Members of Qatar Airways Privilege Club can now collect and spend Avios points at almost 200 outlets at Hamad International Airport in partnership with Qatar Duty Free. In another innovation, passengers at all departure points will be rewarded with Avios points upon check-in which will be credited up to 120 minutes before flight departure.
This will allow members of Qatar Airways Privilege Club to then collect and spend Avios at Hamad as part of their journey. Avios can be used in an expansive list of luxury fashion outlets and world-class dining options at Hamad, which has recently launched a major expansion featuring the luxury shopping hub The Orchard set in a tropical garden and offering one-of-a-kind brand items.
Avios is the reward currency of Qatar Airways Privilege Club and provides the airline's regular flyers with convenient payment methods. For instance, the currency can be used in conjunction with cash as a payment option. Points are collected when members or their nominated family fly with Qatar Airways, Oneworld Alliance airlines or airline partners. Avios points can also be collected with purchases from more than 100 global partners and through co-branded payment cards, and can be spent in many ways including the recent addition of shopping and dining at Qatar Duty Free.
Phangnga most welcoming
Booking.com has named Phangnga as the most welcoming destination in Thailand based on reviews from travellers around the world.
Amid the travel industry's continued recovery, the 11th annual Booking.com Traveller Review Awards recognised travel providers from across 220 countries for their commitment to providing consistently excellent service for the preceding year. Based on a pool of over 240 million verified customer reviews on Booking.com, a total of 12,445 properties in Thailand were recognised for their hospitality with an 8.6 average review score. As to detailed reasons given by reviewers, global travellers prioritised staff in their assessments followed by location and cleanliness of accommodation.
Following Phangnga as Thailand's most welcoming destinations were Krabi, Trat, Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai.
Big tent discount in Cambodia
Visitors to Bangkok Riverside Festival taking place from Feb 3-5 can win 40% off the normal price of a three-day two-night Trekker Package at award-winning Cardamom Tented Camp in Cambodia.
Two vouchers for the discount are among prizes in the festival's main raffle draw. All proceeds from the main raffle go towards elephant preservation work by the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation, a founding partner of Cardamom Tented Camp.
The two-night package for two people features a comfortable safari tent (twin/double) and includes round-trip boat transfer and full-board meals.
Winners of the special offer can travel any time from now to Nov 30 and are eligible for 40% off the normal price of the Trekker Package.
Guests can buy raffle tickets from Cardamom Tented Camp at the Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation booth at Bangkok Riverside Festival, which takes place beside Soi Charoen Nakorn 57/1 on the Thon Buri side of the river.
Visit bangkokriversidefest.com.
Mandarin in Mallorca
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced it will manage a new beach resort in one of the most sought-after locations on the island of Mallorca, Spain.
The new luxury resort -- scheduled to open during the second half of 2024 as Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca -- is being developed by Spain-based Blasson Property Investments and comprises a significant reconstruction and redesign of the former H10 Punta Negra hotel, which occupies a picturesque peninsula on the Costa d'en Blanes in the southwest of the island.
Mandarin Oriental Punta Negra, Mallorca will comprise 131 guestrooms including 44 suites and nine bungalows located just a few steps from the waterfront. The spacious accommodation, some with private panoramic plunge pools, will also feature full or partial sea views and outdoor terraces or balconies.
