Vivid Sydney has kicked off its 13th year with a spectacular opening night that included a powerful Welcome to Country, fireworks, beams across the harbour, drones and a very poignant Lighting of the Sails at the Sydney Opera House.
Vivid Sydney Drone Show (Credit: Destination NSW)
Vivid Sydney 2023, Barangaroo – House of Naturalia (Credit: Destination NSW)
Vivid Sydney 2023 – Circular Quay (Credit: Destination NSW)
The Welcome to Country, curated by Vivid Sydney’s First Nations Advisor, Rhoda Roberts AO – First Light – incorporated a call-in country performance from artists representing many First Nations across different language groups, including Yothu Yindi, Tenzin Choegyal, Chantel Cofie, and African drum and dance ensemble Wontanara.
This special ceremony marked the official opening of Vivid Sydney and featured a surprise drone show by Australian Traffic Network to count down the seconds to when the night sky above Sydney’s glittering harbour, iconic landmarks and skyline was illuminated by explosions of technicolour brilliance. Simultaneously, the Sydney Opera House’s sails were illuminated to feature the artworks of the late great Australian artist John Olsen.
Australia’s largest event and the pioneer of light-based art and culture festivals in the Asia-Pacific will run for the next 23 days. The festival will feature more than 300 activations and events along with the world’s most innovative artists, talented musicians and thought leaders as part of its 2023 line-up, whose theme this year, ‘Vivid Sydney, Naturally,’ is inspired by the master of all creators, Mother Nature.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said Vivid Sydney was much more than a light festival and has expanded into a world-class program shining a light on all cultural aspects of the city, and this year, we are proud to once again host world-leading creative talent.
“Fourteen years ago, Vivid Sydney launched for the first time. Vivid Sydney was a chance to be mesmerised by light shows, music and a cultural story about this place. This festival, now the largest in Australia, was ahead of its time. In that first year, an incredible 225,000 people came to see the show. Last year, 2.6 million people experienced Vivid Sydney,” Mr Graham said.
“I am looking forward especially to Vivid Music – seeing our venues come alive with some incredible artists – it is one of the best programs to date. This year, we add Vivid Food- a smorgasbord of tasting and dining events building on one of Sydney’s great strengths, its food and beverage culture. Above all – between the lights, the music, the ideas, the food – I hope you enjoy what is at the heart of this festival – Australia’s biggest – a chance to celebrate together as a community.”
Vivid Sydney Festival Director Gill Minervini said Vivid Sydney 2023 was the biggest program in the festival’s history, and the opening night was just a taste of what’s to come over the 23 nights.
“Vivid Sydney is the original festival of light, art and culture. This year is the 13th time it has been staged and tonight’s spectacular opening is representative of a festival that has come of age and evolved to meet the needs of its audience in 2023,” Ms Minervini said.
“We are truly proud of this year’s program. We have raised the bar on the size and scale of the events and activated new parts of the city. Our line-up features more diverse talent across more industries. There are world-firsts and festival-firsts, and both free and ticketed events to make the festival accessible to everyone.
“I think tonight has shown why audiences should be prepared to be blown away by the calibre of talent this year and a program that has been inspired by the beauty and diversity of nature. You do not want to miss Vivid Sydney 2023!”
Staged across Sydney’s city centre, Vivid Sydney festival locations include Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House, The Rocks, Walsh Bay, Barangaroo, King Street Wharf, Darling Harbour, Darling Quarter, Darling Square, The Goods Line, Central Station, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Wynyard Tunnels, Carriageworks, Taronga Zoo and more. For more information and tickets, visit vividsydney.com.
The highly anticipated soft launch of THAIFEX – HORECA Asia took place today at THAIFEX – Anuga Asia, offering an exciting preview of what the official launch in March 2024 has in store. Thailand’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), and Koelnmesse joined forces to deliver an immersive experience for VIP guests and members of the media, presenting an insightful glimpse into the upcoming debut in March 2024.
This soft launch at the THAIFEX – HOREC Xperiential Zone at IMPACT Hall 1 showcased a comprehensive range of innovative solutions spanning nine major segments, namely Bakery & Ice-cream, Café and Bar, Cleaning and Laundry, Dining, Furnishing, Kitchen, Services, Tech and Wellness, guaranteeing an unparalleled platform for industry professionals to delve into the latest trends, establish fruitful business partnerships, and gain valuable insights.
Esteemed partners such as Electrolux, Global Food Products, Unilever, and Scotsman, along with influential organisations like Centara, Dusit Thani, Le Cordon Bleu, Thai Chef Association, Thai Coffee Association, Thai Spa Association, and The Food School, were present, showcasing their leading role in driving scalable solutions across the hospitality, wellness, digital innovation, alternative protein manufacturing, and sustainable technology sectors. Their presence added prestige to the event and emphasised their instrumental role in advancing innovative solutions for the sustained growth of the HoReCa industry in Thailand and beyond.
Director-General, Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Khun Phusit Ratanakul Sereroengrit, said, “We are proud to introduce THAIFEX – HOREC Asia as a true game-changer in the hotel, restaurant, and catering sectors. With our extensive industry expertise and the remarkable success of THAIFEX – Anuga Asia, we are strategically positioned to seize the burgeoning opportunities in this market. As the projected value of the HoReCa industry soars to USD 2.38 trillion by 2028[1], our groundbreaking trade show aims to leverage Asia’s post-pandemic tourism boom and reinforce Thailand’s position as a regional hub. Supported by government backing, infrastructure development, and a vibrant hospitality scene, we are set to make a significant impact.”
Chairman of The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC), Khun Sanan Angubolkul, said, “The closure of hotels and staff retrenchment has had a deep impact on the local economy. However, THAIFEX – HOREC Asia serves as a catalyst to stimulate the domestic economy and create valuable job opportunities, particularly for Thai businesses in service industries like spas and hotels. In the post-COVID world, Thai businesses need to embrace innovation and adapt their models to meet evolving consumer demands, safety regulations, and operational challenges. This trade show provides a platform for Thai businesses to export, import, increase seed funding for start-ups, network with critical partners, gain industry insights, explore investment opportunities, and showcase their excellence. It fosters a collaborative environment where Thai businesses can learn, thrive, and amplify their capabilities, products, and services, highlighting the rich cultural heritage and entrepreneurial spirit of Thailand.”
In addition to the nine key exhibiting segments that cover critical aspects of the industry, what sets THAIFEX – HOREC Asia apart and keeps the show ahead of the curve is the organisers ability to identify and unveil key trends to its stakeholders.
Koelnmesse, Managing Director and VP Asia-Pacific, Mathias Kuepper, said, “Our THAIFEX – HOREC Xperiential Zone curated today takes the visitor experience to the next level by allowing direct engagement with innovative trends. Guided by our experts, visitors can interact with cutting-edge solutions in six key trends that are shaping the industry. The long-term goals of THAIFEX – HOREC Asia are to drive continuous innovation, foster collaboration, and ensure sustainable growth within the HORECA industry. We envision establishing the trade show as a leading hub for Southeast Asia, shaping the future of the industry through transformative ideas, cross-border collaborations, and a commitment to sustainability. Together, we can propel the HORECA sector to new heights of success while setting a new standard for eco-friendly practices.”
Six key trends will also be addressed at THAIFEX – HOREC Asia.
Sustainability is a vital trend in the hotel industry, and we showcase innovative furniture designs and practices that promote a responsible and eco-conscious image. Celebrated Thai designers like Deesawat, Moonler and Sculpture are leading the way in creative innovation.
Contactless technology is transforming the guest experience, with smart technologies and automation solutions from companies like SCG providing convenience and positioning hotels as innovative and eco-friendly.
Digitalised guest experiences are enhanced through the integration of robot servers provided by I-Bechamp, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction. Virtual reality tours and guest apps further enhance connectivity and manage customer expectations.
Plant-based menus are on the rise, and we witness the emergence of startups developing animal-identical fats and alternative meat options that meet consumer demands for taste and texture. Data-driven approaches are also being employed to create the next generation of plant-based cheese.
Food waste is being creatively addressed by beverage makers through upcycling ingredients into sustainable zero-waste drinks. AI-driven solutions, such as End of Waste, help hotels manage and end waste, optimising inventory and supporting sustainable practices.
Energy efficiency is another important trend, and we showcase exhibitors like Cimbali, Hobart, and TNP Group, who prioritise sustainability in their cutting-edge solutions for commercial kitchens, hotels and cafes.
Alongside these trends, attendees can look forward to supporting programs such as:
Asian Barista Team Championship
Hosted Buyer Program
THAIFEX – HOREC Academy
THAIFEX – HOREC Innovation Awards
THAIFEX – HOREC Xperiential Zone
The THAIFEX – HOREC Asia, scheduled to take place from March 6 to 8, 2024, at IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Thailand, seeks to attract over 300 leading brands and 20,000 trade visitors from Southeast Asia and key cities across Asia Pacific.
The soft launch of THAIFEX – HOREC Asia is scheduled to take place during THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2023, at Hall 1 of IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Thailand, from May 23rd to May 27th, 2023.
About the Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, Thailand
The Department of International Trade Promotion is committed to providing excellent service to Thai entrepreneurs in international business, including trade facilities, cost reduction, value creation of goods and services, providing consultation for overseas market access and maintenance, as well as close cooperation with the private sector to promote Thailand as a major gateway of Asia. http://www.ditp.go.th/
About the Thai Chamber of Commerce
The Thai Chamber of Commerce represents the Thai private sector to facilitate business and trade as well as to serve as the central coordinating agency between the government and private sector, and also helps to promote trade, business and economic cooperation including, build relationships between Thai and partner countries at the bilateral and multilateral level as well as plays a proactive role in representing the interests of the local Thai business community. https://www.thaichamber.org/
About Koelnmesse – Global Competence in Food and FoodTec
Koelnmesse is an international leader in organising food fairs and events regarding food and beverage processing. Trade fairs such as the Anuga, ISM, and Anuga FoodTec are established world leaders. Koelnmesse not only organises food and food technology trade fairs in Cologne, Germany but also in further growth markets around the globe, for example, in Brazil, China, Colombia, India, Italy, Japan, Thailand, the United States and the United Arab Emirates, which have different focuses and contents. These global activities enable us to offer our customers a network of events, which grant access to different markets and thus create a basis for sustainable and stable international business. Further Information is available at: https://www.koelnmesse.com/current-dates/all-trade-fairs/
Media Contacts:
International Wani Diwarkar Mobile: +65 98320643 E-mail: wani@pinpointpr.sg
NEW YORK/PARIS/TOKYO, May 11, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The future of travel is here. After months of anticipation, Travelzoo META, a members-only service offering groundbreaking Metaverse travel experiences, is now accepting its first one million Founding Members. Launched by Travelzoo® (NASDAQ: TZOO), a global Internet media company, Travelzoo META will give Founding Members the opportunity to be the first to experience travel in the Metaverse.
Travelzoo META’s experiences are intended to allow its members to explore hard-to-reach corners of the world, like summiting Mount Everest, or travel back in time—to Ancient Rome, perhaps. They can also discover new spaces beyond imagination. All this is possible using a mobile or desktop device and a simple browser. Travelzoo META members can use their existing device as a portal to a whole new dimension.
With sign-ups now open, Travelzoo META invites those who share a vision of a world that ebbs and flows as far as the mind wanders to become Founding Members. Each Founding Member will be entitled to one of the world’s first personality-based, emotionally-driven Travel Companions (NFTs). To match their personal Metaverse travel style, Founding Members will be invited to pick their one-of-a-kind Travel Companion from an interactive gallery of one million unique NFTs. No two Travel Companions are the same. Once a Founding Member claims their special Travel Companion, no one else can travel with it in the Metaverse.
Represented as fantastical animals, the Travel Companions signify a world with no limitations, cages, bars, or borders. They encourage a freedom to enjoy a life of adventure brimming with extraordinary experiences.
“Travelzoo META is the future of travel,” said Arveena Ahluwalia, General Manager of Travelzoo META. “Not only does it remove limitations of physical ability and imagination, but it also allows us to bring people closer together through shared experiences.”
Social connection is one of the largest drivers of interest in the Metaverse, according to a study by global consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Travelzoo META members will be able to share experiences alongside their loved ones—no matter where in the world they are—or make new connections with likeminded travelers.
Travelzoo META Founding Members will not just be the first to experience the future of travel in the Metaverse; they also get to shape it. Founding Members can test beta experiences and share their feedback, contributing to how future Metaverse travel experiences are imagined.
Travelzoo META Founding Membership is limited to one million members. To be part of the future of travel, visit http://meta.travelzoo.com.
TRAVELZOO META FACT SHEET
What is Travelzoo META?
Travelzoo META is a paid members-only service offering groundbreaking Metaverse travel experiences.
What kind of experiences will Travelzoo META provide?
Travelzoo META’s experiences are intended to allow its members to explore hard-to-reach corners of the world, like summiting Mount Everest, or travel back in time—to Ancient Rome, perhaps. They can also discover new spaces beyond imagination.
Will I need special equipment to enjoy these experiences?
Travelzoo META can be accessed via a simple browser. This means members can enjoy experiences with a mobile or desktop device.
Can I participate in the experiences with my friends or family?
Totally. This is one of the cool things about traveling in the Metaverse. You can enjoy the experiences with others or by yourself, whatever you choose.
In which countries is Travelzoo META available?
We plan to make Travelzoo META available in all countries.
What is Travelzoo META Founding Membership?
Founding Members are those who share our vision of a world that ebbs and flows as far as the mind wanders. Founding Members receive perks for being early adopters and have a say in shaping our Metaverse travel experiences.
What are the benefits of becoming a Founding Member?
Each Founding Member of Travelzoo META will be invited to choose one of the world’s first personality-based, emotionally-driven Travel Companions (NFTs) that match their own unique Metaverse travel style. No two Travel Companions are the same. Founding Members will also be the first to test beta experiences, and be able to vote and shape future experiences.
Is there a cost to become a Founding Member?
There is an activation fee of USD 20 (or foreign currency equivalent) to become a Founding Member. This does not include future subscription fees.
Why is Travelzoo META Founding Membership limited to one million members?
Only one million unique Travel Companions have been authorized. Founding Members are part of shaping future experiences, and we can only invite one million members to participate.
Will Travelzoo META’s experiences be exclusive?
Yes. Cutting-edge creators will create experiences just for Travelzoo META members.
Who will provide Travelzoo META’s travel experiences?
Travelzoo META has relationships with cutting-edge creators around the globe.
Are the travel experiences going to be like those in the video teaser?
The scenes in the teaser are a glimpse of what potential Travelzoo META experiences will be like. The actual experiences will be more varied—and beyond your imagination!
What do I pack for traveling in the Metaverse?
You can’t go wrong with jeans and chunky sneakers. It’s the accessories that matter. Pack some nice jewelry or a pair of gladiator sandals in case you’re invited to a bacchanalian feast in Ancient Rome. A hat and scarf might come in handy if you find yourself at the chilly top of Mount Everest. Oh, and pack snacks. Your Travel Companion will thank you.
Who can I be in the Metaverse?
You can be whoever you want to be.
Is Travelzoo META part of Travelzoo’s existing service?
No. Travelzoo META is a completely new and different offering. Travelzoo will continue to provide its members with exclusive offers and experiences in the real world.
Who is in charge of running Travelzoo META?
Travelzoo META’s General Manager Arveena Ahluwalia has always had a keen interest in space and traveling to places beyond the imagination. This interest was further enhanced when NASA/Stanford University funded her Master’s degree to participate in the Gravity Probe B satellite experiment on Einstein’s theory of general relativity.
How do I learn more about Travelzoo META?
Find the latest updates on Travelzoo META and how you can become a member at http://meta.travelzoo.com.
About Travelzoo META
Travelzoo META is a paid members-only service offering groundbreaking Metaverse travel experiences. Working in partnership with cutting-edge creators, we have access to the latest immersive experiences that are intended to allow members to explore hard-to-reach corners of the world, travel back in time, or discover new spaces beyond imagination.
Certain statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts may be forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements about our plans, objectives, expectations, prospects and intentions, markets in which we participate and other statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts. When used in this press release, the words “expect”, “predict”, “project”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “intended”, “plan”, “seek” and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements, including changes in our plans, objectives, expectations, prospects and intentions and other factors discussed in our filings with the SEC. We cannot guarantee any future levels of activity, performance or achievements. Travelzoo undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.
Vivid Sydney’s brand-new pillar, Vivid Food, has delivered a sizzling smorgasbord of a program for its inaugural year. International culinary greats and homegrown superstars, combined with iconic dining establishments and pop-up foodie experiences, are set to deliver all the ingredients to make Vivid Food a feast for all the senses.
Vivid Sydney 2022 – Destination NSW
Chef Daniel Humm (Credit: Craig McDean)
One of the biggest Vivid Food program elements is a two-week residency for New York chef Daniel Humm at Matt Moran’s Aria. Humm, who needs no introduction to global gourmands, is the chef and owner of three Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park. Humm made headlines when he changed the entire menu of the former World’s Best 50 Restaurants number-one eatery to a plant-based offering. He’ll bring both his team and his visionary approach to cuisine to one of Sydney’s most celebrated restaurants from 6-17 June for Vivid Residence.
Vivid Chef Series will welcome more of the world’s most exciting chefs as they join forces with some of Sydney’s best restaurants, including Kiln, Fred’s and Yellow, to create exclusive and never-before-tasted menus. From relaxed to fine dining and from contemporary European to authentic African cuisine, collaborations include award-winning LA chef Jeremy Fox, two Michelin-starred chef Rishi Naleendra from Singapore, and Cape Town’s Mmabatho Molefe, one of the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 50 Next hospitality pioneers in 2022.
Globally renowned pitmasters and barbecue heroes will take centre stage at Vivid Fire Kitchen, with Firedoor’s Lennox Hastie; Australian-born Texas pitmaster and TV celebrity Jess Pryles; Byron Bay’s Pip Sumbak; Dave Pynt from Michelin-starred restaurant Burnt Ends in Singapore and more firing up The Cutaway at Barangaroo. Along with cooking demonstrations, Vivid Fire Kitchen gives festivalgoers the unique opportunity to sample dishes from a curated selection of Sydney’s hottest dining concepts, offering something for everyone, from casual eateries to acclaimed restaurants.
Vivid Residence, Vivid Chef Series and Vivid Fire Kitchen bolster an already impressive Vivid Food program, including Chefs on the Harbour, Vivid Rooftop Experience at Aster Bar and, following its success in 2022, the Vivid Sydney Dinner at Ivy Ballroom plus many more, all with a nod to the festival’s theme, Vivid Sydney, Naturally.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said the addition of Vivid Food will deliver even greater economic benefits to the NSW visitor economy and shines a global spotlight on Sydney’s restaurant and hospitality industry.
“This is a celebration of NSW food culture. If tourists are not coming to NSW for our food, they should be,” Graham said.
“Our fresh ingredients, skilled chefs and multicultural society make our state a foodies dream. It’s time to get the word out, and Vivid Food will do exactly that.”
Gill Minervini, Vivid Sydney Festival Director, said the launch of Vivid Food was an integral part of the festival’s evolution and celebrates an expanded definition of the creative industries in 2023.
“To be recognised as one of the world’s best chefs or restaurants takes immense skill, talent and creativity. We’re thrilled at the line-up we have created for the first-ever Vivid Food program – the chefs are some of the most creative masters in the culinary space, broadening the creative spotlight from Light, Music and Ideas.
“Vivid Food will enable festivalgoers the opportunity to experience exclusive and never-before-tasted dishes from some of the world’s best culinary talent with entry points for everyone, from wholesome street food to high-end dining experiences.”
Vivid Residence, Vivid Chef Series and Vivid Fire Kitchen as part of Vivid Food are being produced by IMG, the global events company behind Gourmet Escape, Taste Festivals, The Big Feastival, New York Fashion Week: The Shows and Frieze art fairs.
Stephanie Calape, Managing Director of Culinary Events at IMG, said Vivid Food was set to deliver world-class dining events that will set a new bar for food events delivered in Australia.
“We are excited to be partnering with Vivid Sydney to help launch this first-of-its-kind culinary experience as part of the festival’s brand-new pillar, Vivid Food.
“Vivid Sydney is an incredible celebration of creativity, innovation and technology, loved by visitors from Australia and all around the world. We look forward to reflecting this through an eclectic and delicious food and drink offering with top chefs and experiences that showcase Sydney’s world-class culinary scene and help boost the visitor economy through tourism.”
Tickets to the Vivid Residence and Vivid Chef Series go on sale 28 April at vividsydney.com. Vivid Fire Kitchen events, taking place at The Cutaway in Barangaroo, are free for all to attend. Food and drink can be purchased on-site.
Vivid Sydney runs from Friday, 26 May, to Saturday, 17 June 2023.
For more information and tickets, visit vividsydney.com.
Connexus Travel Limited (Connexus) and FREED GROUP (FREED) were joined by renowned travel industry leaders like LOTTE HOTELS AND RESORTS, Emirates, EVA Air and The Peninsula at A New Dimension of Travel cocktail on 20 April 2023 at the Conrad Hotel Hong Kong. The party marked the first collaboration of Connexus and FREED after the acquisition earlier this year.
Photo 1: (center left) Abel Zhao, CEO of Connexus Travel Limited and Co-founder & CEO of FREED GROUP and (first left) Kenneth Lee, Co-founder & CPO of FREED GROUP were joined by (first right) Eric Lau, General Manager, Connexus Travel Limited and (center right) Patrick Tong, Regional Director Hong Kong, LOTTE HOTELS CO. LTD. at A New Dimension of Travel on 20 April 2023 to showcase A World of Possibilities to prestigious travel industry partners and clients
Photos 2 to 3: Abel Zhao, CEO of Connexus Travel Limited and Co-founder & CEO of FREED GROUP says planning for travel is never the same as before with the services and technologies offered by FREED
Photo 4: Eric Lau, General Manager of Connexus Travel Limited welcomes guests to experience the transformation of Connexus as it steps into the new era of travel
Photo 5: Kenneth Lee, Co-founder & CPO of FREED GROUP introduces our signature product, Harmony Corporate Services Solutions (CSS) to our valuable clients & partners
Photos 6 to 9: Local and overseas guests alike enjoyed a great evening at A New Dimension of Travel cocktail party hosted by Connexus Travel Limited and FREED GROUP
About Connexus Travel Limited Established in 1948, Connexus Travel Limited, formerly known as Swire Travel, was the first travel agent registered in Hong Kong. Connexus Travel has offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai, with a local licence in Beijing since 2009, serving corporate customers who demand excellence and high levels of travel services. The company provides a full range of travel services for domestic and foreign tourists, including flight and other travel ticket bookings, hotel reservations, travel tours and packages, and visa applications. After 70 years of excellent service, Connexus Travel has evolved into a leading regional travel management company, with a focus on customer service and technology for corporate, leisure and MICE travel. Connexus Travel has also met the highest international security standards in relation to securing personal data processing and storage.
About FREED GROUP FREED GROUP is a technology innovator specializing in building proprietary Enterprise Application solutions. It pioneers the future of digital commerce by bringing the capability of multi-merchant, multi-platform networks onto one single backend system and database. With its end-to-end digital transformation and commerce empowerment solutions, FREED GROUP helps clients and partners from Fortune 500 corporations and brands to SMEs across regions to create new revenue streams, increase customer engagement and enhance servicing level.
Headquartered in Hong Kong and Singapore, FREED GROUP operates in more than 10 offices globally with over 200 staff. FREED GROUP supports clients and partners worldwide, including major names such as Samsung, China Mobile, China Life Insurance, BMW and LG. It is the winner of the 2022 World Economic Forum Technology Pioneers, 2021 Deloitte Technology Rising Star Award and 2021 United Nations UNWTO Global Start-up Competition, among many others. In 2023, FREED GROUP is named one of the top-10 high-growth companies in the Asia-Pacific region by Financial Times.
In one of the biggest announcements in its 13-year history, Vivid Sydney has today revealed that creator, writer and director of The White Lotus, Mike White, and star of the series, Jennifer Coolidge, have been added to the festival’s program for 2023.
Mike White_Credit Jason Yokobosky Jennifer Coolidge_Credit_Amy Sussman / WireImage via Getty Images
The two global megastars will join forces for Mike White & Jennifer Coolidge in Conversation – an exclusive event as part of Vivid Ideas – to discuss their career peaks, valleys, and much more in a fascinating, funny, and unforgettable chat with hilarious anecdotes from their decades of experience in Hollywood.
The White Lotus has taken the world by storm, with its unapologetic parody of the luxury class and the current appetite for ‘eat the rich’ satires. With season three on the way, Mike White has become a household name, with a fascinating underdog backstory that includes writing blockbuster scripts, acting, competing on both Survivor and The Amazing Race, and creating critically acclaimed films and TV shows.
The hit series has also caused something of a ‘Cool-naissance’, with Jennifer Coolidge starring in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons as lost multimillionaire Tanya McQuoid. Previously known for scene-stealing roles in comedies such as American Pie, Best in Show and the Legally Blonde franchise, the actor’s talents have been recently celebrated, seeing her win awards at the Golden Globes, Emmys, Critics Choice Awards and SAG Awards for her role as Tanya McQuoid in The White Lotus.
Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said this event was a blockbuster addition to the Vivid Sydney program.
“There is no doubt this Vivid Ideas event with the series’ leading talent Mike White and Jennifer Coolidge will be a huge drawcard for fans from near and far,” Minister Graham said.
“Sydney is a city where creative industries, ideas and conversations can thrive. I am pleased to see this event added to the program. I hope it will be an opportunity for Mike White and Jennifer Coolidge to fall in love with New South Wales when they visit.”
Vivid Sydney Festival Director, Gill Minervini said, “We’re thrilled to share that The White Lotus creator, Mike White, and star of the series, Jennifer Coolidge, will join this year’s Vivid Sydney line-up. Securing these huge megastars cements Vivid Sydney 2023 as the biggest and most culturally relevant program yet.
“This exclusive event will allow audiences to see behind the curtain on what has become a massive cultural zeitgeist and hear from two of the hottest figures in the creative industries right now,” said Ms Minervini.
The event will bolster an already impressive Vivid Sydney program as the festival returns from Friday 26 May to Saturday 17 June with more than 300 events and activations over 23 days.
Vivid Ideas will bring together the world’s brightest minds and creative leaders and in past years has attracted headline speakers including visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann, psychotherapist Esther Perel, Hollywood trailblazer Spike Lee, fashion influencer Margaret Zhang, and for this year, Hollywood’s hottest duo, Mike White and Jennifer Coolidge and bestselling British author, Jeanette Winterson.
Reflecting this year’s festival theme, ‘Vivid Sydney, Naturally’, the Vivid Ideas program will include 60 intriguing talks and workshops, including the Global Storytellers, Vivid Ideas Exchange events, immersive experiences and partner events, allowing audiences to challenge the status quo, explore human nature and ask: what can we learn from nature?
For more information and to keep updated about the program, go to vividsydney.com
ABOUT VIVID SYDNEY Vivid Sydney is Australia’s largest festival celebrating creativity, innovation and technology, and it transforms Sydney into a kaleidoscope of colour and events for 23 nights. Staged for its 13th year in 2023, Vivid Sydney will bring together mesmerising displays from the world’s brightest light artists, exhilarating live music performances, deep-dive discussions with thought leaders, and innovative experiences from food creatives. Vivid Sydney is owned, managed and produced by Destination NSW, the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency.
NusaTrip (“NusaTrip”), a leading Jakarta-based, IATA-licensed Online Travel Agency (“OTA”) and the travel vertical of Society Pass Inc (Nasdaq: SOPA), Southeast Asia’s (SEA) next generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem, today announces the acquisition of VLeisure, a Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam-based online B2B hotel platform servicing small-to-medium size hotels in Vietnam and empowering online and offline travel agencies to manage and distribute travel products and services. The VLeisure acquisition extends NusaTrip’s base of operations and geographical reach outside of Indonesia for the first time. Going forward, NusaTrip will continue to acquire online and offline travel agencies in SEA as it builds a regional travel platform servicing the booming SEA travel market.
The VLeisure acquisition comes at an opportune time for NusaTrip with the dramatic rebound in the SEA travel market from the depths of the Covid pandemic. The marked increase in demand is driven by strong government initiatives to boost tourism, the rise of SEA’s burgeoning middle class and strong internet penetration, which enables more Southeast Asians to more easily book flights and hotels through OTAs. According to Web In Travel, gross bookings in 2025 will reach 94% of the record 2019 levels. And according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the tourism sector expects to welcome 110 million tourist arrivals in 2023, valued at US$27 billion, representing 5.7% of Vietnam’s projected 2023 GDP of US$469 billion.
Leveraging on SoPa’s capital and NusaTrip’s technology, VLeisure will market its hotel management SaaS products to small-to-medium size hotels initially in Vietnam and then to the rest of SEA. In addition, NusaTrip now acquires an operational foothold to significantly expand its B2C and B2B businesses in Vietnam. Phan Le, VLeisure Founder and Managing Director, comments, “I am honoured to join the SoPa ecosystem and Nusatrip. With SoPa’s rapid growth in 2021 and 2022 and NusaTrip’s position as a leading IATA-licensed travel platform in Indonesia, VLeisure now is able to access our parent companies’ infrastructure of capital, technology, marketing, and customer support, allowing VLeisure to better serve our Vietnam-based customers and accelerate growth in our hotel business. VLeisure’s trip planning, booking capabilities, hotel technology expertise complements Nusatrip’s existing travel services to deliver a more personalised user experience. Furthermore, as a Vietnamese, I am proud to join the first Vietnam-based company to be listed on Nasdaq. SoPa’s Nasdaq IPO in November 2021 is truly an historical event for Vietnam’s economy and an inspiration for all Vietnamese entrepreneurs.”
Founded in 2011 as a Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam-based online marketplace for hotels, airlines, and travel agencies, VLeisure empowers Vietnamese, regional and international OTAs by distributing their travel products. Travel agents access to VLeisure’s extensive inventory of over 650,000 registered hotels. It is also a hotel technology platform servicing small-to-medium size hotels with customer booking and revenue collection software solutions.
Dennis Nguyen, Society Pass Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and NusaTrip Chairman, expounds, “We happily welcome VLeisure into our ever-expanding NusaTrip ecosystem. VLeisure seamlessly blends into our user and merchant growth strategy. We combine NusaTrip’s robust flight B2B technology and B2C operational breadth with VLeisure extensive hotel management software solutions. With Phan’s significant experience and knowledge of the Vietnamese travel sector, I appoint him as the Managing Director of Nusatrip Vietnam. As Head of our Hotel Business, his expertise in hotel technology allows him to create unique travel goods and services that meet the demands of Vietnamese travellers.”
Mr. Nguyen further explains, “As a Vietnamese, I am especially proud to continue to finance and support Vietnam’s start-up sector with this VLeisure acquisition. I believe that our Vietnamese entrepreneurs will continue to be an example for the rest of SEA. We look no further than the example of Phan Le.”
About VLeisure
Founded in 2011 as a Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam-based online marketplace for hotels, airlines, and travel agencies, VLeisure is a hotel technology platform servicing small-to-medium size hotels with customer booking and revenue collection software solutions. In addition, travel agents access to the company’s extensive inventory of over 650,000 registered hotels. VLeisure is now an integral member of NusaTrip. For more information, please visit: https://www.vleisure.com.
About NusaTrip
Founded in 2013, NusaTrip is a Jakarta, Indonesia-based, IATA-licensed online travel agency that serves both local and global customers and partners by optimizing cutting-edge technology and providing 24/7 customer-centric support team-as-a-service. With its first mover advantage, NusaTrip has onboarded +1.2 million registered users, +500 airlines and +200,000 hotels around the world as well as connected with over 80 million unique visitors. NusaTrip is now an integral member of Society Pass (Nasdaq: SoPa) ecosystem. For more information, please visit: https://www.nusatrip.com.
About Society Pass Inc.
Founded in 2018 as a data-driven loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem in the fast-growing markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, which account for more than 80% of the SEA population, and with offices located in Angeles, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore, Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) is an acquisition-focused holding company operating 6 interconnected verticals (loyalty, digital media, travel, telecoms, lifestyle, and F&B), which seamlessly connects millions of registered consumers and hundreds of thousands of registered merchants/brands across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA.
Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021. SOPA shares were added to the Russell 2000 index in December 2021.
SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 650,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.
Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; VLeisure, a Vietnam-based hotel technology platform; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; and Mangan.ph, a leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines.
This press release may include “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.
Dubai DIFC-based Qstay Hospitality Technologies, a next-generation hospitality company that is transforming the guest experience through technology and design, announced today that it is launching its first 30 properties in the emirate of Ras al Khaimah this month. In addition, the company plans to scale its model to London starting this summer, with plans to launch properties by autumn. Qstay is also planning to expand to Riyadh and the Emirates of Fujairah and Abu Dhabi later this year.
Since its founding, Qstay has been on a mission to redefine the hospitality industry through modern, technology-powered service and inspiring, thoughtfully designed accommodations, combined into one seamlessly managed experience. The company operates over 250 properties, with 200 more signed and expects to have 450 revenue-generating units by the end of 2023. Qstay had raised $6.5 million in seed funding and is currently closing $8.5 million pre-Series A round.
Qstay plans to capitalize on opportunities within the growing $800+ billion global lodging market and strengthen its position as a differentiated, rapidly growing innovator in the hospitality industry. The company’s business model focuses on providing luxury hotel-like services and amenities, such as bathrobes, slippers, luxury toiletries, bathroom amenities, tea, Starbucks coffee, and digital app-based access to external facilities such as nearby pools, private beaches, gyms, and spas.
Qstay is developing a differentiated, AI-powered tech-driven platform that will provide digital concierge and customer support, seamless booking, digital check-in, keyless entry, app-based access to hotels and resorts’ facilities with private beaches and pools, business centers, spas, and gyms. The company’s platform also includes a unified system for maintenance and service, which employs smart HVAC equipment and sensors.
“Our expansion to Ras al Khaimah, London, and Riyadh marks an important milestone for Qstay and reflects our commitment to transforming the hospitality industry through technology and design,” said Artur Khayrullin, co-founder of Qstay. “We are excited to bring our unique approach to hospitality to new markets and to provide guests with an exceptional experience that combines luxury amenities and innovative technology,” added Alec Fesenko, co-founder.
Qstay’s competitors include companies like Blueground and Sonder. However, Qstay’s differentiated approach has allowed the company to achieve higher ratings on Airbnb and Booking.com than its competitors, resulting in an exceptional occupancy rate of over 80% and an outstanding Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) of $191, which is well above that of its competitors. The company’s revenue is growing at a rate of over 100% YoY, and it had a positive net income in Q4 2022 and Q1 2023.
As Qstay expands its operations to new markets, the company remains committed to delivering an exceptional guest experience through its technology-powered service and inspiring, thoughtfully designed accommodations.
Contact Information Artur Khayrullin CEO artur@qstay.ae +971521296590
HotelRunner, the leading hospitality and travel technologies platform, has launched HotelRunner Elite, an exclusive service designed to add exponential value to independent and chain hotels, helping them overcome the challenges of strategic positioning and yield management.
HotelRunner Introduces ‘Elite’
In a highly competitive landscape, HotelRunner Elite is designed to help accommodation businesses thrive by offering data-driven, innovative, state-of-the-art technology solutions, and dedicated consulting. Analyzing demand, tracking competitors, and charting a roadmap for efficient yield management, Elite allows hospitality professionals to realize a property’s true potential and makes sure they are always winning.
In line with its trailblazing persona, the company shifted gears to develop more data-driven and AI-powered platforms like the recently announced Insights and Autopilot. Today, on top of HotelRunner’s end-to-end stellar technology, Elite leverages a suite of additional products, including but not limited to Rate Intelligence, Autopilot, and Insights. All these products and the platform feed on HotelRunner’s immense data and evolve with the help of AI and machine learning.
What makes these benefits truly valuable is encapsulated in three concise yet powerful words: profitability, efficiency, and exclusivity. Members of HotelRunner Elite reap the benefits of cutting-edge technology infrastructure, coupled with the expertise of dedicated revenue managers and hospitality experts who scrutinize vast amounts of data to provide actionable insights and strategic guidance. This exclusive offering provides an unparalleled experience within a select community consisting of a group of best-in-class hospitality professionals.
“At HotelRunner, we’re dedicated to providing innovative solutions that drive growth for the hospitality industry,” said Arden Agopyan, Founder and Managing Partner of HotelRunner. “HotelRunner Elite is a true reflection of our commitment to providing the best service possible by pushing the boundaries. With a suite of data-driven platforms and privileged consultancy, Elite offers a unique value to independent and chain hotels, helping them automate their operations, enhance profitability, and beat the competition. We’re excited to see the incredible results it delivers.”
“HotelRunner has always been a leader in hospitality and travel technologies. Each of the products and features we have recently developed is part of a much larger vision and HotelRunner Elite is an extension of it,” said Ali Beklen, Founder and Managing Partner of HotelRunner. “With this launch, we’re taking our offerings to the next level as part of our commitment to creating a bigger travel economy. Elite is designed to help accommodation businesses with large revenue volumes with a tailor-made solution, unlike any other. We’re confident it will be a game-changer for our partners.”
As in the past decade, HotelRunner is committed to providing maximum value to its partners. The new service is tailored to the unique requirements of the industry, addressing the definitive demands of large and enterprise hotels. With a singular offering, Elite delivers optimal results with a combination of a powerful technology platform, AI, and human touch.
HotelRunner Elite has been in the closed beta program for almost a year and has already been increasing profitability and efficiency of its members. For more information about HotelRunner Elite, visit https://hotelrunner.com/elite
Contact Information Suheyla van Taarling Head of Brand suheyla@hotelrunner.com 00905314010303
airindiaexpress.com, the unified customer interface of Air India Express and AirAsia India – the two subsidiary airlines of Air India, has witnessed a surge of visitors within days of launch with the platform, contributing over 25% of international flight revenue on the first day itself, making it the dominant single source of reservations. Flyers of both airlines are now logging in, booking, and managing reservations for both Air India Express and AirAsia India flights on airindiaexpress.com, the new website launched as a major milestone in the integration of the two airlines. airindiaexpress.com is built on the platform of the award-winning AirAsia India website developed by Tata Consultancy Services with the support of Tata Digital and provides a significantly enhanced booking, support and travel experience for Air India Express customers from its historical platform.
The launch of the new website was enabled by the migration to a common reservations and check-in system, which now unifies the entire commercial ecosystem of the two airlines.
Following the successful launch of the reservations system, the airline entities are now focusing on cutting over to common airport check-in systems in a phased manner at all international terminals in India, followed by the overseas network.
Some of the salient features of airindiaexpress.com include:
Single Sign On (SSO) credentials, integrated with Tata Neu and other participating brands of the Tata NeuPass rewards programme
Personalised account profile with personal details, travel documents, saved family & friends for single click addition of guests to bookings, GST details for SMEs, past and upcoming bookings and personalised offers and vouchers
E-commerce style shopping cart, integrated with single sign-on, enables users to seamlessly continue their booking if they leave midway
A single page vertically stacked accordion-style booking flow, minimising the time between flight search and payments, providing a super-fast and efficient booking experience
An integrated booking widget offering special fares and benefits for different passenger profiles, including senior citizens, students, doctors and nurses and members of the armed forces and their dependants, ensuring personalised offerings for flyers on the same PNR
The option to use gender-neutral honorifics for each passenger when booking
Xpress Check-in – Fastest in the industry 5-second check-in which is already scoring global benchmark level Net Promoter Scores with over 80% of users scoring it a 9 or 10, and stating they would recommend it to their friends and family.
Nearly half the bookings on airindiaexpress.com have been from international markets, with Dubai being the largest source city of traffic and other top international sources of traffic being Abu Dhabi, Doha, Sharjah, and Singapore. Domestic traffic and bookings on the platform have come from metro markets like Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai, reflecting the domestic network and hubs of AirAsia India.
As part of the integration, brand communications and support have also moved to common social media handles on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. Online reputation management tools indicate that the integrated social media handles have the highest social reputation score amongst all Indian airlines, driven by faster response and resolution times and massive positive sentiment and feedback on the user experience of the new website and support channels. Advanced AI-powered conversational and multilingual chatbot Tia is also providing seamless 24*7 customer support for both airlines on a common WhatsApp number, Facebook Messenger and on the common website.
With a unified sustainability strategy, the website also offers flyers the opportunity to offset their carbon footprint by planting a tree for every booking, with a geo-location tagged URN Certificate.
A travel agent portal, built and accessible from the same platform, for corporate and retail travel agents in the largely disaggregated market is another key offering of the platform. The travel agent portal offers automated fund upload options, eliminating the need for manual intervention. The platform is also fully automated, from fetching fares to negotiations, enabling travel agents to handle individual and group bookings with ease.
Commenting on the warm response to the integrated platform, Mr. Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express and AirAsia India said, “The initial phase of integration of Air India Express and AirAsia India has been executed in a robust manner in record time. We have successfully migrated to modern day technology from the legacy systems that were dominant. This migration has been built by leveraging the existing strong attributes of AirAsia India with additional deployment of relevant tech solutions. We are very enthused with the initial response to the newly launched airindiaexpress.com. The unified customer experience is an important aspect of our objective of showcasing the larger strength and scale of the Air India network. We are working on adding even more unique features and integrated service which will deliver enhanced experience and strengthen our position in the minds of the customers.”
AirAsia India flies to 19 destinations across the country while Air India Express operates to 14 international destinations from 20 Indian cities.
About Air India Express:
Air India Express, launched in 2005, is India’s first international budget carrier and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India. It meets the need for affordable services on short and medium-haul routes connecting smaller Indian towns directly to the Gulf and South East Asia regions. With 20 Indian cities and 14 international destinations in its network, the airline operates more than 600 flights a week. The airline has a fleet of 26 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft. In January 2022, Air India Express, together with Air India, was successfully privatized, with ownership returning to the Tata group that had initially founded Air India.
About AirAsia India:
AIX Connect Private Limited, formerly known as AirAsia India Private Limited, was launched in 2014 and is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India Limited. AirAsia India flies over 50 direct and 100 connecting routes across India, offering plush leather seats, Gourmair hot meals, pioneering in-flight entertainment, and a host of exclusive loyalty benefits for members of the Tata NeuPass rewards program and offers fast bookings, fab deals and fantastic value on its award-winning website and mobile app.
