Raffles Hotel Le Royal, one of Southeast Asia’s most iconic luxury heritage hotels, is celebrating its 96th anniversary this month with a grand charity gala and an inspiring art exhibition that honours young Cambodian creativity.

The hotel will host a charity gala dinner and art auction on November 24 at its award-winning Restaurant Le Royal. The evening will feature a gourmet three-course dinner with fine wines and a live auction of artworks created by children from Sunrise Cambodia, a local non-profit organisation supporting underprivileged children. All proceeds from the event will contribute to Sunrise Cambodia’s educational and welfare initiatives. Tickets are priced at $96 for two persons, and the event begins at 6 p.m.

Earlier this month, Raffles Hotel Le Royal unveiled a heartfelt art exhibition titled “I Spy – The Magic of Raffles”, encouraging guests to explore the timeless beauty and cultural heritage of the hotel through the eyes of Cambodian youth. The exhibited artworks, created by the children of Sunrise Cambodia, will also be part of the upcoming auction.

Dagmar Lyons, General Manager of Raffles Hotel Le Royal, said, “Through the eyes of Cambodia’s youth, this unique art project captures not just the beauty of our historic hotel, but also the essence of heritage, imagination and hope.”

The initiative involved 25 children from Sunrise Cambodia who participated in an art competition under the guidance of celebrated Cambodian artist Chhim Sothy, with support from artists Li Ming Hang and Emmeline Mulder. Their creative expressions of “The Magic of Raffles” reflect both artistic curiosity and cultural pride. On Children’s Day, five of the best artworks were selected and turned into limited-edition postcards, available at the Raffles Boutique, with proceeds going to Sunrise Cambodia’s creative education programs.

The 96th anniversary celebrations also coincide with Raffles Hotel Le Royal receiving the Green Globe Certification for the second consecutive year, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable hospitality practices. The certification recognises the hotel’s excellence in energy efficiency, waste reduction, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

The Green Globe programme, founded after the 1992 United Nations Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, remains the world’s leading sustainability certification for tourism and hospitality. It evaluates hotels on 44 criteria across four categories, supported by over 380 indicators.

As Raffles Hotel Le Royal celebrates nearly a century of timeless elegance, community engagement, and sustainable innovation, it continues to serve as a beacon of Cambodia’s cultural and environmental legacy.

The Kenya Tourism Board has been crowned as the Best Tourism Board in Africa at the prestigious Africa Tourism Awards 2025 (The Balearica Awards), held on 1 November at the Hilton London Canary Wharf.

The Kenya Tourism Board triumphed over other leading contenders, including the Egypt Tourism Authority, Rwanda Development Board, South African Tourism, Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority, and Instituto do Turismo de Cabo Verde. The recognition reinforces Kenya’s position as a continental benchmark for destination marketing and promotion.

Adding to the country’s pride, the Masai Mara National Reserve was named the Best Safari Destination in Africa. Competing against globally acclaimed parks such as Chobe, Kruger, Serengeti, South Luangwa, and Volcanoes National Parks, the Masai Mara stood out for its extraordinary wildlife experiences, particularly the world-famous annual wildebeest migration and its community-driven conservation initiatives.

Kenya’s achievements extended across multiple categories. The Kenya Tourism Board received commendations for Best Tourism Video with its acclaimed campaign “This is the Real Deal,” Best Country Destination, Best City Destination for Nairobi, and Best International Airport for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Together, these recognitions highlight Kenya’s strong tourism infrastructure and its diverse appeal to global travellers.

Speaking about the awards, Allan Njoroge, Acting CEO of Kenya Tourism Board, said,

“These accolades are a strong testament to Kenya’s extraordinary natural heritage and our commitment to sustainable tourism growth. The Masai Mara remains our crown jewel and one of the world’s premier safari destinations. Our recognition as Best Tourism Board reflects KTB’s innovative marketing strategies, strategic partnerships, and concerted efforts to grow visitor arrivals, boost revenue, and create millions of jobs for Kenyans.”

The awards coincided with the 2025 World Travel Market (WTM) in London, where the Kenya Tourism Board led a vibrant delegation to promote the country’s tourism offerings. KTB used the platform to strengthen partnerships, highlight Kenya’s latest travel products, and attract international visitors.

With its unmatched wildlife adventures, rich cultural traditions, scenic coastlines, and warm hospitality, Kenya continues to set the gold standard for African tourism and remains a leading choice for travellers across the globe.

The Hari Hong Kong has partnered with White Cube Hong Kong to present ‘Thresholds,’ a remarkable group exhibition showcasing contemporary artists whose creative practices are rooted in or connected to Indonesia.

Exploring the cycles of life, death, and transformation, the exhibition delves into themes of ritual, spirituality, and reincarnation through a captivating mix of mediums, including painting, sculpture, textile, drawing, and silverware. The collection will be on display at The Hari Hong Kong until 31 March 2026, offering art lovers a glimpse into Indonesia’s rich cultural and spiritual landscape.

Curated by Galuh Sukardi, an independent curator from Indonesia, ‘Thresholds’ features works by artists Galuh Anindita, Arahmaiani, Christine Ay Tjoe, Nadiah Bamadhaj, Kei Imazu, Ines Katamso, I Gusti Ayu Kadek Murniasih (Murni), Citra Sasmita, and Jennifer Tee. Each artist expresses a unique journey of transformation, spiritual, political, physical, or mythological, highlighting the coexistence of light and dark as balanced forces rather than opposing ones.

Rooted in Indonesian tradition, the exhibition draws inspiration from the Balinese poleng cloth, known for its black-and-white checks symbolising harmony of opposites. This symbolic pattern becomes a visual metaphor for balance amid contemporary ecological, social, and spiritual challenges.

To celebrate the exhibition, The Hari Hong Kong has introduced special menu offerings inspired by Indonesian cuisine. Guests can savour dishes like chicken karaage wrapped in pandan leaf and pandan coconut panna cotta, paired with the Threshold Special, a pandan-flavoured cocktail or mocktail. The pandan leaf, a staple in Indonesian cooking and a symbol of purity, beautifully connects the culinary and cultural narratives of the festival.

The collaboration also builds on the ongoing relationship between The Hari and White Cube, following their annual Hari Art Prize, which began in London. Wendy Xu, Managing Director, Asia at White Cube, is part of the judging panel for The Hari Art Prize 2026 in Hong Kong, continuing the celebration of emerging artistic talent.

‘Thresholds,’ curated by Galuh Sukardi, is on view at White Cube Hong Kong until 10 January 2026, and concurrently at The Hari Hong Kong until 31 March 2026.