This week’s wrap is a bit like fairy bread, which is not to say that it’s been sprinkled with hundreds and thousands, but that you have to be an Aussie to appreciate some of it.

Hilton rolls out new standard of cleanliness worldwide

Hilton Hotels has begun a worldwide roll-out of ‘Hilton CleanStay’, the hospitality company’s new “industry-defining” standard of cleanliness and disinfection, across all of its properties.

The program, created in collaboration with Lysol and Dettol maker RB and Mayo Clinic, includes new procedures to help Hilton guests enjoy an even cleaner and safer stay.

These include the incorporation of contactless check-in and check-outs, as well as the use of digital keys for rooms; a new seal of approval to show guests that their rooms have been thoroughly cleaned; and increased frequency of the cleaning of public spaces, among other measures.

To assess what Hilton CleanStay will provide in full, check it out for yourself here.

In other news, Hilton has also launched a new domestic campaign to inspire local travellers.

As part of the ‘Dream Away’ campaign, travellers can make the most of a couple of cracking deals on room rates, including up to 30 per cent off for Hilton Honors members, and up to 25 per cent off for non-Hilton Honors members.

The campaign will run until 31 July 2020, for a stay period of 16 June to 31 March 2021.

Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific reopens Australian resorts

Ramada Coffs Harbour

Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific has opened its first Australian resorts to welcome travellers after most states eased COVID-19 restrictions on intrastate travel.

Fourteen properties are opening today at a reduced 50 per cent capacity initially to Australian-based members of Club Wyndham South Pacific, the region’s largest timeshare club with close to 60,000 members, and resort guests, including:

• Ramada Resort by Wyndham Golden Beach
• Ramada by Wyndham Marcoola Beach
• Club Wyndham Kirra Beach
• Ramada Resort by Wyndham Flynns Beach
• Ramada Resort by Wyndham Coffs Harbour
• Club Wyndham Coffs Harbour – Terraces
• Club Wyndham Port Macquarie
• Ramada Resort by Wyndham Shoal Bay
• Ramada Resort by Wyndham Dinner Plain Mt Hotham
• Wyndham Hotel Melbourne
• Wyndham Resort Torquay
• Ramada Resort by Wyndham Phillip Island
• Ramada Resort by Wyndham Seven Mile Beach
• Ramada Resort by Wyndham Dunsborough.

The news also comes as Wyndham Hotels & Resorts announced the continued expansion of its portfolio in Japan, converting two hotels to its Wyndham Grand and Wyndham Garden brands: the 60-room, all suite, Wyndham Grand Awashima and 95-room, all suite, Wyndham Garden Nagaizumi.

Join Club Med on the couch to WIN your own much needed holiday

Club Med is launching a brand-new business webinar series for travel agents, covering the post-COVID-19 holiday ‘norm’ and what you, your business and your clients will need to know and expect.

The all-inclusive holiday company said it has done all of the hard work for agents, by pulling together global market reports, regional benchmarks, local surveys and internal Club Med strategies to come up with a plan to help you achieve your COVID recovery.

Th Club Med team will also be delivering sharp sessions over a number of times and dates between 16 June and 2 July 2020, covering everything you need to know now as we all gear up to open our doors post COVID.

There’s even the chance to score yourself a holiday. Travel agents can register here to secure their spot here.

Soneva launches new conscious experiences across resorts in the Maldives & Thailand

Soneva resorts have announced new experiences at Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani in the Maldives, and at Soneva Kiri in Thailand, centred around learning and delving deeper into Soneva’s philosophy and sustainable practices.

Guests can take part in marine conservation under the guidance of the resort Marine Biologist at Soneva Jani, learn how to track wildlife on the island at Soneva Fushi, or learn about the organic gardens and pick the ingredients for their lunch at Soneva Kiri.

WATCH: Quest Apartment Hotels unveils new campaign to get Australia on the road

Quest Apartment Hotels has launched ‘On the Road Again’, a new campaign aimed to inspire Australians to see more of their own backyard and make the most of their domestic travel liberties.

The announcement follows the 1 June easing of restrictions, which allowed for intrastate leisure travel in Victoria, Western Australia and regional New South Wales, with Queensland following suit on 12 June.

The campaign will mirror the easing of travel restrictions, with Quest incrementally expanding on its intrastate focus, and moving into an interstate play as the states and territories permit.

New Alma resort appoints commercial director

Martin Koerner has been named Alma’s commercial director, where he will be tasked with positioning the 30-hectare beachfront resort on a consistent growth trajectory, and will oversee sales, marketing, public relations, distribution, and reservations.

His appointment comes after almost four years at The Anam, another five-star resort also situated in Cam Ranh, where he was employed as director of sales and marketing during the property’s preopening.

He was later promoted to group director of sales, marketing and distribution due to his efforts in spearheading the formation of the resort’s commercial team and increasing profitability.

Preferred Hotel Group acquires Beyond Green Travel in move to advance sustainable tourism

Preferred Hotel Group, Inc., the family-owned company that manages and operates global travel and hospitality brands including Preferred Hotels & Resorts, Historic Hotels of America, Historic Hotels Worldwide, and PHG Consulting, has acquired Beyond Green Travel – a world-renowned leader in providing sustainable tourism services and consulting, founded by ecotourism pioneer and global sustainability expert Costas Christ.

Finalized on 4 February 2020, this is the first acquisition by the Ueberroth family since they purchased Preferred Hotel Group, Inc. in March 2004, and represents the next step in CEO Lindsey Ueberroth’s strategic vision to enhance the company’s portfolio in making travel a positive force for people and the planet.

Casa Angelina welcomes life back to the Amalfi Coast

Casa Angelina, a beautiful boutique hotel that sits high on the Amalfi Coast, is looking forward to opening its doors to guests on 1 July and sharing its elegant home with people again.

Their most recent video shares an emotional and uplifting tale of how the sublimity of the Amalfi Coast feels empty without the joy of summer visitors, but that they rejoice and take solace in the fact that they will soon be able to open their doors to life and embrace guests again.

Shoalhaven’s Bangalay Luxury Villas are open with new experiences

To welcome back their much-loved regulars and stimulate new visitors to the popular Shoalhaven holiday region, the Bangalay Luxury Villas team has developed ‘COVID-safe’ protocols and bespoke dining experiences that can now be fully enjoyed at the property’s intimate on-site venue, Bangalay Dining.

Bangalay Dining launched its new menu following the notice that regional travel will be permitted from June 1st and restaurants will be able to host up to 50 people.

Through the COVID-19 closures, Bangalay Dining has offered a delicious takeaway menu based on the former bar menu which has proven very popular with guests, visitors to Seven Mile Beach and locals.

With regional visitation and increased restaurant capacity permitted, Bangalay Dining is thrilled to be able to once again extend its offerings to include table service and a range of new dining experiences such as a native ingredient dining experience, oyster experience, a six-course degustation menu, and more.

Pier One Sydney Harbour’s ‘Igloos On The Pier’ return

Pier One Sydney Harbour’s best winter pop-up – ‘Igloos On The Pier’ – is back and better than ever.

Opening from 19 June to 30 August, Pier One has reimagined the Igloo experience and raised the bar, literally, with Igloos now perched in suites overlooking Sydney Harbour for a private and exclusive igloo experience.

Get away from your own four walls and rediscover the local serenity of Sydney and choose from an igloo sleepover under the stars, a luxe hot tub igloo, or a bespoke proposal experience.

In addition to the reimagined igloo experience, Pier One is also offering three luxe hampers to compliment the Igloo experience which can be ordered ahead of your stay including a cheese and charcuterie hamper, seafood market basket or the After Dark x The Gantry dessert hamper.

Donation benefits Turtle Island’s local community

A GoFundMe page set up by the management team at Turtle Island in Fiji has raised more than $40,000 to help the island’s local communities and alleviate food insecurity for approximately 370 Fijian families.

Due to global COVID-19 travel restrictions and the destruction caused by Cyclone Harold in April, many of the tourism operators in the Yasawa Islands of Fiji have had to close, and over 90 per cent of people in Turtle Island’s neighbouring island community (known as the Nacula Tikina) have lost their primary source of income.

After an original donation of FJ$15,000 ($10,136) made to the island’s food relief initiative which included fishing and farming equipment as well as food supplies, Richard Evanson Jr, Turtle Island’s managing director, set up the GoFundMe page to raise additional funds.

The GoFundMe page, which received a total of 97 donations included nine individual contributions of US$1,000 and numerous US$500 donations which came mostly from past guests of the island with some choosing to share their memories with their donation.

Featured image: Hilton/Will Newton