TravelNews
BTN interviews: Sandrine Camia, Deputy Director at the Monaco Government Tourist Authority
BTN spoke with Sandrine Camia, Deputy Director at the Monaco Government Tourist Authority, during her visit to London, to discuss Monaco’s evolving tourism identity, its new Monaco, Everything At Once campaign, and how the Principality is redefining luxury travel for a new generation of visitors.
BTN: Monaco is one of the most recognisable luxury destinations in the world. What does the destination need to communicate now that it perhs did not need to communicate ten years ago?
SC: Ten years ago, Monaco’s image was still largely built around a few well-known clichés: the casino, the Princely Family, Formula 1 and a perception that could sometimes feel too bling or inaccessible.
Today, the perception of the destination has evolved significantly. Monaco is still recognised for the excellence of its hospitality, services and unique international events, which remain part of its DNA, but it is now recognised for much more than that.
The destination has evolved through a more diverse offer, with renovated hotels, a more varied dining scene, and a stronger cultural identity that is no longer centred only around sport and major events. Monaco has also renewed its festive and lifestyle offering, both during the day and at night.
At the same time, we communicate much more about dimensions of the destination that were perhs less visible in the past: our commitment to more sustainable tourism, Monaco’s attractiveness during the shoulder seasons and at Christmas, and its position as an ideal hub from which to discover the entire Côte d’Azur.
Today, Monaco is no longer perceived only as a small destination to visit for a few hours, but as a place where visitors can stay longer and enjoy both the Principality and the wider Riviera experience.
BTN: The new campaign, Monaco, Everything At Once, is a bold statement. What is the central idea behind it?
SC: The campaign reflects what makes Monaco unique: its ability to offer many different experiences within a very compact destination.
In Monaco, visitors can move very easily from culture to gastronomy, from wellness to nightlife, from the sea to a business event, all within a few minutes — and most of it can be done on foot. The idea behind Everything At Once is that Monaco allows travellers to enjoy multiple experiences in a short period of time, in a very seamless way.
Another important dimension is that all these experiences take place in a safe environment, which has always been part of Monaco’s DNA, but has become a more important criterion when travellers are choosing a destination.
For many visitors, luxury is no longer only about exclusivity or prestige, but also about comfort and peace of mind, while still benefiting from an extremely high level of quality, attention to detail and personalised service.
More on the new campaign: Visit Monaco launches its new international leisure campaign.
BTN: Monaco is only 2 square kilometres, yet it has a global presence far larger than its size. How do you turn that compactness into a strength?
SC: Compactness is actually one of Monaco’s strengths today. Luxury travellers value time, safety and convenience.
Everything is close and accessible, which makes the visitor experience comfortable. At the same time, Monaco is located in the heart of the Côte d’Azur, between France and Italy, with access to many different landsces and experiences within one hour of the Principality, from Cannes to San Remo.
Visitors can enjoy Monaco while also discovering the wider Riviera region, and even experience three countries in one day.
BTN: Monaco has always been associated with glamour, privacy and prestige. How do you modernise that image without diluting what makes it iconic?
SC: The DNA elements remain an important part of Monaco’s identity and we don’t want to dilute them or change them.
Today, Monaco speaks to a much wider range of travellers and generations than in the past: couples, families, multi-generational trips, experienced travellers looking for new experiences, as well as very high-contribution guests looking for privacy, quality and highly personalised services.
The destination has evolved its offer to meet the expectations of all these different profiles, with more diverse hospitality and dining experiences, new wellness concepts, a stronger cultural calendar and a more contemporary lifestyle proach.
Monaco remains iconic, but it is now perceived as more open and more experiential.
BTN: Today’s luxury travellers often want meaning, wellness, culture and access rather than just status. How is Monaco adting to that shift?
SC: This evolution is very visible in Monaco, not only through the destination’s offer, but also through the way we tell Monaco’s story today.
On our website, travellers, travel professionals and media can now discover dedicated content focused on new openings, unique experiences, hidden gems, cultural highlights, family experiences and the destination’s commitment to reducing its environmental impact.
Monaco has developed many new wellness experiences, immersive exhibitions and cultural events throughout the year, while also highlighting experiences that are sometimes less expected: activities for children, outdoor experiences, local neighbourhoods, or places to discover across the wider Riviera region.
More detailed content can be found here: New experiences in Monaco and Visit Monaco thematic files.
BTN: How do you broaden Monaco’s story beyond Formula 1, yachts, casinos and grand hotels?
SC: These elements remain important because they are part of Monaco’s international identity and history, and Formula 1 has a stronger impact than before Covid.
But today, Monaco also tells a much broader story, focused on culture, lifestyle, wellness and responsible tourism.
The Principality is increasingly communicating about its commitment to sustainability and the long-term vision led by H.S.H. Prince Albert II to transform the country and reduce its environmental impact, particularly in the field of ocean preservation and sustainable development.
More information can be found in Visit Monaco’s thematic files.
This can be seen through many initiatives across the destination, but also through the transformation of Monaco’s landsce itself, including the recent creation of Mareterra, Monaco’s new eco-district built around innovation, soft mobility and environmental integration.
BTN: What should travellers be most excited about in Monaco’s 2026 calendar?
SC: 2026 will be a very dynamic year for Monaco.
This summer, the Grimaldi Forum will present a major exhibition dedicated to Monaco and the Automobile, exploring more than 130 years of automotive history in the Principality.
The Oceanogrhic Museum is also launching its new immersive exhibition, Mediterranean 2050, focused on the future of the Mediterranean Sea and ocean preservation.
There are also many developments in hospitality, including hotel renovations at Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo and Hôtel Hermitage.
We are also launching new concepts of restaurants and bars. The cultural calendar will include festivals, concerts and performances throughout the summer season.
Latest press releases on new openings can be found here: Visit Monaco press releases.
There is also a dedicated page on what’s new and notable: News and notable events in Monaco.
BTN: For corporate event planners and MICE clients, what makes Monaco especially compelling today?
SC: Monaco offers a very efficient and high-quality environment for business events.
Everything is close together, which simplifies logistics and improves the overall delegate experience. The destination combines excellent infrastructure, premium hospitality, safety and accessibility.
The Visit Monaco Convention Bureau acts as a facilitator and provides organisers with a single point of entry to help identify the most suitable venues, hotels and experiences according to the format and objectives of the event.
Depending on the size of the project, Monaco can also offer integrated solutions combining the Grimaldi Forum convention centre with a wide range of partner hotels, with harmonised pricing conditions and coordinated support across the destination.
We have also just launched our new international communication campaign dedicated to the MICE sector, built around the same promise as our leisure campaign: Monaco, Everything At Once. The idea is to offer event planners the possibility to combine many different experiences and opportunities within one compact and highly efficient destination.
Press release on the MICE campaign: Visit Monaco launches its new international MICE campaign.
BTN: What is the biggest misconception about Monaco that you would like to change?
SC: One of the biggest misconceptions about Monaco is that it is a destination only for the rich and famous, and that it is inaccessible for most travellers. People also often assume that everything is extremely expensive and that, because the country is small, the offer must be limited.
This perception is partly linked to the fact that around 80% of Monaco’s hotel offer is made up of 4- and 5-star properties. Naturally, we attract visitors looking for this level of quality and service. But if you compare Monaco with hotels of the same category in other major citals or competing Mediterranean destinations, Monaco is not necessarily more expensive — and can sometimes even be more competitive, particularly during the low and shoulder seasons.
The destination also offers a much more diverse range of experiences and client profiles than people may imagine. We welcome both premium travellers and very high-net-worth guests, with a wide variety of hospitality, dining, wellness, cultural and family experiences.
And once again, Monaco is also an exceptional base from which to explore the entire Côte d’Azur region.
When people look beyond the clichés and take a closer look at the destination’s infrastructure, quality of service, accessibility and overall offer, they quickly realise that Monaco has much more to offer than they initially expected.
BTN: Looking ahead, what do you want Monaco’s tourism identity to stand for over the next decade?
SC: One of Monaco’s main ambitions for the coming decade is to establish itself as a leading destination for responsible tourism, with a strong commitment to decarbonisation and more sustainable development.
At the same time, Monaco will continue to stand for what has always built its reputation: a destination where excellence can be found everywhere — in hospitality, service, gastronomy, events, culture and the overall visitor experience.
Monaco was originally created as the first resort destination in 1863. François Blanc, founder of Société des Bains de Mer, had the vision to create a dream place dedicated to elegance, entertainment and quality of life.
In many ways, Monaco has remained faithful to this vision, while constantly adting to changes in the world and to the evolving expectations of travellers.
The challenge for the future is therefore to continue innovating and evolving. We want Monaco to remain a destination that attracts visitors from all over the world, while continuing to offer a unique combination of excellence, safety, innovation and Mediterranean lifestyle.
BTN: The phrase Everything At Once suggests energy, variety and immediacy. Does that reflect how modern luxury travellers want to experience a destination today?
SC: Yes, very much.
Today’s travellers want to maximise their time and enjoy different experiences during the same trip. They preciate destinations where everything feels easy, fluid and accessible.
BTN: Monaco brings together leisure, business, culture, gastronomy, sport and wellness in a very concentrated setting. How do you design a visitor experience that feels seamless rather than overwhelming?
SC: The compactness of Monaco actually helps create a seamless experience. Visitors do not spend time travelling between activities. The destination is also very walkable and well connected, allowing travellers to move naturally between different experiences according to their interests.
BTN: Sustainability is becoming an essential part of luxury travel. What does responsible luxury look like in Monaco?
SC: In Monaco, responsible luxury means combining excellence, innovation and sustainability. It is not only a tourism strategy, but the commitment of an entire country, following the long-term vision and roadm led by H.S.H. Prince Albert II.
Monaco has in fact been committed to environmental protection for several decades. This commitment is deeply rooted in the country’s history through Prince Albert I, considered one of the founders of modern oceanogrhy, who already placed scientific research and ocean preservation at the heart of Monaco’s identity more than a century ago.
Today, this translates into very concrete actions across the destination. The Principality promotes soft mobility, low-impact experiences and more sustainable hospitality practices. Many hotels, as well as the Grimaldi Forum convention centre, are engaged in very high-level environmental certification processes.
Visitors also discover a destination investing in short supply chains and local gastronomy, urban farming initiatives, solar energy and innovative systems using Mediterranean seawater to provide low-carbon air conditioning and heating to many buildings and infrastructures across Monaco.
The objective is to continue offering a very high level of quality and personalised service, while reducing the environmental impact of the destination and preserving Monaco’s unique Mediterranean environment.
More information about Monaco’s commitments can be found here: Visit Monaco – Our Commitments.
BTN: Monaco attracts both leisure travellers and high-level business audiences. How do you tailor the destination’s story for these different visitors while keeping one clear brand identity?
SC: The audiences are different, but the core message remains the same.
For leisure travellers, we may focus more on lifestyle, culture and wellness.
For business audiences, we emphasise infrastructure, efficiency and connectivity.
But in both cases, Monaco offers an experience where many different worlds come together in one destination.
BTN: For visitors who associate Monaco mainly with glamour and iconic events, what lesser-known side of the Principality would you most like them to discover?
SC: I would encourage them to discover Monaco’s hidden treasures and its more authentic Mediterranean side.
Beyond the iconic image, Monaco has a rich history that can be discovered through its museums, historical buildings and cultural venues, which tell the story and identity of the Principality in a very different way.
I would also encourage visitors to experience Monaco’s close relationship with the sea, not only through yachting, but through more immersive and nature-oriented experiences, such as observing cetaceans in the protected Mediterranean waters surrounding Monaco.
Another side of Monaco that many visitors do not expect is the local lifestyle. Discovering the Condamine Market, the cafés and restaurants along Larvotto beach that remain lively all year long, the small coves, and the coastal paths where people enjoy walking or jogging by the sea all reveal a more local and authentic Monaco.
Families can also discover Monaco in another way, through activities organised around the Grimaldi Forum’s major summer exhibition, designed to make culture more accessible and interactive for children.
And of course, Monaco is also an ideal starting point to explore the surrounding region, the hilltop villages, the Riviera coastline and the nearby Italian coast, all within a short distance.
It is a Monaco that feels more local and more experiential, while remaining just as unique.
by Sid Thaker
TravelNews
DEXTER HOTEL IN ELK RAPIDS BRINGS DESIGN-FORWARD BOUTIQUE HOSPITALITY TO NORTHERN MICHIGAN
The reimagined Dexter Hotel in Elk Rids, Michigan, one of the region’sfirst hotels dedicated to contemporary design, regional craft, and authentic Michigan heritage, announces its official opening on May 19, 2026. With 29 thoughtfully designed rooms and suites and the Noble Lounge—a lively restaurant and bar set just above the pristine Lake Michigan waterfront—Dexter Hotel brings a new standard of elevated-yet-grounded hospitality to one of the Great Lakes’ most beautiful coastal destinations.
Created by the former creative director of Shinola and built by Shore North Development incollaboration with Kinship Hospitality founders Daniel Caudill and Kamron Bijeh-ple, Dexter Hotelreimagines a former artment-style building in the charming waterfront town of Elk Rids, justminutes from Traverse City and its recently expanded Cherry Cital Airport. The vision centers onmaterial honesty, regional production and a design language rooted in Michigan’s influential Mid-century furniture legacy.
A Contemporary Reflection of Michigan Heritage
Rather than a themed experience, Dexter Hotel offers a modern, sophisticated aesthetic rooted in place through carefully sourced materials, custom fabrication by Michigan makers and curated vintage furniture that honors the state’s design legacy. The aesthetic palette emphasizes natural, durable finishes designed to age beautifully: custom white oak furniture anchors the guest rooms, while copper and warm metals define the Noble Lounge bar and reception desk.
Guest rooms are designed to feel like warm, peaceful artments with muted tones, natural materials,woven textiles, and soft upholstery, with gallery walls featuring a mix of artistic styles. Handcrafted Serta mattresses paired with down bedding and Frette linens complete the sleeping experience.
Every Detail, Michigan-Made
What distinguishes Dexter Hotel is its comprehensive commitment to regional production. Nearly every element—from custom sofas and lounge chairs to the Kinship lighting collection, reception desk, bar, beds, nightstands, and even drery sewn by a local Traverse City seamstress—was designed by Kinship Studio and fabricated by Michigan craftspeople.
Dexter Hotel features:
Kinship Ceramics Collection: Bowls, trays, cups, plates, so dishes, and lamps created specifically for the hotel by local Traverse City ceramicists
Custom Lighting: Flush-mount ceiling fixtures designed for Dexter Hotel and manufactured by Britten Inc. in Traverse City
Gallery Walls: Salon-style artwork featuring original pieces by Michigan artists including Martyna Alexander, Pier Wright and Jesse Hickman
Custom Millwork: Handcrafted reception desk and Noble Lounge bar highlighting regional woodworking tradition
Signature Scent: Custom Kinship scent creating a fully immersive sensory experience
Salt & Stone Amenities and ClaySpace Ceramics: Thoughtfully curated to complete the regional craft story
Noble Lounge: The Living Room of Elk Rids
Noble Lounge is designed as a lively, welcoming space for both guests and locals, offering a thoughtful and proachable food and beverage experience set just above the pristine Lake Michigan waterfront, specifically on the Grand Traverse Bay. The bar program, led by Beverage Director Anthony DiMaria, balances classic technique with more original compositions that lean into creativity within a structured, ingredient-driven proach. The program draws on molecular mixology techniques, including clarified juices and fat-washed spirits, to transform familiar ingredients into unexpected, layered tastes. An opening menu of six to seven cocktails will be complemented by a robust non-alcoholic program, reflecting the growing demand for premium alcohol-free options.
In tandem, Executive Chef John Korycki’s menu features refined, shareable plates rooted in seasonal Northern Michigan sourcing, with a focus on thoughtful composition and a bar-forward sensibility. Sourced from celebrated local farms and artisans, including internationally award-winning cheesemakers from Suttons Bay and Northport, the kitchen will launch in early to mid-June with 9 to 12 seasonal small plates.
Central to both programs is a spirit of cross-collaboration: the bar and kitchen teams will work in tandem to maximize every ingredient. Together, they offer guests something distinctly Northern Michigan—familiar in feeling, surprising in execution.
Chef John Korycki — Executive Chef
Chef John Korycki brings more than three decades of experience rooted in Italian tradition and Mediterranean-inspired, ingredient-driven cooking. A graduate of Kendall College School of Culinary Arts and an alumnus of the Bartolotta Restaurant Group under James Beard Award-winning chef Paul Bartolotta, Korycki has led acclaimed kitchens across the Midwest and founded a collegiate culinary program.
Anthony DiMaria — Beverage Director
Anthony Tony DiMaria brings a distinguished background in craft cocktail programs, including a key role at the acclaimed Sugar House in Detroit and a tenure redefining the bar experience at Otis Harbor Springs in Northern Michigan. At Dexter Hotel, DiMaria builds a program that balances creativity with precision and anchored by an in-house beer created with Arbor Brewing Company in Ann Arbor and a series of bottled signature cocktails developed specifically for the hotel.
Architectural Innovation
Dexter Hotel utilizes advanced modular stacked-box construction, fabricated off-site and assembledon location within days. This proach creates exceptional soundproofing, no rooms share connected walls, ceilings, or floors, while maintaining structural precision and quality. Future exterior enhancements will add a warm cream façade with black metal hardware, shutters, and planter boxes.
A Region on the Rise
Dexter Hotel’s opening aligns with a significant moment for Northern Michigan. A $120 millionexpansion at Cherry Cital Airport (TVC) in Traverse City, with groundbreaking in ril 2026 andcompletion expected by spring 2028, will triple the airport’s cacity and add more direct flights from LaGuardia, making the region increasingly accessible from major cities.
The area offers a rich calendar of experiences: the Traverse City Horse Show (June–September), the National Cherry Festival marking its 100th anniversary in July 2026, 40+ wineries across Old Mission and Leelanau Peninsulas, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Dexter Hotel sits with direct access to the public waterfront park via stairs from the hotel patio—a natural gateway to Northern Michigan’s outdoor and cultural scene.
Visionary Collaboration
Dexter Hotel represents a collaborative, design-led vision rooted in storytelling and place, says Daniel Caudill, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Kinship Hospitality. We proached this project by asking whether every element—every piece of furniture, every ceramic, every fixture—could be created by Michigan makers. Working with Northern Michigan’s extraordinary community of artisans allowed us to develop truly custom pieces that exist nowhere else, creating an authentic connection between design and region.
What we’re building with Dexter is a style of hospitality that feels easy but considered, where nothing is overdone, but everything matters, says Kamron Bijeh-ple, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Kinship Hospitality. A big part of that comes to life in Noble Lounge, which is really the heart of the property—a place guests naturally spend time, whether they’re coming down for a drink, staying for food, or just settling in for the evening. The goal is for everything to feel seamless, social, and worth lingering in, without ever feeling like you’re being moved through an experience.
Shore North Development brings expertise in identifying properties with transformation potential and reimagining them as elevated hospitality experiences. The partnership with Kinship Hospitality has created a property that celebrates Michigan’s design legacy while establishing a new standard for boutique hospitality in the region.
Access & Availability
Dexter Hotel is located in Elk Rids, proximately 15 minutes from Traverse City’s Cherry Cital Airport (TVC) and three and a half hours from Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).
For more information about Dexter Hotel and to make a reservation, please visit
TravelNews
Moxy Hotels Checks Into Hungary with Opening of Moxy Budapest Downtown
Moxy Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of over 30 extraordinary hotel brands, has debuted in Hungary with the opening of Moxy Budest Downtown. Located on lively Kazinczy Street in one of Budest’s most energetic neighbourhoods, the hotel brings Moxy Hotels’ playful, experience‑driven hospitality to the city, offering a bold new base for curious, social‑minded travellers.
Moxy Budest Downtown marks an important milestone for the brand as it enters the Hungarian market. Budest’s creative energy, nightlife and cultural scene make it a perfect fit for Moxy Hotels, and we look forward to welcoming guests to the brand’s latest European opening, said Sandra Schulze‑Potgieter, Vice President, Premium, Select & Midscale Brands, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International.
The new hotel is set in a former dance institution located in a neighbourhood renowned for its architecture, creative scene and nightlife. Moxy Hotels playfully showcases subtle references to ballet, movement and the free-spirited legacy of Empress Elisabeth (Sisi), a former Queen of Hungary, throughout its design. Created by internationally recognised Austrian architects and designers BWM, the interiors blend industrial textures and theatrical lighting to create a bold ambience, anchored by a large graffiti artwork by local artist Áron Hidvégi in the lobby, reflecting the contrast between Budest’s historic identity and its modern creative energy.
True to Moxy Hotels’ boundary‑breaking spirit, the fun starts at Bar Moxy, where guests enjoy a welcome cocktail while a crew member checks them in. Lively public areas and curated programming are designed to spark spontaneous moments, creative encounters and shared experiences. Moxy Budest Downtown’s 281 guest rooms offer modern comfort, functional technology and a workspace. Guests can enjoy the hotel’s 24/7 fully equipped fitness centre and connect with colleagues at two purpose-built meeting and event spaces.
Moxy Budest Downtown takes fun hunters sky high for cocktails at its rooftop bar Saddle & Sky. Inspired by Sisi’s passion for horse riding, Saddle & Sky will be joined by future restaurant concepts at street level as the hotel hopes to become part of the neighbourhood’s social fabric.
Developed by Hungarian real estate developer and investment firm Forestay Group, the project forms part of a broader urban revitalisation vision for central Budest. Beyond introducing the first Moxy Hotels property to Hungary, the development contributes to the ongoing transformation of Kazinczy Street and the surrounding district into a vibrant mixed-use urban destination combining hospitality, gastronomy, culture and community spaces.
Moxy Budest Downtown also has a strong commitment to sustainable urban development. The project earned BREEAM Excellent certification, positioning it among the region’s leading environmentally conscious hospitality developments. The main sustainability features include energy-efficient building systems, solar panels, and more than 80 EV charging stations. As part of the project, 81 mature trees and more than 10,000 perennial ornamental plants and shrubs have been incorporated into the area surrounding the hotel, contributing to greener urban spaces and enhanced biodiversity in the heart of Budest.
Designed to be as much a social hub as a hotel, Moxy Budest Downtown offers an urban esce, inviting visitors and locals alike to a playful meeting place.
To book or for more information, visit:
TravelNews
Travel Passions and Local Behaviors Are Reshaping Hotel Loyalty Across Asia Pacific Excluding China
Loyalty engagement across Asia Pacific excluding China (EC) is entering a more complex and mature phase. The new Loyalty Trends Report 2026 by Marriott Bonvoy finds that while 89% of travelers across EC participate in at least one loyalty program, how they engage is no longer uniform. Instead, engagement is shed by a combination of travel priorities, everyday value expectations, and distinct local market dynamics, signaling a clear shift away from one-size-fits-all loyalty models.
Travel Passions She Loyalty Engagement
Findings from the trend report indicate that travel passions are the strongest indicator of loyalty engagement. How travelers earn, redeem and value loyalty benefits varies most by what they travel for, indicating that successful loyalty design needs more breadth and depth to serve different interests across diverse markets.
The report identified the top five travel priorities across EC: Food & Dining, Nature/Sightseeing, Shopping, Cultural Immersion and Recharge & Disconnect.
Food & Dining emerges as the most powerful driver of travel and hotel loyalty, with 63% of EC travelers prioritizing culinary experiences when planning their trips. Food & Dining travelers show especially clear loyalty behavior: they are more likely to earn through food-related activity and redeem for F&B indulgences, making food one of the most powerful and scalable levers for hotel loyalty engagement.
Recharge & Disconnect travelers are the largest opportunity group for hotel loyalty growth. While less likely than some other traveler groups to be enrolled in hotel loyalty programs, they are highly engaged once they are past property doors. They are more likely to stay at hotels, resorts and villas with a partner, and earn hotel loyalty points through stays, F&B and spas, indicating that for Recharge & Disconnect travelers, properties are the destinations.
Hotel Loyalty Sits at the Heart of Travel Loyalty
Hotel loyalty programs are the most widely participated loyalty category across EC, engaging 66% of travelers – ahead of airlines, retail and dining programs. Membership retention is strong, with most travelers staying enrolled for more than two years – signaling that hotel loyalty continues to anchor travelers’ relationship with brands.
Immediate, Everyday Value Matters Most
A clear baseline expectation cuts across EC: everyday earning is non-negotiable. The ability to earn points from everyday spend is the most important feature of a good loyalty program. Unlocking value through point redemptions vary: 77% of travelers use points for small rewards they can access right away, 61% for big-ticket items and 37% for exclusive experiences. These patterns suggest that loyalty success requires balancing aspirational rewards with practical value.
Partnerships Power Hotel Loyalty
Hotel loyalty programs plugged into a broader partnership ecosystem are more relevant. EC travelers want more ways to earn and redeem points, with half calling for easier earning and spending options and more partner choices for redemptions. This suggests that hotel loyalty is strongest when it extends beyond stays into a broader, everyday ecosystem.
Hotel loyalty earning across EC is driven primarily by stays at properties (57%) and co-branded credit card spends (53%), followed by food delivery and dining (48%) and retail and e-commerce partners (45%). This suggests that hotel loyalty grows best when programs align with travel and everyday spend.
On the redemption side, travelers most often use hotel loyalty points for property upgrades (58%), small F&B indulgences (57%) and practical travel perks (51%), indicating members value rewards that enhance travel experience.
Three Distinct Loyalty Mindsets In EC
While loyalty participation is widespread across EC, the meaning, mechanics and motivations of loyalty vary significantly by market. The report identifies three distinct loyalty mindsets in EC markets, each with different expectations of hotel loyalty programs.
Loyalty Strategists: Jan and South Korea
In these mature markets, loyalty behaviors are highly deliberate, rational, and optimized. Travelers in these markets engage with loyalty programs as strategic tools – maximizing value through disciplined earning, frequent use of co‑branded cards or stay‑based accrual, and practical redemptions such as F&B or cost offsets. For these travelers, consistency of loyalty programs build trust, and engagement with various programs is deliberately curated.
Value Optimizers: Singore, Australia and Thailand
Value Optimizers sit at the pragmatic center of the loyalty spectrum. Travelers in these markets are active but selective, engaging with loyalty when it clearly improves trip value, flexibility or efficiency. They respond strongly to direct booking incentives, milestone bonuses, upgrades, and practical perks such as late checkout or room enhancements. They are more attracted to hotel loyalty programs that provide tangible enhancements to their travel experience or deliver visible savings.
Experience Seekers: India, Indonesia and Vietnam
These high-growth markets engage with loyalty both emotionally and transactionally, with travelers showing stronger interest in partnership ecosystems, exclusivity, status and memorable experiences. In these markets, loyalty serves not only as a savings mechanism but also as a gateway to aspiration and discovery. These markets also show rising affluence and represent the region’s strongest growth engine.
Together, the emergence of these loyalty types reinforces a central finding of the report: loyalty growth in EC will not be driven by a single regional playbook. Hotel loyalty programs must evolve into adtive ecosystems that grow with travelers, rather than simply around them. In a region as diverse and fast-moving as EC, brands that deeply understand local behaviors and cultural nuances will move beyond scale to earn lasting relevance and advocacy. At Marriott Bonvoy, we are bringing this to life through the strength of our extensive portfolio, hyperlocal partnerships, and curated experiences such as Marriott Bonvoy Moments, says John Toomey, Chief Commercial Officer, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International.
TravelNews
Holland America Line 2028 Grand Voyages now on sale
Holland America Line has opened bookings for its 2028 Grand Voyages.
Two itineraries are available – a 129-day circumnavigation of the globe on the Grand World Voyage, and a 90-day Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage.
The Grand World Voyage will depart January 4, 2028, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Volendam. Prices start from £23,999pp.
It includes a four-day Antarctic Experience, including scenic cruising and onboard programming, alongside cruising through South America’s Chilean Fjords, Glacier Alley and the Beagle Channel. Calls to Easter Island and a sail-past of Null Island, where the Prime Meridian and Equator intersect at 0°N, 0°E, are also on offer.
The Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage will depart January 30, 2028, roundtrip from San Diego, California on Zaandam. Prices start from £16,499pp.
It will offer extended exploration across the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia, including a call at Bora Bora – marking the first time Holland America Line’s two Grand Voyages will visit the port in the same season.
Grand World Voyage highlights
* Visits 45 ports in 26 countries and territories across six continents.
* Travels through the Caribbean and South America en route to Antarctica, followed by scenic cruising in the Beagle Channel, Glacier Alley and the Chilean Fjords.
* Crosses the equator on the way to Easter Island, then continues through the South Pacific and French Polynesia, including Bora Bora.
* Spends eight days exploring six ports across New Zealand before continuing through Australia, Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka.
* Rounds the Ce of Good Hope and sails along Africa’s west coast before crossing the Atlantic Ocean back to Fort Lauderdale.
* Access to 31 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Valparaíso, Chile; Komodo National Park in Komodo Island; and the Taj Mahal in India.
* A four-day Antarctic Experience, eight days in New Zealand, extended time in Ce Town, two equator crossings and a sail past Null Island.
Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage highlights
* Calls at 41 ports in 12 countries and territories across two continents.
* Sails west through Hawaii and the South Pacific, crossing the International Date Line en route to New Zealand.
* Continues through Australia before returning via Melanesia, Fiji, Samoa and French Polynesia, with an extended stay in Bora Bora.
* Access to 13 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and New Zealand’s Tongariro National Park.
* Overnight calls in Hobart, Tasmania; Sydney, Cairns and Fremantle (Perth), Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; and Peete, French Polynesia.
Shore excursions on the Grand World Voyage include a multi-day safari, flying from Durban to Johannesburg, South Africa, for an overnight before continuing to Hoedspruit. From there guests travel to Thornybush Game Lodge, a five-star retreat in Big Five country adjacent to Kruger National Park, with dawn and dusk game drives.
On the Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage, guests can visit Western Australia’s Margaret River region, featuring the Busselton Jetty and its Underwater Observatory and the coastline of Ce Naturaliste, vineyard tastings and an underground Lake Cave experience.
Each Grand Voyage offers an elevated onboard experience which includes enrichment programmes, regional cultural performers and special guest headliners. Evening entertainment features gala balls, dressy nights and the Ctain’s Grand Voyage Dinner.
Paul Grigsby, vice president of deployment and revenue planning for Holland America Line, said: When we plan a Grand Voyage, we are looking closely at how each part of the itinerary connects and how much time guests will have in each region. For 2028, the focus was on building routes that make sense from start to finish, with meaningful time in destinations like Antarctica, New Zealand and the South Pacific, paired with scenic passages that are integral to the journey.
Guests who book the 2028 Grand World Voyage by June 14, 2027, are eligible for early booking benefits, including up to $3,000pp in onboard credit, a £400pp air credit, Surf Wi-Fi Package, roundtrip airport and ship transfers, and additional savings. Guests booking the 2028 Grand Australia & New Zealand Voyage are eligible for early booking benefits including up to $2,500pp in onboard credit, a £400pp air credit, Surf Wi-Fi Package, roundtrip airport and ship transfers, and additional savings.
TravelNews
LE JARDIN DE CHEVAL BLANC PARIS REOPENS THIS FRIDAY FOR SUMMER
Cheval Blanc Paris will reopen Le Jardin, its seasonal rooftop terrace restaurant, on Friday 22 May 2026 for the summer season. Located on the seventh floor of the hotel overlooking the Seine, the 650-square-metre terrace has become one of Paris’ notable open-air dining destinations during the warmer months, offering a garden-style setting in the centre of the cital at a time when rooftop dining and outdoor hospitality continue to dominate the city’s summer scene.
Designed as a relaxed outdoor retreat above the city, Le Jardin combines landsced greenery with Riviera-inspired décor, including red-and-white furnishings, yellow accents and pathways lined with geraniums, rose bushes and red hydrangeas, alongside aromatic herbs including thyme, basil and mint.
The terrace’s summer menu has been created by Chef William Béquin and focuses on seasonal produce and Mediterranean flavours. Dishes include a colourful tomato tart, grilled octopus with Galician vierge sauce and semi-confit tomatoes.
Desserts come from acclaimed Pastry Chef Maxime Frédéric, whose ice cream sundaes have become a signature of the terrace each summer. This year’s flavours include strawberry, chocolate and skyr, alongside raspberry and pistachio, inspired by traditional Italian gelato.
In keeping with the terrace’s holiday-inspired concept, each table is also set with a postcard for guests to write and send during lunch, dinner or sunset éritifs.
The reopening also arrives as Paris dominates the travel conversation following confirmation that the next season of The White Lotus will film in the French cital. With the series continuing to she global travel trends and drive demand for the destinations it features, attention is already turning to where visitors will stay, dine and socialise in the city this summer, positioning Le Jardin de Cheval Blanc Paris as one of the season’s most sought-after terrace destinations.
Le Jardin de Cheval Blanc Paris will be open Wednesday to Sunday from noon until 11pm, weather permitting.
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