The global hospitality company has inked an agreement with Oman’s Golden Group of Companies to manage the 370-room Movenpick Hotel Muscat Airport, part of a new upscale mixed-use project under development near Muscat International Airport, which will also feature retail and commercial space covering 3,000sqm and 10,000sqm respectively when it opens in 2021.

It expands Movenpick’s inventory pipeline to almost 1,000 rooms countrywide after deals to operate Movenpick Hotel & Apartments Al Azaiba Muscat and Movenpick Hotel Bausher Muscat were recently signed.

The three properties will capitalise on Oman’s growing importance as a regional hub for business and leisure tourism, spurred by the development of new infrastructure that ranges from conference centres to cruise terminals. At the same time, Muscat International Airport is undergoing extensive renovations and expansion that will boost its annual capacity from 12 million to 48 million passengers when the redevelopment project is fully completed.

“Adding a third property to our Muscat portfolio cements our position as a prominent hotel operator in the Sultanate’s capital and supports our cluster strategy for the city, with each hotel offering a unique product, design and location to target different guest demographics,” explained Andrew Langdon, chief development officer, Movenpick Hotels & Resorts.

“Movenpick Hotel Muscat Airport is just minutes from one of the Gulf region’s most active airports and as Muscat International and its home carrier, Oman Air, continue to witness strong growth, bringing millions of visitors to Muscat each year, the property is well placed to meet this demand with a convenient and high-quality hospitality offering.”

The property, which is located at the intersection of two major roads, Sultan Qaboos Highway and Al Mouj Street in the residential districts of Mawaleh and Seeb, will feature 245 rooms and suites and 125 serviced apartments, 2,450sqm of conference and banqueting space, one speciality restaurant, an all-day dining outlet, a lobby lounge, executive lounge and 24-hour room service.

Find out more at http://www.Movenpick.com.

Situated at the entrance to the picturesque village of Vals, guests can indulge in the culinary delights of its various restaurants from morning till night. The packages are priced at CHF 250 (Bt8,440) per adult a day and CHF 125 per child, aged 6-12 years, a day, which all dishes (with the exception of caviar and truffles) are included in the flat fee from midday on the date of your arrival to midday on the date of your departure.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in between, the choice is yours, ranging from modern cuisine with regional and international ingredients at the 7132 Red, headed by Ulf Bladt or perhaps down-to-earth Italian fare in a relaxing setting under Cesare Zucca at DaPap?.

Or you can sample two-star dishes crafted by Sven Wassmer (subject to a surcharge and separate reservation) and enjoy a complimentary meal at the 7132 Blue Bar and at Glenn’s Lodge in the village centre. Advance bookings are required for dinner at the Restaurant 7132 Silver (Wednesday to Sunday), for which a surcharge of CHF 100 per person is payable.

Staying at the 7132 Hotel transports visitors out of the dull grey of mainstream existence and immerses them in the last true luxury of hectic modern world. This is a place to come and unwind in a uniquely stylish and inspiring setting.

Check out the best rates at https://7132.com/en.

The world class e-sports competition will take place at the Arena of Stars at Resorts World Genting, Malaysia from January 23 to 28 and marks the third official Minor tournament of the year, as the top 16 Dota 2 teams will not only battle over a prize pool of US$400,000 (Bt13.24 million) but also for 400 coveted qualifying points that are collected to determine the eight direct invites to The International 2018.

Out of the 16 participating teams, the world’s best will receive a direct invite to take part in the group stages of ESL One Genting 2018. The other remaining spots will be filled with the winners of the regional qualifiers that are being held all over the globe. Prior to the grand finals, which will be played in the Best of 5 (Bo5) format, the quarterfinals and semifinals will be played out in the Best of (Bo3) format using single elimination.

Two major ESL events, both featuring the multiplayer online battle arena game Dota 2, have already been held in Southeast Asia: ESL One Manila 2016 and ESL One Genting 2017. Earlier this year, more than 5,000 fans attended ESL One Genting 2017 on each of the three main event days, and more than 1.4 million viewers consumed around 4.5 million hours of content online. The two teams Newbee and Digital Chaos fought their way up to the Grand Finals, delivering some tough and thrilling matches, with Digital Chaos taking home the ESL One trophy and US$125,000 in prize share.

According to the latest studies of the international market research company Newzoo, the Southeast Asian region is expected to grow up to 16 million e-sports enthusiasts, which adds up to an e-sports audience of 33.8 million (including occasional viewers) in 2018. Southeast Asia is the fifth largest region in terms of e-sports enthusiasts of which the majority with 38 per cent are playing Dota 2, followed by League of Legends with 32 per cent and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive with 9 per cent.

After this year’s successful kick-off of the flagship series ESL One, which was held for the very first time at the Arena of Stars in Malaysia, the organisers couldn’t wait to return to Genting.

“Following ESL One Genting 2017, which we saw as a huge success amongst enthusiastic young millennials at the event, Resorts World Genting is proud to be the host as the venue sponsor for the second year running,” said Kevin Tann, Vice President of Promotions & Entertainment at ResortsWorld Genting. “E-sports is recognised as the next big thing in marketing and the size of the global e-sports audience has rapidly grown. One-fifth of the world is said to actively play video games for an average of an hour a day. This is a complex and fast-changing universe, and we are eager to be part of it. Through ESL One Genting, we hope to connect with e-sports fans in a way that delivers added value to their experience and to the sport. Ticket sales for ESL One Genting in Malaysia start this Thursday (October 19) at 1pm. There will be a ticket for everyone, including Weekend Tickets, Plus Tickets and Premium Tickets that range in price from RM180 (Bt1,410) to RM620. For more information, visit https://en.esl-one.com/gate/

“Sri Lanka is a new frontier for Marriott International, and Weligama Bay Marriott Resort & Spa is an innovative addition to Marriott Hotels’ growing portfolio of resorts in Asia-Pacific, said Mike Fulkerson, vice president, brand & marketing, Asia-Pacific, Marriott International.

“The resort is a great base for travellers who want to experience the wealth of Sri Lanka’s rich culture and natural attractions while also enjoying the beautiful beachfront resort, facilities and F&B offerings. We believe Marriott will lead the way in redefining the resort hotel experience in Sri Lanka.”

The innovative hotel offers more than 200 well-designed, modern rooms and suites boasting private balconies that look out onto breathtaking views of Weligama Bay. The resort boasts 3,360sqm of combined outdoor and indoor meeting spaces that includes a creative banquet space that can host up to 2,000 guests, making it the ideal location for themed weddings and socials events.

Guests have the option of dining at four speciality restaurants at the resort. The all-day dining restaurant, Weligama Kitchen is spread across different zones, each with an interactive live kitchen focused on a distinct cuisine that serves authentic local dishes and international flavours.

The Big Fish is a chef-driven restaurant offering gourmet seafood dining in a relaxed yet elegant setting; Tides is an integration of the Lobby and Lobby Lounge with a clearly defined bar which transitions from coffee and pastries during the day to cocktails and light bites in the evening; and The Mirissa Banking Company provides freshly-baked desserts and snacks, accompanied by a selection of fine coffee, fresh juices and speciality drinks.

The resort provides a large, indoor kid’s activity centre with fun-filled game zones and play areas. Adults can find refuge at the resort’s renowned Quan Spa, which offers authentic Ayurvedic therapies alongside modern techniques to relax and revitalise the body and mind. The resort also provides a fitness centre with three outdoor swimming pools for active guests.

Find out more at http://www.Marriott.com/hotels/travel/cmbmc-weligama-bay-marriott-resort-and-spa.

 Set to open in 2020, this will be the company’s first property in Cote d’Ivoire and one of four currently in active development in the region. The other three are Movenpick Hotel & Residences Nairobi in Kenya, which is on track to open in 2018, Movenpick Hotel Addis Ababa in Ethiopia set to open in 2019 and Movenpick Hotel & Conference Centre Abuja in Nigeria set for completion in 2020.

“As building work on Mövenpick Hotel Abidjan commences, we take another step closer to realising our ambitious expansion plans for the Sub-Saharan region,” said Andrew Langdon, chief development officer, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts.

“Opening a modern lifestyle hotel in Cote d’Ivoire’s commercial and banking centre is a strategic move that not only capitalises on Abidjan’s growing prominence as a major business hub, but reinforces Movenpick Hotels & Resorts’ presence in West Africa. This is crucial to our development strategy as we actively seek opportunities to grow our portfolio and become a leading hospitality company in the region.”

Situated in the heart of the city’s Le Plateau business district, home to such local landmarks as St Paul’s Cathedral and Banco National Park, Movenpick Hotel Abidjan will feature an all-day dining restaurant; a lounge/bar, an Executive Club Lounge, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and contemporary meeting space.

It is a joint venture between Societe Abidjanese de Promotion Industrielles et Immobilieres (Saprim), a private company that owns the office complex and mall adjacent to the property, and renowned construction firm Bouygues Batiment International.

Co-organised by the non-profit Hoca Foundation and the Herge Museum, the immersive experience will feature vivid scenography of the imaginative world created by the Belgian illustrator and creator of Tintin, Herge.

The exhibition will be held from November 17 to December 26 at the new ArtisTree, a venue sponsored by Swire Properties. A public two-day conference, as well as a series of educational comic art workshops will run in parallel, tailored for students in collaboration with local schools.

Created in 1929, the Tintin adventures have been translated into over more than languages and sold more than 230 million copies worldwide. Each thematic section of the exhibition has been designed to bring the intrepid boy reporter to life. It traces Herge’s path from his first stories to his mature works, following Tintin as he crosses continents between North America, Africa, Asia, Europe and beyond.

A cultural touchstone of the 20th century, the canonical series of Tintin albums featured include “Tintin in America”; “Cigars of the Pharaoh”; “The Blue Lotus”; “The Broken Ear”; “King Ottokar’s Sceptre”; “The Shooting Star”; “The Red Sea Sharks” and “Tintin in Tibet”. Packed with gripping adventures, action and page-turning humour, the show highlights Tintin beyond the fictional narrative, offering glimpses of the social and political contexts of its time.

Visual art has played an important role in documenting historical events, and the series serve as vehicles to express Herge’s views on the various conflicts he witnessed during his lifetime. Ushering in a new dimension in comic strips, the Tintin series has since been recognised as an important work of art that reflects the changing perspectives of its audience throughout the 1900s.

The exhibition also includes three specially created models of Tintin scenes, including a model of Tintin’s apartment; a large diorama of the ticker tape parade in Chicago from “Tintin in America”, highlighting Herge’s sophisticated use of perspective; and a collector’s model of a street scene populated by signature Tintin cars, accurately rendered from the automobiles of the time.

Flanked by colourful scenes set in vinyl throughout the space and reconstituted as the show’s wallpaper, the exhibition design transforms Herge’s motifs into a compelling environment that befits his trademark characters and evokes the illustrator’s magical world and limitless imagination.

Three pop-up shops will also be presented around Hong Kong, at ArtisTree, CityPlaza and Central, presenting a wide range of Tintin gifts, books and memorabilia.

Find out more at http://www.Hoca.org.

Under the programme, prominent chefs across key markets in the Asia Pacific region, Thailand included will be drawing up a collection of exclusive recipes, allowing travellers to embraceculture through local gastronomy delights from the comforts of their Airbnb kitchen.

Airbnb knows that people – regardless of where they’re from, how old they are and how many are in their group – increasingly want to live like locals and have authentic experiences when they travel. The recent Airbnb’s APAC Travel survey showed that Thais enjoy trying local food and drinks (66 per cent), reconnecting with family and friends (64 per cent), and immersing themselves in local culture (53 per cent). The survey further showed that amongst Thais, family travellers (46 per cent) are much more likely to cook in their Airbnb listing compared to 21 per cent of solo travelers. Whether you travel as a family or explore a city on your own, this initiative is designed to celebrate Thai food and showcase how easy it can be to cook and eat delicious local cuisine from the comfort of their own listing – so no one has to miss out.

As part of the collaboration, Kittichai has also developed three original recipes – all Thai favourites, but with his own creative twist – that can be made using 10 ingredients or less, and are therefore perfect for families or groups of friends who love to cook and eat together when they travel.

“I’m passionate about food and the role it plays in Thai culture, as well as its power to bring people together, no matter where they’re from. That’s why I am so honoured and delighted to partner with Airbnb on this project, helping more people experience authentic Thai life in the best possible way – through their stomachs!,” said Chef Ian.

“I’m a huge Airbnb fan, having stayed in Airbnb listings in France, New York, London and have seen firsthand the range of well-equipped and beautiful kitchens available that make me feel like I’m cooking in my very own home.”

“At Airbnb, we know food is a huge influence on destination decision-making and when it comes to local cuisine, Thailand is hard to beat. Sampling local dishes is also one of the best ways travelers can experience a new local culture and community, which is why we’re so excited about our Airbnb Kitchens of Asia campaign, and our collaboration with Chef Ian Kittichai. Beyond his culinary prowess but his thirst for adventure and the ability to allow people to connect and have a shared experience over a local Thai meal,” said Robin Kwok, Airbnb’s country manager for Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

“There’s nothing better than sitting round a table with a big group of family and friends and sharing a meal, so we hope this initiative will encourage more travellers to try their hand and cooking up their own authentic masterpieces when they travel, in some of Airbnb’s very best kitchens.”

Find out more at Airbnb’s website.

The city has a long history and is home to three special economic zones: Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Shantou. Fares for the Phuket to Guangzhou direct flight startsat Bt4,690. Passengers will receive full service with a baggage allowance of 20 kilograms and food and beverage during the flight.

Travellers can book a flight from today until the end of month for flights between October 29 and December 31. Seats are limited and may not be available on some flights. International route prices might change due to exchange rates on the reservation date.

Find more by calling 1181 or visit http://www.ThaiSmileAir.com.

THE LAST royal capital of Myanmar, Mandalay has long been considered a melting pot of culture as well as its religious hub with a reputation for offering the best Buddhist education in the land.

Sitting on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River, Mandalay was founded in 1857 when King Mindon Min moved the capital from Amarapura to the foot of Mandalay Hill, purportedly to fulfil a prophecy that a great Buddhist Kingdom would be built on this land, but more probably to protect it from attack by the British Army.

Mahamuni Monastery is famous for its highly revered daily face washing ritual. 

Today, the northern town is a teeming metropolis of 1.5 million and a leading trade hub connecting the upper and lower parts of the country with China and India. It is also a popular tourist destination with hundreds of thousands of visitors coming every year to admire its ancient monasteries and golden temples.

“British colonial rule separated our country into Upper and Lower Myanmar and brought plenty of immigrants from India. We adopted the cultures of China, Thailand and India. The British didn’t settle here though, finding it too hot and humid, so you won’t see colonial architecture. And because this area is prone to earthquakes, we don’t have any wooden houses or high-rises either. Mandalay is Myanmar’s second largest city and a major economic centre in Upper Burma but 60 per cent of its population are still farmers growing mainly corn and rice,” our local guide says proudly.

The U Bein bridge connects two villages on the banks of Thaungthaman Lake.  

“Mandalay is the land of monks. Our Buddhist education is the best. Families will send their children to a monastery, where they spend 15 years learning dharma in addition to their lessons. Like many others I learned English at a monastery and not at school. The tourism industry has created a lot of jobs since the country opened up and during the low season, we all go back to farming.”

One of the most popular tourist attractions is Mandalay Palace. Surrounded by stone walls and moats, this royal residential compound with more than 40 buildings was severely damaged by bombs during World War II with reconstruction only commencing in 1989. The old watch tower is a vantage point from which to look out over the landscape. Not far away is the Mya Nan San Kyaw Golden Palace Cultural Museum with its rare collection of artefacts reflecting Burmese craftsmanship of the old days.

Destroyed in an allied bombing raid during World War II, Mandalay Palace was painstakingly rebuilt following the original design.

“The royal residence was constructed by King Mindon between 1857 and 1859 using old teak wood from the old palace in Amarapura. Most of buildings were razed to the ground by allied bombing and only the watch tower survived,” says the guide.

The museum is divided into two halls, the first of which is dedicated to Buddhism. Among the treasure are an ancient shrine of gilded, a carved Buddha image, elaborate carved wood gables from Amarapura and the palanquin used for carrying Buddha statue and Buddhist scriptures.

The second room features the glass bedstead that King Thibaw bought from France and donated to Mahamuni Pagoda in 1884, beautiful handcrafted lacquerware-adorned mosaics and traditional costumes.

Five minutes from the royal palace is Shwenandaw Monastery, with its fine teak carvings depicting the tales of the Buddha.

Built in 1878 by King Thibaw Min, who dismantled and relocated the apartment formerly occupied by his father, King Mindon, it has a four-tiered roof and walls adorned with elegantly sculpted wood. Years of exposure to the elements have worn away the original gilt and glass mosaics, but the temple is still beautiful.

Shwenandaw Monastery has been recognised for its teak carvings. 

Also at the foot of Mandalay Hill is the Kuthodaw Pagoda and its hundreds of shrines housing inscribed marble slabs. The pagoda is also called “the world’s largest book”, in honour of the 729 marble slabs inscribed with Buddhist teachings that took more than eight years to complete. The bell-shaped gold pagoda borrows a unique design from Swhezigon pagoda in Bagan and is guarded around its base by four golden lions.

Visitors also climb the steps to the top of Mandalay Hill, home to the Sutaungpyei Pagoda with its magnificent Burmese-style Buddha statues in different postures and a large tiled terrace that offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city as the sun goes down.

Mandalay Hill is a great place to watch the sun setting over the city. 

Our second day in the city starts at 3am with a visit to Mahamuni Monastery, where pilgrims are allowed to witness the revered daily face washing ritual.

Constructed in the 18th century by King Bodawpaya, the temple is home to the sacred Mahamuni Buddha statue – its name means the great image – which was brought from Rakhine State. This 30-minute ceremony starts at 4.30am and sees the abbot washing the face of the Buddha image with thanaka powder-infused water, then brushing its teeth and waxing its ears.

“Burmese people believe the Mahamuni image is alive since it was created by Gautama Buddha,” our guide explains before leading us to the jetty to board a ferry to the old town of Mingun in Sagaing region. The private cruise takes 30 minutes and offers a visual delight of small villages and gold pagodas.

The old town of Mingun is home to the unfinished Mingun Pagoda, the world’s largest ringing Mingun Bell and the beautiful white Mya Theintan Pagoda. 

The ruins of the Mingun Pagoda are just a short walk from the pier. Built in 1790 by King Bodawpaya, it was set to become the largest stupa in the country but was never completed. A pair of unfinished lion statues, designed as the guardians, were left unfinished when the king died and in 1839, the stupa was badly damaged in an earthquake. Huge cracks are visible in the structure, which visitors are no longer allowed to enter.

“The King spent plenty of money to buy the best bricks for the Mingun Pagoda but the cracks appeared because the foundations are weak,” says the guide.

The world’s largest bell – the Mingun Bell – is a short distance away. Constructed in 1808 and weighing more than 90,000 kilograms, it stands more than six metres high.

Mingun is also home to the white Mya Theintan Pagoda, which was erected in 1816 by Crown Prince Bagyidaw to pay tribute to his first consort, Princess Hsinbyume, who died in childbirth.

Designed to resemble Mount Meru, its base is shaped like waves to represent the seven mountain ranges around the sacred mountains and its top is adorned with gold spires. It was restored in 1874 by King Mingdon following an earthquake and has a Buddha image enshrined in the main hall.

Back in Mandalay we board a bus for the 11-kilometre ride to the old capital of Amarapura, arriving at the famous Mahagandayon Monastery to watch as the 1,500 resident monks form a long line to receive food from tourists.

“Unlike in Thailand, monks hardly ever go around the streets to receive alms. Instead, the faithful come to cook lunch for the monks at the temple,” the guide tells us.

The U Bein bridge connects two villages on the banks of Thaungthaman Lake.  

Famous for its enforcement of the Vinaya – the 227 steps of monastic discipline – Mahagandayon is the biggest monastery in the town and was built in 1914 by Agati Thukha Sayadaw then restored by local Buddhist devotees after World War II.

Another landmark of Amarapura is the famed U Bein bridge. Stretching a full kilometre and connecting two villages on either side of Thaungthaman Lake, the bridge was constructed from teak in 1850 and features 1,086 pillars, some of which have been replaced with concrete.

“The level of the lake is high during the monsoon season so local residents come here to fish for crab and prawns. Amarapura is also famous for its quality silk,” the guide says.

The writer travelled courtesy of the Tourism Authority of Thailand as part of its Asean Connectivity |campaign to promote travel between Myanmar, Thailand |and Laos.

Executive chef Dickson Fung oversees the overall culinary operations including Se7enth restaurant, located on the seventh floor of the property. Under his leadership, Se7enth serves quality international cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A daily buffet breakfast focuses on the finest, freshest produce, while highlights for lunch and dinner include Australian Grain-Fed Rib-Eye Steak, Pan-Seared Salmon and Crispy Chicken Drumlets, as well as Fung’s signature dishes like the Sirloin Beef Hor Fun and Wagyu Beef Burger with Pan-Fried Foie Gras. The 74-seater restaurant is available to host large groups for social or business gatherings, and in-room dining services are available for guests from 7am to noon daily.

The intimate lobby bar, conveniently located in an enclave off the main lobby, offers a smart-casual setting that works as an informal meeting point, aperitif spot or post-dinner night cap venue.

The Oakwood Executive Club lounge is another first for serviced apartments in Singapore, epitomising luxury living in the city. Located on the expansive outdoor deck with views overlooking the outdoor infinity pool and city skyline, the private lounge is exclusive to guests who sign up for club privileges.

Club guests are also entitled to complimentary use of the Executive Boardroom, an intimate meeting venue boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and state-of-the-art amenities. A range of boardroom packages with coffee break and lunch options are available for booking at an additional fee, with menus created by the in-house culinary team.

“Singapore is renowned for its thriving food scene, so we’re delighted to be able to offer our guests a comprehensive in-house dining experience that rivals the standards available in the city. This is all made possible by our hand-picked team of experts who oversee and implement quality control for the culinary concepts and service at our restaurant, bar and the Executive Club lounge”, says general manager Roy Liang.

The restaurant and bar are also open to local patrons. For details, visit http://www.OakwoodAsia.com/Singapore-CentralBusinessDistrict.