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asia | regions


where the new KAI Okuhida resort will offer a variety of bathing experiences amid magnificent mountains. Visitors can enjoy spectacular views from private, open-air baths. The cruise industry is also picking up


pace in Japan, and Mitsui Ocean Cruises has introduced a new ship — Mitsui Ocean Fuji Line, which is being prepared to set sail from Yokohama on a world cruise in April 2025. Further south, resorts in Sri Lanka and


the islands in the Maldives are offering culinary experiences to guests with cooking masterclasses and special menus by renowned guest chefs. For example, Einat Admony – a James Beard-nominated chef and owner of the celebrated Balaboosta restaurant in New York – was a guest chef at Sun Siyam Olhuveli and Sun Siyam Vilu Reef in the Maldives in 2023. “Over the past three years, Sun Siyam


Resorts has seen a substantial growth from the U.S. market,” says Deepak Booneady, CEO of Sun Siyam. “Sun Siyam Iru Fushi is proving popular with families and Sun Siyam Iru Veli for couples celebrating significant birthdays and anniversaries. Siyam World continues to attract the larger multi-generation groups and clienteles looking for ‘firsts’ in the Maldives — following the first resort horse ranch to be opened in the country and the world’s first underwater jetpack in conjunction with Cudajet at Siyam World. We look forward to welcoming more visitors from the USA to Sun Siyam Pasikudah, on the east coast of Sri Lanka which has been beautifully refurbished and provides an ideal base to explore cultural sites in this fascinating country.” Certain hotels in Sri Lanka are actively


looking to increase their green credentials in order to cater to more eco-conscious travelers. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts in Sri Lanka, aims to reduce its carbon footprint by the end of 2025 and become a net-zero hotel chain by 2030. By identifying endangered flora and fauna species in each property, the group claims it will further amplify its practices in protecting fresh water and marine eco-systems from plastic waste and aim to reduce single-use plastics by 50 percent. Wellness is a top priority for many travelers


since the pandemic, and this goes beyond traditional spa breaks. Resorts across Asia are now expanding their offering, ranging from medical treatments to sound bath experiences. Hilton’s trends report found that 47 percent travelers in 2023 were seeking out resorts with fitness amenities like gyms or hiking activities. In India, there are wellness retreats focused on targeting particular ailments and overall


Pak Ou Cave shrine, Mekong River, Luang Prabang, Laos. Left: Rice terraces near Tegallalang village, Ubud, Bali


wellbeing. The Leela, a luxury hotel group with properties throughout the country, offers Aujasya — a wellness program that endeavors to redefine holistic health by blending traditional and modern practices through food and nutrition, provided alongside outdoor experiences, ayurvedic therapies, yoga classes and meditation sessions. SwaSwara Wellness Retreat, on the Konkan


coast in Gokarna, Karnataka, offers yoga sessions like many others, but also offers art therapy and interactive cooking classes that highlight local recipes to help visitors take these experiences back home. In Bali’s Jimbaran Bay, epicureans can


learn to make herbal cocktails in a workshop at the recently opened zero-waste bar TELU, plus enjoy a color and sound therapy healing session at the upscale new spa. Near Ubud, there are more unique


culinary offerings at the Four Seasons Sayan, which offers guests an experience in planting and harvesting rice with local farmers along with guided tours in markets to buy produce for an indulgent plant-based cooking class focusing on forgotten Balinese recipes at their cooking school Sokasi. There are also talks on meditation as well as a Sacred Nap experience, where guests are gently rocked to sleep in hammocks by Ibu Fera, a former Buddhist nun who’s now the resident wellness mentor.


For those who enjoy day trips and the


concept of slow travel, in the ancient city of Luang Prabang in Laos, visitors can experience the best of the Mekong River through various day cruises along with a variety of excursions including visits to the turquoise hued Kuang Si waterfalls as well as Pak Ou Caves. “As we look ahead to 2024, we see


responsible travel taking center stage in Asia, with eco-conscious choices and sustainable practices leading the way. This also ties with a continued push towards nature-based escapes that allow guests to recharge in, or get out and explore, pristine environments — an increasing luxury in this rapidly developing region,” says Mark Thomson, group director of public relations at Minor Hotels, who believes that people are now reevaluating how they travel more than ever. “Immersive wellness experiences will


continue to take travelers beyond the traditional spa and foster deeper connections to their well-being, from personalized fitness and medical wellness programs to mindfulness retreats. In this new era of travel in Asia, adventure is meeting responsibility, and well-being is increasingly harmonizing with nature.” Along with the rising demand for wellness


retreats, 2023 also saw a strong focus on sustainability and family holidays within travel, and the trend is likely to continue in 2024.


Worldwide Destination Guide 2024/25 | ASTA | 59


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