MOVENPICK Hotels & Resorts across Asia and the Middle East have introduced a new “Local Flair Getaway” concept that connects travelers with unique local experiences that are light years away from traditional tourist attractions. “More and more travelers want to engage with a destination in a genuinely meaningful way,” said Andreas Mattmüller, chief operating officer for M?venpick Hotels & Resorts Middle East and Asia. “They want to learn about local cultures, talk to local people and enjoy true local experiences rather than just visit the sights.” The Local Flair experiences are as unforgettable as the destinations themselves. In Aqaba, expert ornithologists reveal the secrets of the mass migration of rare birds across Jordan; in the UAE a vet reveals how Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital has managed to treat 42,000 birds; and in Kuwait a historian unearths the ancient relics of lost civilizations on the island of Failaka. Other experiences include cooking Arabic food with a chef in Dubai and Tala Bay, exploring Jabel Al-Qara and Hufur Museum in Hassa in Saudi Arabia and discovering the secret Saigon tunnels that played an important role in the Vietnam War. Every Local Flair Getaway experience includes room nights, special services and features experiences that are as unique as they are varied from art, architecture and culture to cuisine, wildlife and history. “Each experience is completely unique,” said Andreas Mattmüller. “But there is one thing that is common to each one – unforgettable memories come as standard.” – SG
