Design Destinations Magazine Winter 2020 Issue

Winter 2020

BHUTAN

Far From Ordinary

VALERIE ANN WILSON A Candid Conversation

IBAGARI

The Art of Living

MAMA’S COOKING

Experiencing Vietnam’s Street Food

74

Defying Gravity Utah

WHAT’S

8

Ibagari: The Art of Living -

28

Bhutan Far From Ordinary

INSIDE 42

Valerie Ann Wilson A Candid Conversation

60

46

Vietnamese Art

InterContinental Phuket Defining Luxury

84

Michelle Pfeifer An American Legend

72

Mama’s Cooking Experiencing Vietnam’s Street Food

LETTER FROM OUR EDITOR We welcome the new year with great excitement and to commemorate this we have created our winter issue featuring two properties - Ibagari on the Caribbean Island of Roatan, a boutique beachfront hotel that celebrates life through art, culinary and nature and the InterContinental Phuket which opened in late fall and is nestled on beautiful Kamala Beach in Phuket, Thailand.

In this winter issue we are featuring Bhutan, an amazing destination that is far from ordinary with images by David Lazar who is a regular contributor to our magazine. And Bill Scott gives us an introduction to some special entertainment in Utah, a circus that defies gravity with his beautiful black and white images.

In our career spot, we are proud to feature Ms. Valerie Ann Wilson, the CEO of Valerie Wilson Travel in a candid conversation with Cynthia P. Howland, our own managing editor. And in our American Legends we are happy to feature the amazing Michelle Pfeiffer.

The Anam Resort in Cam Ranh features street food in their culinary experience through a program that has received great reviews. Mama’s Cooking is a concept where employees’ moms actually cook their specialty for the guests. In this article we showcase some of them.

We are also including a selection of Vietnamese artists in an article where some of the most sought after artists are featured.

We hope you enjoy this issue and as always, we’d love to hear from you.

Go and discover new places, the world is full of experiences waiting to be discovered!

Franz E Buchhalter

Winter 2020

Editor in Chief: Managing Editor:

Franz E Buchhalter Cynthia P. Howland

Design Destinations Magazine is a publication by Buchhalter International Group, Inc. Head Office: 9121 SW 140th Street, Miami, Florida 33176 Tel: 305 484 1012 buchhalterinternationalgroup.com

BHUTAN

Far From Ordinary

VALERIE ANN WILSON A Candid Conversation

IBAGARI

The Art of Living

MAMA’S COOKING The Anam’s unique Concept

Cover: David Lazar - Bhutan

CONTRIBUTORS

BILL SCOTT is an international travel photographer

based in Salt Lake City, USA who has visited over 100 countries. Whether it is a top tourist destination like the Maldives or somewhere off the beaten track such as Burundi, he finds there is always something fascinating to photograph. By building trust and a relationship with people Bill is able to put his subjects at ease and capture them in their normal routines and daily life. Although he often enjoys directing a subject to create an image, he says the real magic happens when a great story, beautiful light, and the opportunity to work like a fly on the wall all come together. You can see more of Bill’s work on Instagram @billscottphoto.

Page 76

Defying Gravity Utah

DAVID LAZAR

is a travel photographer from Brisbane, Australia, who captures moments of life, culture, and beauty through photography. He is drawn to locations that have a rich cultural background steeped in tradition, and is especially interested in portrait photography.

David is a contributor to photography, travel and in-flight magazines, as well as newspapers, books and journals such as National Geographic, Asian Geographic and The Lonely Planet. In 2014 he was awarded Best Culture Photographer by Garuda Airways. He was the 2012 Smithsonian Photography Contest Winner in the travel category. In 2015, the inspirational book ‘Who Will I Become” was released by the Growing Leaders Foundation, showcasing David’s photography from Trinidad and Tobago. He has recently published a coffee table book of his work from Myanmar entitled “Myanmar: A Luminous Journey” which is now available for purchase worldwide.

Page 28

Bhutan - Far From Ordinary

IBAGARI The Art of Living

Each room and suite features artwork from world-renowned Central American artists. The furnishings are custom made utilizing local woods and textiles.

Ibagari’s signature restaurant Luna Muna is considered the islands best dining option and it is frequented by locals as well as guests from other hotels. Guests of the hotel have a reserved table every night.

BHUTAN FAR FROM ORDINARY PHOTOS BY DAVID LAZAR

By Cynthia P. Howland

A Candid Conversation

VALERIE ANN WILSON

Valerie Ann Wilson is the founder, owner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Valerie Wilson Travel, one of the largest privately owned and family managed travel consulting companies in the US. The travel powerhouse is co-managed and co-owned with Ms. Wilson’s two daughters Jennifer Wilson-Buttigieg and Kimberly Wilson Wetty and consists of a highly specialized network of over 315 Travel Advisors and Associates offering the ultimate in personalized and customized travel experiences.

DDM: You have made your own path and created your own success, beginning at a time when the way for women was not as open as it is today. Did you have a single mentor, or perhaps a single guiding principle that may have been your beacon in navigating through the many choices and decisions we make in a career?

VAW: I left the Midwest and went to school in Boston for two years, then moved to New York and worked in fashion for many years. Although I was out producing many of my male counterparts, all the bosses were men at the time. I always believed that if I worked hard and kept my Midwestern values close, I would be successful. To this day, I still believe in those principles and consider them the core values of our business honesty, integrity, loyalty and trust.

DDM: Follow up question. How do you “pass it on” and help influence newcomers to the business, particularly women? What advice and insight would you give to a bright and ambitious Tourism and Hospitality graduate starting out in the business today?

VAW: We really do believe that the future of travel is in our people. I am so proud of those we have at Valerie Wilson Travel currently, and we continue to mentor newcomers to help them grow within this wonderful industry.

We have created an 18-month mentorship program specifically for this purpose. During those 18 months, we train, mentor and give new Associates the tools they need to succeed in the industry. We also have a wonderful internship program that enables us to mentor young people interested in Tourism, Hospitality and Travel.

It is always fantastic when someone is well traveled or has industry experience, however for me, attitude is most important.

You need to be able to tell the story of the unique trip your clients are embarking on and the lifelong memories that come along with it. My advice for anyone starting out in the business is to go into everything you do with a great attitude and to always have the confidence to talk to others within your company who may have more experience.

DDM: Digital marketing and social media have changed the way we buy, and the way we sell. What role do they play in the luxury travel space and specifically within your organization? How do you manage to stay on top in a

w o r l d o f q u i c k l y c h a n g i n g te c h n o l o g y, i n s t a n t information and social media?

VAW: In this new era of technology, there is an overwhelming amount of information available. Consumers seek out our advice and expertise, but then are uncertain after talking to a friend or see something online or on social media. Clients now expect more from their travel advisors. Luckily, our wonderful relationships with trusted suppliers, as well as our partnership with Virtuoso allows us to offer exclusive amenities, insider access, concierge services, etc.

We have also seen the industry begin to move at the speed of light. While you used to have a couple of days with telex or fax, there is now a need for instant response and instant communication. Having Kimberly oversee all of our brand and marketing strategy, something she is passionate about, has kept us at the forefront of these trends.

DDM: How “digitally and socially” active do today’s travel agents who want to succeed in the luxury space need to be, i.e. personalized website, blogs, Facebook, podcasts, etc.?

VAW: I believe wholeheartedly in the value of sharing your experiences and travels with others. Being “digitally and socially” active gives our Advisors an even bigger platform to share their stories and to connect with more people, which is at the heart of what we do.

DDM: Looking at your profile, it is apparent that your experience is vast, both in your own business and also with many other travel companies in the sector. You have been ver y active in many travel and tourism organizations and boards throughout your career. Of yo u r m a n y c o n t r i b u t i o n s , w h i c h o n e o r t w o achievements stand out to you as having been the most gratifying?

VAW: I am incredibly proud of what we have become as a company, and even more proud that it will continue on in my two daughters, Jennifer and Kimberly. I was recently honored to receive the Mary Gostelow Award at ILTM, I was thrilled and so grateful to accept!

DDM: Your family is well known in the industry for its “family culture.” How has that translated to success for you and how do you foster that culture within the rest of your team?

VAW: None of this would have been possible without my two daughters, Jennifer and Kimberly joining me. I give them a lot of credit for how far we have come. We have spent many years developing the business and our relationships within the firms, our culture is so important to us, we want people who want to be a part of our big Valerie Wilson Travel family.

DDM: Your positioning, as “lifetime travel consultant” for your clients seems to be one of the hallmarks of your success. What kind of training, coaching or incentives do you provide to your team members to help consistently deliver on that “branding”?

VAW: So much of what we do is tied to that concept, I do not just want to plan one trip for you, I want to plan a lifetime full of memories and experiences for you to share with loved ones. Our Power of Access enables us to do this for our clients. Those years we spent building the business and building relationships matter.

To be able to pick up the phone and ensure that the hotel’s manager will be welcoming your guests, or that specific needs are being taken care of is extremely important to us. We also offer Insider Access, a once-a-month program where we bring in a senior-level executive from a cruise line or airline to participate in a panel and meet with our Advisors.

The word “no” is not in our vocabulary; instead we’ll simply find another way to solve the problem for our clients.

DDM: Of the many trends we see in travel today— sustainable travel, multigenerational travel, personalized and experiential travel, adventure travel, and so many more-----what do you see as the ones that

will most inform and impact your business and the way you move your business forward over the next few years?

VAW: As a travel consulting firm, we cater to all of these needs.

From planning a couple’s honeymoon, to a vacation before their first child, all the way to a volunteering trip with their children to eventually traveling with grandchildren. We see a lot of trends come and go, and of course we are always looking for the next big thing, however we never change how we do business – with honesty and integrity.

DDM: Valerie Wilson Travel is well known for custom travel experiences. What are a few of the more unique experiences you and your team have created?

VAW: We recently had a multi-generational family, as well as their tutor and assistant, embark on a 6 month 50th birthday celebration. A few highlights of the trip included paying a visit to a school in Africa, building a well in Cambodia and even delivering turkey dinners in Hawaii on Thanksgiving. We had two Advisors working round the clock to make sure we were always there to support the family’s needs. Because of our Power of Access, we were able to change their itinerary as it was happening to accommodate more or less time in specific destinations. This was one of our most unique trips to date!

INTERCONTINENTAL PHUKET

DEFINING LUXURY IN KAMALA BEACH

The beautiful InterContinental Phuket recently opened its doors and immediately raised the bar in Kamala Beach, the famous beach known as “Millionaire’s Row”. The 223 rooms, and villas resort offers a variety of unique dining options including their signature restaurant “Jaras”; and a luxurious spa that features a Thai design architecture inspired by the Thai temples.

Under the lead of Bjorn Courage, the resort’s General Manager, the InternContinental Phuket has in a very short period achieved the status of one of the most luxurious resorts in Thailand. Mr. Courage defines the success of its outstanding service by having handpicked the personnel from the “best of the best” to work in his resort. Each and every team member at the resort went through rigorous training months in advance of the opening date ensuring that the standards of service would be achieved and surpassed.

The InterContinental Phuket is easily accessible from Phuket’s International Airport. The resort defines Bjorn Courage, General Manager

InterContinental Phuket is located in Kamala Beach known as Phuket's Millionaire’s Mile, the place for luxury hotels and villas.

Located just north of the sights and sounds of Patong Beach, Kamala Beach is a quieter, secluded stretch of sand positioned within a well- enclosed bay and fishing village surrounded by forested hills, but also within reach of Phuket's entertainment areas and major tourist activities.

Furnished in an elegant blend of rich and earthy tones, InterContinental Phuket Resort’s collection of 223 rooms, suites and villas feature Ocean, Lagoon, or Mountain views. Live the ‘InterContinental Life’ in all its glamour in these meticulously designed escapes. With a special layout, they are enlivened with subtle Thai design and a host of lavish amenities.

Combining traditional Asian and Authentic Thai treatments with modern beauty therapies, giving guests a wide range of relaxing, balancing, revitalizing, and purifying treatments. The design of the spiritual Monta Flower theme is reflected from floating flower petals as you enter the Spa and subsequently suspended in artworks throughout...

The resort offers several dining options including, Pinto a culinary journey inspired by Old Phuket Town and its quirky shop houses offerings from an in-style breakfast, rejuvenating lunch to a memorable dinner.

Artist: Nguyen Hung Son

VIETNAMESE ART Founded in Ho Chi Minh City in 2009, Craig Thomas Gallery represents numerous award winning contemporary Vietnamese artists working in painting, sculpture and mixed media. CTG gallery space hosts a regular series of curated exhibitions of emerging and midcareer Vietnamese artists. Craig Thomas explains some of the technics used in Vietnamese art as “the revival of water color on silk painting in Vietnam that has taken place over the last decade. This traditional medium had largely fallen into irrelevance and cliché but has recently been reinvigorated by artists like Le Thuy, Bui Tien Tuan, Chau Giang and many others”. Vietnamese artists express social and political issues through their work. Vietnamese art remains a niche market globally as not too long ago, it was still impossible for Vietnamese artists to achieve international success. However, as a result of the recent economic developments in Vietnam such as the arrival of so many foreign investors, the Vietnamese art market has grown dramatically and has attracted the attention of the foreign art collectors.

Artist: Ngo Van Sac

Artist: Lieu Nguyen

Artist: Nguyen Trong Minh

Artist: Nguyen Trong Minh

Artist: Ngo Van Sac Hmong

Artist: Pham Huy Thong

Artist: Bui Thanh Tam

Artist: Lim Khim Ka Ty

MAMA’S COOKING Experiencing Vietnamese Street Food When it comes to cooking, nothing is as sacrosanct as a home-cooked meal. That’s why The Anam has recruited a half-dozen mothers from its staff to serve up an authentic slice of Vietnamese culture every Friday evening.

Drawing on centuries-old recipes handed down through the generations, the mother cooks serve up timeless Vietnamese classics, as if they were cooking for their own families. Dishes include bò nướng lá lốt (grilled beef in betel leaf), bún bò Huế (Hue-style beef noodle soup) and bánh xèo (crispy Vietnamese pancake), and are complemented by plenty of fresh, zesty salads and other treats such as desserts.

The mothers who prepare the food were not trained as cooks, and the recipes are recipes from their own mothers bringing the flavors of dishes cooked in their own homes for their own families. They share this with guests with the same love as they share with their own families.

Donning iconic conical hats instead of toques, the mothers include Nguyen Thi Phuong, Nguyen Thi Nhiem and Vo Thi Xuan Huu (whose children are employed full time by the resort as front office shift leaders and in engineering administration). The mothers plate up fresh, healthy and delectable Vietnamese fare at six cooking stations at the resort’s Lang Viet Restaurant, overlooking Long Beach’s white sands and turquoise waters.

Mama’s Cooking serves as a complement to the resort’s daily Vietnamese fare, differing by degrees of authenticity. Most Asian resorts that feature local items do make concessions to the foreign palate.

Mama’s Cooking does not.

For more information visit www.theanam.com

Miami welcomes Chef Lorena Garcia’s new restaurant CHICA to the Miami Design District

district and creates an atmosphere that is colorful and so Miami!

THERE IS A NEW CHICA IN TOWN

The Magic of Celebrity Chef Lorena Garcia

comes to the Miami

Design District with CHICA Restaurant. The new restaurant is a celebration of Latin flavors and Chef Lorena delivers the robust and vibrant flavors of Latin American cuisine combined with a dynamic wine and mixology program. Every dish is an inspiration from classic renditions of Latin dishes and it gives the opportunity for guests to experience and explore flavors of One Culture with influences from Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Mexico and Argentina among others. Her first CHICA restaurant opened in 2017 in Las Vegas at the Venetian Resort and today her authentic touch delivers in one of the most vibrant cities in the world: Miami. Chef Lorena gives new meaning to Mexican tacos and her Pepita Crusted Lamp Chops and the Paisa Breakfast Bowl are simply amazing. The decor of CHICA is just as spectacular as her dishes.

DEFYING GRAVITY UTAH SALT LAKE CITY CIRCUS PHOTOS BY BILL SCOTT Ramsi, founder of Defying Gravity Utah, is originally from Salt Lake City, Utah. As a lifelong gymnast and dancer, she decided to blend her favorite things together when she added cirque-style aerial arts to her bag of tricks nearly two decades ago. She's had many wonderful opportunities and feels so blessed that doing what she loves has provided such an amazing career, taking her around the country and across the ocean. She spent several years as a principal aerialist at Walt Disney World and has continued as a freelance aerial artist and dancer for AntiGravity Entertainment, Universal Studios, Odyssey Dance Theatre, and ICON Health & Fitness, just to name a few.

After a 2003 aerial silk performance at Utah State University in Logan, she was flooded by requests to teach others how to "dance in the air.” She enjoyed instructing dancers and gymnasts (and even just some regular adults and kids!) in the Cache Valley area before moving to Denver in 2005. It’s a natural complement to any dance, gymnastics or fitness curriculum. Ramsi's passion for the aerial arts is why she founded Defying Gravity.

Defying Gravity Utah was founded to share the excitement of cirquestyle aerial arts with dancers, gymnasts, fitness enthusiasts and anyone else interested in trying something new.

Utah.Salt Lake City/Utah is well known as a destination for outdoor recreation featuring both budget options and high end resorts such as Deer Valley. Less known is its thriving arts scene including the performing arts: https://www.visitsaltlake.com/events/performing-arts/ Utah is also home of the Sundance Film Festival (Founded by Robert Redford) Utah also has a small but active film industry including Utah Film Studios in Park City.

Salt Lake City is home to 9 ski resorts including the very upscale Deer Valley Resort More info at https://www.skicity.com/ski-resorts/all-resorts/ The other big attraction are the national parks. https://utah.com/ national-parks The desert parks are full of foreign visitors in the summer. Delta Air Lines has direct flights between SLC and London, Amsterdam, and Paris.

Utah is an outdoor recreation mecca. It offers some of the best of the following sports in the USA. Hang Gliding, Paragliding, Skiing, Snowboarding, Rock Climbing, Camping, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Hunting, Canyoneering, Kayaking, Fly Fishing, Ice Climbing, River Rafting, and Sky Diving.

MEET BUCHHALTER INTERNATIONAL GROUP’S SALES TEAM

JOSEPH FAIN, SALES DIRECTOR MIDWEST USA Joseph is a Marietta, Georgia native, and a former Marine.

He is an entrepreneur and spends most of his spare time counseling foster children for a non-profit organization focused on providing guidance and support. He also spends time producing Christian films geared to promote selfesteem to teenagers; he is a motivational speaker and a presenter.

“I love Italy and all of the Costa Del Sol. It’s the culture, people, and food…along with that near year-round temperate climate that sets it apart as the best destination for me. I’d look forward to exploring my heritage further in the north country of Ireland, seeking the thrills that await me in New Zealand and settling in for the natural beauty and extreme views of Argentina”.

One of my favorite travel quotes is by JRR Tolkien “Not all that wander are lost”

HUNTER SMIT, SALES MANAGER WEST COAST USA A graduate of the University of Nevada with a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration, his career has been in the service industry since graduation. Hunter is based in Los Angeles.

“My favorite place to visit would be New Zealand. Being an adrenaline junky, it’s packed with Adventure! The next three places I would like to visit are Brazil, Germany, and France!

My favorite travel quote is “To travel is to live” by Hans Christian Anderson

IVONNE BUCHHALTER, VICE PRESIDENT INDUSTRY RELATIONS, NEW YORK & FLORIDA Graduate from Barry University with a degree in Business Administrations. Her travels extend to all the continents except Australia and Africa, places that are on her bucket list that she plans to complete very soon. Ivonne oversees the New York and Florida markets.

“When I am in Rome I feel that I have come home, the people the places and the food fill my soul with joy and could be there all the time”.

My favorite Travel Quote: “ Take only memories, leave only footprints.” By Chief Seattle.

JACQUES MITCHELL, SALES MANAGER - NEW JERSEY, CT, PHILADELPHIA Jacques grew up in Texas and has a background in Bio/Pre-Med. He is a lifetime fitness athlete and prides himself on health and fitness. He currently resides in New York with his family and his baby boy William who is an inspiration to him.

One of my all-time travel destinations is an island. Love the sun, the beach, and the breeze.

My favorite travel quote is “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” By Ibn Battuta

FRANZ E. BUCHHALTER – PRESIDENT - New England, Canada, Illinois, Michigan.

With more than 25 years of experience in the travel industry, he developed his extensive expertise by working with companies such as Westin, Sheraton, Hyatt, Abercrombie & Kent, and Kerzner International Hotels. He has performed an array of services, from opening and marketing to selling international hotel brands, including Atlantis, Paradise Island Bahamas, One&Only Resorts ,The Cove Atlantis and The Reef Atlantis. Aside from co-managing the company, he is the fifth sales person as sales is his passion.

Two places in the world that I always returned to: Paris and Antigua in Guatemala.

My travel quote is “the world is a book and those who do not travel only read one page.” By Saint Augustine

An American legend

MichelePfeiffer

Pfeiffer began to pursue an acting career in 1978 and had her first leading role in the musical film Grease 2 (1982).

Frustrated with being typecast as the token pretty girl, she actively pursued more serious material and had her breakthrough role as gangster moll Elvira Hancock in the crime film Scarface (1983). Further success came with leading roles in the fantasy feature The Witches of Eastwick (1987) and the comedy Married to the Mob (1988). Her roles in Dangerous Liaisons (1988) and The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989) garnered her two consecutive Academy Award nominations, for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress, respectively; her portrayal of lounge singer Susie Diamond in the latter is one of the most acclaimed of her career.

Pfeiffer went on to star as Catwoman / Selina Kyle in Tim Burton's superhero film Batman Returns (1992), following which she won the Silver Bear for Best Actress and earned a third Academy Award nomination for playing a troubled housewife in Love Field (1992). She continued to gain praise for her performances in the dramas The Age of Innocence (1993) and White Oleander (2002), and the horror films Wolf (1994) and What Lies Beneath (2000). During this time, she also produced a series of films under her production company Via Rosa Productions. After a hiatus from acting in 2002, she returned with the musical Hairspray (2007). She received her first Emmy Award nomination for portraying Ruth Madoff in the HBO television film The Wizard of Lies (2017), and went on to be on to featured in the ensemble films Murder on the Orient Express (2017) and debuted to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Janet Van Dyne starring in Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018). In her latest film Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, she shares credits with Angelina Jolie in Disney’s sequel.

Design Destinations Magazine is a quarterly publication produced by Buchhalter International Group

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