Meliá Pattaya Hotel and LAY Beach Club, both launched on February 14 this year near Bangkok, are celebrating their very first Christmas with a series of festive events. From lavish buffets to seaside countdown parties, the celebrations bring together food, music, and holiday cheer.

At Meliá Pattaya Hotel, the festive mood begins at Yítong Chinese Restaurant with the Christmas Eve Dinner, a luxurious buffet held on December 24 from 7 pm until late, offering Chinese favourites along with Western seasonal dishes. The celebration continues on Christmas Day, December 25, with a Traditional Christmas Day Buffet at Sanehh Sarae and DEN from 1 pm to 4 pm. Guests can enjoy roast turkey with all the trimmings, international selections, and rich desserts, along with an optional free-flow package of wine and beer. Both Christmas buffets, with an optional beverage package.

New Year’s Eve at Meliá Pattaya brings two grand celebrations on December 31 from 7 pm onwards, set against Pattaya’s stunning fireworks. Yítong Chinese Restaurant will host a New Year’s Eve Chinese Kitchen Party featuring signature dishes and festive specials, with a free-flow package available that includes wine, beer, and a midnight sparkling wine toast. Guests can also welcome 2026 at Yítong Sky Bar with the New Year’s Eve Countdown party, which includes gourmet canapés, free-flow wine and beer, and a midnight glass of sparkling wine. The hotel is also offering a NYE Sparkling Staycation package for stays from December 31 to January 1, inclusive of the New Year’s Eve dinner buffet and daily breakfast.

At LAY Beach Club, the festive cheer continues by the sea. The Christmas Eve by the Sea event on December 24 offers an international buffet with holiday favourites, live entertainment, and a relaxed beachfront vibe. Christmas Day Brunch on December 25 features carving stations, gourmet treats, and holiday-inspired dishes from 1 pm to 4 pm. The celebrations extend to December 26 with a Boxing Day BBQ filled with premium grilled meats, seafood, sides, and salads in a chilled-out setting. The Christmas Eve and Boxing Day buffets and Christmas Day Brunch will add a perfect tone for celebration. A free-flow wine and beer package is also available at each event.

LAY Beach Club will close the year with the New Year’s Eve Seafood Buffet & Countdown Party from 7 pm until late, offering guests a front-row view of Pattaya’s spectacular fireworks. The evening will feature fresh seafood, shellfish, gourmet dishes, live music, and a glass of sparkling wine at midnight.

“Our ‘A Season to Sparkle’ program is extra special as it makes for our first Christmas welcoming guests, as we reflect on what has been a remarkable debut year for our hotel,” said Javier Gimeno, General Manager of Meliá Pattaya Hotel. “From refined Chinese feasts high above Pattaya to relaxed beachfront brunches with toes in the sand, every celebration with us this festive season will be one joy with Mediterranean flair.”

Meliá Pattaya Hotel is a 12-storey urban resort with 234 rooms, offering views of the Gulf of Thailand. The property features a diverse dining landscape including Yítong Chinese Restaurant and Sky Bar, DEN with Japanese-Peruvian Nikkei cuisine, and Sanehh Sarae inspired by flavours from the coastal villages of Bang Saray.

LAY Beach Club, located on Beach Road, features a hydro bar where the pool merges with the ocean, surrounded by loungers, cabanas, and a Mediterranean-style lounge with a chic rooftop overlooking Pattaya Beach.

For more information or to make a booking at Meliá Pattaya Hotel, guests can visit the official website.

Moxy Hotels, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio, has officially made its debut in Nepal with the launch of Moxy Kathmandu. Designed for travellers who enjoy playful energy and creative spaces, the hotel brings Moxy’s bold personality to the cultural and contemporary heart of Kathmandu.

Moxy Kathmandu is located in Durbarmarg, one of the city’s most vibrant business and entertainment districts. With Tribhuvan International Airport just 15 minutes away, the hotel serves as a convenient base for guests looking to explore the city. Popular attractions such as the UNESCO-listed Durbar Square, the peaceful Swayambhunath Stupa, and the bustling lanes of Thamel are easily accessible. The neighbourhood also connects guests to Kathmandu’s emerging modern culture, including indie cafés, art galleries, rooftop lounges, and lively music venues.

Speaking about the brand’s entry into Nepal, Kiran Andicot, Senior Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International, said, “Moxy’s bold, playful spirit is perfectly suited for a city like Kathmandu, where tradition meets vibrant modernity. As demand for experiences that are both unconventional and culturally connected increases, Moxy Kathmandu brings eclectic youthful energy to match the pace of the city. We are proud to introduce this lifestyle brand to Nepal - our first in the country and third in South Asia as we expand our portfolio in the region to attract travelers seeking style, energy, and authenticity.”

Staying true to the Moxy experience, guests are welcomed at The Moxy Bar, which doubles as the hotel’s check-in. A complimentary handcrafted cocktail sets the tone for a stay filled with fun and spontaneity. The open lobby is adorned with modern artwork inspired by Nepali culture, creating a lively space where guests can meet, relax, and enjoy vibey music. A dedicated recreation zone offers air hockey, board games, and interactive corners that enhance the social atmosphere. Adding to the excitement is the signature Moxy Hookup, which surprises guests with perks such as free drinks, local snacks, exclusive discounts, or unique gifts.

The hotel features 101 smartly designed guestrooms that balance comfort and functionality. Each room is equipped with plush bedding, walk-in showers, 55-inch HD Smart TVs, motion-activated LED lights, peg walls, modular furniture, and intuitive layouts that allow guests to personalize their stay. A well-equipped Fitness Center keeps up with the active lifestyle of today’s travellers.

Moxy Kathmandu also elevates dining with two standout lifestyle spaces. LA HACIENDA, Barra y Cocina Latina, located on Level 11, offers a Latin American culinary journey curated by Mexican Chef Martin Hernandez Lopez, paired with sweeping views of the Kathmandu Valley. The venue’s striking design, led by New York-based Mexican designer Pablo Castellanos, blends storytelling with modern aesthetics. CARIÑO, Terraza Latina brings a relaxed open-air vibe, perfect for sipping handcrafted cocktails while enjoying the city skyline. Both outlets aim to attract international travellers and locals with their global flavours and lively ambience.

Sharing his excitement for the launch, Subarna Thapa, Captain, Moxy Kathmandu, said, “Kathmandu is a city full of character. It’s ancient yet modern, vibrant yet laid-back, always moving, always evolving. That’s what makes it the perfect match for Moxy. We’re bringing a hotel experience that’s bold, social, and full of personality, where guests don’t just stay, they plug into the city’s energy, and we can’t wait to see it come to life.”

With its energetic design, social spaces, and youthful spirit, Moxy Kathmandu marks a fresh chapter for lifestyle hospitality in Nepal.

Goa and Israel recently took a step toward stronger tourism collaboration as Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, met with a delegation from the Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) in Panaji.

The IMOT delegation, including Galit Hoffman, Consul – Tourism Affairs for India, and Amruta Bangera, Director of Marketing, IMOT India, discussed opportunities to boost accessibility and travel between the two countries, highlighting the potential of a direct air link between Goa and Tel Aviv.

Shri Rohan A. Khaunte said, "Goa welcomes every opportunity to strengthen its global tourism partnerships. A direct connection with Tel Aviv holds strong potential to enhance two-way travel, and we are committed to extending all possible support to airlines evaluating this route."

The delegation also proposed hosting a roadshow in Goa to showcase Israel’s tourism offerings and engage key travel trade partners. The meeting concluded positively, with both sides aligned on advancing dialogue and exploring actionable pathways for direct connectivity.

Galit Hoffman, Consul – Tourism Affairs for India, IMOT, commented, "Goa has long held a special place for Israeli travellers, and strengthening connectivity will only deepen this relationship. We are optimistic about the potential of a direct Goa–Tel Aviv flight and look forward to continued collaboration with the Government of Goa."

Goa remains a preferred destination for Israeli travellers, with around 50,000 Israelis visiting India annually, many choosing Goa. Israel, in turn, continues to attract Indian travellers with its rich history, adventure offerings, natural landscapes, and culinary experiences. From January to November 2025, Israel recorded 1.18 million international arrivals and is expected to close the year at around 1.3 million, with India ranking among its top ten source markets globally.

Enhanced air connectivity is expected to boost tourism, strengthen cultural ties, and open new avenues for collaboration between Goa and Israel.