Malaysia promoting wellness travel experiences

Tourism Malaysia has unveiled a new collection of wellness tourism packages, offering visitors to the Asian nation a range of rejuvenating escapes and nature-based experiences.

The wellness packages are designed to cater to modern travellers seeking physical vitality and emotional balance, the organisation says.

Packages are available in several destinations - including Kuala Lumpur, Sabah, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Selangor.

Tourism Malaysia is partnering with 12 leading industry players - including travel agencies, hotels, and wellness centres to craete 36 different wellness packages, new bub Travel Mole reported.

Guests can stay at top resort properties including Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur (above) and The Datai in Langkawi.

Malaysia is home to 365 registered spas under the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, offering an array of different therapies.

These range from hot stone massages and aromatherapy to hydrotherapy, herbal baths, and Ayurvedic treatments.

Urutan Malaysia is a signature massage technique.

The packages also comprise nature-based excursions that connect travellers with local life.

These include visits to fruit farms, coffee roasters and herb growers and exploring rural landscapes.

“Malaysia offers a unique wellness experience rooted in our diverse cultural heritage and natural landscapes,” said Sulaiman Suip, director of Tourism Malaysia in London.

“These thoughtfully curated packages are designed to cater to the growing demand for travel that supports physical, mental, and emotional well-being.”

See https://www.malaysia.travel/

Undergarments, and the mysterious art of branding

There are few more mysterious arts than coming up with the right name for a brand.

Take the Toyota Kluger (anyone know what a Kluger is?) or the Mitsubishi Lettuce?

Sometimes a change in branding make sense. When people became more health conscious, Kentucky Fried Chicken rebranded as the altogether healthier-sounding KFC.

This week, the Banyan Tree group, known for luxurious high-end wellness and spa resorts around the world, announced it was rebranding as the Banyan Group.

So instead of being known for a very attractive tree, the group now wants to be identified with an Indian underwear garment similar to a vest. That's truly baffling.

But some marketing guru was no doubt handsomely paid for a change that will cost the company millions in new logos, stationery, signage etc.   

Look it up:

A Banyan tree is a fig, the branches of which produce aerial roots which later become accessory trunks. A banyan is a loose flannel undergarment worn in India.

The hotel group announced the re-branding thus:

"This year, we are proud to be celebrating 30 years of pioneering hospitality, from a single luxury brand to a portfolio of 12 brands. This milestone is marked with a brand shift from "Banyan Tree Group" to "Banyan Group”. As we enter into this landmark year, we continue to focus on delivering exceptional, design-led experiences across hotels, spas, residences, food and retail catering to evolving traveller preferences and needs."

A press release says: This brand shift reflects the Group's evolution into a dynamic, multi-brand hospitality powerhouse.

"Since 2019, the Group has doubled its brand portfolio, bringing its pioneering spirit, design-led experiences, and purpose driven mission to new destinations, including Banyan Tree AlUla in Saudi Arabia, Garrya in Kyoto, and Folio in Osaka, Japan, Dhawa in Ho Tram, Vietnam, Homm in Huzhou, China and Banyan Tree Dubai in the United Arab Emirates."

There is much enthusiasm about the new brand.

“As we celebrate the Group’s 30th anniversary and its evolution into Banyan Group, this milestone is not only testament to the Group’s enduring success in the hospitality industry but also sets the stage for an exciting future,” said Eddy See, president and CEO of Banyan Group.

“This brand evolution reflects our portfolio transformation from a single luxury brand to the diverse offering we have today."

OK. If you say so.

I just wonder how many customers will understand, and embrace, the change. Some might not even realise Banyan Tree is now named after a piece of underwear. 

 

Hotel staff roll up their sleeves to help local community

Staff from a luxury resort donated their time and energy to helping out a local community centre that suffered storm damage.

In a world full of bad news, it is nice to be able to report on a good news story.

Luxury hotel group Banyan Tree has sponsored hundreds of causes and projects worldwide through its Banyan Tree Global Foundation - but it staff did their bit after Banyan Tree Samui general manager Remko Kroesen learned that a tropical storm had devastated a community centre on the island.

In addition to funding the cost of reconstruction, the Australian GM and several volunteers from the hotel rolled up their sleeves and helped out with landscaping and other labour-intensive tasks.

Over a year later, construction work on the canteen at the Wat Santi Wanaram Child Development Centre has been completed, and the 103 children and their teachers can enjoy a safe environment.

“We are so grateful to Banyan Tree Samui for recognizing the importance of children’s education here in Koh Samui,” wrote Suthima Chanrak, the acting head of the centre.

“We rejoice that we will have a new canteen, not only for the children’s meals, but also a building that will act as a focal point for community activities and town hall meetings.”

It is one of a number of initiatives implemented locally by Banyan Tree Samui in recent years.

“As a 5-star resort with beautiful villas and sea views, a spa, and exquisite dining, it would be easy to forget that many of the families on Koh Samui work nearby in coconut plantations or on fishing boats, and are often unable to meet the rising costs of medical care and housing,” said Kroesen.

“That’s why we maintain an annual fund to assist those in need, and never forget how lucky we are to share their wonderful island with them.”

For more information about the rebuilding of Wat Santi Wanaram Child Development Centre, please go to: www.banyantree.com/thailand/samui/wat-santi-wanaram