Emma Talbot Wins Max Mara Art Prize for Women
By Lifestyle+Travel
Max Mara, Whitechapel Gallery and Collezione Maramotti are delighted to announce Emma Talbot as the winner of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women. This prestigious prize supports UK-based female artists who have not previously had a major solo exhibition.
The London-based artist works in painting, sculpture, installation, and drawing. Her practice investigates personal narrative, inner landscapes, and our relationship with nature and technology.
As the winner Talbot will spend six months in Italy on a bespoke residency planned for later this year, creating a new body of work to be shown in 2021 first at the Whitechapel Gallery and then at the Collezione Maramotti, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
By Lifestyle+Travel
Trip.com’s enhancing strategies for capturing the hearts of travellers worldwide
Trip.com, which is currently at the forefront of its market, provides a one-stop-shop for all of your travel needs, including flights, hotels, auto rentals, and travel insurance, giving a seamless experience that is more convenient than booking across several platforms. According to Mr. Boon Sian Chai, Managing Director and Vice President of International Markets at Trip.com Group, "Personalization is essential. Trip.com can provide highly personalized travel experiences by leveraging big data and AI. Trip Genie, an AI vacation planning helper, exhibits this by offering personalized recommendations, special bargains, and tailored itineraries." While client happiness is a key satisfaction of Trip.com's strategy, the company also emphasizes strong supplier partnerships to build mutually advantageous arrangements that improve the customer experience. "This requires a sophisticated understanding and integration into the local travel ecosystem, allowing us to provide more personalized and relevant travel experiences. By integrating local data, we improve our capacity to fulfill the unique demands of each market. We invested in launching our branding project with AOT (Airport of Thailand) to gain impressions, which contributed to a very strong MoM uplift, bringing Trip.com search volume to a new level with Pre-Launch vs Post-Launch: +93% and Lifetime Thailand average search volume: +134% YOY," said Mr. Boon Sian Chai. In terms of sustainability, Mr Boon Sian Chai notes that "The platform also emphasizes low-carbon travel options, which aligns with the preferences of approximately 85% of business travelers who prioritize sustainable choices." Trip.com has also added a feature that showcases sustainable hotels certified by GSTC-Accredited Certification Bodies, promoting eco-friendly bookings and strengthening its aim to becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
By Lifestyle+Travel
King Khalid University Partners with Leading Five-Star Hotels and Hospitality Organizations for a Hospitality Training Program in Thailand
King Khalid University (KKU) has announced a significant partnership with leading five-star hotels in Thailand to initiate an inaugural internship program for tourism and hospitality management students. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which seeks to attract 100 million tourists annually by 2030 and position the Kingdom as a major global tourism hub. This partnership is part of The Apprenticeship Program for Training in the Tourism Sector, an initiative launched by the Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia to enhance the skills and expertise of individuals in the tourism and hospitality industry. The program provides participants with hands-on training opportunities through collaborations with leading global hospitality institutions. Its objective is to equip trainees with practical experience and international exposure, enabling them to contribute effectively to the growth and development of the tourism sector in Saudi Arabia. Dr. Reham Mashat, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism at KKU, revealed that 14 students pursuing degrees in International Hospitality Management and Mountain Resort Management will embark on a two-month internship program in Thailand. The initiative, supported by the Saudi Arabian government and the Ministry of Tourism, focuses on providing hands-on hospitality management experience in Thailand—a globally recognized tourism leader. The program also aims to foster long-term, mutually beneficial relationships between the two nations within the tourism sector. The selected students will gain practical experience at prominent destinations, including Bangkok and Phuket. Their placements include the Al Meroz Hotel in Bangkok, the leading halal-certified hotel catering to Muslim travelers, and the Amatara Welleisure™ Resort in Phuket, a multi-award-winning wellness resort known for combining luxury with holistic well-being. The program is designed to equip students with valuable industry experience, preparing them to contribute to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious tourism goals upon their return. A key component of this program is its collaboration with Siam Senses, a leading Thai hospitality management brand under World Reward Solutions. With extensive expertise in managing luxury and mid-range hospitality properties, Siam Senses is committed to promoting exceptional service standards and operational excellence. The brand will play a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the training program by offering students practical exposure to core hospitality functions, guest services, and cultural sensitivity training within the Thai tourism context. Additionally, the program highlights the importance of Aseer, a rapidly developing region in Saudi Arabia that is central to the Kingdom’s tourism growth strategy. Nestled amidst scenic mountains, Aseer is set to become a global year-round tourism destination through substantial government investments aimed at enhancing infrastructure, eco-tourism, and cultural offerings. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, pleasant climate, and rich heritage, Aseer is poised to attract international visitors seeking nature, adventure, and cultural experiences. Looking ahead, King Khalid University and the Saudi government plan to expand this internship program, targeting the placement of over 400 students in Thailand by 2026. This collaboration is expected to strengthen bilateral ties between Saudi Arabia and Thailand, as both nations work toward establishing themselves as prominent players in the global tourism industry. The logistics and coordination of the internship program in Thailand are managed
By Lifestyle+Travel
100 ULTRA LUXURY THAILAND 2025 UNVEILED
Lifestyle and Travel Media and Silver Voyage Club recently joined hands to introduce "100 ULTRA LUXURY THAILAND 2025," for the first time among the friends in the top hospitality industry in Thailand at EKKALUCK Bangkok, Madi Paidi Bangkok, Autograph Collection. This special collaboration project: "100 ULTRA LUXURY THAILAND 2025" will, for the first time, compile a list of the top 100 ultra-luxurious high-end tourism offerings in Thailand including hotels, resorts, restaurants, spas, and other lifestyle services such as limousines, yachts, and private jets. This special publication will be available in executive lounges of five-star hotels in Thailand and the Middle East.