TRAVEL+FOOD

Singapore Tourism Board, Travel, 360 MAGAZINE, Wego

WEGO × SINGAPORE

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Wego and Singapore Tourism Board sign co-marketing campaign to promote Singapore in the GCC
 
Wego, the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has partnered with Singapore Tourism Board (STB) Middle East, to drive more travelers from the GCC during the winter season to visit Singapore.
 
Wego and Singapore Tourism Board aim to increase brand and destination awareness to Singapore, showcasing the unique experiences, events and all-year-round activities. Whether you are traveling solo, as a couple, with your family or looking to fuel your adrenaline, Singapore offers a spectacular array of experiences that cater to all your needs.
 
Singapore’s cleanliness, safety, efficient public transport, world-class attractions and quality products and services have always been attributes that attract GCC tourists to Singapore. Beyond the basics, Singapore has many deeper, inspiring stories and authentic experiences waiting for travellers to discover.
 
The country is a food paradise with a wide variety of halal cuisine where visitors can enjoy their meals from hawker food stalls, up to the mid-class restaurants or fine-dining restaurants. Singapore is unique because you will not only find Michelin star chefs in fine dining restaurants but also at the street food hawker stalls.
 
Ms. Beverly Au Yong, Area Director Middle East, Singapore Tourism Board, said: “STB looks forward to our first collaboration with Wego in the Middle East. With the wide variety of specially curated experiences available in Singapore under our brand, Passion Made Possible, we have something for every passion tribe. Whether you are a Foodie, Explorer or Action-Seeker, these activities will provide visitors with unique experiences to embrace their passions with like-minded people in Singapore to celebrate their passions with.
 
From the world-class galleries and museums including the National Museum of Singapore, the Singapore Art Museum and National Gallery Singapore to the high flying thrills and world’s largest wind tunnel for indoor skydiving at Sentosa, the Universal Studios Singapore™ to the local labels and artisans and the green sanctuaries, this country has everything you’re looking for.
 
Mamoun Hmedan, Managing Director, MENA and India, Wego, said: “We’re excited to embark this partnership with one of the world’s global metropolis. We saw a 34% increase in the number of bookings to Singapore on our platform in H1 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. Through our partnership with Singapore Tourism Board, we aim to educate travellers and showcase Singapore’s unique offerings helping holidaymakers plan and book their next trip. We look forward to forging a long-lasting relationship with our partners offering them the best travel experience.”
 
Singapore being a little red dot on the world map with an area of 721.5km2 and a population of 5.64m attracted 18.5m visitors in 2018. This is a testimony that you should visit this ‘City in a Garden’ to experience what it has to offer. Look out for what Wego has to offer to make your passions possible.
 
 
About Wego
Wego provides award-winning travel search websites and top-ranked mobile apps for travellers living in the Asia Pacific and the Middle East regions. Wego harnesses powerful yet simple to use technology that automates the process of searching and comparing results from hundreds of airline, hotel and online travel agency websites.
 
Wego presents an unbiased comparison of all travel products and prices offered in the marketplace by merchants, both local and global, and enables shoppers to quickly find the best deal and place to book whether it is from an airline or hotel directly or with a third-party aggregator website.
 
Wego was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Dubai and Singapore with regional operations in Bangalore، Jakarta and Cairo.
 
About the Singapore Tourism Board
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore’s key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions.
 

LA Times, 360 MAGAZINE

LA Times The Taste – Costa Mesa Lineup

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The Los Angeles Times announced the lineup for its Costa Mesa edition of The Taste. Following its 10th anniversary on the Paramount Pictures Studios backlot, one of the most popular food and drink festivals is returning to Orange County for its second year to spotlight the vibrant cuisine and award-winning restaurants in the heart of Southern California.

Hosted by The Times’ Food staff, The Taste in Costa Mesa will take place at The MET over three sessions: one on Friday, Oct. 18 and two on Saturday, Oct. 19. Admission to each event includes unlimited samplings from dozens of local restaurants, premium cocktail tastings, plus demonstrations from renowned chefs and wine experts.

Friday, Oct. 18, 7 to 10 p.m.

L.A. Times Cooking Editor Genevieve Ko will host the opening event featuring Syrian pastry chef Maher Nakhal (Le Mirage Pastry) as he reveals the handcrafted artistry behind his authentic Middle Eastern desserts and French pastries. Critically acclaimed chef Ross Pangilinan (Terrace by Mix Mix) will showcase his eclectic style and Euro-Filipino flavors through a demo of one of his signature dishes, hosted by Times Features Writer Gustavo Arellano. Restaurants include: Filomena’s Italian Kitchen, Outpost Kitchen, Puesto, Tackle Box, The Ranch at Laguna Beach and WAVE Gourmet Burgers.

Saturday, Oct. 19, noon to 3 p.m.

Chef Carlos Salgado of Michelin-starred Taco María, will provide a glimpse into his contemporary, Mexican-influenced cooking with L.A. Times Cooking Columnist Ben Mims. Taking the crowd on a wine tour through Monterey County, Rob Baker (Southern Glazer’s) will lead a presentation on Bordeaux-style wine from Carmel Valley’s Bernardus Winery. Restaurants include: Karl Strauss Brewing Company, Mayors Table Pacific Pub & Kitchen, Mesa and Roba Noodle.

 Saturday, Oct. 19, 7 to 10 p.m.

The Taste festivities continue on Saturday night as chef Wing Lam (Wahoo’s Fish Tacos) will cook up his legendary Baja-style fish tacos, while Michelin-starred chef Tony Esnault (Knife Pleat) will demonstrate modern, seasonal interpretations of classic French techniques with Times Senior Food Writer Jenn Harris. Restaurants include: Bluegold, Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, CUCINA enoteca, Georgia’s Restaurant, Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar and Toast Kitchen + Bakery.

Travel Costa Mesa has partnered with nearby hotels to offer special packages that include a pair of tickets to The Taste with each night’s stay for a weekend “Eatcation” to explore more of the area’s diverse food and cultural scene.

Photo Courtesy of LA Times The Taste

Travelers Are Looking for Adventure

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When it comes to adventure travelers, China is an untapped market totaling USD $8.2B per year, according to new research from Bannikin Travel and Tourism, a leading travel consultancy based in Toronto and Hong Kong. The China Adventure Tourism Market Study, which surveyed more than 300 Chinese travelers over the age of 18 who had taken a trip in the past year, determined that 16.3% of respondents ­­— 23.49 million people — chose an adventure trip for their last holiday. For a market with outbound tourism numbers continuing to see double digit growth, this means there are considerable opportunities for adventure travel brands looking to expand their product offerings for Chinese adventurers.

“This report delves deep into who Chinese adventure travelers are—their planning habits, income, spending habits and dream destinations,” said Natasha Martin, managing director of Bannikin Asia. “We’ve never had better insight into how to market towards the Asian travel market and break into one of the largest tourism spends out there.” The 2019 study found that 2.7% of departures could be categorized as ‘hard adventure,’ while 13.6% pursued ‘soft adventure’ experiences. Though Chinese consumers do not necessarily associate adventure travel with risk-taking activities, such as rafting or mountain biking, they do associate it with remote destinations that can be perceived as exotic and potentially dangerous.

The survey was sent with the objective of discovering how many Chinese travelers actively seek-out adventure while on vacation. Here are the report’s main findings: The total adventure market size for China (based on accommodation spending only) is USD $8.2B per year. Adventure travel spend from China represents 0.64% of total international tourism spend. The top destinations for adventure travelers were United States, Thailand, Australia and Japan.Time in nature, camping and backpacking are some of the most popular activities for Chinese adventure tourists. 72% of Chinese adventure travelers spend between 4-10 days abroad, lower than Western adventure travelers. Bannikin Travel & Tourism runs a leading travel trade development satellite office in Hong Kong, with a team of Asia market experts to assist destinations and tour operators on how to tap into the burgeoning Asia adventure marketplace.

New Spa and Health Club

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Recognized as one of the finest luxury hotels in Dublin, The Merrion has unveiled its latest offering, The Merrion Spa and Health Club. Replacing the hotel’s smaller original spa, the brand-new spa spreads across the hotel’s lower ground floor. It features six treatment rooms, a steam room and sauna, gym and the original 60-foot infinity pool with its iconic hand-painted mural backdrop. Additionally, the club houses a new salon operated by award-winning hairdresser, Ciaran Nevin, and physiotherapy services from Milltown Physiotherapy and Personal Training.

Designed by Georgian interiors expert, Alice Roden – whose work is evident throughout the Merrion – this is a tranquil sanctuary where the highest standard of wellness and elegant design create a private retreat amid the hustle and bustle of the city. Neutral colors, soft Irish fabrics and delicate lighting create a calming space for hotel guests.With some of the world’s leading brands and Ireland’s key professionals as partners, The Merrion Spa and Health Club offers an all-encompassing service, including a new partnership with the globally renowned French skincare brand Biologique Recherche. Signature treatments will also be available from luxurious skincare brand ESPA.  

The Vitality Club Bar area is the ideal space for relaxing after a treatment and sampling a ‘Mean Greens’ juice or herbal tea. Alternatively, guests can enjoy a glass of sparkling wine in the relaxation room, wrap up in an Urban Aran blanket and admire the artwork.

Hours of Opening:
The Merrion Spa and Health Club:
6:30am – 9:00pm Monday through Friday
8:00am – 9:00pm Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday MondaysTreatment Times:
9:30am – 8:30pm Monday through Friday
10:00am – 7:30pm Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays

ABOUT THE MERRION:
The union of four restored Georgian townhouses, joined with a contemporary Garden Wing, The Merrion’s 123 guest rooms and 19 suites include a two-floor Penthouse Suite and private rooftop terrace. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, The Merrion houses the largest collection of private art in Ireland outside of the National Gallery. The hotel features two bars: the Cellar Bar, located in the original 18th-century vaults, and an intimate cocktail bar called No. 23. The Merrion houses The Garden Room restaurant, located in the hotel’s private gardens, as well as Patrick Guilbaud, Ireland’s only two-star Michelin restaurant. In 2019, the Merrion unveiled a new Spa and Health Club, offering a range of treatments, as well as a steam room, sauna, gym and an in-house pool.