Club Med and Mandai X Bring Ranger Buddies Missions to Bintan Island

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Rallying every travelling family – especially the juniors - to create their own waves of change for this planet we call home. And there’s no better place and time to do it, than playtime! Club Med, the pioneer of premium all-inclusive resorts, has joined hands with Mandai X, the growth and impact venture-building arm of Singapore’s Mandai Wildlife Group, to bring the Ranger Buddies programme to Club Med Bintan from 16 November to 5 January 2025. In nurturing the next generation of conservation heroes, the programme features a series of engaging missions and activities that blend augmented reality (AR) with real-life exploration.


Start a Wave of Change at Club Med Bintan

For the first time ever, Ranger Buddies Missions land on the shores of Club Med Bintan. Families and children can embark on an exciting mission to help Coco the tortoise save the threatened habitats of her ocean cousins. Guests can tackle various missions through the Mini Club Med+ programme, enjoy dedicated family activities, or explore the Magic Valley app, a digital storytelling app where children can enjoy interactive and personalised stories. Designed with children and families in mind, the Ranger Buddies Missions make learning about sustainability a fun and engaging part of their holiday experience whilst encouraging participants to care for the planet.

Olivier Monceau, General Manager, Club Med Singapore and Malaysia expressed the excitement: “We are thrilled to partner with Mandai X to bring the Ranger Buddies Missions to Club Med Bintan. This initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to offering enriching and transformative experiences for families. By combining Mandai X’s commitment to empower everyone to play a part in protecting our world, with our dedication to creating the ideal environment for family vacations, this programme can help inspire children to appreciate this planet they share with nature and wildlife and be sustainability champions of tomorrow.”


Unique Experiences for Families Seeking Purposeful Fun

The Ranger Buddies Missions at Club Med Bintan offers more than just an adventure; it provides an opportunity for children to develop future-ready skills through fun and engaging activities. The programme integrates the C.O.U.R.A.G.E. framework, a research-backed approach designed by pedagogical experts. This framework helps children thrive by fostering essential life skills such as creativity, courage, and cooperation.

“At Mandai X, we believe in the power of purposeful fun, nurturing the younger generation in meaningful ways to drive positive change for themselves, others and the world we share. This includes inspiring a lifelong love for nature and wildlife, and a commitment to conservation and sustainability,” said Ms Belina Lee, CEO of Mandai X. “Our partnership with Club Med allows us to bring the Ranger Buddies Missions to a new and exciting setting, where children can acquire future-ready skills, while learning about sustainability through hands-on experiences. Together, we are empowering families to make a positive impact on our planet, one mission at a time.”

Participants can also join Club Med’s Amazing Family programme, which offers curated family activities designed to strengthen bonds while learning about sustainability. Mini Club Med+, animated by Mini Club Med G.O.s, adds another layer of excitement with workshops and activities that bring the magic of conservation to life.

The impact of the Ranger Buddies Missions extends beyond Club Med Bintan. Participants will leave the resort with a heightened awareness of sustainability and a renewed commitment to make a difference. Children can become Ranger Buddies certified by Mandai X, and families can take home a personalised digital story about precious sea turtles to preserve memories of their adventure.


Exclusively at Club Med Bintan

The Ranger Buddies programme will be available exclusively at Club Med Bintan from 16 November 2024 to 5 January 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to embark on a unique family adventure that combines education, fun, and a commitment to making the world a better place. Visit www.clubmed.com.sg/ for more booking details.



ABOUT CLUB MED

Club Med, founded in 1950 by Gérard Blitz, invented the all-inclusive holiday club concept, adding in activities especially for children with the creation of the Mini Club in 1967. Led by its pioneering spirit, Club Med seeks out exceptional destinations and sites. Today, Club Med is the world’s leading provider of upscale, all-inclusive holiday packages with a French touch for families and working couples. Club Med operates over 70 resorts, of which 95% are rated Premium & Exclusive Collection that offers a selection of the brand's most exclusive resorts, villas, chalets, and yachts characterised by premium accommodations, exceptional hospitality and personalized services, exclusively beautiful locations, refined dining concepts and lounges, transformational experiences, and unique architecture and design elements. Present in 30 countries around the world, the Group employs more than 23,000 Gentils Organisateurs (G.Os) and Gentils Employés (G.Es), representing 110 nationalities.



ABOUT MANDAI X

Mandai X spearheads purpose-led innovation to build global ventures that create better choices for harmony between people and nature. As the growth and impact acceleration and venture building arm of Mandai Wildlife Group, Mandai X leverages over 50 years of experience in wildlife and nature conservation to bring together communities, businesses and governments. We challenge ourselves to unleash the collective power of a billion consumers to drive growth and impact at scale.

Mandai Wildlife Group is the steward of the unique wildlife and nature destination in the northern region of Singapore which is home to the country’s wildlife parks – Singapore Zoo, Bird Paradise, River Wonders, Night Safari which provide visitors a window into the wild to connect with nature and animals while learning about their vital roles in keeping the planet healthy.

For more information on Mandai X, please visit https://www.mandaix.com/

Dusit Thani Bangkok launches exclusive docuseries charting the iconic hotel’s bold reimagining as part of Dusit Central Park

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Making its highly anticipated return on 27 September 2024 after a stunning transformation, the legendary hotel is ready for an exciting new chapter. Filmed over the past five years, “An Icon Reimagined: The Docuseries” tells the captivating story of the renowned property’s redevelopment. 

Making its highly anticipated comeback on 27 September 2024, the iconic Dusit Thani Bangkok hotel is set to reaffirm its status as one of the city’s most beloved and recognised landmarks and a beacon of gracious Thai hospitality. 

To celebrate this momentous occasion, the hotel is launching a new docuseries titled ‘An Icon Reimagined: The Docuseries,’ which chronicles the hotel’s journey over the past five years. 

Launched with a teaser trailer on 3 September 2024 and accessible online via the hotel’s official Facebook page and via youtube.com/@dusitinternational, the 10-episode series will highlight the new hotel’s meticulous development process and offer an intimate look at the vision and dedication passed down through generations. It will culminate in the 50-year-old hotel’s much-anticipated reopening in a new, reimagined form.

“When talking about the Dusit Thani Bangkok, many people think about my mother, Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui, who built the original hotel following her vision to uniquely deliver gracious Thai hospitality to the world,” said Mr Chanin Donavanik, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee, Dusit International. “Back in 1969, when the hotel was being built, people questioned the strange building she was constructing. It was neither Thai nor Western in its architectural style. However, as the years passed, Dusit Thani Bangkok, with its unique identity and personality, established itself as one of Bangkok’s iconic landmarks. And it stood tall and proud for over 50 years.

“The original property was also distinguished by my mother’s belief in the strength of Thai culture and hospitality, and how these could be leveraged to create a hotel that could compete in the international market. The new Dusit Thani Bangkok continues her vision to create a recognised landmark in Thailand, reflecting the nation’s culture while delivering service and hospitality with true Thai heart and soul.”

Ms Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO of Dusit International, said, “There have been so many changes in our industry over the past 50 years. To bring back the past glories of the original Dusit Thani Bangkok within a modern context, we knew thoughtful change was essential. Under the concept of ‘An Icon Reimagined,’ we have worked to create an innovative and modern hotel that retains the beloved identity of the original property. Three key pillars have guided our approach: ‘The legacy continues – Gracious, now and always;’ ‘Iconic grandeur for a new generation;’ and ‘Luxury redefined through distinctive experiences.’ These pillars define the new paradigm of rest and relaxation offered at the new Dusit Thani Bangkok, with design, facilities, and service elevated in every way.”

Situated in the same prime location as the original Dusit Thani Bangkok, which graced the Bangkok skyline from 1970 – 2019, the highly anticipated, reimagined version of Dusit’s luxury flagship hotel sits at the heart of Dusit Central Park, a landmark mixed-use development also comprising ultra-luxury residences (Dusit Residences and Dusit Parkside), a state-of-the-art office tower, a high-end retail centre, and an 11,200 sq m Roof Park (all slated to open in 2025). 

Designed to deliver a fresh take on its predecessor’s esteemed heritage and once again stand as a beacon of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality for discerning travellers from all around the world, the newly built, 39-floor, 257-key hotel offers ample space for guests, including elegant suites exquisitely crafted by internationally acclaimed Asian interior design firm André Fu Studio, starting at an impressive 50 sq m. 

Simultaneously connecting guests with nature while enveloping them in luxurious comfort, every spacious guest room in the new hotel offers a breathtaking view of Lumpini Park. This unparalleled vista is impressively framed by floor-to-ceiling windows and inviting window seating that immerses guests in the stunning scenery beyond. This exquisite backdrop is complemented by elegant interior décor that harmoniously fuses cultural heritage and modern aesthetics.  

Guests will also find elevated dining experiences created in collaboration with renowned chefs, a stylish multi-level rooftop bar created in partnership with award-winning mixologists, and expansive banqueting and meeting facilities, including one of the largest grand ballrooms in Bangkok, which also overlooks Lumpini Park. 

Health and wellness enthusiasts will be delighted by the comprehensive spa and wellness facilities, including the Devarana Wellness centre, which offers unique opportunities to pause, focus, and grow. 

The new Dusit Thani Bangkok has also incorporated several iconic elements of its past heritage into the new structure. The original hotel’s signature golden spire, inspired by the stupa of Wat Arun Ratchawararam, or the Temple of Dawn, has found a new home at the new hotel. So have the precious artworks of Thailand’s National Artist Paiboon Suwannakudt, whose traditional paintings and murals were carefully removed and reintegrated into the reimagined premises. The same applies to the original property’s elaborately carved teakwood ceiling panels, and valuable flora from its renowned waterfall garden. These beloved remnants of the past have all been seamlessly woven into the new Dusit Thani Bangkok. 

“Maintaining Dusit Thani Bangkok’s valued iconic identity has been our mission from the very start,” said Ms Suthumpun. “The preservation of artworks, woodwork, and landscaping from the original property ensures various areas of the new hotel will remind guests of the hotel’s storied past. Visitors can also relive their Dusit memories on our Heritage Floor, which features a virtual library dedicated to the history of the hotel and the Silom area. Moreover, the new Dusit Thani Bangkok features artworks by talented artists from Silpakorn University, who drew inspiration from their memories of the original hotel to create a diverse range of paintings. These preservation efforts are all highlighted in the docuseries.”   

Chapter one of An Icon Reimagined: The Docuseries is available to watch now on Dusit Thani Bangkok's official Facebook page (facebook.com/dusitthanibangkok) and Dusit International's YouTube channel (youtube.com/@dusitinternational). New chapters will be released every Tuesday throughout September.

About Dusit Thani Bangkok 

The iconic Dusit Thani Bangkok reopens its doors to welcome guests once again following a captivating transformation. Presiding over Lumpini Park, the hotel redefines luxury with all park-view accommodations and sets the scene for unforgettable experiences with world-class dining and peerless event venues.

More than just a hotel, Dusit Thani Bangkok brings classic grandeur to life and invites discerning travellers to experience a vibrant blend of modern elegance and timeless charm inspired by Dusit's world-renowned gracious hospitality.

For more information, please visit dusit.com/Bangkok

NFT Marketplace for Creators and Buyers

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Influencers are social media personalities with an extensive following who often get paid by household brands to do their work. By tokenizing their creations, influencers can monetize them more efficiently.

NFT marketplaces are revolutionizing how content creators monetize their work. From community-driven platforms such as Rarible to high-profile drops on Nifty Gateway, there are multiple options available to content producers who seek monetization solutions for their work.

CYBER UNICORNS

CYBER UNICORNS are an exclusive NFT collection of digital images of cybernetic unicorns created by world-class digital artists. This digital art serves as a virtual collectible that brings elements of art, science fiction and fantasy together with blockchains technology for an attractive collectible that collectors find especially desirable as an investment opportunity. It has gained wide-spread renown among collectors as an excellent investment option.

NFTs offer many advantages over traditional paintings in terms of storage and longevity; thanks to blockchains they can be kept safely for an indefinite amount of time, connecting artists and fans more directly. NFTs have gained tremendous traction around the world and many celebrities and musicians use NFTs as an effective means of selling their art work.

OpenSea and Superrare offer NFT marketplaces to assist artists and content creators monetize their creations by selling them to their audiences. Both marketplaces operate on Ethereum network and charge fees upon sale; users need a non-custodial cryptocurrency wallet with sufficient funds in it for purchasing NFTs; this wallet should be password protected and kept safe - it should also contain some ETH for paying creation/minting fees of NFTs.

Bermuda Unicorn is an intuitive marketplace designed to enable both emerging and established artists to showcase and monetize their works. As one of the leading NFT marketplaces today, it boasts an extensive selection of art, photography, video games and more - providing its users with a safe and secure platform.

ANTONI TUDISCO

Antoni Tudisco is a 3D visual artist specializing in digital art who uses futuristic scenes and characters inspired by music and fashion to create futuristic scenes and characters using digital art. His inspiration comes from both of these areas; music inspires his work while fashion has inspired others as his work has been featured by Vogue, Highsnobiety, and Hypebeast among many other publications.

He employs 3D modeling and animation, photobashing, and video compositing techniques to craft his distinctive style of artwork that combines pop culture references, dystopian themes, and critical perspectives on contemporary issues into one cohesive whole. His vibrant and surreal artwork has earned him millions on the NFT marketplace.

Tudisco's work has also been sought out by top brands like Nike and Adidas, and artists like Wiz Khalifa. Recently he collaborated on an exclusive NFT collection featuring musical elements from Khalifa's music paired with Tudisco's hyper-digital style.

His works explore themes of heritage, futurism, romance and technology with an eye towards depicting black American experience. He has shown at places such as Artist Space and Goethe Institut as well as being part of NEW INC - a museum-led incubator and artist initiative - where his artwork has received high regard from both fellow artists and the general public alike - even being sold on NFT platforms such as Portion.

DANVAS

Danvas's three-dimensional NFT displays distinguish themselves from most NFTs by offering immersive digital art experiences that bring it to life and strengthen ownership. Collectors can build collections of virtual art through its marketplace and sharing features, while its artist creation tools and display technology empower artists.

NFT's NFT art collection showcases digital images of cybernetic unicorns created by acclaimed digital artists. Available for purchase through its platform that accepts various cryptocurrencies,

buyers can make a purchase using their chosen cryptocurrency wallet to complete a transaction - alternatively, fiat currency may also be accepted as payment at its marketplace.

NFTs have become an essential element of the crypto-art market, selling for millions. Many works commissioned from famous artists have even been shown at major museums.

Furthermore, NFTs boast one unique advantage over physical art: they can be resold multiple times without losing value - which explains their tremendous worth in the market today - making DANVAS' NFTs so precious.

As well as its impressive art collection, NFT also provides an in-game cryptocurrency known as Nifties which can be bought and traded on its marketplace. Nifties can then be redeemed for in-game items such as weapons and costumes powered by NFT technology. The marketplace accepts Ethereum blockchain-based cryptocurrency Ether as well as some fiat currencies; regular transactions incur a 2.5% transaction fee while minting tokens requires zero gas commission fees.

UNINCORPORATED

NFT markets provide many benefits for both buyers and creators. Purchasers can use them to access art, games, and other digital items while creators use them as a platform to sell and promote their work. NFT marketplace for creators must be monitored closely for violations or impersonation attempts that might occur; otherwise, they risk becoming vulnerable platforms that expose purchasers or creators.

The best non-fungible token marketplaces provide access to an expansive selection of digital assets spanning art to virtual real estate, supporting multiple blockchains and accepting various payment methods - for instance, some platforms only accept cryptocurrency like bitcoin while others accept more traditional forms of money such as checks. While NFTs may seem fungible, some items may hold more value than others - for instance, trading cards from popular artists may command much greater returns than mass-produced baseball cards.

Some NFT marketplaces are open to everyone while others require special invitation. One such marketplace, Foundation, is dedicated exclusively to art. It brings digital creators, crypto natives, collectors and museum experts together in order to drive culture forward using the Ethereum blockchain and offering Nifties as NFTs; those wishing to purchase NFTs on this platform must first have an Ethereum wallet funded with cryptocurrency funds before purchasing these pieces on Foundation.

Rarible is another large NFT marketplace with an extensive selection of NFTs available for sale, similar to OpenSea. Like OpenSea, Rarible supports Ethereum blockchain but specializes in art rather than finance and boasts notable partners such as Yum! Brands' Taco Bell and cloud software company Adobe as partners. Rarible also has its own token called RARI which enables users to manage artworks on its platform.