NAGANO, JAPAN (MARCH 1, 2024) – Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL), the world’s leading membership and leisure travel company, has acquired the Yushi Chikumakan resort in Chikuma City, in the Nagano prefecture of Japan, and will rebrand the property to Club Wyndham Chikumakan Nagano.

The 36-room Ryokan resort features a mix of Western and traditional Japanese styles and offers a spacious contemporary dining room with multiple private dining areas, featuring Shinshu specialities and seasonal ingredients, a snack bar, indoor and outdoor onsen with natural hot spring mineral water, several open plan resting spaces, and three banqueting halls that can cater for groups up to 130.

“With more than 25 million inbound tourists who spent a record US$35.7 billion (5.29 trillion yen) in 2023, Japan is one of the biggest tourist economies in the world – and its popularity is expected to increase. This acquisition expands our presence in Japan and prepares us for future demand,” said Barry Robinson, President and Managing Director, International Operations, at Travel + Leisure Co.

“Club Wyndham Chikumakan Nagano is our first Club Wyndham branded property in Japan and our 19^th property across the country. The acquisition is a sign of our intention to grow our portfolio of managed properties across the Asia Pacific region and beyond,” he added.

Positioned in a charming valley between Mt Kosakayama and Mt Ariakeyama, the region immediately surrounding Chikuma is famous for its picturesque terraced rice fields and its three famous onsen areas, just a short drive away, which offer steaming waters said to help promote the essentials of body rejuvenation and relaxation.

The destination is one for all seasons. Hikes and cycling tours are available in the warmer seasons while in winter, guests can try snowboarding or skiing at the nearby Hijiri Kogen ski slopes, or further afield at close to 100 ski fields including at Mt Azumaya and the Hakuba region. Travellers can explore cultural landmarks like Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City, step back in time in the fascinating samurai-era town of Narai-juku or marvel at the historic Matsumoto Castle, one of Japan’s twelve remaining original castles. The region also offers the Jigokudani Monkey Park and its famous snow monkeys and a breathtaking cherry blossom season during spring.

The railway station is a short walk from the resort, ensuring guests are well-connected to all the region has to offer. It is approximately a three-hour journey into the heart of Tokyo by car or even quicker using the Shinkansen.

Get ready to be dazzled as globally celebrated artist, Kween Kong, returns to her hometown for Adelaide Fringe 2024 with her sensational production, Black Puddin’. Prepare for an extraordinary experience like no other, as Kween Kong brings her distinctive style and artistry to the heart of the city. Hosted at the vibrant Mamacita Restaurant & Bar at the TRYP Pulteney Street Adelaide hotel, Black Puddin’ promises to be the ultimate drag and dine experience.

Thomas Fonua, a distinguished artist of Tongan descent, has captivated audiences globally as a dancer, choreographer, and emerging leader since the age of 16. Their alter ego, Kween Kong, has soared to new heights as the Reigning Dragnation Australia Winner and a finalist of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under Season Two. Now, as the host of Black Puddin’ 2024, Kween Kong is set to showcase the full extent of her superstar prowess.

Black Puddin’ features a stellar lineup of Australian drag, burlesque, circus, and cabaret, with additional host, Prinnie Stevens of The Voice and headline act, Hannah Conda.

Sashay into a night of fabulousness during Adelaide Fringe 2024! With entertainment served alongside Mamacita’s mouthwatering Mexican fare and margaritas, this event is hotter than a jalapeño. Tickets are selling fast! Snag your spot now for a night of glam, giggles, and a feast for the senses that you won’t want to miss!

Black Puddin’ by Kween Kong runs from February 16 to March 17, 2024, from Thursdays to Sundays at Mamacita Restaurant & Bar at the TRYP Pulteney Street Adelaide hotel.

Tickets are available at: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/black-puddin-af2024

Want to make a night of it? Book a stay at TRYP Pulteney Street Adelaide and immerse yourself in the magic of Black Puddin’ by Kween Kong at Adelaide Fringe 2024.

GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND (DECEMBER, 2023) – Colourful cocktails. Cool hues. Blue-tiful ocean vistas. Incredible summer sunsets. These are part of the quintessential South Pacific summer and Club Wyndham’s new campaign is designed to get its members celebrating everything they love about the season.

The club’s Holiday in Full Colour campaign presents this summer as a Summer of Sports. Members are encouraged to be active and utilise more than 200 free activities available across club resorts – including facilities like pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, croquet greens, minigolf and pool tables – then relax with a cool cocktail and cheat meal at an onsite restaurant, café or bar.

Members also have the freedom to try new pursuits by hiring sporting equipment and games on a complimentary basis – which can include surfboards, body boards, stand up paddle boards, e-bikes, regular bikes, e-scooters, canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, volleyball, fishing rods, golf clubs and board games.

“Holiday in Full Colour encourages our members to enjoy the magic of this time of year and the holiday opportunities available to them travelling as a club member rather than just a hotel guest,” said Michael Parsons, Senior Vice President Marketing and Communications APAC at Travel + Leisure Co., owner of the Club Wyndham brand.

“Our resort teams continually challenge themselves to think of activities to enrich the club experience, whether that is the hobby farm at Club Wyndham Seven Mile Beach, gold sluice at Club Wyndham Ballarat or pedal cart track at Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island. The club provides families with bountiful options and we are pleased to see members taking advantage of them this summer.

“Lifelong friendships have been forged through this club. We have a friendly community where members willingly help each other get the most from their membership and share their experiences and tips with each other,” he added.

This summer, members are encouraged to share their photos and experiences with the hashtag #MyClubWyndhamSummer. This Holiday in Full Colour campaign is the second season of last year’s Colours of Summer and features activations at Club Wyndham resorts in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, resort signage, inspiring member communication and colourful social posting across Club Wyndham’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Colour was chosen as the theme because it is a universal language to transform, represent and beautify – it connects people, and it is inclusive and inviting.

Last year’s “first season” of Colours of Summer was a success, with more than 1.5 million impressions, and was recently runner-up in the Marketing Campaign category of the HM Hotel Management Awards, regarded as the leading annual awards in the Australasian hotel industry.

ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA (DECEMBER 14, 2023) – Mamacita, a trailblazing new concept in Mexican cuisine and drink, has opened at TRYP by Wyndham Pulteney Street Adelaide and is set to become a hot new destination for foodies and bar goers.

Mamacita is a must-visit location for the tequila afficionado, with shelves devoted to a collection of more than 50 tequilas (and climbing). Guests can choose from an enviable range of margaritas – or to build their own – and to heat their meal with chilli sauces featured on a scale ranging from mild to eye-wateringly hot, one of which requires a waiver to taste.

Mexican classics including delicious tacos, quesadillas, nachos, chipotle marinated chicken, chicken wings and pork ribs all feature on the menu, alongside more adventurous choices for the gastronome: carne asada with 12-hour slow roasted and marinated scotch fillet, cured king fish in lemon and lime, and yuca fries made from the yuca root, commonly found in South America and the Pacific.

The mouthwatering menu has been created by Director of Food and Beverage, Valentin Corchado, a food and beverage leader with extensive experience across Europe, Asia and the South Pacific, and Chef Somerled Mackay, who lived in South America for several years before settling in Adelaide.

“The team at Mamacita has done extensive research into what makes the most flavoursome food, picked out some truly incredible and distinctive tequilas, and experimented with the best food and drink combinations to develop culinary itineraries capable of taking guests on a journey,” said Chef Corchado.

“We want to make food fun. We are proud to offer different ideas and have other exciting concepts we intend to roll out, like lollipops we will craft in-house with little scorpions or crickets, imported from overseas. Mamacita is set to bring some spice to the Mexican scene in Adelaide and we know guests will be impressed,” he added.

With an ever-growing library of tequilas, Mamacita looks set to develop a reputation as the place of tequila connoisseur. The range includes celebrity products Casamigos, developed by actor George Clooney, and 818 from reality star Kendall Jenner, alongside premium liquors Gran Patron Piedra and Don Julio 1942. Some great drops are aged in barrels and develop a heady mix of flavours, including vanilla and oak.

Alongside the plentiful tequilas, Mamacita offers mezcals, which feature a scrumptious smokiness developed during the distillation process. Mamacita’s cocktail list is also extensive and features 14 margaritas at present count, although guests are invited to request their favourite cocktails and one of the experienced bartenders can make them using the bar’s wide range of spirits.

Mexican food is renowned for its spice and Mamacita offers chilli sauces from around the world, including South Africa, Australia, Mexico, Costa Rica, USA, Fiji and Thailand, ordered from the mildest rating of 1 to a fire-breathing 50 (out of 10). The strongest chilli sauce is so powerful, a portion is served on the end of a toothpick and a waiver must be signed to even sample it.

The Mamacita bar is capable of hosting events for up to 120 people and features private areas ideal for smaller groups. Breakfast and lunch feature a smaller menu and are served inside TRYP by Wyndham Pulteney Street Adelaide at ground level. Dinner is served from the restaurant and bar on the first level of the hotel. Breakfast service begins at 6am and lunch from 12pm, while the restaurant and bar open from 4pm until late.

The new 120-room TRYP by Wyndham Pulteney Street Adelaide, located at 266 Pulteney St, is part of a unique, urban, boutique brand that embodies the local flavour, rhythm and beat of cities around the world, making it the perfect place for a new foodie concept like Mamacita to call home.

SINGAPORE (25 OCTOBER, 2023) – Club Wyndham Asia (CWA), a new travel membership and lifestyle club developed by Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific to give today’s savvy travellers more freedom, financial flexibility, and fun, announced a strategic brand partnership with department store giant SOGO Indonesia. The arrangement brings the best of hospitality, lifestyle, retail, and travel together to benefit both companies and their customers. CWA members will receive special offers and opportunities to participate in SOGO promotions, while SOGO members will be able to enjoy special rates for stays and food and beverage discounts at CWA properties in Indonesia.

Immediately, CWA will offer exclusive short-stay packages to over 2.5 million SOGO members, giving them the chance to be among the first to join the Club. In addition, 15 of SOGO’s top spenders have been gifted vouchers for a three-day, two-night stay at the Merusaka Nusa Dua in Bali.

Michael Parsons, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Asia Pacific, Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific explained, “The power of this partnership comes from the shared values and vision that both brands bring to life by adding new levels of value to customers and elevating their everyday lives. We are grateful for SOGO’s collaboration and excited to bring exclusive new offerings to Club Wyndham Asia and SOGO members alike. I believe that the potential synergies between us are unique and look forward to seeing what we will co-create in the future.”    

Handaka Santosa, Director of SOGO Indonesia, said, “This partnership is part of our commitment to continuously innovate and provide service excellence so that SOGO customers can enjoy unexpected shopping and vacation experiences. SOGO certainly hopes that this collaboration will be a lasting one.”

A signing ceremony between Messrs Parsons and Santosa was witnessed by officials from various government bodies including: Imam Santosa, Director for Applications, Games, Television, and Radio, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economies; and Eko Nugriyanto, Deputy Director of BPJS Employment for Employee Pension Funds.

SINGAPORE (4 DECEMBER, 2023) – Club Wyndham Asia, the new travel membership and lifestyle club developed by the world’s leading vacation ownership company, Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific, has struck an alliance with airasia to further elevate the travel experience for airasia loyalty program members within the airasia Superapp (soon to be renamed airasia MOVE).

Under the agreement, any airasia member who books a stay at a Club Wyndham Asia property is invited to explore a Club Wyndham preview session for 90 minutes, free of any obligations, while gaining insight into life as a member of the Club. airasia members who complete the Club Wyndham preview session will earn up to 14,000 airasia points.

Club Wyndham Asia offers an array of accommodation packages designed to cater to today’s discerning travelers, from intergenerational families to intrepid solo adventurers embarking on their Thai journeys. To celebrate this partnership, an exclusive promotion is available from only US$149 for bookings made on the airasia Superapp (soon to be renamed airasia MOVE) until 31 March 2024 for stays from until end of April 2024. This promotion is for airasia members in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

Mr. Michael Parsons – SVP of Marketing & Communications at Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific said, “We believe that the collaboration with the distinguished airasia rewards loyalty program will give us the opportunity to deliver even more value and memorable travel experiences to even more people. We look forward to giving airasia members a taste of club life in the coming months.”

Ms. Ba-wornpak Siripanich – Country Head of airasia rewards Thailand expressed her enthusiasm for this landmark collaboration, stating, “Through this exciting partnership with Club Wyndham Asia, we are thrilled to present our esteemed members with an exceptional and exclusive opportunity to earn airasia points while indulging in a curated selection of hotels, all at an exceptional value. This collaboration underscores our unwavering commitment to seek out the most esteemed partners, consistently enhancing the unique advantages and privileges of our loyalty program for our cherished members.”

Experience the airasia Superapp today by downloading it from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery.

GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND (4 DECEMBER, 2023) – More than 50 business leaders from the Gold Coast and Brisbane joined forces with Australian surfer Isabella Nichols in the nation’s biggest corporate surf challenge – surfing, or wiping out, for a good cause.

This year’s 2023 Club Wyndham Corporate Surf Challenge is the eleventh annual event and raised a record $34,000 for the FSHD Global Research Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to improve quality of life for people living with Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy (FSHD). It is a complex and progressive disease that wastes muscles and can rob people of the ability to walk, talk, eat and, over time, even blink and smile.

Surfers this year competed for the Logan Steinwede Memorial Cup, a tribute to late surfer Logan Steinwede, who had been a regular competitor in the surf challenge since 2015, when he was just 12. The event team and many competitors knew Logan personally and are trying to come to terms with his tragic death.

This year’s challenge was organised and hosted by Club Wyndham and was won by Stellar Recruitment. Other local businesses participating included Ray White Surfers Paradise, Coca Cola Europacific Partners, SJS Custom, Harry Harry Australia, Lifestyle Panel, Higgins Coatings, Bunzl, TK Elevator Australia, Our Vacation Centre, Turn Key Furniture Solutions, Rapid Media, Dignified Living and Brintons Carpet & Rugs.

Women’s Championship Tour surfer Isabella Nichols brought a touch of expertise to the event, which saw her join with the surfing enthusiasts from the Gold and Brisbane business communities for the first time.

“We are grateful to see business leaders, along with pro Isabella Nichols, join with us to raise awareness and funds for FSHD Global,” said Barry Robinson, President and Managing Director, International Operations for Wyndham Destinations. “The challenge is a day full of fun, friendly competition, breathtaking moves and wipeouts, and we are grateful we were able to make another huge contribution to an important cause.

“The Foundation is an incredible advocate for those with the disease and has made real headway in recent years towards effective treatment and cures, thanks to generous donors and business partners,” he added.

Through fundraising from events like this, the Foundation has been able to make significant moves, such as having Australia included in a global clinical trial network, with trials expected to open soon.

“Thanks to our generous donors and corporate partners, we recently began using innovative muscle scanning techniques by Springbok Analytics currently used in elite sports like the NFL and NBA to begin monitoring muscle volume, fat infiltration and inflammation to test the effectiveness of potential treatments,” said Emma Weatherley, Managing Director of the FSHD Global Research Foundation.

“With clinical trials happening globally and our ongoing efforts to establish sites in Australia, we believe we are on the cusp of a breakthrough that could change the lives of people fighting this disease and with no government funding for this disease, we are working to ensure that Australians with FSHD don’t miss out on participating in trials or benefiting from future approved therapies,” she added.

Stellar Recruitment, as the winner of the Club Wyndham Corporate Surf challenge, received custom-made surfboards by SJS Custom Surfboards, while there were additional prizes for the top scoring surfer, lowest scoring surfer and best wipeout.

The event is a tag team surfing competition run under the Surftag format, where each team is represented by four surfers. All teams competed in an elimination round, where victors progressed to a quarter final, then a semifinal and final.

GOLD COAST (28 NOVEMBER, 2023) – Staff at the Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific Gold Coast corporate office have won three awards at the HM Magazine Hotel Management Awards held on the weekend.

The company’s philanthropic arm, Wishes by Wyndham, was recognised in the Service to the Community category; Director Revenue and Distribution APAC, Ainsley Baldwin, was named Revenue Management Associate; and Finance Manager – Hospitality, Curtis Harris, won Finance Associate.

The HM Awards for Accommodation and Hotel Excellence are considered the most prestigious hospitality awards programs in the South Pacific region. Every year, award judges review approximately 1,400 nominations to determine winners across more than 40 categories and the high standard of competition makes recognition a career highlight to be celebrated.

“The deserved acknowledgement of Ainsley and Curtis is testament to the excellent work being done by our team based out of the Gold Coast, particularly by our finance and revenue teams as they strengthen our financial position,” said Barry Robinson, President and Managing Director, International Operations, Wyndham Destinations.

“Wishes by Wyndham is a regular award winner and I am incredibly proud of the way the Gold Coast-based committee has raised more than $700,000 for people in need since Wishes formed in 2009. Staff volunteer their time to benefit worthwhile causes and, alongside our valued members, give generously from their own means,” he added.

Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific also received a highly commended for its member marketing campaign Holiday in Full Colour, while Ramada Resort by Wyndham Rotorua Marama was highly commended in the New Zealand Midscale Hotel category.

Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific is part of Wyndham Destinations, the largest vacation ownership company globally and a business unit of Travel + Leisure Co., which is the world’s leading membership and leisure travel company.

ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA (NOVEMBER 28, 2023) – TRYP by Wyndham Pulteney Street Adelaide is pleased to announce the appointment of Valentin Corchado as Director of Food and Beverage.

Valentin is an extensively experienced hospitality leader, having managed hotels in Darling Harbour and Brighton in Australia and large food and beverage operations in several Fiji resorts, with global brands Hilton and Raddison. Previously, he worked as food and beverage manager in hotels in Darwin and as an events manager in Sydney.

For the past six years, he has served as Director of his own hospitality consulting firm Coliseum, where he provided invaluable human resources and operational support to international resorts in Fiji.

“Valentin has proven his talent and ability time and again in a hospitality career spanning 24 years, the vast majority of those in leadership positions. He is a skilled all-rounder with knowledge of food and beverage, operations, events and people management, who is not afraid to take on responsibility outside of his brief or try something new,” said Duncan Mars, Senior Director of Operations at Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific.

“Valentin is renowned for his creativity, and we look forward to seeing the brilliant ideas he will bring to our café, restaurant and bar at TRYP by Wyndham Pulteney Street Adelaide,” he added.

TRYP by Wyndham Pulteney Street Adelaide is managed by Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific, which oversees 70 properties in 13 countries across the Asia Pacific region and beyond.

The 120-room hotel features a gym, library, business centre and a boardroom-style meeting room capable of hosting small gatherings of up to 10 people. It has three categories of guest rooms: studio-sized Standard rooms; Deluxe rooms with superior fixtures and fittings; and Executive Suites on the 11^th floor offering city views and the highest level of finishes.

The TRYP by Wyndham brand is a unique, boutique brand that specialises in making the best of its urban locations accessible for guests. TRYP by Wyndham hotels can be found in some of the world’s most exciting destinations, including Barcelona, Lisbon, Madrid, New York City, Dubai and Sao Paulo.