Hilton | Portfolio Expansion in South Asia with the Opening of a new Resort in Hyderabad, India

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc., American multinational hospitality company based in Tysons, Virginia has announced the opening of a new resort in Hyderabad, the capital of southern India Telangana state located on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River.

Hyderabad is famous for its historical landmarks like the Charminar, a 16th century mosque whose 4 arches support towering minarets, an old city landmark near the long - standing Laad Bazaar, Golconda Fort, a dormer diamond trading - centre that was once the Quib Shahi dynastic capital, its status as the “City of Pearls", and its distinctive cuisine,  particularly Hyderabadi Biryani. The city is also a major hub for technology, pharmaceuticals, and traditional handicrafts like Pochampally sarees and Bidri work.

The Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley Resort & Spa development is part of Hilton’s ongoing portfolio expansion in South Asia, marking the company’s first property in Hyderabad.

The resort is situated in Genome Valley in the Turkapally area of Medchal - Malkajgiri District in the suburbs of Hyderabad. Genoma  Valley is a 2000 - acre high - technology area focused on sciences and technology, a major hub for pharmaceutical companies, research institutions, and other life science organitazions.

The property spans 20 acres and its design incorporates elements inspired by Telangana’s cultural heritage, specifically Kakatiya architecture, known for its detailed stonework, intricate carvings, adorn pillars, walls, ceilings and sandbox foundations for earthquake resistance.

Sustainable design practices have been integrated into the construction, utilizing locally sourced materials and energy - efficient systems.

Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley Resort & Spa features 115 guest accommodations, including 13 pool villas and six suites.

Dining options at resort include several venues offering international and local cuisines. These include Gingerfire, which focuses on Asian flavours, Yuzu, which provides a fusion of Chinese, Japanese, Nikkei and Thai cuisines, Nero, a poolside restaurant, and Drip, a quick - service outlet or tea, coffee, and pastries.

The resort also includes a spa under the eforea brand, which is making its debut in India. The spa features eight treatments rooms and offers a range of wellness services.

For events and meetings the property offers 89.000 square feet of event spaces which includes two pillarless ballrooms, five meeting rooms, and outdoor areas such as a pool deck and expansive lawns. These facilities are intended to cater to both corporate events and large – scale celebrations, such as weddings.

Recreational activities at resort include facilities for basketball, pickleball, cricket, futsal, mini golf, tennis and a dedicated arcade and gaming area for children.

The opening of the The Hilton Hyderabad Genome Valley Resort & Spa adds to Hilton’s portfolio in Asia Pacific, which includes recent additions in Shanghai, China and Kyoto, Japan.

Links

https://stories.hilton.com/releases/hilton-expands-flagship-brand-in-india-with-debut-in-hyderabad

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139149.html

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | Launched its Baymont Brand in East Asia with the Opening of a Hotel in Kunming, China

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, an American hospitality company known as one of the largest franchisors in the world, founded in 1981 in Dallas, Texas and based in Parsippany, New Jersey has launched its Baymont by Wyndham brand in East Asia with the opening of a hotel in Kumming, the capital and largest city of the province of Yunnan in southwestern China,  located at an altitude of 1.900 metres in the middle of the Yunnan - Guizhou Plateau, just north of the Tropic of Cancer.

Kunming is known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its mild, year round climate making it a popular destination with abundant flowers and scenic landscapes. Historically a relevant gateway of the Silk Road, the city is famous for natural and historical attractions like the UNESCO - listed Stone Forest and Dian Lake, nearby is Yuantong Sim, a temple founded by Buddhists in the 8^th century and today, a centre known for its vibrant ethnic minority culture and as an important hub for scientific research.

The opening of Baymont Kunming Wuhua marks the brand’s first property outside the Americas and is part of Wyndham’s strategy to expand its presence in the midscale segment across Asia - Pacific. The company views China’s post - pandemic travel recovery as a significant growth opportunity.

The hotel caters to both business and leisure travellers is situated at Building B1, Greenland Cloud Society, Wangqiong Road in the lively Wuhua District near local attractions, including Yunnan Wildlife Park, Cuihu Park and Qionzhu Temple,  within 10 - minute drive of Kumming University of Science and Technology and Yunnan Normal University, 6.6 km form Yunnan University, and 7.2 km from Green Lake Park.

The property features 92 comfortable rooms equipped with amenities such as screen HDTV’s, coffee and tea makers, minibars, and workspaces.

The hotel offers a daily breakfast, complimentary Wi -Fi,  fitness facilities, 300 square metres of meeting space across two venues, accommodating up to 180 guests for conferences or 150 for banquets and onsite parking.

The property joins Baymont by Wyndham brand, currently operates more than 550 hotels across North America, a brand of midscale hotels known its “hometown hospitality”. The chain offers comfortable rooms and suites, often with on - site fitness centres, and focuses on providing a welcoming and familiar atmosphere for both leisure and business travellers.

Links

https://investor.wyndhamhotels.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/400/baymont-by-wyndham-makes-asia-pacific-debut-in-kunming

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139059.html

Hyatt Hotels Corporation | Announced the Opening of a 142 - Room Hyatt Place Hotel in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico

Hyatt Hotels Corporation, American multinational hospitality company, based in Chicago, Illinois has announced the opening of a 142 - room Hyatt Place hotel in Mérida, the vibrant capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán, an iconic colonial city known as the “Ciudad Blanca” (The White City) blending rich Mayan heritage with Spanish architecture, colourful streets, and a relaxed pace.

The city features relevant attractions like its beautifully preserved historic centre with pastel buildings, grand mansions, and iconic yellow arches, the stunning square Plaza Grande, the stylish Paseo de Montejo boulevard, Mayan ruins (Chichén, Itzá, Uxmal), cenotes, a unique cuisine highlighted by the famous "Cochinita Pibil" dish, and lively culture with free music and dancing in its bustling plazas,  renowned as one of Mexico’s safest cities, offering a tranquil yet cosmopolitan vibe.

The opening of the new Hyatt Place Mérida / Via Montejo marks the second Hyatt - branded hotel in the Yucatán state and its development is the result of a collaboration with Inmobilia Desarollos, a leading development company headquartered in Mérida, specializing in premium real estate, well known for creating outstanding high yield project across Mexico and beyond.

The 11 - story hotel is situated in Avenida Prolongacion Paseo de Montejo, C 60 n°1, Zona Industrial, Colonia Via Montejo within the Via Montejo development, a mixed - use area of the city that includes residential buildings, commercial spaces anchored by the Harbor Lifestyle Mall, and corporate offices.

The property is located directly across a new U.S. Consulate and Mexico ‘s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, approximately 20 minutes from Mérida International Airport and is strategically positioned to benefit from the Tren Maya and IE - Tram route, enhancing connectivity to beaches, archaeological sites, and relevant cities such as Cancún and Tulum.

The hotel features 142 guestrooms with city views, each rooms includes separate spaces for sleeping, working, and relaxing, along with a Cozy Corner sofa - sleeper and a setting area.

Hyatt Place Mérida / Via Montejo offers several dining options, including a complimentary breakfast, at the Breakfast Bar, a 24/7 Market with grab - and - go meals, and The Placery, a lobby bar serving specialty coffee and alcoholic beverages.

Additional amenities include an outdoor terrace and pool, a 24/7 fitness center, and complimentary self-parking and the hotel also offers 1.077 square feet of meeting and event space, including two meeting rooms that can be combined for larger events.

 The new hotel joins the Hyatt Place brand that emphasises a casual atmosphere and practical amenities for the multi - tasking traveller, featuring spacious guestrooms with distinct zones for sleeping, working and relaxing. The brand combines style, innovation and 24/7 conveninence to create a seamless stay with modern comforts.

 Links

https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-place/en-US/midzm-hyatt-place-merida-via-montejo

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139126.html

Scandic Hotels | Officially Opened its First Hotel in Stuttgart, Germany

Scandic Hotels, a Swedish hotel chain based in Stockholm, a pioneer within sustainability with the majority of its hotels certified with the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, has officially opened on December 1, 2025 its first hotel in Stuttgart, capital of southwest Germany’ Baden - Württenberg state located on the Neckar River in a fertile valley known as the Stuttgarter Kessel.

Stuttgart is known as a relevant manufacturing hub and the “cradle of the automobile” , Mercedes - Benz and Porsche have headquarters in the city with their museums. The city is also filled with greenspaces which wrap around its centre. Popular parks include the Schlossgarten, Rosensteinpark and Killesbergpark and also highlighted by Wilhelma, one of the largest zoos and botanical garden in Europe, situated just northeast of Rosenstein Castle.

The opening of the hotel named Scandic Stuttgart Europaviertel is in response to the increasing tourism and business travel in Stuttgart, as the city continues to grow as a key European business centre.

The new Stuttgart hotel is positioned to serve both business and leisure travellers, capitalizing on the city’s status as a very significant business hub in Germany, known for its automotive and technology sectors.

Scandic Stuttgart Europaviertel is a modern, sustainably focused hotel with an innovative design, offering a convenient access to the main station and city attractions offering unique, local experiences in the city.

The hotel is strategically located at Heilbronner Strasse 88 near the central station, the large Europaviertel commercial centre and the main shopping and pedestrian area in Central Stuttgart, 0.2 km from Milaneo, 0.4 km from Museum der Illusionen and 0.5 km from Pragfriedhof, a strategic location that aims to meet the demand from business travellers and tourists alike. 

The property features 174 comfortable guestrooms and family friendly rooms, a restaurant, bar, business centre, conference facilities, pedal bikes for loan, electric car & charging.

This opening extends Scandic’s operation in Germany to eight hotels, with locations also in Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Munich, and Nürnberg, totalling 2.600 rooms.

Scandic’s expansion in Stuttgart is part of a broader growth strategy announced in February 2025, which includes plans to add approximately 10.000 new rooms by 2030, and this expansion will involve around 3.000 rooms through selective growth in Germany. Currently Scandic Hotels has three additional hotels in the development pipeline.

Links

https://www.scandichotelsgroup.com/media/press-releases/2025/scandics-first-hotel-in-stuttgart-is-now-open/

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article139158.html

Seychelles | Surpassed 2024 Visitor Arrivals with More than Three Weeks Remaining

In 2025, Seychelles saw a significant increase in tourism, with arrivals reaching 354.034 by week 47, a 12% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and a notable 17.3% rise in stopover visitors in October 2025 compared to October 2024. 

The destination welcomed 7.880 visitors in week 47, taking weekly volumes to nearly half of pre - pandemic levels as momentum continued into late 2025.

The tourism sector is performing well, this relevant growth is attributed to increased airline connectivity, with more airlines and routes in operation compared to pre - COVID levels and a very efficient collaboration between public and private sectors.

This brilliant performance surpassed 2024 visitor arrivals with more than three weeks remaining. Growth has been broad - based, Europe, the main source region, rose 13%, with Africa up 22%, Asia 23%, Oceania 94%, and the Americas 5%. 

The ranking about individual markets in terms of arrivals is: 

•    Germany: 49.310 
•    France: 38.899 
•    Russia: 32.443 
•    Italy: 20.478 
•    The UK: 20.165 
•    The United Arab Emirates: 17.221  

Officials cite coordinate public - private efforts, with forward bookings indicating further gains before year - end.  

Stakeholders emphasize the importance of sustainability and continued collaboration between the public and private sectors to maintain growth to have a positive multiplier effect on the local economy including hospitality, transport, and retail sectors.

Link 
https://atta.travel/resource/seychelles-surpasses-2024-arrivals-with-four-weeks-remaining.html

Russia | Established a Temporary Visa - Free Regime for Chinese Citizens

In the most significant expansion of China - Russia people - to - people mobility in decades, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree granting holders of ordinary Chinese passports visa - free entry for up 30 days between 1st December 2025 and 14th September 2026.

As published on the Kremlin’s website with this established temporary visa - free regime Chinese citizens will be able to enter in Russia without a visa. This reciprocal policy is based on a similar visa - free arrangement China made for Russian citizens. 

The regime is in effect for Chinese passport holders for allowed activities including:

•    Tourism.
•    Business trips. 
•    Family visits. 
•    Participation in scientific, cultural, socio - political, economic or sports events. 
•    Transit through Russian territory. 

Stay limit: The maximum duration of stay is 30 days per visit. 

Exclusions : The regime does not apply to those entering Russia for : 

•    Work or employment. 
•    Study. 
•    Residency. 
•    International road transportation as drivers, crew members, freight forwarders, or interpreters accompanying vehicles. 
 

This move is a symmetrical response by Russia. China has introduced an experimental visa – free regime for Russian citizens from September 15, 2025, to September 14, 2026. 

According to Xinhua News Agency, the official news agency of the People’s Republic of China, Chinese citizens have already begun to take advantage of the measure. 

On December 2, 2025 a line of tourists formed in the city of Heihe, a city of northern Heilongjiang province, located on the south bank of the Amur River, on the Russian border. Many of them learned of the visa cancellation of the visa cancellation from the news.

Link 

https://tvbrics.com/es/news/rusia-ha-establecido-un-r-gimen-temporal-de-exenci-n-de-visado-para-los-ciudadanos-chinos/

Brazil | Revealed the Creation of “Corales de Brasil”, a Coalition for Coral Reef Conservation and Restoration

Brazil has revealed the creation of “Corales de Brasil” a coalition with the aim to preserve and restore coral reef, as reported by Agência Brasil, a nationwide news agency based in the capital orf the country, Brasilia and run by the Brazilian government.

The establishment of the coalition was announced at the 30th UN Climate Conference (COP30) held in Belém, capital of the state of Pará,relevant port city and gateway to Brazil’s lower Amazon, highlighting the critical role of coral reefs in biodiversity, coastal protection, and economic stability.

"Corales de Brasil" is a collaborative muti - stakeholders initiative involving the government, researchers, non – governmental sector, traditional communities and the private sector that plans to achieve the expansion of protected areas and support innovative solutions for their restoration.

This initiative aligns with the National Plan de Action for Coral Reef Conservation (PAN Corais) and Brazil’s  commitment to sustainable ocean management under the Ocean Panel, part of wider national and international efforts that aim to restore 30% of degraded reefs by 2030 and secure public and private funding for conservation and restoration projects.

 Coral reefs occupy less than 0.1% of the ocean floor, but they are of crucial ecological importance, providing shelter and food for approximately 25% of marine organism species, and they can become a symbol of the fight against the effects of climate change.

 In the opinion of activists, the threats to coral reef ecosystems are global warning, land pollution, uncontrolled development of coastal areas and overfishing.

Executive Director of the nature conservation fund “Boticário Group” Malu Nunes, explained that the group wants to influence public policies, implement innovative solutions, create sustainable financing mechanism and demonstrate Brazil’s leading role in the global mission of coral conservation, which is one of the main initiatives in the creation of the coalition.

 Link

 https://tvbrics.com/es/news/brasil-crea-coalici-n-para-la-conservaci-n-y-restauraci-n-de-arrecifes-de-coral/