.15% of the requirement, despite a 200% increase in production in 2022 vs 2021. This leaves a massive gap that can only be filled through rapid and sustained investment.
“At today’s prices, SAF is three to five times more expensive than traditional fossil fuels. Governments must address this cost disparity by providing financial support and incentives to make SAF more accessible and affordable. Without those targets and those incentives, the sector cannot decarbonise.
SINGAPORE, 26 May 2023: Tripadvisor declares the winners of its 2023 Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Hotel Awards. In its 21st edition, released Wednesday, the awards align with the kick-off of the summer travel season, revealing the best places to stay in Singapore and worldwide.
Based on 12 months (1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022) of Tripadvisor review data from over 1.5 million hotels, Traveller’s Choice Best of the Best Hotels reveals travellers’ favourite accommodations across 10 categories.
In addition to the definitive list of Top Hotels, sub-categories include All-inclusive, B&Bs, Family-Friendly, Hottest New Hotels, Luxury, Out of the Ordinary Hotels, Small Hotels and two new additions for 2023; Best Hotels for Sleep and Best Hotels with Spas.
Rambagh Palace.
And the Winners are…
This year’s No. 1 Hotel in the prestigious Top Hotels category is Rambagh Palace in Jaipur, India. Dubbed “The Jewel of Jaipur”, this 1835 palace-turned-luxurious hotel holds unbelievable extravagance. A new No. 1 winner for 2023, Rambagh Palace has over 5,000 five-bubble reviews and is beloved for its polo bar, historic suites and high tea.
In Singapore, The Barracks Hotel Sentosa ranks No 1 for travellers this year. Housed in a conserved colonial building, The Barracks Hotel Sentosa is an exclusive heritage hideaway. From rooms with direct access to an exclusive pool, all-day refreshments and evening cocktails at The Living Room, a guided Barracks heritage tour, to the Equerry reminiscent of the butler in noble colonial households, you will be immersed in the timeless romance and charm of The Barracks Hotel Sentosa. Coming in a close second in 2022, The Barracks Hotel Sentosa rose to the top this year based on glowing traveller reviews highlighting its warm hospitality, modern amenities and exquisite swimming pool, to name a few.
The distinguished Top Hotels list is a diverse ranking with winners from 19 countries worldwide, including 13 new winners for 2023.
Best of the Rest
Best Luxury Hotels: For travellers after the ultimate indulgence, this list recognises places with above-and-beyond hospitality and amenities for days. Also, the No.1 Top Hotel for 2023, Rambagh Palace in India, is the No 1 Luxury Hotel worldwide. In Singapore, the No. 1 ranked Luxury Hotel this year is Capella Singapore.
Best Small Hotels: Small hotels can make a big impression–none more so than the winners of this category, highlighting travellers’ favourite hotels with 30 rooms or less. White House Hotel in Istanbul takes the top spot in the world for the second consecutive year. Closer to home, the No. 1 ranked Small Hotel in Asia is Adiwana Monkey Forest in Ubud, Indonesia.
Best Family-Friendly Hotels: Planning a family getaway can be difficult enough. To take some of the pressure out of planning, Tripadvisor spotlights the best stays offering fun stuff for kids, plus all the perks for parents. No 1 in the world is Ikos Andalusia in Spain. In Asia, the No. 1 winner is Premier Village Danang Resort in Vietnam. It is also No. 7 in the world, the only Asian hotel awarded among the top 10 best in the world.
Best B&B and Inns: Great hospitality doesn’t always mean massive resorts; sometimes, the best stays are a cosy bed and breakfast. Last year’s favourites reign supreme: The Toulson Court in Scarborough, United Kingdom, takes the No. 1 spot in the world for the second year in a row. The Darien Resort located in Ramnagar tops the list, No.1 in Asia and in India.
Hottest New Hotels: As the hospitality industry continues to rebound, many new hotels have opened their doors, and OBLU SELECT Lobigili in the Maldives ranks No. 1 in the world. This 5-star resort, exclusively for adults, features nature-inspired designs that bring to life a secluded, castaway feel.
Out-of-the-Ordinary Hotels: Those looking for more bucket list adventures and Instagram-worthy photo-ops can explore Patagonia Camp in Chile, which is No. 1 in the world. Located within Torres del Paine National Park, this is the first luxury camp in South America with a chic collection of glamorous Yurts.
Best Hotels with Spas: Another new category for 2023. While many hotels aim to induce zen, none succeed quite like The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, the No 1 rated Spa Hotel. This is the “highest” hotel in the world, so it’s worth visiting the spa on the 116th floor for the views alone.
BestAll-Inclusive Hotels: For the hotels that hold everything you could ever need (and more), all in one place, Ozen Reserve Bolifushi in the Maldives is No.1 in the world.
Best Hotels for Sleep: For travellers seeking out sweet dreams, Dromoland Castle Hotel in Ireland is rated No 1 in the world in this inaugural category. Welcoming guests since the 16th century, this grand hotel is tucked away in 450 acres of land.
BANGKOK, 26 May 2023: Bangkok Airways has filed a permit to fly to Mae Hong Son from Lampang, a city just 100 km south of Chiang Mai in North Thailand, according to Mae Hong Son’s Chamber of Commerce Facebook post.
Last April, Nok Air ended its direct Bangkok – Mae Hong Son flight claiming heavy losses on the route.
Bangkok Airways will extend its Bangkok-Lampang service to Mae Hong Son on Monday, Wednesday and Friday starting 2 August. So far, the airline has not confirmed its plan for Mae Hong Son, and the chatbot told travellers checking the airline’s booking site to “wait for an “announcement on the airline’s Facebook fan page.”
But the Mae Hong Son Chamber of Commerce social media account offered more detail identifying the flight number PG205 flying the route Suvarnabhumi – Lampang – Mae Hong Son and PG206 on the return leg, saying the flights would stop in Lampang for about 40 minutes in both directions.
Bangkok Airways operates the 162-seat Airbus A320 on the route Bangkok-Chiang Mai. In contrast, the airline operates the smaller 70-seat ATR72-600 on the Bangkok-Lampang route, making it a better choice to fly on to Mae Hong Son, which is not a popular tourist destination.
HO CHI MINH CITY, 26 May 2023: A lively summer booking season will see Vietjet increase flights and add destinations in Asia that were suspended during the Covid pandemic.
The airline is planning additional flights from cities in Vietnam to India, Hong Kong and Singapore. At the same time, it will resume international flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Kochi in India, followed by the reintroduction of flights on the Danang – Hong Kong route.
A service linking the holiday island Phu Quoc in southern Vietnam to Hong Kong is on the cards. There are also plans to reinstate a Danang – Singapore service followed by Danang – Daegu (Korea) and Nha Trang – Seoul (Incheon, Korea).
The service from Ho Chi Minh City to Kochi, a port city in southwest India, will start on 12 August with four round trips/weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The flight will depart from HCMC at 1920 and arrive in Kochi at 2250 (local time). The return trip will depart at 2350 and arrive in HCM at 0640, the following morning.
The Phu Quoc-Hong Kong flight starts on 1 August, with three flights weekly on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Scheduled for 1 August, the Danang – Hong Kong service will start with four weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Danang reconnects with Daegu in Korea with a daily flight on 1 August.
Danang – Singapore flights will increase to two daily, and from Nha Trang to Seoul (Incheon, Korea) flights will increase to three daily effective from 13 August.
SINGAPORE, 26 May 2023: With the summer peak season quickly approaching, Travel Specialists at Scott Dunn have rounded up some of their favourite holiday recommendations in destinations spanning near and far, enhanced with authentic experiences guaranteed to delight kids and parents alike.
The options conjure up amazing experiences such as sighting leopards, lions and other iconic wildlife in the wilds of South Africa or training to be a gladiator for a day in Rome. Plus, trips to Greece and the Maldives.
Young explorers will be delighted by up-close encounters with wildlife on a safari to Africa.
Safari
Scott Dunn’s Africa Travel Specialist, Gwen Ho says: “The thrill of wildlife-watching not only enriches a child’s knowledge of the natural world but is a golden opportunity for family bonding. For families looking to head out on their first ever safari, South Africai is the ideal destination as it offers stunning natural landscapes, the chance to spot and learn more about the Big Five animals and spend quality time together.”
Scott Dunn recommends family-friendly lodges offering customised game drives and interactive experiences to educate, enthuse and inspire younger guests. Gwen recommends the Madikwe Safari Lodge, which is ideal for families and represents a ‘home-away-from-home’ in the bush. She adds, “The lodge caters particularly well for children, offering many activities such as bush orientation, bug CSI, animal tracking and a children’s den filled with a range of items to ensure they’re never bored”.
Madikwe is recognised as a malaria-free area, so parents can rest assured that their kids will have a safe and fulfilling trip,” she adds.
For those with older kids, bring animal conservation to life with a stay at the Kwandwe Ecca Lodge. This property embodies a funk-meets-futuristic-farmhouse ambience that offers a stylish and intimate family-friendly safari option in the Eastern Cape. Here, you can participate in Kwandwe’s exciting rhino darting and conservation programme or venture out alongside the rhino monitoring team deep into the reserve to learn about the habitats of this critically endangered species and Kwandwe’s efforts to protect and conserve them.
Sun
For families looking for culture and relaxation in the sun, Scott Dunn’s Europe Travel Specialist Geraleine Yap recommends a revitalising trip toItaly that offers a vast array of activities and locations perfect for families to create lasting memories: “The ancient Roman ruins, the ephemeral Vatican, the myriad winding streets and vibrant squares full of cafés and restaurants… guests are sure to find something that will delight every member of the family here,” she explains.
Let the little ones immerse themselves in history with a fun and educational ‘gladiator school’ experience in Rome.
Some of the experiences that Geraleine has arranged for families travelling to Italy include a thrilling ‘gladiator school’ experience. Housed in a restyled stadium, kids will learn how to become a trained gladiator for the day through the physical training, which includes lessons in hand-to-hand combat, complete with reproduced weapons, along with a guided tour of the museum to learn about the history of these famed warriors. While in Rome, she also suggests combining the trip with a jaunt down to the historic city of Florence, where you can treat your little gladiator to some ice cream by joining an authentic gelato-making workshop.
Sand & Sea
Closer to home, the Maldives archipelago offers stretches of white sandy beaches and clear azure waters to relax and explore. It’s the perfect place for adults to relax and for kids to frolic, says Lucien Lau, Scott Dunn’s Asia Travel Specialist. “A short, direct flight away from Singapore, Maldives is a great getaway destination for families looking for sand and sea,” he says. “The marine diversity, which is one of the most diverse and unique in the world, and its unrivalled natural beauty makes the Maldives a perfect family playground, with plenty of activities to keep the younger ones engaged while the adults unwind.”
For families, Lucien recommends the Niyama Private Islands, a luxury resort and a Scott Dunn guest favourite that features an exotic mix of spacious beachfront villas and “over water” pavilions, each with uninterrupted ocean views. The resort also has one of Scott Dunn’s well-loved Explorer Kids’ Clubs: Lucien shares that families love the Club’s tropical gardens and epic playground for the children to explore, as well as its outdoor kitchen where the kids can be their own Chef de Cuisine — all equipped with trained, professional childcare staff so guests can always be sure they’re leaving their children in good hands.
Greece is another popular summer destination for those who want to venture further. Families will discover a paradise on the unspoilt Aegean coast in the form of the Eagles Palace, which represents the best of traditional Mediterranean hospitality in an intimate, luxurious hotel. Go island hopping — and even take the wheel of the boat yourself — and visit quaint villages like the Ouranoupolis, located just four kilometres from the resort. Parents will also be delighted to know that the Eagles Palace is home to the exclusive Scott DunnAqua Explorers Club, which offers exciting water sports programmes for kids of all ages. The resort also boasts a newly-built Splash Park for children to use during kids club hours while fully equipped with state-of-the-art infant care equipment to give parents peace of mind throughout the vacation.
