Chiang Mai, Thailand, August 17, 2022 / TRAVELINDEX / As part of its “A Journey to the Farm” package, the Meliá Chiang Mai invites its guests to a trip to a nearby 250-hectare organic gourmet farm to meet local farmers and learn more about sustainable agriculture and healthier eating.

As part of the new "360° Kitchen" program, the hotel kitchen works closely with ORI9IN The Gourmet Farm in the San Sai district, sourcing organic produce directly from the farm, ensuring short transport routes. Every part of each ingredient is used – roots, leaves, stems, stalks, and more – before the food waste is returned to the farm as fertilizer – a truly holistic 360° concept.

The “A Journey to the Farm” package costs 8,800 THB net (243 USD net) per room for two people and includes two nights in a Meliá room, daily breakfast for two people and a day trip for two people to the picturesque farm including a picnic lunch.

The farm experience includes feeding the animals, a walk around the farm with a guide to learn about the cultivation of Meliá Chiang Mai's fruits, vegetables and herbs, as well as Ori9in's Pharm's traditional herb garden, and the opportunity to explore a garden labyrinth.

According to James Noble, who went from being a chef to a sustainable farmer and runs ORI9In, the day trip offers guests the opportunity to learn more about the journey of their food and these products, as well as the people who were involved in that journey.

"This is tourism that leaves no trace in nature; we are trying to show people that you can take a day trip without damaging what you actually wanted to see," he said.

As part of the partnership between the Meliá Chiang Mai and the farm, local farmers cultivate a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs for the hotel's restaurants, bar, and spa. In addition to seasonal, locally grown produce such as young water spinach, red basil, lemongrass, and passion fruit, the farm cultivates various tomato varieties, lettuces, and special ingredients like Padrón pepper, which would otherwise have to be imported from Spain for the hotel's authentic Mediterranean cuisine.

“This partnership is a key component of our ‘360° Cuisine’ program, through which we aim to work closely with local farmers to support them in improving sustainability and promoting ethical production, so that communities and the entire food system become more resilient,” said hotel director Edward E. Snoeks.

Rising above the Ping River and Chiang Mai's Night Bazaar, the Meliá Chiang Mai opened in April. With a design that pays tribute to Chiang Mai's charming history and culture with a modern flair, the hotel consists of a striking 22-story tower with an adjacent seven-story base building.

The hotel's culinary offerings draw on the Meliá's Spanish roots and celebrate renowned Spanish cuisine. They include the Mai Restaurant and Bar and Laan Na Kitchen, the Mai The Sky Bar and Tien Pool Bar, and the Ruen Kaew and The Level Lounge; the latter is an executive lounge on the 21st floor with panoramic city views.

The "Farm Trip" package is now available for booking until November 28, 2022, for stays until November 30, 2022. For more information or to book, please call +66 (0) 52 090 699.

About Asset World Corp Public Company Limited: Asset World Corp Public Company Limited is a holding company of the TCC Group and operates leading integrated lifestyle real estate projects in Thailand. The company operates in two main business segments: the hotel sector, led by top managers of world-renowned hotel brands such as Marriott, The Luxury Collection, Okura, Banyan Tree, Hilton, and Sheraton; and the retail, wholesale, and commercial real estate sector. Projects include: 1) Retail and wholesale, including lifestyle destinations, shopping malls, weekly markets, and wholesale commercial properties. Notable real estate projects include ASIATIQUE the Riverfront Destination, Gateway at Bangsue, the AEC Trade Center – Pantip Wholesale Destination, and Tawanna Bangkapi. 2) Commercial buildings, including the iconic Empire Tower and Athenee Tower in Bangkok's central business district.

About Meliá Hotels & Resorts: Meliá Hotels & Resorts is the best-known international brand in the Meliá Hotels International portfolio. With over 100 city and resort hotels in the most important leisure and business travel destinations in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, the brand offers world-class meeting and event spaces in all major business centers as well as in exotic locations, serving the ever-growing market for conference and incentive travel. As part of its philosophy of innovation and realignment, Meliá Hotels & Resorts has reinvented itself to address all aspects of guest well-being. Unique experiences are created, characterized by relaxation, valuable time, and personalized service. For a balanced lifestyle, Meliá Hotels & Resorts intuitively understands the needs and expectations of its guests – an integral part of its redefined brand identity.

About Meliá Hotels International: Founded in 1956 in Mallorca, Spain, Meliá Hotels International operates over 380 hotels (in its portfolio and under development) in more than 40 countries under the brands Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, Paradisus by Meliá, ME by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, The Meliá Collection, INNSiDE by Meliá, and Sol by Meliá, as well as a broad portfolio of partner hotels in the "Affiliated by Meliá" network. The group is one of the world's leading resort hotel companies and is leveraging its expertise to strengthen the growing leisure-focused city break segment. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led to the group being named the most sustainable hotel company in Spain and Europe (Silver award) according to the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2022. The company also ranks seventh on the Wall Street Journal's list of the 100 most sustainable companies worldwide (and is the leading travel company) and is the only Spanish travel company to be included in the Financial Times' "Europe's Climate Leaders 2021" list. Meliá Hotels International is also listed on the Spanish stock index IBEX 35.