The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) | Announced the Opening of a New Ginger Hotel in Thaltej, Ahmedabad, India

The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), hospitality firm part of Tata Group and based in Mumbai, India has announced the opening of a new Ginger hotel in Thaltej, a census suburban town of Ahmedabad, the largest city in the state of Gujarat, crossed by the Sabarmati River and popularly known for its historical landmarks, cultural significance, industrial and entrepreneurial activity, thriving textile industry, vibrant festivals such as Navatri and its delicious cuisine.

The opening of Ginger Ahmedabad, Kristar Hotel adds another property to the Ginger brand in the city, bringing the total to five Ginger hotels across various locations and aligns with IHCL’s strategy to expand its presence in urban centres across India, catering to the growing demand for hospitality services  in rapidly developing cities like Ahmedabad.

The city is noted for its relevant industrial growth, educational instutions and cultural hubs, making it a significant destination for both domestic and international visitors.

The property is located at Plot 232 Zydus Hospital Road opp. Sunvilla Bungalows in the Thaltej neighbourhood, a suburban area in the north - zone of Ahmedabad city that enjoys excellent connectivity via major highways like SG Hoghway and SP Ring Road, ensuring easy access to the vibrant city life.

Thaltej is an ideal retreat for those seeking tranquillity away from the city’s hustle and bustle. This census town boasts lush greenery and serene surroundings, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and not far from hospitals, schools, restaurants, temples and parks.

The new hotel offers accommodations designed for both business and leisure travellers, featuring comfortable rooms, a restaurant named Soulinaire and meeting spaces.

The property joins the midscale brand Ginger Hotels, characterized to offer modern comfort, seamless service, contemporary, and vibrant spaces, accurately designed to cater to work and leisure requirements.

Links

https://www.gingerhotels.com/hotels/ginger-ahmedabad-kristar

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139255.html

Hyatt Hotels Corporation | Portfolio Expansion in East Asia with the Opening of a New Hyatt Centric Hotel in Chengdu, China

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, American multinational hospitality company headquartered in Chicago, Illinois has announced the opening of a new Hyatt Centric hotel in Chengdu, the vibrant capital of Sichuan Province in southwestern China, famous globally as the home of the Giant Panda, a major conservation hub, and well known to be a UNESCO City of Gastronomy for its spicy Sichuan cuisine like hotspot, alongside its relaxed teahouse culture, historic sites like Jinsha and Kuan Zhai Ally, and a centre which is experiencing a relevant economic growth.

The opening of Hyatt Centric The Ring Chengdu marks the continuous portfolio expansion of Hyatt Hotels in East Asia, and particularly in China and is part of a strategy to enlarge its presence in key markets globally.

The hotel is located at No, 229 Tongyan Street in the Chengdu’s revitalized Pannchenggang district, known for its blend of traditional and modern elements, a vibrant atmosphere and a notable connectivity.

The property is directly connected to The Ring lifestyle mall, giving guests access to several dining, entertainment and shopping options, and 50 metres from Dongda Road Metro Station, offering convenient access to Chengdu Railway Station and several city attractions including Chunxi Road, Taikoo Li, Tianfu Square and the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

The hotel’s design, created by Cheng Chung Design, a firm based in Hong Kong, an outstanding designer who specializes in hospitality design and who has worked with most of the high - end international hotel brands, incorporates elements reflecting the area’s industrial history and cultural vitality. 

The public spaces and guest accommodations feature design elements that honour the district’s past while incorporating modern amenities.

The property features 258 comfortable rooms, three dining venues, including Café 249, which serves Sichuan dishes and Cantonese dim sum, and Dongda 333, a Chinese restaurant with private dining rooms. 

Amenities at the hotel also includes a 24 - hour fitness centre on the 36^th floor and five function rooms for meetings and events.

Hyatt Centric The Ring Chengdu joins the Hyatt Centric brand which features modern, full - service hotels in prime locations, emphasizing local exploration and social connection through locally inspired food and drinks, signature cocktails, and a knowledge team to provide destination expertise.

Brand’s key features include artistically curated spaces with contemporary design, comfortable rooms with modern amenities, and social hubs like “The Corner” for working, relaxing or socializing. Technology is integrated for seamless connectivity, but balanced with a human touch from engaging staff who offer personal local recommendations, fostering connections with the destination.

The hotel is offering World of Hyatt members the opportunity to earn 500 Bonus Points for qualifying nights until March 3, 2026.

Links

https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-centric/ctuct-hyatt-centric-the-ring-chengdu

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139213.html

Hilton | Expanding its Presence in Colombia with the Opening of its Third Curio Collection Property in the Country, Located in Medellín

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc, American multinational hospitality company based in Tysons, Virginia has announced the opening of its third Curio Collection property in Colombia, located in Medellín, vibrant capital of the mountainous Antioquia province, located in the Aburrá Valley, a central region of the Andes Mountains, a centre nicknamed the “City of Eternal Spring” for its temperate weather boasting a rich cultural heritage, historical significance and a destination offering unforgettable and authentic experiences.

The opening of the York Medellín, Curio Collection by Hilton marks the debut of Curio Collection by Hilton brand in the  city, the third in the country, following locations in Bogotá and Cartagena de Indias and the 27^th Hilton hotel in Colombia.

The hotel is situated near Club Campestre, EAFIT University and the Medellín Chamber of Commerce in the affluent El Poblado neighbourhood located in the south - east of the city, known as “Las Manzanas de Oro” (The Golden Apples) because it is the main centre of industrial and commercial life of the second largest economy of Colombia.

The neighbourhood is highlighted by chic cafes, fashion boutiques, and high - end restaurants amid tall apartments blocks and hotels, clubs and bars in the bustling Parque Llleras areas, which buzzes at night, the striking Medellín Modern Art Museum which hosts exhibitions and screens arthouse films, Museo el Castillo that occupies a grand - style mansion surrounded by gardens,  leisure spots such as Atanasio Girardot Stadium and  huge upscale shopping malls include El Tesoro, Oviedo and Santafé.

The new property features 111 suites, each equipped with modern amenities, including voice – controlled settings, smart home assistants and 4K televisions. The suites range in size from 33 to 56 square metres and include separate living areas and fully equipped kitchens.

York Medellín, Curio Collection by Hilton dining options include the Nomade Restaurant, which offers a menu with local and international influences, and the Ze View Rooftop Bar, providing a selection of trendy cocktails and fine wines and its 360 - degree views of the city. 

Amenities at the property include a rooftop on the 23rd floor, offering panoramic city views, an infinity pool, a fitness centre on the 22nd floor, the Henko Spa boasting a range of wellness treatments, and the establishment is also pet - friendly.

For business and event needs York Medellín, Curio Collection by Hilton offers several venues, including meeting rooms and open – air terraces that can accommodate up to 100 guests, coworking spaces and business services tailored for corporate travellers.

The new property joins the Curio Collection by Hilton, a global portfolio of unique, upper - upscale hotels hand - picked for their distinctive character, history and local immersion, offering guests bespoke stories through unique architecture, curated local experiences, and world - class dining.

The opening of York Medellín, Curio Collection by Hilton is part of Hilton’s broader strategy to expand its lifestyle brands in the Caribbean and Latin America. The company currently operates nearly 300 hotels in the region and has a development pipeline of over 150 properties.

Links

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/mdeykqq-york-medellin/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139240.html

Bunkhouse Hotels | Announced the Opening of a 49 - Room Boutique Hotel in Houston, Texas, U.S.

Bunkhouse Hotels, an American hospitality group founded in 1998 and based in Austin, Texas, a firm characterized by passion for design, tireless attention to details and a commitment to creating authentic culture and memorable experiences in different destinations has announced the opening of a 49 - room boutique hotel in Houston, Texas, U.S., vibrant city and seat of Harris County situated near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

America’s fourth - largest city and a cosmopolitan destination, Houston is closely linked with the Space Center Houston, the coastal visitor center at NASA’s astronaut training and flight control complex, and also highlighted by a relevant cultural scene with its Theatre District, home to the the renowned Houston Grand Opera and the Historic District, with 19^th century architecture and upscale restaurants.

Hotel Daphne is the new gem of Bunkhouse Hotels, located at 347 West 20th Street in the Houston Heights, a community in northwest - central Houston, known for its Victorian homes along tree - lined Heights Boulevard, the Heights Hike & Bike Trail, parks as well as its quirky stores, record shops and diverse restaurants especially on West 19th Street and Heights Mercantile, also home of the Classic Heights Theatre and the monthly First Saturday Arts Market. 

The hotel structure, a five - story brick building, was designed in collaboration with Blanchard A+D, a design team who specializes in residential and hospitality architecture on the West and East Coasts based in Arlington, Massachusetts with landscape architecture by McDugald Steele, a fully integrated landscape architecture firm, headquartered in Houston, specializing in high - end landscape design,  outdoor construction, and garden management services.

The design incorporates elements reflective of the Heights’s architectural style, including stepped parapets and steel sash windows while the landscape design integrates large heritage oak trees to complement the surrounding area.

The interiors designed by Bunkhouse Hotels, draw inspiration from the Heights’s history as a planned community and Greek mythology.

Hotel Daphne features 49 comfortable and stylish rooms. Each guest room is equipped with custom beds, mohair seating, and Arts and Crafts - style furniture. Some rooms have private terrace.

The property provides Hypsi, an all - day restaurant led by Chef Terrence Gallivan, offering Italian - style aperitivo with Gulf Coast ingredients, featuring a menu of handmade pastas and shareable plates. The restaurant is open for breakfast and dinner, with plans to introduce lunch service in January 2026.

The hotel also features a bar, a library, a courtyard, a retail shop, a selection of art from the Ackerley family’s collection and provides dog - friendly accommodations, room service and concierge service.

The opening of Hotel Daphne follows the recent launch of Hotel Saint Augustine Houston’s Montrose neighbourhood. Bunkhouse Hotels operates several properties across Texas, with Hotel Daphne marking its latest expansion in the region. Room rates start at $359 per night.

Links

https://www.bunkhousehotels.com/hotel-daphne

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139171.html

Indonesia | Planning to Start Construction of Seven Green Power Plants in Tourist Areas Next Year

Indonesia plans to start construction in 2026 of seven waste - to energy (WtE) green power plants as the first phase of a larger national programme to establish 33 such facilities by 2029, an initiative that is backed by a decree by Indonesian President Prabowo Dubianto, part of an ambitious plan which aims to process significant amounts of municipal solid waste, generate renewable electricity and improve urban environments in seven regions especially in tourist areas like Denpasar, Medan, and Semarang.

The development funds will be through the state - owned Danantara (BPI), formally the Daya Anagata Nusantara Investment Management Agency, Indonesoia’s second sovereign wealth fund (SWF) established to manage and optimize state - owned enterprises and attract domestic and foreign investment to drive national economic growth.

These seven centres will be able to process up to 12.000 tons of raw material per day and generate approximately 197.4 megawatts of electricity, according to Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

Programme Key Details:

·    Project Goal: Tackle urban waste and produce clear energy.

·    Scope: Seven plants in the initial phase, part of a national plan for 33 by 2029.

·    Capacity: Handle about 12.000 tonnes of waste daily, generating roughly 197.4 MW of electricity.

·    Location: Initial sites include Greater Denpasar, Greate Medan, Greater Semarang, Greater Yogyakarta, Greater Bogor, Greater Tangerang, and Greater Bekasi.   

·    Funding: State investment fund from Danantara (BPI), Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund.    

·    Timeline: Tenders for the first batch began in late 2025, with construction expected to start in early 2026.                                                                                             

Significance:

·       Reduces landfill waste and improve sanitation.

·       Tourism: A cleaner environment supports tourism development/

·       Energy Security: Contributes to Indonesia’s renewable energy goals.

The Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, stressed that the project not only seeks to generate energy, but also to improve the environmental situation in tourist centres.

 
Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/indonesia-iniciar-la-construcci-n-de-siete-plantas-de-energ-a-ecol-gicas-en-2026/

Botswana | Launching a Major Push for Sustainable Tourism, Introducing New Regulations and Expanding its MICE Sector

Botswana Tourism is launching a major push for sustainable tourism, introducing new regulations and significantly expanding its Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, highlighted by hosting AviaDev Africa 2026, a key aviation forum aimed at enhancing air connectivitiy within and beyond the African continent, actively working attract more business tourism, diversify beyond wildlife, with the purpose to welcome visitors like lifestyle and arts tourists, all under a broader sustainable development framework.

Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) CEO Keitumestse Setlang has reaffirmed a sustainability - led growth agenda and confirmed that a revised Community - Based Natural Resources Management policy has been approved by Parliament, with implementing regulations being finalised.

Speaking on the VA Tourism Podcast at the AirlinePros Global Conference in Cape Town, South Africa on 04^th December, the CEO of Botswana Tourism said the current policy remains in place until the new framework takes effect, adding that a video address by President Advocate Duma Gideon Boko signalled strong government backing top international partners.

BTO CEO outlined a bigger push into MICE sector, with Botswana to host AviaDev Africa from 10^th to 12th June 2026, a major milestone, signalling growth in business tourism alongside ongoing upgrades to convention facilities.

Concerning sustainability drive, Botswana focuses on a commitment to sustainable practice, integrating environmental, social, and economic aspects into tourism development, aligning with global practices.

Part of the strategic plan is also the imnplementation of new regulations that involve revised Community -  Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) rules and broader sector changes to support sustainability.

Diversification beyond traditional wildlife safaris assets is a focal point for the country and includes the promotion of lifestyle and creative - arts tourism, and agritourism, all under a borader sustainable development framework, while sport events continue to draw visitors.

Air access is improving through South African Airways’ Gaborone - Johannesburg service, increased frequencies by Airlink and Ethiopian Airline on Maun routes, and services from FlyNamibia and ProfFlight.

Botswana Tourism Organisation is targeting at least 10% arrivals growth in 2026 from a record 1.8 million visitors and aims to double numbers within five years.

In essence, Botswana is modernising and reinforcing its tourism sector with a strong sustainability focus, leveraging new rules and infrastructure to attract diverse tourism, especially in the growing MICE sector, while building on its core wildlife appeal.

 Link

https://atta.travel/resource/botswana-tourism-sets-sustainability-drive-new-rules-and-mice-push.html

Uruguay | Gearing Up for a Robust 2026 Cruise Season

Uruguay is gearing up for a robust 2025 - 2026 cruise season (extending into early 2026) attracting major lines like MSC and Costa passenger exchanges and expedition cruises, focusing on high value, sustainable tourism, projecting the arrival of 139 cruise ships and increased economic impact marked by recent upgrades at the Port of Montevideo the main port of entry,  offering modern facilities, supporting sustainable practices and environmental standards, aligning with Uruguay’s green tourism goals and the appeal of the glamourous Punta del Este with additional arrivals.

The season which started in late 2025, also highlights Montevideo’s growing role as a gateway for Antarctic expeditions and showcases coordinated government efforts to boost cruise tourism through promotion and continuous infrastructure improvements.

MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises will continue their operations in Uruguay, alongside other major lines like Holland America, Celebrity and Viking and the luxury expedition ship Scenic Eclipse began the season, signalling Uruguay’s growing importance for high - end Antarctic voyages.

The season aims to significantly boost inbound tourism and economic contribution, building on previous years’ success.

During the official launch of the season, the Ministry of Tourism highlighted the economic importance of the sector, which in 2024 generated $14.6 million, as well as the growing interest of visitors in the quality of services and the country’s attractions.

At the event, the President of the National Ports Administration underlined the progress in infrastructure of the port of Montevideo which expects between 125 and 126 calls, according to information from Diario La R, Uruguay’s only free digital newspaper.  

The official also pointed out the obtaining for the third consecutive year of the EcoPorts certification, which recognizes international sustainability standards, and advanced projects to allow the electrical connection of ships in port, reducing emissions and strengthening the use of renewable energies.

Finally the Minicipality of Montevideo underscored the relevant role of cruise ships in the local economy and in the international projections of the city as a tourist destination.

Link

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/uruguay-se-prepara-para-una-s-lida-temporada-de-cruceros-2026/