Author: Chad Merchant
Chad Merchant
As TEG Media’s Group Editor, Chad manages the editorial team and has been heading up the myriad publications and platforms of the company since joining in February 2012. He also writes for the various magazines and websites. A lifelong writer and English language enthusiast, Chad's background is primarily in business management, though he majored in education at Auburn University, and held jobs with editorial responsibility in his home country of the United States. Chad's interests extend to photography, travel, and a passion for good food and wine, along with a love of whisky, which has led to him serving as the Event Director for TEG Media’s popular WhiskyPLUS event, held annually since 2018.
Though there are other high-performing countries, both in the region and throughout Asia, Thailand soars above them all when it comes to tourism appeal – and the execution of policies and initiatives. Thailand continues to cement its place as the undisputed leader in Asia-Pacific tourism, outpacing strong competitors such as Australia, Japan, and Vietnam. According to a recent analysis by Travel and Tour World, Thailand’s winning combination of accessibility, affordability, and a diverse range of experiences has driven record-breaking tourist arrivals and revenue. By implementing traveller-friendly policies and maintaining top-tier infrastructure, the “Land of Smiles” appeals to travellers of all demographics…
Named by Lonely Planet as one of the best places to visit in Asia, Penang impresses with its vibrant mix of nature, heritage, and culture. Penang has once more earned a place on Lonely Planet’s list of the 22 best places to visit in Asia, a distinction that underscores the state’s enduring appeal to travellers worldwide. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee Chairman Wong Hon Wai hailed the recognition as a remarkable achievement, reflecting Penang’s unique blend of natural wonders, historical treasures, and cultural vibrancy. From the Lonely Planet write-up: “Perhaps Malaysia’s most exciting destination, Penang is an eclectic mix of old and new.…
Any hospitality pro will tell you, the best hotels are the best because of their people. Such a statement is no more true anywhere than at EQ, Malaysia’s top-ranked city hotel. Running a great hotel takes a lot of great people, and it all starts at the top, so it’s no surprise that this hotel’s General Manager was also recently named the #1 Hotel GM in the Travel + Leisure Asia-Pacific awards. Strategy-driven and people-centric, Aussie expat Gerard Walker is a seasoned hospitality professional with extensive experience… and that’s probably an understatement. Gerard has gone from managing the largest hotel in the…
The ill-advised plan, which would have sent the endangered primates to the country’s economic contributors as ‘gifts,’ drew condemnation from many. In June 2024, Malaysia announced a plan to gift orangutans to key economic partners in a diplomatic strategy dubbed “orangutan diplomacy.” The proposal, confirmed by Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, aimed to improve Malaysia’s international image and strengthen alliances amidst growing concerns about deforestation and its impact on wildlife, particularly orangutans. This announcement came shortly after the European Union imposed restrictions on palm oil imports from deforested areas, a move that threatened Malaysia’s palm oil…
The Penang edition of Malaysia’s biggest whisky show comes just three months ahead of the hotly anticipated Kuala Lumpur event. WhiskyPLUS Penang, held on July 20, 2024, at the luxurious new Marriott Penang hotel, was a resounding success, drawing praise from scores of delighted guests. This premier event, proudly organized by TEG Media, showcased over 60 brands of whisky and other fine spirits from across the globe. The event, which drew nearly 300 guests over the full six-hour session, featured esteemed sponsors and partners such as Maserati, Mister Coffee, Spritzer, and Monin. Guests delighted in viewing the gorgeous Maserati cars on display at the event,…
Led strongly by a burgeoning wine scene in Greater Kuala Lumpur over the last several years, the time for homegrown sommeliers has truly arrived in Malaysia. The Malaysia Best Sommelier Championship 2024 (MBSC 2024), held on June 24-25 at The Gardens – A St Giles Signature Hotel & Residences in Kuala Lumpur, showcased the impressive growth and maturation of Malaysia’s wine industry over the past decade. This year’s championship not only highlighted the increasing appreciation for wine among Malaysians but also underscored Kuala Lumpur’s emergence as a growing player in the region’s wine scene. To learn more about the fine…
As Britain’s Labour Party sweeps to victory, ending 14 years of Tory rule, does this mark a new dawn for the United Kingdom? In a historic political shift, the Labour Party has triumphed in the recent UK general election, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. This landslide victory signals a dramatic change in the political landscape, with widespread implications for Britain’s future, especially amid growing right-wing extremism across Europe. “Change begins now,” said the UK’s newest Prime Minister, Keir Starmer. In conceding defeat, outgoing PM Rishi Sunak remarked following the Conservative Party’s catastrophic defeat that Britain had delivered a “sobering verdict.” Indeed,…
This community-based approach to restoration, combined with an ingenious device, has fully revived coral reefs decimated by dynamite fishing in Indonesia. An extended experiment in coral restoration in the Spermonde Archipelago, Indonesia, has shown that a devastated reef can fully recover within just four years with careful intervention and community support. The Spermonde Archipelago, located a dozen miles off the coast of South Sulawesi, was once renowned for its vibrant reefs. However, extensive dynamite fishing had turned these reefs into barren landscapes. In 2018, a collaborative effort involving academics, government agencies, nonprofits, and local communities sought to restore the reefs…
A number of Malaysians are among the confirmed casualties so far at the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, which has seen over 2,700 people treated for heatstroke. The official death toll from this year’s Hajj pilgrimage has surged to nearly 500, with the true figure potentially more than double that, as reports suggest up to 600 Egyptian worshippers succumbed to the extreme heat en route to Mecca. Unofficial counts currently place the death toll at 1,170. Authorities report that already-confirmed fatalities include 14 Malaysians, 165 Indonesians, 75 Jordanians, 35 Pakistanis, 49 Tunisians, 11 Iranians, and 98 Indians. The Jordanian Foreign Ministry…
In a country marked by diverse travel experiences, Vietnam’s beautiful Cam Ranh Peninsula is not yet on Malaysians’ travel radar. But with the transformative efforts being made (along with some terrific beachfront resorts), this amazing destination isn’t going to remain a secret much longer. Following a three-year stretch with all my travels confined to Malaysia, fuelled largely by the long period of Covid restrictions, the time finally came to embark on an international trip. I wouldn’t have guessed that Vietnam would be the destination for my first post-pandemic international flight, but indeed it was. It also marked my third time…