Antalya, Turkiye, November 11, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / We are Ari & Leila. At twenty-four, our lives are measured in carbon equivalents, atmospheric parts per million & global heating lines. As climate scientists, we often find ourselves trapped in rooms full of terrifying numbers.

But data without human connection changes nothing. Today we are visiting Antalya in Turkiye.

Accompanying us is Dodo, a witty, fully interactive AI holographic projection modeled after the extinct species. Dodo acts as our environmental conscience and carbon-footprint tracker.

Our journey is guided by:

• The Earth Charter, spearheaded by the late Maurice Strong & Mikhael Gorbachev at the turn of the century. It treats environmental integrity, heritage protection, and peace as one single interconnected mission.
• Climate Friendly Travel (CFT) developed by SUNx Malta to deliver Climate Resilient, Sustainable & Nature Positive Tourism for a brighter future for our kids.
• CanadaStrong.travel, a coalition of Travel & Tourism SDG 17 partners promoting friendship in Peace Parks around the world. It includes IIPT, SUNx Malta, WSHA, PATA, Earth Charter Institute, POP, Ingle International, Tripian and WTN.

CHAPTER 1: Hadrian’s Gate

Standing where Antalya’s modern avenues meet the old quarter, Hadrian’s Gate is a breathtaking monument to 2nd-century Roman craftsmanship. Built in 130 AD to honor Emperor Hadrian, It features majestic Corinthian columns sculpted from smooth white marble. Tthousands of travelers pass beneath its carved cornices daily.

However, the Mediterranean climate crisis is creating unprecedented physical stress. Intense summer heatwaves are heavily amplified by the surrounding asphalt, creating an urban heat island effect that pushes midday temperatures past 45°C. This extreme heat triggers severe thermal expansion & nighttime contraction within the marble. This breaks down the stone, causing micro-fractures.

Leila pressed a digital thermal scanner against a weathered marble base, watching the screen glow a deep crimson. “The stone is literally baking from the inside out,” she warned Ari, pointing to a new hairline crack splitting the Roman masonry. “The marble can’t take sustained heatwaves. If atmospheric warming continues, it will create irreversible structural failure within decades.”

Dodo looked up at the carvings with a sharp gaze, squawking that even the strongest Roman masonry can’t fight a changing climate without help. Ari nodded, sketching out a sustainable engineering blueprint on his tablet. “With retractable, solar-powered shading sails at midday and sub-surface cooling loops, we can stabilize the stone’s temperature and protect it for another two thousand years.”

CHAPTER 2: Kaleici

The trio walked down into the winding alleys of Kaleiçi, Antalya’s historic quarter. This coastal neighborhood is famous for its narrow cobblestone streets, ancient sea walls, and rows of beautifully preserved Ottoman-era wooden mansions. Centuries ago, builders smartly designed these homes with overhanging upper floors to catch refreshing sea breezes and guide them through the tight residential corridors.

However, a growing Mediterranean heat dome is disrupting this delicate setting. Intense summer heatwaves and heavy, trapped humidity stifle natural coastal airflow through the narrow streets. Instead of cooling the town, the stagnant, damp air causes moisture to build up inside traditional plaster walls, rotting the original timber frames from the inside. At the same time, severe winter droughts bake the upper floors, drying out the ancient wooden beams until they become exceptionally brittle.

Leila paused by a weathered wooden facade, running her hand along a beam that felt surprisingly light. “The climate stress here hits from two sides,” she told Ari, checking her device. “Constant humidity attacks the inner frames, while blistering droughts strip away external moisture. We are looking at a historic neighborhood where beautiful wooden homes are turning into fragile tinderboxes, creating a massive fire risk if the local power grid overloads during peak summer tourism spikes.”

Dodo looked down the narrow alley with deep concern. “Slapping loud, energy-guzzling air conditioners onto these delicate wooden walls just dumps more heat into the streets and chokes the town further,” the Dodo squawked. Ari nodded, logging the details on his tablet to outline a cleaner solution. “We need to bring back traditional central courtyard fountains for natural evaporative cooling, and combine them with solar-powered attic vents to keep air moving safely without relying on the power grid.”

CHAPTER 3: Hidirilik Tower

At the edge of the old city walls, the cylindrical stone mass of Hıdırlık Tower stands proudly over Antalya’s historic harbor. Built by the Romans in the 2nd century, this imposing structure served for generations as both a defensive fortress and a vital maritime beacon. The tower now features a modern glass observation deck where tourists gather to watch the Mediterranean waves crash below.

Yet beneath this idyllic surface, a quiet environmental crisis is unfolding. Thermal expansion is pushing sea levels higher across the Gulf of Antalya, driving aggressive hydraulic wave pressures straight against the base of the porous cliffside. During fierce winter storms, heavy waves slam repeatedly into the rock, forcing seawater deep into natural fault lines.

Leila pointed her structural radar device toward the water table below. “The marine baseline shifts are accelerating the decay of these natural stone walls,” she told Ari, watching the telemetry ripple on her screen. “The rising tides are eroding the limestone from below, creating unseen hollow spaces beneath our feet. We can no longer rely on traditional defenses; if we continue to allow heavy storm surges to punch directly into this soft cliffside, the structural platform supporting the tower faces potential long-term collapse.”

Dodo peered over the edge of the cliff with a sharp, analytical gaze. “Pouring massive concrete retaining walls to block the water will only destroy the delicate intertidal ecosystem and poison local marine life,” the Dodo squawked with warning emphasis. Ari nodded, typing rapidly to construct a cleaner, nature-based alternative on his tablet. “To honor the Earth Charter, we propose the Hıdırlık Eco-Barrier Project. By placing offshore, submerged eco-reefs made from recycled ceramic waste and native seagrass beds (Posidonia oceanica), we can break the physical energy of the incoming storm surges while creating a vital blue carbon sink.”

CHAPTER 4: Perge Ancient City

A short journey via the zero-emission electric tramway brought the team east to Perge Ancient City, an architectural marvel with a vast stadium, massive thermal baths, and a monumental colonnaded street. Built by successive Greek and Roman civilizations, it is famed for its advanced urban water network, which flows from a huge fountain down a magnificent central stone channel to cool the bustling town. Today, the site is one of the Mediterranean’s most significant archaeological attractions.

However, the surrounding Aksu river basin is experiencing severe, drought cycles. The intense midday sun completely bakes these unshaded ruins, driving thermal spalling of the ancient marble friezes and limestone blocks. Without any natural canopy or active cooling vectors, the sun-exposed columns absorb extreme thermal energy during heatwaves, causing their outer layers to flake, crack, and turn to dust.

Leila knelt beside a fractured column along the main avenue, adjusting her environmental sensor. “The temperature across these stones is hitting nearly 48°C,” she said, displaying the live data on her screen. “The intense radiation combined with severe water scarcity is drying out the ancient mortar and stone fibers. Without a way to combat this extreme heat, the delicate reliefs and inscriptions carved into these monuments will be completely erased within our lifetime.”

Dodo ruffled his feathers as he hopped over the dry stone bed of the central Roman canal. “A water city without any water is just an oven for history,”. Ari nodded, logging the watershed data onto his tablet. “We propose an Urban Watershed Initiative. By filtering regional agricultural runoff through native reed beds, we can re-route clean, non-potable water back into Perge’s ancient central channel, dropping local air temperatures by up to 4°C to stop thermal stress.” Dodo nodded enthusiastically.

CHAPTER 5: Lower Duden Waterfalls

The roaring cascade of the Lower Düden Waterfalls served as the dramatic backdrop for the latest stop on Ari, Leila, and the SUNx Dodo’s tour through Antalya. Plunging over forty meters directly from the rocky city cliffs into the surging Mediterranean Sea, the falls stand as a breathtaking reminder of nature’s raw beauty. Dodo perched enthusiastically on the viewing platform, his wide eyes reflecting the scale of the freshwater rushing to meet the sea.

Yet beneath the mesmerizing roar lies a quieter, more urgent story about the delicate balance of Antalya’s water systems. Local guides explained to Ari and Leila how the subterranean rivers feeding the Düden system are facing unprecedented pressures. Rising global temperatures have triggered prolonged periods of drought across the Anatolian plateau, drastically altering seasonal water flows. At the same time, shifting rainfall patterns mean that when rain does arrive, it often falls in intense, destructive bursts threatening the stability of the limestone cliffs.

This directly impacts the marine and coastal habitats below. As the volume and temperature of the freshwater influx fluctuate unnaturally, the localized salinity of the surrounding sea water changes, disrupting native marine life. Leila noted the threat of invasive species into the warming waters while Ari recorded data on how reduced river flow diminishes the natural transport of nutrients to coastal fish populations.

In response to these challenges, the team highlighted the community-led adaptation strategies transforming Antalya into a climate-resilient destination. Local environmental authorities have implemented advanced water-management networks to optimize agricultural irrigation upstream, ensuring that precious river water is not wasted before it reaches the coast. By promoting low-impact eco-tourism, such as carbon-neutral electric boat tours that view the falls from a safe distance, the region is actively reducing the ecological footprint of its visitors.

CHAPTER 6: The Mountain theatre of Termossos

High amidst the jagged peaks of the Taurus Mountains, the unexcavated ruins of Termessos offered the latest, frontier for Ari, Leila, and Dodo. Perched over 1,000 meters above sea level within a rugged national park, the ancient city retains an aura of wild, untouched mystery. For the young explorers, climbing the steep, pine-scented trails felt like stepping back into a forgotten world. Dodo stood wide-eyed on the precipice, marveling at how the stone tiers clung dramatically to the mountain slopes.

Yet, this high-altitude sanctuary is facing an invisible ecological siege fueled by rising alpine temperatures. Warmer winters have allowed invasive pests to climb higher into the mountain zones, decimating the native coniferous forests. Without the strong root networks of these ancient trees, the steep slopes are left incredibly vulnerable.

The true catastrophe strikes when these weakened ecosystems meet sudden and intense winter monsoons. When these torrential downpours hit the heat-baked, unanchored mountain soil, the result is immediate and destructive flash flooding. Tremendous volumes of water and mud rush down the slopes. A landslide powerful enough to dislodge the intact stone tiers of the magnificent theater.

A major reforestation initiative is underway, focusing on planting pest-resistant native flora to rapidly stabilize the upper slopes and re-anchor the fragile soil structure. Additionally, engineers are mapping out eco-friendly, low-impact drainage channels to safely divert flash-flood waters away from the site.

The post Dodo Visits COP 31 in Antalya: A Journey into Climate-Resilient Heritage first appeared on Visit Maldives.

Bayeka, Zambia, November 11, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Three years in the making, Anantara unveils Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River, its first safari property in Africa, in the same year it celebrates its 25th anniversary. The intimate 13‑key camp embodies African modernism through clean lines, materials shaped by hand and landscape‑informed design, forming an off‑the‑grid sanctuary on the Kafue River in Zambia’s largest national park. By placing wellness on equal footing with conservation‑focused safari experiences developed in partnership with African Parks, the lodge reshapes expectations of what a modern safari experience can offer.

Travellers are rewarded with absolute seclusion and a slower rhythm on the banks of one of the country’s most vital waterways. The only lodge in Zambia elevated 3.5 metres above the ground, Anantara Kafue is set on rosewood platforms to protect essential wildlife corridors, with private river frontage offering uninterrupted views of a thriving wilderness where hippos, elephants, large predators, antelope and more than 500 bird species flourish.

Africa’s Great Restoration Story: The Rewilding of Kafue National Park

Kafue National Park, one of Africa’s least explored wildernesses, is entering a new phase of renewal through African Parks’ partnership with the Government of Zambia. Since 2022, strengthened security, rebuilt infrastructure and improved fire management have laid the foundations for wildlife to return across its 22,480 km² expanse. These efforts have enabled landmark restoration milestones, from the reintroduction of Kafue lechwe antelope in 2024 to Zambia’s largest wildlife translocation in 2025, which brought wildebeest and zebra back to long quiet grasslands.

For Anantara Kafue guests, the park’s transformation into a thriving, resilient ecosystem becomes an essential part of the experience. Experienced Zambian guides lead twice daily game drives into Kafue National Park to follow predators, elephants and antelope across the floodplains, while calm river safaris, bush picnics and catch-and-release fishing offer a different perspective, without any safari crowds.

A New Vision for Luxury Safari Design

Designed by Meg Ralph Spaces and honoured with top LIV Hospitality Design Awards, the camp embraces a contemporary, light footprint, running on solar power with on site water purification and minimal single use plastics. Charcoal and canvas exteriors echo the tones of the bush, while sculpted wood and natural textiles reflect Zambia’s beauty and cultural heritage. Structures are built around large riverine trees, such as Marulas and Jackalberries. Spacious suites positioned for horizon wide views and calming interiors are shaped by natural materials and organic curves and colours such as olive green, terracotta and cobalt blue, taken from the landscape.

The Highest Guestrooms in Zambia

The camp’s signature feature, the three 110‑square‑metre Horizon Terrace Suites, are suspended 14.3 metres above the ground and accessed by a glass elevator that dissolves into the landscape. The upper deck is dedicated to open‑air living, with a star bed for sleepouts beneath the night sky. Below, an oversized private terrace extends the experience with uninterrupted sunrise‑to‑sunset views and a personal Green Egg BBQ. With ample room for massages on both floors and a design that elevates outlook, Horizon Terrace Suites marry high‑altitude safari with bespoke wellness.

Nine 115‑square‑metre Pool and Bush Villas rise 3.5 metres above the ground on timber platforms, each one a grand tented sanctuary immersed in the landscape. Heated plunge pools overlook the river, while an indoor massage room with sweeping river views anchors the villa’s wellness focus.

At 400 square metres, the spacious Presidential Villa is designed for poolside entertaining and relaxation 3.5 metres over the river, complete with a dedicated indoor massage zone, exclusive boat access and mature trees shading a spacious deck. Dedicated villa hosts are on hand for bespoke meals, activities, spa bookings as there is no set schedule here.

One-of-a-Kind Pontoon Dining on the Kafue River

At Anantara Kafue, meals are included as part of the stay, with guests free to dine at the venue that suits their mood. As part of the brand’s signature Designer Dining experience, a floating platform anchored gently into the river hosts intimate breakfasts, afternoon tea and sunset wine tasting. Seating up to four guests who arrive by boat, the slick wooden pontoon sits almost at water level. Its sunken central lounge, reminiscent of a conversation pit, creates a cocooned space for dining, stargazing and unobtrusive wildlife observation as crocodiles and hippos bask along the shores.

Other dining experiences celebrate the gastronomic richness of Zambia, from Luzuba Harvestry’s modern classics beneath a canopy of trees to Twalumba Bar & Lounge, where guests return from safari to afternoon tea, signature cocktails and fireside storytelling.

In-Villa and Floating Wellness Experiences

Wellness, a core part of the Anantara Kafue experience, is shaped by nature, from birdwatching and stargazing to laps in the full size pool. The one-of-a-kind floating Technogym fitness platform is anchored on the river with sliding doors that open directly to the landscape, an outdoor deck for yoga and a wooden swing positioned in a quiet spot facing the water.

Anantara Spa treatments, from couples’ rituals and signature massages to local therapies, can be enjoyed in the seclusion of a massage room in each suite or villa, followed by the in room steam shower. It’s a rare distinction that makes Anantara Kafue the only property in Zambia to offer such an experience.

Lead-in rates start from USD 6,300 per room per night, based on two people sharing a suite and inclusive of full board, premium beverages, twice-daily game drives, personalised butler service and one 90-minute spa treatment per person, per stay. For a limited time, guests can also discover a selection of exclusive opening offers.

From December through March, the vegetation flourishes and the entire ecosystem comes alive, offering a tranquil escape as migratory bird species arrive and wildlife gathers around abundant water sources. The Green Season offers cooler temperatures, fewer visitors, and incredible photographic opportunities.

Anantara Kafue is located within Kafue National Park, with private charter flights available from Livingstone or Lusaka to Chunga airstrip. The camp can also be reached by short domestic flight from Livingstone to Lusaka. Lusaka International Airport is a four‑hour drive from the property, with private road transfers available.

The post Anantara Tented Camp Kafue River Unveils a Lodge in One of Africa’s Last Great Wildernesses in Zambia first appeared on Visit Maldives.

Nairobi, Kenya, , November 10, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / The Long Run is delighted to announce that two more members, HBD Príncipe and Saruni Basecamp, have earned Global Ecosphere Retreat® (GER®) certification, marking an important milestone in their journeys toward excellence in sustainable tourism. Both hold gravitas due to the magnitude of change required across HBD’s significant workforce and the number of camps in Saruni Basecamp’s group portfolio.

The Long Run celebrated both announcements at its Annual Members’ Meeting at Castle Leslie Estate in Ireland from 1st – 4th November 2026, where over 50 members gathered from around the globe to share insights and shape the way forward for those operating on the frontline of nature conservation and tourism. GER® certification is a significant achievement, recognising nature-based tourism businesses that demonstrate excellence across The Long Run’s 4Cs framework: Conservation, Community, Culture and Commerce. The independently verified standard assesses businesses against 125 criteria, requiring evidence of meaningful action and tangible impacts across all four areas using documented systems and processes.

HBD Príncipe, São Tomé and Príncipe An ecotourism and agroforestry business with a vision for sustainable social and economic development on Príncipe Island, HBD Príncipe, with its nearly 700 team members, employees and colleagues, is deeply committed to protecting the island’s extraordinary natural and cultural heritage. HBD Príncipe combines responsible hospitality—with its five distinctive boutique hotel properties known as the Príncipe Collection—with conservation, organic agriculture, community development and a portfolio of in-house operations. Working alongside local government and communities, the organisation has played an

important role in supporting the protection of Príncipe’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its initiatives span the 4Cs of sustainability and include safeguarding endemic bird species, supporting sea turtle conservation, leading nature-focused guest experiences, growing organic cacao, spearheading recycling with the island’s communities and creating employment, training and educational opportunities for island residents.

Emma Tuzinkiewicz, Sustainability Director at HBD Príncipe, explains:

“The Global Ecosphere Retreat® standard is exceptionally rigorous. What makes it different is that it is not just about the sustainability department or the environmental performance of your operations. It looks at the entire business. At its core, the journey to becoming a GER®-certified member of The Long Run is actually a journey towards operational excellence. If you want sustainability to become part of how you operate, this is the way to do it. It is a nature-based business roadmap.”

Saruni Basecamp, Kenya Bringing together a collection of 13 safari camps and lodges across Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Samburu regions, Saruni Basecamp is a pioneer of community-based conservation and responsible safari tourism and the world’s first GER® certified group. Working in partnership with indigenous Maasai and Samburu communities, its model places local people at the heart of wildlife conservation, ensuring that tourism generates tangible benefits for both communities and the landscapes they call home. Operating across six community-owned conservancies, Saruni Basecamp works closely with local landowners to protect wildlife habitats, support livelihoods and preserve cultural heritage. Its approach demonstrates how responsible tourism can provide a sustainable economic incentive for conservation while creating meaningful opportunities for local communities.

Chief Executive Officer Jeremiah Mutisya commented, “We are incredibly proud to have cultivated a culture of sustainability across all 13 of our camps in Kenya, both at Masai Mara and Samburu, backed by our partnership with the six wildlife community conservancies. Miriam, our COO has led the charge and been instrumental in motivating our teams on the ground to adopt, embrace, live and breathe the systems implemented to manifest this GER® milestone and ensure we are all singing from the same sustainability hymn sheet. Every single camp had to achieve all 125 benchmarks – so we are delighted to have accomplished this mighty feat as the first group GER® member.”

Together, these two new GER® members further strengthen The Long Run’s global community of purpose-driven tourism businesses, demonstrating the different ways in which tourism can contribute to protecting biodiversity, supporting local livelihoods and safeguarding cultural heritage.

Dr Anne-Kathrin Zschiegner, Executive Director of The Long Run, said:

“Congratulations to both HBD Príncipe and the Saruni Basecamp group on achieving our GER® status, demonstrating their inspiring commitment to putting people and nature at the heart of their businesses. Our certification is a wonderful recognition of the work they have undertaken to achieve meaningful, measurable impact. Achieving this milestone requires dedication, transparency and a genuine commitment to continuous improvement, and also strengthens our collective ambition to prove and showcase how tourism can be a powerful force for good.”

The Long Run was founded on the belief that tourism can be a powerful driver of positive change. Through its 4Cs framework, it supports a global community of nature-based tourism businesses to balance conservation, community, culture and commerce, creating a future in which both people and nature can thrive.

Photo Caption:
HBD Príncipe in São Tomé and Príncipe and the Saruni Basecamp group in Kenya have both achieved their prestigious Global Ecosphere Retreat® recognition by The Long Run

(L-R: Egbert Bloesma, General Manager, HBD Príncipe, Miriam Obegi, COO, Saruni Basecamp, Jeremiah Mutisya, CEO, Saruni Basecamp, Emma Tuzinkiewicz, Sustainability Director, HBD Príncipe)

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London, United Kingdom, November 10, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Reservations Group, formerly known as HotelPlanner, has announced the official launch of its Reservations app into market, now available on the Apple App Store and Google Play. Following an early access period that began in June 2026, travellers can now use Reservations to discover, compare and book reservations for hotels, flights and transportation via one voice-first conversation.

Reservations was built to make booking travel as simple as asking for what you want. Whether planning a family vacation, coordinating a business trip or looking for a last-minute getaway, travellers can use their voice to describe where they want to go, when they want to travel and what matters most to them for a smooth and enjoyable experience. Reservations can help identify and compare options, answer questions and fully complete reservations – all without directing users to a third party app.

Built on the Reservation Group’s global reservation ecosystem and technology, Reservations supports flight, hotel and transportation rental bookings, with additional reservation categories planned for the future.

“Over the last several months, we’ve seen firsthand how consumers want to use AI to help with their travels – not just to answer questions or provide ideas, but to actually help them get things done,” said Tim Hentschel, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Reservations Group. “Reservations brings together AI with more than two decades of HotelPlanner’s travel expertise to make planning and booking a trip simpler than ever.”

“Travel planning has become increasingly fragmented, and AI gives us an opportunity to make traveling easy,” said Dylan Ratigan, President of Reservations. “With Reservations, we want to take the friction out of travel planning and give people one place to go from idea to reservation.”

The launch builds on The Reservation Group’s continued investment in AI across its broader reservation ecosystem. The Group supports significant transaction volume across hospitality, travel and entertainment and is on track to generate nearly £3 billion in gross booking value this year, after growing approximately 70% annually over the last three years. Its AI agents currently handle more than 250,000 customer interactions per day and initiate more than half of reservation calls company-wide.

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Bangkok, Thailand, November 10, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Michelin today unveiled the MICHELIN Guide Thailand 2027 at the MICHELIN Guide Restaurant Ceremony Thailand, marking two significant milestones: the Guide’s landmark 10th edition in the country and the centenary of the MICHELIN Star. Reflecting a decade of evolution in Thailand’s vibrant culinary landscape, the latest selection features a record-high total of 507 dining establishments − including 2 Three MICHELIN Stars (both retaining their status), 10 Two MICHELIN Stars (3 promotions), 41 One MICHELIN Star (5 newcomers and 5 promotions), 151 MICHELIN Bib Gourmand (26 newcomers), and 303 MICHELIN-Selected entries (40 newcomers).

Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the MICHELIN Guide commented: “With more than 500 establishments featured in the selection − including over 50 MICHELIN-Starred restaurants, the 2027 edition marks a significant milestone in the MICHELIN Guide Thailand’s journey. Celebrating the Guide’s 10th edition in Thailand and the centenary of the MICHELIN Star, first introduced in 1926, the selection reflects the remarkable evolution of Thailand’s culinary industry, driven by the passion, creativity, and resilience of its culinary professionals, as well as the country’s extraordinary gastronomic potential.”

Insights into Thailand’s Evolving Gastronomic Landscape

According to Mr. Poullennec, Thailand’s gastronomic scene has evolved from a trend-driven market into a mature and diverse culinary ecosystem. Excellence now extends far beyond the capital, with star-rated restaurants flourishing across the country and showcasing the strength of regional dining destinations.

Chefs are demonstrating greater confidence and individuality, while international restaurant groups continue to establish roots in Thailand and embrace local ingredients. This year’s selection introduces new cuisine types to the star-rated roster, while Thai chefs are increasingly exploring regional traditions, indigenous ingredients, and closer ties with local producers.

Techniques such as fermentation, aging, and natural umami extraction have become common tools for building flavor, while more thoughtful ingredient use reflects growing resourcefulness. Beyond fine dining, chefs are also finding success through more accessible formats and increasingly sophisticated beverage programs.

Guided by both experienced chefs and emerging talent, Thailand continues to strengthen its culinary identity while embracing global influences, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most compelling gastronomic destinations.

Sorn and Sühring Reaffirm Their Excellence with Three MICHELIN Stars

In the 2027 MICHELIN Guide Thailand edition, the prestigious Three-MICHELIN-Star category remains unchanged with 2 entries: Sorn, where Chef Supaksorn “Ice” Jongsiri showcases the depth and diversity of Southern Thai cuisine through meticulously researched recipes and exceptional local ingredients, and Sühring, where twin chefs Thomas and Mathias Sühring continue to impress with their refined interpretation of modern German cuisine rooted in family traditions.

3 Restaurants Promoted to Two MICHELIN Stars, Including a Historic First for Phuket and Thailand’s Regional Dining Scene

The Two-MICHELIN-Star category welcomes 3 new additions, all promoted from the One-MICHELIN-Star status. A milestone achievement comes from PRU, which becomes the first restaurant in Phuket and the first outside Bangkok & Surrounding Provinces to earn Two MICHELIN Stars.

Bangkok & Surrounding Provinces:

• Blue by Alain Ducasse, a restaurant that stays true to the spirit of French fine dining, interweaving Southeast Asian ingredients with Mediterranean flair and a fresh, lighter, international perspective, complemented by the seasonal “Delight Collection” of creative small desserts.
• Mia, a restaurant offering storytelling-driven modern European cuisine with Asian influences, where dishes such as the hybrid sourdough brioche carry personal significance beyond their culinary craft.

Phuket

• PRU, a restaurant crafting modern Thai cuisine with a strong sense of place, championing mindfulness through farm-grown ingredients, trusted Thai suppliers, and a commitment to fermentation, preservation and responsible practices, exemplified by its signature “King of the Fruits” pairing durian with caviar and sea grapes.

10 Restaurants Join the One-MICHELIN-Star Selection, Including Chiang Mai’s First-Ever MICHELIN-Starred Restaurant

Among the 10 new One-MICHELIN-Star entries, 5 are newcomers joining the Guide for the first time, while the other 5 are promoted from the MICHELIN-Selected category.

Promoted from MICHELIN-Selected to One MICHELIN Star, Belén by Paulo Airaudo becomes the first-ever MICHELIN-Starred restaurant in Chiang Mai. Meanwhile, Phuket records its strongest MICHELIN Star showing to date, with one newcomer, Omemo, and one promoted restaurant, Jaras, joining the One-MICHELIN-Star selection.

Bangkok & Surrounding Provinces

• Liana, a restaurant where dishes are inspired by European seasons, combining local produce, a lighter take on French techniques, and neatly layered flavors and textures, with desserts among the highlights.
• MACHRI, a restaurant where chef reinterprets a royal Thai menu inspired by King Rama V’s 1897 European food diary, combining deep historical research and French technique while preserving authentically Thai flavors, highlighted by mackerel with roasted chili paste and sticky rice, and pigeon red curry samrap.
• THARN, a concept-led restaurant presenting a refined tasting menu inspired by Thai cuisine from Sukhothai to Rattanakosin, juxtaposing cultural references with authentic flavors, carefully sourced ingredients, and Thai GI products.
• The China House by Chef Fei, a refined Cantonese restaurant offering thoughtfully creative dishes marked by precise seasoning, clean flavors and assured technique, highlighted by roasted chicken with flax seeds that lend a subtle nuttiness to the crisp skin and juicy flesh.

Phuket

• Omemo, a restaurant offering a contemporary take on classic Swiss cuisine through balanced, well-structured Alpine dishes, featuring house-made sausages, potato rösti and fondue-inspired specialties, with meat and cheese at the heart of the menu and the full experience menu offering the best insight into its culinary narrative.

The other 5 One-MICHELIN-Star recipients promoted from the MICHELIN-Selected category are:

Bangkok & Surrounding Provinces

• Duet by David Toutain, a restaurant presenting a creative, delicate, and distinctly plant-forward seasonal tasting menu that balances land and sea, complemented by a carefully curated zero-proof drink pairing.
• I-SANG, a modern Korean restaurant that fuses Korean roots with Thai produce through a concise tasting menu, featuring Eo-Mandu crafted from local catfish, perilla oil Guksu, and crispy crab, a playful riff on Korean fried chicken.
• Sartoria by Paulo Airaudo, a restaurant presenting a modern Tuscan menu centered on fresh pasta and seasonal produce, blending Italian staples with Thai ingredients, highlighted by Duck Cappelletti filled with local duck confit and Basilico built around black-pepper ganache.

Chiang Mai

• Belén by Paulo Airaudo, a restaurant bringing refined energy to Chiang Mai’s dining scene, elevating local ingredients through sharp European technique, with a smooth and effortlessly moreish Goat’s Cheese Flan paired with seasonal fruits among the highlights.

Phuket

• Jaras, a restaurant offering a seasonal tasting menu shaped by home-grown produce, regional ingredients, and a zero-waste approach, highlighted by the Jorang featuring prawn and Thai curry sauce with crispy textures and aromatic herbs.

Five MICHELIN Special Awards Recognize Exceptional Professionals

Alongside its restaurant selection, the MICHELIN Guide presents its Special Awards to honor the exceptional talent, passion and craft behind dining experiences that stay with guests long after the final course. These awards recognize outstanding professionals at MICHELIN-recommended restaurants who elevate the gastronomic experience, while celebrating the diversity and appeal of careers across the hospitality industry.

• MICHELIN Service Award

The MICHELIN Service Award aims to recognize and celebrate skilled and talented professionals who significantly enhance the guest experience. This year’s award, presented by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, honors Chanyawi Mukmaneerattanapon of hom, a MICHELIN-Selected restaurant in Phuket.

An essential pillar of her team in Phuket since its earliest days, Ms. Mukmaneerattanapon is celebrated for her remarkable consistency, steadfast commitment, and genuinely attentive approach to service. Even when managing multiple tables, she remains proactive, fluid, and intuitive, making every guest feel effortlessly cared for. Her longevity, unwavering professional standards, and deeply personal touch exemplify the true essence of hospitality; while her grace, poise, and dedication set a high benchmark for the industry.

• MICHELIN Opening of the Year Award

The MICHELIN Opening of the Year Award recognizes an individual or team behind a dining venue that has opened within the past 12 months and made a notable impact on the local gastronomic scene through a creative degustation concept and distinctive culinary approach. This year’s award, presented by UOB, is bestowed upon Kongwuth Chaiwongkachon of Taang, a MICHELIN-Selected restaurant in Bangkok.

Since opening in June, Taang has made an immediate impression on Bangkok’s dining landscape. Led by Chef Kongwuth, a native of Chiang Rai, this intimate counter experience explores the historical caravan trade routes of northern Thailand and its neighboring regions, tracing how ingredients, people, and food cultures have influenced one another over centuries. Combining brilliant storytelling with exceptional cooking, the restaurant offers a remarkably nuanced exploration of northern Thai cuisine and has quickly become one of the city’s most exciting and talked-about new openings.

• MICHELIN Mentor Chef Award

Honoring chefs whose unwavering dedication to nurturing the next generation has made a lasting impact on the culinary industry, the 2027 MICHELIN Mentor Chef Award, presented by WP Energy, is bestowed upon Arnaud Dunand-Sauthier of Maison Dunand, a One-MICHELIN-Star restaurant in Bangkok.

Originally from Chambéry in the Savoie region of France, Chef Arnaud brought a wealth of French culinary expertise to Thailand over a decade ago. Beyond his culinary achievements, he has played a profound role as a mentor to both Thai and international talent, nurturing young professionals from commis to sous chef and fostering long-term growth within his teams. Today, his former protégés lead MICHELIN-Starred kitchens in Europe, run acclaimed establishments in France, and head major restaurant concepts across Thailand − reflecting his unwavering commitment to developing people, empowering the next generation, and building a lasting culinary legacy.

• MICHELIN Sommelier Award

Highlighting the skills, knowledge, and passion of talented sommeliers within the industry, this year’s MICHELIN Sommelier Award is bestowed upon Charles Elie-Rodenstein of Cannubi by Umberto Bombana, a One-MICHELIN-Star restaurant in Bangkok.

Originally from Alsace in France, Mr. Elie-Rodenstein is a multilingual sommelier whose exceptional international journey across France, Monaco, Japan, and Thailand has shaped a deep global perspective. Knowledgeable and confident, he curates inspiring wine selections and offers thoughtful recommendations. What sets him apart is his warm, approachable manner, making the world of wine engaging and accessible; while his natural enthusiasm, professionalism, and personal touch elevate the entire dining experience.

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Singapore, Singapore, November 9, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / From 19-22 October 2026, Ms. Thamika Kootrisukon and Ms. May Myat Noe Khin, students from the Hospitality Management Program (International Program) of Dusit Thani College, participated as Student Ambassadors at the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) 2026, held at Fairmont Singapore and Swissôtel The Stamford, Singapore. The opportunity provided them with valuable experiential learning beyond the classroom while gaining firsthand exposure to the global hospitality industry.

HICAP is a prominent hospitality investment conference that brings together hotel owners, investors, developers, and industry leaders from around the world to exchange insights, explore emerging trends, and discuss the future of the hospitality industry.

Through the HICAP Student Ambassadors Program, both students gained valuable hands-on experience by supporting various conference activities, including registration, mainstage sessions, and breakout sessions. Beyond their responsibilities, they also had opportunities to attend conference sessions, engage with hospitality professionals, and participate in a dedicated student session featuring industry leaders.

The experience provided valuable exposure to the global hospitality investment landscape, allowing the students to broaden their perspectives beyond traditional hotel operations while strengthening their professional communication, teamwork, and networking skills.

Reflecting on her experience, Ms. Thamika Kootrisukon shared:

“Being a Student Ambassador at HICAP 2026 in Singapore was a truly valuable and memorable experience. It gave me the opportunity to learn more about the hotel investment industry beyond hotel operations, connect with hospitality professionals from around the world, and gain new perspectives on the industry. I’m grateful for this opportunity, and I hope to apply what I’ve learned to my future career in hospitality.”

Similarly, Ms. May Myat Noe Khin expressed:

“It was a meaningful experience that broadened my understanding of hospitality investment, allowed me to learn from industry professionals, and gave me the opportunity to build lasting connections with fellow students who share the same passion for hospitality.”

The Faculty of Hospitality Management at Dusit Thani College remains committed to providing students with meaningful experiential learning opportunities that bridge academic knowledge with real-world industry practices. Participation in international events such as HICAP 2026 reflects the College’s dedication to developing globally minded hospitality professionals equipped with the knowledge, skills, and connections needed to succeed in the evolving hospitality industry.

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Bangkok, Thailand, November 09, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), in collaboration with the East Asia Inter-Regional Tourism Federation (EATOF), will organise a Tourism Destination Resilience (TDR) Training Workshop in Gangwon State, Korea (ROK), on November 11, 2026, aimed at strengthening the capacity of local tourism officials and industry stakeholders to identify and manage risks, respond effectively to crises, and support the long-term sustainability of tourism destinations.

“Tourism destinations are increasingly required to navigate a complex and rapidly changing environment. Building resilience is not a one-time effort, but an ongoing process that requires preparedness, collaboration, and a shared commitment to the long-term well-being of destinations and their communities,” said PATA CEO Noor Ahmad Hamid. “Through this initiative, we are pleased to support Gangwon State in strengthening local capacity and helping ensure that its tourism sector is better equipped to adapt to challenges and sustain its development over the long term.”

Gangwon State is one of the Republic of Korea’s leading tourism destinations, known for its mountainous national parks, coastal attractions, winter sports infrastructure, and cultural experiences. With the region building on the momentum of its 2025–2026 Visit Gangwon Year campaign, managing visitor growth while ensuring destination safety and sustainability remains an important priority. Seasonal forest fires, extreme winter weather, fluctuations in visitor demand, and periods of high visitor concentration all underscore the need for effective risk management and stronger coordination among local tourism stakeholders.

The training will address these challenges by introducing practical tools for identifying and assessing environmental, economic, and operational risks. Participants will also explore international approaches to crisis communication, emergency planning, and coordinated response, with an emphasis on applying these approaches to Gangwon State’s specific circumstances and tourism landscape.

“PATA has long recognised the importance of tourism destination resilience and has worked with destinations across the Asia Pacific region to strengthen their preparedness and adaptive capacity. Through our Tourism Destination Resilience programme, which combines online learning resources with practical capacity-building initiatives, we have supported tourism stakeholders in developing the knowledge and tools needed to navigate uncertainty,” added Mr. Hamid. “We are pleased to bring this experience to Gangwon State and, together with EATOF and local partners, help strengthen the region’s ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to future challenges.”

Lee Dong-hee, Secretary-General of EATOF, stated, “Through this workshop, we aim to strengthen cooperation between PATA and EATOF and work together to address the challenges that climate change poses to the tourism industry.”

The workshop will engage representatives from the Gangwon Tourism Foundation, municipal tourism authorities, and local tourism industry stakeholders, providing a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange to strengthen tourism resilience across the region.

Beyond this initiative, PATA continues to support its members and the wider tourism industry through practical training and professional development opportunities. Looking ahead to 2027, the Association will further strengthen its capacity-building activities, focusing on key areas such as tourism destination resilience, sustainability, marketing, and artificial intelligence (AI), in response to the evolving needs and priorities of the industry.

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Bangkok, Thailand, November 09, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Minor Hotels announces the signing of Anantara Siniya Island Resort and Anantara Residences Sobha Siniya Island, in partnership with Sobha Al Siniya FZC, a joint venture between Sobha Realty and Umm Al Quwain Properties. The groundbreaking was attended by His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mualla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Quwain, underscoring the significance of the development as part of the emirate’s continued growth as a distinctive coastal and tourism destination.

Scheduled to open in 2030, Anantara Siniya Island Resort will comprise 125 hotel keys, complemented by 125 branded residences under the name Anantara Residences Sobha Siniya Island. The resort will serve as the anchor hospitality offering within Sobha Siniya Island, a major new luxury waterfront masterplan, with its design and guest experience drawing on the island’s natural surroundings, cultural heritage and waterfront setting.

Umm Al Quwain neighbours Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah, with growing appeal for luxury leisure and residential development. Located approximately 50 minutes from Dubai and connected to the mainland by a 1.7-kilometre bridge, it combines accessibility with an island setting.

The project is owned by Sobha Al Siniya FZC, a joint venture between Sobha Realty and Umm Al Quwain Properties, the real estate investment arm of the Government of Umm Al Quwain. The partnership combines Sobha Realty’s expertise in premium master-planned developments with the Government’s long-term vision for the emirate’s tourism, residential and economic growth.

William E. Heinecke, Chairman & Founder of Minor International, parent company of Minor Hotels, said: “The UAE has been an important part of our journey for many years, and we continue to see exciting opportunities to grow. Sobha Siniya Island is a compelling new destination, and Anantara will play an integral role in its hospitality offering. This project reflects our continued confidence in the UAE and our commitment to growing alongside highly respected partners in carefully selected locations.”

Francis Alfred, Managing Director, Sobha Siniya Island said: “Sobha Siniya Island was envisioned to celebrate its natural landscape, and Anantara’s approach to hospitality complements the island’s character. Our partnership with Minor Hotels brings together a shared commitment to thoughtful design, distinctive experiences and enduring quality. The groundbreaking marks the next step in bringing this vision to life and reflects the confidence that we and our partners in the Government of Umm Al Quwain share in the island’s future as a destination for residents and visitors alike.”

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Mpumalanga, South Africa, November 10, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / Eight provincial nature reserves, from Blyde River Canyon to Manyeleti, join a six-month coaching and mentoring programme built to lift management performance on the ground.

The managers who run eight of Mpumalanga’s provincial nature reserves are going back to school, but not to a classroom. A first-of-its-kind programme in South Africa is putting coaches on the ground in their reserves and pairing each manager with a mentor for six months, with one goal: better-run reserves for some of the country’s most threatened wildlife.

The Transformative Leadership in Conservation (TLC) programme is a partnership between Leadership for Conservation in Africa (LCA), the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), Shirika and WeWild Africa. The recently launched programme opened with a three-day in-situ workshop at the Gooderson Kloppenheim Country Estate Hotel from 16 to 18 September 2026.

MTPA manages 17 provincial nature reserves across three district municipalities. Together they are home to 85 threatened and 57 endangered species. The agency has set a province-wide target of 67% on the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT), the standard measure of how well a protected area is run. TLC aims to lift each participating reserve’s METT score by 10%.

Rather than a conventional training course, TLC uses two tracks:

• Coaching on the ground: coaches spend time with each Reserve Manager in their reserve, identifying practical improvements one manager at a time.
• Virtual mentoring: mentors work with managers remotely to build leadership and decision-making skills and develop new approaches to each reserve’s challenges.

Progress is measured against METT assessments taken before and after the programme, and against each reserve’s Integrated Management Plan (IMP). That ties leadership development directly to measurable results on the ground.

The eight participating reserves

1. Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
2. Manyeleti Nature Reserve
3. Mahushe Shongwe Nature Reserve
4. Songimvelo Nature Reserve
5. Loskop Dam Nature Reserve
6. Ohrigstad Nature Reserve
7. Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve
8. Mkhombo Dam Nature Reserve

“Every great leader, professional, and changemaker has benefited from someone willing to share their experience, challenge their thinking and help them see possibilities they may not have recognised themselves,” says Dereck Milburn, CEO of LCA.

“This intervention is critical for the entity, as we have faced persistent challenges in achieving our Annual Performance Plan targets over the past five years. Beyond improving the METT scores of individual reserves, the programme is an opportunity to strengthen leadership, restore morale and enhance the performance of our Reserve Managers. We want to see this investment translate into better-managed reserves, stronger accountability and tangible improvements in conservation outcomes,” says Ms Nomcebo Kunene, Executive Manager: Biodiversity Conservation at MTPA.

The launch was attended by MTPA Board Member and former SANParks CEO Prof David Mabunda, and Ms Kunene.

MTPA is actively pursuing private partnerships to strengthen its reserves, and TLC is one of the key programmes expected to unlock further investment and capacity. The partners intend the programme to serve as a foundation for scaling, so that provincial conservation agencies across South Africa can adopt the approach.

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London, United Kingdom, November 07, 2026 / TRAVELINDEX / The Wolseley, the international luxury hospitality brand inspired by London’s iconic restaurant on Piccadilly, announces the launch of The Wolseley Members Club, opening within the flagship The Wolseley Hotel New York in Q2 2027.

For more than two decades, The Wolseley has been one of London’s most celebrated gathering places, welcoming a distinguished mix of leaders from business, culture, fashion, politics, media and the arts. Known for its timeless elegance, intuitive hospitality and enduring role in the social and cultural life of the city, it has become a modern British institution. The Wolseley Members Club extends that legacy, creating a private, all-day environment designed for a new generation of internationally minded members whose professional, cultural and social worlds naturally intersect.

Located at 130 West 44th Street in the heart of Manhattan’s Theatre District, the club will be housed within a landmark building with a remarkably similar heritage. Originally designed by Stanford White as the clubhouse for The Lambs, America’s first professional theatrical club, the address served for more than a century as a gathering place for actors, writers, producers and cultural figures at the heart of New York’s creative life. Its restoration as The Wolseley Hotel New York, with The Wolseley Members Club located within, returns the building to its original purpose while establishing a new home for connection, conversation and culture in the city.

An all-day members’ club rooted in hospitality

Nestled within the 77-key The Wolseley Hotel New York, the multi-level club has at its centre the restored Stanford White Room, the building’s most significant architectural space and the spiritual heart of the club. Once again, it will provide a backdrop for gatherings, performances, private events and cultural programming, renewing a tradition of bringing generations, professions and communities together beneath its historic ceilings.

A sequence of lounges, dining rooms, private salons and terraces will provide a setting where members might begin the day with breakfast and papers, host lunch meetings and afternoon conversations, or linger over post-theatre suppers and late-evening drinks. The hotel’s cellar-level cocktail lounge will add a further dimension to the offering. Like the great clubs that inspired it, The Wolseley Members Club aims to become a daily ritual rather than an occasional destination.

Membership will be shaped to reflect the breadth and dynamism of New York itself, bringing together established and emerging voices across business, culture, hospitality, the arts, and philanthropy. The club will also foster connections between New York, London and other leading international cities, creating a community defined by curiosity, cultural engagement and a shared appreciation for hospitality.

Rooted in the hospitality of The Wolseley and extending throughout the hotel, the experience will encompass preferred access to wellness facilities, longevity programming, dining privileges and future global reciprocity across The Wolseley Members Club network. An exclusive calendar of literary salons, hosted dinners and social gatherings, alongside a range of cultural privileges, will cultivate the conversations, connections and cultural exchange that sit at the heart of The Wolseley experience.

“We wanted to create an all-day social living room for people whose lives move effortlessly between Uptown and Downtown, New York and London,” said Dillip Rajakarier, Group CEO of Minor International, the parent company of The Wolseley Hotels. “What excites us most is bringing together people who might not otherwise find themselves in the same room: founders and artists, producers and investors, hoteliers and philanthropists, established voices and emerging talent. That spirit of conversation and connection has always been central to The Wolseley in London, and there could be no more fitting place to begin this new chapter than 130 West 44th Street.”

As both the restoration of a historic clubhouse and the inaugural expression of The Wolseley Members Club, the New York opening marks a new chapter for one of Manhattan’s most storied addresses.

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